Adjustable pitch cooking grate

An adjustable pitch cooking grate includes generally parallel rods and means for changing the pitch of the rods by moving the rods between a closed configuration and a range of open configurations, with different width gaps therebetween. Scissors linkage at the rod ends can move the rods in unison between the open and close configurations. When the rods have flat upper surfaces the rods create a generally flat, smooth, continuous cooking surface when in the closed configuration and a plurality of generally flat coplanar cooking surfaces when in the different open configurations. The pitch changing means can include manual or motorized means for moving the rods between the open and close configurations. The spacing between the rods in a fully open configuration can be equal to about 1-3 times the lateral dimension of the rods. One or more cooking grates can be supported by the cooking grill frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cooking grates are often used when cooking on a gas or charcoal briquette barbecue cooking grill, as well as gas or electric ovens and cook stoves. One of the problems with conventional cooking grates is that the space between the bars can let excessive amount of heat escape up between the bars of the cooking grate. Another disadvantage is that some foods, such as fish, have a tendency to fall apart during cooking and can fall between the bars. Cooking grates can be used when the heat is supplied from below, from above or from both above and below the cooking grate using radiant heat, heated air or a combination.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first example of an adjustable pitch cooking grate includes a plurality of generally parallel rods and means for changing the pitch of the rods by moving the rods between a closed configuration, with the rods adjacent to one another, and in a plurality of open configurations at a plurality of pitches, with a plurality of different width gaps between the rods. Examples of the adjustable pitch cooking grate can include one or more the following. The pitch changing means can include first and second scissors linkage operably coupling first and second rows of rod ends, respectively. The pitch changing means can move the rods between the closed configuration and the plurality of open configurations in unison. When the rods have flat upper surfaces the rods create a generally flat, generally smooth, generally continuous cooking surface when in the closed configuration and a plurality of generally flat coplanar cooking surfaces when in the plurality of open configurations. The pitch changing means can include means for manually moving the rods between the open and closed configurations or motorized means for automatically moving the rods between the open and close configurations. The spacing between the rods in a fully open configuration can be equal to about 1-3 times the lateral dimension of the rods.

A second example of an adjustable pitch cooking grate includes a plurality of generally parallel rods having first and second rows of rod ends. The rods are in coupled to one another to be placeable in a closed configuration with the rods at a first pitch and adjacent to one another, and in a plurality of open configurations at a plurality of pitches defining a plurality of different width gaps between the rods. In some examples first and second scissors linkage can be used to operably couple the first and second rows of rod ends, respectively, to permit the rods to be placeable in unison in an the open and close configurations.

A cooking grill includes the first example of the adjustable pitch cooking grate and a frame supporting the adjustable pitch cooking grate. Examples of the cooking grill can include one or more the following. A second adjustable pitch cooking grate can be supported by the frame. The pitch changing means can include first and second scissors linkage operably coupling the ends of the rods. The pitch changing means can include spring elements operably coupling adjacent ones of the rods and biasing the rods away from one another, and a rod drive assembly. The rod drive assembly can include a movable drive element engageable with at least one of the rods and a driver. The driver can be mounted to the frame and operably connected to the drive element to move the drive element towards an end of the frame thereby causing the at least one of the rods to move towards the end of the frame against the biasing force of the springs. The frame can have slots for receiving the first and second ends of the rods.

A method for supporting food while cooking the food is carried out as follows. A desired spacing between the parallel rods of a cooking grate supported by a frame is determined, the rods supporting food during cooking The cooking grate defines a cooking grate plane. The rods have a length and a lateral dimension measured perpendicular to their length and parallel to the cooking grate plane. The pitch of the rods of the cooking grate is changed when needed to achieve the desired spacing between the rods. Examples of the method can include one or more the following. A revised desired spacing can be determined between the rods of the cooking grate, and the pitch of the rods of the cooking grate can be simultaneously changed to achieve the revised desired spacing. The desired spacing and revised desired spacing are in the range of about 0-3 times the lateral dimension of the rods. The pitch of the rods can be simultaneously changed. A desired spacing between the rods of a second cooking grate, also supported by the frame, can be determined and if needed, the pitch can be changed to achieve the desired spacing. The pitch can be simultaneously changed using first and second scissors linkages, the first scissors linkage operably coupling a first row of rod ends, and the second scissors linkage operably coupling a second row of rod ends.

Other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention can be seen on review the drawings, the detailed description, and the claims which follow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description will typically be with reference to specific structural embodiments and methods. It is to be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specifically disclosed embodiments and methods but that the invention may be practiced using other features, elements, methods and embodiments. Preferred embodiments are described to illustrate the present invention, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of equivalent variations on the description that follows. Like elements in various embodiments are commonly referred to with like reference numerals.

FIG. 1is a simplified, schematic representation of one example of a cooking grill8including a cooking grate10in which the rods12are in an open, spaced apart orientation with spaces or gaps14therebetween. Rods12are sometimes referred to as bars12. The cooking grill8also includes a frame16supporting cooking grate10. Frame16includes first and second sides18,20and first and second ends22,24joining the first and second sides. The ends of rods12, not shown inFIG. 1, are housed within sides18,20which, as discussed in more detail below, guide the rods as they move between the open, spaced apart orientation ofFIG. 1and the closed orientation or arrangement ofFIG. 2with rods12adjacent to one another, typically touching one another. In one example rods12are biased towards the open orientation ofFIG. 1using compression springs located between adjacent rods12. One example for doing so as discussed below with starting atFIG. 3. This movement is achieved using a drive assembly26including a rotating member, such as a crank28, to move a movable drive element, such as drive bar36discussed below, in the direction of second end24causing the rods12to be pushed towards the second end24.

When rods12have a flat upper surface, the rods form a substantially flat, griddle-like cooking surface when in a closed configuration. When rods12have round or another other than flat upper surfaces, the rods can still create the desired grill marks even when the rods are touching one another. Cooking grill8provides several advantages over conventional cooking grills. When the pitch, that is the rod-to-rod spacing, is adjusted so that rods12are close to or touching each other, the pre-heating process for the cooking grate10will be very fast as the fire and heat can be directly under the rods. This will pre-heat the rods quickly and the operator can adjust pitch as needed during cooking Also, when the flame stays under rods12, less heat is wasted. This therefore saves fuel, such as charcoal or gas, which is used to heat the rods12. In addition, conventional non-adjustable cooking grates often require the rods to be covered with aluminum foil or some other metal surface to control heat and flare ups. The cooking grate10can eliminate the need for additional materials or surfaces to be placed on top of the cooking grate. This will help control the heat and flames while allowing the spacing of rods12to be adjusted as the cooking is in process to allow more or less heat to touch the food.

Cleaning and greasing the upper cooking surfaces of the rods12is facilitated by using rods having generally flat upper cooking surfaces and placing rods12in the closed arrangement. Cleaning rods on currently available barbecue cooking grates is a challenge because the openings between rods may not allow the brush or other cleaning material to adequately brush and scrap food remains and other cooking residue. The adjustable pitch cooking grate10can be easy to clean because the operator can close all the spaces between rods12and clean a flat surface easily.

FIG. 3is a partial overall view of another example of a frame16with a drive assembly26at first end22of the frame. Drive assembly26, seeFIGS. 3-7, includes a rotatable knob30extending from one end of a drive screw32with drive screw32passing through a through hole34in first end22of frame16. Drive assembly26also includes a drive bar36having a threaded opening38threadably engaged by drive screw32. The axial position of drive screw32relative to first and22of frame16does not change as knob30is rotated by the use of a pair of snap rings40engaging grooves42formed in drive screw32. However, rotating knob30causes drive bar36to move in the direction of arrow44, that is between first and second ends22,24. The outer ends46of drive bar36are guided within U-shaped slots48at the ends of first and second sides18,20adjacent to first end22. In some examples knob30can be an electric motor30used to automatically rotate drive screw32. Electric motor30can be manually adjusted and controlled or remotely adjusted in control, through either wireless or wired means. The remote adjustment and control can be through the use of computer-based devices, such as pad computers and what are commonly referred to as smart phones.

Referring now toFIGS. 9-15, first and second sides18,20have slots50extending along substantially their entire lengths, slots50acting as first guide elements. In the example ofFIG. 8, slots50extends completely through a sidewall of first side18while in theFIG. 9example, slot50extends only part way through second side20. Rods12have rectangular extensions52acting as second guide elements at either end. This permits rods12to move within frame16between first and second sides18,20while maintaining a desired height for uniform upper surface. The engagement of rectangular extensions52within slots50also helps to prevent rods12from rotating about their axes. This is important because rods12also have spring recesses54, not visible inFIG. 10, near each end with a spring recess of one rod opposite the spring recess of its adjacent rod. In this example the spring recesses are slots for housing flat springs56so that the springs can be fully housed within spring recesses54when rods12are touching one another. Other types of springs, such as coiled compression springs can be used within a suitably shaped and sized opening formed in rods12.

To prepare for cooking, cooking grate10is typically placed in the closed orientation ofFIG. 2. This permits rods12to heat up relatively quickly. Assuming cooking grate10is in the open orientation ofFIG. 1, knob30is rotated in the close direction as shown inFIG. 6causing drive bar36to be moved towards second end24. This causes drive bar36to push against the rod12closest to the first end22. Because all of the rods12are operably coupled to one another through springs56, movement of the first rod12will cause similar movement of the remaining rods12, subject to frictional forces. To compensate for frictional forces, the stiffness of springs56can be made to decrease moving from first end22to second end24. Other means for accomplishing generally equal movement of rods12can also be used. In other examples it may be desired to allow the rods12towards the first end22to be forced against one another while the rods12at second end24are still spaced apart from one another. In other examples other structure and techniques for moving rods12between the open orientation and closed arrangement ofFIGS. 1 and 2, with or without springs, can also be used. After the preheating of cooking grate10, knob30is rotated in the open direction to permit desired amount of space between rods12. In some situations it may be desired to begin cooking with rods12in the closed orientation ofFIG. 2and after initial period of cooking, knob30can be rotated to create the desired degree of space between rods12. The size of spaces14between rods12during cooking can be at easily adjusted to accommodate the type of food being cooked, such as large spaces for steaks, medium spaces for hamburger and small or no spaces for fish.

In addition to slots50providing second guide elements, first and second sides18,20also act to cover up the outer ends of rods12to help keep food and other debris from accumulating around the first and second guide elements, spring recesses54and springs56. In some examples springs can be used to maintain rods12in a closed arrangement and a suitably constructed drive assembly can be used to move rods12to the open orientation ofFIG. 1. Also, drive assembly26could include separate rotatable drives, one at each end of first and22.

FIG. 16illustrates another example of cooking grill8. In this example frame16is sized to support two cooking grates10. Cooking grate10on the left inFIG. 16is shown in an open configuration with rods12displaying a pitch13and spaced apart from one another to create spaces14therebetween. In the example ofFIG. 16rods12have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, typically square, so that when cooking grate10is in the closed configuration, a generally flat, generally smooth, generally continuous cooking surface60is created. In one example rods12have a square cross-sectional shape with a dimension of about 1.3 cm on each side and lengths of about 45 cm. The pitch13, that is the centerline to centerline distance between rods12, can in some examples vary between about 1.3 cm and 5.0 cm. Therefore, these examples the space14between rods12can vary from no space between rods12in the closed configuration in the example on the right-hand side ofFIG. 16and about 3.8 cm, that is about three times the lateral dimension of rods12, in the open configuration in the example on the left-hand side ofFIG. 16. The maximum space14between rods12will typically be about equal to the diameter of the rods up to about two times the diameter of the rods, but can be more depending on the cooking environment. In this application the diameter of the rods refers to the lateral dimension of the rods measured perpendicular to their lengths and parallel to the plane defined by cooking grate10and is not limited to rods having circular cross-sectional shapes.

The ends62of rods12, seeFIG. 17, are joined by a scissors linkage64, also referred to as a pantograph linkage64, so that all of rods12of cooking grate10move between the open and close configurations in unison. Linkage64includes links66connected to one another at their outer ends68by rivets70and to outer ends62of rods12by rivets71. In addition, rivets73secure links66to one another where they cross over one another at their central regions. Sleeves may be used with the rivets to ensure smooth operation of linkage64. In this example all of the components of cooking grate10are stainless steel. However, other materials suitable for use in a cooking environment may also be used, such as cast-iron, ceramics or ceramic coated metals. Rods12in the example ofFIGS. 17 and 18have a round cross-sectional shape as opposed to the square cross-sectional shape of the example ofFIG. 16. Other regular or irregular cross-sectional shapes can also be used for rods12.

Frame16in the example ofFIG. 16has sidewalls72,74,76, and78, corresponding to first side18, second side20, first end22, and second end24. Sidewalls72-78extend upwardly from a generally horizontally extending lip80. Sidewalls76,78increase in height from sidewall72to sidewall74. The provision of lower sidewall72facilitates access to cooking grates10by a user positioned at the first side18. The size of lip80is sufficient to support the ends of cooking grates10at linkage64in both of the open and close configurations.

The manipulation of cooking grate10between the open and closed configurations can be accomplished in different ways. One way of accomplishing this in the example ofFIG. 16can be by the use of a tool, such as tool84ofFIG. 18or tool86ofFIG. 19, having ends85or87configured to engage rod12at each end of cooking grate10. After ends85or87having positioned to engage rods12, then the tools are separated causing the rods12at each end to separate so that the cooking grate moves to a desired partially open configuration or a fully open configuration. Cooking grate10can be placed in the closed configuration from a partially or fully open configuration by forcing the rods12at each end toward one another, typically using some type of tool for safety. Alternatively, handles88, seeFIG. 20, can be made to extend from the rods12at each end of cooking grate10to facilitate moving cooking grate10between the open and closed configurations. In some examples one end of cooking grate10could be secured to frame16so that movement between the open and closed configurations can be accomplished moving the rod12at the opposite end of the cooking grate.

Cooking grate10, with or without frame16, can be an integral component of a fixed or a movable cooking facility, such as barbecue grills and barbecue islands in both home and commercial kitchens. Cooking grate10, with or without frame16, can be, for example, supported by the heated cooking surface of a conventional fixed or movable cooking facility.

The rods12in the example ofFIGS. 16 and 17made to move in unison through the use of the scissors linkage64. Other ways of moving rods12in unison can be devised. For example, two relatively long arms90,91, seeFIG. 21, can be secured to one another at a pivot point92at their centers so that they form an X. Sliders94are positioned at fixed locations along each rod and slidably engage rods12. Changing the angle96between arms90,91will cause pitch13to change as cooking grate10moves between open and closed configurations. In the closed configuration angle96will be a minimum.

The examples ofFIGS. 1-15commonly use various types of spring arrangements between rods12to cause the rods12of cooking grate10to move between the open and closed configurations. Instead of placing springs between rods12, the ends of the rods along first and second sides18,20can be secured to one another by, for example, folded V-shaped members98as shown inFIG. 22which collapse into a flattened configuration when moved from the open configuration ofFIG. 22to the closed configuration ofFIG. 23. If members98are not made of spring material, cooking grate10will be placeable primarily in a constant-pitch fully open configuration or a constant-pitch fully closed configuration. If members98are made of spring material, then intermediate, generally constant-pitch open configurations are possible.

One of the advantages of cooking grate10arises when rods12have a flat upper surface. When rods12have a flat upper surface, in the closed configuration the rods form a generally flat, generally smooth, generally continuous, griddle-like cooking surface. When rods12have a flat upper surface, the upper surfaces form a plurality of generally flat, coplanar, spaced apart cooking surfaces when the rods are in a range of open configurations from just barely open, with small spaces14therebetween, to fully open with the maximum-sized spaces14therebetween. This helps to ensure that the maximum support surface area is provided by rods12regardless of the spaces14between rods12. This is very important when cooking delicate foods, such as many fish. This is ability to maximize the horizontal cooking surface is in contrast with some conventional grates in which the rods are rotated to change the gaps between the rods, not the rod pitch, causing edges of the rods to act as the cooking support surface.

The above descriptions may have used terms such as above, below, top, bottom, over, under, et cetera. These terms may be used in the description and claims to aid understanding of the invention and not used in a limiting sense.

Any and all patents, patent applications and printed publications referred to above are incorporated by reference.