Abstract:
A unit for grilling or enjoying the aesthetic qualities of a fireplace where the grilling portion of the unit is located above the fireplace portion of the unit, and above the grilling portion is a hood portion for containing heat near the grilling portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field 
     The invention belongs to the field of art of gas-powered outdoor cooking grills and fireplaces, specifically a unit designed for home or consumer use which can function as a grill and a fireplace. 
     II. Background 
     Traditional gas-powered outdoor grilling devices are well known in the art, and are very popular for outdoor cooking. These outdoor grilling devices typically include a horizontally disposed rack which is placed directly above the gas-powered flames for cooking. In these types of traditional units, the heat source is encased by the bottom grill base and the horizontally disposed grill is further covered by a hood in order to trap heat and cook food placed on the grill. Thus, in this configuration the flames serve the purpose of heating and cooking the food on the grill, but the flames provide no aesthetic appeal. 
     Gas-powered outdoor fireplaces are also known in the art, and are generally used to provide heat and/or to provide aesthetic appeal. They are usually crafted to look like a wood-burning fireplace, including fake logs, but offer the conveniences of a gas-powered fireplace, such as the easy start of the fire and the lack of clean-up of wood and ash afterwards. However, these outdoor fireplaces generally do not offer a means for cooking or grilling food. Specifically, they are not equipped with a cooking surface, such as a horizontally disposed rack, means for controlling the intensity of the gas flames or a means for trapping heat to further aid in cooking the food. As such, these gas-powered outdoor fireplaces, while offering the aesthetic appeal of a fire, are not useful for cooking purposes. 
     The present invention combines the advantages of a gas-powered grill and a gas-powered fireplace to enable the user to use a single unit to cook food and to also enjoy an aesthetically pleasing outdoor fire. Further, the unit includes wheels on its base so that it can be moved to a location the user desires. Additionally, the present invention is further capable of utilizing the heat produced by the fireplace portion of the unit to cook or warm food located in the grill portion of the unit, and may also include various safety mechanisms to ensure the user is not harmed when using the unit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an outdoor grill and fireplace in a single unit wherein a fireplace assembly is disposed below a grill assembly. A further aspect of the present invention is an outdoor grill and fireplace combined in a single unit comprising a gas source providing a flow of gas, a main gas line, a directional valve, a plurality of burner arms and a burner tube. In this aspect of the present invention, the directional valve is connected to the gas source by the main gas line and is capable of directing the flow of gas from the main gas line to either the plurality of burner arms or the burner tube. 
     The features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. While numerous changes may be made by those skilled in the art, such changes are within the spirit of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of the grill fireplace unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the grill fireplace unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the grill fireplace unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a rear view of an alternate embodiment of the grill fireplace unit of the present invention wherein the exhaust connects to the grill base. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the grill fireplace unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention wherein the interior of the cabinets and the fireplace interior are shown; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the grill fireplace unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention wherein the grill assembly and side burner assembly are shown; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the fireplace interior of the grill fireplace unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention wherein the logs have been removed; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the grill interior of the grill fireplace unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention wherein the main rack has been removed; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the side infrared burner of the grill fireplace unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention wherein the side rack has been removed; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of the gas flow and control valves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of a gas grill control valve connected to a gas grill control knob. 
     
    
    
     The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. Within the descriptions of the figures, similar elements are provided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previous figure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are provided solely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply any limitations (structural or functional) on the invention. 
     The appended drawings illustrate exemplary configurations of the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally effective configurations. It is contemplated that features of one configuration may be beneficially incorporated in other configurations without further recitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Now turning to the figures,  FIGS. 1-5  of the drawings illustrate a gas-powered grill fireplace unit  10 . The grill fireplace unit  10  comprises a grill assembly  27 , and below the grill assembly  27 , a fireplace assembly  29 . As an additional option, the grill fireplace unit  10  may further comprise a hood assembly  32  which covers the grill assembly  27 . The hood assembly  32  serves to contain heat and hot air when the grill assembly  27  is in use, and also to protect the grill assembly  27  when the grill fireplace unit  10  is not being used. The fireplace assembly  29  may further include cabinets  17  on either side of the fireplace assembly  29  with cabinet doors  19  and door handles  22 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the cabinets  17  can house a gas tank  54 , grilling accessories or other items (not shown), and may also include shelves to aid in storing items (not shown). The cabinets  17  also include cabinet vents  26 , as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , that allow heat or moisture to escape from the cabinets  17 . Further, the tops of the cabinets  17  may comprise a worktop  52  for holding food, dishes or grilling accessories. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 , the grill fireplace unit  10  includes a grill ignition switch  16 , a directional gas control knob  36 , at least one grill control knob  56 , a main infrared burner control knob  65  and a side infrared burner control knob  62  that are placed either above or near the cabinets  17 , so that they are away from the path of hot air that may rise from the fireplace assembly  29  when in use. Additionally, the aforementioned knobs are placed above or near the cabinets  17  to provide a pleasurable view of the fireplace assembly  29 , and so that the fireplace better resembles a traditional indoor fireplace. 
