Barbeque grill light

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a barbeque grill light that is portable and easily adjustable so as to provide task lighting for illuminating items cooking on a grate at night or under low light conditions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to accessories for cooking device, and more particularly to an improved side light for gas barbeque grills.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Barbeque gas grills are very popular for outdoor cooking. They generally comprise a cart, a firebox or cooking chamber, a cover for the firebox or cooking chamber, one or more gas burners, controls for the gas burners, one or more propane (e.g. gas) cylinders, cooking grid, side shelves with or without burners, and perhaps one or more warming racks. Numerous models exist in all types, styles, sizes and shapes. An example of such a typical barbeque is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D462,564. This patent shows at least two side tables, one of which having a side burner and grill.

Gas grills are generally used for outdoor barbecuing. Many of these grills are of the transportable type wherein the grill is attached to a support structure having wheels and handles for pushing the support structure or cart into a desired location. Accordingly, the grill may be used at night and in a location that is not provided with direct, task or indirect lighting. Even if indirect lighting is provided, it may be insufficient to allow for the person using the gas grill to be able to grill items to the desired level.

Various devices have been proposed in the prior art for lighting a grill, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,618 to Matthews; U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,169 to Walendziak; U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,875 to Hegedus; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,640 to Naperola.

As such, it is desired to have portable lighting which does not reduce the ability of the grill to be moved to a desired location. It is also desired to have a grill lighting device that is easily installed on new or existing gas grills. Furthermore, it is desirable to have a lighting apparatus which is directable so as to direct the light on to the grill cooking grate or an area adjacent to the grill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is a barbecue light comprising: (a) a base having a C-shaped socket with a slot; (b) a first arm having a first end with an opening and a second end being receivable in the slot and having a ball sized to be movably received in the slot so as to allow rotary motion of the second arm; (c) a second arm having a first and second end, the first slidably receivable in the opening of the first arm between an extended and a retracted position; and (d) an illuminating means pivotally attached to the second end of the second arm, the illuminating means is controlled by control means having an off position when the illuminating means is in a substantially horizontal position and an on position when the illuminating means is moved beyond the substantially horizontal position; whereby a user directs light by any one of pivoting the illuminating means, moving the second arm between the extended and retracted position, and rotating the second arm.

The barbeque light of the present invention is portable and can be easily affixed to a side table of gas grill so as to illuminate items cooking on a grate at night or under low light conditions and to enable a person using the barbecue grill to see the item(s) cooking. It can be easily and rapidly attached to the side plate by a person having limited technical ability without the use of numerous tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated and better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a gas grill having an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 3 to 5 are explodes view of a portion of FIG. 1 showing embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate embodiments of the present invention.

In the description and drawings herein, and unless noted otherwise, the terms “vertical” and “horizontal”, can be references to a Cartesian co-ordinate system in which the vertical direction generally extends in an “up and down” orientation from bottom to top while the horizontal direction generally extends in a “left to right” or “side to side” orientation. In addition, the lateral direction generally extends in an orientation that is extending out from or into the page.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention is shown. FIG. 1 provides a gas barbeque 10 having a grill housing 12 designed to enclose a burner (not shown). A cooking surface or cooking grid, in the nature of one or more grill plates (not shown), and a warming rack (not shown) may also be contained within the grill housing 12. Barbeque 10 also has at least one side table 16 to which lighting assembly 18 is attached. A fuel flow controller, for instance console 15, may be provided to moderate the flow of fuel to the burner. If a self-contained fuel source is used, including a fuel container, such as a propane tank for example, then a fuel source or container support base 20 may be employed to support the tank. If an external fuel source, such as piped natural gas, is used then base 22 may be omitted. Relocation of the barbeque 10 may be facilitated by the addition of wheels 24 and/or casters 26.

In the context of describing embodiments of the claimed invention, variations of detail are disclosed. While one such variation is described in conjunction with another particular variation, yet other variations may generally be used in association as well. The description provided is therefore not intended to be limited to the particular combination of variations disclosed.

Lighting Element

FIG. 2 provides a detailed view of lighting element 18 while FIGS. 3 to 5 provide an exploded view of a portion of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, for example, side table 16 has lighting element 18 removably attached thereto. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, there is provided light fixture or illumination means 30 pivotally attached to extendable arm 32 by way of joint 34. While joint 34 is shown as a type of joint allowing light fixture 30 to pivot or move through a single axis, it will be understood that any joint (e.g. saddle joint, ball and socket joint, etc.) may be suitable for attaching light fixture 30 to arm 32. Arm 32 is movably attached to base 36 by way of joint 38. Base 36 can be removable affixed to side table 16 by way of a pair of bolts 40a′ and 40a″ as well as nuts 41′ and 41a″ which are received in appropriate size bores in side table 16. While nuts and bolts 40a′, 40a″, 41a′ and 41a″ are disclosed, it will be understood that any suitable means for attaching or affixing base 36 to side table 16 could be employed. Base 36 could also be formed as part of side table 16 during manufacture of the barbeque 10 and its constituent elements.

Light fixture 30 can be provided by any light that provides sufficient illumination to allow the user to see the items cooking. In the preferred embodiment, three battery powered light-emitting diode (LED) 30′, 30″ and 30″′ are provided. Light fixture 30 consists of a circuit which can include a “tilt switch”, known in the art. Typically such “tilt switches” are placed in electronic devices to automatically turn the electronic device “on” and “off” based on the position of conductive material such as a sphere or ball. As such, tilt switches can also be referred to as “ball switches”. A typical tilt switch comprises a hollow, enclosed housing or capsule having electrodes within the housing and extending through and outside the housing. Conventionally, a conductive material, such a ball is placed within the hollow housing. The housing is aligned in an “on” position when the conductive material in the shape of a ball electrically connects each of the electrodes, allowing the flow of electricity. The housing is aligned in an “off” position when the ball in the housing is tilted and does not electrically connect the electrodes, preventing the flow of electricity. It will be understood that when lighting fix 30 is in a generally horizontal position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the tilt switch will be in the “off” position and lights 30′, 30″, and 30″′ will not be lit. Once lighting fixture 30 is moved out of the horizontal position, the tilt switch will be moved into the “on” position and lights 30′, 30″, and 30″′ will become lit. For example, lighting fixture 30 could be moved out of the horizontal position by as little as 25° to 30° from the horizontal in order for the tilt switch to move from the “off” position to the “on” position. It will be understood that the degree to which it is necessary to move lighting fixture 30 out of the horizontal in order to activate LED lights 30′, 30″ and 30″′, can varying depending on the circumstances.

It will be understood that the light fixture 30 could also be placed in the lid of the barbeque or on the handle such that when the lid is lifted the lights will be on and will be off when the lid is returned to the initial closed position.

Once out of the horizontal position, it can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 that light fixture 30 can be movable along one axis by way of joint 34. Joint 34 provides movement of light fixture 30 along an axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of arm 32, generally extending from joint 38 along arm 32 towards light fixture 30. Additional range of motion can be provided by ball and socket joint 38 which generally permits some degree of rotary motion possible in every axis. Joint 38 consists essentially of a spherical knob or ball 40 at one end of arm 32, with the knob fitting securely into a mating socket 42 in base 36. Mating socket 42 is formed by circular generally C shaped side wall 44. As can be seen in FIG. 2, C-shaped side wall 44 has a slot or recess 46 provided therein. Slot 46 is sized to fit the portion of arm 32 immediately adjacent ball 40. This feature will be discussed in greater detail below. By virtue of movement about joints 34 and 38, it will be understood that light fixture 30 can be placed in virtually any angle as required by the user.

In addition to movement along joints 34 and 38, arm 32 can telescope between a retracted, shorter position and an extended, longer position, as seen in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 2, arm 32 can be comprised of upper portion 48 and lower portion 50. Upper and inner portion 48 of arm 32 is disposed within lower and outer portion 50 of arm 32 and is slidably received therein. Outer potion 50 has a lower end terminating with ball 40 and an upper end generally disposed towards light fixture 30. Inner portion 48 has an upper end terminating with joint 34 attaching to lighting fixture 30 and a lower portion disposed at all times within outer portion outer 50 of arm 32 (not shown). Provided on a surface of inner portion 48 of arm 32 can at least one spring loaded knob, 48′ which is movable between an inward position and an outward position but can be biased outwardly. Provided on a surface of outer portion 50 of arm 32 is at least two bores, 50′ and 50″, sized to received knob 48′ of inner portion 48, when knob 48′ is in the outward position. The interaction of the knob and the bores provide a locking mechanism for the movement of inner portion 48 along the longiduntial axis of arm 32 between the extended position and the retracted position. When inner portion 48 is in the shorter retracted position (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4), knob 48′ will engage bore 50′ thereby preventing movement of inner portion 48 of arm 32 along the longitutindal axis. However, a user can depress spring loaded knob 48′, releasing knob 48′ from bore 50′ thus allowing inner portion 48 to move from the shorter retracted position to the longer extended position. When bore 50″ and knob 48′ are parallel, knob 48′ will be biased up and into bore 50″ thereby locking inner portion 48 in the longer extended position (See FIG. 5). To release inner portion 48, knob 48′ is simply disengaged from bore 50′ and inner position 48 is moved back to the retracted shorter position.

