U.S. patent application number 11/785595 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for charcoal igniter.
Invention is credited to Richard H. Maruya.
Application Number | 20080257332 11/785595 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39870996 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080257332 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maruya; Richard H. |
October 23, 2008 |
Charcoal igniter
Abstract
The charcoal igniter provides for the pre-ignition of charcoal,
prior to placement of the charcoal within a barbecue or grill. The
charcoal igniter includes a charcoal receptacle having at least one
sidewall, a lower wall and an open upper end. The lower wall has an
opening formed therethrough and the charcoal receptacle defines a
charcoal-receiving chamber therein. A support is mounted on a gas
cylinder, adjacent the nozzle thereof. When the charcoal receptacle
is mounted on the support, the nozzle projects through the opening
formed through the lower wall. Charcoal is then received within the
charcoal-receiving chamber and gas flowing through the nozzle may
be ignited. Once the charcoal is ignited, the receptacle may be
lifted off the support for dispensing of the ignited charcoal into
the barbecue of grill.
Inventors: |
Maruya; Richard H.;
(Kaneohe, HI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. BOX 15035, CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215-0035
US
|
Family ID: |
39870996 |
Appl. No.: |
11/785595 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/25B |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23Q 13/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/25.B |
International
Class: |
F23Q 13/04 20060101
F23Q013/04 |
Claims
1. A charcoal igniter, comprising: a charcoal receptacle having at
least one sidewall, a lower wall and an open upper end, the lower
wall having an opening formed therethrough, the receptacle defining
a charcoal-receiving chamber; and a support adapted for mounting on
a gas cylinder, the support being adapted for mounting over a
nozzle of the gas cylinder, the charcoal receptacle being removably
and releasably mounted on the support with the nozzle extending
through the support and projecting through the opening formed
through the lower wall of the charcoal receptacle, so that charcoal
received within the charcoal-receiving chamber may be ignited by
burning gas supplied by the gas cylinder through the nozzle.
2. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 1, further comprising
at least one wall secured at an upper edge thereof to the upper end
of said charcoal receptacle, the at least one wall defining the
charcoal-receiving chamber.
3. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 2, wherein said at
least one wall has a plurality of fluid passages formed
therethrough.
4. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 1, wherein said support
includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion
having at least one vertical wall, the at least one vertical wall
having an opening formed therethrough, the opening being adapted
for allowing a user access to a valve controlling the nozzle of the
gas cylinder.
5. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 4, wherein the upper
portion of said support comprises a base having opposed upper and
lower surfaces, the upper surface thereof being adapted for
releasably and removably supporting the lower wall of said charcoal
receptacle.
6. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 5, further comprising a
raised rim formed on a perimeter of the upper surface of the base
of the upper portion of said support.
7. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
handle mounted to the at least one sidewall of said charcoal
receptacle.
8. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 2, further comprising:
at least one wall secured at an upper edge thereof to the upper end
of said charcoal receptacle, the at least one wall defining the
charcoal-receiving chamber; and a pipe having an upper end and a
lower end, the lower end of the pipe being adapted for connection
to the nozzle so that gas flowing through the upper end of the pipe
may be ignited to repel insects.
9. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least
one wall of the charcoal-receiving chamber has a central opening
formed therethrough, the pipe projecting through the opening formed
through the lower wall thereof and through the central opening of
the at least one wall.
10. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 8, wherein the upper
end of the pipe is substantially flared.
11. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 10, wherein at least
one air passage is formed through the upper end of the pipe.
12. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 1, wherein the
charcoal-receiving chamber has a substantially frustoconical
shape.
13. The charcoal igniter as recited in claim 1, further comprising
at least one wall secured at an upper edge thereof to the upper end
of said charcoal receptacle, the at least one wall defining the
charcoal-receiving chamber, the at least one wall having a lower
surface adapted for positioning above, and spaced apart from, an
upper end of the nozzle when the charcoal receptacle is positioned
on said support.
14. A charcoal igniter, comprising: a propane gas cylinder having a
nozzle; a support having a cylindrical neck mounted about the
nozzle and a pan above the neck; and a charcoal receptacle
removably placed on the pan above the nozzle, whereby charcoal
placed in the receptacle is ignited when the nozzle is lit, the
ignited charcoal being transferable to a grill by lifting the
receptacle from the pan and pouring the ignited charcoal into the
grill.
15. The charcoal igniter according to claim 14, wherein said
charcoal receptacle further comprises an insulated handle attached
thereto.
16. The charcoal igniter according to claim 14, wherein said pan
comprises an upright peripheral rim for retaining said receptacle
thereon.
