TOOLS FOR CLEANING A GRILL GRATE

Various grill cleaning tools improve the effectiveness of use compared to existing designs. The cleaning tools have a handle. A first tool includes a housing with a sleeve and/or a ring formed at an end of the handle, and a parallel array of scraping pins mounted within a pin plate housed within and extending from the housing. A second tool includes a head formed at an end of the handle; a shaft mounted on the head and secured with fastening hardware; and washers mounted on the shaft. A first set of the washers are displaced when pressed against a surface as compared to a second set of the washers that remain in a resting position. A third tool includes a planar base; a metal support mounted to the base; and an abrasive component fastened to the support. Corresponding methods of use are also described.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to grill brushes and, more particularly, to tools for cleaning a grill grate.

Currently available bristle brush devices for cleaning an outdoor grill grate can break down over time and tend to leave debris on the grill grate, such as metal bristles. The debris on the cooking surface may stick to food and be ingested. The use of cleaning devices that are not formed from metal can be limited by temperature (i.e., can't be used at high temperatures), meaning they can't be used when the grill is too hot. Further, current metal bristle designs are not effective at thoroughly cleaning grill grates.

As can be seen, there is a need for a better performing, more durable grill cleaning device that is bristle free.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a cleaning tool comprises an elongated handle; a housing formed at an end of the elongated handle, wherein the housing comprises a sleeve and/or a ring; a pin plate housed within the housing; and a plurality of scraping pins configured as a parallel array mounted within the pin plate, and extending from the housing.

In another aspect of the present invention, a cleaning tool comprises a handle; a cleaning tool head formed at an end of the handle; a shaft mounted on the cleaning tool head and secured thereto with fastening hardware; and a plurality of washers mounted on the shaft; wherein a first set of the plurality of washers are displaced when pressed against a surface as compared to a second set of the plurality of washers that remain in a resting position.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a grill cleaner comprises a planar base; a handle mounted to the planar base; a metal support mounted to the planar base; and an abrasive component fastened to the metal support; wherein the handle, the metal support, and the abrasive component are fastened to the planar base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the present invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a bristle free device that cleans an outdoor grill grate better than a bristle brush. The lack of bristles makes the cleaning tool safer to use. Embodiments of the present invention will not leave metal bristles on the cooking surface and can be used at any temperature.

The cleaning apparatus disclosed herein provides superior effectiveness for cleaning a barbecue grill surface as well known in the art. The cleaning elements automatically self-articulate around three surfaces of the grill rails when dragged across the surface. The cleaning mechanism may be fixed or removable and may comprise individually separable components or may be configured as a cartridge.

In some embodiments, a tool handle component may couple to a tool head component by way of fastening hardware and/or they may snap or clip together.

In some embodiments, the tool may have scraping elements, such as pins, washers, mesh sheaths, or wire rope that are permanently fixed to the tool body. In other embodiments, the scraping elements may be removed for easier cleaning. In an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning tools may comprise pins that are about 1.5 inches long with one end smaller than the other end.

In some embodiments, the cleaning tool may have an adjustable pin height actuated with a thumb screw.

In some embodiments, the cleaning tool may have a weight disk operative to urge pins to protrude from the tool head.

The scraping elements accommodate the grate surface, thereby mirroring the grill grate surface and cleaning3sides of the grate surface simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the bristle free cleaning tool disclosed herein may further include a scraper blade.

The cleaning elements of the grill cleaning tool disclosed herein are configured to adapt to the shape of a grill grate for which it is used. The grill cleaning tool is configured for use with all grill grates currently available. In other words, the elements of the tool shift to accommodate the elements of the grate.

In some embodiments, the cleaning tool may have a plurality of washers or teeth on a shaft, which may be, for example, a wire, a pin, or a bolt. For example, a wire may extend through holes in washers and may be fastened to the body or handle of the tool, with both ends of the wire secured to the tool. In some aspects, the shaft may be affixed to a wishbone shaped handle. The washers may be any suitable shape, such as round, square, or octagonal, for example. In some embodiments, the washers may be substantially square or rectangular with concave edges. In some aspects, the corners of the square or rectangular washers may be truncated, forming a planar surface transitioning between adjacent edges. For example, the washers may be 3 cm square. The washers may be of a selected thickness or may have a variety of thicknesses. Any suitable number of washers may be installed, such as about 25-75 washers, preferably about 40-60 washers, e.g., about 50 washers.

In some embodiments, the tool may be a cleaning apparatus having a floating, articulating, self-leveling cleaning mechanism comprising geometrically shaped cleaning elements, i.e., elements having a round or polygonal shape, anchored by a common solid axle or axis which is suspended between two end-supports. The elements may be tightly stacked, i.e., the elements abut one another when assembled. The cleaning elements have an aperture with a diameter greater than the diameter of the axle, such that the elements are generally free to rotate and shift position across the axle. The cleaning elements may be thin fins, blades, or wedges, for example, i.e., the elements have a thickness substantially less than the height and depth thereof. The end-supports may be posts or bars, similar to the configuration of a slingshot.

The bristle free grill cleaning tool disclosed herein is manufactured of durable, dishwasher safe materials so it will last a long time and is easy to clean. The elements may be manufactured of a metal or other comparably hard and heat-resistant material. The tools according to embodiments of the present invention have handles manufactured of any suitable material. The material may be metal, such as stainless steel, heat-resistant plastic, silicone, or wood, for example.

While intended primarily for grill use, those with skill will appreciate that the present invention can be used to clean various surfaces. The tools disclosed herein may be used to clean any surface that needs cleaning.

Referring now toFIGS.1-34, embodiments of the cleaning tool are described. It will be appreciated by those with skill in the art that all the illustrated embodiments are configured in a way that allows them to conform to the shape of a grill. They are very safe, as they do not include bristles in the design. The elements may be adjusted to cover gaps in a grid, so that the elements may clean the top and sides of grill grate components.

A first embodiment is shown inFIGS.1-8. As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the pin cleaning tool comprises a cleaning tool handle170having a cleaning tool head172at one end with clip receivers174formed therein (seeFIG.4). The handle may have an elongated shaft configured to be comfortably held by a user's hand. The cleaning tool head may have a substantially cylindrical form. The cleaning tool head172houses a plurality of pins196having pin heads197, as seen inFIG.5. The pins196are generally held evenly spaced within pin holes193in a pin plate192; seeFIG.4. A portion of the pins196may have a cruciform cross section, as shown inFIG.3. A weighted disk or disk weight180rests above and adjacent to the pin plate192when in a use position. The weight180is spaced from the cleaning tool head172with a washer184, having recessed regions co-located with the clip receivers. The weight180and the pin plate192may be fastened to the cleaning tool head172by way of a thumb screw178; see alsoFIG.6. The thumb screw178passes through a bore or thumb screw slot176formed through the handle170, a weight through hole182formed within a disk weight180, and through a pin plate thumb screw hole194formed within a pin plate192. A clip-in sleeve186, having a retaining ring187and clips188formed therein, is operative to secure a retaining ring190characterized by a circumferential shoulder such that an upper inner sleeve191is stepped from a lower portion thereof, enabling the retaining ring190to nest within the clip-in sleeve186(seeFIGS.2and4). The clips188are retained by the clip receivers174. The pins196are generally urged downward by the weight180, as seen inFIG.7. The pins196may be individually urged upward against the weight180(seeFIG.8) when they are pressed against a surface, such as a grill grate198, shown inFIG.1.

A cleaning tool according to a second embodiment may be seen inFIGS.9-14. The cleaning tool comprises a cleaning tool handle220with a cleaning tool head222formed at one end thereof. A cylindrical sleeve228having a retaining ring231is threadedly coupled to the cleaning tool head222by way of head threads226and sleeve threads230; seeFIG.11. The sleeve228houses a plurality of pins236evenly spaced within aligned pin plate holes242,246formed in a pair of pin plates240,244. Twin pin plates240,244rest on the retaining ring231of the sleeve228. A disk weight232rests upon pin heads238formed on the pins236. The weight232generally urges the pins236downward, while resistance from the grill grate198causes some of the pins236to retract into the sleeve228. A thumb screw248engages a thumb screw slot or bore224formed in the handle220, a weight slot234formed in the weight232, and apertures formed in the pin plates240,244. In this embodiment, clips188, clip receivers174, a washer184, and a retaining ring190may be absent.

