Abstract: Two main embodiments of a heat shield for a barbecue grill are disclosed herein. Both are designed to reduce the transfer of heat from the heated volume of the cooking chamber to the handle of the barbecue grill. The first embodiment mounts to the exterior of the cooking chamber and is disposed between the cooking chamber and the handle. The first embodiment is contoured to interrupt the convective flow of heated air away from the handle. The second embodiment mounts to the interior of the cooking chamber opposite the handle. The second embodiment rests adjacent the inside surface of the cooking chamber to form a partially or substantially closed volume that serves as an insulating barrier for the handle.

Abstract: Two main embodiments of a heat shield for a barbecue grill are disclosed herein. Both are designed to reduce the transfer of heat from the heated volume of the cooking chamber to the handle of the barbecue grill. The first embodiment mounts to the exterior of the cooking chamber and is disposed between the cooking chamber and the handle. The first embodiment is contoured to interrupt the convective flow of heated air away from the handle. The second embodiment mounts to the interior of the cooking chamber opposite the handle. The second embodiment rests adjacent the inside surface of the cooking chamber to form a partially or substantially closed volume that serves as an insulating barrier for the handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly comprising an upper assembly and a lower assembly, the upper assembly adapted to receive a cooking chamber. The grill assembly further comprises at least one projection on one of either the lower assembly or the upper assembly, and at least one receiver on the other of said lower assembly or said upper assembly. The projection and the receiver are cooperatively dimensioned such that the projection is received by the receiver. The projection having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is adapted to be biased into contact with an inner surface of the receiver. The barbecue grill assembly includes a lateral assembly, positioned proximate the upper assembly. The lateral assembly is adapted to receive an auxiliary work surface or a cooking burner. The upper, lower, and lateral assemblies are each formed from a plurality of tubular frame members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly 10 comprising an upper frame assembly 12 and a lower frame assembly 14. The lower frame assembly 14 comprises a shelf 50 and a plurality of lower frame members 26, 28 which define an interior space 40. At least one frame member 28 has an aperture 80. The shelf 50 has at least one pin 70 cooperatively dimensioned with the aperture 80. The pin 70 is received by the aperture 80 to connect the shelf 50 to the lower frame members 26, 28 and form the lower frame assembly 14. The shelf 50 has a perimeter that is cooperatively dimensioned with the interior space 40 such that the shelf 50 is positioned within the interior space 40. The shelf 50 provides structural integrity to the lower assembly 14 such that the lower assembly 14 can support the upper assembly 12 and the cooking chamber 16.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support apparatus for a fuel tank used in connection with a gas barbecue grill assembly. The support apparatus is connected to a portion of the frame assembly of the grill assembly. The support apparatus comprises a housing member with a bracket adapted to engage a portion of the fuel tank and a releasable member operably connected to the housing member. At least one pivot axis member operably connects the support apparatus to a portion of the frame assembly. The support apparatus is rotatable about a generally vertical axis between a first position wherein the fuel tank is substantially within the frame assembly and stored for use, and a second position wherein the fuel tank is substantially beyond the frame assembly and accessible for removal and replacement. The releasable member is adapted to secure the support apparatus in either the first position or the second position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support apparatus for a fuel tank used in connection with a gas barbecue grill assembly. The support apparatus is connected to a portion of the frame assembly of the grill assembly. The support apparatus comprises a housing member with a bracket adapted to engage a portion of the fuel tank and a releasable member operably connected to the housing member. At least one pivot axis member operably connects the support apparatus to a portion of the frame assembly. The support apparatus is rotatable about a generally vertical axis between a first position wherein the fuel tank is substantially within the frame assembly and stored for use, and a second position wherein the fuel tank is substantially beyond the frame assembly and accessible for removal and replacement. The releasable member is adapted to secure the support apparatus in either the first position or the second position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly comprising an upper assembly and a lower assembly, the upper assembly adapted to receive a cooking chamber. The grill assembly further comprises at least one projection on one of either the lower assembly or the upper assembly, and at least one receiver on the other of said lower assembly or said upper assembly. The projection and the receiver are cooperatively dimensioned such that the projection is received by the receiver. The projection having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is adapted to be biased into contact with an inner surface of the receiver. The barbecue grill assembly includes a lateral assembly, positioned proximate the upper assembly. The lateral assembly is adapted to receive an auxiliary work surface or a cooking burner. The upper, lower, and lateral assemblies are each formed from a plurality of tubular frame members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly 10 comprising an upper frame assembly 12 and a lower frame assembly 14. The lower frame assembly 14 comprises a shelf 50 and a plurality of lower frame members 26,28 which define an interior space 40. At least one frame member 28 has an aperture 80. The shelf 50 has at least one pin 70 cooperatively dimensioned with the aperture 80. The pin 70 is received by the aperture 80 to connect the shelf 50 to the lower frame members 26, 28 and form the lower frame assembly 14. The shelf 50 has a perimeter that is cooperatively dimensioned with the interior space 40 such that the shelf 50 is positioned within the interior space 40. The shelf 50 provides structural integrity to the lower assembly 14 such that the lower assembly 14 can support the upper assembly 12 and the cooking chamber 16.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shelf assembly for a cooking apparatus such as a barbeque grill, and method of using same. The shelf assembly has a shelf component which can rotate about a generally horizontal axis of rotation located generally at a first end of the shelf component, from a lowered position to a raised position. The cooking apparatus or an associated apparatus has a frame member which supports the first end of the shelf component about the axis of rotation. The shelf assembly also has a support extending downwardly in relation to the shelf component when the shelf component is in the raised position. The support is capable of rotating about the axis of rotation with the shelf component. The shelf assembly further has a stationary coupler located generally below the axis of rotation in the vicinity of where the support is capable of rotating about the axis of rotation with the shelf component.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the amount of fuel in a fuel tank for a barbecue grill is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first housing member having indicator marks on an indicator wall thereof, a second housing member slidably engaging the first housing member and further securing the fuel tank, and a spring member connected to the first and second housing members to provide a resistive force to oppose the downward movement force of the fuel tank. The second housing member has a gauge wall with openings such that the gauge wall at least partially overlies the indicator wall of the first housing member to progressively expose indicator marks through the openings. The exposed indicator marks provide a readout of the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank.

Abstract: A handle 10 includes a strap 12 having a central portion 14 and a pair of legs 16 depending therefrom. The central portion 14 is substantially covered by an insulating material 18 which extends down a portion of each leg 16. The insulating material 18 has an arcuate upper profile 20 and an arcuate lower profile 22. Ribs 28 running generally transverse to the length of the handle are provided on the lower arcuate profile 22. The legs 16 are arcuate. The insulating material is applied as a first, upper part 30 and a lower part 32 which define a channel 34 between them to accommodate the strap 12. In a preferred embodiment, a thermally isolated bolt 42 joins the first and second parts 30, 32 together. Various other features to improve grip, control, and safety of a grill lid or bowl used in conjunction with the handle 10 are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to leg enhancements for barbecue grills (10) and specifically to a leg mounting element (100) for interconnecting each leg (6) to the cooking chamber (8) and a support assembly (200) for interconnecting the legs (6) to one another (6).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for igniting charcoal typically used on an outdoor grill is disclosed. The apparatus (10) includes a generally cylindrical housing (12), a charcoal support member (30) disposed therein, a heat shield (18) attached to the outside of the housing, and a first (20) and a second (24) handle which cooperate together to provide safer handling of the apparatus and charcoal briquettes.