Abstract:
A food truck having a low profile exhaust system is provided. The low profile exhaust system on the food truck extends through either the left sidewall, the right sidewall, or the rear sidewall of the food truck to remove exhaust gases from the kitchen area within the interior of the food truck. The exhaust system has a stack or chimney on the outside of the truck that extends upwardly a short distance terminating at a top end that is generally equal to that of the roof of the food truck such that the food truck is not limited by federal or state rules, regulations, or restrictions of commercial vehicles based on their heights.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/246,891, filed on Oct. 27, 2015; the disclosure of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to the food truck industry. More particularly, the present disclosure generally relates to a food truck having an exhaust system to ventilate a cooking area. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an exhaust system on a food truck that extends through one of the vertically extending sidewalls or end wall of the food truck resulting in a low profile exhaust system having a vertical height lower than that of a conventional roof discharge exhaust system on a food truck. 
         [0004]    Background Information 
         [0005]    The food truck industry includes businesses that are primarily engaged in preparing and serving meals from a mobile truck. The food is normally stored, prepared, and cooked on the truck in a conventional cooking device such as a grill, deep fryer, or oven. These mobile food trucks may or may not be positioned at the same location each day. 
         [0006]    Industry reports suggest that the remarkable rise of the food truck industry over recent years will continue to experience growth in the years to come. Namely, one report suggests that the annual growth of the food truck industry may be as high as nine percent per year with current estimated annual revenues around 900 million dollars and employing over 14,000 people across the United States. Further, reports suggest that the food truck industry has outperformed the broader brick and mortar food service sector over the same period of time in terms of revenue expansion. 
         [0007]    This competition will continue to increase as large brands and existing chain restaurants recognize the growth in the food truck industry and thus launch food trucks of their own. Another study indicates that about twenty-six percent of fast food chain restaurants are interested in establishing food trucks of their own. Major brands such as Chick-Fil-A, Burger King, and TCBY have already added food trucks with a growing number of other brick and mortar fast food restaurants expected to do the same. 
         [0008]    As the food truck industry grows, the demand for manufactured trucks will necessarily increase. The trucks used in the industry are large vehicles that define an interior cooking area or kitchen therein. As with any commercial cooking environment, proper ventilation is needed to remove cooking gases from the kitchen area for comfort and safety reasons. 
         [0009]    For this reason, food trucks are outfitted with exhaust fans similar to those found in brick and mortar restaurants. These exhaust fans are large structures that include a fan powered by an electric motor moving air and drawing the cooking gases out from the kitchen area into the open environment outside the food truck. 
         [0010]    These food trucks are large vehicles that must comply with both federal and state highway rules, regulations, and codes. Some states impose height restrictions on commercial vehicles for travelling on roadways. Some state regulations may have a preclusive effect on commercial vehicles that may be limited by height. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    Issues continue to exists in the food truck industry based on the vertical height of the food truck once an exhaust fan and ventilation stack is attached thereto to vent gases from the cooking area. Namely, currently known food trucks may exceed certain rules and regulations for height and be precluded from traveling on some roads. Thus, a need continues to exist for a food truck vehicle that has an exhaust fan and vent stack that is of a sufficiently low profile so as to allow the food truck to continue to travel on all roads within the rules and regulations for commercial vehicles. The present disclosure addresses these and other issues. 
         [0012]    In one aspect, an embodiment may provide a food truck comprising: a vertically extending left sidewall spaced from a vertically extending right sidewall; a rear endwall extending between the left and right sidewalls; a kitchen area interior to the food truck defined between the left and right sidewalls; and an exhaust system defining an exhaust passageway through one of (i) the left sidewall, (ii) the right sidewall, and (iii) the rear endwall. Further, the exhaust system may include a vent stack exterior to the truck extending upwardly and terminating at a height similar to that of a roof. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, an embodiment may provide a food truck having a low profile exhaust system. The low profile exhaust system on the food truck extends through either the left sidewall, the right sidewall, or the rear sidewall of the food truck to remove exhaust gases from the kitchen area within the interior of the food truck. The exhaust system has a vent stack or chimney on the outside of the truck that extends upwardly a short distance terminating at a top end that is generally equal to that of the roof of the food truck such that the food truck is not limited by federal or state rules, regulations, or restrictions of commercial vehicles based on their heights. 
