Patent Application
20050126556
This invention relates to a convertible apparatus for outdoor use. More specifically, it relates to a barbecue grill that is reversibly convertible to an outdoor fireplace.
Use of backyards for family activities is a popular pastime. Barbecue grills are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Small grills are supported upon a tabletop, or other substrate, while larger units generally have an integrated cart, stand, legs or support assembly supporting them at a height convenient for cooking food. Many designs are known to support square, rectangular and round grills. Recently, oval-shaped grills have come on the market. Stands have been provided with three or four legs, or with carts of various styles.
Portable outdoor fireplaces have recently entered the marketplace and have been well regarded. The relatively small size of these portable fireplaces permits them to be easily moved from one location to another. Although they may be enjoyed in a backyard, portable fireplaces of this type can also be used in remote locations, such as when camping, picnicking or doing other similar outdoor activities. Sitting around a fire in the evening is relaxing, especially when the temperature drops after the sun goes down.
Although both of these types of outdoor appliances are immensely popular, many consumers presently prefer to own one or the other but not both. For some, limited storage is an issue. For others, it is the cost. Still others have small backyards and do not wish all of the green space taken up by these devices. People who enjoy camping may consider taking either a fireplace or a cooking appliance with them, but are not likely to have space to take both. Whatever the reason, sometimes it is detrimental to have separate products for outdoor grilling and fires.
One could buy either a barbecue grill or an outdoor fireplace and use it for both purposes, however, doing so is very inconvenient. Full size barbecue grills are relatively tall and have a bowl deep enough to maintain a distance between the charcoal and the food so that the food doesn't burn easily. When a traditional grill is used for a fire, those sitting around the fire are not able to watch it very well because it sits deep in the bowl. Using a barbecue grill for an outdoor fireplace requires that the lid be removed if the participants are to view any of the fire. Thus, heat is lost which could otherwise have been directed to the users.
Attempting to use an outdoor fireplace as a barbecue grill has similar problems. The outdoor fireplace generally has screened sidewalls to contain ash and sparks from the fire. In many cases, it is inconvenient to reach over the sidewalls or use the doors to put food on, turn it or remove it from the heat source. With the screened sidewalls, airflow control is difficult and raises issues of flare-ups and uneven cooking. Even where the sidewalls are removable, an outdoor fireplace is not an ideal cooking appliance. Since an outdoor fireplace typically features a low fire bowl for easy viewing of the fire, it is not at a convenient height for cooking. Constant stooping and bending over would be required to tend the food at such a low height. The shallower bowl of a fireplace would also require frequent turning of the food to prevent burning.
Another disadvantage of using a fireplace for cooking is the accumulation of ash in the bottom of the bowl. The shallow bowl of a fireplace makes it relatively easy to scoop ash to remove it from the bowl. Use of an ash-receiving can on a fireplace is inconvenient because the bowl is kept close to the ground.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,138 discloses a campfire cooking apparatus that includes a cooking grate that is suspended by a tripod over a fire bowl. The apparatus provides no walls to contain sparks or ash from the fire. When the cooking assembly is used, the cooking surface will be located close to the fire, which is just above ground level. A cook has to constantly bend over to care for food that is cooking. Although a lid is described for smothering the fire or acting as a rain shield, there no control of the fire during the cooking process.
An outdoor fireplace and fire screen assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,298. A traditional outdoor fireplace is fitted with a cooking grill that can be positioned at different locations. The fire screen assembly contains the fire, but it is inconvenient to work around the screen while cooking. Free flow of air through the screen allows the cooking fire to burn uncontrolled, while the low level of the bowl and cooking grate make is uncomfortable for the chef to tend the cooking food.
Removable fire screens are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,503 for the purpose of compact storage of an outdoor fireplace. Leg assemblies support the bowl close to the ground then extend upward through the lid to form handles. The removable fire screen assembly attaches to the leg extensions when in use. Disassembly of the leg assemblies is required to remove the lid and the fire screen assembly.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a combination barbecue grill and outdoor fireplace that is easy to use and comfortable for the user in either configuration.
These and other advantages are met or exceeded by the improved convertible outdoor appliance of the present invention that is specifically designed to be used as either a barbecue grill or an outdoor fireplace. Adjustability of the bowl height provides convenience and comfort for the user when the appliance is in either the fireplace or the grill configuration.
More specifically, an improved convertible outdoor appliance of the present invention features a bowl that is configured to burn solid fuel mounted to at least one leg or pedestal. At least one screen sidewall is removably supported by the bowl. The appliance includes a means for adjusting the height of the bowl between a barbecue grill position and a fireplace position. A lid is configured to fit atop either the bowl or the sidewall. A barbecue grill configuration is formed when the pedestal is in the barbecue position, the sidewall is removed and the lid removably covers the bowl. An outdoor fireplace configuration is formed when the pedestal is in the fireplace position, the sidewall is releasably supported by the bowl and the lid is positioned atop the sidewall.
In a preferred embodiment, the one or more legs form a telescopic pedestal. By lengthening or shortening the pedestal using the telescopic action, the pedestal is adjustable to at least a barbecue grill position and a fireplace position.
The apparatus of the present invention is particularly advantageous because a single outdoor appliance is reversibly convertible from a barbecue grill to an outdoor fireplace without the use of tools. For those with limited space, there is now a single apparatus that has the functionality of both the grill and the fireplace, but does not require space to store, transport or use two separate, complete items.
Further, this convertible appliance allows the user to adjust the height of the bowl to a level appropriate to each purpose for which it is used. One embodiment uses a telescoping pedestal that lengthens for use when cooking or shortens to view a fire. The backyard chef need not be hunched over a short firepit. The campfire is low enough to radiate warmth to those around it.
Because the unit is intended to be used as a fireplace, at least one screen sidewall is included to be able to burn wood safely. Large sparks or pieces of hot ash that may fly from a crackling fire are caught in the screen and fall back into the firebowl to be consumed in the fire. To minimize inconvenience to the cook, the sidewall is easily removable and need not be used when the appliance holds a charcoal fire. Removal of the sidewall also allows for more precise control of the cooking fire by restraining airflow through adjustable vents. By adjusting the vents, the rate of combustion, and thus the temperature, is managed by limiting the amount of available oxygen. Closing the vents essentially stops oxygen flow, allowing the charcoal to be extinguished before it is entirely consumed without drowning it in water. The use of removable sidewall permits control of the charcoal burn similar to that achieved in a conventional charcoal grill.
In a preferred embodiment, no disassembly of the one or more legs is required to remove the lid or the screen sidewall of the outdoor appliance. When in place, the fire screen rests inside the top of the bowl and the lid fits atop the screen. The lid fits directly on the top of the bowl when the fire screen has been removed in the barbecue grill configuration.
Referring to
The one or more legs 16 hold the bowl 20 and the lid 24 off the ground or other substrate. The term pedestal 16 is intended to refer to a single leg used to support the bowl 20. Although use of a pedestal 16 is a preferred embodiment, other embodiments are contemplated that use a plurality of legs 16, such as three or four legs. The number of legs 16 is not important as long as the height of the bowl 20 is adjustable. Most commonly, the height of the bowl 20 will vary by changing the length of the legs 16 or by varying the position on the leg where the bowl is supported. Alternate methods are contemplated for varying the height of the bowl 20 regardless of the number of legs 16 involved.
Referring to
In the barbecue grill configuration 14, the bowl 20 is held off the ground at a distance typically used for conventional barbecue grills and the lid 24 is positionable directly on a rim 26 of the bowl 20. With the lid 24 positioned directly on the bowl 20, the amount of combustion air is limited to control the cooking temperature. The height of the bowl 20 should be positioned to be comfortable for a cook to handle the food without having to stoop or bend. Preferably, at least one position of the bowl 20 corresponds to the height of a full size barbecue grill. In some embodiments, the rim 26 is greater than about 26 inches from the substrate in the barbecue grill configuration 14. Preferably, the rim 26 of the bowl 20 is between about 26 inches and about 32 inches from the substrate, and even more preferably between about 28 inches and about 31 inches.
The fireplace configuration 12 is designed to be conducive to sitting around a fire, watching the flames and being warmed by the radiant heat of the embers. In this configuration 12, the bowl 20 is closer to the substrate so that the fire is comfortably viewed from a sitting position. Preferably, at least one position of the bowl 20 corresponds to a height of a conventional outdoor fireplace, which is typically less than about 26 inches from the ground or other substrate. In this configuration 12, the rim 26 of the bowl 20 is preferably between about 21 inches and about 26 inches from the substrate, and even more preferably, between about 23 inches and about 25.5 inches. As is discussed in more detail below, in the fireplace configuration 12, the sidewall 22 is also present to contain the fire.
Although the present embodiments are discussed in terms of converting from a fireplace configuration 12 to a barbecue grill configuration 14, it is contemplated that an outdoor appliance 10 could be provided having a bowl 20 with an adjustable height for other purposes. For example, this height adjustment mechanism would be useful for use with a barbecue grill designed to provide a cooking surface at a comfortable height for cooks of varying heights. Still other embodiments are contemplated whereby a barbecue grill is adjustable for use by user from either a standing position or a sitting position, as might be useful by a wheelchair-bound cook. Thus, although height ranges are listed above to illustrate the best mode of the invention, the exact number of positions that are desirable or the exact rim heights that are utilized depend upon the specific uses for which the appliance 10 is designed.
Any method for adjusting the height of the bowl 20 is suitable for use with this apparatus and method. A preferred method of adjusting bowl 20 height is telescoping the pedestal 16 using a first cylinder 30 within a second cylinder 32. As shown, a base 34, discussed below, supports the second cylinder 32 and the first cylinder 30 attaches to the bowl 20. This is but one embodiment shown and it is contemplated that the pedestal 16 could be configured with the first cylinder 30 supported by the base and the second cylinder 32 attached to the bowl. It is further contemplated that the pedestal 16 need not be cylindrical. Telescoping parts are contemplated having a square, triangular or any cross sectional shape, as long as the parts are configured to slideably adjust the length of the pedestal 16.
Although telescoping of the pedestal or legs 16 is a preferred embodiment, any method of adjusting the bowl 20 height is suitable for use with this appliance 10. Other methods of adjusting the length of the leg 16 are also usable, including, instead of telescoping inside each other, two portions of a leg 16 being slidably attached beside each other. The bowl 20 height is also adjustable by changing the height of the bowl 20 on the one or more legs 16. For example, the legs 16 are protrudable through the bowl 20, attaching to the bowl at various heights. In another contemplated embodiment, the legs 16 are attachable to the bottom of the bowl 20 in the barbecue grill configuration 14, but the legs attach to the rim 26 of the bowl in the fireplace configuration 12, allowing the depth of the bowl to reside between the legs rather than atop them. The height of the bowl 20 is also contemplated as being adjustable by varying the angle of the legs 16 with respect to the substrate, mimicking the action of a pair of scissors. It is also contemplated that one or more adjustment methods be combined in a single embodiment.
Referring now to
At least one cam 60 for each cam track 44 is attached to the first cylinder 30 and positioned for interaction with the cam track. Preferably each cam 60 is located near a lower edge 62 of the first cylinder 30 to allow the first and second cylinders 30, 32 to nest compactly in the fireplace configuration 12. The cam 60 is optionally made of a separate piece that is attachable to the first cylinder 30, or it can be shaped as an integral part of the first cylinder during its manufacture, as by casting, molding, or any other means known in the art.
Interactions of the cam 60 with the cam track 44 and how these components relate to the pedestal 16 length are shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
Around the top of the pedestal 16 is a flange 80 with which to attach it to the bowl 20. In the embodiment shown, the flange 80 is positioned on the first cylinder 30, placing the bowl 20 at the end of the pedestal 16 opposing the base 34. It is also contemplated that the flange 80 be positioned on the second cylinder 32.
The bowl 20 is configured to accommodate a wood in the form of logs or lumber for burning or charcoal for use in cooking. The rim 26 around the top edge of the bowl 20 engages and receives the lid 24. The rim 26 also engages, provides a base for, or surrounds the one or more sidewalls 22 in the fireplace configuration 12. Although the container which holds the fire is referred to as the bowl 20, it need not be strictly bowl-shaped. The shape of the bowl 20 is concave, such as ovoid, box-shaped or frustoconical, or any other shape having a depth that urges the fuel to remain contained within the rim 26 even when the fuel shifts position, as during burning.
Referring back to
The sidewall 22 optionally includes a fastening mechanism 81, such as a latch, to releasably attach the sidewall 22 to the bowl 20 to lock it in place while the fireplace 12 is in use. The preferred latch 81 is similar to that used on a suitcase, and is well known. Many types of fastening mechanisms 81 are suitable to releasably attach the sidewall 22 to the bowl 20, including friction fitting of the sidewall into a spring clip, opposing mounting brackets connected by a fastener or use of a pin that engages a lock or opening, similar to a deadbolt. A cam and a cam track, similar to those used on the pedestal 16, are also suitable as the locking mechanism 81. Use of the locking mechanism 81 prevents movement of the sidewall 22 in the unlikely event that a lateral or upward force is applied to it.
In this configuration, the screen sidewall 22 and the lid 24 contain sparks and ash that may fly from inside the fireplace while the fire is burning. The sidewall 22 is suitably any size mesh that is useful in the context of a fireplace screen. It is unimportant whether the sidewall 22 is constructed of a single screen or whether two or more of the panels 82 are joined together to form the sidewall. If a plurality of panels 82 are used, they are connectable by any means known in the art, including one or more tabs that engage an equal number of slots, hooks or teeth that interleave with the teeth of an adjacent panel (not shown). One or more of the panels 82 are preferably movable to form one or more doors 84 through which fuel is conveniently added to the fire. In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall 22 is of unitary construction and the doors 84 are hinged to the sidewall 22 and swing outwardly. A hook, latch or other locking mechanism 86 should be installed on one or more of the doors 84 or the sidewall 22 to hold the door closed when not in use.
Referring now to
Preferably, at the inside of the base 34 is at least one pedestal support 92 which holds the pedestal 16 in place and limits lateral movement of the pedestal on the base. The preferred pedestal supports 92 are tabs that are substantially vertical, oriented upwardly from the base 34. The pedestal 16 includes the lower portion 42 which rests on the base 34 with the tabs 92 inside it, preventing the pedestal 16 from moving from side to side. Another embodiment includes a recessed surface (not shown) upon which the lower portion 42 of the pedestal rests.
Optionally, the lower portion 42 of the pedestal 16 is configurable to be fixed to the base 34. In this case, any locking mechanism, including a fastener, is useful to hold the base 34 and the pedestal 16 together. The tabs 92 may be fixed with a hook portion that fits into a slot or anchor on the pedestal. In other embodiments, the base 34 is an integral portion of the pedestal 16, such as where the lower portion flares 42 outward to form a stable base. The number of parts used to form the base 34 and the pedestal 16 are unimportant as long as both functions are present.
All components of the appliance 10 are preferably made of materials that are suitable for use with fire and in the out-of-doors. Metals are most suitable, including iron, steel, aluminum and stainless steel. Any or all of the parts are optionally treated with one or more materials to reduce rust or otherwise improve the product performance. Examples include suitable coatings, such as powdered coatings, porcelain or high temperature paints.
Additional features are optionally included on the appliance 10 to make it more convenient or useful to the user. Racks or grates (not shown) are usually used to support the food or charcoal at appropriate distances from each other. One or more handles 94 are useful on the bowl 20 to assist in converting between the two configurations 12, 14 and to assist when moving the apparatus 10 from one location to another. Preferably, a pair of handles 94 is mounted at diametrically opposing sides of the bowl 20. Another handle 96 is preferably attached to the lid 24 to assist its removal, particularly when it is hot. One or more exhaust vents 98 are optionally positioned on the lid 24 to promote airflow through the appliance 10. Warm air rises and collects under the lid 24. Opening of the exhaust vents 98 allows the warm air to escape, drawing fresh air and oxygen in through the vents 76 on the bowl or the ash receiver 77. As the air flows though the pedestal 16 and the bowl 20, it is heated by combustion, wherein it rises to the lid 24 and exits through the exhaust vents 98.
In operation, a preferred embodiment of the outdoor appliance 10 in the barbecue grill configuration 14 has the pedestal 16 in the barbecue grill position and the lid 24 resting directly on the rim 26 of the bowl 20. To convert the barbecue configuration 14 to the fireplace configuration 12, the lid 24, if present, and the food rack is removed. The ash receiver 74 may be removed, if necessary or desired, before the pedestal 16 is shortened. With the base 34 remaining in position, the bowl 20 is raised. During the upward movement of the bowl 20, the first cylinder 32 slides within the second cylinder 30 to shorten the pedestal 16. As the cam 60 reaches the arc 52 of the cam track 44, the bowl is rotated slightly to allow the cam to follow the shape of the cam track. After the cam 60 rounds the arc 52 of the track 44, the bowl 20 is lowered to the fireplace configuration 12 where the cam comes to rest at the first end 50 of the cam track 44. The screen sidewall 22 is placed in position on or within the rim 26 of the bowl 20 and the lid 24 is positioned atop the sidewall. The appliance 10 is then ready to accept wood or other combustible materials for a fire.
When it is desirable to return the appliance 10 to the barbecue grill configuration 14 from the fireplace configuration 12, the lid 24 is removed, if present. The sidewalls 22 are removed from the rim 26 of the bowl 20 and stored in preparation for subsequent use. Movement of the pedestal 16 from the fireplace position to the barbecue grill position allows the cam 60 to follow the cam track 44. In the embodiment shown, the bowl 20 is raised upwards until the cam 60 reaches the arc 52 of the track 44, then rotated and slightly lowered until the cam 60 rests at the first end 46 of the cam track. If the ash receiver 74 was removed in the fireplace configuration 12, it is preferably replaced for use in the barbecue grill configuration 14. The outdoor appliance 10 is then ready to accept solid fuel for cooking use.
While a particular embodiment of the improved convertible outdoor appliance has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other configurations are possible in addition to those discussed above. Embodiments are contemplated whereby the ash receiver depends from the bowl, which is supported by three or four adjustable legs. Although the embodiments were discussed in terms of a charcoal grill, the apparatus and method of this invention are adaptable to be used with gas or combination gas/charcoal grills. These and other changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.
