U.S. patent application number 10/804276 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for handle and light assembly for barbecue grills.
This patent application is currently assigned to W.C. Bradley Company. Invention is credited to DeBeers, James E., Labak, Chris, Wagner, Wesley J., Williams, Benjamin M..
Application Number | 20050205077 10/804276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34862009 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050205077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams, Benjamin M. ; et
al. |
September 22, 2005 |
HANDLE AND LIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR BARBECUE GRILLS
Abstract
A handle and light assembly for use on a barbecue grill. The
assembly is inclusive of handle and at least one source of
illumination for illuminating a cooking surface inside a hollow
cooking chamber of the barbecue grill. The handle may function both
as a means for opening a lid to access the cooking surface and also
as a compartment for retaining the energy used to power the source
of illumination. The lid includes at least one channel for the
appropriate wiring to extend from the energy compartment to the
illumination source. Accordingly, the handle may be located on the
outside of the grill lid, and the source of illumination may be
located inside the hollow cooking chamber.
Inventors: |
Williams, Benjamin M.;
(Midland, GA) ; Wagner, Wesley J.; (Columbus,
GA) ; DeBeers, James E.; (Chicago, IL) ;
Labak, Chris; (Shrewsbury, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMAS, KAYDEN, HORSTEMEYER & RISLEY, LLP
100 GALLERIA PARKWAY, NW
STE 1750
ATLANTA
GA
30339-5948
US
|
Assignee: |
W.C. Bradley Company
Columbus
GA
|
Family ID: |
34862009 |
Appl. No.: |
10/804276 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/41R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 37/0786 20130101;
A47J 45/06 20130101; A47J 36/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/041.00R |
International
Class: |
F24C 003/00; A47J
037/00 |
Claims
1. A barbecue grill comprising: a hollow cooking chamber including
a firebox and a grill lid pivotally connected to the firebox with a
hinge; a light assembly including: a light bulb enclosure disposed
within the hollow cooking chamber and configured to house a light
bulb; a handle disposed on the outside of the hollow cooking
chamber and configured to be affixed to the grill lid, the handle
including: a battery compartment with at least one battery for
providing power for the light bulb.
2. The grill lid of claim 1, wherein the grill lid is rotatable
about the hinge between a first substantially closed position and a
second substantially open position.
3. The grill of claim 1, wherein the light bulb is positioned over
the cooking surface when the grill lid is in the second open
position.
4. The handle of claim 1, further including a switch and an
electrical circuit between the at least one battery and the
light.
5. The light assembly of claim 2, further including a light bulb
shield pivotally connected to the light bulb enclosure with a
second hinge and positioned to shield the light bulb when the grill
lid is in the first substantially closed position.
6. The light assembly of claim 2 further including a light bulb
shield pivotally connected to the light bulb enclosure with a
second hinge, the light bulb shield positioned to allow
illumination from the light bulb to illuminate a cooking surface
from above when the grill lid is in the second substantially open
position.
7. The grill of claim 1, wherein the grill lid is sandwiched
between the handle and the light enclosure.
8. A cooking apparatus, the cooking apparatus comprising: a hollow
cooking chamber including a lid pivotally connected to a firebox
with a hinge, a light assembly including: an enclosure disposed
within the hollow cooking chamber configured to house an
illumination source; a compartment disposed on the outside of the
hollow cooking chamber and affixed to the lid, the compartment
configured to house a source of energy used to energize the
illumination source.
9. The light assembly of claim 8, wherein the illumination source
is selected from the group consisting of a light bulb and a
resistive electrical element.
10. The cooking apparatus of claim 8, wherein the enclosure is a
handle.
11. The light assembly of claim 8, wherein the illumination source
is a light bulb, the compartment is a battery compartment, and the
source of energy is at least one battery.
12. The cooking apparatus of claim 8, wherein the source of energy
is a battery.
13. A method of providing illumination to a cooking surface of a
barbecue grill comprising: modifying a grill handle to house a
battery; attaching the grill handle to a grill lid; providing power
from the battery to a light bulb disposed within a hollow cooking
chamber of the grill; shielding the light bulb when the grill lid
is in a substantially closed position; and exposing the light bulb
when the lid is rotated to a substantially open position.
14. A barbecue grill comprising: a hollow cooking chamber
including: a firebox; and a grill lid hingedly attached to the
firebox; and a light assembly including: a light enclosure
configured to house an illumination source, the enclosure disposed
within the hollow cooking chamber; and a shield hingedly connected
to the light enclosure and operable to shield the illumination
source when the grill lid is in a first closed position and to
hingedly rotate to a second substantially open position to expose
the illumination source and illuminate a cooking surface from
above.
15. The barbecue grill of claim 14, further including a handle
disposed on the outside of the hollow cooking chamber, the handle
including a source of energy used to energize the illumination
source.
16. The barbecue grill of claim 15, wherein the grill lid is
sandwiched between the handle and the light enclosure.
17. The handle of claim 15, further including a switch in an
electrical circuit between the illumination source and the source
of energy.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to barbecue grills, and more
particularly to a handle and integrated lighting system for
illuminating the interior cooking chamber and cooking surface of a
barbecue grill.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Barbecue grills are well known and commonly used for outdoor
cooking. With the proper ambient light, the food cooking on a
barbecue grill is easily monitored by periodically inspecting the
food for doneness or potential cooking problems. For example,
grilled food is often inspected for excess charring. As in other
methods of cooking, a food thermometer may be inserted into a food
item periodically to check for doneness.
[0005] When a thermometer is not available, it is common practice
to cut into a food item to inspect the color or texture at the
center of the food item and determine doneness. Removing meat from
the grill prematurely is particularly problematic because dangerous
bacteria may reside in undercooked meat. This bacteria can cause
serious illness in those who consume the undercooked meat.
[0006] The nature of grilling commonly places barbecue grills in
locations that are frequently outside the range of nearby
artificial illumination. Thus, when a grill is used at night,
especially in poorly lit areas, cooking food to perfection can
become challenging. Without the ability to properly inspect the
food on the cooking surface of a grill, food may become excessively
charred. Just as easily, food may be removed from the grill
prematurely resulting in an undercooked and potentially harmful
meal.
[0007] Accordingly, a need exists to rectify the issues associated
with grilling in the absence of adequate external ambient light
sources.
SUMMARY
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention include a cooking
apparatus including a hollow cooking chamber and a lid pivotally
connected to a firebox with a hinge. The cooking apparatus also
includes a light assembly with an illumination enclosure within the
hollow cooking chamber configured to house an illumination
source.
[0009] The cooking apparatus also includes a compartment on the
outside of the hollow cooking chamber and affixed to the lid
configured to house a source of energy used to energize the
illumination source.
[0010] Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a cooking
apparatus with a hollow cooking chamber. The cooking chamber
includes a lid pivotally connected to a firebox with a hinge. The
cooking apparatus also includes a light assembly with an enclosure
disposed within the hollow cooking chamber for housing an
illumination source. Further, the cooking apparatus includes a
compartment on the outside of the hollow cooking chamber and
affixed to the lid. This compartment is designed to house a source
of energy to energize the illumination source.
[0011] Another exemplary embodiment includes a method of providing
illumination to a cooking surface of a barbecue grill. The steps
include modifying a grill handle to house a battery, attaching the
grill handle to a grill lid, providing power from the battery to a
light bulb disposed within a hollow cooking chamber of the grill,
and shielding the light bulb when the grill lid is in a closed
position. Further, the embodiment includes removing the shield from
the light bulb when the lid is rotated to an open position to
expose the light bulb and illuminate the cooking surface from
above.
[0012] Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a barbecue grill
with a hollow cooking chamber. The hollow cooking chamber includes
a firebox with an attached grill lid. Further, a light assembly is
provided that includes a light enclosure configured to house an
illumination source. The light enclosure is disposed within the
hollow cooking chamber. A shield is hingedly connected to the light
enclosure to shield the illumination source when the grill lid is
in a closed position and rotates to an open position to expose the
illumination source and illuminate a cooking surface from
above.