     The directional gas control knob  36  is connected to a directional valve  37 , where the directional valve  37  may be a standard manual gas control valve. The directional valve  37  is further connected to a main gas line  50  and a gas tank  54  or an alternative gas source (such as a residential natural gas line). The directional gas control knob  36  is in communication with and controls the directional valve  37 , and is capable of controlling the directional valve  37  to allow it to direct gas through the grill gas line  38  and to the grill assembly  27  or through the fireplace gas line  47  and to the fireplace assembly  29 . The directional valve  37  thus prevents the use of the grill assembly  27  and the fireplace assembly  29  at the same time for safety purposes. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , the hood assembly  32  is comprised of a hood top  11  pivotally connected to each of two hood sides  34  via hood hinges  21 . The two hood sides  34  are further connected to a hood back  35 . Furthermore, as can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the back of the hood top  11  includes a grill exhaust  30  that allows excess heat to escape from the hood assembly  32  when the hood top  11  is closed. The hood top  11  also comprises a hood handle  12  used for opening and closing the hood top  11 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , each of the hood sides  34  also includes a hood side notch  28  so that a rotisserie attachment (not shown) for rotisserie-style grilling can be placed above the grill assembly  27 . The hood top  11  also comprises two hood notches  20  that allow the hood top  11  to be shut around a rotisserie attachment if said rotisserie attachment is being utilized. Further, as seen in  FIG. 5 , attached to the interior of the hood sides  34  is an upper rack  24  that can be used to support food while it is being cooked or warmed. 
     The grill assembly  27 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , comprises a main rack  23  for supporting food thereon while cooking. Underneath the main rack  23  is a grill base  72 , and disposed within the grill base  72  are burner arms  57 , as best seen in  FIG. 7 . The burner arms  57  each comprise a plurality of spaced apertures  48 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , five burner arms  57  are shown. However, the grill assembly  27  may comprise more or fewer burner arms  57 . Each burner arm  57  has a first end  66  and a second end  67 , wherein the first end  66  is flattened. Each flattened first end  66  of the burner arms  57  is connected to a longitudinal brace  68  that secures the burner arms  57  to the grill base  72 . The second end  67  of each burner arm  57  comprises an igniter  59  for igniting the gas and creating flames. The igniter  59 , may be of any type commonly used for gas grills, including a piezo electric igniter. 
     Further, the second end  67  of each of the burner arms  57  is connected to a grill control valve  55  wherein each grill control valve  55  is in communication with and controlled by a grill control knob  56 . The grill control valves  55  may be standard manual gas control valves. A grill control valve  55  connected to a grill control knob  56  is shown in  FIG. 10 , however the connection between the grill control valve  55  and the grill control knob  56  may be longer or shorter depending on the configuration of the grill fireplace unit  10 . Additionally, the grill control valve  55  shown in  FIG. 10  is representative of the directional valve  37 , main infrared control valve  64  (described below), side infrared control valve  63  (described below) and the fireplace control valve  49  (described below) and wherein the grill control knob  56  of  FIG. 10  is also representative of the corresponding directional control knob  36 , main infrared burner control knob  65  (described below), a side infrared burner control knob  62  (described below), and fireplace control knob  42  (described below). 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the igniters  59  of each of the burner arms  57  are controlled by the single grill ignition switch  16 . The second end  67  of the burner arms  57  are contained within a housing  70  to protect these elements. A gas manifold  39  connects each of burner arms  57 , and the corresponding grill control valves  55 , to a grill gas line  38  that brings gas to the grill assembly  27 . 
     To operate the grill assembly  27  (as best illustrated in the schematic of  FIG. 9 ) the user first engages the regulator  53  of the gas tank  54  or the residential natural gas line to allow gas to flow through the main gas line  50 . The user then engages the directional gas control knob  36  that communicates with the directional valve  37  to direct gas through the grill gas line  38  to the gas manifold  39 . Next, the user engages the grill control knobs  56  for the burner arms  57  the user wishes to use. The grill control knobs  56  communicate with the corresponding grill control valves  55  to allow gas to flow from the gas manifold  39  to the corresponding burner arms  57 . The user then further engages the grill ignition switch  16  to activate the igniter  59  for each burner arm  57  which results in the production of flames extending from the apertures  48  of the burner arms  57 . The user is then able to control the intensity of the flame produced by each burner arm  57  by further engaging the grill control knobs  56 . 
     As best viewed in  FIG. 7 , attached to the interior of the hood back  35  is a main infrared burner  61  to be used for searing the food being cooked within the grill assembly  27 . The use of infrared burners in gas grills is known in the industry, and works by focusing the flame of a standard gas burner onto a ceramic tile that has thousands of microscopic holes. This converts the heat of the flame into infrared energy. The main infrared burner  61  of the present invention comprises an igniter  59 , such as a piezo electric igniter, connected to the grill ignition switch  16 . The main infrared burner  61  is connected to a main infrared burner control valve  64 , and is in communication with and controlled by a main infrared burner control knob  65 . The main infrared burner control valve  64  may be a standard manual gas control valve. 
     To operate the main infrared burner  61 , and as best illustrated in the schematic of  FIG. 9 , the user first engages the regulator  53  to allow gas to flow from the gas tank  54  or the residential natural gas line through the main gas line  50 . The user then engages the directional gas control knob  36  that communicates with the directional valve  37  to direct the gas through the grill gas line  38  and to the grill assembly  27 . Next, the user engages the main infrared burner control knob  65  which communicates with the main infrared burner control valve  64  to allow gas to flow to the main infrared burner  61 , and further engages the grill ignition switch  16  to light the main infrared burner  61 . The user is then able to control the intensity of the heat produced by the main infrared burner  61  by further engaging the main infrared burner control knob  65 . 
     One or more of the cabinets  17  may also comprise a side burner assembly  13 , as best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , that provides an additional or alternative cooking surface from the grill assembly  27 . The side burner assembly  13  comprises a side burner lid  14  which when open allows access to the side rack  25 . When the side burner lid  14  is closed, it protects the infrared burner  60 , and also functions as an additional work top  52 . Underneath the side rack  25  is a side infrared burner  60 . The side infrared burner  60  of the present invention comprises an igniter  59 , such as a piezo electric igniter, connected to the grill ignition switch  16 . The side infrared burner  60  is connected to a side infrared burner control valve  62 , and is in communication with and controlled by a side infrared burner control knob  63 . The side infrared burner control valve  62  may be a standard manual gas control valve. 
     To operate the side infrared burner  60 , and as best illustrated in the schematic of  FIG. 9 , the user first engages the regulator  53  to allow gas to flow through the main gas line  50 . The user then engages the directional gas control knob  36  that communicates with the directional valve  37  to direct gas through the grill gas line  38  to the side burner assembly  13 . Next, the user engages the side infrared burner control knob  62  which communicates with the side infrared burner control valve  63  to allow gas to flow to the side infrared burner  60 , and further engages the grill ignition switch  16  to light on the side infrared burner  60 . The user is then able to control the intensity of the heat produced by the side infrared burner  60  by further engaging the side infrared burner control knob  63 . The main infrared burner  61 , the side infrared burner  60  and the burner arms  57  may be used independently of each other or at the same time as each other. 
     Below the grill assembly  27  is the fireplace assembly  29 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the fireplace assembly  29  comprises fireplace doors  18 , a fireplace surround  33  and a fireplace interior  40 . The fireplace doors  18  are capable of concealing the fireplace interior  40  when the fireplace assembly  29  is not in use. When open, the fireplace doors  18  may be held open using magnets. The fireplace surround  33  includes a fireplace ignition switch  41  and a fireplace control knob  42 . In an alternate embodiment the fireplace ignition switch  41  and the fireplace control knob  42  may be located above or near the cabinets  17 . The fireplace interior  40  is insulated with rockwool insulation, or any other type of fire safe insulation, to reduce the conduction of heat from the fire within the fireplace interior  40  to other parts of the grill fireplace unit  10 . The fireplace interior  40  and the interior of the fireplace doors  18  may also comprise a faux stone finish to provide additional aesthetic appeal to the fireplace assembly  29 . 
     Located at the bottom of the fireplace interior  40  is a burner tube  45 , comprising a plurality of spaced apertures  48 , that is connected a fireplace control valve  49  which is in communication with and controlled by the fireplace control knob  42 . The fireplace control valve  49  may be a standard manual gas control valve. Alternatively, the fireplace control valve may be controlled by a remote control or a manual key. The burner tube  45  also comprises an igniter  59 , such as a piezo electric igniter, wherein the igniter  59  is controlled by the fireplace ignition switch  41 . The fireplace control valve  49  is further connected to a fireplace gas line  47 . Above the burner tube  45  is a log support  44 , and resting on the log support  44  are logs  43 . The logs  43 , common in gas fireplaces, are made of materials suitable to withstand heat and flames, such as, but not limited to ceramic or rockwool. In an alternate embodiment, the fireplace interior  40  may be used to house real wood logs or an electric fireplace. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the fireplace interior  40  may also include a fireplace exhaust  31  near the top rear of the fireplace interior  40 . The fireplace exhaust  31  allows hot air, which rises naturally, to be directed out of the fireplace interior  40 , towards the rear of the grill fireplace unit  10  and away from the user of the grill fireplace unit  10 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , the fireplace interior  40  also includes bottom fireplace vents  46  to allow heat and moisture to escape. 
     In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the fireplace exhaust  31  can extend upwards so that it vents the hot air from the fireplace assembly  29  into the grill assembly  27 . This embodiment is advantageous in that I speculate that it would allow the user to warm or slow-cook food in the grill assembly  27  using the hot air from the fireplace assembly  29 . In this embodiment, the fireplace exhaust  31  may additionally include a hinged or rotatable exhaust cover, so that when in an initial position, the exhaust cover causes the fireplace exhaust  31  to direct air into the grill assembly  27 . However, when the exhaust cover is in a second position, it causes the fireplace exhaust to direct air towards the rear of the fireplace unit. 
     To operate the fireplace assembly  29 , and as best illustrated in the schematic of  FIG. 9 , the user first engages the regulator  53  of the gas tank  54  or the residential natural gas line to allow gas to flow through the main gas line  50 . The user then engages the directional gas control knob  36  that communicates with the directional valve  37  to direct gas through the fireplace gas line  47  to the fireplace assembly  29 . Next, the user engages the fireplace control knob  42  which communicates with the fireplace control valve  49  to allow gas to flow to the burner tube  45 , and then engages the fireplace ignition switch  41  to activate the igniter  59  which results in the production of flames extending from the apertures  48  of the burner tube  45 . The user is then able to control the intensity of the flame extending from the burner tube  45  by further engaging the fireplace control knob  42 . 
     At least one of the fireplace doors  18  may optionally comprise a shut-off switch  71  to prevent the fireplace assembly  29  from being used when the fireplace doors  18  are closed. An at least one shut-off switch  71  may be located within the fireplace assembly  29 , specifically on the fireplace surround  33  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , so that it is activated when at least one of the fireplace doors is closed. The shut-off switch  71  is connected to and controlled by the fireplace control valve  49 , and when activated communicates with the fireplace control valve  49  to close the fireplace control valve  49  and prevent gas from further flowing to the burner tube  45 . 
     Alternatively, or in addition to the shut-off switch, the fireplace assembly  29  may comprise a thermocouple  73  within the fireplace interior  40  near the burner tube  45 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The use of thermocouples, such as thermocouple  73 , is well known in the field as a safety shutoff device. When the thermocouple  73  senses that the fireplace interior  40  exceeded a pre-determined temperature, it communicates with the fireplace control valve  49  to prevent gas from flowing to the burner tube  45 . The thermocouple  73  may alternatively be used in conjunction with a pilot light, wherein when the thermocouple  73  sense the fireplace interior  40  has exceeded a pre-determined temperature or the pilot light has been extinguished, it communicates with the fireplace control valve  49  to close the fireplace control valve  49  and to prevent gas from further flowing to the burner tube  45 . 
     The hood assembly  32 , grill assembly  27 , fireplace assembly  29 , worktop  52  and cabinets  17  may be constructed from any rigid fire-resistant material, and are preferably made from a metal, such as steel or aluminum, or tempered glass. The grill fireplace unit  10  also includes wheels  51  secured to the bottom of the fireplace assembly  29  and/or cabinets  17  wherein the wheels allow the grill fireplace unit  10  to be rolled to the user&#39;s desired location. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
     This invention is susceptible to considerable variation in its practice. Therefore the foregoing description is not intended to limit, and should not be construed as limiting, the invention to the particular exemplifications presented hereinabove. Rather, what is intended to be covered is as set forth in the ensuing claims and the equivalents thereof as permitted as a matter of law.