Charcoal starter

• US 5,638,807 A
• Filed: 12/21/1995
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Judith Flamenbaum
• Original Assignee: Judith Flamenbaum
• Inventors: Flamenbaum, Judith
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, Carl D.
• Application Number:
  US08/576,075
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 126/25 B, 126/25 R
• US Class Current: 126/25.00B
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/079 Charcoal igniting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24B 15/005 Igniting devices; Fire-igniting fans
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved charcoal starter that employs a unique charcoal release system which permits the charcoal to be deposited into a barbecue through the bottom thereby eliminating the splashing of lighted ashes. The charcoal starter device uses wadded paper or other readily combustible, non-polluting material as a fire starter. The device has a housing having an inner and outer surface surrounding a central space open on the top and bottom. A heat shield is attached to the outer surface of the housing. A handle is attached to the heat shield. The housing has a plurality of apertures adjacent to the bottom of the housing. The unique release system employs a central post having a slidable push-bar wrapped around it. A two ended spring is positioned with one end below the push-bar and the other at the flared portion of the central post. The central post is portioned in the center of the inner space and connected to the inner surface of the housing by support bars. The slidable push-bar pushes up against a fold-able grate that holds the charcoal. Support pegs are positioned immediately below the grate and will retract upon activation by a wire connected to a trigger located in the handle area. Once this trigger is activated the support pegs are removed and the weight of the charcoal will cause the slidable push-bar to slowly compress the spring. The push-bar will descend and the grate will fold upon itself. Once completely folded the incandescent charcoal will fall out the bottom of the device and be deposited into the barbecue. This unique release system allows for efficient transfer of the incandescent charcoal to the barbecue without the splashing of lighted ashes.

Claims

1. An improved charcoal starter device comprising:

a) a housing having an outer and inner surface, the housing having sidewalls defining an open top and an open bottom, and a series of spaced apertures therethrough adjacent to the bottom;

b) a handle affixed to the outer surface of the housing;

c) a central hollow post having an upper and lower portion;

d) a plurality of support bars having two ends with the first end attached to the central hollow post and the second end attached to the inner surface of the housing;

e) an inner support post having an upper and lower portion positioned within the central hollow post;

f) a descendible push-bar wrapped around the central hollow post, the push-bar having an under portion;

g) a spring having two ends surrounding the central hollow post with the first end of the spring positioned against the under portion of the push-bar and the second end of the spring positioned against the lower portion of the inner support post;

h) a two piece circular grate having a diameter hinged at the diameter and connected to the upper portion of the central hollow post at the hinge;

i) a plurality of retractable support pegs that are positioned to support the grate as a circle;

j) a trigger attached to the heat shield so as to align with one of the retractable support pegs;

k) a pivot arm having two ends with the first end of the pivot arm connected to the outer surface of the housing by a fulcrum with the second end of the pivot arm connected to the retractable support peg;

l) a wire having two ends with the first end connected directly to the support peg and the second end of the pivot arm and the second end of the wire connected to the trigger whereby the pulling of the trigger pulls the wire which retracts the support pegs causing the grate to fold into a semi circle thus causing the push-bar to descend and compress the spring.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein a heat shield is positioned between the outer surface of the housing and the handle.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the housing and the grate is rectangular in shape.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the handle comprises grip formed plastic disposed around metal.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the housing has two oppositely faced large apertures adjacent to the bottom housing making the placing and ignition of the starting material easier.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the housing is made from metals selected from the group consisting of stainless steel or aluminum.

2. An improved charcoal starter device comprising:

a) a housing having an outer and inner surface, the housing having sidewalls defining an open top and an open bottom, and a series of spaced apertures therethrough adjacent to the bottom;

b) a handle affixed to the outer surface of the housing;

c) a central hollow post having an upper and lower portion;

d) a plurality of support bars having two ends with the first end attached to the central hollow post and the second end to the inner surface of the housing;

e) an inner support post having an upper and lower portion positioned within the central hollow post;

f) a descendible push-bar wrapped around the central hollow post, the push-bar having an under portion;

g) a spring having two ends surrounding the central hollow post with the first end of the spring positioned against the under portion of the push-bar and the second end of the spring against the lower portion of the inner support post;

h) a two piece circular grate having a diameter hinged at the diameter and connected to the upper portion of the central hollow post at the hinge;

i) a plurality of pulleys attached to the inner surface of the housing below the grate;

j) a trigger attached to the heat shield;

k) a wire having two ends with the first end connected to the trigger, threaded to the pulleys and the second end of the wire attached to the lower portion of the push-bar.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein a heat shield is positioned between the outer surface of the housing and the handle.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the housing and the grate is rectangular in shape.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the handle comprises grip formed plastic disposed around metal.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the housing has two oppositely faced large apertures adjacent to the bottom housing making the placing and ignition of the starting material easier.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the housing is made from metals selected from the group consisting of stainless steel or aluminum.