17. The charcoal igniter according to claim 14, further comprising
an extension pipe attached to said nozzle, the extension pipe
having a flared end extending above said receptacle, the flared end
defining a slit, whereby gas escaping the slit is ignitable to
repel insects.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to devices for igniting fuel,
and particularly to a charcoal igniter for igniting charcoal in a
barbecue grill or the like.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Charcoal briquettes for use in barbecues, grills and the
like are typically inserted directly within the grill, doused with
lighter fluid, and ignited. The lighter fluid, however, creates
thick smoke, which is dangerous for both the environment and for
people and animals surrounding the grill. Further, as lighter fluid
is highly flammable, the lighter fluid often burns almost
instantly, leaving the charcoal unignited. In addition, the fumes
and smoke generated by the lighter fluid may taint the food being
cooked in the grill, which not only may alter the taste of the
food, but may represent a health hazard to people ingesting the
food.
[0005] Also, lighter fluid is typically carried in small plastic
canisters and administered directly onto the charcoal, often after
the charcoal has already been lit. Flame from the charcoal, or an
outside spark, could ignite the stream of lighter fluid, causing
the canister to explode in the user's hands. It would be desirable
to provide a system for igniting charcoal without the need for
lighter fluid.
[0006] Grills that utilize propane or other flammable gases, rather
than charcoal, are commonly used. Although such grills remove the
hazards described above with regard to lighter fluid, users are
often left desiring the particular taste associated with charcoal
grilling. It would be desirable to combine the safety and easy
ignition of propane gas with a charcoal-based grill.
[0007] None of the above inventions, taken either singly or in
combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
Thus, a charcoal igniter solving the aforementioned problems is
desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The charcoal igniter provides for the pre-ignition of
charcoal prior to placement of the charcoal within a barbecue or
grill. The charcoal igniter includes a charcoal receptacle having
at least one sidewall, a lower wall and an open upper end. The
lower wall has an opening formed therethrough and the charcoal
receptacle defines a charcoal-receiving chamber therein.
[0009] At least one wall is secured at an upper edge thereof to the
upper end of the charcoal receptacle, and the at least one wall
defines the charcoal-receiving chamber. Preferably, a plurality of
fluid passages are formed through the at least one wall.
[0010] A support is mounted on a gas cylinder, such as a propane
cylinder or the like, with the support having an upper portion and
a lower portion. The lower portion is mounted adjacent the nozzle
of the gas cylinder and includes at least one vertical wall.
Preferably, an opening is formed through the vertical wall,
allowing the user access to the valve commonly associated with gas
cylinder nozzles.
[0011] The upper portion of the support includes a base having
opposed upper and lower surfaces, with the lower surface being
mounted on the lower portion of the support and the upper surface
being adapted for releasably and removably supporting the lower
wall of the charcoal receptacle. Preferably, a raised rim is formed
on the perimeter of the upper surface for providing stable mounting
of the charcoal receptacle thereon.
[0012] When the charcoal receptacle is mounted on the support, the
nozzle projects through the opening formed through the lower wall
thereof. Charcoal is then received within the charcoal-receiving
chamber, and gas flowing through the nozzle may be ignited. Ignited
gas then flows through the fluid passages of the at least one wall,
allowing for ignition of the charcoal.
[0013] Preferably, a handle is mounted on the outer surface of the
at least one sidewall of the receptacle so that, once the charcoal
is ignited, the receptacle may be lifted off the support for
dispensing of the ignited charcoal into the barbecue or grill.
[0014] In addition, the igniter may be used to repel insects, such
as mosquitoes or the like. A pipe, having an upper end and a lower
end, may be provided, with the lower end of the pipe fitting over
the nozzle of the gas cylinder, and the pipe projecting vertically
therefrom. A central opening may be formed through the at least one
wall of the charcoal-receiving chamber, so that the charcoal
receptacle may be positioned on the support with the pipe
projecting through the opening formed through the lower wall
thereof, and further through the central opening of the at least
one wall. Preferably, the pipe is dimensioned to project slightly
above the charcoal receptacle. Gas from the cylinder may then be
delivered to the upper end of the pipe and may be ignited to repel
insects. The upper end of the pipe may be flared and may have at
least one opening formed therethrough for production of a
relatively small flame.
[0015] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a charcoal
igniter according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the charcoal igniter according to
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the charcoal igniter according to
the present invention configured for repelling mosquitoes.
[0019] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The present invention is directed towards a charcoal igniter
10. Igniter 10 provides for the pre-ignition of charcoal 14 prior
to placement of the charcoal 14 within a barbecue or grill 16, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. It should be understood that grill 16 of
FIG. 1 is shown for exemplary purposes only. The charcoal igniter
10 includes a charcoal receptacle 12 having at least one sidewall
76, a lower wall 78 and an open upper end 80. The lower wall 78 has
an opening 38 formed therethrough, and the charcoal receptacle 12
defines a charcoal-receiving chamber 34 therein. It should be
understood that charcoal receptacle 12 may have any suitable
dimension and configuration, depending upon the size and
configuration of gas cylinder 18 (to be described in further detail
below). Similarly, charcoal receptacle 12 may be formed from any
suitable non-flammable materials. Receptacle 12 is preferably
dimensioned for optimal portability.