As shown inFIGS.15-18, a third embodiment of the cleaning tool comprises a cleaning tool handle250with a cleaning tool head252formed at one end thereof. A sleeve or collar256with a retaining ring257(seeFIG.17) is threadedly coupled to the cleaning tool head252via head threads254and mated sleeve threads258. A plurality of pins264are embedded in a flexible silicone disk262by pin heads266. The silicone disk262is positioned between an upper spacer260and a lower spacer268with the sleeve256, with the lower spacer resting on the retaining ring257. In this embodiment, a weight180,232, a thumbscrew178,248and associated bores and through holes176,182,194,224,234may be absent. The pins264extend beyond the sleeve256, e.g., by about ¼ inch. When the cleaning tool is applied to a grill, the silicone disk262flexes, allowing the pins264to deflect, scraping the sides of the grill grate. The sleeve256may make contact with the top of the grill grate, scraping the top surface clean.

A washer cleaning tool300according to a fourth embodiment is illustrated inFIGS.19-21. The cleaning tool300comprises a pair of mirror-image branch elements304diverging from one another to form a forked or wishbone-shaped frame with substantially parallel spaced-apart branches extending from a handle302. The handle302has a hole303through one end. As shown inFIG.21, a pin306extends between and through holes305in the branches304of the frame and through central holes310of a plurality of square washers or teeth308positioned therebetween. The washers308have edges309and a selected thickness. The ends of the pin306are threadedly coupled to screw caps312, affixing them in place. As illustrated inFIG.20, the grill grate198displaces a portion of the square washers308, while the remaining washers308extend through gaps in the grate198.

As shown inFIGS.22-23, a fifth embodiment includes a substantially triangular body324with a handle342at a first end and a pair of legs or uprights extending from a second end. A washer retaining frame316is fastened to a second end by way of a set screw341within the body324. The frame316may have a continuous, substantially rectangular shape. The washer retaining frame316is fastened to the legs using retainers332. The handle342may have a cord343extending therethrough.

In a sixth embodiment illustrated inFIGS.24-25, the body342may have a pair of uprights or legs345retaining a frame344with washer support352. Each end of the washer support352may have a rectangular shape with a hole or aperture353through which a pin346is threadedly retained.

A seventh embodiment is shown inFIG.26, having a clamp rather than a set screw. As illustrated inFIG.26, the clamp may be released, the frame may be removed from the body, and the washers may be spread apart for more efficient cleaning.

FIG.27-28show an eighth embodiment of a cleaning tool with a body362to which a frame364is secured by way of bolts361. The body may have a shaft expanding into a triangular portion and a rectangular prism base to which the frame364is fastened. The frame364may be formed, for example, by a metal sheet bent to form a rectangular surface with a tab extending therefrom and substantially triangular walls extending orthogonally from the rectangular surface. Stacked washers308are secured to the frame364between the substantially triangular walls by a pin with threaded ends held in place with nuts366.

Ninth and tenth embodiments of the cleaning tool are illustrated inFIGS.29-30with alternative washer configurations. The concave square washers318,328have four concave sides or edges319,329, and the washers319ofFIG.29exhibit truncated corners. The washers318,328each have a central through hole320,330or bore that accommodates a pin.

FIGS.31-32show an eleventh embodiment of the cleaning tool with a square prism body138having a bar handle136extending parallel to one surface and a square plate140affixed to an opposite surface of the body138. Metal sleeves154encompassing a wire lengthwise therethrough have cable crimps153, hog rings157, and grommets158securing each end. The grommets158slidably retain the metal sleeves154in parallel slots adjacent opposite edges of the plate140.

As shown inFIGS.33-34, a cleaning tool according to a twelfth embodiment includes a shaft or handle382having a semicircular blade384embedded within one end of the handle382. A bar386around which a wire rope388is wound is fastened to the blade384along its flat edge with fastening hardware392, such as screws. Looped ends of the wire rope388are secured to a central portion of the blade384with a washer381and fastening hardware, such as a bolt and washer.

While one or more preferred embodiments are disclosed, many other implementations will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and are all within the scope of the invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements, methods, modifications, and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are therefore also considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims that follow.

While apparatuses and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatuses and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. The term “substantially” shall be interpreted to mean completely and/or nearly completely. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted. Moreover, the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.