Collapsible grilling assembly

• US 10,638,883 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Kalstrom
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Kalstrom
• Inventors: Kalstrom, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Moubry, Grant
• Assistant Examiner(s): Heyamoto, Aaron H
• Application Number:
  US15/878,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20190223661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 126 30, 126 9 R, 126 9 B, 126 96, 108 64, 108 65, 108 67, 108 99
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 2037/0777 with foldable construction for storage or transport purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0763 Small-size, portable barbecues

Abstract

A collapsible grilling assembly for cooking includes a plurality of slats that is pivotally interconnected. An upper set of slats is configured to be positioned perpendicularly to a lower set in an extended configuration to define a grate. The slats are configured to be selectively and fixedly positioned in the extended configuration. Each of a plurality of legs has a first end that is configured to selectively couple to a perimeter of the grate. Each leg is configured to be extended from the grate. A second end of each leg is positioned on a surface and the grate is configured to position a heat source between the grate and the surface to heat an item that is positioned upon the grate. The slats of the upper set also are configured to position adjacently and colinearly, as are the slats of the lower set, to define a collapsed configuration.

Claims

1. A collapsible grilling assembly comprising:

a plurality of slats, said slats being pivotally interconnected such that said slats are configured for selectively pivoting, wherein each said slat of an upper set of said slats is configured for positioning perpendicularly to each of a lower set of said slats in an extended configuration for defining a grate, wherein said slats of said upper set are configured for positioning adjacently and colinearly, wherein said slats of said lower set configured for positioning adjacently and colinearly, wherein said lower set is positioned adjacent and transverse to said upper set defining a collapsed configuration, said slats being configured for selectively fixedly positioning in the extended configuration;

a plurality of legs, each said leg having a first end and a second end, said first end being configured for selectively coupling to a perimeter of said grate; and

wherein said plurality of legs is configured for coupling to said grate such that each said leg is configured for extending from said grate positioning a second end of said leg on a surface such that said grate is configured for positioning a heat source between said grate and the surface for heating an item positioned upon said grate;

each said slat having a respective length such that said plurality of slats comprises a variety of lengths;

each said slat extending at forty-five degrees between said perimeter of said grate;

each of said upper set and said lower set comprising a center slat extending between respective opposing corners of said grate;

each of said upper set and said lower set comprising a plurality of medial slats, each said medial slat having opposing endpoints, each said opposing endpoint being angled at forty-five degrees between opposing edges of said medial slat; and

pairs of said medial slats of said lower set not including said center slat of said lower slats being pivotally coupled to and extending between associated said opposing endpoints of an associated pair of said medial slats of said upper set such that said respective pair of said medial slats of said lower set and said associated pair of said medial slats of said upper set are rectangularly positioned within said grate;

a plurality of couplers, said couplers being configured for coupling to said perimeter of said grate for fixedly positioning said slats in the extended configuration; and

said plurality of couplers comprising

a plurality of bars,

a plurality of first slots, each said first slot being positioned in a respective said bar, each said first slot extending between opposing termini of said bar, said first slot being complementary to a respective side edge of said grate,

wherein said first slots are positioned in said bars such that each said first slot is positioned for selectively insertably engaging said respective said side edge of said grate for fixedly positioning said plurality of slats and for disengaging from said perimeter such that said plurality of slats is configured for positioning in the collapsed configuration,

a pair of brackets, said brackets being L-shaped, each said bracket being coupled to and extending from a respective opposing end of said center slat of said lower set, each said bracket being hingedly coupled to an associated pair of said bars, and

wherein said associated pair of bars is positioned on said bracket such that said associated said pair of bars is positioned for pivoting toward said grate for selectively insertably engaging an adjacent pair of said respective said side edges for fixedly positioning said plurality of slats, wherein said associated pair of bars is positioned for pivoting distally from said grate for disengaging from said adjacent pair of said respective said side edges such that said plurality of slats is configured for positioning in the collapsed configuration.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of first connectors, each said first connector being coupled proximate to a respective opposing end of said center slat of said upper set;

a plurality of second connectors, said second connectors being complementary to said first connectors, each said second connector being coupled to a respective said bar distal from said bracket to which said respective said bar is coupled; and

wherein said second connectors are positioned on said bars such that each said second connector is positioned for coupling to an associated said first connector for coupling said respective said bar to said respective said side edge.

3. The assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

each said first connector comprising a tab and a first hole, said tab being coupled to and extending from said respective opposing end of said center slat of said upper set, said first hole being centrally positioned through said tab; and

each said second connector comprising a first pin, said first pin being spring-loaded.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further including each said leg being configured for coupling to a respective said bar.

5. The assembly of claim 4, further including each said leg comprising a plurality of nested sections such that said leg is selectively extensible, wherein said legs are positioned on said grate such that each said leg is configured for selectively extending between said grate and an uneven surface such that said grate is positioned horizontally.

6. The assembly of claim 5, further including said plurality of nested sections comprising a rod and a tube, said rod being selectively extensible from said tube.

7. The assembly of claim 6, further including said rod and said tube being rectangularly shaped when viewed longitudinally.

8. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of first fasteners, each said first fastener being coupled to a respective said rod;

a plurality of second fasteners, each said second fastener being coupled to a respective said tube, said second fasteners being complementary to said first fasteners; and

wherein said second fasteners are positioned on said tubes such that each said second fastener is positioned for selectively coupling to a respective said first fastener for fixedly coupling said respective said rod to said respective said tube.

9. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

each said first fastener comprising a second pin, said second pin being spring-loaded; and

each said second fastener comprising a plurality of second holes positioned through a wall of said respective said tube.

10. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of third connectors, each said third connector being coupled to a respective said bar proximate to said bracket;

a plurality of fourth connectors, each said fourth connector being coupled to a respective said rod, said fourth connectors being complementary to said third connectors; and

wherein said fourth connectors are positioned on said rods such that each said fourth connector is positioned for coupling to a respective said third connector for coupling an associated said leg to said respective said bar.

12. The assembly of claim 1, further including a plurality of feet, each said foot being coupled to said second end of a respective said leg, wherein said feet are positioned on said legs such that each said foot is positioned for stabilizing said respective said leg on the surface.

13. The assembly of claim 1, further including a shell defining an interior space, said shell having a top, said top being open such that said shell is configured for inserting said plurality of slats in the collapsed configuration and said plurality of legs.

14. The assembly of claim 13, further including a closure coupled to said shell proximate to said top, said closure being configured for selectively coupling to said shell for closing said top.

15. The assembly of claim 14, further including said closure comprising a zipper.

11. A collapsible grilling assembly comprising:

a plurality of slats, said slats being pivotally interconnected such that said slats are configured for selectively pivoting, wherein each said slat of an upper set of said slats is configured for positioning perpendicularly to each of a lower set of said slats in an extended configuration for defining a grate, wherein said slats of said upper set are configured for positioning adjacently and colinearly, wherein said slats of said lower set configured for positioning adjacently and colinearly, wherein said lower set is positioned adjacent and transverse to said upper set defining a collapsed configuration, said slats being configured for selectively fixedly positioning in the extended configuration;

a plurality of legs, each said leg having a first end and a second end, said first end being configured for selectively coupling to a perimeter of said grate, each said leg being configured for coupling to a respective one of a plurality of bars, each said leg comprising a plurality of nested sections such that said leg is selectively extensible, wherein said legs are positioned on said grate such that each said leg is configured for selectively extending between said grate and an uneven surface such that said grate is positioned horizontally, said plurality of nested sections comprising a rod and a tube, said rod being selectively extensible from said tube;

wherein said plurality of legs is configured for coupling to said grate such that each said leg is configured for extending from said grate positioning a second end of said leg on a surface such that said grate is configured for positioning a heat source between said grate and the surface for heating an item positioned upon said grate;

a plurality of third connectors, each said third connector being coupled to a respective said bar proximate to said bracket;

a plurality of fourth connectors, each said fourth connector being coupled to a respective said rod, said fourth connectors being complementary to said third connectors;

wherein said fourth connectors are positioned on said rods such that each said fourth connector is positioned for coupling to a respective said third connector for coupling an associated said leg to said respective said bar;

each said third connector comprising a bearing, said bearing being spring-loaded ball type;

each said fourth connector comprising;

a first plate coupled to and extending from a terminus of said rod,

an orifice positioned through said first plate, said orifice being complementary to said bearing, and

a second plate coupled to and extending from said rod proximate to said first plate, said second plate extending codirectionally and parallelly with said first plate defining a second slot; and

wherein said second slot is positioned on said rod such that said second slot is positioned for inserting said respective said bar positioning an associated said bearing for inserting into said orifice for coupling said leg to said respective said bar.

16. A collapsible grilling assembly comprising:

a plurality of slats, said slats being pivotally interconnected such that said slats are configured for selectively pivoting, wherein each said slat of an upper set of said slats is configured for positioning perpendicularly to each of a lower set of said slats in an extended configuration for defining a grate, wherein said slats of said upper set are configured for positioning adjacently and colinearly, wherein said slats of said lower set configured for positioning adjacently and colinearly, wherein said lower set is positioned adjacent and transverse to said upper set defining a collapsed configuration, said slats being configured for selectively fixedly positioning in the extended configuration, each said slat having a respective length such that said plurality of slats comprises a variety of lengths, each said slat extending at forty-five degrees between a perimeter of said grate, each of said upper set and said lower set comprising a center slat extending between respective opposing corners of said grate, each of said upper set and said lower set comprising a plurality of medial slats, each said medial slat having opposing endpoints, each said opposing endpoint being angled at forty-five degrees between opposing edges of said medial slat, pairs of said medial slats of said lower set not including said center slat of said lower slats being pivotally coupled to and extending between associated said opposing endpoints of an associated pair of said medial slats of said upper set such that said respective pair of said medial slats of said lower set and said associated pair of said medial slats of said upper set are rectangularly positioned within said grate;

a plurality of couplers, said couplers being configured for coupling to said perimeter of said grate for fixedly positioning said slats in the extended configuration, said plurality of couplers comprising;

a plurality of bars, and

a plurality of first slots, each said first slot being positioned in a respective said bar, each said first slot extending between opposing termini of said bar, said first slot being complementary to a respective side edge of said grate, wherein said first slots are positioned in said bars such that each said first slot is positioned for selectively insertably engaging said respective said side edge of said grate for fixedly positioning said plurality of slats and for disengaging from said perimeter such that said plurality of slats is configured for positioning in the collapsed configuration,

a pair of brackets, said brackets being L-shaped, each said bracket being coupled to and extending from a respective opposing end of said center slat of said lower set, each said bracket being hingedly coupled to an associated pair of said bars, wherein said associated pair of bars is positioned on said bracket such that said associated said pair of bars is positioned for pivoting toward said grate for selectively insertably engaging an adjacent pair of said respective said side edges for fixedly positioning said plurality of slats, wherein said associated pair of bars is positioned for pivoting distally from said grate for disengaging from said adjacent pair of said respective said side edges such that said plurality of slats is configured for positioning in the collapsed configuration;

a plurality of first connectors, each said first connector being coupled proximate to a respective opposing end of said center slat of said upper set, each said first connector comprising a tab and a first hole, said tab being coupled to and extending from said respective opposing end of said center slat of said upper set, said first hole being centrally positioned through said tab;

a plurality of second connectors, said second connectors being complementary to said first connectors, each said second connector being coupled to a respective said bar distal from said bracket to which said respective said bar is coupled, wherein said second connectors are positioned on said bars such that each said second connector is positioned for coupling to an associated said first connector for coupling said respective said bar to said respective said side edge, each said second connector comprising a first pin, said first pin being spring-loaded;

a plurality of legs, each said leg having a first end and a second end, said first end being configured for selectively coupling to said perimeter of said grate, wherein said plurality of legs is configured for coupling to said grate such that each said leg is configured for extending from said grate positioning a second end of said leg on a surface such that said grate is configured for positioning a heat source between said grate and the surface for heating an item positioned upon said grate, each said leg being configured for coupling to a respective said bar, each said leg comprising a plurality of nested sections such that said leg is selectively extensible, wherein said legs are positioned on said grate such that each said leg is configured for selectively extending between said grate and an uneven surface such that said grate is positioned horizontally, said plurality of nested sections comprising a rod and a tube, said rod being selectively extensible from said tube, said rod and said tube being rectangularly shaped when viewed longitudinally;

a plurality of first fasteners, each said first fastener being coupled to a respective said rod, each said first fastener comprising a second pin, said second pin being spring-loaded;

a plurality of second fasteners, each said second fastener being coupled to a respective said tube, said second fasteners being complementary to said first fasteners, wherein said second fasteners are positioned on said tubes such that each said second fastener is positioned for selectively coupling to a respective said first fastener for fixedly coupling said respective said rod to said respective said tube, each said second fastener comprising a plurality of second holes positioned through a wall of said respective said tube;

a plurality of third connectors, each said third connector being coupled to a respective said bar proximate to said bracket, each said third connector comprising a bearing, said bearing being spring-loaded ball type;

a plurality of fourth connectors, each said fourth connector being coupled to a respective said rod, said fourth connectors being complementary to said third connectors, wherein said fourth connectors are positioned on said rods such that each said fourth connector is positioned for coupling to a respective said third connector for coupling an associated said leg to said respective said bar, each said fourth connector comprising;

a first plate coupled to and extending from a terminus of said rod,

an orifice positioned through said first plate, said orifice being complementary to said bearing, and

a second plate coupled to and extending from said rod proximate to said first plate, said second plate extending codirectionally and parallelly with said first plate defining a second slot, wherein said second slot is positioned on said rod such that said second slot is positioned for inserting said respective said bar positioning an associated said bearing for inserting into said orifice for coupling said leg to said respective said bar;

a plurality of feet, each said foot being coupled to said second end of a respective said leg, wherein said feet are positioned on said legs such that each said foot is positioned for stabilizing said respective said leg on the surface;

a shell defining an interior space, said shell having a top, said top being open such that said shell is configured for inserting said plurality of slats in the collapsed configuration and said plurality of legs;

a closure coupled to said shell proximate to said top, said closure being configured for selectively coupling to said shell for closing said top, said closure comprising a zipper; and

wherein each said slat of said upper set of said slats is configured for positioning perpendicularly to each said slat of said lower set of said slats, wherein said associated pair of bars is positioned on said bracket such that each of said associated said pair of bars is positioned for pivoting toward said grate for selectively insertably engaging said adjacent pair of said respective said side edges for fixedly positioning said plurality of slats, wherein said fourth connectors are positioned on said rods such that each said fourth connector is positioned for coupling to a respective said third connector for coupling an associated said leg to said respective said bar, such that said grate is configured for positioning the heat source between said grate and the surface for heating the item positioned upon said grate, wherein said associated pair of bars is positioned for pivoting distally from said grate for disengaging from said adjacent pair of said respective said side edges such that said slats of said upper set are configured for positioning adjacently and colinearly, wherein said slats of said lower set configured for positioning adjacently and colinearly, wherein said lower set is positioned adjacent and transverse to said upper set.