Abstract:
A grill has a base that supports a grill body. A right and left lid are hingedly affixed to the grill body. The lids interconnect to ensure that they open and close together. A plurality of vents is defined by an upper surface of the lids. A shelf having a right portion, a left portion, and a rear portion substantially surrounds the grill body except for the operator position to the front of the grill body. The shelf and the right side of the grill body define a right retracting space. The shelf and the left side of the grill body define a left retracting space. The lids pivot outwards into the left and right retracting spaces to retracted positions wherein the uppermost portions of the lids and the uppermost surface of the grill body are substantially even with or below an upper surface of said shelf.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/100,580 entitled “GRILL WITH MULTI-SIDED ACCESS,” filed Sep. 26, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to gas, charcoal and electric grills configured for outdoor use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many gas, charcoal and electric grills currently configured for outdoor use have a similar structure. A round or rectangular cooking surface is oriented to face a standing operator position with cooking system controls in the front or to the side of the cooking surface. A hinged lid or cover is located such that it opens away from the operator position and is placed on the opposite side of the cooking surface from the operator. Surfaces for food preparation and handling are placed to the sides of the cooking surface or to the front either on fixed or folding shelves. Storage areas may be provided below the cooking surfaces or the shelves. 
     There are numerous limitations associated with the above-described configuration. First, shelf space is limited since the entire area behind the cooking surface is unavailable due to the space required for storage of the cooking surface lid or cover. Second, the operator cannot converse or interact with anyone facing him since that space is taken up by the lid, blocking vision if open and creating a hot surface in proximity to anyone there if open or closed. Third, when opening the cooking surface lid or cover, smoke and hot gases exit from the cooking chamber directly toward the operator, which prevents immediate vision or operation. Attempts to solve these problems have been limited. 
     In one case, U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,755 to Johnston and assigned to W.C. Bradley Company utilized angled cooking surfaces that were designed to create more shelf space on the sides. In another case, U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,165 to Johnson and assigned to Weber-Stephens Products Co. used a sliding shelf to extend the working surface. Neither of these solutions addressed the above mentioned second and third issues. In the cases discussed above, the grills are equipped with conventional cooking systems, the limitations of which will become apparent in the discussion of proposed solution below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The grill of the invention has several features, each of which are believed to be novel or new to the art and which in combination completely address the three problems discussed above. The configuration of the cooking appliance is shown in the attached drawings and is described in the following description. A large shelf area surrounds three sides of the cooking appliance (gas, electric, or charcoal grill), leaving the fourth side for the operator standing position. The operator faces the cooking surface and the cooking system controls remain at the front or side relative to the operator. To enable the operator to converse or interact with other people, the cooking surface lid or cover has several unique features in addition to being of sufficient depth to allow slow cooking of large pieces of food and being capable of reducing heat loss from the cooking surface when closed. 
     First, the grill of the invention vents the flue gases and smoke through the upper surface of the lid when closed instead of through a slot in the back as is the common practice. Therefore, the flue gases and smoke do not impinge on space that might be occupied by an onlooker facing the operator. 
     Second, the grill of the invention has a lid that is constructed of two pieces. The lid is hinged so that the two pieces open to each side and pivot down and below the sides of the grill. Thus, when being opened, smoke and flue gas not fully vented exits vertically upward as the two lid halves open. 
     Third, when fully open, the lids are mostly or fully below the plane of the large shelf area and do not substantially interfere with vision or movement across the cooking surface and shelf areas. In some embodiments, the two lid halves are linked by a mechanism to produce coordinated action. One type is shown in the drawings but other configurations may also be used. 
     In other embodiments, surfaces may be slid or folded into position for covering the grill body and for providing a large work surface. 
     Recent developments in grill technology have features that reduce or eliminate the flare up of open flames caused by contact of meat fats or flammable sauces with hot surfaces of the cooking system. It will be readily apparent that the successful suppression of such open flames will encourage the use of the cooking appliance by the operator and by others standing around the shelf area in a position to converse or interact with the operator. Examples of inventions that achieve flare up suppression are described in publications including US Publication No. 20060021517 to Best and US Publication No. 20070125357 to Johnston. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the grill of the invention in a “lid closed” configuration. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the grill of the invention in a “lid closed” configuration. 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the grill of the invention in a “lid closed” configuration. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  shown in a “lid opened” configuration. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1B  shown in a “lid opened” configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  shown in a “lid closed” configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  shown in a “lid opened” configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the grill body of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , showing mating gears and counterweights. 
         FIG. 6  is a front schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the grill of the invention having a construction consisting of sliding elements in a “cart closed/lids opened” configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is front schematic view of the grill of  FIG. 6  showing the grill in a “cart opened/lids open” configuration. 
         FIG. 8  is a front schematic view of the grill of  FIG. 6  showing the grill in a “cart opened/lid closed” configuration. 
         FIG. 9  is a front schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the grill of the invention having a construction consisting of folding shelves wherein the grill is shown in a “lids closed/shelves opened” configuration. 
         FIG. 10  is front schematic view of the grill of  FIG. 9  shown in a “lids open/shelves closed” configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Grill  10  of the invention includes a base  12  having vertical legs  14 . The base  12  has an operator side or front side  16 , a right side  18 , a left side  20 , and a spectator side or rear side  22 . Casters  24  are preferably affixed to the bottom of legs  14 . Foot bar  26  may surround base  12  on right side  18 , left side  20 , and rear side  22  ( FIGS. 1B ,  2 B), or may be located to span between adjacent legs  14  ( FIGS. 1A ,  1 C,  2 A,  3 ). 
     A base plate  27  may be provided in communication with a lower portion of legs  14  as shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B. A cabinet  30  is located within legs  14  of base  12 . Cabinet  30  rests upon support members  32  (best seen in  FIGS. 1C ,  3  and  4 ), or alternatively, may rest on base plate  27  ( FIGS. 1B ,  2 B). 
     Grill body  34  is supported on an upper surface or support member  28  of cabinet  30 . Grill body  34  houses a grate  35  ( FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  4 ). Grate  35  is preferably of the type and construction to achieve flare up suppression. Control panel  36  is provided on a front of cabinet  30  proximate an upper surface of cabinet  30 . Controls  38  are provided on control panel  36 . 
     Right lid  40  is hingedly affixed to a right side of grill body  34 . Right lid  40  has a right lower back portion  42  ( FIG. 5 ). Right lower back portion  42  defines a right gear face  44 . Additionally, a right counterweight  46  is affixed to right lower back portion  42 . A left lid  48  is hingedly affixed to a left side of grill body  34 . Left lid  48  has a left lower back portion  50  ( FIG. 5 ). Left lower back portion  50  defines a left gear face  52  and has a left counterweight  54  attached thereto. 
     A right handle  56  extends from a front of right lid  40 . Right handle  56  may be in the form of a post  58  ( FIGS. 1A ,  2 A), a substantially vertical handle  60  ( FIGS. 1B ,  2 B), or a substantially horizontal handle  62  ( FIG. 1C ) or may be provided in other configurations or orientations. A left handle  64  also extends from a front of left lid  48 . Left handle  64  may also take the form of a post  58 , a substantially vertical handle  60 , or a substantially horizontal handle  62 . 
     Each of right lid  40  and left lid  48  define a plurality of vents  66  ( FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C,  3  and  5 ) on an upper surface. Shelf  68  is supported on upper ends of legs  14 . Shelf  68  substantially surrounds grill body  34 . Shelf  68  defines a right portion  70 , a left portion  72 , and a rear portion  74 . 
     Right portion  70  of shelf  68  and grill body  34  define a right retracting space  76  ( FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C,  3 ). Left portion  72  of shelf  68  and grill body  34  define a left retracting space  78  therebetween. 
     A right lower shelf  80  ( FIGS. 1A ,  2 A) may be provided to extend from right side  18  of base  12  below right portion  70  of shelf  68 . A left lower shelf  82  ( FIGS. 1A ,  2 A,  3 ,  4 ) may be provided to extend from left side  20  of base  12  below left portion  72  of shelf  68 . 
     In use, right lid  40  may be pivoted toward the right side of grill body  34  where right lid  40  is received within right retracting space  76  so that right lid  40  may be positioned into a retracted position. Left lid  48  may be pivoted toward a left side of grill body  34  where left lid  48  is received within left retracting space  78  so that left lid  48  may be positioned into a retracted position. In a preferred embodiment, when right lid  40  and left lid  48  are positioned in a retracted position, the uppermost portions of right lid  40  and left lid  48  and the uppermost surface of grill body  34  are substantially even with or below an upper surface of shelf  68 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-8 , shown is an additional embodiment of the grill of the invention, designated generally  110 . Grill  110  includes a base  112  having slidably mounted vertical structures  114 . The base  112  has an operator side or front side  116 , a right side  118 , a left side  120 , and a spectator side or rear side. Casters  124  are preferably affixed to the bottom of structures  114  to facilitate horizontal movement into a “cart closed” position ( FIG. 6 ) and a “cart opened” position ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 ). 
     A support member  128  may be provided in sliding communication with structures  114  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Structures  114  may define cabinet portions  130  below support member  128 . Structures  114  also define receiving areas  132  above cabinet portions  130 . Grill body  134  is supported on support member  128  of cabinets  130 . 
     Right lid  140  is hingedly affixed to grill body  134 . Right lid  140  has a right lower back portion  142 . Right lower back portion  142  defines a right gear face  144 . Additionally, a right counterweight may be affixed to right lower back portion  142 . A left lid  148  is hingedly affixed to grill body  134 . Left lid  148  has a left lower back portion  150  ( FIG. 5 ). Left lower back portion  150  defines a left gear face  152  and may have a left counterweight attached thereto. 
     A right handle  156  extends from a front of right lid  140 . Right handle  156  may be in the form of a post  58  ( FIGS. 1A ,  2 A), a substantially vertical handle  60  ( FIGS. 1B ,  2 B), or a substantially horizontal handle  62  ( FIG. 1C ),  164  ( FIGS. 6-8 ) or may be provided in other configurations or orientations. A left handle  164  also extends from a front of left lid  148 . Left handle  164  may also take the form of a post  58 , a substantially vertical handle  60 , or a substantially horizontal handle  62 ,  164 . 
     Each of right lid  140  and left lid  148  may define a plurality of vents. Shelf  168  is supported on upper ends of structures  114 . Shelf  168  defines a right portion that rests on right cabinet  130  and a left portion that rests on left cabinet  130 . 
     Right portion of shelf  168  and grill body  134  define a right retracting space  176  ( FIG. 8 ). Left portion of shelf  168  and grill body  134  define a left retracting space  178  therebetween. 
     In use, right lid  140  may be pivoted toward the right side of grill body  134  where right lid  140  is received within right retracting space  176  so that right lid  140  may be positioned into a retracted position. Left lid  148  may be pivoted toward a left side of grill body  134  where left lid  148  is received within left retracting space  178  so that left lid  148  may be positioned into a retracted position. In a preferred embodiment, when right lid  140  and left lid  148  are positioned in a retracted position, the uppermost portions of right lid  140  and left lid  148  and the uppermost surface of grill body  134  are substantially even with or below an upper surface of shelf  168 . When right lid  140  and left lid  148  are in a retracted position ( FIGS. 6 ,  7 ), cabinet portions  130  may be slid together so that right and left portions of shelf  168  abut one another to form a work surface and to cover open grill body  134 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , shown is an additional embodiment of the grill of the invention, designated generally  210 . Grill  210  includes a base  212  having vertical structures  214 . The base  212  has an operator side or front side  216 , a right side  218 , a left side  220 , and a spectator side or rear side. A support member  228  is supported by structures  214  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Grill body  234  rests on support member  228 . 
     Right lid  240  is hingedly affixed to grill body  234 . Right lid  240  has a right lower back portion  242 . Right lower back portion  242  defines a right gear face  244 . Additionally, a right counterweight may be affixed to right lower back portion  242 . A left lid  248  is hingedly affixed to grill body  234 . Left lid  248  has a left lower back portion  250 . Left lower back portion  250  defines a left gear face  252  and may have a left counterweight attached thereto. 
     A right handle  256  extends from a front of right lid  240 . Right handle  256  may be in the form of a post  58  ( FIGS. 1A ,  2 A), a substantially vertical handle  60  ( FIGS. 1B ,  2 B), or a substantially horizontal handle  62  ( FIG. 1C ),  162  ( FIGS. 6-8 ) or may be provided in other configurations or orientations. A left handle  264  also extends from a front of left lid  248 . Left handle  264  may also take the form of a post  58 , a substantially vertical handle  60 , or a substantially horizontal handle  62 ,  162 . 
     Each of right lid  240  and left lid  248  may define a plurality of vents. Outer shelf  268  is supported on upper ends of structures  214 . Inner shelf  270  is hingedly affixed to outer shelf  268 . Inner shelf  270  may be configured in an open position ( FIG. 9 ) or in a closed position ( FIG. 10 ). 
     Right portion of outer shelf  268  and grill body  234  define a right retracting space  276  ( FIG. 9 ). Left portion of outer shelf  268  and grill body  234  define a left retracting space  278  therebetween. 
     In use, right lid  240  may be pivoted toward the right side of grill body  234  where right lid  240  is received within right retracting space  276  so that right lid  240  may be positioned into a retracted position ( FIG. 10 ). Left lid  248  may be pivoted toward a left side of grill body  234  where left lid  248  is received within left retracting space  278  so that left lid  248  may be positioned into a retracted position. In a preferred embodiment, when right lid  240  and left lid  248  are positioned in a retracted position, the uppermost portions of right lid  240  and left lid  248  and the uppermost surface of grill body  234  are substantially even with or below an upper surface of left and right structures  214  as shown in  FIG. 10 . When inner shelf segments  270  are in a closed position ( FIG. 10 ), outer shelf segments  268  and inner shelf segments  270  form a work surface and inner shelf segments  270  serve to cover open grill body  234 . 
     Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.