U.S. patent application number 11/037464 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for barbeque grill light.
Invention is credited to George Brake, Shawn Minshall.
Application Number | 20060160485 11/037464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36684581 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060160485 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brake; George ; et
al. |
July 20, 2006 |
Barbeque grill light
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a barbeque grill light that
is portable and easily adjustable so as to provide task lighting
for illuminating items cooking on a grate at night or under low
light conditions.
Inventors: |
Brake; George; (Dickson,
TN) ; Minshall; Shawn; (Hillsburgh, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph A. Dowell of DOWELL & DOWELL P.C.
2111 Eisenhower Ave
Suite 406
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
36684581 |
Appl. No.: |
11/037464 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/293 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 37/0786 20130101;
F21V 33/008 20130101; F21Y 2115/10 20160801 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/293 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/078 20060101
F24F013/078 |
Claims
1. A barbecue light comprising: (a) a base having a C-shaped socket
with a slot; (b) a first arm having a first end with an opening and
a second end being receivable in the slot and having a ball sized
to be movably received in the slot so as to allow rotary motion of
the second arm; (c) a second arm having a first and second end, the
first slidably receivable in the opening of the first arm between
an extended and a retracted position; and (d) an illuminating means
pivotally attached to the second end of the second arm, the
illuminating means is controlled by control means having an off
position when the illuminating means is in a substantially
horizontal position and an on position when the illuminating means
is moved beyond the substantially horizontal position; whereby a
user directs light by any one of pivoting the illuminating means,
moving the second arm between the extended and retracted position,
and rotating the second arm.
2. The barbecue light of claim 1 wherein the control means is a
tilt switch.
3. The barbeque light of claim 2 wherein the first and second arms
have a locking means locking the second arm in the extended and the
retracted position.
4. The barbeque light of claim 3 wherein the locking means
comprises: (a) a plurality of bores in the first arm; (b) a knob
sized to be received in the plurality of bores on the second arm,
the knob biased outwardly to engage the plurality of bores; whereby
when the second arm is in the extended or retracted position the
knob is biased outwardly into one of a plurality of bores so as to
prevent movement of the second arm and whereby a user can depress
the knob to disengage the knob from one of the plurality of bores
so as to allow the second arm to move between the extended and
retracted position.
5. The barbeque light of claim 4 wherein the illuminating means
comprises: (a) a body pivotally attached to the second arm; (b)
reflector carried within the body; (c) at least one LED within the
reflector; (d) a power supply in operative association with the
tilt switch and the at least one LED.
6. A barbeque having the barbeque light releasable attached
thereto.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to accessories for
cooking device, and more particularly to an improved side light for
gas barbeque grills.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Barbeque gas grills are very popular for outdoor cooking.
They generally comprise a cart, a firebox or cooking chamber, a
cover for the firebox or cooking chamber, one or more gas burners,
controls for the gas burners, one or more propane (e.g. gas)
cylinders, cooking grid, side shelves with or without burners, and
perhaps one or more warming racks. Numerous models exist in all
types, styles, sizes and shapes. An example of such a typical
barbeque is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D462,564. This patent shows at
least two side tables, one of which having a side burner and
grill.
[0003] Gas grills are generally used for outdoor barbecuing. Many
of these grills are of the transportable type wherein the grill is
attached to a support structure having wheels and handles for
pushing the support structure or cart into a desired location.
Accordingly, the grill may be used at night and in a location that
is not provided with direct, task or indirect lighting. Even if
indirect lighting is provided, it may be insufficient to allow for
the person using the gas grill to be able to grill items to the
desired level.
[0004] Various devices have been proposed in the prior art for
lighting a grill, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,992,618 to Matthews; U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,169 to Walendziak; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,664,875 to Hegedus; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,640 to
Naperola.
[0005] As such, it is desired to have portable lighting which does
not reduce the ability of the grill to be moved to a desired
location. It is also desired to have a grill lighting device that
is easily installed on new or existing gas grills. Furthermore, it
is desirable to have a lighting apparatus which is directable so as
to direct the light on to the grill cooking grate or an area
adjacent to the grill.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An aspect of the present invention is a barbecue light
comprising: (a) a base having a C-shaped socket with a slot; (b) a
first arm having a first end with an opening and a second end being
receivable in the slot and having a ball sized to be movably
received in the slot so as to allow rotary motion of the second
arm; (c) a second arm having a first and second end, the first
slidably receivable in the opening of the first arm between an
extended and a retracted position; and (d) an illuminating means
pivotally attached to the second end of the second arm, the
illuminating means is controlled by control means having an off
position when the illuminating means is in a substantially
horizontal position and an on position when the illuminating means
is moved beyond the substantially horizontal position; whereby a
user directs light by any one of pivoting the illuminating means,
moving the second arm between the extended and retracted position,
and rotating the second arm.
