Barbecue grill and hinge
First Claim
1. A hinge assembly suitable for use with an outdoor cooking apparatus of the type including a receptacle having a bottom and sidewalls that define an open end, and a lid configured to substantially cover the open end of the receptacle, the hinge assembly operatively connecting the lid to the receptacle such that the lid is movable with respect thereto between a closed position, wherein the lid substantially covers the open end of the receptacle, and a plurality of open positions in which a gap exists between the lid and at least one sidewall of the receptacle, the hinge assembly comprising:
- a first arm configured to be operatively connected to either one of said receptacle or said lid;
a second arm configured to be operatively connected to the other one of said receptacle or said lid, wherein the first and second arm are movably connected to each other; and
, means for counterbalancing the weight of the lid;
whereby, when the lid is moved to one of the plurality of open positions, the lid is able to remain in such open position in the absence of external forces acting on the lid.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An outdoor cooking appliance, such as a “Barbeque Grill”, having a body and a lid. The lid is connected to the body by a hinge assembly and is movable between a first, closed position and a second, open position. As the lid is moved between the first and second positions, the hinge assembly counterbalances the weight of the lid so that the lid does not close of its own accord and may be positioned at one of plurality of positions intermediate between the closed and the open positions. The hinge assembly includes two arms that are pivotally interconnected. The hinge assembly preferably includes a linkage that interconnects the one of the two arms of the hinge assembly to the lid to permit the hinge to reside in a location that is relatively removed from and remote to the lid so that the hinge assembly. In a further embodiment, the hinge is adjustable.
21 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A hinge assembly suitable for use with an outdoor cooking apparatus of the type including a receptacle having a bottom and sidewalls that define an open end, and a lid configured to substantially cover the open end of the receptacle, the hinge assembly operatively connecting the lid to the receptacle such that the lid is movable with respect thereto between a closed position, wherein the lid substantially covers the open end of the receptacle, and a plurality of open positions in which a gap exists between the lid and at least one sidewall of the receptacle, the hinge assembly comprising:
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a first arm configured to be operatively connected to either one of said receptacle or said lid;
a second arm configured to be operatively connected to the other one of said receptacle or said lid, wherein the first and second arm are movably connected to each other; and
,means for counterbalancing the weight of the lid;
whereby, when the lid is moved to one of the plurality of open positions, the lid is able to remain in such open position in the absence of external forces acting on the lid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A hinge assembly for use with a barbeque grill of the type comprising a receptacle having a bottom and side walls that define a cooking area, and a lid configured to substantially cover the cooking area of the receptacle, the hinge assembly operatively connecting the lid to the receptacle such that the lid is movable under the force of gravity from an open position to a closed position, the hinge assembly comprising:
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a first arm configured to be operatively connected to either one of said receptacle or said lid;
a second arm configured to be operatively connected to the other one of said receptacle or said lid, with the first and second arm movably connected to each other such that said lid is able to move between the closed position and the open position relative to the receptacle; and
,means for counterbalancing the weight of the lid;
whereby, when the lid is moved to an open position, it is able to resist the force of gravity exerted on the lid and remain in the open position in the absence of external forces. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A hinge assembly for use with an outdoor cooking apparatus of the type comprising a receptacle having a bottom and side walls that define an open end, and a lid configured to substantially cover the open end of the receptacle, the hinge assembly operatively connecting the lid to the receptacle such that the lid is movable with respect thereto between a closed position wherein the lid substantially covers the open end of the receptacle, and an open position wherein a gap is formed between the lid and the open end of the receptacle, the hinge assembly comprising:
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a first arm configured to be operatively connected to either one of said receptacle or said lid;
a second arm configured to be operatively connected to the other one of said receptacle or said lid, with the first and second arm movably connected to each other; and
,a biasing element having first and second ends, the biasing element operatively connected to the first and second arms, the biasing element configured and arranged to exert a variable force between the first and second arms as the first and second arms move with respect to each other such that the weight of the lid operating under the force of gravity is effectively counterbalanced along a substantial portion of the path it takes as it moves from the closed position to the open position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An outdoor cooking appliance comprising:
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a body comprising a bottom and side walls, with the side walls defining a cooking area;
a lid configured to substantially cover the cooking area to form a cooking chamber; and
,a hinge assembly operatively connecting the lid to the body such that the lid may be moved from a first position where it substantially covers the cooking area of the body, and a continuum of open positions in which a gap is formed between the lid and at least one sidewall of the receptacle, the hinge assembly comprising;
a first arm configured to be operatively connected to either one of said receptacle or said lid;
a second arm configured to be operatively connected to the other one of said receptacle or said lid, wherein the first and second arm are movably connected to each other; and
,means for counterbalancing the weight of the lid;
whereby, when the lid is moved to one of the continuum of open positions, the lid is able to remain in such open position in the absence of external forces acting on the lid. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An outdoor cooking appliance comprising:
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a body comprising a bottom and side walls, with the side walls defining a cooking area;
a lid configured to substantially cover the cooking area to form a cooking chamber; and
,a hinge assembly operatively connecting the lid to the body such that the lid may be moved from a first position where it substantially covers the cooking area of the body, and a continuum of open positions in which a gap is formed between the lid and at least one sidewall of the receptacle, the hinge assembly comprising;
a first arm configured to be operatively connected to either one of said receptacle or said lid;
a second arm configured to be operatively connected to the other one of said receptacle or said lid, wherein the first and second arm are movably connected to each other; and
,a biasing element having first and second ends, the biasing element operatively connected to the first and second arms, the biasing element configured and arranged to exert a variable force between the first and second arms as the first and second arms move with respect to each other such that the weight of the lid operating under the force of gravity is effectively counterbalanced along a substantial portion of the path it takes as it moves from the closed position to the open position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of cooking food, comprising the steps of;
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providing an outdoor cooking appliance including;
a body comprising a bottom and side walls, with the side walls defining a cooking area;
a lid configured to substantially cover the cooking area to form a cooking chamber; and
,a hinge assembly operatively connecting the lid to the body such that the lid may be moved from a first position where it substantially covers the cooking area of the body, and a continuum of open positions in which a gap is formed between the lid and at least one sidewall of the receptacle, the hinge assembly comprising;
a first arm configured to be operatively connected to either one of said receptacle or said lid;
a second arm configured to be operatively connected to the other one of said receptacle or said lid, wherein the first and second arm are movably connected to each other; and
,a biasing element having first and second ends, the biasing element operatively connected to the first and second arms, the biasing element configured and arranged to exert a variable force between the first and second arms as the first and second arms move with respect to each other such that the weight of the lid operating under the force of gravity is effectively counterbalanced along a substantial portion of the path it takes as it moves from the closed position to the open position; and
when cooking the food in the outdoor cooking appliance;
the step of cooking food including placing a fuel source in the cooking area and igniting the fuel so that the fuel will generate heat;
placing the food in the cooking area and partially closing the lid so that it comes to a rest and a partially open position that is neither the same as the closed position or the open position.
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Specification