Abstract:
A securable cart assembly for a gas grill that allows easy transport and installation, and which permits the cart and associated gas cylinder tank to cooperate with and be secured to a gas grill assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present inventions relate generally to gas grills. More particularly, the present inventions relate to a cart assembly for a gas cylinder tank that allows easy transport of the gas cylinder tank and which permits the cart and associated gas cylinder tank to cooperate with and fee secured to a gas grill assembly. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Gas grills typically include a cooking chamber and a supporting frame assembly having legs, braces and the like. The frame assembly typically includes wheels, so that the grill may he more easily moved. The grill frame assembly may also include side tables, which may optionally include a gas burner for increased cooking area. Typical gas grills are fueled using well known refutable cylindrical gas tasks filled with liquid propane or other combustible material. For safety reasons, many jurisdictions require that the gas cylinders be secured to the grill during use. Accordingly, most gas grills include a means to secure the gas cylinder to a portion of the grill frame. In some grills, the gas cylinder is secured to the grill or grill frame using a tank scale which is attached to the exterior of a side of the frame. A typical tank scale to secure and/or suspend the tank may be found in U.S. Pat. No, 6,148,668, assigned to Weber-Stephen Products LLC. In addition to securing the gas cylinder to the grill, a tank scale is a device indicating the amount of fuel remaining in the gas cylinder. However, the use of a tank scale to support the gas cylinder on the grill frame is not required. For example, the gas cylinder may be secured to the grill frame by a single bracket or other means well known to those of ordinary skill in the art (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,309). Depending upon the grill, the tank scale or other means to secure the gas cylinder may be located inside the grill frame and any cabinet that is part of the grill frame (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,347,874 assigned to Weber-Stephen Products LLC). 
         [0003]    A commonly experienced difficulty with gas pills is changing and transporting the gas cylinders tanks. When full, a cylinder widely used is the U.S. (called a twenty pound cylinder) weighs approximately forty pounds. It can fee difficult for many users to transport a full cylinder, for example, from a car to the grill. It can fee equally difficult for a user to lift the full gas cylinder and place it on a tank scale or other means to secure and suspend the gas cylinder to the grill frame. In addition to feelng heavy, the gas cylinders are relatively cumbersome and difficult to carry, even when empty. Moreover, in gas grills having a cylinder attached to the grill frame under a side table, securing a full gas cylinder and even removing an empty gas cylinder is made more difficult because of the confined space and awkward angle. Thus, there is a need for a device to aid in the transportation and installation of gas cylinders for use with gas grills, while at the same time enabling the gas cylinder to be secured to the grill in compliance with typical safety regulations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present inventions preserve the advantages of known gas grills and gas cylinder tank transport carts and provide new features, advantages and benefits not previously available. In particular, the present inventions provide a cart or dolly to which the gas tank is secured for easy transportation and also enable the cart (along with the associated gas tank) to be releasably secured to the grill frame assembly and/or side table. 
         [0005]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a gas cylinder cart assembly securable to a gas grill assembly is provided. The gas grill assembly includes a frame assembly having a lower frame member and a side table. The securable cart assembly includes a generally horizontal platform member; a generally vertical member attached at a substantially right angle to the platform member; and, a pair of wheels attached to the approximate apex of the platform member and the vertical member. The cart assembly further includes an upper east engagement member attached to an upper end of the vertical member; a gas cylinder suspension member attached to an intermediate portion of the vertical member to which the gas cylinder is attached; and, a lower cart engagement member which is attached to the horizontal platform member of the cart. The grill assembly includes a lower cart support assembly which is attached to the lower frame member of the grill and which cooperates with the lower cart engagement member of the cart; and, an upper cart support member attached to the side table of the grill that cooperates with the upper cart engagement member of the cart. In a preferred embodiment, the lower cart support assembly of the pill may include a rod capable of being engaged by the lower cart engagement member of the cart. In addition, the upper cart support member may be in the form of a hook shaped member capable of engaging the upper cart engagement member which is on the vertical member of the cart. In an optional embodiment, the gas cylinder suspension member may be a tank scale. In addition, the lower cart support assembly may include two opposing brackets to secure the rod to the lower frame member of the grill and the upper cart support member may include two hooks and the upper cart engagement member may include two posts that are engaged by the two hooks. 
