COOKING APPARATUS WITH AUTOMATIC DOORS

An apparatus for cooking food and having automatic doors includes two doors coupled to a motor through a plurality of connectors. The connectors may include a series of cables, pulleys, articulating arms, and the like. The apparatus is configured so that the doors open and close in response to input from a user. The user input may include pressing a button, using an app on a mobile device, motion sensing, or the like. The apparatus may be a barbecue grill, a smoker, a vertical rotisserie cooker, or the like. In the barbecue grill, the grates of the grill are supported from the base of the grill so that the grates do not interfere with the opening and closing of the doors. The doors may open and close in the horizontal direction or vertical direction.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Art

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooking food, the apparatus having doors that open and close automatically, thus avoiding the possibility of burning the user. In particular, the present invention relates to a cooking apparatus having two doors that are connected to a motor through a plurality of connectors. The motor is activated in response to input from a user, thereby causing the doors to open or close.

Discussion of the State of the Art

Outdoor grilling and barbecuing are very popular methods for cooking food. Many residences and outdoor spaces in the US have a barbecue grill. One disadvantage of a barbecue grill is that opening the lid while food is cooking may be hazardous to the user. Currently available barbecue grills include a handle on the lid and the user grasps the handle to raise the lid relative to the grill grates and the flame or heat source. Due to the close proximity between the user and the hot barbecue grill, singed hair is a common occurrence when opening a hot barbecue. Flare ups causing burns may also occur.

As such, there is a need for a barbecue grill that avoids these disadvantages. Having the ability to remotely open a hot barbecue grill from a safe distance would make grilling a much more enjoyable experience.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooking food that has doors that open automatically. The apparatus may be a barbecue grill, a vertical rotisserie cooker, a smoker, or the like. The doors may open in response to input from a user, such as pressing a button, motion detection, input through an app on a mobile device, pressing a button on a keychain or wireless remote, or the like. The automatic doors are connected to a motor through a plurality of connectors, such as cables, pulleys, articulating arms, or the like. The input from the user causes the motor to activate, which causes the doors to open or close, depending on the input from the user and/or the current configuration (i.e., open configuration or closed configuration) of the doors.

In one example, the present invention is an apparatus for cooking food, the apparatus having automatic doors. The apparatus includes a main body having a cooking area therein. The cooking area includes a heat source adjacent to a food holding area. The apparatus further includes a first door, a second door, and a motor configured for moving the first door and the second door between an open configuration and a closed configuration upon receiving user input through an input device. The cooking area is accessible to a user when the first door and the second door are in the open configuration. The apparatus further includes a plurality of connectors for coupling the first door and the second door to the motor.

The plurality of connectors may include at least two pulleys and a series of cables that are operatively engaged with the pulleys and with the motor. The plurality of connectors may further include at least two arms that are rotatably coupled to the first door and/or the second door. The plurality of connectors may further include two first door arms that are rotatably coupled to the first door and two second door arms that are rotatably coupled to the second door. In another example, the plurality of connectors may further include two first door arms that are fixedly coupled to the first door, two second door arms that are rotatably coupled to the second door, and an elevator arm that is rotatably coupled to the first door arm and the second door arm.

The apparatus may further include two tracks, wherein one track is positioned on each side of the apparatus. Still further, the apparatus may include two blocks, each one of the blocks operatively engaged with a respective one of the tracks and configured to ride on the respective one of the tracks. Each one of the blocks may be fixedly coupled to a respective one of the cables in the series of cables.

The apparatus may be a barbecue grill, and the first door and the second door may be in a horizontal configuration. The apparatus may be a vertical rotisserie cooker and the first door and the second door may be in a vertical configuration.

The apparatus may further include a cook box, a burner assembly, and a gap between the cook box and the burner assembly. The gap may be sized and shaped to allow the first door to travel through the gap during an opening or closing process.

The first door may be positioned inside of the grill body when the first door and the second door are in the open configuration. Both the first door and the second door may be positioned inside of the grill body when the first door and the second door are in the open configuration. Alternatively, the second door may hinge upward relative to the main body when the first door and the second door are in the open configuration. The first door and the second door may be the same size and shape as each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus disclosed herein is an apparatus for cooking food that has doors that open and close automatically. The cooking apparatus preferably includes two doors that are configured to move towards each other and away from each other. The cooking apparatus further includes a motor and each one of the doors is coupled to the motor through a plurality of connectors, such as cables, pulleys, articulating arms, or the like. The doors of the cooking apparatus may open in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction. As such, the cooking apparatus may be a barbecue grill, a vertical rotisserie cooker, a smoker, or the like. For the barbecue grill, the grill grates are suspended and coupled to the main body of the barbecue grill in a manner that does not interfere with the opening and closing of the doors.

The invention is described by reference to various elements herein. It should be noted, however, that although the various elements of the inventive apparatus are described separately below, the elements need not necessarily be separate. The various embodiments may be interconnected and may be cut out of a singular block or mold. The variety of different ways of forming an inventive apparatus, in accordance with the disclosure herein, may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Generally, one or more different embodiments may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the embodiments described herein, numerous alternative arrangements may be described; it should be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the embodiments contained herein in any way. One or more of the arrangements may be widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from the disclosure. In general, arrangements are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the embodiments, and it should be appreciated that other arrangements may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Particular features of one or more of the embodiments described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific arrangements of one or more of the aspects. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all arrangements of one or more of the embodiments nor a listing of features of one or more of the embodiments that must be present in all arrangements.

Devices and parts that are connected to each other need not be in continuous connection with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices and parts that are connected with each other may be connected directly or indirectly through one or more connection means or intermediaries.

Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be appreciated that particular embodiments may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of various embodiments in which, for example, functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially, concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

Overview

The apparatus of the present invention is a cooker or a barbecue grill having automatic doors that are configured to open and close in response to input from a user. For example, the doors may be configured to open and close in response to the press of a button, motion sensing, communication from an app on a mobile device, press of a button on a key fob or wireless remote, or the like. For the barbecue grill, the grates of the grill are supported from the base of the main body of the barbecue grill rather than being coupled to the upper periphery of the main body so that the grates do not interfere with the opening and closing of the doors.

Apparatus

In one example, shown inFIGS.1A-1D, the apparatus for cooking food is a barbecue grill100that includes a first door102and a second door104that open and close automatically. The doors102,104are attached to a main body106of the grill. The main body106has a cooking area that includes grates156for holding food during cooking. The cooking area further includes a burner assembly152(seeFIG.1E) below the grates156, and may also include an infrared burner158. The cooking area is accessible to a user when the grill100is in the open configuration.

The first door102, also referred to as the front door102, opens by rotating downward relative to the main body106of the grill100. At the same time the front door102is rotating downward, the second door104, also referred to as the rear door104, hinges upward relative to the main body106of the grill. The rear door104is hingedly coupled to the main body106at the rear edge of the grill100and rotates about the pivot point105.FIG.1Adepicts the barbecue grill100with the doors102,104in a closed position andFIG.1Bdepicts the barbecue grill100with the doors102,104in an open position. As shown inFIG.1B, when the barbecue grill100is in the open position, the front door102is rotated to a position inside of the main body106of the grill100. As such, there is gap108between the main body106and the periphery of the upper portion of the burner assembly152that is sized and shaped to accommodate the front door102when the front door102rotates into the open position.

One advantage of the grill100having two doors102,104is that the heat from the grill100radiates upward when the grill doors102,104are opened. Thus, heat from the grill100radiating toward the user is avoided. Conversely, a conventional grill has a single door and when the door is manually opened, heat from the grill radiates towards the user, potentially causing pain and discomfort to the user.

The doors102,104of the grill100open and close in response to input from a user. The input may be a press of a button. The button may be on the grill100or may be on a wireless remote control or key fob. In another example, the user input may be through an app on a mobile device. In yet another example, the user input may be through a motion sensor.