In operation, light element 18 can be removably attached to side table 16 by nuts and bolts 40a′ and 40a″ as well as 41a′ and 41a″ (as shown in FIG. 2). When lighting is not required light element 18 can be kept in the downward or horizontal position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3). In this position light 30 is not illumintated as the title switch or ball switch contained therein is in the “off” position. In such a position, it will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 that the light 30 of lighting element 18 is directed away from the barbeque 10. As clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, base 36 is generally oriented towards barbeque 10 while light 30 of the lighting is generally oriented away from barbeque 10. In order for lighting element 18 to be oriented in the downward or horizontal position, C-shaped side wall 44 is pointing away from barbeque 10. In other words, the slot or recess 46 is provided on the side which is not immediately adjacent the grill housing (see FIGS. 4 and 5). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, C-shaped side wall 44 is provided in a reverse C configuration so that the opening of the “C” points away from barbeque such that the C would be reversed if it were read from left to right, with the barbeque being on the right and light 30 being on the left. Conversely, if lighting element were on the side table opposite side table 16, the other side of barbeque 10 as shown in FIG. 1, the opening of the “C” would point away from barbeque such that the C would be in a normal orientation if it were read from left to right, with the barbeque being on the left and light 30 being on the right (not shown).

When the user of barbeque 10 required task lighting, however, such as when items were being cooked on grill plates 14, light element 18 can be lifted up by arm 32 from the downward horizontal position towards a more vertical position. Once light 30 was lifted sufficiently vertical to move the conductive material into the “on” position, LED lights 30′, 30″ and 30″′ will be activated and provide the necessary illumination. By moving one or both of joints 34 and 38, light 30 can be positioned so as to provide maximum task lighting to the area as dictated by the user. In addition, should further positioning be required, outer portion 50 of arm 32 can be moved from either the shortened or lengthened position to provide maximum lightening.

Over time or with increased use, however, ball and socket joint 38 may loosen. As such, the ability of lighting element 18 to maintain a particular desired position may decrease relative to when the lighting element was first used or installed. In order to overcome this, generally C-shaped wall 44 will prevent arm 32 from moving to the horizontal position. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, arm 32 will rest on wall 44 so as to maintain light 30 over the barbeque 10.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A barbecue light comprising:

(a) a base having a C-shaped socket with a slot;

(b) a first arm having a first end with an opening and a second end being receivable in the slot and having a ball sized to be movably received in the slot so as to allow rotary motion of the second arm;

(c) a second arm having a first and second end, the first slidably receivable in the opening of the first arm between an extended and a retracted position; and

(d) an illuminating means pivotally attached to the second end of the second arm, the illuminating means is controlled by control means having an off position when the illuminating means is in a substantially horizontal position and an on position when the illuminating means is moved beyond the substantially horizontal position;

whereby a user directs light by any one of pivoting the illuminating means, moving the second arm between the extended and retracted position, and rotating the second arm.

2. The barbecue light of claim 1 wherein the control means is a tilt switch.

3. The barbeque light of claim 2 wherein the first and second arms have a locking means locking the second arm in the extended and the retracted position.

4. The barbeque light of claim 3 wherein the locking means comprises:

(a) a plurality of bores in the first arm;

(b) a knob sized to be received in the plurality of bores on the second arm, the knob biased outwardly to engage the plurality of bores;

whereby when the second arm is in the extended or retracted position the knob is biased outwardly into one of a plurality of bores so as to prevent movement of the second arm and whereby a user can depress the knob to disengage the knob from one of the plurality of bores so as to allow the second arm to move between the extended and retracted position.

5. The barbeque light of claim 4 wherein the illuminating means comprises:

(a) a body pivotally attached to the second arm;

(b) reflector carried within the body;

(c) at least one LED within the reflector;

(d) a power supply in operative association with the tilt switch and the at least one LED.

6. A barbeque having the barbeque light releasable attached thereto.