[0013] Other systems, methods, features and/or advantages will be
or may become apparent to one with skill in the art upon
examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It
is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features
and/or advantages be included within this description and be
protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention.
Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barbecue grill
incorporating a first embodiment of the grill lighting system with
the lighting elements disposed on the interior of the cooking
chamber.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a close-up, perspective view of the grill lighting
system of FIG. 1, with a view from the interior of the hollow
cooking chamber, while the grill lid is in a substantially closed
position.
[0017] FIG. 3. is a close-up, perspective view of the grill
lighting system of FIG. 1, with a view from the interior of the
hollow cooking chamber, while the grill lid is in a substantially
open position.
[0018] FIG. 4. is an exploded view of the grill light assembly.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a barbecue grill
incorporating a second embodiment of the grill light using a single
light housing disposed on the interior of the hollow cooking
chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The invention is generally directed to a handle and light
assembly for use on a barbecue grill. The assembly is inclusive of
handle and at least one source of illumination for illuminating a
cooking surface inside a hollow cooking chamber of the barbecue
grill. The handle may function both as a means for opening a lid to
access the cooking surface and also as a compartment for retaining
the energy used to power the source of illumination. The lid
includes at least one channel for the appropriate wiring to extend
from the energy compartment to the illumination source.
Accordingly, the handle may be located on the outside of the grill
lid, and the source of illumination may be located inside the
hollow cooking chamber.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
barbecue grill 100 with which the present invention may be
implemented. The barbecue grill 100 includes a hollow cooking
chamber 102. Cooking chamber 102 is formed by the concave structure
of lid 103 and firebox 105. Lid 103 is pivotally connected to
firebox 105 about hinges 107a and 107b. As depicted in FIG. 1, lid
103 may be in an open position to reveal a cooking surface 108
inside the cooking chamber 102. Lid 103 may also be rotated about
hinges 107a and 107b into a closed position to retain heat within
the cooking chamber. In this closed position, lid leading edge 104
is drawn close to, and may actually rest upon, the firebox leading
edge 106.
[0022] The grill light assembly 109 generally includes handle 110
and light enclosures 114a and 114b. The handle 110 is fastened to
lid 103 and thus may be used to facilitate the opening of lid 103
to access the cooking surface 108. According to the preferred
embodiment of FIG. 1, handle 110 is constructed of injection molded
plastic. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art
that handle 110 may be constructed of a variety of suitable
materials. Preferably, the selected material should insulate the
hand of a user from the heat generated within the cooking chamber
102 when opening grill lid 103.
[0023] Light enclosures 114a and 114b are disposed on the inside of
lid 103, and thus are located inside cooking chamber 102.
Accordingly, light enclosures 114a and 114b are constructed of a
chrome plated steel, which offers protection from heat and other
cooking hazards within the cooking chamber 102. The light
enclosures 114a and 114b may be constructed of other various
materials known in the art, but are preferably constructed of heat
resistant materials to prevent melting or premature
degradation.
[0024] When the grill is in the open position, as depicted in FIG.
1, food cooking on cooking surface 108 may be visually inspected to
determine doneness. Flanges (not shown) on the lid 103 and/or
cooking chamber 102 restrict rotation of lid 103 about hinges 107a
and 107b such that the lid 103 is held open at an angle that
positions light enclosures 114a and 114b over the cooking surface.
From this lid position illumination may be directed from an
illumination source within light enclosures 114a and 114b onto the
cooking surface 109. Power switch 112 is preferably located on
handle 110 and provides the ability to turn the illumination source
on or off One skilled in the art will appreciate that power switch
112 could also provide dimming capabilities to adjust the
illumination brightness.
[0025] Turning now to FIG. 2, the grill light assembly 109 of FIG.
1 is viewed from inside the cooking chamber 102 with the lid 103 in
a substantially closed position. In contrast to FIG. 1, lid 103 is
depicted as having been rotated about hinges 107a and 107b such
that lid 103 is closed in relation to firebox 105. In this
position, the food on cooking surface 108 is substantially
inaccessible. Accordingly, when lid 103 is in this position,
illumination is generally not needed. From this perspective, handle
110 is behind the lid 103, and light enclosures 114a and 114b are
now clearly visible in the foreground. As shown, light enclosures
114a and 114b are designed to be located on the inside of the
hollow cooking chamber 102. Handle 110 is located on the outside of
the cooking chamber 102 and attached to lid 103. Thus, lid 103 is
sandwiched between light enclosures 114a and 114b and handle
110.
[0026] According to this embodiment, light enclosures 114a and 114b
are substantially similar in all respects, thus any description as
to light enclosure 114a applies equally to 114b. Here, light
enclosure 114a includes a light bulb shield 116. The light bulb
shield 116 is hingedly attached towards the top of the light
enclosure 114a by a shield hinge 118. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2,
when grill lid 103 is in the closed position, the force of gravity
maintains bulb shield 116 in a substantially closed position in
relation to the walls of the light enclosure.
[0027] FIG. 3 depicts the grill light assembly of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2
when the lid 103 is in a substantially open position (as in FIG.
1). Here, in contrast to FIG. 2, lid 103 is rotated about hinges
107a and 107b (FIG. 1) by lifting handle 110. As the lid 103
rotates about hinges 107a and 107b, light bulb enclosures 114a and
114b are lifted up and over the cooking surface 108. In doing so,
the gravitational force pulls light bulb shield 116 to an open
position by rotating about the shield hinge 118, thereby revealing
and exposing an illumination source within the light enclosure
114a. An illumination source can be any means for illuminating the
cooking surface 108 or the interior of the cooking chamber 102. For
example, the illumination source may be a flame, a resistive
electrical element, light emitting diodes (LED), or as depicted in
FIG. 3, an incandescent light bulb 120. Bulb receptacle 122 forms a
socket to secure light bulb 120 into place within the light bulb
enclosure 114a.
[0028] As is common in barbecue grills, the heat source used for
cooking is typically located in the firebox 105 (FIG. 1). For
example, the heat source may be charcoal briquettes, gas burners,
or electrical heating elements. Looking back to FIG. 2, light bulb
shield 116 provides protection to light bulb 120 (FIG. 3) while the
grill lid 103 is in the substantially closed position. Thus, light
bulb shield 116 covers the light bulb 122 and provides protection
from heat and splattering cooking residue when the light bulb 120
is closest to the heat source.
[0029] In contrast, when lid 103 is rotated to the open position as
depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the bulb 120 is positioned safely
away from the heat source. Thus, the light bulb shield 116 is no
longer required to shield the light bulb 120 from the intense heat
and splattering cooking residue. In this open position, light bulb
shield 116 no longer covers the light bulb 120. Thus, cooking
surface 108 is capable of being illuminated by the exposed light
bulb 120. In this embodiment, the illumination from bulb 120 is
provided from over and above the cooking surface 108. In this
position, the illumination provides minimal shadows and easily
accommodates reading a food thermometer despite the dim ambient
light.
[0030] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of the grill light assembly
109. Handle 110 includes an energy retaining portion 110a and a
wiring portion 110b. Energy retaining portion 110a includes a
battery compartment 406 for holding one or more batteries used to
power the light bulb 120. Battery compartment lid 410 snaps into
energy retaining portion 110a to retain the batteries 408 within
the battery compartment 406. While FIG. 4 depicts that battery
compartment lid 410 includes tabs which snap into energy retaining
portion 110a, depending on design preferences and cost, battery
compartment lid 410 may also be secured to energy retaining portion
110a using any other suitable fasteners. For example, a suitable
fastener may be a screw or a nut and bolt assembly. Wiring portion
110b includes a positive terminal 414 and a negative terminal 416
for connecting electrical wiring 422 to the electrical terminals of
batteries 408. Electrical wiring 422 forms an electrical circuit
running from the positive terminal 414 to light enclosure 114a,
then to enclosure 114b, through power switch 112 (FIG. 1) and back
to negative terminal 416. Power switch 112 is used to connect and
disconnect the circuit to provide the associated activation and
deactivation of the power source for light bulb 120. Energy
retaining portion 110a and wiring portion 110b are fastened by
screwing threaded handle screws 412 into a threaded receiving
receptacle in the energy retaining portion. Light bulb shield 116
is connected to light enclosure 114a by threading hinge 118 through
holes 424a and 424b in the light enclosure 114a and the channel 426
formed at the top of shield 116. A threaded bolt 418 secures the
light bulb receptacle and the light enclosure to a receiving
receptacle 428 in the wiring portion 110b of handle 110. In a
typical integration with a barbecue grill, grill lid 103 is
sandwiched between enclosure 114a and wiring portion 110b.
Accordingly, bolt 418 firmly fastens the grill light assembly 108
to the lid 103 through an aperture in the grill lid (not
shown).
[0031] Although power switch 112 of the present embodiment is used
to manually activate and deactivate the power source to bulb 120,
other devices may be configured to automatically activate and
deactivate the power based on the position of the grill lid 103 or
the position of the light bulb shield 116. For example, in
practice, the illumination is typically only needed when the
cooking surface is accessed by opening grill lid 103 to the open
position. Thus, an automatic switch may be implemented to complete
the circuit and energize the light bulb 120 when the lid 103 is in
the substantially open position, and disconnect the circuit when
lid 103 is in the substantially closed position. Likewise, an
automatic switch may enable power to the light bulb 120 based on
the position of the light bulb shield 116. For example, when the
light bulb shield 116 is in the closed position, the switch may
automatically disable power to the light bulb 120. When the light
bulb shield 116 is in the open position, the switch may
automatically enable power to the light bulb 120. When using an
automatic switch for activating and deactivating the grill light,
it is also beneficial to employ light sensing technology to measure
a threshold level of ambient light before activating the power
source. For example, a photocell circuit may be used to detect the
ambient light and conserve energy by enabling power to light bulb
120 when the ambient light is of such low levels that cooking
surface 108 is poorly lit.
[0032] According to a second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, barbecue
grill 500 may contain a grill light assembly 109' using a single
light enclosure 114' extending the width of the handle 110'. A
bracket 502 may be used to mount a light enclosure within the grill
top 103'. One skilled in the art would realize that any number of
light bulbs and light bulb enclosures may be used, as this would be
a matter of design preference.
[0033] In yet another embodiment, each of the light bulb shields
may be physically secured in the substantially closed position,
regardless of the lid position, until the shields are released.
This embodiment may be used to limit the exposure of the light bulb
to heat, smoke, and cooking residue when the grill lighting system
is not being used to illuminate the cooking surface. For example,
light bulb shield 116 may be secured in the substantially closed
position by a spring loaded release tab which is positioned to
prevent light bulb shield 116 from rotating about shield hinge 118
when lid 103 is rotated to the open position. In addition to
activating and deactivating the power source to bulb 120, power
switch 112 may also operate a cable release attached to the spring
loaded release tab. Thus, when power switch 112 is activated the
cable release biases the spring loaded release tab to a position
that allows light bulb shield 116 to freely move about shield hinge
118. Thus, the light bulb shields are released at substantially the
same time as the moment that power is supplied to the light bulbs.
Other embodiments, such as those using manually releasable tabs or
other suitable fasteners that prevent the light bulb shields from
opening when the lid is opened may be used. Preferably, these
fasteners would be easily released when the grill light is used to
illuminate the cooking surface.
[0034] Although the description above contains several specific
embodiments, these embodiments should not be construed as limiting
the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of
some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus
the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended
claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *