Abstract:
Disclosed is a cooking apparatus capable of insertion into a vehicle tailgate cutout used for cooking food. In embodiments, the invention relates to vehicle tailgates having a cutout specially adapted for receiving the cooking apparatus inserts disclosed herein and vehicles with vehicle tailgates disclosed herein. The invention also relates to methods of cooking food using vehicles of the present invention and methods of making vehicle tailgate cooking assemblies.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/635,745 filed Dec. 14, 2005 and is incorporated by reference herein to the extent not inconsistent herewith. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of transportable gas and/or charcoal grilling surface which is internally located within a modified vehicle tailgate for use in recreational events such as sporting tailgate parties, racing/infield events, camping, or the like.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Over the last decade, there have been an increased number of hybrid vehicles of the variety of sport utility vehicles, trucks, pickups, and hatchbacks. These vehicles are not only used for ordinary transportation needs such as commuting, vacationing, and family travel, but have found increased use for what has become known as the “weekend warrior.” Such vehicles are now traditionally used during events such as sport tailgate parties, outdoor events, infield racing parties, camping, and other similar recreational activities.  
         [0004]     Potential purchasers and users of these hybrid and sport utility vehicles are allured by these vehicles&#39; abilities to allow larger room for additional passengers to a recreational event, with the added means to transport, haul, and/or store additional equipment for such an event. Moreover, hybrid and sport utility vehicle purchasers transport large amounts of food, beverage, tents, folding chairs, tables, and other similar equipment for assembly during these events. However, one of the more bulky and awkward pieces of equipment often added to this list is a sufficient cooking surface. Hybrid and sport utility vehicle purchasers are often forced with the choice of either having to disassemble their bulky gas and/or charcoal grills, or to part with other desired supplies for use when tailgating or camping. In addition, as the price of such vehicles can range from $20,000 to over $80,000, purchasers are hesitant to store a much used and often soiled grill in their new and shiny investments. While many owners of these more expensive vehicles have resorted to the use of electric grilling and cooking surfaces to ensure less risk of ruining their new vehicle interiors, this often causes a compromise regarding the amount of time needed to cook, as well as much sought after flavor provided with charcoal and/or gas grills.  
         [0005]     The need for a transportable grilling apparatus internally located within a modified vehicle tailgate has been largely ignored in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,351 to Christopher et al., entitled “Cooking Apparatus,” teaches the use of a grilling apparatus for use in large recreational vehicles, as opposed to a sport utility vehicle, truck, or hatchback-type vehicles, in which the grill is located in a “stationary mounting unit” which vertically/laterally slides out of the vehicle. Column 1, Lines 60-62. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,164 to Contee, entitled “Multi-Purpose Grill Hanger Bracket,” teaches the use of a rigid bracket to be placed upon a vehicle tailgate in the upright locked arrangement, in which a commercially available grill could be placed. Both patents teach away from the placement of grilling apparatus within a vehicle tailgate.  
         [0006]     While the stock forms of sport utility vehicles and truck tailgates have been modified for various entertainment and work uses, the art has not disclosed or taught the use of tailgates as a location or structure for a grilling apparatus. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,346, entitled “Pickup Truck Tailgate Seating and Entertainment System,” teaches the use of piano hinges and other means for placement and arrangement of cushions throughout a pickup truck tailgate for added comfort during a recreational use of such a vehicle. However, this teaching fails to enable or provide any disclosure of how a vehicle tailgate could be modified for use to allow a cooking surface. Similarly, while U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,158 issued to Matlack, entitled “Pickup Truck Tailgate Toolbox Assembly,” teaches a tool box located proximate to the tailgate opening of a pickup truck, the disclosure teaches away from the use of the actual fold-down tailgate as the site for such an assembly.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a cooking apparatus located within or as part of a modified and/or commercially available tailgate to provide a grilling and/or cooking surface during a recreational event such as a sporting event tailgate party or when camping.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The instant invention solves many of the dilemmas currently faced by hybrid and sport utility vehicle owners, as well as provides for expansion and potential use in other similar vehicles such as hatchback cars, larger recreational vehicles, campers, snowmobiles, and other similar off-road vehicles (often called four wheelers). By locating a cooking assembly insert having a cooking surface including either (i) a gas grill, (ii) a carbon-based fuel grill (including, but not limited to, charcoal, woodchips, brickets, and lava rocks), or (iii) an electric grilling surface, within a commercial or modified tailgate, a hybrid or sport utility vehicle results in the ability to transport a desired cooking means to a recreational event, and reduce the amount of space needed, which is traditionally occupied by larger more bulky systems. In addition, this invention results in additional room in the vehicle for placement of extra supplies, or even for additional attendees of such an event, that is normally taken up by larger more bulky cooking systems.  
         [0009]     In an embodiment, the cooking assembly insert is built into the tailgate of a truck, for example a pickup truck tailgate, and is especially useful for “tailgating” parties. In an embodiment a cutout is made in the center of the inward-facing side of the tailgate and an insert fits into the tailgate cutout. In an embodiment the insert is constructed from ⅛″ thick aluminum. The insert can be made to essentially the same size as the tailgate cutout. Alternatively, the insert can be smaller than the cutout, wherein heat resistant material and/or insulation can fill the space between the insert and the cutout. Such an insert can be set into the tailgate cutout and reversibly connected to the tailgate for facilitating easy removal of the insert from the tailgate. Optionally, the insert can be affixed to the tailgate by more permanent means including by, for example, rivets, bolts, spot welds and/or temperature resistant bonding agent. The invention can utilize any cooking means, including gas fuels like propane and butane, and any carbon-based solid fuel such as charcoal, briquettes, wood, woodchips, as well as electrically-generated heat sources. Solid fuel can be placed into the insert, lit, and a cooking grate secured to the insert. Gas fuels can be stored remotely from the cooking apparatus by a fuel tank, and transported to the cooking apparatus insert by gas lines.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment, where the cooking fuel is a gas (e.g. propane, butane, etc.) the insert comprises additional components, as known in the field of gas grills. For example, valves and/or valve controls (“control valve”) can be located on the insert or, more preferably, on the vehicle tailgate. A standard gas grill burner is secured to the insert, and more specifically, to gas tubes that are connected to gas lines supplying fuel to the burner. Optional control valve(s) supply the user with the ability to select and adjust the temperature at which the food is cooked. A gas line runs from the control valve to a gas coupler that is readily accessible to the user. In an embodiment, this gas line runs inside the tailgate and exits in the region near a bottom corner of the tailgate. At the exit region, the gas line is connected to a coupler for connecting to gas feed line. One end of the gas feed line connects to the coupler, and the other end of the gas feed line connects to the gas source. In one embodiment the gas source is a propane tank commonly used in outdoor gas grills. Any gas source can be utilized including, for example, those used for camping and those used in outdoor gas grills. In a preferred embodiment, the gas source is a propane tank secured immediately behind the cab in the center of the truck bed. A gas feed line connects the gas source to the gas coupler located at the tailgate. Accordingly, when the two gas lines are coupled, gas can flow from the gas source to the burner. The gas burner is ignited to provide heat for cooking food that is placed on a cooking surface. The cooking surface can be a grate, a solid grill, a smoker, a rotisserie or any surface or means whereby food is placed in proximity to the heat. In an embodiment a grill is placed on top of the insert over the burners as the cooking surface and food is then cooked. Optional embodiments include one or more of a side burner, a smoker and rotisserie. Multiple burners and/or side burners are incorporated into the insert assembly by connecting a corresponding number of control valves and/or splitting the gas line to each of the multiple burners and/or side burners.  
         [0011]     In an embodiment, the invention is a cooking insert assembly for cooking food capable of insertion into a vehicle tailgate cutout, having a bottom with an outer edge and a wall attached to the outer edge such that the bottom and wall define an insert interior volume for placement of cooking means and a plurality of connectors for attaching a cooking surface to said insert. In an embodiment where none of the bottom or walls is sloped, the volume of the insert interior volume is calculated as the surface area of the bottom multiplied by the wall height. In an embodiment the bottom outer edge is one smooth curve so that there is one wall. In an embodiment the bottom is oval-shaped. In an embodiment the bottom is circular. In an embodiment the bottom outer edge is not one smooth curve. In an embodiment the bottom outer edge defines a rectangle so that there are four walls attached to the outer edge. In an embodiment the bottom outer edge defines a square. In an embodiment the bottom outer edge is a combination of one or more walls and smooth curves such that there are no sharp corners.  
         [0012]     In an optional embodiment the cooking insert further comprises a latch box connected to a wall, for locking the tailgate into a vertical position and unlocking the tailgate from a vertical position. The latch box is positioned in the insert such that the latch box is in operable communication with the tailgate locking mechanism used for locking/unlocking the tailgate in/from a vertical position.  
         [0013]     In an embodiment the cooking means is a solid fuel or a gas fuel. In an embodiment the cooking means is a gas fuel, wherein the cooking insert assembly further comprises one or more gas tube inlets for introducing a gas fuel to the insert interior volume and a burner connected to the one or more gas tube inlets. When the burner is supplied with gas and lit, heat for cooking is generated. The gas tube inlets can be located anywhere so long as gas is provided from a gas source to the interior volume. In an embodiment the gas tube inlets are located in a wall. In an embodiment the gas tube inlets are located in the bottom. In an embodiment the gas tube inlets are located in the latch box. In an embodiment, the gas tube inlets are passages having two ends, with the first end connected to a gas burner and the second end connected to a fuel source. In an embodiment the fuel source is introduced to the gas tube inlet by a gas line, wherein gas is provided to the other end of the gas line by a gas source. In an embodiment a gas valve control located between the fuel source and gas burner provides a means for regulating the amount of gas to the gas burner and consequently the temperature at the cooking surface. As known in the art, a side burner is optionally added to the insert by splitting and running a gas line to the side burner, so that the cooking surfaces includes the central cooking surface and a side cooking surface. In an embodiment where the side burner is integral with the cooking insert assembly, the vehicle tailgate cutout is shaped to accommodate the side burner. In an embodiment the side burner is not integral with the cooking insert and attaches to the vehicle tailgate by fastening means outside of the vehicle tailgate. As used with respect to the side burner, operably connected means that fuel is supplied to the side burner in addition to being independently supplied to the central burner.  
         [0014]     In an embodiment, the cooking insert assembly disclosed herein comprises a smoker cover assembly connected to the cooking insert assembly. Any of the disclosed cooking insert assemblies can have a sloped bottom or one or more sloped walls for collecting grease generated from cooking. In an embodiment, both the bottom and one or more of the walls are sloped. In an embodiment the bottom further comprises grease collecting holes for collecting and/or disposal of grease generated from cooking.  
         [0015]     In an embodiment the invention is a vehicle tailgate comprising a cutout for receiving a cooking assembly insert. In an embodiment the tailgate further comprises a tailgate with any of the cooking insert assemblies disclosed herein located within the vehicle tailgate cutout. In an embodiment the vehicle tailgate further comprises a gas line for delivering gas to the cooking insert, wherein the gas line has a first end and a second end with a coupler attached at the first end for receiving gas from a fuel source. In an embodiment, a gas valve control is connected to the gas line second end for controlling the amount of gas delivered to the cooking assembly insert and a burner is connected to the gas valve control such that when the gas is ignited heat is generated by the burner. In an embodiment, the invention is a vehicle comprising a tailgate of the present invention.  
         [0016]     In an embodiment, the invention is a method of cooking food comprising providing a vehicle having a vehicle tailgate cutout and a cooking insert assembly located in the cutout, attaching a cooking surface to the insert assembly, supplying fuel to the insert interior volume, igniting the fuel and placing food on the cooking surface thereby cooking the food.  
         [0017]     In an embodiment, the source of fuel for cooking is selected from the group consisting of charcoal, wood, woodchips, briquettes, lava rocks, propane, butane, and electricity.  
         [0018]     In an embodiment, the invention is a method of making a vehicle tailgate cooking assembly comprising supplying a vehicle tailgate and cutting a portion of the vehicle tailgate to obtain a vehicle cutout tailgate capable of receiving a cooking insert assembly. In an embodiment, the method of making a vehicle cooking assembly further comprises placing a cooking insert assembly in the vehicle cutout tailgate and mounting the cooking assembly to said vehicle tailgate. In an embodiment the cooking insert assembly is an insert assembly of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of the tailgate cut-out for receiving an insert, showing a relationship and placement of the cut-out for receiving a cooking insert within a vehicle tailgate. In this embodiment the cut-out is rectangular  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is one embodiment of an insert suitable for insertion into a rectangular tailgate cut-out.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a tailgate with an insert locate in the vehicle tailgate cut-out. For clarity, only the tailgate portion of the vehicle is shown.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is the insert located within the tailgate cutout showing associated cooking elements, fuel source and fuel lines.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows the bottom and/or walls of the insert can be sloped for collecting grease generated during cooking.  FIG. 5A  is an elevated view of a sloped insert embodiment wherein the walls are sloped and  FIG. 5B  is a side view of a sloped insert wherein the bottom is sloped. The arrows indicate the direction of the slope.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6 s  a composite of the latching means for the grate and cooking apparatus insert, which includes side views (A and B), as well as a top view (C) of the grate connected to the insert (C).  FIG. 6A  shows the grate placed in the vicinity of the latch and  6 B shows the grate placed into the latch, as indicated by the arrow.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle tailgate and cooking assembly insert in a horizontal position and containing a spit plate.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8A  shows an optional smoker cover connected to the insert to facilitate smoking of the food.  FIG. 8B  is an expanded view showing the connection between the smoker and the insert. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     The invention may be further understood by the following non-limiting examples. All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent with the disclosure herewith, including Disclosure Document Request Number 543828, date stamped Dec. 22, 2003. Although the description herein contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. For example, thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by the examples given. In general, the terms and phrases used herein have their art-recognized meaning, which can be found by reference to standard texts, journal references and contexts known to those skilled in the art. The following definitions are provided to clarify their specific use in the context of the invention.  
         [0028]     Regardless of the use of a gas, charcoal, briquettes, woodchips, lava rocks, or even an electric energy source, the present invention provides a proper cooking means by creating an appropriate receptacle housing through a sufficient opening. In an embodiment the opening is in a vehicle tailgate. Further, the present invention accomplishes an effective cooking surface through creating a self-contained system within this platform in a mechanism which resides to provide a sufficient energy source. While the shape of this opening within the tailgate is preferably rectangular to conform to the general dimensions of a vehicle tailgate, other geometries, including, but not limited to, square, elliptical, oval, and circular openings can be employed.  
         [0029]     The dimensions of the opening may vary with the size and orientation of vehicle tailgates commercially available to consumers. While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the depth of the opening should not be greater than the overall thickness of a standard vehicle tailgate, in an embodiment the insert bottom extends below and outside the bottom portion of a vehicle tailgate. Such extension is based on embodiments that utilize carbon-based solid fuel, such as woodchips, lava rocks, briquettes, and charcoal, wherein it may be desirable to have larger amounts of such fuel, in order to provide improved flavor. A further advantage of such various depths is to allow a combination of different carbon-based fuel systems, such as the addition of woodchips on top of a charcoal energy source.  
         [0030]     The opening shall allow placement of an insert within the top portion of the tailgate, wherein the insert has an interior volume for locating the cooking means within the insert and below the cooking surface. As used herein, cooking means is used broadly to refer to any means that generates heat, including by traditional gas sources such as propane, butane and other gas fuels, by solid carbon-based fuel (woodchips, lava rocks, briquettes, charcoal, etc.), and by electrical generation of heat as known in the art. As discussed above, while this insert bottom can be rectangular, it can have any shape. The insert is made of any suitable material, preferably commercially available materials, or composites thereof. In an embodiment the insert is made of a light-weight material such as aluminum or standard sheet metal, or can be manufactured from an insulating material such as ceramic. Other potential materials are a metal sprayed with an insulate. The insert is configured to allow sufficient means for placement of one or a plurality of burners, tubing for supply of gas or electricity, controls for the amount of heat, and a cooking surface, including a grate, to properly position the food to be cooked relative to the heat source, as well as allowing easy collection and removal of food particulates and grease.