         [0006]    The present inventions also provide for a gas grill assembly using a gas cylinder tank as a fuel source and a cooperating gas cylinder cart which is securable to the grill assembly. The grill assembly includes a cooking chamber and a frame assembly supporting the cooking chamber. The frame assembly includes a lower frame portion and a side table; an upper cart support member attached to the side table; and, a lower cart support assembly attached to the lower frame portion. A generally L-shaped cast assembly having a substantially horizontal platform portion sad a substantially vertical member and a pair of wheels at or near the apex of the horizontal platform and vertical member is also provided. Also included is an upper cart engagement member attached to the substantially vertical member of the cart which is capable of engagement with the upper can support member; a lower cart engagement member attached to the substantially horizontal platform member of the cart which is capable of engagement with said lower cart support assembly; and, a gas cylinder suspension member attached to said substantially vertical member of said cart which is capable of securing said tank on said cart. The lower cart support assembly is preferably a rod which is parallel to the lower frame portion and positioned between two opposing brackets which in turn are attached to the lower frame portion. The lower cart engagement member is preferably a u-shaped (inverted) loot attached to the underside of the substantially horizontal platform portion of the cart and the upper cart support member attached to the side table is preferably a hook. In addition, the upper cart engagement member attached to the substantially vertical member of the cart may include at least one post. In a preferred embodiment, the gas cylinder suspension member is a gas cylinder tank scale. 
         [0007]    The present inventions further provide for a gas grill assembly having a gas cylinder tank as a fuel source and a cooperating securable gas cylinder tank cart assembly. The grill assembly includes a cooking chamber and a lid; a grill frame assembly supporting the cooking chamber, wherein the grill frame assembly includes a lower frame portion and a side table. An upper cart support member attached to the side table, wherein the upper cart support member includes a hook-shaped component and a lower cart support assembly attached to the lower frame portion of the grill frame assembly, wherein the lower cart support assembly includes a rod, are also provided. Also included is a generally L-shaped securable cart assembly having a pair of wheels, the cart assembly including a platform portion and a generally vertical portion; an upper cart engagement member attached to the generally vertical member, the upper cart engagement member including a post that cooperates with the hook-shaped component of the upper cart support member; a lower can engagement member attached to a forward portion of the platform portion of the cart, wherein the lower cart engagement portion includes a u-shaped component that cooperates with the rod of the lower cart support assembly; and, a gas cylinder tank suspension member attached to the vertical member of the cart assembly which is capable of securing the gas cylinder tank. The gas cylinder tank suspension member may be a tank scale. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present inventions to provide a cart assembly for assisting in the transportation and installation of a gas cylinder tank for a gas grill. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present inventions to provide a cart for a gas cylinder tank wherein the gas cylinder is supported on the cart, either on a platform portion of the cart or from a suspension member attached to the vertical member of the cart and wherein the cart may be secured to the grill and/or frame assembly. 
         [0010]    It is an additional object of the present inventions to provide a cart that can support a gas cylinder using a tank scale or other fuel level indicator. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present inventions to provide a gas cylinder cart that may be secured to the grill or grill frame for use. 
         [0012]    It Is also an object of the present inventions to provide a gas cylinder cart that may be secured to the grill frame at two locations. 
         [0013]    It is yet another object of the present inventions to provide a gas cylinder cart to aid in the installation and transportation of gas cylinders while at the same time enabling the gas cylinder, via the cart, to be secured to the grill or grill frame assembly. 
       INVENTOR&#39;S DEFINITION OF THE TERMS 
       [0014]    The following terms which may be used in the various claims and/or specification of this patent are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. 
         [0015]    As used herein, “gas grill” or “grill assembly” shall mean any cooking device having a cooking chamber and a portable gas fuel source in a tank such as liquid propane, butane and the like. 
         [0016]    As used herein, “grill frame” or “grill frame assembly” shall mean those components used to support a gas grill. The grill frame typically includes a plurality of frame members, such as structural tubing, panels and/or doors that may be metal, plastic or other suitable material or combination thereof. The grill frame may include casters or wheels for portability. Grill frame or grill frame assembly as used herein shall also include at least one side table which may optionally include a burner. 
         [0017]    As used herein, “gas cylinder” or “gas cylinder tank” refers to a portable source of fuel for a gas grill that is typically a tank made from metal and which is generally cylindrically shaped, includes a foot, handle, valve and the like to regulate the release of fuel. Gas cylinders are typically refillable with liquid propane (LP) or other flammable liquids under pressure. 
         [0018]    Where alternative meanings are possible, in either the specification or claims, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar, the trade and the English language. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The stated and unstated objects, features and advantages of the present inventions (sometimes used in the singular, but nut excluding the plural) will become apparent from the following descriptions and drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in the various views, and in which; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the securable gas cart of the present inventions shown secured to the frame assembly of a typical gas grill for use; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the preferred securable gas cart of  FIG. 1  showing the preferred upper and lower cart engagement members of the cart assembly engaged with the preferred upper and lower can support members on the grill frame assembly; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the lower cart engagement member of the cart assembly shown engaged with a preferred lower cart support member; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the upper cart engagement member of the cart assembly engaged by a preferred upper cart support member on the grill frame assembly; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the upper cart engagement member and upper cart support bracket of  FIG. 3  shown prior to engagement; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a preferred lower cart support member of the present inventions; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of a preferred lower cart engagement member of the cart assembly shown prior to installation on the preferred lower curt support member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be the preferred embodiments or best representative examples of the inventions claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to the embodiments and preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, purpose, structure or result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent. 
         [0028]    A preferred embodiment of the present inventions may be seen by reference to  FIG. 1 , which shows the preferred components and assemblies in an installed position for use. The inventions include a gas grill assembly  10 , a gas cylinder tank  25  and a gas cylinder cart assembly  30 . Grill assembly  10  includes a cooking chamber  11  having a lid  12 , as well as gas distribution components such as burners, valves and the like (not shown). The grill assembly  10  is supported by grill frame assembly  13 . For ease of reference, the cart assembly  30  which is secured to the grill frame assembly  13 , will be referred to as securable cart assembly  30 . 
         [0029]    Frame assembly  13  typically includes legs  14 , braces and may include cabinet members  15  and casters or wheels  16 . A lower frame member  18  is also provided, along with a side table  20  having an end trim piece  21 . It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that grill frame assembly  13  may be constructed of a variety of materials, such as plastic, metal or a combination thereof. Side table  20  may also be constructed of a variety of materials or combination of materials, as will also be understood by those of skill, in the art. Although not shown, side table  20  and any end trim piece  21  is typically structurally secured to and/or is part of grill frame assembly  13 . As a result, it is able to support securable cart assembly  30  as hereinafter described. It will be further understood by those of skill in the art that it is not necessary to have a formal side table  20  for the present inventions. Instead, frame members (not shown) that extend from the side of the grill assembly  10  or grill frame assembly  13  may be satisfactory to support the upper portion of securable cart assembly  30  as hereinafter described. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 , securable cart assembly  30  is generally L-shaped and includes a generally horizontal platform member  31  and a generally vertical member  32 . The rear end  34  of platform  31  and lower end  35  of vertical member  32  form a generally perpendicular apex  33 . Platform  31  includes a front portion  39  and vertical member  32  includes a top portion  37  and an intermediate portion  38 . It will be understood by those of skill in the art that platform  31  and vertical member  32  may be separate components attached to each other by well known means or may be integrally formed from a single piece of suitable material. A pair of wheels  36  are provided at or near the apex  33  and may be rotatably attached to securable cart assembly  30  by a variety of methods that will be understood by those of skill in the art. It will be appreciated that the basic structural components of securable cart  30  are similar to a typical dolly or hand truck (see also  FIG. 2 ). Thus, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that vertical and horizontal are descriptive terms and that platform member  31  is not always generally horizontal and generally vertical member  32  is not always generally vertical, especially when in transport mode. When securable cart assembly  30  is installed and/or at rest, those components will typically be in that general orientation relative to a flat surface. 
         [0031]    As best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 , in a preferred embodiment, gas cylinder tank  25  is secured to the inside of vertical member  32  using a typical tank scale  26  by tank ring  27  (see  FIG. 1 ). In this manner, gas cylinder tank  25  is attached to cart assembly  30  and suspended from tank scale  26 . Because gas cylinder tank  25  may be placed on tank scale  26  outside of the confines of the side table  20  and grill assembly  10 , it may be easily installed and uninstalled. Cart assembly  30  is then attached to the grill assembly  10  as hereinafter described. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that although preferred, a tank scale  26  is not required. Other hangers and clips may be used consistent with the present inventions. In addition, the gas cylinder tank may simply rest on platform member  31 . 
         [0032]    Having described the basic components of the grill assembly  10 , grill frame assembly  13  and securable cart assembly  30 , other aspects of the present Inventions may better be seen by reference to  FIGS. 2-6 . In general, and in order to install and secure securable cart  30  to the grill frame assembly  13 , each of the assemblies  30  and  13  are provided with components that cooperate with each other as hereinafter described. 
         [0033]    More specifically and by reference to  FIG. 2-4 , the upper end  37  of vertical member  32  is provided with an upper cart engagement member  40 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , in a preferred embodiment, upper cart engagement member  40  is formed from two posts  41 . In a preferred embodiment, the upper end  37  of vertical member  32  is provided with a handle  42  having two opposing offset members  43  and a grip  44 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , posts  41  are attached to opposing members  43 . Also as shown, handle  42  is offset so that it clears side table  20  and/or end trim piece  21 , as will be understood by those of skill in the art. If will also be understood that handle  42  and opposing members  43  may be separate components or made part of vertical member  32 . In addition, handle  42  is not required, as upper cart engagement member  40  may be attached to vertical member  32 . 
