Barbecue Stove

Abstract

Disclosed is a stand for supporting a barbecue stove. The stand includes a frame, a guiding element, a first supporting unit and a second supporting unit. The frame is used to support a barbecue stove. The guiding element is connected to the frame, thus defining a space between the guiding element and the frame. The first supporting unit includes a beam pivotally connected to the frame, two struts extending from the beam, and two wheels each connected to a related one of the struts. The second supporting unit includes a beam inserted through the space and movable in and along the space and two struts extending from the beam thereof. Each of the struts of the second supporting unit is pivotally connected to a related one of the struts of the first supporting unit. The beam of the second supporting unit is movable in and along the space as the first and second supporting units are movable between extended and collapsed positions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a barbecue stove and, more particularly, to a stand for supporting a barbecue stove.

[0003] 2. Related Prior Art

[0004] In U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,567, there is disclosed a stand for supporting a barbecue stove. The stand includes a base 210, a U-shaped holding rack 220, a first bracing rack 230 and a second bracing rack 240. The U-shaped holding rack 220 includes a horizontal section extending between two vertical sections that are secured to the bottom of the base 210. Each of the bracing racks 230 and 240 includes a beam extending between two struts. The beams of the bracing racks 230 and 240 are inserted through a space defined by the base 210 and the U-shaped holding rack 220. The beam of the first bracing rack 230 is movable in and along the space defined by the base 210 and the U-shaped holding rack 220. The beam of the second bracing rack 240 is pivotally connected to the base 210. The base 210 however provides inadequate area for supporting things useful for barbecue.

[0005] The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a stand for supporting a barbecue stove and other things useful for barbecue.

[0007] To achieve the foregoing objective, the stand includes a frame, a guiding element, a first supporting unit and a second supporting unit. The frame is used to support a barbecue stove. The guiding element is connected to the frame, thus defining a space between the guiding element and the frame. The first supporting unit includes a beam pivotally connected to the frame, two struts extending from the beam, and two wheels each connected to a related one of the struts. The second supporting unit includes a beam inserted through the space and movable in and along the space and two struts extending from the beam thereof. Each of the struts of the second supporting unit is pivotally connected to a related one of the struts of the first supporting unit. The beam of the second supporting unit is movable in and along the space as the first and second supporting units are movable between extended and collapsed positions.

[0008] Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stand for supporting a barbecue stove according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a partial view of the stand shown in FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is another partial view of the stand shown in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the stand shown in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a front view of the stand in another position than shown in FIG. 4;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a front view of the stand in another position than shown in FIG. 5;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a barbecue stove supported on the stand shown in FIG. 1; and

[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another barbecue stove supported on the stand shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a stand 10 for supporting a barbecue stove according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The stand 10 includes a first supporting unit 20, a second supporting unit 30, a guiding element 40 and a frame 50.

[0019] The first supporting unit 20 includes a beam 21 extending between two struts 22. A wheel 23 is connected to a lower end of each of the struts 22. The beam 21 is pivotally connected to the frame 50 by two hinges 24. Hence, the first supporting unit 20 is pivotally connected to the frame 50.

[0020] The second supporting unit 30 includes a beam 31 extending between two struts 32. Each of the struts 32 is pivotally connected to a related one of the struts 22 by a pin or screw 33. The struts 32 are located between the struts 22 when the second supporting unit 30 and the first supporting .unit 20 are located in a same plane, i.e., when the stand 10 is collapsed.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the guiding element 40 is formed with two flat ends 41, a middle section 42, and two transient sections each extending to a related one of the flat ends 41 from the middle section. The flat ends 41 of the guiding element 40 extend along a same line and parallel to the middle section 42 of the guiding element 40. The transient sections of the guiding element 40 extend perpendicular to the flat ends 41 and the middle section 42 of the guiding element 40.

[0022] The frame 50 includes two lateral bones 51, a middle bone 52, and three crossbars 53 each including two ends connected to the lateral bones 51 and a middle section connected to the middle bone 52. The bones 51 and 52 extend parallel to one another. The crossbars 53 extend parallel to one another. A handle 57 is connected to one of the lateral bones 51.

[0023] Each of the lateral bones 51 is made of a metal plate by pressing for example so that it includes a middle portion extending to an upper portion from a lower portion. Each of the lateral bones 51 includes a horizontal face 55 extending on the upper portion and an inclined face 56 also extending on the upper portion. Each of the lateral bones 51 is made of a metal plate to provide the horizontal face 55 and the inclined face 56 with adequate areas without making it too heavy. Each of the lateral bones 51 includes ribs 54 for reinforcement since it is made of a metal plate. The angle .theta. defined between the horizontal face 55 and the inclined face 56 is smaller than 180.degree.. Each of the ends of each of the crossbars 53 is connected to an internal side of a related one of the lateral bones 51 by welding for example.

[0024] The beam 21 is connected to the middle bone 52 by the hinges 24, with the beam 21 extending parallel to the middle bone 52. The horizontal flat ends 41 of the guiding element 40 are connected to a middle one of the crossbars 53, thus defining a space S between the middle section of the guiding element 40 and the middle cross bar 53. The depth of the space S is larger than the diameter of the beam 21 and that of the beam 31 so that the beams 21 and 31 can be inserted through the space S. Furthermore, the beam 31 is movable in and along the space S with the guidance of the guiding element 40.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, the stand 10 is fully extended. The wheels 23 and the lower ends of the struts 32 are located on the ground or a floor. As the frame 50 is lifted as indicated with an arrow head A via maneuvering the handle 57, the first supporting unit 20 is pivoted as indicated with another arrow head B, and the second supporting unit 30 is pivoted as indicated with another arrow head C, and the beam 31 is moved in and along the space S as indicated with another arrow head D.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 5, the wheels 23 are still located on the ground or floor. The beam 31 is located near the beam 21, i.e., the second supporting unit 30 and the first supporting unit 20 are closed.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, the frame 50 is located near the supporting units 20 and 30. Thus, the stand 10 can be moved around like a trolley.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 7, a barbecue stove 60 is supported on the stand 10. In specific, the barbecue stove 60 is supported on the lateral bones 51. A tray or chopping board 61 is supported on two additional bars connected to one of the lateral bones 51. A hanger 62 is formed with two ends each connected to a related one of the lateral bones 51. Several hooks 63 are hung on the hanger 62. By the hooks 63, a wiper, a fork, a knife and other tools for use in a barbecue party can be hung on the hanger 62 attached to the frame 50. The barbecue stove 60 includes a control panel 64 attached to a front side.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown another barbecue stove 60 supported on the stand 10. The barbecue stove 60 is formed with a bracket 65 for supporting a tray or chopping board 61. A gas can 66 is also supported on the bracket 65.

[0030] The horizontal faces 55 and the inclined faces and 56 of the lateral bones 51 are located higher than upper faces of the crossbars 53 so that the barbecue stove 60 is supported on the lateral bones 51, not the crossbars 53. The horizontal faces 55 and the inclined faces 56 of the lateral bones 51 are made with adequate areas to firmly support the barbecue stove 60.

[0031] The inclined faces 56 of the lateral bones 51 tilt the barbecue stove 60 toward the rear side of the stand 10 to prevent the barbecue stove 60 from falling down and hurting a user.

[0032] There are preferably apertures made in the horizontal faces 55 and the inclined faces 56 to receive screws for securing the barbecue stove 60 to the frame 50. It is possible to attach the barbecue stove 60 to the frame 50 by welding for example.

[0033] The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A stand for supporting a barbecue stove, the stand including: a frame for supporting a barbecue stove; a guiding element connected to the frame, thus defining a space S between the guiding element and the frame; a first supporting unit including a beam pivotally connected to the frame, two struts extending from the beam, and two wheels each connected to a related one of the struts; and a second supporting unit including a beam inserted through the space S and movable in and along the space S and two struts extending from the beam thereof, wherein each of the struts of the second supporting unit is pivotally connected to a related one of the struts of the first supporting unit, wherein the beam of the second supporting unit is movable in and along the space S as the first and second supporting units are movable between extended and collapsed positions.

2. The stand according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes two lateral bones each including a horizontal face and an inclined face for contact with a barbecue stove.

3. The stand according to claim 2, wherein an angle .theta. defined between the horizontal face and the inclined face is smaller than 180.degree..

4. The stand according to claim 2, wherein the frame includes three crossbars for interconnecting the lateral bones, wherein the guiding element is connected to a middle one of the crossbars.

5. The stand according to claim 3, wherein each of the lateral bones is made of a metal plate, wherein each of the crossbars includes two ends each connected to an internal side of a related one of the lateral bones.

6. The stand according to claim 1, further including a handle connected to one of the lateral bones of the frame.