[0021] At least one wall 32 is secured at an upper edge thereof to
the upper end 80 of the charcoal receptacle. 12, and the at least
one wall 32 defines the charcoal-receiving chamber 34, which may,
e.g., be frustoconical in shape. Preferably, a plurality of fluid
passages 54 are formed through the at least one wall 32. A lower
end of the at least one wall 32 is preferably positioned above, and
spaced apart from, the upper end of nozzle 28, to be described in
greater detail below.
[0022] A support 20 is mounted on a gas cylinder 18, such as a
propane cylinder or the like, with the support 20 having an upper
portion 26 and a lower portion 22. The lower portion 22 is mounted
directly on an upper end of the gas cylinder 18, and may be
cylindrical, having a vertical wall that encircles the nozzle 28 of
the gas cylinder. Preferably, an opening 50 is formed through the
vertical wall or support, allowing the user access to the valve 24
commonly associated with gas cylinder nozzles. It should be
understood that lower portion 22 may be secured to gas cylinder 18
in any suitable manner, depending upon the particular configuration
of gas cylinder 18. In the drawings, the support 20 and the
charcoal receptacle 12 are each shown as being substantially
circular in cross section, with the at least one wall 32 having a
substantially frustoconical shape. It should be understood,
however, that receptacle 12 and support 20 may have any desired
shape.
[0023] The upper portion 26 of the support 20 includes a base
having opposed upper and lower surfaces, with the lower surface
being mounted on the lower portion 22 of the support 20, and with
the upper surface being adapted for releasably and removably
supporting the lower wall 78 of the charcoal receptacle 12 (as
shown in FIG. 2). Preferably, a raised rim 52 is formed on the
perimeter of the upper surface for providing stable mounting of the
charcoal receptacle 12 thereon. It should be understood that the
particular support 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is provided for exemplary
purposes only and may have configuration for supporting
charcoal-receiving receptacle 12 on gas cylinder 18.
[0024] When the charcoal receptacle 12 is mounted on the support
20, the nozzle 28 extends through support 20 and projects through
the opening 38 formed through the lower wall 78 of the receptacle
12. Charcoal 14 is then received within the charcoal-receiving
chamber 34, and gas flowing through the nozzle 28 may be ignited.
Ignited gas and vapor then flows through the fluid passages 54 of
the at least one wall 32, allowing for ignition of the charcoal 14
held therein.
[0025] Preferably, a handle 30 is mounted on the outer surface of
the at least one sidewall 76 of the receptacle 12 so that, once the
charcoal 14 is ignited, the receptacle 12 may be lifted off the
support 20 for dispensing of the ignited charcoal 14 into the
barbecue or grill 16, as shown in FIG. 1. Handle 30 may be formed
from any suitable thermally insulated material.
[0026] Also, the igniter 10 may be used to repel insects, such as
mosquitoes or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, an extension pipe 36
having an upper end 72 and a lower end 82 may be provided, the pipe
36 being configured so that the lower end 82 fits securely over the
nozzle 28 of the gas cylinder 18 and the pipe 36 projects
vertically therefrom.
[0027] A central opening 70 is preferably formed through the at
least one wall 32 of the charcoal-receiving chamber 34, so that the
charcoal receptacle 12 may be positioned on the support 20
(preferably upside-down, with the upper end of FIG. 2 now being
supported on the support 20), with the pipe 36 projecting through
the opening 38 formed through the lower wall 78 thereof, and
further through the central opening 70 of the at least one wall 32.
Preferably, the pipe 36 is dimensioned to project slightly above
the charcoal receptacle 12, as shown in FIG. 3. Gas from the
cylinder 18 may then be delivered to the upper end 72 of the pipe
36 and may be ignited to repel insects. The upper end 72 of the
pipe 36 may be flared, as shown, and may have at least one opening
74 formed therethrough for production of a relatively small flame,
although any suitable nozzle shape may be used.
[0028] In the above, the support 20 is mounted directly to the gas
cylinder 18. Support 20 may be permanently or releasably mounted to
the cylinder 18. Alternatively, support 20 may be located
separately from cylinder 18; i.e., a separate base, such as a
plurality of legs, for example, may be joined to support 20 to
raise support 20 above the ground. A hose or other line would join
the nozzle of the cylinder 18 to the support 20, with a separate
nozzle being joined to support 20 for igniting the charcoal.
[0029] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *