Heat distribution system

• US 6,913,458 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coleman Company Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Coleman Company Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: May, Randall L., Neugebauer, Norman D, Lawhon, Robert L., Mosher, Robert F. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Boles, Derek S.
• Application Number:
  US10/653,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20040072116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 237/79, 237/70, 126/41.R, 126/38
• US Class Current: 432/222
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0713 with gas burners
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0786 Accessories

Abstract

A portable griddle stove has two non-stick cooking surfaces, either of which can withstand being on the underside of the cooking surface in use and the heat applied to the underside surface. A heat shield and heat diffuser control the temperature applied to the underside of the cooking surface by providing radiant heat to the center portion of the cooking surface and cooling the combustion gas diffused to the perimeter of the cooking surface. Secondary air provided through openings in case the and heat shield assist in cooling the combustion gas.

Claims

1. A heat distribution system, comprising:

a heat shield connected to a housing;

a burner disposed above the heat shield; and

a heat diffuser disposed above the burner, the heat diffuser including a center portion disposed at least partly directly above the burner and positioned between two angled portions, each of the angled portions extending at an angle upward from the center portion.

2. The heat distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the heat diffuser further comprises a plurality of elongate projections extending outward from each of the two angled portions so that a gap is formed between each pair of adjacent projections, the gaps and the elongate projections defining a serrated outer edge of the diffuser.

3. The heat distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the center portion is disposed at a level lower than a level of the plurality of projections.

4. The heat distribution system according to claim 2 wherein the openings are quasi-V shaped.

5. The heat distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a venturi assembly connected to the heat distribution system and a regulator assembly connected to the venturi assembly.

6. The heat distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the venturi assembly includes a cylindrical portion having a circumferential groove, a portion of the circumferential groove being removed to form a slot, a spring clip being removably disposed in the groove.

7. The heat distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the regulator assembly includes a connector having a profiled edge adjacent a circumferential groove, the connector releasably engaging the cylindrical portion of the venturi assembly, the profiled edge releasably engaging a flat portion of the spring clip disposed in the slot, the flat portion of the clamp also being disposed in the circumferential groove of the connector.

8. The heat distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the spring clip includes a flat portion.

9. A stove incorporating the heat distribution system of claim 1.

10. A heat distribution system, comprising:

a tube burner; and

a heat diffuser disposed above the tube burner, the heat diffuser comprising a center portion disposed at least partly directly above the tube burner and positioned between two angled portions, each of the two angled portions having a plurality of elongate projections extending outwardly therefrom so that a gap is formed between each pair of adjacent projections the gaps and the elongate projections defining a serrated outer edge of the diffuser.

11. The heat distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the angled portions are angled upward from the center portion.

12. The heat distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the openings are quasi-V shaped.

13. The heat distribution system according to claim 10, further comprising a heat shield positioned below the tube burner.

14. The heat distribution system according to claim 10, further comprising a venturi assembly connected to the heat distribution system and a regulator assembly connected to the venturi assembly.

15. The heat distribution system according to claim 14, wherein the venturi assembly includes a cylindrical portion having a circumferential groove, a portion of the circumferential groove being removed to form a slot, a spring clip being removably disposed in the groove.

16. The heat distribution system according to claim 15, wherein the regulator assembly includes a connector having a profiled edge adjacent a circumferential groove, the connector releasably engaging the cylindrical portion of the venturi assembly, the profiled edge releasably engaging a flat portion of the spring clip disposed in the slot, the flat portion of the clamp also being disposed in the circumferential groove of the connector.

17. The heat distribution system according to claim 15, wherein the spring clip includes a flat portion.

18. A stove incorporating the heat distribution system of claim 10.

19. A heat distribution system, comprising:

a tube burner; and

a heat diffuser disposed above the tube burner, the heat diffuser comprising a center portion disposed at least partly directly above the tube burner and positioned between two angled portions, each of the angled portions extending at an angle upward from the center portion.

20. The heat distribution system according to claim 19,

each of the two angled portions having a plurality of elongate projections extending outwardly therefrom so that a gap is formed between each pair of adjacent projections, the gaps and the elongate projections defining a serrated outer edge of the diffuser.

21. The heat distribution system according to claim 20, wherein the openings are quasi-V shaped.

22. A stove incorporating the heat distribution system of claim 19.