Convertible rotisserie and grill

• US 6,437,291 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Uni-Splender Corp.
• Original Assignee: Uni-Splender Corp.
• Inventors: Hopponen, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): FUQUA, SHAWNTINA T
• Application Number:
  US09/479,348
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 219/395, 219/403, 219/386, 219/404, 993/40, 993/39, 993/41, 994/21.H, 994/46, 994/50, 426/523, 426/466
• US Class Current: 219/395
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/042 with food supports arranged on wheels or spiders rotating about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0623 Small-size cooking ovens, i.e. defining an at least partially closed cooking cavity A47J37/0605 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0629 with electric heating elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0664 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/067 Horizontally disposed broiling griddles
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0704 with horizontal fire box

Abstract

A convertible rotisserie and grill which includes a housing having a first mechanical interface for removably receiving a grill plate and second mechanical interface for removably receiving a spit. The convertible rotisserie and grill also includes a first heating element for heating the grill plate for grill-style cooking and a second heating element for heating an area in close proximity to the spit for rotisserie-style cooking. A probe activates and controls the temperature of one of the heating elements depending upon the desired cooking style.

Claims

1. A convertible rotisserie and grill, comprising:

a housing;

a grill plate selectively mounted to the housing through a first mechanical interface;

a spit selectively mounted to the housing through a second mechanical interface

a first heating element for heating said grill plate;

a second heating element for heating an area in close proximity to said spit; and

a probe for interchangeably activating and controlling the temperature of one of said heating elements.

2. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 1 wherein said spit is adapted for rotational movement.

3. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 2 further comprising means for rotating said spit.

4. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 3 wherein said rotating means include a variable-speed motor.

5. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 4 wherein said housing further comprises a step for supporting said motor.

6. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 1 further comprising a cover which removably engages said housing.

7. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 6 wherein said cover is multi-positionable.

8. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 6 further comprising a window disposed within said cover.

9. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 6 wherein said cover includes an inner cover member and an outer cover member which are interleaved with each another.

10. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 1 further comprising a drip pan which removably engages said housing.

11. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 1 wherein said grill plate further comprises a jack for supporting said probe.

12. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 11 wherein said housing includes a recess for supporting said jack.

13. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a jack for supporting said probe.

14. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a pair of opposing recesses for supporting said spit.

15. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a recess for supporting a jack.

16. A convertible rotisserie and grill, comprising:

a housing;

a grill plate selectively mounted to the housing through a first mechanical interface, wherein said grill plate includes a jack for supporting a probe therein;

a spit selectively mounted to the housing through a second mechanical interface

a first heating element for heating said grill plate;

a second heating element for heating an area in close proximity to said spit,

wherein said probe interchangeably activates and controls a temperature of one of said heating elements.

17. A convertible rotisserie and grill according to claim 16 wherein said housing includes a recess for supporting said jack.

18. A convertible rotisserie and grill, comprising:

a housing including a jack for supporting a probe therein;

a grill plate selectively mounted to the housing through a first mechanical interface;

a spit selectively mounted to the housing through a second mechanical interface

a first heating element for heating said grill plate;

a second heating element for heating an area in close proximity to said spit.