U.S. patent application number 10/619415 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for scraper for barbecue grill.
Invention is credited to Yu, Chih-Hsin.
Application Number | 20050011029 10/619415 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34062579 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050011029 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yu, Chih-Hsin |
January 20, 2005 |
Scraper for barbecue grill
Abstract
The present invention is to provide a scraper for a barbecue
grill comprising a hollow handle and a substantially parallelepiped
cleaning head at a forward end of the handle. The cleaning head is
disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the handle and
includes a blade extended horizontally from a forward side of the
cleaning head, wherein the blade has a cutting edge at a forward
side thereof with a series of curved peaks and valleys conformed to
open spaces of the barbecue grill for removing dirt left on side
surfaces of metal bars of the barbecue grill.
Inventors: |
Yu, Chih-Hsin; (Hsin Tien
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACON & THOMAS, PLLC
625 SLATERS LANE
FOURTH FLOOR
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
|
Family ID: |
34062579 |
Appl. No.: |
10/619415 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/111 ;
15/236.01; 15/236.08; 15/236.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 7/04 20130101; A46B
2200/3093 20130101; A47L 13/12 20130101; A47L 13/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/111 ;
015/236.01; 015/236.08; 015/236.09 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A scraper for a barbecue grill, comprising: a hollow handle; and
a substantially parallelepiped cleaning head at a forward end of
the handle, the cleaning head including a blade extended
horizontally from a forward side of the cleaning head, the blade
having a cutting edge at a forward side thereof, the cutting edge
consisting of a series of curved peaks and valleys conformed to
open spaces of the barbecue grill, wherein, in using the scraper to
remove dirt left on the barbecue grill, place the blade on the
barbecue grill with the peaks of the cutting edge inserted into the
open spaces of the barbecue grill to contact side surfaces of metal
bars of the barbecue grill and the valleys thereof contacted top
surfaces of the metal bars respectively so that dirt remained on
the barbecue grill can be removed by the blade.
2. The scraper of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head further
comprises a substantially parallelepiped cavity on its bottom
surface, the cavity having two slots at front and rear sides
thereof respectively, and a parallelepiped metal bristle carrier,
the metal bristle carrier including two claws at front and rear
sides thereof respectively, the claws being adapted to hook into
the slots for fastening the metal bristle carrier in the cavity so
that in using the scraper, dirt remained on joining points of the
metal bars can be removed by using groups of metal bristles on the
metal bristle carrier.
3. The scraper of claim 2, wherein the handle comprises a hook at
its rear end, the hook including a connecting member, a first
transverse member, and a second transverse member, wherein one end
of the connecting member is coupled to the rear end of the handle
and the other end thereof is extended arcuately, axially away from
the handle, the connecting member includes a downward curved
section extended from about center thereof to couple to the rear
end of the handle, the first transverse member and the parallel
second transverse member are across a rear portion of the
connecting member, the first transverse member is spaced from the
second transverse member, the first transverse member includes two
symmetric upward bent sections at both ends thereof, and the second
transverse member comprises two symmetric downward bent sections at
both ends thereof so that the barbecue grill can be lifted from an
open fire by placing the hook on the barbecue grill with the upward
bent sections pressed on two parallel ones of the metal bars and
the downward bent sections urged upward the parallel metal
bars.
4. The scraper of claim 3, wherein the handle further comprises a
plurality of slip resistant elements on a top surface of a rear
section thereof, the slip resistant elements being adapted to exert
a slip resistant force on the hand of a person who holds the
handle.
5. The scraper of claim 4, wherein the handle further comprises an
elongated trough on a bottom surface of the rear section thereof,
and a cap having a non-slip surface fitted on the trough so as to
preserve the handle's appearance and increase traction between the
hand of the person and the handle by further exerting a slip
resistant force on the hand of the person.
