Barbecue utility server cart

• US 7,284,393 B1
• Filed: 01/24/2005
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher D. Macmillan
• Original Assignee: Christopher D. Macmillan
• Inventors: Macmillan, Christopher D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones; Melvin
• Application Number:
  US11/042,715
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 623/31, 623/71, 624/575, 624/577
• US Class Current: 62/457.7
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2031/008 Outdoor serving carts
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 1/008 having a prop or stand for maintaining position
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 1/22 involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carried; Loading or unloading equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/52 Beach or picnic trolleys
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2204/02 comprising a heating unit
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2204/04 comprising a cooling unit
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2204/06 comprising insulating materials
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/33 stowed in a vertical position
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0013 Protection covers, e.g. against rain
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/081 using ice cubes or crushed ice
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/38 Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/06 Movable containers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/963 Off-grid food refrigeration

Abstract

A convertible barbecue server and accessory cart formed of molded plastic which has a removable tray-type top which can be removed and used indoors either in inclement weather or for placement of food items in the food tray prior to rejoining it with the cart bottom for serving food outdoors in conjunction with barbecuing or in the serving of food to guests or others.

Claims

1. A server and utility cart for use in conjunction with barbecuing equipment comprising:

a. a movable cart having at least two wheels and a grasping means for guiding and propelling said cart manually,

b. a removable tray mountable to the upper portion of the cart,

c. said tray having moisture impervious sides and bottom such as to be able to retain liquid and ice,

d. stabilization and alignment means to releasably maintain the tray and cart in alignment with each other,

e. storage compartment means in the cart to store items within the cart,

f. the upper portion of the cart being moisture impervious to provide weather resistance,

g. a transparent pivotable cover mounted upon the tray for sanitary and temperature equalization purposes.

2. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tray is stabilized on the cart by extended aligning elements extending between the tray and the top of the cart and received into orifices, one of each of such elements being positioned on the cart and the other on the tray.

3. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 2 wherein the extended aligning elements are on the bottom of the tray and act as legs for the tray when removed from the cart and the interengaging means on the upper portion of the cart are orifices in the upper portion of the cart.

4. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 3 wherein locking elements are provided to restrict withdrawal of the extended aligning elements of the tray from the orifices of the cart.

5. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tray is equipped with at least one double walled downwardly extending receptacle dimensioned to fit within each other, the lower or outer of said downwardly extending orifices being adapted to contain thermal temperature modifying means to control the temperature of food items in the inner receptacle.

6. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 4 wherein the element to restrict withdrawal of the extended aligning elements are in the form of pins extending laterally through such elements.

7. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tray is adapted for containing a cooling medium and the inner receptacles are dimensioned to extend into at least partial engagement with such cooling medium in order to cool such receptacles downwardly extending portions.

8. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 5 additionally comprising a heavily insulated receptacle adapted to retard the heat from elevated temperature food items within from passing readily into the cooling medium.

9. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 7 wherein the cooling medium is intended to be ice and the inner receptacles are maintained in place in the ice by an inner cover adapted to position the inner receptacles.

10. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 8 wherein the heavily insulated receptacle is provided with an inner compartment spaced from the outer surface by an insulating medium, with said inner compartment being adapted to contain a heating medium.

11. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 10 wherein the cooling medium in the tray is ice and the heating medium in the inner compartment in the heavily insulated receptacle is elevated temperature water.

12. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 8 additionally comprising an insulated cover adapted to removably cover the heavily insulated receptacle to additionally retard loss of heat from such receptacle.

13. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 11 wherein the heating medium is injectable into the inner compartment of the heavily insulated receptacle through a fitting.

14. A server and utility cart in accordance with claim 11 wherein the heavily insulated receptacle has two spaced fittings allowing a circulation of heating medium to pass in a continuous circuit from a heating medium reservoir provided elsewhere.

15. A convertible server and utility cart for use with barbecuing and outdoor grill equipment comprising:

a. a lower wheeled cart with inside storage space,

b. an upper removable tray having length and width dimensions generally similar to those of the cart effectively removable from the cart and usable separately as a food server and transporter,

c. aligning means for aligning and securing the tray from lateral movement with respect to the lower wheeled cart when combined and used together,

d. said tray having removable food receptacles in the upper portion supported in a spaced relationship with the bottom of the tray providing room under the food receptacles for temperature modifying material to be continued in the tray under the food receptacles.

16. A convertible server and utility cart for use with barbecuing and outdoor grill equipment in accordance with claim 15 additionally including a transparent protective cover hinged to the upper removable tray.

17. A convertible server and utility cart in accordance with claim 16 wherein said cart and upper removable tray is formed of molded plastic and is provided with a design including a slightly slanted bottom panel with the lowest portion at an inlet for weighted material.

18. A convertible server and utility cart in accordance with claim 17 wherein the removable tray has lower feet for supporting the tray on an indoor surface which feet are arranged to fit into matching openings in the top of the cart when said tray is on said cart and serving to align and hold said tray on said cart.