Universal fit burner

Abstract

A universal fit burner is disclosed having a main body member adapted to receive a venturi tube that is slidably mounted for increasing or decreasing the length thereof relative to the main body and a gas inlet for fitting different sized grills. Also provided is an extension member that can be coupled to the main body member for increasing its size and an adjustable mounting bracket for securing the burner in the firebox of the grill.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Universal Fit Burner,” having Ser. No. 60/703,918, filed Jul. 29, 2005, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to outdoor gas barbecue grills.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Outdoor gas barbecue grills are relatively durable consumer products that are not only used, but also stored, outdoors. However, although various components such as the exterior casting can exhibit a useful life of ten years or more in an outdoor environment, various other components of a typical grill do not last as long. By way of example, a burner, which is mounted within the interior of the grill and distributes gas from the fuel tank for burning, may corrode or otherwise become degraded in just a few years.

In this regard, replacement grill component parts are now available so that consumers can replace various components of their grills when necessary. From a manufacturing standpoint, however, providing the various components can be problematic because different grills can use different sizes and shapes of components. Thus, many different sizes and shapes of replacement components typically are manufactured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this regard, universal fit burners and grills incorporating universal fit burners are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a burner with the venturi assembly in an extended position.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, schematic view of an embodiment of a burner.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a burner showing the front of a burner extension.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the burner of FIG. 3 showing the back of the burner extension.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a burner with the venturi assembly in a retracted position and block-off plate installed.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a burner with the venturi assembly in an extended position.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of a burner showing installation of the burner extension and block-off plate.

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a burner with the venturi assembly in an intermediate position, showing the burner extension and block-off plate installed.

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of a burner with a burner extension installed without a block-off plate, and with the venturi assembly in an intermediate position.

FIGS. 10A-10D are schematic diagrams depicting various views of an embodiment of a burner extension.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic view of an embodiment of a block-off plate.

FIGS. 12A-12E are schematic diagrams depicting various views of an embodiment of a main burner body.

FIGS. 13A-13D are schematic diagrams depicting various views of an embodiment of a venturi assembly.

FIGS. 14A-14C are schematic diagrams depicting various views of an embodiment of a mounting bracket.

FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment of a mounting bracket installed on the underside of a main burner body.

FIG. 16 depicts an embodiment of a mounting bracket installed on the underside of a main burner body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a universal fit burner is depicted in the perspective view of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, burner assembly 100 includes a generally hollow main burner body 102 and a movable venturi assembly 104. Specifically, venturi assembly 104, which includes a venturi tube 106 and an aspirator 108, is slidably received in the main burner body and can be moved from the extended position shown in FIG. 1, to a retracted position for lengthening or shortening the tube relative to the burner body. In the retracted position, at least a substantial portion of the venturi tube is received within a cavity 110 of the main burner body so that the aspirator generally abuts an end of the main burner body.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, schematic diagram depicting the embodiment of the burner assembly of FIG. 1 in greater detail. In particular, FIG. 2 depicts the main burner body 102, the venturi assembly 104 that includes venturi tube 106, aspirator 108, gas inlet 109, air inlet 111, and cavity 110, which is formed in the main body housing. Additionally, a burner extension 112, a gas inlet valve 113, a block-off plate 114 and associated screw 116, a set screw 118 for securing a position of the venturi tube within the cavity, a mounting bracket 120 and associated mounting screws 122 and 124, and a clip pin 126 for mounting the burner assembly 100 to a barbecue grill also are depicted. The gas valve 113 is affixed to a control panel or the like (not shown) on a barbecue grill (not shown). As noted, the adjustability feature of the burner allows the burner to fit many different sized grills between two fixed points, the gas valve and the inner wall of the firebox of the grill (not shown).

The aforementioned components also are depicted, with the exception of the set screw 118 and clip pin 126, in the exploded, perspective views of FIGS. 3 and 4. Notably, however, the front 130 of burner extension 112 is depicted in FIG. 3, whereas the back 132 of the burner extension is depicted in FIG. 4.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 5, the venturi tube 106 of venturi assembly 104 can be received within cavity 110 of the main body 102 so that the aspirator 108 is positioned close to an end face 136 of the main burner body. This is the retracted position of the venturi assembly. In the retracted position, the overall length of the burner assembly 100 is reduced so that the burner assembly can be mounted within correspondingly sized grills. Note also that, in FIG. 5, the block-off plate 114 is mounted against end 136 of the main burner body to substantially prevent a flow of gas from the main burner body in a direction of the aspirator.

