Barbeque grill system

• US 7,168,363 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2003
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRI-County Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tony A. Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Tony A.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US10/664,619
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 994/21.M, 994/21.R, 994/19, 993/39, 993/40, 994/50, 993/57, 994/84, 126/25.R, 126/29, 126/9.R
• US Class Current: 99/421.00M
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0786 Accessories

Abstract

A barbeque grill system include a barbeque grill, a heat source, a thermoelectric generator operable for producing electric power, and a barbeque-grill accessory capable of using electric power. In further detail, the thermoelectric generator is activatable by heat produced from the heat source, so as to produce electric power. In addition, the barbeque-grill accessory is designed so as to receive electric power produced by the thermoelectric generator, once the thermoelectric generator has been activated by heat produced from the heat source.

Claims

1. A combination, comprising:

a barbecue grill including a cooking surface and a first heat source, the cooking surface constructed and arranged to be heated by heat produced from the first heat source;

a second heat source;

a thermoelectric generator operable for producing electric power, the thermoelectric generator activatable by heat produced from the heat source so as to produce electric power; and

a barbecue-grill accessory capable of using electric power, the barbecue-grill accessory constructed and arranged so as to receive electric power produced by the thermoelectric generator once the thermoelectric generator has been activated by heat produced from the second heat source.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the barbecue-grill accessory is selected from the group consisting of a light source, a rotisserie, and combinations thereof.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the barbecue-grill accessory includes a light source.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the light source includes a light-producing member selected from the group consisting of a light-emitting diode (LED), a halogen bulb, a xelogen bulb, a fluorescent bulb, a neon bulb, a fiber-optic filament, an incandescent bulb, and combinations thereof.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the light source includes a plurality of LEDs.

6. The combination of claim 3 wherein the light source is positioned on an elongated arm.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the elongated arm is adjustable, whereby a user may move the light source in a plurality of different directions.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein the elongated arm is releasably attachable to the barbecue grill.

9. The combination of claim 3 wherein the barbecue grill includes a sidewall, and the light source is mounted at the sidewall.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein the first heat source is positioned beneath the cooking surface.

11. The combination of claim 1 wherein each of the first heat source and the second heat source includes a combustible fuel, the combustible fuel capable of producing heat upon combustion.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein the combustible fuel is selected from the group consisting of a combustible gas, charcoal, and combinations thereof.

13. The combination of claim 11 wherein the combustible fuel is a combustible gas.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the first heat source and the second heat source receive the combustible gas from a common combustible gas supply.

15. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second heat source includes a combustible gas burner, the combination further including a combustible gas supply operable for providing a combustible gas to the second heat source, but not to the first heat source.

16. The combination of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric generator is in thermal proximity to the heat source.