6. The scraper of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head further
comprises a substantially parallelepiped cavity on its bottom
surface, the cavity having two slots at front and rear sides
thereof respectively, and a parallelepiped sponge pad carrier, the
sponge pad carrier including two claws at front and rear sides
thereof respectively, the claws being adapted to hook into the
slots for fastening the sponge pad carrier in the cavity so that in
using the scraper, dirt remained on joining points of the metal
bars of the barbecue grill can be removed by using a sponge pad on
the sponge pad carrier.
7. The scraper of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head further
comprises a substantially parallelepiped cavity on its bottom
surface, the cavity having two slots at front and rear sides
thereof respectively, and a parallelepiped plastic bristle carrier,
the plastic bristle carrier including two claws at front and rear
sides thereof respectively, the claws being adapted to hook into
the slots for fastening the plastic bristle carrier in the cavity
so that in using the scraper, dirt remained on joining points of
the metal bars of the barbecue grill can be removed by using groups
of plastic bristles on the plastic bristle carrier.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to scrapers and more
particularly to a scraper for a barbecue grill with improved
characteristics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A conventional scraper 7 for a barbecue grill is shown in
FIG. 1. The scraper 7 comprises a cleaning head 72, a handle 71
extended obliquely from a rear side of the cleaning head 72, a
blade 73 extended horizontally from a forward side of the cleaning
head 72, the blade 73 having a straight cutting edge 731 at a
forward side thereof. Thus, a person can remove dirt left on metal
bars of a barbecue grill by scraping by means of the cutting edge
731 of the blade 73 while using the scraper 7 for cleaning the
barbecue grill.
[0003] However, the straight cutting edge 731 of the blade 73 of
the scraper 7 makes the cutting edge 731 of the blade 73 impossible
of inserting portions thereof into open spaces of the barbecue
grill. As a result, side surfaces of the metal bars of the barbecue
grill are not rubbed by the cutting edge 731. As such, a thorough
cleaning of the barbecue grill is impossible by using the scraper 7
(i.e., dirt still remained on the barbecue grill).
[0004] Thus, it is desirable among many scraper manufacturers to
provide a novel scraper for a barbecue grill in order to overcome
the above drawback of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a
scraper for a barbecue grill. The scraper comprises a hollow
handle, and a substantially parallelepiped cleaning head at a
forward end of the handle, the cleaning head being disposed at an
oblique angle with respect to the handle, the cleaning head
including a blade extended horizontally from a forward side of the
cleaning head, the blade having a cutting edge at a forward side
thereof, the cutting edge consisting of a series of curved peaks
and valleys conformed to open spaces of the barbecue grill. In
using the scraper to remove dirt left on the barbecue grill, place
the blade on the barbecue grill with the peaks of the cutting edge
inserted into the open spaces of the barbecue grill to contact side
surfaces of metal bars of the barbecue grill and the valleys
thereof contacted top surfaces of the metal bars respectively so
that dirt remained on the barbecue grill can be removed by the
blade. By utilizing the present invention, the above drawback of
the prior art can be overcome. The drawbacks is that the straight
cutting edge of the prior scraper makes it impossible of inserting
portions thereof into the open spaces of the barbecue grill. Hence,
side surfaces of the metal bars of the barbecue grill cannot be
rubbed and cleaned by the cutting edge.
[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide a scraper
for a barbecue grill wherein the cleaning head further comprises a
substantially parallelepiped cavity on its bottom surface, the
cavity having two slots at front and rear sides thereof
respectively, and a parallelepiped metal bristle carrier, the metal
bristle carrier including two claws at front and rear sides thereof
respectively, the claws being adapted to hook into the slots for
fastening the metal bristle carrier in the cavity so that in using
the scraper, dirt remained on joining points of the metal bars can
be removed by using groups of metal bristles on the metal bristle
carrier.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
scraper for a barbecue grill wherein the handle comprises a hook at
its rear end, the hook including a connecting member, a first
transverse member, and a second transverse member. One end of the
connecting member is coupled to the rear end of the handle and the
other end thereof is extended arcuately, axially away from the
handle, the connecting member includes a downward curved section
extended from about center thereof to couple to the rear end of the
handle, the first transverse member and the parallel second
transverse member are across a rear portion of the connecting
member, the first transverse member is spaced from the second
transverse member, the first transverse member includes two
symmetric upward bent sections at both ends thereof, and the second
transverse member comprises two symmetric downward bent sections at
both ends thereof so that the barbecue grill can be lifted from an
open fire by placing the hook on the barbecue grill with the upward
bent sections pressed on two parallel ones of the metal bars and
the downward bent sections urged upward the parallel metal
bars.
[0008] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional scraper for
barbecue grill;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first preferred
embodiment of scraper for barbecue grill according to the
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is the assembled view of the FIG. 2 scraper;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view depicting the cleaning of a
barbecue grill by the blade of the scraper according to the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view depicting the lifting of metal
bars of the barbecue grill by the hook of the scraper according to
the invention; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of scraper for barbecue grill according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a scraper 1 for barbecue grill
in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is
shown. The scraper 1 comprises a substantially parallelepiped
cleaning head 12, a hollow, ergonomic handle 11 extended obliquely
from a rear side of the cleaning head 12, a blade 13 extended
horizontally from a forward side of the cleaning head 12, the blade
13 having a cutting edge 131 at a forward side thereof. The cutting
edge 131 consists of a series of curved peaks for inserting into
open spaces of a barbecue grill 4 (as detailed later in FIG. 4) and
valleys.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 3, a person can
place the blade 13 of the scraper 1 on the barbecue grill 4 prior
to removing dirt left on the barbecue grill 4 by using the scraper
1. As shown, the peaks of the cutting edge 131 of the blade 13 are
inserted into open spaces of the barbecue grill 4 to contact side
surfaces of metal bars 41 of the barbecue grill 4 and the valleys
thereof contact top surfaces of the metal bars 41 of the barbecue
grill 4 respectively. As a result, the blade 13 is able to scrape
dirt remained on the surface of the barbecue grill 4 for carrying
out a thorough cleaning.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 2 again, in the first preferred embodiment
of the invention the cleaning head 12 of the scraper 1 comprises a
substantially parallelepiped cavity 15 on a bottom surface. Two
slots 151 are provided at front and rear sides of the cavity 15
respectively. A parallelepiped metal bristle carrier 21 is fitted
in the cavity 15. The metal bristle carrier 21 comprises two claws
22 at front and rear sides respectively, the claws 22 being adapted
to hook into the slots 151 for fastening the metal bristle carrier
21 at the cavity 15 of the scraper 1. The metal bristle carrier 21
further comprises groups of metal bristles 23 mounted thereon. In
using the scraper 1, dirt remained on joining points of the metal
bars 41 of the barbecue grill 4 can be removed by using the metal
bristles 23 on the metal bristle carrier 21 (see FIG. 4). Moreover,
in replacement of the metal bristle carrier 21 a person can insert
a screw driver in one slot 151 to clear one claw 22 from the slot
151 prior to unfastening and removing the metal bristle carrier 21
and replacing it with a new one. It is seen that cost can be
reduced since a damaged metal bristle carrier 21 can be replaced
with a new one rather than buying a new scraper. Hence, the
invention is cost effective.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 3, in the
invention a hook 5 is formed at a rear end of the handle 11 of the
scraper 1. The hook 5 comprises a connecting member 51, a first
transverse member 53, and a second transverse member 55. One end of
the connecting member 51 is coupled to the rear end of the handle
11 and the other end thereof is extended arcuately, axially away
from the handle 11. A downward curved section 511 is extended from
about center of the connecting member 51 to couple to the rear end
of the handle 11. The first transverse member 53 and the parallel
second transverse member 55 are across a rear portion of the
connecting member 51. Also, the first transverse member 53 is
spaced from the second transverse member 55. The first transverse
member 53 comprises two symmetric upward bent sections 531 at both
ends thereof. Also, the second transverse member 55 comprises two
symmetric downward bent sections 551 at both ends thereof. In
lifting the barbecue grill 4 from an open fire, first place the
hook 5 on the barbecue grill 4 with the upward bent sections 531 of
the hook 5 pressed on two parallel metal bars 41 and the downward
bent sections 551 thereof urged upward the parallel metal bars 41
(see FIG. 5). Thus, it is possible of lifting the barbecue grill 4
from the open fire.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5 again, in the invention the hook
5 is secured to the rear end of the handle 11 by a fastener (e.g.,
screw) 57. As an end, the hook 5 is firmly coupled to the scraper
1.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 3 again, in the invention the hook 5 is
made of plastic material and is formed integrally with the rear end
of the handle 11. As an end, the hook 5 is firmly coupled to the
scraper 1.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the invention a
plurality of rows of protuberances 111 for resisting slip are
formed on a top surface of rear section of the handle 11. As such,
the protuberances 111 are adapted to exert a slip resistant force
on the hand of a person who holds the handle 11. Further, an
elongated trough 113 is formed on a bottom surface of rear section
of the handle 11. A cap 16 having a non-slip surface is fitted on
the trough 113 by snapping. As such, the cap 16 not only can
preserve the handle's appearance but also can increase traction
between the hand of the person and the handle 11 by further
exerting a slip resistant force on the hand of the person.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the invention the blade
13 further comprises one or more through holes (two are shown) 133
each having a diameter slightly larger than that of any prong of a
fork for spearing meat. Thus, in cleaning the fork a person can
insert the prongs of the fork into the through holes 133 for
removing dirt on the prongs of the fork by rubbing the prongs of
the fork against edges of the through holes 133. As a result, dirt
on the fork is completely removed.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 6, a second preferred embodiment of
scraper for barbecue grill according to the invention is depicted.
A substantially parallelepiped cavity 15 is formed on a bottom
surface of the cleaning head 12 of the scraper 1. Two slots 151 are
provided at front and rear sides of the cavity 15 respectively. A
parallelepiped sponge pad carrier 61 is fitted in the cavity 15.
The sponge pad carrier 61 comprises two claws 63 at front and rear
sides respectively, the claws 63 being adapted to hook into the
slots 151 for fastening the sponge pad carrier 61 at the cavity 15
of the scraper 1. The sponge pad carrier 61 further comprises a
sponge pad 65 mounted thereon. In using the scraper 1, dirt
remained on joining points of the metal bars 41 of the barbecue
grill 4 can be removed by using the sponge pad 65 on the sponge pad
carrier 61 (see FIG. 4). Moreover, in replacement of the sponge pad
carrier 61 a person can insert a screw driver in one slot 151 to
clear one claw 63 from the slot 151 prior to unfastening and
removing the sponge pad carrier 61 and replacing it with a new one.
It is seen that cost can be reduced since a damaged sponge pad
carrier 61 can be replaced with a new one rather than buying a new
scraper. Hence, the invention is cost effective.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 again, in the invention the
cleaning head 12 of the scraper 1 comprises a substantially
parallelepiped cavity 15 on a bottom surface. Two slots 151 are
provided at front and rear sides of the cavity 15 respectively. A
parallelepiped plastic bristle carrier (not shown) is fitted in the
cavity 15. The plastic bristle carrier comprises two claws at front
and rear sides respectively, the claws being adapted to hook into
the slots 151 for fastening the plastic bristle carrier at the
cavity 15 of the scraper 1. The plastic bristle carrier further
comprises groups of plastic bristles mounted thereon. In using the
scraper 1, dirt remained on joining points of the metal bars 41 of
the barbecue grill 4 can be removed by using the plastic bristles
23 on the plastic bristle carrier. Moreover, in replacement of the
plastic bristle carrier a person can insert a screw driver in one
slot 151 to clear one claw from the slot 151 prior to unfastening
and removing the plastic bristle carrier and replacing it with a
new one. It is seen that cost can be reduced since a damaged
plastic bristle carrier can be replaced with a new one rather than
buying a new scraper. Hence, the invention is cost effective.
[0025] While the invention has been described by means of specific
embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made
thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.
* * * * *