Patents by Inventor Allan C. Lerch

Allan C. Lerch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6071571
    Abstract: A two-step method to porcelain-coat an article is provided particularly useful for porcelain-coating a gas burner used in a gas-fired residential barbecue grill. A gas burner constructed from mild enameling-grade steel is dipped in a slip containing porcelain frit and manipulated so that the slip adequately coats and adheres to the interior surfaces of the burner. The porcelain-containing slip simultaneously coats and adheres to the peripheral "shoulders" and particularly to the interior "shoulders", of the gas jet openings of the burner. A second coating of porcelain-containing powder is then applied, for example, electrostatically or by other conventional powder application techniques, to the exterior surfaces of the burner. The properties of the porcelain-containing powder of the second coating are adjusted for optimal coating properties. Then, the double coated gas burner is fired in a continuous furnace at a peak firing temperature of 1480.degree. F. to 1550.degree. F., with a target of 1530.degree. F..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Porcelain Metals Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan C. Lerch, Michael E. Tracey
  • Patent number: 6051275
    Abstract: A two-step method to porcelain-coat an article is provided particularly useful for porcelain-coating a gas burner used in a gas-fired residential barbecue grill. A gas burner constructed from mild enameling-grade steel is dipped in a slip containing porcelain frit and manipulated so that the slip adequately coats and adheres to the interior surfaces of the burner. The porcelain-containing slip simultaneously coats and adheres to the peripheral "shoulders", and particularly to the interior "shoulders", of the gas jet openings of the burner. A second coating of porcelain-containing slip is then applied, for example, by spraying or other conventional wet application techniques, to the exterior surfaces of the burner. The properties, for example specific gravity, of the porcelain-containing slip of the second wet coating are adjusted for optimal coating properties. Then, the double slip-coated gas burner is fired in a continuous furnace at a peak firing temperature of 1480.degree. F. to 1550.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Procelain Metals Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan C. Lerch, Michael E. Tracey
  • Patent number: 5687704
    Abstract: A portable and nestable grill having two generally conical shaped sections forming inverted conical housings removably joined together at the smaller ends forming a midsection or waist of reduced diameter. The upper conical shaped housing defines an upper grilling section for supporting a cooking grate near the upper end and a means for supporting charcoal or other solid fuel at the lower end of the upper housing forming the waist section. The lower conical shaped housing defines a charcoal starter/ash catcher base section. A plurality of apertures are sized, shaped, and positioned to provide sufficient draft to create a venturi effect at the position of the fuel support means to provide fast pre-ignition of the solid charcoal fuel and superior convective heat transfer for cooking. A vent ring having a plurality of apertures formed therein is sized and conically shaped to cover a portion of the charcoal starter/ash catcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Porcelain Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Allan C. Lerch, John H. Waugh, Ernie R. Gillam, Calvin F. Sprinkle, Richard H. Bird