Abstract:
A system is presented for integrating a cooking device, such as a barbeque, into the tailgate portion of a pick-up truck or other automobile. When the tailgate is folded down to the open position, covers can be opened which expose the contained cooking device. When in the stowed position, the device approximates the appearance of the original vehicle tailgate. The system includes a battery pack for electrically powering the cooking device and/or receiving power from the vehicle electrical system or other external supply. A curved removable drip pan which is shaped to maximize usable volume is provided for catching and discarding grease from the device. The system may be supplied as a retrofit within an existing vehicle tailgate or as a direct replacement for the original factory-supplied tailgate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/994,258, filed Sep. 18, 2007, entitled “Barbeque Grill Integrated to Pick-Up Truck Tailgate,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to portable outdoor cooking devices and, more particularly, to an outdoor cooking device integrated into the tailgate of a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many of those attending an outdoor sporting event, concert, or other gathering enjoy arriving early to socialize. Such situations often involve barbecue grills, as “tailgating” is a favorite hobby. Some consumers bring along large, cumbersome grills that are time-consuming to set up and take down. Such grills are also often bulky and difficult to store and transport in a vehicle. Because of this, many consumers find it difficult to transport a grill at all due to other items being carried to and from the event. In addition, grills designed for home use may be dangerous to transport, particularly if powered by propane gas. When vacationing, taking a road trip, or spending time at a campground, most families find grilling out to be quite enjoyable. However, without space to store and transport a personal grill while on the road, this method of cooking is not considered feasible. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Accordingly, in one aspect, an outdoor cooking device is disclosed comprising: a body portion; a cooking unit contained in said body portion; a cooking unit cover which conceals said cooking unit when said cooking unit cover is in the closed position; and a storage compartment which is contained in said body portion and separate from said cooking unit; wherein said device is hingedly to a vehicle configured to match the size and shape of a standard tailgate for the vehicle such that said the device may be installed as a direct-fit replacement for said standard tailgate; wherein said cooking unit cover is hingedly attached to and recessed within said body portion such that the outer surface of said cooking unit cover lies flush with the outer surface of said body portion when said cooking unit cover is in the closed position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0005]      FIG. 1 . is a schematic perspective view of an integrated tailgate and cooking device installed in a pick-up truck according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  shown with the tailgate open and the device in the stowed position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is schematic perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  shown with the tailgate closed and the device in the stowed position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged schematic perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0010]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are herein contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  presents a device  100  comprising a cooking unit  102  which is integrated into the tailgate body  104  of a vehicle  106 , such as a pick-up truck, sport utility vehicle or other multi-passenger automobile. The device  100  can be configured to conform to the standard tailgate of virtually any make or model of vehicle. The outer dimensions of the device  100  are configured to closely approximate those of the vehicle&#39;s original factory-supplied tailgate which is hingedly connected to the body of the vehicle  106 . As with a standard truck tailgate, the device  100  is held in the horizontal/open position by retaining straps  107  and held in the vertical/closed position by latches  108  (located on opposite ends of the device  100 ) which engage corresponding latching mechanisms on the body of the vehicle  106 . The device  100  may be configured as a factory-installed replacement for the standard tailgate or provided as a retrofit unit for after-market installation. 
         [0012]    The device  100  further comprises a cover  109  which may be opened to reveal the cooking unit  102 . When the cooking unit  102  is not in use, the cover  109  may be closed, concealing the cooking unit  102  from view and allowing the device  100  to function as a normal tailgate for the vehicle  106 .  FIG. 2  shows the device  100  in the lowered (open) position with the cover  109  closed.  FIG. 3  shows the device  100  in the raised (closed) position, with the cooking unit  102  stowed and ready for travel. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , with the device  100  in the stowed stated, the device  100  substantially matches the dimensions of the original tailgate, thereby maintaining full use of the cargo area of the vehicle  106  when traveling to and from destinations. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment, a handle  110  is provided which, when pulled by the user, disengages the latches  108  and allows the device  100  to be moved to the open or horizontal position in the same way the original factory tailgate operates. In certain embodiments, the handle  110  is augmented by a lock cylinder  111  which prevents the device  100  from being placed into the open position without the use of a key. The lock cylinder  111  may optionally be integrated into the vehicle&#39;s remote and/or electric central locking functionality. The exterior surfaces of the device  100  may also be painted to match the color and finish of the adjacent surfaces of the vehicle  106 . 
         [0014]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the cover  109  is hingedly attached to the tailgate body  104  by a hinge  110 . It shall be understood that the hinge  110  may comprise a continuous hinge or individually spaced connection points along the length of the cover  109 . When moved to the closed position, the cover  109  may be held in place by a keyed lock or other fixing means known in the art such as a keyed locking cylinder, a bracket for use with a pad lock, or a simple non-keyed latching mechanism. For example, the cover  109  may be fitted with a lock cylinder keyed to the same key as the passenger doors of the truck  106  to prevent the need for the user to carry a separate key for the device  100 . 
         [0015]    Side supports  112  are provided on the ends of the device  100  which, when opened, fit into slots  113  and may be also fastened to the cover  109 , thereby reciprocally holding the cover  109  in the upright position. The cover  109  and the side supports  112  thereby form a protective barrier between the cooking unit  102  and the exterior surroundings. This prevents outside contaminants from reaching food being prepared on the cooking unit  102  and prevents nearby patrons or guests from accidentally touching the hot cooking unit  102 . The cover  109  and side supports  112  also help to contain any splattering grease which may damage the other painted surfaces of the vehicle  106 . Although the side supports  112  have been illustrated as a quarter-circle in shape, it shall be understood that the side supports  112  may be implemented in various other shapes including, but not limited to, triangles and rectangles. 
         [0016]    The side supports  112  are configured to fold onto the cooking unit  102  when not in use. In one embodiment, the side supports may be hingedly connected to the cover  109 , whereby the side supports  112  will first fold horizontally to mate with the cover  109  and then fold down vertically and be concealed under the cover  109 . In another embodiment, the side supports may be hingedly connected to the tailgate body portion of the device  100 , whereby the side supports  112  will first be folded down vertically to rest on the cooking unit  102 , with the cover  109  then folded down vertically on top of the side supports  112  and the cooking unit  102 . 
         [0017]    The device  100  further comprises a storage compartment  114  for storing various cooking utensils, napkins, plates, or other items needed for preparing food. The storage compartment  114  is preferably recessed into the tailgate body  104  and is enclosed by a movable lid  116  which is hingedly connected to one side of the storage compartment  114 . In certain embodiments, the storage compartment  114  can be configured as an insulated or refrigerated food storage unit, depending on the needs of the user. For operator convenience, a cup holder  115  is configured as a recess formed into the tailgate body  104 . 
         [0018]    Controls  118  are provided within the device  100  for controlling the various functions of the cooking unit  102 . Such functionality includes, but is not limited to, temperature control, on/off and heating element selection. Control lid  120  is provided to cover the controls  118  and is connected to the device  100  by hinges  122 . The hinges  122  are preferably configured as a semicircle or other shape such that the hinges  122  are completely concealed when the control lid  120  is closed. The surface  124  near the controls  118  is preferably recessed into the surface  126  of the device  100  such that when the control lid  120  is closed, the control lid  120  will mate with the surface  124  and remain flush with the surface  126 . The control lid  120  may be closed to prevent the controls  118  from being unintentionally adjusted when the operator steps away from the device  100  (or even unintentionally activated by the operator if the operator is using the cooking unit  102  as a temporary shelf or preparation surface before the cooking unit  102  is turned on). The surface  128  immediately surrounding the controls  118  is preferably recessed into the surface  124  such that the control lid  120  does not touch the controls  118  when the control lid  120  is in the closed position. 
         [0019]    The cooking unit  102  comprises a heated cooking surface  130  for heating/grilling food. The cooking surface  130  may comprise a flat portion  132  for use as a griddle or hot plate, and a first ridged portion  134  for grilling certain meats. The raised ridges  136  of the first ridged portion  134  elevate the cooking meat from the interim surfaces  138 , thereby minimizing any sticking of food to the cooking surface  130  and providing a more “grilled” effect (e.g., char lines on meat). The cooking surface  130  is preferably coated with a non-stick material such as Teflon® to provide ease of cleanup after use. In certain embodiments, the cooking surface  130  may be sloped in order to promote excess grease drainage away from the cooking surface  130 . 
         [0020]    In still further embodiments, the cover  109  comprises a second ridged portion  139  which is has protrusions  141  and indentations  143  formed therein. The protrusions  141  and indentations  143  are formed to mate with the interim surfaces  138  and raised ridges  136  respectively. The second ridged portion helps to provide stiffness and strength to the cover  109 , helps to prevent relative lateral movement of the cover  109  in relation to the device  100  while maximizing compactness of the device  100 . 
         [0021]    The cooking surface  130  is configured within and surrounded by a recessed grease collection surface  140  such that any grease or liquid food residue which runs over the edge of the cooking surface  130  will fall into the grease collection surface  140 . The grease collection surface  140  is preferably sloped from the left and right sides of the cooking surface  130  and down towards an opening  142  of the grease collection surface  140 . The bottom apex of the grease collection surface  140 , in addition to sloping downward from the left and right edges, is also formed to slope downward toward the operator side of the cooking surface  130 . Draining grease is therefore directed by gravity toward the bottom apex of the grease collection surface  140  and toward the opening  142 . The grease passes through the opening  142  and into a grease container  146 . 
         [0022]    As illustrated in the exploded view of  FIG. 5 , the grease container  146  comprises a generally curved shape which fits into a corresponding curved recess  148  within the tailgate body  104 . The grease container  146  has an opening  147  for receiving grease from the opening  142  of the grease collection surface  140 . In certain embodiments, the curvature of the bottom surface  150  of the tailgate body  104  also lends to increased possible depth of the grease container  146 . Due to the curvature of the surfaces  152  and  154 , the grease container  146  may be removed through the opening  156  in a circumferential or rotational direction which follows the curvature of the grease container  146 . The unique curvature of the grease container  146  and placement of the opening  147  also enable the user to remove the grease container  146  through the relatively small horizontal opening  156  without spilling any of the liquid contained in the grease container  146 . After the collected grease is externally discarded, the grease container  146  is then placed back in position through the opening  156  in a reverse manner. In addition, the unique shape of the grease container  146  and placement of the opening  147  ensure that the grease will be confined within the grease container  146 , even when the device  100  is in the closed/raised position. This eliminates the need for the user to empty the grease container  146  before stowing the device  100  for transport. 
         [0023]    The ability of the grease container  146  to be removed through the horizontal opening  156  allows the cover  109  to conceal the grease container  146  and allows the vertical surface  157  of the tailgate body  104  to be continuous and uninterrupted. This adds to the visual appearance, integrity and load bearing strength of the tailgate body  104 . 
         [0024]    In certain embodiments, the grease collection surface  140  may be implemented as a removable unit  158  as shown in  FIG. 5  to facilitate occasional cleaning. In other embodiments, the grease collection surface  140  may be simply be implemented as a recess  160  in the tailgate body  104 , also shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0025]    In certain embodiments, the cooking surface  130  comprises a resistive heating element which is powered by electricity, with the cooking surface  130  serving as the resistive element. In other embodiments, separate heating elements may be configured beneath the cooking surface  130  which heat up and thereby cause the portions of the cooking surface  130  above the heating elements to correspondingly heat up. The cooking surface  130  may be formed from any appropriate surface known in the art for use with food preparation including, but not limited to, iron, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic and glass. 
         [0026]    In a preferred embodiment, the cooking unit  102  is powered by a twelve-volt battery  152  which is also connected to the vehicle main electrical charging system. The battery  152  may be configured to mount flush into the side of the tailgate body  104  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  or may be located elsewhere in the vehicle. For simplicity, the exact wiring connections between the battery  152 , the controls  118 , and cooking surface  130  have been omitted and are not critical to the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the cooking unit  102  may be powered by the battery of the vehicle  106 . In still further embodiments, the user may select, using appropriate supplied circuitry, whether to power the cooking unit  102  with the battery  152  or the main vehicle battery. For example, an automatic switching circuit may be provided which monitors the battery  152  and alerts the user when the output of the battery  152  becomes critically low and optionally switches power to the main vehicle battery. As another example, circuitry may be provided that monitors the output of the main vehicle battery and alerts the user when the main vehicle battery becomes low. This allows the user to turn off the cooking unit  102  or run the engine (and charging system) of the vehicle  106  until sufficient battery charge is restored. While the invention has been presented in the context of a specific embodiment, this is for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation. Other variations and modifications of the specific embodiment shown and described will be apparent to those skilled in the art within the intended spirit and scope of the invention.