In FIG. 6, the venturi assembly 104 has been moved to its extended position, in which the aspirator is moved farther from the end 136 of the main burner body. In this configuration, the burner assembly 100 can be mounted within a larger grill that requires a longer length of venturi tube.

FIG. 7 depicts a burner assembly 100 with a burner extension 112 being installed. As shown in FIG. 7, burner extension 112 includes a cavity 140 through which the venturi tube 106 is inserted. Typically, the burner extension is used when a grill in which the burner assembly is being mounted has room to accommodate a burner of greater length than that provided by the main burner body 102 alone. Thus, as depicted fully assembled in FIG. 8, the burner extension increases the length of the burner. Notably, however, the configuration depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes the block-off plate 114 installed. Block-off plate 114 obstructs the gas ports 142 (FIG. 7) that could otherwise be used to provide gas to an end of the burner.

The configuration that includes the burner extension 112 but which excludes the block-off plate 114 is depicted in FIG. 9. In such a configuration, gas is permitted to exit the ports 142 for providing increased gas and heat output at an end of the main burner body. Thus, by using the burner extension 112, extending the venturi assembly 104 to the extended position, and not using the block-off plate 114, the burner assembly can be configured with its longest available length and largest flame area.

Details of several embodiments of constituent components of burner assembly 100 will now be described with respect to FIGS. 10A-16. Specifically, an embodiment of a burner extension 112 will now be described with respect to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 10A-10D.

As shown in FIG. 10A, burner extension 112 includes a front surface 150 through which gas ports 142 are formed. Burner extension 112 also includes cavity 140 for receiving a venturi tube, and an orifice 152 for receiving a fastener, such as a screw, for mounting a block-off plate. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 10B, burner extension 112 includes a burner ledge 154 that extends outwardly from surface 150. Ledge 154 shields the gas ports 142 located at the surface 150 from grease or other drippings or materials that can tend to fall into and otherwise obstruct the gas ports. Note also, the gas ports 142 are located along a side surface 156 of the body extension. As shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, body extension 112 includes a recessed portion 158 that functions as a manifold for providing a flow of gas from the venturi tube to the gas ports 142.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the block-off plate 114 (in this embodiment) is a substantially flat component. A periphery of the block-off plate 114 is generally configured to match the exterior of a corresponding burner extension 112 with the exception of the upper edge 160. In particular, upper edge 160 is shaped to enable the block-off plate to seat beneath the ledge 154 of the burner extension.

An embodiment of a main burner body 102 is shown in greater detail in the schematic diagram of FIGS. 12A through 12E. As shown in these figures, main burner body 102 incorporates an integrated ledge 162 that runs lengthwise along each side. The ledges 162 shield the gas ports 142 from drippings as described with respect to the burner extension 112.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 12B, body 102 includes an orifice 166 that is adapted to receive a set screw, which is used for securing the venturi assembly in its various positions. Body 102 also includes orifices 168 and 170 that are used to receive mounting screws, such as mounting screws 122 and 124 of FIG. 2, for mounting a mounting bracket (bracket 120 of FIG. 2) to the underside of the body 102.

As best shown in FIG. 12C, cavity 140, which is used for receiving a venturi tube, communicates with a gas distribution manifold 174 via an internal orifice 176. Manifold 174 is oriented generally along a length of the body 102 and extends through an end 178 of the body as depicted in FIG. 12E. When assembled with a corresponding burner extension, such as burner extension 112, manifold 178 of the main burner body 102 communicates with the manifold 158 of the burner extension to provide gas through gas ports 142 located at an end 150 of the burner extension.

An embodiment of a venturi assembly 104 is shown in greater detail in the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 13A through 13D. As shown therein, venturi assembly 104 includes a venturi tube 106 and an aspirator 108. In this embodiment, the aspirator includes air inlet vents 180 and 182, as well as a gas receiving orifice 184.

