Abstract:
A rotisserie having a first support structure with a rotisserie motor affixed thereto, the rotisserie motor having a receptacle for receiving a spit rod. A second support structure defines a slot for receiving the spit rod. The first and second support structures are mounted to side shelves on a grill on opposite sides of a cooking grate. The side shelves each define at least one mounting aperture for retaining the support structures in upright positions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/758,494, filed on Jan. 30, 2013, and incorporates such provisional application by reference into this disclosure as if fully set out at this point. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of cooking grills in general and, more specifically, to rotisseries for cooking grills. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Barbecue grills, especially those fueled by natural or liquefied petroleum gas, are often equipped with an optional rotisserie kit for cooking a large piece of meat over the main cooking grate. This kit typically consists of an electric motor, a long spit rod, some method of locating meat on the spit rod, and some mounting brackets. The mounting brackets may consist of more or less flat plates attached by nuts and bolts to the upwardly extending sides of the firebox. The main cooking grate is, of course, also mounted inside the firebox. 
         [0004]    Various ways exist of fitting and clamping the mounting brackets to the sides of the firebox. These include plates clamped to the firebox side, and the side shelf, with nuts and bolts. Wire form brackets may also clamped to the firebox side with nuts and bolts. In other cases, the motor mounting is replaced by a pivoting bracket that is otherwise flush with the surface of the side shelf that extends outwardly from the side of the firebox. 
         [0005]    Nuts and bolts may be subject to corrosion, which may make their removal difficult. Thermal cycling may result in loosening of the bolted connection. In addition, flat plate mounting brackets must be specifically configured to interface correctly with the grill lid, which is hinged to the firebox and covers the main cooking grate. The alternate method described above avoids these issues, if only on the motor end of the rotisserie attachment, but at the expense of added cost and complexity and encroachment on the side shelf flat area when the rotisserie is in use. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a system and method for addressing the above, and related, issues. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof, comprises a rotisserie having a first support structure with a rotisserie motor affixed thereto, the rotisserie motor having a receptacle for receiving a spit rod. A second support structure defines a slot for receiving the spit rod. The first and second support structures are mounted to side shelves on a grill on opposite sides of a cooking grate. The side shelves each define at least one mounting aperture for retaining the support structures in upright positions. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the first support structure comprises a pair of upright supports joined by an arch. The pair of upright supports may each have a stopper that limits their insertion depth into a pair of mounting apertures in the respective side shelf. The first support structure may further comprise a mounting plate between the pair of upright supports, the mounting plate affixing the rotisserie motor to the support structure. The arch may provide a flat segment for bearing the weight of a grill lid. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the second support structure comprises a first upright support and a second interrupted upright support, an arch connecting the first and second upright supports, a mounting plate defining a slot through the second interrupted upright support and joining the first and second upright supports, and a pair of rollers in the slot for receiving a spit rod. The arch may provide a flat segment for bearing the weight of a grill lid. 
         [0010]    The rotisserie may include a removable spit rod having a collar for riding in the slot that is adjustable along a length of the spit rod. The spit rod may have at least one fork that is adjustable along the length of the spit rod for aiding in retaining food on the spit rod. 
         [0011]    The invention of the present disclosure, in another aspect thereof, comprises a rotisserie with a first support structure having a first pair of generally vertical support members joined at the tops thereof by an arch segment. The rotisserie has a second support structure having a second pair of generally vertical support members joined at the tops thereof by an arch segment. First and second side shelves are on opposite sides of a cooking grate, the first and second side shelves defining at least one first and second pair of mounting apertures that receiving the respective first and second pair of vertical support members. A spit rod is suspended between the first and second support structures over the cooking grate at a predetermined height. 
         [0012]    The first and second pair of generally vertical support members may each have a stop located thereon that prevents the respective support structures from sinking into the respective apertures beyond a predetermined depth that corresponds with the predetermined height of the spit rod. The stops may be adjustable to allow adjustment of the height of the spit rod over the cooking grate. In some embodiments, the first and second shelves define a plurality of pairs of mounting apertures, including at least one pair on each of the first and second shelves that are countersunk to allow for deeper insertion of the respective support members and a lower mounting height for the rotisserie spit rod. 
         [0013]    The first and second support structures may each define a flat portion in the arch segment for bearing the weight of a grill lid. The first support structure may have a mounting plate fitted between the vertical support members that mounts a rotisserie motor. The second support structure may have a mounting plate affixed to the support members that defines a slot passing through an interruption in one of the support members, the slot having a pair or rollers mounted thereto for receiving the spit rod. 
         [0014]    The invention of the present disclosure, in another aspect thereof, comprises a rotisserie having a pair of opposing support structures on opposite sides of a cooking grate, the support structures each comprising a pair of vertical support members that insert into apertures in respective side shelves of a grill on either side of the cooking grate. A motor is mounted to one of the pair of opposing support structures for turning a spit rod. A slot is defined into the other of the pair of opposing support structures for receiving and supporting the spit rod. Each of the vertical support members has stops that determine a depth of insertion in the respective apertures in the side shelves for determining a height of the spit rod over the cooking grate. Each of the opposing support structures may provide a flat segment for supporting the weight of a grill lid over the spit rod when the rotisserie is operational. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a grill rotisserie according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of another portion of the grill rotisserie of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a spit being installed on the grill rotisserie of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the grill rotisserie of  FIGS. 1-3  fully installed on a grill. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a right hand portion of a grill rotisserie  100  is shown. The grill rotisserie  100  is designed to removably affix to a cooking grill  102 . The cooking grill  102  may be a gas grill, a charcoal grill, an electric grill, or provide a combination of power options. The grill  102  may provide a grate  104  upon which food may be placed for cooking A firebox (not shown) below the grate  104  may be relied upon where the grill utilizes gas or solid fuel. The grill  102  may provide a lid  110  for selectively covering the cooking grate  104 . 
         [0020]    In the present embodiment, the grill  102  provides a side shelf  106 . The side shelf  106  provides one or more pairs of mounting holes  108 . The mounting holes  108  may be punched, drilled, or cast into the side shelf  106  depending upon the materials comprising the side shelf  106 . The mounting holes  108  may be spaced appropriately to retain and stabilize the grill rotisserie  100  as described herein. 
         [0021]    In the present embodiment, the rotisserie  100  comprises a pair of upright supports  112 ,  114  joined by an arch  113  to create support structure  120 . In the present embodiment the support structure  120  is shown on the right hand side of the grill  102 , but could easily be adapted for use on the left hand side instead. For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “arch” does not necessarily mean a perfect parabolic or circular arch, so long as the shape provides for connecting the supports in a generally upright or vertical fashion (that is, parallel to one another). The material comprising the support structure  120  may be steel or another alloy, or another suitable heat-resistant material. The upright supports  112 ,  114  of support arch have ends  122  that insert into mounting holes  108 . In some embodiments, multiple pairs of mounting holes  108  may be provided to allow for variation of the position of the support structure  120  relative to the lid  110  and/or cooking grate  104 . 
         [0022]    The ends  122  may be provided with flares or stops  124  that are wider than the mounting holes  108  and are placed somewhat distally from the very tips of ends  122  of the upright supports  112 ,  114 . This allows the ends  122  to fit into the mounting holes  108  but prevents the support structure  120  from sinking excessively into the mounting holes  108  even under load. In some embodiments, the stops  124  may be implemented as nuts (and the ends  122  threaded) or other adjustable mechanisms to allow for adjustment of the height of the rotisserie  100 . In further embodiments, various pairs of mounting holes  108  may be countersunk to allow for selection of height. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments the size and weight of the rotisserie  100  with the ends  122  in the mounting holes  108  provides all necessary securement for the rotisserie  100  relative to the grill  102 . However, in other embodiments the ends  122  may be threaded to accept a nut (not shown) on the opposite side of the side shelf  106 . Other additional securement fasteners (e.g., pins or friction devices) could also be used in this application. In further embodiments the fit between the ends  122  and the mounting holes  108  may be such that a degree of force is required to remove the support structure  120  ensuring that it will not be inadvertently knocked out or removed. 
         [0024]    A number of bends may be provided in the arch  113  so as to allow the upright supports  112 ,  114  to be substantially vertical. In some embodiments, a tangent portion or flat  123  may be provided near the junction of the arch  113  and the upright support  114 . This allows the lid  110  to rest against the support structure  120 . The flat  123  promotes even distribution of the weight of the lid  110 , which may otherwise tend to have a toppling effect, into both upright supports  112 ,  114 . 
         [0025]    The support structure  120  may be provided with a mounting plate  126  that may span between the upright supports  112 ,  114 . The mounting plate  126  may comprise sheet metal or another suitably resilient material that may be affixed to the support structure  120 . The mounting plate  126  may be used for securing a rotisserie motor  128 . The rotisserie motor  128  may be an electrically powered rotisserie motor  128  capable of providing adequate rotational torque for the size of the rotisserie  100  load that will be mounted on it (e.g., food item). The motor  128  has a receptacle of the appropriate internal contour and size to removably receive and rotate a spit rod. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a left portion of the grill rotisserie  100  is shown. The grill rotisserie  100  comprises a second support structure  220 , shown here on the left side of the cooking grate  104  (though it could be configured for mounting on the right side as well). The support structure  220  comprises upright supports  212 ,  214  joined by the arch  213 . A mounting plate  226  joins the upright supports  212 ,  214 . The mounting plate  226  may comprise sheet metal or another suitably resilient material that may be affixed to the support structure  220 . 
         [0027]    The upright support  212  is interrupted by a slot  227  defined in mounting plate  226 . The slot  227  is configured to retain one end of a rotisserie spit and the bottom of the slot  227  which is provided with a pair of bolts  230  and nuts  232  which affix a set of rollers  234 . 
         [0028]    Ends  222  of the respective upright supports  212 ,  214  may be provided with flares or stops  224 . The ends  222  fit into one or more pairs of mounting holes  204  defined in a left side shelf  202 . As with the support structure  120  on the opposite side of the cooking grate  104 , the support structure  220  may be inserted into the corresponding mounting holes  204  and prevented from being too deeply located by the stops  224 . In some embodiments, the stops  124  may be implemented as nuts (and the ends  122  threaded) or other adjustable mechanisms to allow for adjustment of the height of the rotisserie  100 . In further embodiments, various pairs of mounting holes  204  may be countersunk to allow for selection of height. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments the ends  222  may be threaded to accept nuts (not shown) below the side shelf  202  but in other embodiments other fasteners might be used (e.g., pins). However, some embodiments will simply be secured by a friction fit or by the weight of the rotisserie  100  itself. 
         [0030]    A flat  223  may be defined in the arch  213  enabling the lid  110  to rest against the rotisserie  100  during operation. As with the opposite side, the flat  223  promotes even stability and even distribution of the weight of the lid  110  to both upright supports  212 ,  214 . As the upright support  212  is of an interrupted design, the mounting plate  227  will also promote stability of the support structure  220 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of both the left and right portions of the rotisserie  100  with a spit rod is shown. In the present embodiment the spit rod  300  is provided with a pair of opposing forks  302 . In the present embodiment the forks  302  may be adjusted along the length of the spit rod  302  in order to accommodate and secure meat or other food items of various shapes and sizes. In one embodiment, the food item may be driven onto the spit rod  300  and the forks  302  may be attached into the food item from opposite ends to provide additional securement. 
         [0032]    One end of the spit rod  300  will be affixed or inserted into the motor  128 . This will allow the rotational force of the motor to be transmitted to the spit rod  300 , and to the food item via the spit rod  300  and/or the forks  302 . The end of the spit rod  300  that is not inserted into the motor  128  may be fitted with a collar  304 . The location of the collar  304  may be adjustable along the length of the spit rod  300  to enable a single grill rotisserie  100  to be usable with cooking grills of various sizes and configurations. The collar  304  also provides a surface for interfacing with the rollers  324  on the support structure  220 . With a groove in the collar  304  interfitting with the rollers  324 , the opposite end of the spit rod  300  will be held in place in the receptacle of the motor  128 . In the present embodiment, the support structure  220  merely provides a low resistance mounting point for the end of the spit rod  300  that is not affixed to the motor  128 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the fully assembled grill rotisserie  100  is shown. No food product is shown for purposes of clarity. Here it can be seen how the spit rod  300  becomes affixed to the motor  128  and is freely rotatable within the left support  220 . The lid  110  is shown resting against the respective supports  120 ,  220  on the flats  123 ,  223 . In this manner there is no need for a separate device or mechanism for holding the lid  110  open. Furthermore having the lid  110  partially closed may serve to reduce the effects of wind and promote more even cooking of the food product on the rotisserie  100 . 
         [0034]    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 invention as defined by the claims.