The opening and closing mechanism of the barbecue grill100includes an elevating mechanism that moves up and down towards and away from the doors102,104. The opening and closing mechanism will be discussed in further detail with reference toFIGS.1C and1D. The doors102,104of the grill100are coupled to a motor122through a series of cables, pulleys, and/or arms. The motor122is activated through input from the user to cause the doors102,104to open or close. Notably, a single motor122is used to open and close the doors102,104. In this manner, the doors102,104move simultaneously during the opening and closing processes. The mechanism for opening and closing the doors102,104is a closed loop system that includes the motor122, cables124, pulleys126, and arms134,136,138. However, it will be readily understood that the grill100is not limited to one motor and that two or more motors may be used to open and close the doors102,104. The single motor122causes the doors102,104to open and close simultaneously.

When the doors102,104reach the open configuration, the motor122automatically switches off. For example, when the doors102,104reach a threshold open configuration, a different voltage reading is sent to the relay, which causes the motor122to switch off. Similarly, when the doors102,104move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the doors102,104engage a stop, which causes the motor122to switch off. Since the opening and closing mechanism is a closed loop system, the doors102,104move at the same speed at the same time and arrive in the same open or closed position every time the mechanism is operated.

The opening and closing mechanism depicted inFIGS.1C and1Dincludes a series of cables124, a plurality of pulleys126, blocks128that ride on tracks130, elevator arms134, front door arms136, and rear door arms138. The motor122is coupled to a power source140. The motor122is also operatively coupled to the cables124. Input from the user causes the motor122to activate in a first or second direction. If the doors102,104are closed, the user input causes the motor122to activate in a first direction to open the doors102,104. If the doors102,104are open, the user input causes the motor122to activate in a second direction opposite of the first direction in order to close the doors102,104. Activation of the motor122in the first direction causes the cables124to move in a first direction, as indicated by the arrows142shown inFIG.1C. Conversely, activation of the motor122in the second direction causes the cables124to move in a second direction, as indicated by the arrows144shown inFIG.1D. The cables124are wrapped around the pulleys126and movement of the cables124causes the pulleys126to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the cables124. The pulleys126are fixed pulleys. That is, the pulleys126rotate about a fixed rotation axis.

Each side of the grill100includes a track130having a block128operatively engaged therewith. The blocks128are fixedly coupled to the cables124so that movement of the cables124in a first direction causes the blocks to lift upwards towards the doors102,104, and movement of the cables124in a second direction causes the blocks128to move downward away from the doors102,104. The blocks128ride on tracks130. The tracks130hold the blocks128in position along their intended pathway. The elevator arms134are rotatably coupled to the blocks128so that, as the blocks128move upwards, the elevator arms134move upwards and hinge slightly to the rear, as shown inFIG.1D. The elevator arms134are rotatably coupled to the front door arms136and the rear door arms138. As the elevator arms134move upwards, the front door arms136rotate forward from the position shown inFIG.1Cto the position shown inFIG.1D. As the elevator arms134move upwards, the rear door arms138rotate towards the rear of the grill100from the position shown inFIG.1Cto the position shown inFIG.1D. The front door arms136may be fixedly coupled to the front door102. The front door arms136and the front door102may be a unitary piece. The rear door arms138may be rotatably coupled to the rear door104and to the elevator arm134. In this manner, the rear door104may rotate relative to the rear door arms138. The front door arms136and the rear door arms138rotate about a pivot point146at the top end of the elevator arms134. As the blocks128move downwards, the elevator arms134move downwards and rotate back to a substantially vertical position, and the front door arm136and rear door arm138rotate from the position shown inFIG.1Dto the position shown inFIG.1C.

The grates156and the burner assembly152(shown inFIG.1E) are supported by the base of the cookbox154(shown inFIG.1F) so that the grates156and the burner assembly152do not interfere with the opening and closing of the front door102.

In another example, shown inFIGS.2A-2D, the apparatus for cooking food is a barbecue grill200that includes doors202and204that open and close automatically. The grill200is similar to the grill100discussed above, but the grill200is smaller and more compact, and the opening and closing mechanism is different to accommodate the smaller size. The smaller size of the grill200is advantageous for tailgating, using on a boat or RV, installing on a built-in patio barbecue cabinet, or the like.

