Abstract:
A grill riser for preparing foods in an outdoor grill or over an open heating source comprising a first plate for holding cookware; a second plate for supporting the first plate over a heat source; and a scissors element connecting the first plate and the second plate, the scissors element secured to each plate and secured within a space between the first plate and the second plate, and wherein the scissors element comprises a first support and a second support, the supports pivotably connected to one another and pivotably adjustable with respect to one another so as to provide a plurality of varying heights between the plates.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This invention relates to a cooking and baking accessory for use with outdoor cooking and/or heating elements, such as a gas, electric or charcoal grill. More specifically, the device enables use of an outdoor grill to cook foods traditionally limited to indoor oven baking or cooking. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    The method of preparing various foods successfully with the use of direct heat, such as with the use of outdoor cooking tools, including a gas and/or charcoal grill or other open flame is limited. The types of foods that can be successfully prepared for consumption by this method are also limited. Cooking with either type of grill is usually reserved for meats and fish, as well as certain vegetables as a direct flame and/or direct radiant heat may cook the food items by heating through and slightly charring (i.e. “grill marking”) the sturdy outside of the food product(s). A problem arises in attempting to bake or cook items not usually prepared by grilling methods and/or foods that require the convection heating of a traditional in-door oven. The present invention is a device that allows one to use an outdoor grill to successfully cook or bake foods usually prepared in an in-door oven, by diverting direct heat around a product and allowing the food to be cooked at a controlled distance from the heat source. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    This disclosure relates to a device for preparing foods in an outdoor grill or over an open heating source, the device comprising a first plate for holding a cooking or heating container, or other cookware; a second plate for supporting the first plate over a heat source; and a scissors element connecting the first plate and the second plate. The scissors element is secured to each plate and secured within a space between the first plate and the second plate. The scissors element comprises a first support and a second support, the supports pivotably connected to one another and pivotably adjustable with respect to one another so as to provide a plurality of varying heights between the plates. 
         [0004]    This disclosure also relates to a method for cooking and/or baking using an outdoor cooking source, the method comprises selecting a desired height over a heat source for cooking; extending a scissors element to the desired height, the scissors element connecting a base plate and a cooking surface plate; inserting a retainer into the scissors element to secure the riser at the desired height; setting the base plate in or on the heat source; and setting cookware with food to be cooked onto the cooking surface plate and leaving the cookware on the surface plate until the contents are heated through. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0005]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a grill riser in a collapsed position. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the grill riser in an extended position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is perspective view of the scissors element supports. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the support plate of the grill riser. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the base plate. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]    A grill riser  10  comprises two heat baffling plates, a base plate  12  for resting in, on or proximate to a heat source or open flame and a support plate  14  for supporting an item, cooking pan, baking sheet, cookware or other container to be heated for cooking the contents and a scissors element  16  connecting the two plates and enabling varying height adjustment between the base plate and the support plate and thus adjusting the height between the heat source and the item or container. The grill riser also comprises a locking pin  18  to secure the scissors element at a selected height. 
         [0011]    As illustrated generally in  FIGS. 1-5 , the grill riser  10  comprises a bottom or lower base plate  12  and an upper or top support plate  14 . Both the base plate  12  and the support plate  14  are generally rectangular in shape, however the plates may be rounded, square or of any other shape or variation suitable for use a base surface and a support surface. The base plate  12  and the support plate  14  are substantially of the same shape, size and construction. In one embodiment the plates  12  and  14  are approximately 1/16 inch thick, however the thickness can be varied. The plates  12  and  14  can be comprised of any suitable metal including steel, stainless steel, aluminum or any like material that is light-weight, sturdy, durable, and able to withstand high cooking temperatures without deforming. 
         [0012]    Each plate  12  and  14  is similarly adapted in the center with two adjacent and parallel identical size apertures  20  and  22 , such that an integral handle  24  is formed between the apertures  20  and  22 . The apertures  20  and  22  are large enough to allow a user to insert their fingers and/or thumb to wrap around the portion of the plate  12  and  14  between the apertures. The handle  24  can be used when assembling, disassembling, moving or transporting, or cleaning the device. When the device is in use for cooking or heating an item, the apertures  20  and  22  also act to enable heat and air flow from the heat source to flow through the base plate and rise to and through the support plate. 
         [0013]    Each plate  12  and  14  is also adapted with a plurality of substantially smaller apertures, or baffle holes  26 . The baffle holes  26  are placed to enable controlled air flow and heat flow through the base plate  12  and through the support plate  14 . On the base plate  12  and the support plate  14 , the baffle holes  26  are spaced apart around the inner portion of the outer perimeter of the plate. On the support plate  14 , it is possible to adapt baffle holes on two opposing edges of the plate such that the baffles comprise a stamp, or cut-out in the shape of the name of the product. The shape of the baffles is not limited in this invention, the shape and size of the baffles is dependent on sufficient air flow and heat flow, but the amount and shape of the baffle holes is not so numerous or large in size so as to affect the structural integrity, strength, and ability of the device to support weight. 
         [0014]    Two opposing corners on one side of both the base plate  12  and the support plate  14  are adapted with tabs  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34 . The plates  12  and  14  are adapted with the tabs  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34  at the corners, such that when the base plate and support plate are stacked, the two corner base plate tabs are aligned with the two corner support plate tabs. Each tab  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34  is adapted with an aperture  29 ,  31 ,  33 ,  35  for connection with a fastener  36 . The aperture  29 ,  31 ,  33 ,  35  is approximately centered in the tab  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34 . 
         [0015]    Illustrated generally at  FIG. 2 , a scissors element  16  is comprised of a first  38  and second  40  flat scissors support. The scissors supports  38  and  40  are comprised of substantially the same material metal as the plates. Each scissors support is comprised of a flat metal strip, approximately ¾ inch wide and approximately 1/16 inch in thickness. The continuous strip is formed into a squared “U” shape, such that a set of opposing sides  38   a  and  38   b  and  40   a  and  40   b  are connected by an adjacent side  38   c  and  40   c.  The “U” is substantially rectangular in that the “U” measures approximately 6″×8″ and such that sides  38   a,    38   b  and  40   a  and  40   b  are approximately the same length. A bend connects each opposing side  38   a,    38   b,    40   a,  and  40   b  to the adjacent side  38   c  or  40   c  at approximately a 90-degree angle. A terminal end of each opposing side is bent approximately 1″ inward at approximately a 90-degree angle to form a connection support  38   d,    38   e,    40   d  and  40   e.    
         [0016]    The first scissors support  38  is adapted on the two opposing sides  38   a  and  38   b  with a cut out  42  and  44  for securing scissors element  16  height positions. The cutouts  42  and  44  on each opposing side  38   a  and  38   b  are substantially identical and aligned. Each cut out extends along a portion of the opposing side from approximately the center and of the opposing side to the bend connecting with the adjacent side. The cutout  42  and  44  extends along the side approximately halfway between the center of the side and the bend. The placement of the cut out  42  and  44  allows the scissors element  16  to be secured in the maximum number of heights. The extension of the cut out may be shortened or lengthened, or moved along the length of the side depending on the desired height of extension and the number of secured positions of extension. The cutouts  42  and  44  are approximately rectangular in shape with four downward facing loop cutouts. A first downward loop  42   a  and  44   a  is cutout at the distal end of the cutout, and allows the scissors element to be secured in a first extension height, which can be approximately 1 and ½ inches. The second  42   b  and  44   b  and third  44   d  and  44   c  downward loop cutouts are spaced along the cut-out between the distal and proximate ends of the cutout and allow the scissors element to be secured in a second and a third extension heights, which can be approximately 2½ and 3½ inches respectively. The fourth downward cutout  42   d  and  44   d  is positioned adjacent to the proximate end of the cutout and allows the scissors element to be secured in a fourth extension height, which can be approximately 4½ inches. 
         [0017]    A locking pin or metal bar  18  is used to secure the scissors element  16  at a desired height. Once extended, the locking pin  18  is placed such that the groove engaging length  19  of the pin  18  rests in the corresponding downward grooves, which prevent the scissors supports from collapsing to a first, base position. The locking pin  18  is a metal rod wherein the proximate end can be adapted with a bend or metal ring (not shown) to form a handgrip. The locking pin  18  is adapted adjacent to the handgrip and the distal end is similarly adapted with a groove engaging length  19  which allows the pin to fit securely into the downward grooves in the each scissors support simultaneously. 
         [0018]    The first scissors support  38  is adapted with four apertures  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  for receiving a fastener  36 . Each opposing side  38   a  and  38   b  is adapted identically with two apertures  52  and  54 . A first aperture  52  and  54  is approximately centered in and along the length of each opposing side  38   a  and  38   b.  A second aperture  48  and  50  is located proximate the terminal end of the opposing side  38   a  and  38   b,  adjacent to the bend connecting the connection support. 
         [0019]    The second scissors support  40  is adapted with four apertures  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62  for receiving a fastener  36 . Each opposing side  40   a  and  40   b  is adapted identically with two apertures  60  and  62 . A first aperture  60  and  62  is approximately centered in and along the length of each opposing side  40   a  and  40   b.  A second aperture  56  and  58  is located proximate the terminal end of the opposing side, adjacent to the bend connecting the connection support. 
         [0020]    All sides are adapted with apertures such that the center apertures  52  and  60  and  54  and  62  are aligned for connection by a fastener  36 . The fastener  36  may be a pan screw and locking nut connection, or any other suitable connection or fastener that enables pivotal movement and that resists loosening under torque. 
         [0021]    To assemble the scissors element  16 , the first and second scissors supports  38  and  40  are secured to one another at the center aperture  52  and  60  and  54  and  62 . The scissors supports  38  and  40  are aligned such that adjacent sides  38   c  and  40   c  are aligned and the opposing side  38   b  and  40   a  and  38   a  and  40   b  of each support  38  and  40  are aligned and facing the same direction. The opposing sides  38   a  and  38   b  of the first scissors support  38  are connected inside the opposing side  40   a  and  40   b  of the second scissors support  40 , such that an outer face of each opposing side of the first scissors support is in contact with an inner side of each opposing side of the second scissors support. The supports  38  and  40  are secured together by inserting the fastener  36  into aperture  60  and through aperture  52  and securing the fastener and inserting another fastener  36  into aperture  62  and through aperture  54  and securing the fastener. This connection is a pivotal connection, allowing the scissors supports  38  and  40  to pivot about the apertures and pivot with respect to one another. 
         [0022]    The tabs  28  and  30  of the support plate  14  are folded in and downward from an inside face of the support plate  14 . The first scissors support  38  is secured to the support  14  plate by aligning the terminal end apertures  48  and  50  with the apertures  29  and  31  in the tabs  28  and  30 . The tabs  28  and  30  are secured outside the riser support  38 , such that an inner surface of the tab is in contact with the outer surface of the opposing side length. The fastener  36  is inserted through both apertures and secured. The connection is a pivotal connection, allowing the scissors element  16  to pivot about a horizontal axis of the fastener. 
         [0023]    The tabs  32  and  34  of the base plate  12  are folded in and upward from an inside face of the base plate  12 . The second scissors support  40  is secured to the base plate  12  by aligning the terminal end apertures  58  and  56  with the apertures  33  and  35  in the tabs  32  and  34 . The tabs  32  and  34  are secured outside the second scissors support  40 , such that an inner surface of the tab is in contact with the outer surface of the opposing side length. The fastener  36  is inserted through both apertures and secured. The connection is a pivotal connection, allowing the scissors element to pivot about a horizontal axis of the fastener. 
         [0024]    When the scissors element  16  is assembled and in a collapsed position for storage, transport, or cooking close to a heat source, the scissors element  16  is unextended and collapsed completely within the base and support plates  12  and  14 . 
         [0025]    The grill riser  10  as disclosed above is assembled with four pivotal connections; the connections of the scissors supports to one another, the pivotal connection of the scissors support to the base plate and the pivotal connection of the scissors support to the support plate. The pivotal connections at the plates  12  and  14  are disposed on the same side of the grill riser  10  when assembled. The pivotal connection allows the base  12  and support plate  14  to open such that the only contact of the scissors supports and the base or support plate is at the pivotal connection. This open position allows a user to easily secure the scissors element in any extended position by inserting the pin into the aperture for locking. This open position also allows a user to easily clean or wipe off the grill riser. Further, a user may extend the scissors supports and retain them in a desired position and still be able to pivot the base plate and/or the support plate freely without affecting the scissors element. 
         [0026]    When the support plate  14  and base plate  12  are opened or pulled away from one another, the adjacent sides of the scissors supports slide along the base plate and the support plate respectively allowing the scissors supports to extend or collapse. This can be done manually or by gravity in simply picking up an end and allowing the scissors supports to slide. The locking pin  18  is then placed in the corresponding downward loop in each cutout for the desired height extension. The pin  18  will prevent movement of the second scissors support  40  and will retain both scissors supports  38  and  40  in a desired position. The riser supports are then retained substantially in an “X” or scissors crossed configuration, which supports the base plate  12  and the support plate  14 . The support plate  14  and base plate  12  are then supported by the pivotal connections wherein the opposing end of the pivot connection is in contact with the opposing side of the opposite plate. The adjacent ends support the plates on the sides opposite the pivotal connections. 
         [0027]    The locking pin  18  extends across the grill riser from one side edge cutout  42  to the other  44 . Other means of securing the plate in an extended phase can be used, including multiple smaller pins for interaction with the downward grooves. 
         [0028]    When the base plate is placed directly on or over a heat source from a grill or other open flame, a food container or a food packaging is directly placed on the support plate and is additionally extended from the heat source relative to the extended position of the scissors element selected by the user. The level of extension is dependent on cooking time, type of food, and type of container used. The food is then cooked from the bottom by the heating of the support plate, and is cooked by the heat from the heat source wherein the heat is allowed to flow through the baffle holes in each plate and disperse around the device and the support surface. 
         [0029]    The base plate and support plate may also be adapted on the open side with a hook and loop or other fastener  50  which can be connected or secured during transport or storage, or used in the unextended position to retain the grill riser in the collapsed position. 
         [0030]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.