Barbecue grill and support frame assembly

• US 20040112364A1
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC (Weber-Stephen Mexico Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC (Weber-Stephen Mexico Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Bruno, Adrian A., Johnson, Mark, DeMars, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 6,910,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 126/41R
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 2037/0777 with foldable construction for storage or transport purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0704 with horizontal fire box
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0713 with gas burners
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0763 Small-size, portable barbecues
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0786 Accessories

Abstract

The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly with a grill body having a firebox and a cover and a burner element. The firebox is supported on a frame structure having a first frame member assembly and a second frame member assembly. The frame assemblies are secured together by combination of at least one cross member secured to the upper portion and being secured to the firebox at a lower region, without the need for additional cross members at the lower region. The invention further provides a frame with pivoting shelves secured to the frame, adapted to move from a use position to a storage position withing the grill cooking chamber. The present invention further provides a frame assembly having a lateral slot for receiving and supporting a heat shield positioned below the firebox.

Claims

1. A barbecue grill assembly having a grill body and a frame structure support, comprising;

a first frame member and a second frame member, each said first and second frame members having an upper portion and a lower portion;

said grill body having a cooking chamber with a lower firebox containing a burner element and the cooking chamber having firebox wall with an outer surface;

a mounting member arrangement extending from the outer surface, the mounting member arrangement being secured to the first frame member to support a first side area of the firebox, and the mounting member arrangement being secured to the second frame member to support a second side area of the firebox, wherein cooperative support of the first side and second side thereby providing frame structure support of the grill body.

2. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting member arrangement comprises at least two mounting members projecting from the firebox wall, at least one said mounting member being secured to the first frame member and at least a second of said mounting members being secured to the second frame member.

3. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 2, wherein said mounting member assembly comprises four tabs extending from the outer wall of the firebox, two of said tabs being secured to the first frame member, and two of said tabs being secured to the second frame member.

4. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame structure support further comprises said first frame member being secured in fixed spacial relationship from the second frame member, said securement of the fixed spacial relationship being defined by the frame members being secured to the mounting member assembly and said frame members being secured to at least one cross member at said upper portion of the first and second frame members.

5. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 4, wherein said at least one cross member is adapted to provide an exposed gripping region as a handle of the grill assembly.

6. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 4, wherein said frame structure support of said fixed spacial relationship is at least partially defined by securement of the frame members to the mounting member assembly without the need for cross members at said lower portion of the first and second frame members.

7. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame structure support further comprises said first frame member being secured in fixed spacial relationship from the second frame member, said securement of the fixed spacial relationship being at least partially defined by securement of the frame members to the mounting member assembly without the need for cross members at said lower portion of the first and second frame members.

8. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame structure support further comprises said first frame member being secured in fixed spacial relationship from the second frame member, a shelf member being attached along a hinge line between the first and second frame members and adapted to pivot about said hinge line for at least a portion of the shelf member to be moved from a first position outside the cooking chamber to a second position within the cooking chamber.

9. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 8, further comprising a second shelf member, the second shelf member being attached along a second hinge line between the first and second frame members, wherein said second shelf member is adapted to pivot about said second hinge line for at least a portion of the second shelf member to be moved from a first position outside the cooking chamber to a second position within the cooking chamber.

10. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 8, wherein said shelf member has at least one engagement surface adapted to mate with a portion of the cooking chamber when in the second position.

11. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 10, wherein, the engagement surface includes at least one projection positioned on the shelf member adapted to contact a portion of the firebox wall when the shelf member is in said second position.

12. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 8, wherein said shelf member includes a cooking utensil holding assembly, said holding assembly having a locking component providing frictional engagement of removable cooking utensils for securing the utensils to the shelf.

13. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 8, wherein, said shelf member being cooperatively dimensioned with the frame structure to provide a void region, said void region being positioned between the shelf and the firebox when said shelf is in the first position, said void region further adapted to expose a gripping region of a handle of the grill when he shelf member is in the second position.

14. A barbecue grill assembly, comprising;

a grill body having a firebox at least partially defined by a firebox wall and with a burner element within the firebox, the firebox being supported on a frame structure, said frame structure having a first frame member assembly and a second frame member assembly cooperating to provide support for the firebox, each said first and second frame member having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion of each said frame assembly having a leg region;

at least one cross member being secured to the upper portion of each said frame member to attach the upper portions of the first and second frame members together in spaced relationship, said first and second frame members being secured to the firebox at a region below said upper portions of the frame members, said frame members being secured in spaced relationship by combination of the at least one cross member and by securement of the to the firebox.

15. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 14, further comprising;

at least two cross members secured to the upper portion of the frame members, each said cross member being secured to a part of the upper portion of the first frame member that is generally opposed to a spaced part of the upper portion of the second frame member.

16. The barbecue grill assembly of a claim 14, wherein;

said at least one cross member is adapted to provide an exposed gripping region as a handle of the grill assembly.

17. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 14, wherein said frame members are secured in said spaced relationship without the need for cross members between the first and second frame members at the leg region.

18. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 14, further comprising, a shelf member being attached along a hinge line between the first and second frame members and adapted to pivot about said hinge line for at least a portion of the shelf member to be moved from a first position outside the cooking chamber to a second position within the cooking chamber.

19. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 18, further comprising a second shelf member, the second shelf member being attached along a second hinge line between the first and second frame members, wherein said second shelf member is adapted to pivot about said second hinge line for at least a portion of the second shelf member to be moved from a first position outside the cooking chamber to a second position within the cooking chamber.

20. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 18, wherein said shelf member has at least one engagement surface adapted to mate with a portion of the cooking chamber when in the second position.

21. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 20, wherein, the engagement surface includes at least one projection positioned on the shelf member adapted to contact a portion of the firebox wall when the shelf member is in said second position.

22. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 18, wherein said shelf member includes a cooking utensil holding assembly, said holding assembly having a locking component providing frictional engagement of removable cooking utensils for securing the utensils to the shelf.

23. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 18, wherein, said shelf member being cooperatively dimensioned with the frame structure to provide a void region, said void region being positioned between the shelf and the firebox when said shelf is in the first position, said void region further adapted to expose a gripping region of a handle of the grill when the shelf member is in the second position.

24. A barbecue grill assembly, comprising;

a grill body having a firebox at least partially defined by a firebox wall and with a burner element within the firebox, the firebox being supported on a frame structure, said frame structure having a first frame member assembly and a second frame member assembly cooperating to provide support for the firebox, each said first and second frame member having a generally X-shaped configuration of frame structures arranged to provide an upper portion and a lower portion of the frame members, with the upper portion extending toward an upper edge of the firebox and the lower portion of the frame members extending downward from the firebox and having a lower leg region, said upper portion and lower portion of the frame members being separated by a central body region positioned adjacent a lower region of the firebox;

said first and second frame members being secured to the firebox at said central body region by attachment of the frame members to the firebox through mounting members extending from the firebox, said first and second frame members further being secured in spaced relationship by at least one cross member secured between the upper portion of the first and second frame members.

25. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 24, further comprising;

at least two cross members secured to the upper portion of the frame members, each said cross member being secured to a part of the upper portion of the first frame member and a generally opposed area of the upper portion of the second frame member.

26. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 24, wherein said frame members are secured in said spaced relationship without the need for cross members between said frame members at the leg regions.

27. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 24, further comprising, a shelf member being attached along a hinge line between the first and second frame members and adapted to pivot about said hinge line for at least a portion of the shelf member to be moved from a first position outside the cooking chamber to a second position within the cooking chamber.

28. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 27, further comprising a second shelf member, the second shelf member being attached along a second hinge line between the first and second frame members, wherein said second shelf member is adapted to pivot about said second hinge line for at least a portion of the second shelf member to be moved from a first position outside the cooking chamber to a second position within the cooking chamber.

29. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 27, wherein said shelf member has at least one engagement surface adapted to mate with a portion of the cooking chamber when in the second position.

30. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 29, wherein, the engagement surface includes at least one projection positioned on the shelf member adapted to contact a portion of the firebox wall when the shelf member is in said second position.

31. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 29, wherein said shelf member includes a cooking utensil holding assembly, said holding assembly having a locking component providing frictional engagement of removable cooking utensils for securing the utensils to the shelf.

32. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 27, wherein, said shelf member being cooperatively dimensioned with the frame structure to provide a void region, said void region being positioned between the shelf and the firebox when said shelf is in the first position, said void region further adapted to expose a gripping region of a handle of the grill when said shelf member is in the second position.

33. A barbecue grill assembly, comprising;

a cooking chamber having a firebox at least partially defined by a firebox wall and with a burner element within the firebox, the firebox being supported on a frame structure, said frame structure having a first frame member assembly and a second frame member assembly cooperating to provide support for the firebox, each said first and second frame member having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion of each said frame assembly having a leg region;

at least one cross member being secured to the upper portion of each said frame member to attach the upper portions of the first and second frame members together in spaced relationship, said first and second frame members being secured to the firebox at a region below said upper portions of the frame members, said frame members being secured in spaced relationship by combination of the at least one cross member and by securement of the to the firebox;

a shelf member attached along a hinge line of said upper portion of at least one said frame member, the shelf member being rotatable about the hinge line between a first position adjacent a side of the firebox and in generally horizontal arrangement to provide an exposed work shelf, and being rotatable about the hinge line to a second position to at least partially reside above the firebox to a storage arrangement.

34. The grill assembly of claim 33, further comprising a second shelf member, the second shelf member being attached to at least one said frame member along a second hinge, wherein said second shelf member is rotatable about the second hinge line between a first position adjacent the firebox and a second position wherein at least a portion of the second shelf member resides above the firebox to a storage arrangement.

35. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 34, wherein said shelf member has at least one engagement surface adapted to mate with a portion of the cooking chamber when in the second position.

36. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 35, wherein, the engagement surface includes at least one projection positioned on the shelf member adapted to contact a portion of the firebox wall when the shelf member is in said second position.

37. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 34, wherein said shelf member includes a cooking utensil holding assembly, said holding assembly having a locking component providing frictional engagement of removable cooking utensils for securing the utensils to the shelf.

38. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 34, wherein, said shelf member has a void region along the hinge line, said void region being adapted to expose a handle of the frame structure when said shelf member is in the second position.

39. A barbecue grill assembly, comprising;

a cooking chamber supported by a frame assembly, said cooking chamber having a firebox with a burner element and a cover dimensioned to align with said firebox to thereby cover the cooking chamber in a closed arrangement;

a shelf member secured to the frame assembly along a hinge line and being rotatable about the hinge line between a first position outside the cooking chamber and a second position wherein at least a portion of the shelf member is within the cooking chamber.

40. The grill assembly of claim 39, wherein a portion of the shelf member passes through an opening between the cover and the firebox when the shelf member is in said second position and the cooking chamber is in the closed arrangement, the shelf member having a thickness at the opening adapted to substantially span the opening to provide closure of the opening.

41. The grill assembly of claim 40, wherein the shelf member includes a shelf body having an upper work surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including at least one strengthening rib, and said thickness of the shelf member providing closure of the opening is provided by a portion of the rib being in alignment with a lower edge of the cover.

42. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 39, wherein said shelf member has at least one engagement surface adapted to mate with a portion of the cooking chamber when in the second position.

43. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 42, wherein, the engagement surface includes at least one projection positioned on the shelf member adapted to contact a portion of the firebox wall when the shelf member is in said second position.

44. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 39, wherein said shelf member includes a cooking utensil holding assembly, said holding assembly having a locking component providing frictional engagement of removable cooking utensils for securing the utensils to the shelf.

45. The barbecue grill assembly of claim 39, wherein, said shelf member has a void region along the hinge line, said void region being adapted to expose a handle of the frame structure when said shelf member is in the second position.

46. A barbecue grill assembly, comprising;

a cooking chamber supported on a frame assembly, the frame assembly having a plurality of frame members with a leg region extending below the cooking chamber and being mounted to a lower region of the cooking chamber in spaced relationship to provide an extent of space beneath the cooking chamber;

the frame assembly further having a receiver adapted to support a heat shield member in attached position within said space beneath the cooking chamber, said heat shield having a width defined by a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being dimensioned to engage a portion of the receiver positioned on a first frame member and said second edge being dimensioned to engage a second frame member.

47. The grill assembly of claim 46, wherein, the receiver of the frame assembly includes at least one lateral support surface along an extent of said frame member.

48. The grill assembly of claim 47, wherein, the receiver of the frame assembly includes first lateral support surface positioned on the first frame member and a second lateral support surface positioned on the second frame member, said first and second groove being cooperatively aligned to provide a lateral slot for supporting said heat shield member.

49. The grill assembly of claim 48, wherein, the lateral slot is defined along a first groove of the first frame member and a second groove of the second frame member, said heat shield member being received into the lateral slot along a lateral sliding path residing along a plane of insertion.

50. The grill assembly of claim 49, wherein, the receiver further comprises a recess of the lateral slot dimensioned to receive a portion of the heat shield member below said plane of insertion to removably attach the heat shield member in position below said cooking chamber.

51. The grill assembly of claim 50, wherein, the heat shield member is secured in position by a depending wall extending transverse to said plane of insertion, and said heat shield member is thereby removable from said attached position by raising the heat shield member into the plane of insertion and laterally along the slot.

52. The grill assembly of claim 46, wherein, the cooking chamber includes a lower drip opening, said heat shield member having a collection chamber for receiving drip from the opening.

53. The grill assembly of claim 52 wherein, the collection chamber includes a removable receptacle.

54. The grill assembly of claim 52 wherein, said cooking chamber has an outer surface with a projecting drip lip, said drip lip projection being positioned on a lower portion of the cooking chamber adjacent the heat shield.

55. The grill assembly of claim 54 wherein, said drip lip projection has a substantially continuous perimeter, said perimeter providing a vertical drip path radially outward of said collection chamber.