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a portion of a vehicle  10  having a tailgate  20  containing a cutout  30  for receiving a cooking insert (not shown). In an embodiment the cutout is rectangular or generally rectangular for receiving a rectangular or generally rectangular cooking insert. The invention encompasses any shape cutout  30  for receiving any shape insert. In one embodiment the vehicle  10  is a pickup truck having a fuel source  40  located and centered behind the cab with a fuel-line  50  for supplying cooking fuel to the cooking insert. The dashed lines indicate the gas line  50  can be run within the vehicle body from the tank  40  to the tailgate  20  vicinity, thereby minimizing the likelihood of accidental damage of the gas line  50 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of a cooking insert  60 , wherein the cooking insert is rectangular, and suitable for insertion into the tailgate cutout  30  shown in  FIG. 1 . The insert has an insert bottom  100  having an outer edge  105  where insert walls  110  connect. The insert interior volume  65  of the insert  60  is that volume defined by the bottom  100  and walls  110 . The bottom  100  can be of any shape including circular, square, oval and any shape that can fit into the tailgate cutout. The outer edge  105  is the perimeter of the bottom  100  and is where the wall  110  attaches. Optional grease release holes  80  to facilitate clean-up can be located in or through bottom  100 . In an embodiment, one or more gas tube inlets  90  are located within latch box  70  for transporting gas fuel from the gas fuel source. The insert can be connected to the tailgate via any means, including via a plurality of screws, bolts or rivets  75 . If only a solid fuel source is utilized to generate heat, the gas tube inlet  90  need not be present in the insert. In an embodiment, the vehicle tailgate  30  is positioned such that the original (e.g. factory manufactured) means by which the vehicle tailgate is opened (from a vertical position) and closed (to a locked vertical position) is disrupted. For example, a common tailgate lock and release mechanism involves physical manipulation of a lever which moves two bars such that the tailgate can be locked/released in/from its vertical position. In an embodiment, this lever mechanism is removed to maximize cooking surface area, and to ensure a convenient cooking location relative to the person cooking, and replaced by a latch box  70 . The latch box  70  provides means of operating the original (e.g. factory manufactured) latch to ensure the tailgate reliably locks into, and releases from, the vertical position during travel. In an embodiment the latch box creates sufficient resistance so that a user can operate the latch by imparting a physical force on a surface of latch box  70 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a vehicle tailgate cooking assembly comprising the insert  60  connected to the vehicle tailgate  20  within the vehicle tailgate cutout.  FIG. 4  shows a burner  130  located within interior volume  65  and connected to gas feed tubes  150  for providing heat to the cooking surface. In an embodiment, gas feed tubes  150  are connected to gas inlets located in latch box  70 . The burner  130  can be connected to the insert bottom  100  by burner holders  135 . In an embodiment the cooking surface is a grate  160 . For clarity, only a portion of the grate  160  is shown. In a preferred embodiment, gas control valve  140  regulates the amount of gas, and hence the temperature at the cooking surface  160 .  FIG. 4  depicts two gas control valves  140  so that grill  160  comprises two independently temperature-controlled cooking regions. A fuel tank  40  connects to gas line  50  for supplying gas to tailgate gas line  120 . In an embodiment gas feed line  50  runs to a male coupler  170  that can insert into female coupler  171 , thereby facilitating flow from the fuel tank  140  to the gas burner  130 . When the tailgate  20  is in the horizontal position for cooking, coupler unit  170  and  171  are connected. When the tailgate  20  is vertical (e.g. during travel) coupler unit  170  and  171  can be disconnected and fuel source  40  shut-off. In a preferred embodiment, vehicle tailgate gas line  120  and gas feed line  50  are at least partially located within the vehicle tailgate/body and thereby “hidden” from view and protected from accidental damage.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5A  shows an embodiment wherein one or more of insert walls  110  are sloped to facilitate insert clean-up by collecting grease into one location on the insert bottom  100 . In an embodiment the insert bottom  100  is sloped ( FIG. 5B ). In an optional embodiment grease holes  80  facilitate grease drainage. The walls  110  can have a lip  66  to facilitate placement of the insert into the tailgate cutout. In an embodiment the lip  66  can be secured to the tailgate by means known in the art, including by one or more of adhesives, adhesive welds, fasteners, bolts and screws.  FIG. 5B  is a side view cross-section of the insert showing a lid  115  secured to the insert walls  110  with lid latches  117  to secure the apparatus when the tailgate is in a vertical position during travel and when the grill is not in use. In an embodiment, the lid  115  resembles the top surface of tailgate  20 , thereby “hiding” the cooking insert when not tailgating.  FIG. 5B  shows an optional embodiment wherein the grease  81  drains out of insert volume  65 , and into the tailgate via grease collecting hole  80  that spans insert bottom  100 .  