Detail of an embodiment of a mounting bracket 120 is shown in FIGS. 14A through 16. As shown in FIGS. 14A through 14C, mounting bracket 120 is a substantially symmetrical component that includes a mounting tab 190 that extends outwardly from base 192. As shown in FIG. 14A, base 192 includes opposing wing portions 194 and 196, each of which includes an orifice that is adapted to receive a fastener. In this embodiment, the orifices are configured as slots 198 and 200 that can receive mounting screws 122 and 124 of FIG. 2. Notably, this embodiment is formed of a single piece of material that is bent to form the tab 190. Also, tab 190 includes an orifice 202 that can receive a fastener, such as clip pin 126 of FIG. 2, for securing the mounting bracket within a grill.

Another embodiment of a mounting bracket is shown installed to the underside of a main burner body in FIGS. 15 and 16. As shown in FIG. 15, the mounting bracket 120 is installed in a first position wherein mechanical fasteners are located toward the end of the bracket that includes the tab 190. In contrast, FIG. 16 depicts the mounting bracket moved in relation to the main burner body, with the screws 122 and 124 located at the opposite end of the mounting bracket. Clearly, the ability to reposition the mounting bracket with respect to the burner body enables adaptation to various configurations of grills. Also note that in the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16, the slots include preformed recesses 210 for receiving the mounting screws in various locations.

While an embodiment and modifications thereof have been shown and discribed in detail herein, various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A universal-fit burner for a gas grill having a generally hollow main burner body with an outer periphery having outlet ports distributed around said outer periphery, a venturi tube connected to said hollow body and arranged to receive gas and air at one end thererof and to deliver the gas and air to the hollow body, said ventrui tube being slidably mounted to said hollow body and receivable therein to shorten or lengthen said tube relative to the gas inlet.

2. A burner as defined in claim 1 and including an extension body member having a cavity and ports formed therein and being connectable to said hollow body member for increasing the size thereof.

3. A burner as defined in claim 1 in which said venturi tube is slidably mounted to said extension body member.

4. A burner as defined in claim 1 and including an adjustable mounting bracket that is capable of being repositioned on said main burner body for securing said main burner body within the grill.

5. In a gas grill having a firebox designed to receive a burner and having a fuel source associated therewith, an adjustable gas burner comprising a generally hollow main burner body defined by an outer periphery and having a plurality of outlet ports around said outer periphery, and a venturi tube for delivering fuel to said burner, said venturi tube being slidably mounted to said burner and designed to be received into said hollow body in an axial direction for shortening or lengthening said tube relative to the burner.

6. A burner as defined in claim 5 and including an extension body member having a cavity and ports formed therein and being connectable to said hollow body member for increasing the size thereof.

7. A burner as defined in claim 5 in which said venturi tube is slidably mounted to said extension body member.

8. A burner as defined in claim 5 and including an adjustable mounting bracket that is capable of being repositioned on said main burner body for securing said main burner body within the grill.

9. A burner assembly for a gas grill comprising a main burner body having a plurality of outlet ports formed therein and a venturi tube slidably mounted to said main burner chamber, said venturi tube being capable of moving into or out of said chamber for adjusting the length thereof relative to said main burner body.

10. A burner as defined in claim 9 and including an extension body member having a cavity and ports formed therein and being connectable to said hollow body member for increasing the size thereof.

11. A burner as defined in claim 9 in which said venturi tube is slidably mounted to said extension body member.

12. A burner as defined in claim 9 and including an adjustable mounting bracket that is capable of being repositioned on said main burner body for securing said main burner body within the grill.

13. An adjustable gas burner for a barbecue grill comprising a generally hollow burner body having outlet ports formed therein and a length adjustable venturi tube coupled to said body for receiving and transferring fuel to said body.

14. A burner as defined in claim 13 and including an extension body member having a cavity and ports formed therein and being connectable to said hollow body member for increasing the size thereof.

15. A burner as defined in claim 13 in which said venturi tube is slidably mounted to said extension body member.

16. A burner as defined in claim 13 and including an adjustable mounting bracket that is capable of being repositioned on said main burner body for securing said main burner body within the grill.