Patent Application
20060144385
The present disclosure relates generally to cart assemblies for use with barbecue grills. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to cart assemblies that can be used in a stand alone fashion or with an existing barbecue grill.
Recently, outdoor cooking has experienced tremendous growth. This is due in large part to the fact that barbecue grills, especially gas grills, have become much easier to use and more efficient at cooking a wide range of food items. Although barbecue grills have seen improvements in recent years, users continue to desire additional amenities, such as those found in a typical kitchen. At present, barbecue grill owners are often faced with the choice of either purchasing a barbecue grill including the desired amenities or constructing a barbecue grill system, or “grill island,” that includes the desired amenities.
Grill islands are permanent structures constructed of brick, wood, etc., with the barbecue grill either built into the island or positioned in a recess provided for the barbecue grill. In that grill islands tend to be rather complex structures, often requiring gas lines, water lines, masonry and/or carpentry work, most barbecue grill purchasers utilize a second party for their construction. As such, the construction of a grill island can be rather expensive and time consuming. Grill islands are stationary, meaning they cannot be moved out of the elements for their protection. This is problematic in that various components of the grill island, such as the barbecue grill, become degraded over time. As with the initial construction, replacement of degraded components frequently requires the additional time and expense related to having a second party perform the required work on the grill island. Similarly, when additional upgrades of the grill island are desired, the second party is frequently contacted as well.
As noted, barbecue grill systems are available including a wide variety of options. Based on the number of amenities desired, these barbecue grill systems tend to be rather large. As such, the display, storage, and transportation of these barbecue grill systems is problematic for both the retailer and the end user. Depending on the number of features included, these barbecue grill systems can be rather expensive. As such, there can be a disparity between the features a purchaser desires and the cost of the barbecue grill system that the purchaser can afford. Because the barbecue grill system is a one-time purchase, the purchaser is often left with the decision of whether to forego some of the desired options and buy the less expensive system, or to wait until the purchase of the desired system is financially possible. It is possible, or even likely, that the purchaser already possesses a barbecue grill that is still serviceable. As noted, existing barbecue grill systems are of unitary construction and do not permit the user to merely upgrade the existing barbecue grill with the desired features. Rather, to obtain the desired system, the purchaser must buy the barbecue grill system that includes the barbecue grill and the desired amenities although the existing barbecue grill has not reached the end of its service life.
Therefore, there is a need for improved assemblies and methods that address these and other shortcomings of the prior art.
Briefly described, the present disclosure relates to a cart assembly for use with a barbecue grill, the barbecue grill including a support structure and a side shelf with an edge attached thereto. The cart assembly includes a cover configured to be removably secured to the barbecue grill and a cart configured to be slidably received under the cover.
A further embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a cart assembly for use with a barbecue grill, the barbecue grill including a support structure and a side shelf having a distal edge and a proximal end, the proximal end being attached to the support structure. The cart assembly includes a cart, a cover configured to be secured to the barbecue grill and to slidably receive the cart, and means for securing the cover to the barbecue grill.
Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of attaching a cart assembly to a barbecue grill, the cart assembly including a cart, a cover, and a clamp assembly attached thereto, the barbecue grill including a support structure and a side shelf The method includes positioning the cover adjacent the side shelf, engaging the side shelf with a portion of the clamp assembly, and securing the side shelf adjacent the cover.
A further embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of attaching a cart assembly to a barbecue grill, the cart assembly including a cart and a cover, the barbecue grill including a support structure and a shelf. The method includes positioning the cover adjacent the barbecue grill and securing the cover adjacent the barbecue grill.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Many aspects of the cart assembly for use with a barbecue grill can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present cart assembly for use with a barbecue grill. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments of the disclosed cart assembly for use with a barbecue grill as illustrated in the drawings. While the cart assembly for use with a barbecue grill will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed therein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the cart assembly for use with a barbecue grill as defined by the appended claims.
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Note, the clamp assembly 170 need not be permanently mounted to the underside of the cover 110. For example, embodiments are envisioned where the clamp assembly 170 is provided as an independent feature, separable from both the cover 110 and the side shelf 220. Moreover, embodiments are envisioned wherein the cover 110 is secured to the side shelf 220 by fasteners that are passed through mounting apertures (not shown) located in the outer edges of both the cover 110 and the side shelf 220.
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Alternately, embodiments of the cart assembly 110 are envisioned wherein the cover 110 is secured to the support structure 210 of the barbecue grill 200 rather than to a side shelf 220. In these embodiments, the cover 110 is large enough such that the entire cart 120 can be slidably received thereunder. In addition, embodiments are envisioned wherein the height of the cart assembly 110 is adjustable such that the cart assembly 100 can be used with barbecue grills 200 of varying heights. One such embodiment includes replaceable casters such that wheels or supports of varying diameters can be placed on the cart assembly 100, thereby adjusting the overall height, or adjustable height casters to raise or lower the supports.
Although embodiments of the cart assembly for use with a barbecue grill have been disclosed in detail herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the disclosed embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the cart assembly for use with a barbecue grill as set forth in the following claims.
