BARBECUE DEVICE USING STONE SLAB

Abstract

A barbecue device includes a stone slab, a frame made of metal, and at least one tubular leg supporting the metal and made of metal. The frame includes a supporting plate for supporting the stone slab. The supporting plate includes at least one through-hole. The at least one tubular leg is in communication with the at least one through-hole and receives water. When in use, cracking of the stone slab is avoided due to provision of the water in the at least one tubular leg. Further, a gap exists between the supporting plate and the stone slab provides indirect heating for the stone slab, further preventing cracking of the stone slab.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a barbecue device. In particular, the present invention relates to a barbecue device using a stone slab.

2. Description of Related Art

Various barbecue methods have been developed for cooking food, and one of which cooks food on a stone slab that is placed above a fire. The food thus cooked is more delicious, as the food is not easy to be burned due to the characteristics of the stone plate. However, the stone slab directly heated by fire is liable to crack such that frequent replacement of the stone slab is required.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a barbecue device using a stone slab that is more durable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A barbecue device in accordance with the present invention comprises a stone slab, a frame made of metal, and at least one tubular leg supporting the metal and made of metal. The frame comprises a supporting plate for supporting the stone slab. The supporting plate comprises at least one through-hole. The at least one tubular leg is in communication with the at least one through-hole and receives water.

When in use, cracking of the stone slab is avoided due to provision of the water in the at least one tubular leg. Further, a gap exists between the supporting plate and the stone slab provides indirect heating for the stone slab, further preventing cracking of the stone slab.

Preferably, the frame comprises a perimeter wall, and at least one support is provided between the perimeter wall and the stone slab. Alternatively, the at least one support is located between the stone slab and the supporting plate.

Preferably, at least one coupling plate is mounted below the at least one tubular leg.

Preferably, the at least one through-hole faces the stone slab.

Preferably, a cap is removably mounted to a lower end of the at least one tubular leg to allow discharge of grease that flows into the at least one tubular leg during barbecuing.

Preferably, at least one handle is mounted to an outer face of the perimeter wall of the frame to allow easy carriage.

Preferably, at least one hook mounted to an outer face of the perimeter wall of the frame to prevent the user from being injured, as the user has to use an additional tool for coupling with the at least one hook for lifting the frame.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a barbecue device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the barbecue device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating detachment of a cap;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating operation of the barbecue device in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a modified embodiment of the barbecue device in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a barbecue device in accordance with the present invention comprises a stone slab 1 for cooking food and a frame 2 for supporting the stone slab 1. The frame 2 includes a supporting plate 21 made of heat-resisting metal material such as stainless steel. The stone slab 1 is mounted on the supporting plate 21. A plurality of supports 22 are provided on the supporting plate 21 such that a gap (see FIG. 2) exists between the stone slab 1 and the supporting plate 21. Preferably, the supports 22 are located at a level higher than the supporting plate 21 by 1-5 mm.

The supporting plate 21 includes a perimeter wall 23 for preventing splash of grease during barbecuing. The supports 22 may extend to an inner perimeter face of the perimeter wall 23 such that a gap exists between the perimeter wall 23 and the stone slab 1. If desired, two handles 24 may be provided on opposite outer faces of the peripheral wall 23, allowing easy carriage of the whole frame 2.

The supporting plate 21 is elevated and supported by a plurality of tubular legs 26 made of metal. The tubular legs 26 are in communication with one another and define a space for storing water.

The supporting plate 21 includes a plurality of through-holes 27 respectively aligned with and thus in communication with the tubular legs 26. The grease generated during barbecuing the food on the stone slab 1 falls into the tubular legs 26 via the through-holes 27 that face an underside of the stone slab 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a cap 28 is threadedly engaged with a lower end of one of the tubular legs 26, allowing discharge of the grease when desired. Further, water may be received in the tubular legs 26 for lowering the temperature of the frame 2.

Referring to FIG. 4, a heating source 3 is placed in a space delimited between the tubular legs 26 for heating the stone slab 21. The heated stone slab 21 expands. Since the supporting plate 21 are fixed on the tubular legs 26 (e.g., by welding) and since water is received in the tubular legs 26, the expansion extent in the perimeter area of the supporting plate 21 is smaller than that in the central area of the supporting plate 21, the central area of the supporting plate 21 sinks, forming a larger gap 25 between the supporting plate 21 and the stone slab 1. The gap 25 may be up to 1 mm. The weight of the stone slab 1 assists in formation of the gap 25, as the central area of the heated supporting plate 21 expands and is depressed by the weight of the stone slab 1.

Water may be filled into the tubular legs 26 during barbecuing. When heated, water in the tubular legs 26 becomes steam that flows toward the stone slab 1 via the through-holes 27. The stone slab 1 includes tiny holes that absorb moisture in the steam that subsequently evaporates gradually. This avoids cracking of the stone slab 1. Further, the gap 25 between the supporting plate 21 and the stone slab 1 provides indirect heating for the stone slab 1. Tests showed that cracking did not occur in the stone slab 1 after long-term heating.

FIG. 5 shows a modified embodiment of the invention, wherein the supports (now designated by 22′) are directly formed on the inner perimeter face of the perimeter wall 23 by inwardly punching the perimeter wall 23 at the outer perimeter face of the perimeter wall 23. Thus, a gap exists between the stone slab 1 and the peripheral wall 23 to allow flow of the steam. The supports may be omitted, as a gap 25 is formed between the stone slab 1 and the supporting plate 21 during heating. To avoid the user from being burned, the handles 24 in the first embodiment can be replaced with hooks 24′. Thus, the user has to use other tools for engaging with the hooks 24′ when trying to lift the frame 2. The user would not be burned, as direct contact with the frame 2 is avoided. Further, a plurality of coupling plates 29 may be provided below the legs 26 for intimate contact with an inner edge or an outer edge of a heating source 3′ such as a gas stove. Thus, the barbecue device in accordance with the present invention can be directly and securely placed on top of the heating source 3′ while the coupling plates 29 providing a reliable positioning effect.

While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A barbecue device comprising: a stone slab; a frame made of metal, the frame comprising a supporting plate for supporting the stone slab, the supporting plate comprising at least one through-hole; and at least one tubular leg supporting the metal and made of metal, said at least one tubular leg being in communication with said at least one through-hole and receiving water.

2. The barbecue device as claimed in claim 1, with the frame comprising a perimeter wall, further comprising at least one support between the perimeter wall and the stone slab.

3. The barbecue device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one coupling plate mounted below said at least one tubular leg.

4. The barbecue device as claimed in claim 1, with said at least one through-hole facing the stone slab.

5. The barbecue device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one support located between the stone slab and the supporting plate.

6. The barbecue device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cap removably mounted to a lower end of said at least one tubular leg.

7. The barbecue device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising at least one handle mounted to an outer face of the perimeter wall of the frame.

8. The barbecue device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising at least one hook mounted to an outer face of the perimeter wall of the frame.