Abstract:
The invention relates to a grill having a heating element for heating food, a cooking grate positioned above the heating element and having a plurality of openings for permitting grease to pass where the plurality of openings are arranged around the heating element, and a touch control for adjusting a temperature of said heating element. The touch control has an increase button to elevate the temperature of the heating element and a decrease button to lower the temperature of the heating element. The touch control also has a plurality of lights arranged in sequential order from a first light to an nth light, wherein manipulation of the increase button or decrease button commences illumination

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a cooking grill. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Grills are generally known to cook food while permitting grease to drip off. A traditional grill is usually controlled by varying the amount of gas flowing to the burner, which may present a problem where the burner is easily extinguished at low temperatures (low flow rate). If this happens, fuel will possibly continue to flow to the burner even though the fuel is not being burned and this poses a dangerous hazard. 
         [0003]    In addition, when cooking is completed, a conventional grill is usually left on for a period of time to burn off residue on the cooking grate, which often requires the user to remember to shut the grill off. In the event the user forgets, this also poses a dangerous hazard that may result in a fire. 
         [0004]    Further, a grill&#39;s controls may be difficult to read, particularly if there are numerous dials or gauges and the user needs the information quickly, such as when the user is busy cooking food. Also, if the grill&#39;s controls are spread out over a large area or if the details, such as numerals or gas level indicators, are small or difficult to read, the user may not be able to readily read the controls and this could affect the user&#39;s cooking. 
         [0000]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,003,960 and 5,617,840 seem to depict the grill&#39;s controls with dials and read outs extending over the entire width of the grill or cooking surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,394 seems to show the grill&#39;s controls extending over at least half of the width of the grill. 
         [0005]    Another disadvantage with conventional grills may be flare-ups. Flare-ups normally occur when a piece of fat or food falls through the grill rack and lands on the gas burner. Because the burner usually gets extremely hot, the fallen food could cause flames to increase and flare-up at that particular location. Flare-ups can overcook or burn a portion of a food article. Therefore, cooks generally monitor the grill rack so they can extinguish any flare-ups that might occur. 
         [0006]    Another problem with conventional gas grills may be hot spots. Hot spots are the areas directly above the burners, which are typically hotter than other locations of the grill rack. Hot spots may cause portions of food articles to cook faster than others. Consequently, cooks must monitor the cooking and rearrange the food articles to ensure even cooking. 
         [0007]    Another disadvantage with conventional gas grills may be the smoke caused by flare-ups and charcoal burning in addition to charring of food. The smoke could create harmful emissions and the charred food results in the consumption of injurious carcinogens. 
         [0008]    What is desired, therefore, is a grill with an easy to read control that quickly indicates information to a user. Another desire is a grill that reduces flare ups, hot spots, and smoking. A further desire is a grill with enhanced safety features. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a grill that is easy to read and provides information to a user in a quick manner. 
         [0010]    Another object is a grill with a design that reduces flare ups, hot spots, and smoking. 
         [0011]    A further object is a grill with enhanced safety features. 
         [0012]    These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a grill having a heating element for heating food, a cooking grate positioned above the heating element and having a plurality of openings for permitting grease to pass where the plurality of openings are arranged around the heating element, and a touch control for adjusting a temperature of said heating element. The touch control has an increase button to elevate the temperature of the heating element and a decrease button to lower the temperature of the heating element. The touch control also has a plurality of lights arranged in sequential order from a first light to an nth light, wherein manipulation of the increase button or decrease button commences illumination of the plurality of lights beginning with the first light and ending with the nth light. 
         [0013]    It should be known that a value of n is based upon manipulation of the increase button or decrease button. The manipulation of the touch control button has a linear relationship to the value of n. The cooking grate includes a cover positioned over the heating element and the plurality of openings are arranged around the cover. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the touch control includes a power button, wherein the plurality of lights are arranged in an arc around the power button. Optionally, power level indicator is arranged in an arc around the plurality of lights and gradually expanding in size as the power level indicator extends toward the nth light. In one embodiment, n is a value selected from the group consisting of 0-1000. In another embodiment, n is a value selected from the group consisting of 1-8. 
         [0015]    In a further embodiment, the grill includes an indicator light for indicating whether or not power is being supplied to the grill, an emergency power cut-off button for cutting power to the grill, and a reset button for restoring power to the grill. Optionally, the grill has an automatic shut-off switch that automatically cuts power to the grill. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts the grill in accordance with the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  more particularly depicts the touch control as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  more particularly depicts the grate and heating element as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  more particularly depicts the ground fault interrupt as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  more particularly depicts the grate shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts grill  10  in accordance with the invention. Grill  10  includes heating element  20  for providing heat to cook food, grate  30  placed over heating element  20 , and touch control  40  for controlling heating element  20  and for indicating the intensity of heat being emitted from heating element  20 . Further, grill  10  includes ground fault interrupt (“GFI”)  72  attached to power cord  70 . 
         [0022]    As shown more particularly in  FIG. 2 , touch control  40  has increase button  42 , decrease button  44 , power button  46 , and first light through eighth light  51 - 58  (collectively plurality of lights  50 ) that are arranged sequentially and in a shape of an arc around power button  46 . Power level indicator  62  is also arranged in a shape of an arc around plurality  50  of lights. Additionally, control  40  also includes power indicator  48  for indicating whether or not grill  10  is on or off, respectively. 
         [0023]    In the embodiment shown, when grill  10  is turned on by pressing power button  46 , power indicator  48  is lit. When the user continues to press or actuate increase button  42 , plurality  50  of lights illuminate in sequential order from first light  51  until the nth light, where the nth light can be any one of the lights from first light to eighth light  51 - 58  and where the value of n is determined based upon how hot the user wants heating element  20 . If the user sets heating element to its lowest setting, only first light  51  will be illuminated. If the user presses increase button  42  to its next setting or next elevated temperature for cooking, first and second light  51 ,  52  will be illuminated. This continues until the user wants heating element  20  at its hottest level or most elevated temperature for cooking, in which all eight lights  51 - 58  will be illuminated. 
         [0024]    Regardless of the temperature setting, first light  51  is illuminated before second light  52 , and second light  52  is illuminated before third light  53 , and this continues until eighth light  58 . Further, the number of lights illuminated, or the value of n, is in direct proportion or has a linear relationship to the user actuating increase button  42 . 
         [0025]    Likewise, the number of lights illuminated decreases in direct proportion, or has a linear relationship, with the actuation of decrease button  44 . Hence, for each user determined setting for heating element in a decreasing fashion, plurality of lights  50  will illuminate in sequential order from first light  51  and terminating with nth light, which is any one of the lights  51 - 58 . 
         [0026]    Control  40  operates in an easy to read manner such that the user is able to obtain information quickly without having to scan large areas of the grill or read small minutia on a dial or gauge. Because plurality  50  of lights are arranged in an arc, and because the quantity of lights being lit around power button  46  gives the user a visual indication of the level of heat emitted from heating element  20 , control  40  gives the user useful information about heating element  20  in a compact area so it is more beneficial than traditional touch controls that are in a straight line across a substantial width of the grill. Moreover, other traditional grills using dials or digital displays with numerals or other minutia are often difficult to read as opposed to plurality  50  of lights. 
         [0027]    In the embodiment show, plurality  50  of lights include eight lights, which means n is any value between 1 and 8. In other embodiments, plurality  50  of lights include numerous lights of any quantity, such as 10, 25, or even 1000, which means n is any value between 1 and 10, 1 and 25, or 1 and 1000, respectively. 
         [0028]    In the event the user needs to be reminded as to whether or not the number of lights being illuminated indicates a level of heat being emitted from heating element  20 , the thickness of power level indicator  62  from narrow end  64  to thick end  66  indicates the heat output, where thick end  66  is proximate to eighth light  58  and narrow end is proximate to first light  51 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , GFI  72  includes indicator light  74  for indicating whether or not power is being supplied to grill  10 , emergency power cut-off button  76  for cutting power to grill  10 , and reset button  78  for restoring power to grill  10 . In an emergency situation, such as when there is a fire or fuel leak proximate to grate  30  or heating element  20 , the user can press emergency power cut-off button  76  to cut electricity or gas and alleviate the emergency situation. The user may then restore power by actuating reset button  78 . Indicator light  74  indicates when power, such as electricity or gas, is being supplied or not to heating element  20  when it is lit or unlit, respectively. 
         [0030]    Because GFI  72  is located on power cord  75  and away from grate  30  and heating element  20 , it is easy for the user to reach during an emergency since most emergencies are due to a problem, such as a fire, located at or near grate  30  or heating element  20 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5 , grate  30  includes opening  34  for permitting grease to pass through and into drip pan  39  and cover  32 , which is defined to be any part of grate  30  positioned over heating element  20  and not having any openings  34 . Because cover  32  is without any openings  34 , it is more difficult for grease or food to contact heating element  20 , which results in a reduction in flare ups and smoking. Moreover, since heating element  20  is not directly under the food, there is a reduction in hot spots. As depicted, openings  34  are placed in grate  30  around heating element  20 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , grate  30  also includes angled side  31  for directing grease toward opening  34 . Angled side  31  extends from valley  33  toward cooking surface  35 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, grill  10  further includes an automatic shut off switch, which comprises at least one temperature sensor and at least one timer. A temperature sensor in communication with heating element  20  can be set at a user determined or manufacturer determined maximum setting, such as 300 degrees Fahrenheit or some other temperature determined to be unsafe, such as a code or standard in the industry, whereupon heating element  20  reaching this temperature would cause the temperature sensor to send a signal to shut grill  10  off. For example, the signal may be an electric signal sent to GFI  72  to power grill  10  off. 
         [0034]    Although the signal to power grill  10  off is sent to GFI  72 , the power relay that physically cuts the power may be located any where, whether proximate to grill  10  or GFI  72 . 
         [0035]    The timer may be set at a user determined or manufacturer determined maximum setting, whereupon heating element  20  being on for this maximum amount of time would cause the timer to send a signal to shut grill  10  off. For example, the signal may be an electric signal sent to GFI  72  to power grill  10  off. The following table is an example of times that the timer may be set, after which grill  10  powers itself off. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 SETTING 
                 PRE-HEAT TIME (min.) 
                 AUTO SHUT-OFF (min) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1 
                 1 
                 91 
               
               
                 2 
                 3 
                 93 
               
               
                 3 
                 3 
                 93 
               
               
                 4 
                 5 
                 95 
               
               
                 5 
                 5 
                 95 
               
               
                 6 
                 7 
                 97 
               
               
                 7 
                 7 
                 97 
               
               
                 8 
                 7 
                 97 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0036]    Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.