         [0034]    It will be further understood by those of skill in the art that upper cart engagement member  40  may take a variety of forms. For example, a single rod (not shown) between the two opposing offset members  43  may be used. In addition, a single post  41  may be used. Moreover, the post  41  or posts  41  do not have to be cylindrical as shown and may take a variety of forms consistent with the present inventions. All that is required is that they may be engaged by upper cart support member  45  as hereinafter described. 
         [0035]    An upper cart support member  45  is also provided, as best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In a preferred embodiment, upper cart support member  45  is attached to the underside of side table  20  and/or to the inside of end trim piece  21 . In a preferred embodiment, upper cart support member  45  includes an attachment flange  46  that may be bolted, welded, glued or otherwise affixed to the underside of side table  20 , end trim piece  21  and/or an extending frame member (not shown). Preferably, there are two downwardly projecting hooks  47  having recesses  48 . Hooks  47  are sized to accommodate posts  41  to releasably secure and support upper cart engagement member  40 . It will be understood by those of skill in the art that upper cart support member  45  may take a variety of forms consistent with the present inventions. For example, two hooks  47  are not required, as only one would suffice. In addition, u-shaped members may be used. Still other forms will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0036]    By reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 , the preferred lower cart engagement member  50  and lower cart support member  60  may be seen. More particularly, the front end  39  of horizontal platform  31  of cart  30  is provided with a lower cart engagement member  50 . In a preferred embodiment, lower cart engagement member  50  is a generally u-shaped foot  51  having a from leg  52 , a back leg  53  and a recessed portion  54 . As will be understood by those of skill in the art, u-shaped piece  51  is attached to the front end  39  of platform  31  using any variety of well known means, including bolting, welding or riveting. For example, foot  51  may be attached to the sides of platform  31  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Alternatively, if may be attached to the underside of platform  31  or a combination of the two. Although two fact  51  are preferred, one foot  51  or more than two feet  51  may fee used. Lower cat engagement member  50  is designed to cooperate with lower cart support member  60  as hereinafter described. 
         [0037]    An alternative embodiment of lower cart engagement member  50   1  is shown in  FIG. 2A . In tins embodiment, rear leg  53   1  is longer than from leg  52   1 . This embodiment may be suitable when it is desired that securable cart assembly  30  rest in a more horizontal position when not engaged with lower cart support member  60 . 
         [0038]    By reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in the preferred embodiment, lower cart support member  60  includes an attachment portion  61 , two opposing flanges  62  and a rod  63  extending between flanges  62 . Attachment portion  61  of lower cart support member  60  is attached to lower frame member  18  of frame assembly  13  with bolts, welds or other methods that will be understood by those of skill in the art. Rod  63  is sized to fit within the recess  54  of u-shaped feet  51 . It will also be understood by those of skill in the art that lower cart support member  60  may take a variety of forms consistent with the present inventions. 
         [0039]    Having described the principal components of the preferred embodiment, the use and operation of the present inventions will now be described. As an initial matter, cylinder gas tank  25  is typically placed on and suspended from tank scale  26  (or other suitable component) at a location remote from grill assembly  10 . The user then tilts cart assembly  30  onto its wheels  36  (see  FIG. 6 ) and the cart assembly  30  and gas cylinder tank carted to the desired location. While still in a tilted position, securable cart assembly  30  is aligned with the side of grill frame assembly  13 . While still in a tilted position, u-shaped feet  51  of lower cart engagement member  50  are aligned with rod  63  of lower cart support member  60 . Securable cart assembly  30  is then rotated downward such that the recessed portions  54  of feet  51  rest on rod  63 . This secures the front of cart  30  to grill frame assembly  13 . 
         [0040]    To secure the upper portion of securable cart assembly  30 , handle  44  is gripped by fee user and lifted upward. Lifting is made easier because lower cart engagement member  50  pivots about lower cart support member  60 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , posts  41  of upper cart engagement member  40  are then engaged by hooks  47  of upper cart support member  45 . In this manner, securable cart assembly  30  is secured to grill frame assembly  13  in two places. When cylinder gas tank  25  is empty or the user otherwise desires to disengage securable cart assembly  30 , the reverse of the foregoing Is implemented. 
         [0041]    The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in or the scope of the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the present inventions have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the claimed invention. In addition, although the term “claimed invention” or “present invention” is sometimes used herein in the singular, it will be understood that there are a plurality of inventions as described and claimed. 
         [0042]    Various features of the present inventions are set forth in the following claims.