The doors202,204are attached to a main body206of the grill200. The main body206has a cooking area that includes grates256for holding food during cooking. The cooking area further includes a burner assembly (similar to the burner assembly152shown inFIG.1E) below the grates256, and may also include an infrared burner258. The cooking area is accessible to a user when the grill200is in the open configuration.

The first door202, also referred to as the front door202, opens by rotating downward relative to the main body206of the grill200. At the same time the front door202is rotating downward, the second door204, also referred to as the rear door204, hinges upward relative to the main body206of the grill. The rear door204is hingedly coupled to the main body206of the grill200at the rear edge of the grill200and rotates about the pivot point205.FIG.2Adepicts the barbecue grill200with the doors202,204in a closed position andFIG.2Bdepicts the barbecue grill200with the doors202,204in an open position. As shown inFIG.2B, when the barbecue grill200is in the open position, the front door202is rotated to a position inside of the main body206. As such, there is gap208between the main body206and the periphery of the upper portion of the burner assembly that is sized and shaped to accommodate the front door202when the front door202rotates into the open position.

One advantage of the grill200having two doors202,204is that the heat from the grill200radiates upward when the grill doors202,204are opened. Heat from the grill200radiating toward the user is avoided. Conversely, a conventional grill has a single door and when the door is manually opened, heat from the grill radiates towards the user, potentially causing pain and discomfort to the user.

The doors202,204of the grill200open and close in response to input from a user. The input may be a press of a button. The button may be on the grill200or may be on a wireless remote control or key fob. In another example, the user input may be through an app on a mobile device. In yet another example, the user input may be through a motion sensor.

The opening and closing mechanism of the barbecue grill200includes only pulleys, cables, and articulating arms, and does not include the elevating mechanism of the previous embodiment in the interest of making the grill200more compact. The opening and closing mechanism of the barbecue grill200will be discussed in further detail with reference toFIGS.2C and2D. The doors202,204of the grill200are coupled to a motor222through a series of cables, pulleys, and arms. The motor222is activated through input from the user to cause the doors202,204to open or close. Notably, a single motor222is used to open and close the doors202,204. In this manner, the doors202,204move simultaneously during the opening and closing processes. The mechanism for opening and closing the doors202,204is a closed loop system that includes the motor222, cables224, pulleys226, and arms236,238. However, it will be readily understood that the grill200is not limited to one motor and that two or more motors may be used to open and close the doors202,204. The single motor222causes the doors202,204to open and close simultaneously.

When the doors202,204reach the open configuration, the motor222automatically switches off. For example, when the doors202,204reach a threshold open configuration, a different voltage reading is sent to the relay, which causes the motor222to switch off. Similarly, when the doors202,204move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the doors202,204engage a stop, which causes the motor222to switch off. Since the opening and closing mechanism is a closed loop system, the doors202,204move at the same speed at the same time and arrive in the same open or closed position every time the mechanism is operated.

The opening and closing mechanism depicted inFIGS.2C and2Dincludes a series of cables224, a plurality of pulleys226, and arms236,238. The motor222is coupled to a power source240. The motor222is also operatively coupled to the cables224. Input from the user causes the motor222to activate in a first or second direction. If the doors202,204are closed, the user input causes the motor222to activate in a first direction to open the doors202,204. If the doors202,204are open, the user input causes the motor222to activate in a second direction opposite of the first direction in order to close the doors202,204. Activation of the motor222in the first direction causes the cables224to move in a first direction (not shown). Conversely, activation of the motor222in the second direction causes the cables224to move in a second direction, as indicated by the arrows244shown inFIG.2C. The cables224wind around the pulleys226and movement of the cables224causes the pulleys226to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the cables224. The cables224wind around the small pulley226aand the large pulley226b. The pulleys226are fixed pulleys. That is, the wheels of the pulleys226rotate around a fixed rotation axis227.

The front door202is fixedly coupled to the large pulleys226bso that when the large pulleys226brotate, the front door202also rotates. The front door202is fixedly coupled to a front door arm236so that when the large pulley226band the front door202rotate, the front door arm236also rotates. The large pulleys226b, the front door202, and the front door arms236rotate around a fixed rotation axis227. At the opposite end of the front door arms236, rear door arms238are rotatably coupled to the front door arms236. The front door arms236and the rear door arms238are coupled together at, and configured to rotate about, a rotation axis237. The rear door arms238are also rotatably coupled to the rear door204at a connection point239. As the large pulley226brotates, the front door202rotates therewith, the front door arms236rotate upwards or downwards, and the rear door arms238rotate upwards or downwards.

In another example, shown inFIGS.3A-3D, the apparatus for cooking food is a barbecue grill300that includes doors302and304that open and close automatically. The doors302,304are attached to a main body306of the grill300. The main body306has a cooking area that includes grates356for holding food during cooking. The cooking area further includes a burner assembly (similar to the burner assembly152shown inFIG.1E) below the grates356. The cooking area is accessible to a user when the grill300is in the open configuration.

The first door302, also referred to as the front door302, opens by rotating downward relative to the main body306of the grill300. Similarly, the second door304, also referred to as the rear door304, rotates downward relative to the main body306of the grill. The doors302,304are the same size and shape as each other. The doors302,304rotate about a fixed rotation axis305.FIG.3Adepicts the barbecue grill300with the doors302,304in a closed position andFIG.3Bdepicts the barbecue grill300with the doors302,304in an open position. As shown inFIG.3B, when the barbecue grill300is in the open position, both doors302,304are rotated to a position inside of the main body306of the grill300. As such, there is a gap between the periphery of the top surface of the grates356and the periphery of the top edge of the cookbox354so that the doors302,304can rotate down into the main body306by passing through the gap. The gap is sized and shaped to accommodate the front and rear doors302,304when the front and rear doors302,304rotate into the open position.

Both doors302,304open by rotating downward relative to the main body306of the grill300. In the closed position, the doors302,304are in contact with each other at the top of the grill300. In the open position, the doors302,304are positioned internal to the main body306of the grill300. One advantage of the grill300having two doors302,304is that the heat from the grill300radiates upward when the grill doors302,304are opened. Heat from the grill300radiating toward the user is avoided. Conversely, a conventional grill has a single door and when the door is manually opened, heat from the grill radiates towards the user, potentially causing pain and discomfort to the user.

The doors302,304of the grill300open and close in response to input from a user. The input may be a press of a button. The button may be on the grill300or may be on a wireless remote control or key fob. In another example, the user input may be through an app on a mobile device. In yet another example, the user input may be through a motion sensor.

The grill300has an opening and closing mechanism similar to that of the grill100previously discussed herein. In particular, the opening and closing mechanism of the barbecue grill300includes an elevating mechanism that moves up and down towards and away from the doors302,304. The opening and closing mechanism of the barbecue grill300will be discussed in further detail with reference toFIGS.3C and3D. The doors302,304of the grill300are coupled to a motor322through a series of cables, pulleys, and/or arms. The motor322is activated through input from the user to cause the doors302,304to open or close. Notably, a single motor322is used to open and close the doors302,304. In this manner, the doors302,304move simultaneously during the opening and closing processes. The mechanism for opening and closing the doors302,304is a closed loop system that includes the motor322, cables324, pulleys326, and arms336,338. However, it will be readily understood that the grill300is not limited to one motor and that two or more motors may be used to open and close the doors302,304. The single motor322causes the doors302,304to open and close simultaneously.

When the doors302,304reach the open configuration, the motor322automatically switches off. For example, when the doors302,304reach a threshold open configuration, a different voltage reading is sent to the relay, which causes the motor322to switch off. Similarly, when the doors302,304move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the doors302,304engage a stop, which causes the motor322to switch off. Since the opening and closing mechanism is a closed loop system, the doors302,304move at the same speed at the same time and arrive in the same open or closed position every time the mechanism is operated.

The opening and closing mechanism depicted inFIGS.3C and3Dincludes a series of cables324, a plurality of pulleys326, blocks328that ride on tracks330, front door arms336, and rear door arms338. The motor322is coupled to a power source340. The motor322is also operatively coupled to the cables324. Input from the user causes the motor322to activate in a first or second direction. If the doors302,304are closed, the user input causes the motor322to activate in a first direction to open the doors302,304. If the doors302,304are open, the user input causes the motor322to activate in a second direction opposite of the first direction in order to close the doors302,304. Activation of the motor322in the first direction causes the cables324to move in a first direction, as indicated by the arrows342shown inFIG.3C. Conversely, activation of the motor322in the second direction causes the cables324to move in a second direction, as indicated by the arrows344shown inFIG.3D. The cables324are wrapped around the pulleys326and movement of the cables324causes the pulleys326to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the cables324. The pulleys326are fixed pulleys. That is, the pulleys326rotate, but are fixed in place.

The blocks328are fixedly coupled to the cables324so that movement of the cables324in a first direction causes the blocks328to move downwards away from the doors302,304, and movement of the cables324in a second direction causes the blocks328to move upwards towards the doors302,304. The blocks328ride on tracks330. The tracks330hold the blocks328in position along their intended pathway. The front door arms336and rear door arms338are rotatably coupled to the blocks328so that, as the blocks328move downwards, the front door arms336and rear door arms338pull on the front door302and rear door304, respectively, and hinge away from each other. As the blocks328move upwards towards the doors302,304, the front door arms336and rear door arms338push outward on the front door302and read door304, respectively, causing the front door302and rear door304to rotate upwards and inwards towards each other.

The doors302,304rotate relative to each other around rotation axis305. The front door arms336and rear door arms338rotate relative to each other around rotation axis337. The front door arms336and the front door302rotate relative to each other around rotation axis332. The rear door arms338and the rear doors304rotate relative to each other around rotation axis334.

FIGS.4A-4Dillustrate another example of a barbecue grill400having doors402,404that open and close automatically in response to input from a user. The doors402,404are similar to the doors302,304of the grill shown inFIGS.3A-3D. The opening and closing mechanism of the grill400is similar to the opening and closing mechanism of the grill200shown inFIGS.2A-2D. The barbecue grill400is smaller than the grills100,300, so the opening and closing mechanism has to be smaller to accommodate the compact size of the grill400. The compact size400makes the grill400advantageous for tailgating, using on boats or RV's, or adding to a built-in patio barbecue area.

The first door402, also referred to as the front door402, opens by rotating downward relative to the body406of the grill400. Similarly, the second door404, also referred to as the rear door404, rotates downward relative to the body406of the grill400. The doors402,404are the same size and shape as each other. The doors402,404rotate about a fixed rotation axis405.FIG.4Adepicts the barbecue grill400with the doors402,404in a closed position andFIG.4Bdepicts the barbecue grill400with the doors402,404in an open position. As shown inFIG.4B, when the barbecue grill400is in the open position, both doors402,404are rotated to a position inside of the main body406of the grill400. As such, there is a gap408between the periphery of the top surface of the grates456and the periphery of the top edge of the cookbox454so that the doors402,404can rotate down into the grill body406by passing through the gap408. The gap408is sized and shaped to accommodate the front and rear doors when the front and rear doors402,404rotate into the open position.

The doors402,404are the same shape and size as each other. Both doors402,404open by rotating downward relative to the body406of the grill400. In the closed position, the doors402,404are in contact with each other at the top of the grill400. In the open position, the doors402,404are positioned internal to the main body406of the grill400. One advantage of the grill400having two doors402,404is that the heat from the grill400radiates upward when the grill doors402,404are opened. Heat from the grill400radiating toward the user is avoided. Conversely, a conventional grill has a single door and when the door is manually opened, heat from the grill radiates towards the user, potentially causing pain and discomfort to the user.

The doors402,404of the grill400open and close in response to input from a user. The input may be a press of a button. The button may be on the grill400or may be on a wireless remote control or key fob. In another example, the user input may be through an app on a mobile device. In yet another example, the user input may be through a motion sensor.

The grill400has an opening and closing mechanism similar to that of the grill200previously discussed herein. The opening and closing mechanism of the barbecue grill400will be discussed in further detail with reference toFIGS.4C and4D. The doors402,404of the grill400are coupled to a motor422through a series of cables and pulleys. The motor422is activated through input from the user to cause the doors402,404to open or close. Notably, a single motor422is used to open and close the doors402,404. In this manner, the doors402,404move simultaneously during the opening and closing processes. The mechanism for opening and closing the doors402,404is a closed loop system that includes the motor422, cables424, and pulleys425,426. However, it will be readily understood that the grill400is not limited to one motor and that two or more motors may be used to open and close the doors402,404. The single motor422causes the doors402,404to open and close simultaneously.

When the doors402,404reach the open configuration, the motor422automatically switches off. For example, when the doors402,404reach a threshold open configuration, a different voltage reading is sent to the relay, which causes the motor422to switch off. Similarly, when the doors402,404move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the doors402,404engage a stop, which causes the motor422to switch off. Since the opening and closing mechanism is a closed loop system, the doors402,404move at the same speed at the same time and arrive in the same open or closed position every time the mechanism is operated.

The opening and closing mechanism depicted inFIGS.4C and4Dincludes a series of cables424and a plurality of pulleys425,426. The motor422is coupled to a power source. The motor422is also operatively coupled to the cables424. Input from the user causes the motor422to activate in a first or second direction. If the doors402,404are closed, the user input causes the motor422to activate in a first direction to open the doors402,404. If the doors402,404are open, the user input causes the motor422to activate in a second direction opposite of the first direction in order to close the doors402,404. Activation of the motor422in the first direction causes the cables424to move in a first direction as indicated by the arrows442shown inFIG.4C. Conversely, activation of the motor422in the second direction causes the cables424to move in a second direction, as indicated by the arrows444shown inFIG.4D. The cables424wind around the pulleys425,426and movement of the cables424causes the pulleys425,426to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the cables424. The pulleys425,426are fixed pulleys. That is, the wheels of the pulleys425,426rotate around a fixed rotation axis405,427.

Each one of the doors402,404is fixedly coupled to a large pulley426on both sides of the door402,404.FIG.4Edepicts the pulley sets on one side of the grill400. Each pulley set includes a small pulley425and a large pulley426. Thus,FIG.4Edepicts a pulley set that includes a small pulley425aand a large pulley426aand another pulley set that includes a small pulley425band a large pulley426b. The front door402is fixedly coupled to the first large pulley426aand the rear door404is fixedly coupled to the second large pulley426b. As such, the front door402and rear door404rotate when the respective large pulleys426a,426brotate.

As shown inFIGS.4F and4G, there are two cables coupled to each set of pulleys. A first cable424ahas a first end423athat is fixed to the large pulley426. The first cable424awinds almost completely around the large pulley426and around one side of the small pulley425.FIG.4Gdepicts a second cable424bthat has a second end423bthat is fixed to the large pulley426. The second cable424bwinds almost completely around the large pulley426in a direction opposite that of the first cable424a. The second cable424bwinds around the other side of the small pulley425. As such, pulling on one cable424a,424bcauses the large pulley426to rotate in one direction and pulling on the other cable424a,424bcauses the large pulley426to rotate in the opposite direction.

FIG.5depicts a vertical cooker500having automatic opening and closing doors502,504. The vertical cooker500is similar to the grill400depicted inFIGS.4A-4G, except that the cooker500has a vertical arrangement instead of a horizontal arrangement. The doors502,504open simultaneously in response to input from a user. The cooking area inside the body506of the cooker includes a vertical rotisserie spit (not shown) and a vertically-oriented heat source. The doors502,504are substantially similar to the doors402,404of the grill400. The opening and closing mechanism for the doors502,504includes cables and pulleys, similar to the opening and closing mechanism of the grill400inFIGS.4A-4G.

In another example, shown inFIGS.6A-6D, a cooker600includes a first door602and a second door604that open and close automatically. The doors602,604are similar in construction to a roll top desk. The doors602,604include a plurality of panels that are hingedly connected to each other. One of the panels608is wider than the other panels610since the wider panel608remains in a vertical configuration. The cooker600includes guide rails612on either side of the doors602,604and the door panels608,610ride on the guide rails612. As shown inFIG.6B, when the cooker600is in the open position, the doors602,604are completely vertical.

The doors602,604of the cooker600open and close in response to input from a user. The input may be a press of a button. The button may be on the cooker600or may be on a wireless remote control or key fob. In another example, the user input may be through an app on a mobile device. In yet another example, the user input may be through a motion sensor.

The opening and closing mechanism of the cooker600will be discussed in further detail with reference toFIGS.6C and6D. The opening and closing mechanism of the cooker600include an elevating mechanism similar to that of the grill100inFIGS.1A-1F. The doors602,604of the cooker600are coupled to a motor622through a series of cables, pulleys, and arms. The motor622is activated through input from the user to cause the doors602,604to open or close. Notably, a single motor622is used to open and close the doors602,604. In this manner, the doors602,604move simultaneously during the opening and closing processes. The mechanism for opening and closing the doors602,604is a closed loop system that includes the motor622, cables624, pulleys626, and arms634. However, it will be readily understood that the cooker600is not limited to one motor and that two or more motors may be used to open and close the doors602,604. The single motor622causes the doors602,604to open and close simultaneously.

When the doors602,604reach the open configuration, the motor622automatically switches off. For example, when the doors602,604reach a threshold open configuration, a different voltage reading is sent to the relay, which causes the motor622to switch off. Similarly, when the doors602,604move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the doors602,604engage a stop, which causes the motor622to switch off. Since the opening and closing mechanism is a closed loop system, the doors602,604move at the same speed at the same time and arrive in the same open or closed position every time the mechanism is operated.

The opening and closing mechanism depicted inFIGS.6C and6Dincludes a series of cables624, a plurality of pulleys626, blocks628that ride on tracks630, and arms634that are fixedly couple the blocks628and to the bottom corners of the doors602,604. The motor622is coupled to a power source. The motor622is also operatively coupled to the cables624. Input from the user causes the motor622to activate in a first or second direction. If the doors602,604are closed, the user input causes the motor622to activate in a first direction to open the doors602,604. If the doors602,604are open, the user input causes the motor622to activate in a second direction opposite of the first direction in order to close the doors602,604. Activation of the motor622in the first direction causes the cables624to move in a first direction, as indicated by the arrows642shown inFIG.6C. Conversely, activation of the motor622in the second direction causes the cables624to move in a second direction, as indicated by the arrows644shown inFIG.6D. The cables624are wrapped around the pulleys626and movement of the cables624causes the pulleys626to rotate in conjunction with the movement of the cables624. The pulleys626are fixed pulleys. That is, the pulleys626rotate around a rotation axis that is fixed in place.

The blocks628are fixedly coupled to the cables624so that movement of the cables624in a first direction causes the block628to move downwards, and movement of the cables624in a second direction causes the blocks628to move upwards. The blocks628ride on tracks630. The tracks630hold the blocks628in position along their intended pathway. The arms634are fixedly coupled to the blocks628and to the bottom corners of the doors602,604so that, as the blocks628move downwards, the arms634pull the doors602,604downwards. As the blocks628move upwards, the arms634push the doors602,604upwards.

In each of the above-illustrated examples of barbecue grills having automatic doors, the motor is coupled to a power source in addition to the user input device. The power source may be an electrical outlet, disposable battery, rechargeable battery, or the like. Further, the barbecue grill includes a fail safe so that the doors can be opened and closed manually if necessary.

In each of the above-illustrated examples of barbecue grills having automatic doors, the heat source may be any kind of known heat source or combination thereof. For example, the heat source for the grill may be natural gas, propane, charcoal, wood, wood pellet, gas infrared, electric, and/or electric infrared.

Additional Considerations

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate additional alternative structural and functional designs for a system and a process for creating an interactive message through the disclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various apparent modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.