         [0035]     The grate  160  can be secured to the insert  60  by any means known in the art, including by a plurality of connecters  180  to secure the grate  160  when the tailgate is in a vertical or a horizontal position ( FIG. 6 ). Alternatively, the plurality of connecters  180  can be attached to the tailgate. As used herein, connecters is used broadly to refer to any means for securing the grate including, fasteners and clasps wherein the grate can be removable to facilitate clean-up.  
         [0036]     In an optional embodiment the invention can comprise a spit plate  200 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The spit plate  200  can have a plurality of holes  201 .  FIG. 7  shows the placement of the spit plate  200  within the insert  60 . Spit plate  200  can attach to spit plate holder  190  between the burner  130  and the grate (not shown). The grate can be secured to the insert by latches  180 . The lid  115  can be secured by lid latches  117 . The burner  130  can be secured to the insert bottom surface  100  by burner holders  135 . In an embodiment, the invention further comprises a grease tray  82  located in the vehicle tailgate  20  and below the insert bottom  100  for collecting grease generated by cooking that drains from the bottom  100  to facilitate clean-up.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment wherein a smoker cover assembly  300  is connected to the insert  60 . The smoker cover assembly  300  comprises a base  320  and a cover  310  connected by a hinge  315 . The cover  310  can have a handle  360  to facilitate cover opening and closing as well as an exhaust valve  350 . To facilitate connection of the smoker base  320  to insert  60 , the smoker base  320  can have a smoker cover lip  340  that slides into smoker sheath  330  to facilitate connection and removable of the smoker  300  to and from the insert  60  ( FIG. 8B ).  
       Charcoal Grilling Apparatus  
       [0038]     With regard to an assembly used for charcoal grilling, an insert located within the opening in a vehicle tailgate does not require the use of valves or controls within the device. Rather, the insert must allow a sufficient grate to be positioned and secured to allow retention in both the horizontal cooking arrangement, as well as the vertical position for traveling. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the present invention contemplates a latching means  180  to ensure the grate  160  will not dislodge when the vehicle tailgate and insert  60  is in an upright or locked arrangement during non-use or when traveling. As shown by the provided schematics, this means includes the use of a series of “C” latches  180  that have sufficiently smaller internal radius than the outside stems of the grate  160 . The present invention employs positions of a plurality of these “C” latches along the side of the opening to ensure proper securement of the grate. Other means for securing the grate include fasteners, clasps, and appropriate cut-outs for fitting the grate to the insert wall.  
         [0039]     In an optional embodiment, the charcoal embodiment of the present invention also relates to a cover, to allow the device to also be used as a smoker unit. As shown in  FIG. 8 , this cover or smoker unit attaches to the vehicle tailgate through the use of two elongated “U” sheaths  330 , which are sufficiently attached in a parallel relationship along the top portion of the vehicle tailgate and/or insert  60  and proximate to the sides of the grate. Through the use of a lip  340  at the base of the cover or smoker unit, the unit can slip along the elongated “U” sheath, and be sufficiently secured for the operation with the grilling apparatus.  
         [0040]     Other features of this cover plate or smoker unit include an exhaust valve  350 , allowing controlled ventilation of smoke emanating from the cooking unit. In addition, the unit contemplates two portions in which the bottom portion  320  secures to the base of the tailgate through the lip  340 , with a top portion  310  secured to the said bottom portion  320  through the use of a hinge  315 . This allows a user of the system to frequently open and close the cover and/or smoker, including by handle  360 , without need to slide the unit off the tailgate.  