[0007] The barbeque light of the present invention is portable and
can be easily affixed to a side table of gas grill so as to
illuminate items cooking on a grate at night or under low light
conditions and to enable a person using the barbecue grill to see
the item(s) cooking. It can be easily and rapidly attached to the
side plate by a person having limited technical ability without the
use of numerous tools.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Various objects, features and attendant advantages of the
present invention will become more fully appreciated and better
understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or
similar parts throughout the several views.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a gas grill having an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0011] FIGS. 3 to 5 are explodes view of a portion of FIG. 1
showing embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it
will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate
embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] In the description and drawings herein, and unless noted
otherwise, the terms "vertical" and "horizontal", can be references
to a Cartesian co-ordinate system in which the vertical direction
generally extends in an "up and down" orientation from bottom to
top while the horizontal direction generally extends in a "left to
right" or "side to side" orientation. In addition, the lateral
direction generally extends in an orientation that is extending out
from or into the page.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention
is shown. FIG. 1 provides a gas barbeque 10 having a grill housing
12 designed to enclose a burner (not shown). A cooking surface or
cooking grid, in the nature of one or more grill plates (not
shown), and a warming rack (not shown) may also be contained within
the grill housing 12. Barbeque 10 also has at least one side table
16 to which lighting assembly 18 is attached. A fuel flow
controller, for instance console 15, may be provided to moderate
the flow of fuel to the burner. If a self-contained fuel source is
used, including a fuel container, such as a propane tank for
example, then a fuel source or container support base 20 may be
employed to support the tank. If an external fuel source, such as
piped natural gas, is used then base 22 may be omitted. Relocation
of the barbeque 10 may be facilitated by the addition of wheels 24
and/or casters 26.
[0015] In the context of describing embodiments of the claimed
invention, variations of detail are disclosed. While one such
variation is described in conjunction with another particular
variation, yet other variations may generally be used in
association as well. The description provided is therefore not
intended to be limited to the particular combination of variations
disclosed.
Lighting Element
[0016] FIG. 2 provides a detailed view of lighting element 18 while
FIGS. 3 to 5 provide an exploded view of a portion of FIG. 1. As
shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, for example, side table 16 has lighting
element 18 removably attached thereto. As shown in greater detail
in FIG. 2, there is provided light fixture or illumination means 30
pivotally attached to extendable arm 32 by way of joint 34. While
joint 34 is shown as a type of joint allowing light fixture 30 to
pivot or move through a single axis, it will be understood that any
joint (e.g. saddle joint, ball and socket joint, etc.) may be
suitable for attaching light fixture 30 to arm 32. Arm 32 is
movably attached to base 36 by way of joint 38. Base 36 can be
removable affixed to side table 16 by way of a pair of bolts 40a'
and 40a'' as well as nuts 41' and 41a'' which are received in
appropriate size bores in side table 16. While nuts and bolts 40a',
40a'', 41a' and 41a'' are disclosed, it will be understood that any
suitable means for attaching or affixing base 36 to side table 16
could be employed. Base 36 could also be formed as part of side
table 16 during manufacture of the barbeque 10 and its constituent
elements.
[0017] Light fixture 30 can be provided by any light that provides
sufficient illumination to allow the user to see the items cooking.
In the preferred embodiment, three battery powered light-emitting
diode (LED) 30', 30'' and 30''' are provided. Light fixture 30
consists of a circuit which can include a "tilt switch", known in
the art. Typically such "tilt switches" are placed in electronic
devices to automatically turn the electronic device "on" and "off"
based on the position of conductive material such as a sphere or
ball. As such, tilt switches can also be referred to as "ball
switches". A typical tilt switch comprises a hollow, enclosed
housing or capsule having electrodes within the housing and
extending through and outside the housing. Conventionally, a
conductive material, such a ball is placed within the hollow
housing. The housing is aligned in an "on" position when the
conductive material in the shape of a ball electrically connects
each of the electrodes, allowing the flow of electricity. The
housing is aligned in an "off" position when the ball in the
housing is tilted and does not electrically connect the electrodes,
preventing the flow of electricity. It will be understood that when
lighting fix 30 is in a generally horizontal position, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3, the tilt switch will be in the "off" position and
lights 30', 30'', and 30''' will not be lit. Once lighting fixture
30 is moved out of the horizontal position, the tilt switch will be
moved into the "on" position and lights 30', 30'', and 30''' will
become lit. For example, lighting fixture 30 could be moved out of
the horizontal position by as little as 25.degree. to 30.degree.
from the horizontal in order for the tilt switch to move from the
"off" position to the "on" position. It will be understood that the
degree to which it is necessary to move lighting fixture 30 out of
the horizontal in order to activate LED lights 30', 30'' and 30''',
can varying depending on the circumstances.
[0018] It will be understood that the light fixture 30 could also
be placed in the lid of the barbeque or on the handle such that
when the lid is lifted the lights will be on and will be off when
the lid is returned to the initial closed position.
[0019] Once out of the horizontal position, it can be seen in FIGS.
2, 4 and 5 that light fixture 30 can be movable along one axis by
way of joint 34. Joint 34 provides movement of light fixture 30
along an axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of arm 32,
generally extending from joint 38 along arm 32 towards light
fixture 30. Additional range of motion can be provided by ball and
socket joint 38 which generally permits some degree of rotary
motion possible in every axis. Joint 38 consists essentially of a
spherical knob or ball 40 at one end of arm 32, with the knob
fitting securely into a mating socket 42 in base 36. Mating socket
42 is formed by circular generally C shaped side wall 44. As can be
seen in FIG. 2, C-shaped side wall 44 has a slot or recess 46
provided therein. Slot 46 is sized to fit the portion of arm 32
immediately adjacent ball 40. This feature will be discussed in
greater detail below. By virtue of movement about joints 34 and 38,
it will be understood that light fixture 30 can be placed in
virtually any angle as required by the user.
[0020] In addition to movement along joints 34 and 38, arm 32 can
telescope between a retracted, shorter position and an extended,
longer position, as seen in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 2, arm 32 can
be comprised of upper portion 48 and lower portion 50. Upper and
inner portion 48 of arm 32 is disposed within lower and outer
portion 50 of arm 32 and is slidably received therein. Outer potion
50 has a lower end terminating with ball 40 and an upper end
generally disposed towards light fixture 30. Inner portion 48 has
an upper end terminating with joint 34 attaching to lighting
fixture 30 and a lower portion disposed at all times within outer
portion outer 50 of arm 32 (not shown). Provided on a surface of
inner portion 48 of arm 32 can at least one spring loaded knob, 48'
which is movable between an inward position and an outward position
but can be biased outwardly. Provided on a surface of outer portion
50 of arm 32 is at least two bores, 50' and 50'', sized to received
knob 48' of inner portion 48, when knob 48' is in the outward
position. The interaction of the knob and the bores provide a
locking mechanism for the movement of inner portion 48 along the
longiduntial axis of arm 32 between the extended position and the
retracted position. When inner portion 48 is in the shorter
retracted position (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4), knob 48' will
engage bore 50' thereby preventing movement of inner portion 48 of
arm 32 along the longitutindal axis. However, a user can depress
spring loaded knob 48', releasing knob 48' from bore 50' thus
allowing inner portion 48 to move from the shorter retracted
position to the longer extended position. When bore 50'' and knob
48' are parallel, knob 48' will be biased up and into bore 50''
thereby locking inner portion 48 in the longer extended position
(See FIG. 5). To release inner portion 48, knob 48' is simply
disengaged from bore 50' and inner position 48 is moved back to the
retracted shorter position.
[0021] In operation, light element 18 can be removably attached to
side table 16 by nuts and bolts 40a' and 40a'' as well as 41a' and
41a'' (as shown in FIG. 2). When lighting is not required light
element 18 can be kept in the downward or horizontal position (as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3). In this position light 30 is not
illumintated as the title switch or ball switch contained therein
is in the "off" position. In such a position, it will be seen in
FIGS. 1 and 3 that the light 30 of lighting element 18 is directed
away from the barbeque 10. As clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, base
36 is generally oriented towards barbeque 10 while light 30 of the
lighting is generally oriented away from barbeque 10. In order for
lighting element 18 to be oriented in the downward or horizontal
position, C-shaped side wall 44 is pointing away from barbeque 10.
In other words, the slot or recess 46 is provided on the side which
is not immediately adjacent the grill housing (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, C-shaped side wall 44 is provided in a
reverse C configuration so that the opening of the "C" points away
from barbeque such that the C would be reversed if it were read
from left to right, with the barbeque being on the right and light
30 being on the left. Conversely, if lighting element were on the
side table opposite side table 16, the other side of barbeque 10 as
shown in FIG. 1, the opening of the "C" would point away from
barbeque such that the C would be in a normal orientation if it
were read from left to right, with the barbeque being on the left
and light 30 being on the right (not shown).
[0022] When the user of barbeque 10 required task lighting,
however, such as when items were being cooked on grill plates 14,
light element 18 can be lifted up by arm 32 from the downward
horizontal position towards a more vertical position. Once light 30
was lifted sufficiently vertical to move the conductive material
into the "on" position, LED lights 30', 30'' and 30''' will be
activated and provide the necessary illumination. By moving one or
both of joints 34 and 38, light 30 can be positioned so as to
provide maximum task lighting to the area as dictated by the user.
In addition, should further positioning be required, outer portion
50 of arm 32 can be moved from either the shortened or lengthened
position to provide maximum lightening.
[0023] Over time or with increased use, however, ball and socket
joint 38 may loosen. As such, the ability of lighting element 18 to
maintain a particular desired position may decrease relative to
when the lighting element was first used or installed. In order to
overcome this, generally C-shaped wall 44 will prevent arm 32 from
moving to the horizontal position. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, arm
32 will rest on wall 44 so as to maintain light 30 over the
barbeque 10.
[0024] It is understood that while certain forms of this invention
have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto
except insofar as such limitations are included in the following
claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
* * * * *