         [0014]    In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a food truck comprising: a left sidewall spaced from a right sidewall; a rear endwall extending between the left and right sidewalls; a roof; a kitchen area interior to the food truck defined between the left and right sidewalls and below the roof, and within the kitchen area is positioned at least one of the following cooking devices: a deep fryer, an oven, a stove, and a grill; and a low profile cooking exhaust system defining an exhaust passageway extending at a height generally not exceeding the roof through one of (i) the left sidewall, (ii) the right sidewall, and (iii) the rear endwall adapted to remove resultant cooking gases and fumes from the kitchen area produced by the cooking devices. This embodiment may further comprise an outlet of the exhaust passageway exterior to one of (i) the left sidewall, (ii) the right sidewall, and (iii) the rear endwall, and the outlet positioned at a height generally similar to that of the roof. In another embodiment, the outlet of the exhaust passageway is defined at a height flush with the roof. In another embodiment, the outlet of the exhaust passageway is defined at a height below the roof. In another embodiment, the outlet of the exhaust passageway is defined by an exterior assembly such that the outlet is positioned transversely offset from one of (i) the left sidewall, (ii) the right sidewall, and (iii) the rear endwall. In another embodiment, the outlet of the exhaust passageway is defined by an exterior assembly such that the outlet is positioned transversely offset from the roof. Another embodiment may include a perpendicular alignment of the exhaust passageway through the one of (i) the left sidewall, (ii) the right sidewall, and (iii) the rear endwall such that the resultant cooking gases and fumes move in a generally transverse direction inside the kitchen area and in a generally vertical direction exterior to the truck. Another embodiment may include a fan positioned along the exhaust passageway, wherein the a portion of fan is below the roof. Another embodiment may include a fan axis of rotation parallel to and below the roof. Another embodiment may include a fan axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to one of (i) the left sidewall, (ii) the right sidewall, and (iii) the rear endwall. Another embodiment may include a frame carrying the fan, wherein the frame positions the fan in an opening defined by one of (i) the left sidewall, (ii) the right sidewall, and (iii) the rear endwall, wherein the opening is along a portion of the exhaust passageway. Another embodiment may include a first vent stack exterior to the truck extending upwardly and terminating at a height similar to that of a roof. Another embodiment may include a second vent stack exterior to the truck extending upwardly and terminating at a height similar to that of a roof. Another embodiment may include, wherein the first and second vent stacks are positioned on the same side of the truck. Another embodiment may include a louvered shutter substantially exterior the one of (i) the left sidewall, (ii) the right sidewall, and (iii) the rear endwall and terminating at a height similar to that of the roof. 
         [0015]    In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method comprising: providing a food truck having a low profile cooking exhaust system defining an exhaust passageway extending at a height generally not exceeding a roof through one of (i) a left sidewall, (ii) a right sidewall, and (iii) a rear endwall; preparing a food item with a cooking device inside a kitchen area in the food truck produced by a cooking device; and effecting air movement below the roof along the exhaust passageway through one of (i) the left sidewall, (ii) the right sidewall, and (iii) the rear endwall to remove resultant cooking gases and fumes from the kitchen area in the food truck produced by the cooking device. 
         [0016]    In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a food truck comprising: an engine operatively connected to ground-engaging wheels adapted to transport the food truck; a longitudinally and vertically extending left sidewall; a longitudinally and vertically extending right sidewall spaced offset from the left sidewall; a transversely and vertically extending rear endwall positioned between the left and right sidewalls; a roof topping the left and right sidewalls and the rear endwall; a floor extending between the left and right sidewalls; a kitchen interior to the left and right sidewalls, the rear endwall, and below the roof and above the floor; a cooking device supported by the floor and disposed in the kitchen requiring adequate ventilation during operation; a low profile exhaust system including: at least one vent stack exterior to one of one of (i) the left sidewall, (ii) the right sidewall, and (iii) the rear endwall; a fan rotatable about an axis parallel to the floor; an outlet to an exhaust passageway defined by the at least one vent stack, wherein the outlet is at a height proximate the roof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a food truck having an exhaust system maintaining a low vertical profile by extending through one of the sidewalls of the truck rather than extending outwardly through the roof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a rear end elevation view of the food truck taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1  depicting the exhaust system extending outwardly from the left sidewall and the top of the exhaust system being generally equal with the same vertical height as the roof; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a transverse cross section view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  depicting the exhaust system extending through the left sidewall of the truck; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross section view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  depicting the interior of the food truck or the kitchen area; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cross section view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  depicting an alternative embodiment of the food truck of the present disclosure having an exhaust system exiting out the rear wall of the food truck rather than one of the sidewalls; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a transverse cross section view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  depicting an alternative exhaust system having an intake vent coupled thereto to create a greater exchange of air within the kitchen area; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal cross section of the food truck depicting a rear exiting vent having gravity louvered shutters; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a transverse cross section depicting an alternative embodiment having a low profile discharge vent exiting through the roof. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    As depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a food truck  10  includes a front end  12  spaced forwardly from a rear end  14  defining a longitudinal direction therebetween. A top panel or roof  16  is spaced above from a bottom  18  and defines a vertical direction therebetween. A left sidewall or panel  20  is spaced apart from a right sidewall or panel  22  defining a transverse direction therebetween. Truck  10  is supported by ground engaging wheels  24  that are operatively coupled to an engine configured to power truck  10  such that it is able to move from one location to another location. 
         [0028]    In one particular embodiment, the roof  16 , the left panel  20 , and the right panel  22  are generally rigid and planar members fixedly secured together in a conventional manner and define an interior kitchen space or area  26  ( FIG. 3 ) therein. Some exemplary materials utilized to fabricate roof  16 , left panel  20 , and right panel  22  include aluminum, stainless steel, other sheet metals, or other generally rigid non-metal materials. 
         [0029]    Inasmuch as food truck  10  is a large vehicle equipped to cook and sell food at various locations, an exhaust system  30  is provided to ventilate and remove various gases and odors produced in the kitchen area. Exhaust system  30  includes a first vent stack  32  and second vent stack  34 . Furthermore, while not shown in the figures, it is understood that food truck  10  will have other well-known features, such as a service window through which food is passed or a generator to create electric power. 
         [0030]    As depicted in  FIG. 3 , a transverse cross section detailing first vent stack  32  is provided. It is to be understood that the second vent stack  34  is operatively coupled to similar components such that the first vent stack  32  and the second vent stack  34  cooperate together to clear and vent the gases and odors emanating from the kitchen area  26  during the cooking process. First vent stack  32  includes an outer wall  36  that is positioned transversely offset and outwardly relative to left sidewall  20 . In one embodiment, the first vent stack may be entirely outward relative to left sidewall  20 . While first vent  32  is depicted herein as being offset to the left side of left sidewall  20 , it is to be understood that it is entirely possible for a similarly constructed vent stack to be offset from the right side of truck  10 . Outer wall  36  is slightly angled or inclined relative to the directly vertical left panel  20 . In one particular embodiment, the angled relationship of outer wall  36  relative to vertical left sidewall  20  is in a range from about 5° to about 45°. More particularly, the angled relationship between outer wall  36  and left panel  20  may be in a range from about 10° to about 25°. First vent stack  32  further includes an L-shaped upper wall  38  having an upwardly extending short leg and a transversely extending long leg. An outlet  40  of an exhaust passageway or exhaust path is defined between outer wall  36  and upper wall  38 . Vent stack  32  mounts to truck  10  via a frame  42  transversely aligned and defining a through passage or passageway  44 . The passageway  44  extends transversely from left to right through panel  20 . Additionally, passageway  44  is entirely below roof  16 . Moreover, the exhaust passageway may be positioned above the cooking components installed in the kitchen area  26 . 
         [0031]    The hollow frame  42  carries a rotatable exhaust fan  46  including a plurality of blades configured to draw gases out from kitchen area  26  through passageway  44  and out the outlet  40  along the exhaust path. Fan  46  may be powered by an electrical motor (not shown) as one having ordinary skill in the art would understand. Exhaust fan  46  rotates about an axis of rotation (i.e. a fan axis of rotation) that is parallel to the roof  16 . The fan&#39;s axis of rotation is also below the roof  16 . This is in contradistinction to currently known devices which mount a fan atop the truck roof (i.e, above the roof) and the fan&#39;s axis of rotation is perpendicular to the roof. Stated otherwise, the fan&#39;s axis of rotation may substantially perpendicular to one of (i) the left sidewall  20 , (ii) the right sidewall  22 , and (iii) the rear endwall  66 . Stated otherwise, the fan&#39;s axis of rotation may parallel to the floor of the kitchen area  26  that supports the cooking devices. 
         [0032]    As depicted in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , exhaust system  30  may further include an exhaust hood  48  inside the kitchen area  26  of the truck  10  and positioned generally vertically above various cooking devices inside the truck  10  that produce cooking gases and suspended fluids that need to be vented such as a deep fryer  50 , a stove or grill  52 , or an oven  54 . The exhaust hood  48  extends generally from the front end of the kitchen area  26  to the rear end of the kitchen area  26  and includes a downwardly extending hood wall  56  connected to roof  16  and an angled and slotted intake member  58  covering an inlet  60  and permitting gasses to move through the inlet  60 . The exhaust hood  48  may be rigidly secured to frame  42  creating a rigidly secured relationship between first vent stack  32  and hood  48 . 
         [0033]    As depicted in  FIG. 5 , another exemplary embodiment of exhaust system  30  is provided in accordance with this disclosure. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , the exhaust hood  48  is positioned within the kitchen area  26  in a manner similar to that disclosed in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4 . However, duct work  62  leads exhaust gases out through a rear facing vent stack  64  mounted to a vertically extending rear panel  66  (also referred to as a rear endwall) defining the rear end  14  of truck  10 . The rear facing vent stack  64  may include a fan unit  68  electrically powered to create an air current drawing gases out from the kitchen area  26  to the outside and exterior to the truck. Rear facing vent stack  64  is oriented in a manner such that it does not extend to a height vertically above roof  16 . This is advantageous inasmuch as prior art food trucks have exhaust stacks extending upwardly from their roofs which can create hazards when driving on the roads due to height restrictions on certain vehicles. Additionally, there may be two rear facing vent stacks, similar to other embodiments contained herein which depict dual exhaust runs (see generally  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0034]    With continued reference to  FIG. 5 , duct work  62  extends through a rear opening  70  formed in rear panel  66 . Opening  70  is entirely below roof  16  and extends longitudinally through rear panel  66 . In general, the duct work  62  is substantially located above the cooking devices, such as the deep fryer  50 , the stove or grill  52 , or the oven  54 . 
         [0035]    As depicted in  FIG. 6 , another embodiment that may be incorporated with exhaust hood  48  is an intake hood  72  operatively coupled with an inlet aperture  74  used to draw fresh air inwards through intake hood  72  into kitchen area  26 . The intake hood  72  may have an angled outlet  76  inclined in a manner complimentary to that of slotted intake member  58 . The inlet aperture  74  is shown as being formed in a front wall of the truck  10 , however inlet aperture may be formed in other locations such as through either the left side panel  20 , the right side panel  22 , the rear panel  66 , or the roof  16 , or other locations as well. 
         [0036]    As depicted in  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of the exhaust system  30  includes a vent discharge  65  having a gravity louvered shutter  67 . The vent discharge  65  is shown as exiting rear wall  66  of truck  10  operatively coupled to exhaust ventilation ductwork  62  through hole  70 . However, it is to be entirely understood that the vent duct  65  having a gravity louvered shutter  67  may be incorporated into the embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in the other figures, such that the vent discharge  65  having gravity louvered shutters  67  extends through either the right sidewall  22  or left sidewall  20  of truck  10 . 
         [0037]    With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , the vent discharge  65  is considered to be a low profile exhaust system outlet relative to the rear end of truck  10  inasmuch as it extends shortly there beyond and is still generally at the same height as the roof  16 . In this regard, there may be some instances where a vent discharge  65  may be placed on the roof  16  and extends therethrough so as to provide a top outlet vent for exhaust system  30  that does not add significant height to truck  10 . The term “significant height” as used herein refers to anything greater than about ten or twelve inches. In the instance where it may be possible to have vent discharge  65  exiting through the roof  16 , the discharge vent will be more similar to that of vent  32  having fixed sidewalls rather than a gravity louvered shutter. 
         [0038]    The gravity louvered shutters  67  operate in a manner that move between a closed position sealing duct work  62  and an open position which permits the escapement of exhaust gases therethrough. When a fan is actuated to an on position to draw exhaust fumes outwardly from the kitchen area  26 , the shutters  67  move from the closed position to the open position under the force of the moving air. Alternatively, there may be some instances where the shutters are not operated under gravitational forces including mechanical biasing means. 
         [0039]    As depicted in  FIG. 8 , an alternative embodiment of an exhaust system is generally depicted at  130 . Alternative exhaust system  130  includes a frame  142  aligned through a hole in roof  16  defining an upwardly extending air passageway  144  in which a vertically aligned fan  146  resides. 
         [0040]    With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , a vent stack  132  is shown in a semi-exploded view above roof  16  for descriptive purposes only. However, it is to be clearly understood that vent stack  132  is mounted onto roof  16 . Vent  132  includes an upper wall  136  and a second wall  138  that therebetween define an outlet  140 . Second wall  138  is an L-shaped wall similar to that of upper wall  38  in the first embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3  but arranged in a manner that allows discharged air to exit through opening  140  in the manner depicted in  FIG. 8 . While the discharge air is shown as exiting to the right, it is clearly understood that vent  132  may be arranged such that opening  140  face towards the left. Vent  132  is different from conventional exhaust fans that require the fan unit to be mounted above the roof. Here, fan  146  is integrated into roof  16  creating a lower vertical profile height for system  10 . 
         [0041]    With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , a grease trap flange  92  may extend downwardly below inlet  60  and retain a removable catch trap  90  therein. This feature may be incorporated into any of the designs shown herein. 
         [0042]    In accordance with one aspect and one non-limiting advantage of this disclosure, the exhaust system  30  mounted on food truck  10  provides a low profile system that allows cooking gases to vent outward from the kitchen area outside and exterior to the truck through a vent stack that is not on top of the roof  16 . In one particular embodiment, first vent stack  32  is positioned offset to the left side of the left panel  20  and an outlet  40  is either below the roof  16  or just slightly through the roof  16  such as to not add much height to the overall height of truck  10  (i.e, an insignificant amount of height less than about five or ten or twelve inches). This advantage should be readily apparent inasmuch as food trucks have various height restrictions and transportation safety requirements in order to move safely on public roadways. 
         [0043]    Another advantage which is readily apparent by aspects of the present disclosure is that by having an embodiment of exhaust system  30  that does not extend above the roof  16  of the truck (and extends through either the left side panel  20 , the right side panel  22 , or the rear panel  66 ), the manufacturer of truck  10  is able to construct a truck having a kitchen area  26  with a greater vertical height than conventionally known food trucks. For example, the height of truck  10  may be increased to a height that is ordinarily similar to that of a conventional food truck having an exhaust stack mounted on the roof. This feature allows for more interior cargo and cabin room, the advantage of which is readily apparent. 
         [0044]    During fabrication, the manufacturer installs exhaust system  30  onto food truck  10  by mounting first and second vent stacks  32 ,  34  to either one of the left or right side panels of truck  10 . Additionally, while it is depicted herein that the exhaust system  30  includes first vent stack  32  and second vent stack  34 , it is entirely possible that more than two vent stacks may be utilized on truck  10 . Alternatively, a single vent stack may only be used such as the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 . During fabrication and installation of exhaust system  30 , the manufacturer ensures the low profile nature of exhaust system  30  such that the vent stacks  32 ,  34  do not extend far beyond the top of roof  16 . In one particular embodiment, the top outlet  40  on the vent stacks  32 ,  34  is generally flush with roof  16 . Alternatively, the outlet of the vent stacks may be entirely below the roof  16 . 
         [0045]    In operation and with reference to  FIG. 3 , a person working in kitchen  26  may turn on one of the cooking devices, such as the deep fryer  50 , the stove or grille  52 , or the oven  54 . Then, food is prepared (i.e, the step of preparing a food item with a cooking device inside a kitchen area in the food truck produced by a cooking device is accomplished) from the kitchen area in the food truck produced by the cooking device. These cooking devices need ventilation and require exhaust system  30  to be initiated during food preparation. An actuation switch may be operatively coupled to the electronic motor powering fan  46  carried by frame  42  disposed within opening/passageway  44  extending transversely through one of the upwardly extending sidewalls of truck  10  below roof  16 . As fan  46  begins to rotate, the blades are positioned in a manner to encourage the drawing of air outward from kitchen area  26  through passageway  44 . With the fan rotating about an axis parallel to the roof  16  to create negative pressure to draw air outward from the kitchen area  26  above the cooking devices, the cooking exhaust passes through the slotted member  58  carried by hood  48 . The cooking exhaust therein flows through passageway  44  and then upwardly through vent stack  32  outwardly through outlet  40 . The flow of exhaust gases along the exhaust path is represented by the flowing arrows in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0046]    In operation and with reference to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure provides an inlet aperture  74  through which outside fresh air may be drawn inward into the kitchen area  26  through the intake hood  72 . The outside air mixes with the cooking exhaust within kitchen  26  and then the mixture is then drawn outward through the vent stack  32  in a manner similar to that described above with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0047]    In operation and with reference to  FIG. 5 , once the fans are initiated to draw the cooking exhaust outward, duct work  62  may lead the cooking exhaust outward the rear side of truck  10  via vent stack  64 . 
         [0048]    In each of the embodiments described above, the vent stacks  32 ,  34  are generally at the same vertical height or lower than roof  16  on truck  10 , however they could slightly above the roof such as to only add an insignificant amount of overall height to the vehicle. 
         [0049]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
         [0050]    Moreover, the description and illustration of the preferred embodiment of the disclosure are an example and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.