         [0041]     In addition to the securing of both a grate and a smoker cover plate, the insert for the charcoal embodiment is designed to allow not only proper retainment of briquettes, wood chips, or similar energy sources, but also be designed to allow collection and removal of grease and grilling residue. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the bottom  100  and/or walls  110  can be sloped to provide a grease drain  80 . The grease drain  80  can be a groove, basin, or similar collection means to allow natural collection through gravity. In an embodiment the grease drain or grease collector can span the thickness of the bottom surface  100  ( FIG. 5B ) to facilitate drainage of grease  81  from the cooking insert  
       Gas (e.g. Propane) Grilling Apparatus  
       [0042]     In addition to the carbon fuel source grilling embodiment of the present invention, the invention can use propane, butane, or other commercially available petroleum based energy as the fuel supply. This embodiment can also be used with charcoal, or for use just as a gas grill within a vehicle tailgate. As the use of gas requires a sufficient supply source, one aspect of the present invention uses a coupler mechanism placed proximate to the insert, sufficient to allow attachment of a hose or aperture for the supply source of gas. In addition to this placement of a coupler proximate to the insert, the insert for the gas grill can include gas valves to control the desired flow of gas into the insert and gas grill. Therefore, there is sufficient communication from the coupler to the gas valves that then feed into the insert.  
         [0043]     Upon providing this feed into the insert located within the vehicle tailgate, the feed is connected to one or a plurality of gas burners to provide sufficient heat to the cooking surface of the gas grill. The shape and configuration of the gas burners can vary according to style and desired energy needs, but could include a single straight burner, single “H” style burner, an oval/round burner, or a plurality of single burners arranged throughout the insert. Each burner is sufficiently attached to the base of the insert. While a bronze or brass burner is preferred, the burner can be manufactured from a variety of commercially available materials.  
         [0044]     One means of allowing removal of grease or grilling residual is to have holes or a groove located below each burner to allow collection and removal to a means outside of the insert. Another means is to have the base of the insert angled to allow gravity to naturally gather such materials for collection ( FIG. 5 ). A third means for allowing collection is to have a secondary tray below the insert for collection, which can be easily removed from an opening located in the tailgate (see  82  shown in  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0045]     Similar to the charcoal grilling embodiment of the present invention, the gas grill means of the present invention includes both a grate and a means for securing the grate to the insert. In addition, the present invention contemplates a lid that can be secured on the insert and/or tailgate, to secure the apparatus when the tailgate is in a vertical position during travel and non-use of the grill.  
         [0046]     The invention encompasses placement of an additional single burner proximate to the insert in which the burner and grilling surface is located. By adding an extra valve and expanding the number of supply sources emanating from the controls section of the grill, a separate line can allow an energy supply source to the addition of a single burner. Such a burner, apart from the gas grill, permits use for general cooking needs such as for a skillet or pot.  
       Electric Grilling Apparatus  
       [0047]     As a third and separate embodiment of the invention, the insert technology and means of fabricating the insert into a commercially available tailgate includes an electric grilling surface or hot plate. Electricity can be supplied to such an apparatus through (i) the vehicle&#39;s own electric supply; (ii) the use of an internal power supply within the tailgate; (iii) the connection to an outside power generator or battery; or (iv) an alternative energy source, such as a solar panel. Regardless of an electrical source, energy is supplied from a source to a sufficient resistor or series of resistors to act as a grill or hot plate. The heating surface can be grooved to allow for collection of grease or food particles, or angled to allow run-off of such material via gravity as previously discussed.  
         [0048]     An alternative design for the electric grilling surface uses a standard grate and cover plate, as discussed above, in combination with a zigzag arranged spit plate  200  having a plurality of holes  201  sufficient to cause vaporization of grease and other particles for added flavor while cooking (see  FIG. 7 ).  FIG. 7  shows one embodiment for this vaporizer or “spit plate”  200  located between the grill surface and burner  130 . Regardless of embodiment employed, the present invention encompasses a control mechanism between the power source and resistor mechanism to ensure proper and appropriate heating of the desired food. The spit plate  200  can be utilized in the gas, as well as the electric, embodiment.  
         [0049]     As an addition to this electric concept, the present invention encompasses the addition of various cooking adapters. This includes the use of a rotisserie means that connects onto the top portion of the tailgate, proximate to the grate, but inside the cover. Additional adapters include, but are not limited to, an electric griddle adapter.  
         [0050]     All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents; patent application publications; and non-patent literature documents or other source material; are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in this application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference). As used herein, “comprising” is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. As used herein, “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. As used herein, “consisting essentially of” does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim. Any recitation herein of the term “comprising”, particularly in a description of components of a composition or in a description of elements of a device, is understood to encompass those compositions and methods consisting essentially of and consisting of the recited components or elements. The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein.