Abstract:
A portable barbecue cooking apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising a cooking chamber comprising a topside opening and a fire bowl with opposing ends; at least two handles, each handle attached to opposing ends of the fire bowl; and at least two shelves, each shelf being pivotally attached to each of the handles, and each shelf being foldable inwardly towards the topside opening of the cooking chamber during a stowage position and extendable outwardly away from the topside opening of the cooking chamber during a usage position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application of U. S. application Ser. No. 11/224,837, entitled “Barbecue Grill With Folding Shelf” which was filed on Sep. 14, 2005 and has now been granted a Notice of Allowance; and which is a continuation application of U. S. application Ser. No. 11/098,721, entitled “Barbecue Grill and Support Frame Assembly” which was filed on Apr. 4, 2005 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,476; which is a continuation application of U. S. application Ser. No. 10/319,421, entitled “Barbecue Grill and Support Frame Assembly” which was filed on Feb. 13, 2002 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,476; and this application is also a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/444,237, entitled “Portable Cooking Apparatus” which was filed on May 27, 2003 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,497; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/736,847, entitled “Cooking Apparatus” which was filed on Dec. 13, 2000 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,987. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a barbecue cooking apparatus and more particularly, to a compact portable barbecue grill with foldable shelves for cooking food. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Fixed outdoor fireplaces or barbecues have been known for many years. Typically, these fireplaces or barbecues are constructed of brick, masonry and/or metal. In recent years, portable outdoor fireplaces or barbecues have entered the marketplace. Such portable barbecues are compact and are readily movable from one location to another such as a beach or park, and readily transportable within a vehicle, such as an automobile. 
     Barbecue grills have grown in popularity in recent years. There are two primary types of barbecue grills commonly used: gas grills and solid fuel grills. Gas barbecue grills employ a gas burner or group of burners to cook food that is supported on a grate above the burner(s). The fuel source for gas barbecue grills is typically liquid propane or natural gas. Solid fuel barbecue grills use combustible solid fuel, typically charcoal, to cook the food. As a result, this type of grill is commonly referred to as a charcoal barbecue grill. Regardless of the type, the barbecue grill has a cooking chamber that includes a cover and a firebox. By movement of the cover, the cooking chamber is movable between an open position and a closed position. The cooking chamber may be in the closed position when the food is being cooked by the barbecue grill. Preferably, the cover is in the closed position when the grill is not in use, and instead is stored between uses. 
     During operation of the barbecue grill, food is placed on the grate for cooking, which results in grease and such byproducts from the food being released during cooking. The quantity of grease generated during the cooking process varies with a number of factors, including but not limited to the type of food cooked, the amount of food cooked, the amount of heat generated by the heat source such as a burner tube, and the ambient conditions. Over time and repeated use, grease and byproducts can accumulate within the cooking chamber. The accumulation of grease and byproducts can negatively affect the performance and operation of the barbecue grill assembly. For this reason, some barbecue grills incorporate an opening in the bottom of the lower portion of the cooking chamber for passage and collection of grease and/or debris. 
     Another aspect of conventional barbecue grills is to provide a frame or support structure to hold the cooking chamber in suitable location for use. Also, some commonly used grills include side work shelves, to provide area for resting food and utensils when using the grill. The support frame structures often serve as support for the side shelves, and sometimes provide for collapsible shelves. In typical grill assemblies, the collapsible side shelves typically drop to a storage position toward the frame structure, usually into a generally vertical non-use position. 
     One example of such a common gas barbecue grill is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,964 to Lohmeyer et al. In  FIG. 4 , the cooking chamber  52  comprises the cover  58  and the firebox  56 . A burner element  62  is positioned in a lower region of the firebox  56  and a grate  66  is positioned in an upper region of the firebox  56 . A drip pan  98  collects grease and byproducts that pass through the drain opening in the lower portion of the firebox  56 . The cover  58  is movably supported by a hinge  60  positioned at the rear of the cooking chamber  52 . A rim defines a perimeter of the firebox  56 . In the closed position of  FIG. 4 , the rim engages the angled front wall of the cover  58 . The grill assembly also has a portable cart  22  that supports the lower housing  52  of the grill, as it is suspended on the side members  40  of the cart  22 . The grill assembly further provides a working surface, such as a working board  170  supported on the side members of the cart  22 , adjacent the cooking vessel  24 . In a collapsible arrangement of the working board  172 , the board is connected to the cart  22  by a hinge, and is supported by a rod  174 . 
     Despite the popularity of grills with supporting cart or frame assemblies in use, there is a need for a barbecue grill and frame structure with compact arrangement and versatility of side shelves that pivot on the frame into the cooking chamber for storage of the grill. Further, there is a need for a grill and support frame structure that supports a heat shield and grease/debris collection chamber and serves to support a lower shield below the cooking chamber. The present invention is provided to resolve these and other needs. 
     Traditional barbecues included a fire bowl, a grill and a bag of charcoal, and most recently, gas tanks and separate utensils. The barbecues in the marketplace do not provide sufficient workspace during the cooking process. In addition, the barbecues are not specifically designed to be compact and to incorporate all the above components into the fire bowl during storage or transport of the barbecue and at the same time, being conveniently removable from the fire bowl prior to usage of the barbecue. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a cooking apparatus and system designed to be compact and functional during storage and transport and to provide convertible workspace during usage of the barbecue. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a portable barbecue grill assembly comprising: a fire bowl having a topside opening; at least one handle attached to the fire bowl; and at least one shelf pivotally attached to the handle, and the shelf is foldable inwardly towards the topside opening of the fire bowl during a stowage position and extendable outwardly away from the topside opening of the fire bowl during a usage position. 
     In another embodiment, the handle is directly attached to the fire bowl. In yet another embodiment, the shelf is directly attached to the handle. In still another embodiment, at least a portion of the shelf is situated above at least a portion of the topside opening of the fire bowl during said stowage position. 
     In still yet another embodiment, the assembly further comprises a grill, and at least a portion of the shelf is generally parallel to the grill during the stowage position. In a further embodiment, the assembly further comprises a base, and the fire bowl is mounted on the base. In yet a further embodiment, the fire bowl comprises opposing ends, and the first handle is attached to the first end of the fire bowl. 
     In still a further embodiment, the assembly further comprises a second handle, and the handle is attached to the second opposing side of the fire bowl. In still yet a further embodiment, the assembly further comprises a second shelf, and the shelf is pivotally attached to the handle, and the shelf is foldable inwardly towards the topside opening of the fire bowl during a stowage position and extendable outwardly away from the topside opening of the fire bowl during a usage position. In another embodiment, the second handle is directly attached to the fire bowl. In yet another embodiment, the second shelf is directly and pivotally attached to the second handle. 
     In still another embodiment, the assembly further comprising at least one lid. In yet still another embodiment, the lid is pivotally attached to the fire bowl. In a further embodiment, the lid is directly and pivotally attached to the fire bowl. In yet a further embodiment, the shelf is suspended over the topside opening of said fire bowl during the stowage position. In still a further embodiment, the shelf is situated within the fire bowl during the stowage position. 
     In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a portable barbecue assembly comprising: a cooking chamber comprising a fire bowl and a topside opening, and the fire bowl having opposing sides; at least two handles, each handle is attached to the opposing sides of the fire bowl; and at least two shelves, each shelf is pivotally attached to each of the handles, and the shelves are foldable inwardly towards the topside opening of the cooking chamber during a stowage position and extendable outwardly away from the topside opening of the cooking chamber during a usage position. 
     In another further embodiment, the handles are directly attached to each of the opposing ends of the fire bowl. In still another further embodiment, each of the shelves is directly attached to each of the handles. In yet another further embodiment, at least a portion of each of the shelves is situated above at least a portion of the topside opening of the cooking chamber during the stowage position. 
     In still another embodiment, the assembly further comprises a grill, and at least a portion of each of the shelves is generally parallel to the grill during the stowage position. In still yet another embodiment, the assembly further comprises a base, and the fire bowl is mounted on the base. 
     In a further embodiment, the assembly further comprises a grill, and at least a portion of the grill is situated within the fire bowl. In yet a further embodiment, the assembly further comprises at least one lid. In still a further embodiment, the lid is pivotally attached to said fire bowl. In still yet a further embodiment, the lid is directly and pivotally attached to the fire bowl. 
     In another further embodiment, each of the shelves is suspended over the topside opening of the fire bowl during the stowage position. In yet another further embodiment, each of the shelves is situated within the fire bowl during the stowage position. 
     In still another embodiment, the present invention provides for a cooking apparatus comprising: a fire bowl comprising a topside opening; at least one handle attached to the fire bowl; at least one grill situated within the topside opening of the fire bowl; and at least one shelf is pivotally attached to the handle, and the shelf is foldable inwardly towards the topside opening of the fire bowl during a stowage position and extendable outwardly away from the topside opening of the fire bowl during a usage position, and the shelf is situated above the grill during the stowage position. 
     In another embodiment, the handle is directly attached to the fire bowl. In yet another embodiment, the shelf is directly and pivotally attached to the handle. In still another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a lid, and the lid is pivotally attached to the fire bowl. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a portable barbecue grill assembly comprising: a cooking chamber comprising a fire bowl mounted on a base; and at least one shelf being directly and pivotally attached to the base, the shelf being foldable inwardly towards the cooking chamber during a stowage position and extendable outwardly away from the cooking chamber during the usage position and having a distance between the shelf and the cooking chamber to avoid heat damage to the shelf when the cooking chamber is in use. 
     In another embodiment, at least a portion of the shelf is situated above and suspended over the cooking chamber during the stowage position. In still another embodiment, the base is a frame assembly. In yet another embodiment, the frame assembly comprises at least one main frame member, the main frame member has opposing ends, the shelf is directly and pivotally attached to at least one of the opposing ends of the main frame member. 
     In still yet another embodiment, the frame assembly comprises at least two main frame members, each of the main frame members comprising opposing ends, the shelf being directly and pivotally attached to at least one of each of the opposing ends of each of said main frame members. In a further embodiment, the assembly further comprises at least one handle connected to at least one of the opposing ends of the main frame member; and a lid mountable on the cooking chamber. In yet a further embodiment, the handle provides support for the shelf during the use position. 
     In still a further embodiment, the assembly further comprises a second shelf, the second shelf being directly and pivotally connected to the base, the shelf being foldable and situated above the fire bowl during a stowage position and extendable from the fire bowl during the usage position. In still yet a further embodiment, at least a portion of the second shelf is situated above and suspended over the cooking chamber during the stowage position. In another further embodiment, the assembly further comprises a second handle. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides for a portable barbecue grill assembly comprising: a cooking chamber comprising a fire bowl mounted on a base; and at least two shelves being directly and pivotally attached to the base, at least a portion of each of the shelves being foldable and situated above the cooking chamber during a stowage position and extendable from the cooking chamber during the usage position and having a distance between the shelf and the cooking chamber to avoid heat damage to the shelves when the cooking chamber is in use. 
     In a further embodiment, the present invention also provides for a portable barbecue grill assembly comprising: a cooking chamber comprising a fire bowl mounted on a base; and at least one shelf being directly and pivotally attached to the base, the shelf being foldable into the fire bowl during a stowage position and away from the fire bowl during the usage position and having a distance between the shelf and the fire bowl to avoid heat damage to the shelf when the fire bowl is in use. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention also relates to a portable barbecue grill assembly comprising: a cooking chamber comprising a fire bowl mounted on a supporting frame; and at least one shelf being directly and pivotally attached to the supporting frame, at least a portion of the shelf being foldable into the cooking chamber during a stowage position and extendable from the cooking chamber during the usage position and having a distance between the shelf and the cooking chamber to avoid heat damage to the shelf when the cooking chamber is in use. 
     In still another embodiment, the supporting frame comprises at least one main frame member, the main frame member has opposing ends, the shelf being directly and pivotally attached to at least one of the opposing ends of the main frame member. In yet another embodiment, the supporting frame comprises at least two main frame members, each of the main frame members comprising opposing ends, the shelf being directly and pivotally attached to at least one of each of the opposing ends of each of the main frame members. 
     In still yet another embodiment, the assembly further comprises at least one handle connected to at least one of the opposing ends of the main frame member; and a lid mountable on the cooking chamber. In a further embodiment, the handle provides support for the shelf during the use position. In another further embodiment, the assembly further comprises a second shelf and a second handle, the second shelf being directly and pivotally connected to the supporting frame, the shelf being foldable into the fire bowl during a stowage position and extendable from the fire bowl during the usage position. In yet a further embodiment, the second shelf is situated opposite of the first shelf, the second shelf is pivotally attached to each of the opposing ends of the main frame member and the second handle being situated opposite of the first handle, the second handle being connected to each of the opposing ends of each of the main frame members. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a cooking apparatus comprising a fire bowl and at least one shelf pivotally mounted to the fire bowl, wherein the shelf is movable between a stowage position within the fire bowl to a usage position located externally of the fire bowl. In another embodiment, the fire bowl has an internal chamber and the apparatus further comprises a grill located within the internal chamber. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a second shelf pivotally mounted to the fire bowl, wherein the second shelf is movable between a stowage position within the fire bowl to a usage position located exteriorly of the fire bowl. In still another embodiment, the first shelf is aligned with the second shelf in both the stowage position and the usage position. In yet another embodiment, fire bowl terminates into at least one end portion and the shelf is pivotally mounted to the end portion. 
     In still yet another embodiment, the fire bowl is mounted on a supporting frame and the apparatus further comprises at least one leg. In a further embodiment, the fire bowl is mounted on a supporting frame, and the supporting frame has at least one handle, and the shelf rests on the handle when the shelf is in the usage position. In still a further embodiment, the supporting frame includes a pair of leg members, each of the leg member are pivotally movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and the leg members are adapted to be in contact with the supporting surface in both the retracted position and the extended position, and the fire bowl is located further from the supporting surface when the leg members are in the extended position as opposed to the retracted position. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the shelf in the usage position has a working surface. In still yet a further embodiment, the shelf comprises at least one utensil retaining groove. In another embodiment, the shelf has a working surface in the usage position and a utensil is to be located within the utensil retaining groove so the utensil is located beneath the working surface when the shelf is in the usage position. For purposes of the invention, a utensil includes, but is not limited to, spatula, forks, and tongs. In still another embodiment, the first and second shelves have utensil storage grooves, which function to provide utensil storage locations when the first and second shelves are in the storage position. 
     In yet another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a lid mountable on the fire bowl. In still yet another embodiment, the lid is pivotally mounted to the fire bowl, and the lid being movable in a closed position wherein the lid covers the grill to an open position wherein the lid allows access to the grill. In a further embodiment, the supporting frame of the apparatus includes a pair of main frame members, each the main frame member are channel shaped defining an internal cavity, and the leg is mounted within the internal cavity. 
     In another embodiment, the first shelf is situated atop the second shelf in a staggered position during the stowage position. In still another embodiment, the shelf rests upon the grill during the stowage position. 
     In still a further embodiment, the barbecue cooking system comprises a fire bowl having an internal chamber, a grill located within the internal chamber; a lid mountable on the fire bowl; a stand for supporting the fire bowl; and at least one shelf pivotally mounted to the fire bowl, the shelf being foldable inwardly towards the fire bowl or cooking chamber during a storage position and extendable outwardly away from the fire bowl or cooking chamber during a usage position. 
     In one embodiment, the system is a stationary cooking system. In another embodiment, the system is a portable cooking system. The cooking apparatus and system of the present invention may be used for indoor and outdoor use. 
     In still another embodiment, the system further comprising a second shelf pivotally mounted to the fire bowl, the second shelf being foldable into the fire bowl during a stowage position and extendable from the fire bowl during a usage position. In yet another embodiment, the first shelf is aligned with the second shelf in both the storage position and the usage position. 
     In still yet another embodiment, the shelf comprises at least one working surface and at least one utensil retaining grooves. In a further embodiment, the stand comprises at least one movable leg. In still a further embodiment, the leg is retractable and extendable. In yet a further embodiment, the leg terminates into a wheel. In another embodiment, the fire bowl is situated upon the stand during a usage position and the stand being designed to fit onto the lid during a stowage position. 
     In still yet embodiment, the lid is pivotally mounted onto the fire bowl, the lid being movable from a closed position wherein the lid covers the grill to an open position wherein the lid allows access to the grill. In still yet another further embodiment, the internal chamber comprises a compartment for retaining burnable material such as coal. 
     In another embodiment, the system further comprising a propane tank, the tank is situated within the fire bowl during the stowage position and externally of the fire bowl during the usage position. In still another embodiment, the system further comprising at least one utensil, the utensil is positioned within the utensil-retaining groove of the shelf. In yet another embodiment, the fire bowl having a bottom which is connected to a pair of planar sidewalls with the bottom being located between the sidewalls, the bottom has an arcuate shape which extends from a fore end to an aft end, the sidewalls having a free upper edge which is substantially flush with the fore end and the aft end. In another embodiment, the shelf is foldable into the internal chamber of the fire bowl. 
     In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a cooking apparatus comprising: a fire bowl having an internal chamber, a grill located within the internal chamber; a lid mountable on the fire bowl; and at least two shelves, each of the shelves are pivotally mounted to the fire bowl, each of the shelves being movable between a stowage position within the fire bowl to a usage position located exteriorly of the fire bowl. In another further embodiment, the first shelf is situated atop the second shelf in a staggered position during a stowage position. In still a further embodiment, the apparatus further comprising a stand, the fire bowl being situated upon the stand during a usage position, the stand being design to fit onto the lid during a stowage position. In yet a further embodiment, at least one of said shelves of the apparatus of present invention rests upon the grill during the stowage position. 
     In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a cooking apparatus comprising: a fire bowl; and a supporting frame being mounted on the fire bowl, at least one pair of leg members being pivotally mounted on the supporting frame and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the leg members adapted to be in contact with a supporting surface in both the retracted and extended positions, the fire bowl being located further from the supporting surface when the leg members are in the extended position as opposed to the retracted position. In yet another embodiment, the leg members are crossed when in the retracted position. In still yet another embodiment, the leg members are located parallel and spaced apart when in the extended position. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cooking apparatus, the method comprising: providing a fire bowl having an internal chamber; positioning a grill within the internal reservoir; and pivotally mounting at least one shelf onto the fire bowl, the shelf being movable between a stowage position within the fire bowl to a usage position located exteriorly of the fire bowl. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a barbecue grill assembly according to the present invention, showing a frame structure and a cooking chamber in closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the grill assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the cooking chamber in an open position and collapsible shelves in non-use position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the grill assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the cooking chamber in a closed position and the collapsible shelves in an extended, or use, position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the grill assembly of  FIG. 3  showing the cooking chamber in an open position and the shelves in a use position, with a partial section view of the grate shown to provide a view of the inner portion of the bottom of the cooking chamber; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a portion of the grill shown in  FIG. 3 , showing the left side of the grill and frame assembly, and a portion of the collapsible shelf in the use position; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a portion of the grill assembly shown in  FIG. 4 , showing the grill grate in partial section view to provide a view of a portion of the bottom area of the cooking chamber and the opening in the bottom of the cooking chamber; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial side perspective view of the grill assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , showing detail of the mounting of a frame member to the cooking chamber, and showing detail of the grease collection tray in the frame assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial view of the grill shown in  FIG. 3 , taken along section lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an elevated perspective view of a side of the grill shown in  FIG. 3 , showing the collapsible side shelf and frame assembly arrangement with the shelf in the use position and the cover in the closed position; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the grill along  10 - 10  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 11  is the grill assembly of  FIG. 2  with the addition of showing cooking utensils secured to one of the shelves; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of a portion of the grill assembly structure taken along  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an elevated perspective view of part of a side of the grill assembly of  FIG. 1 , showing attachment of a gas tank as a fuel supply, with the gas tank being in the secured position with the grill assembly; 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric view of the cooking apparatus of the present invention showing an embodiment of the cooking apparatus in its most compact position with the lid being mounted on the fire bowl and the leg assembly of the supporting frame in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view through the leg assembly of the supporting frame of the cooking apparatus taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the cooking apparatus showing the lid removed and also showing a propane tank and utensils being mounted in a stowed position in conjunction with a pair of shelves that are also located in a stowage position on the grill of the cooking apparatus and with the leg assembly of the supporting frame being located in the extended (usage) position; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view through the leg assembly taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an isometric view of the cooking apparatus of this invention showing such in its typical usage position; 
         FIG. 19  is an isometric view of another embodiment of cooking apparatus of this invention showing the cooking apparatus in its most compact position with the lid being mounted on the fire bowl and the leg assembly of the supporting frame in the retracted position; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view through the lid latching assembly of the cooking apparatus taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 19  with this latching assembly being also employed within all embodiments of this invention that utilize a propane tank; 
         FIG. 21  is an isometric view of the cooking apparatus showing the lid removed and also showing the propane tank and utensils being mounted in a stowed position in conjunction with a pair of shelves that are also located in a stowage position on the grill of the cooking apparatus and with the leg assembly of the supporting frame being located in the extended (usage) position; 
         FIG. 22  is an isometric view of the cooking apparatus of this invention with the pair of shelves being moved to an outwardly extended position and the cooking apparatus in position for usage; 
         FIG. 23  is an isometric view of still another embodiment of cooking apparatus of this invention showing the cooking apparatus in its most compact position with the lid being mounted on the fire bowl and the leg assembly of the supporting frame in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 23  showing the mounting arrangement; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 24  showing the lid being disengaged from the fire bowl where in  FIG. 24  the lid was engaged with the fire bowl; 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view through the latching mechanism for the leg assembly of the cooking apparatus of this invention taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 27  is an isometric view of the cooking apparatus showing the lid in an open position and the leg assembly in the extended position, which is the normal position for usage of the cooking apparatus; and 
         FIG. 28  is an isometric view of the fire bowl of the cooking apparatus showing the shelves being moved from the stowage position to an outwardly extended position. 
     
    
    
     Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessary to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 to 13 , the present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly  10 , as is shown in the Figures of the invention. The barbecue grill assembly  10  generally includes a cooking chamber  12  and a support frame assembly  14 . The support frame assembly  14  is adapted to provide support to the cooking chamber  12  and has a front structure  14   a  and a rear structure  14   b . The cooking chamber  12  includes a cover  16  that is preferably connected to a firebox  18  by a hinge mechanism  17 . The cover  16  has a lower edge  19  that is dimensioned to substantially mate with an upper edge  20  of the firebox. The mating of the cover lower edge  19  and the firebox upper edge  20  occurs when the cover  16  is placed over the firebox  18  such that the cooking chamber  12  is in a closed arrangement. In this manner, the upper edge  19  is in alignment with the lower edge  20 , even though there are preferably areas of the cooking chamber that provide an opening or a space  21  between the cover  16  edge  19  and the firebox  18  edge  20  (see  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 ). Such openings  21  between the cover  16  and the firebox  18  are provided for passage of side shelves  22  into the cooking chamber  12  for the shelf or shelves  22  to be placed into a non-use or storage configuration, such as is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  11  through  13 . 
     A grate  24  is removably positioned generally within the firebox  18 . The grate  24  defines a cooking surface upon which food is placed during operation of the grill assembly  10 . In a preferred embodiment, at least one side shelf  22  resides above and adjacent the grate  24  when the shelf  22  is in the storage configuration. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, at least one shelf  22  is secured to a portion of the frame assembly  14  along a hinge line  26 . Rotation, or pivoting, of the shelf  22  along the hinge line  26  provides selected movement of the shelf  22  from a first position  22   a  in which the shelf  22  resides adjacent the firebox  18  and in spaced relationship from the firebox  18 . When the shelf  22  is in the first position  22   a , at least a portion of the shelf  22  provides a work surface  28  of the shelf exposed for use during cooking. In the shelf arrangement of  22   a , the shelf  22  extends generally horizontally adjacent the cooking chamber  12 , thereby providing a generally horizontal platform of the work surface  28 . 
     When the shelf is moved to the storage arrangement  22   b , the shelf is pivoted about the hinge line  26 , such that the work surface  28  is positioned facing the grate  24  within the cooking chamber  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the shelf  22  in the second position  22   b  thereby has at least a portion of the shelf  22  within the cooking chamber  12 , supported within the chamber  12  above the grate  24 . In this manner, the shelf  22  passes from the hinge line  26  adjacent and outside the firebox  18 , through the opening  21  between the cover  16  and the firebox  18 , to partially reside within the chamber  12  above the grate  24 . In a preferred embodiment, the shelf  22  is adapted to provide contact with the cooking chamber  12  such that the shelf  22  is supported by the cooking chamber at the contact. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the contact structure of the shelf  22  includes a projecting surface from the shelf  22 , such as at least one boss  30  of the shelf  22 . The boss  30  is adapted to provide supporting contact  32  ( FIG. 12 ) for the shelf  22  to be supported on a portion of the cooking chamber  12 , and preferably at the upper edge  20  of the firebox  18 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, the shelf  22  is formed of plastic or the like, and the boss  30  is a heat resistant material, such as a metal pin or grommet boss  30 . Also, in another embodiment, the boss  30  extends outward from the work surface  28  of the shelf  22  to provide the supporting contact  32  in spaced relationship from the firebox  18 , thereby assuring that the shelf  22  does not make contact directly with the cooking chamber  12  when in the second position  22   b.    
     The shelf  22  is supported primarily by the connection of the shelf  22  to the frame assembly  14  along hinge line  26 , wherein the support is provided as a cantilever support of the shelf  22  in the first position  22   a . In the embodiment shown in the figures, the shelf  22  is freely movable in rotation about the hinge line  26  from the first position  22   a  to the second position  22   b , without being locked in either location. However, it is contemplated that the assembly  10  may also include a locking member (not shown) for the shelf  22  to be releasably secured in the first position  22   a  and/or the second position  22   b.    
     In the embodiment shown in the figures, the shelf  22  is at least partially secured in the second position  22   b  by being trapped between the firebox  18  and the cover  14 . In this embodiment, the shelf has a thickness  34  having an extent that substantially mates with the opening  21  for the shelf  22  to pass into the cooking chamber  18 . The thickness  34  of the shelf shown in the figures includes the combination of the work surface  28 , side edges  36  and at least one strengthening rib  38  or ridge positioned on the bottom surface  39  of the shelf  22  (see  FIG. 11 ). In this arrangement of cooperative structure combining to form the thickness  34  to substantially cover the opening  21 , the ridge  38  is adapted to block water or the like from entering the cooking chamber along the surface  39  of the shelf  22 , even though adjacent areas of the surface  39  comprise a recess or compartment such as when the shelf is made with thinner material and the strengthening ridges  38  reside on the surface  39  to provide strength or beam-strength rigidity of the shelf  22 . 
     In still another embodiment, the assembly  12  includes two shelves  22 , a first shelf  40  and a second shelf  41 . The first shelf  40  is located on one side of the cooking chamber  12  and the second shelf  41  is located on a generally opposed side of the cooking chamber  12 . In this arrangement, the two shelves  40 ,  41  each are rotatable about independent hinge lines  26  to move the shelves  40 ,  41  into the cooking chamber area such that both shelves together fit in to shelf storage positions  22   b  above the grate  24 . Further, at least one shelf  22  includes a utensil mounting assembly  42 , preferably located on the bottom surface  39  of the shelf  22 . The mounting assembly  42  is adapted to hold cooking utensils  43  on the shelf  22  for storage of the utensils  43 , by a locking component  44  adapted to provide frictional engagement of the utensil  43  to be removably secured, such as by the user pushing down on a portion of the utensil (see  FIG. 12 ). Engagement of the utensil  43  to the locking component  44  preferably includes mating of a recess  46  and a projection  48 . In the embodiment shown, the recess  46  is positioned on the utensil  43  and the projection  48  is located on the locking component  44 . However, the location of the mating recess  46  and projection  48  may be in reversed arrangement on the structures. In the arrangement of the recess  46  and projection  48 , the user removes the utensil  43  by pushing at least a portion of the utensil  43  from a first position  49   a  wherein the projection  48  is within the receiver  46  to a second position  49   b  wherein the projection  48  is not within the receiver  46  and the utensil  43  may thereby be removed ( FIG. 12 ). 
     The frame assembly  14  is made up of a plurality of frame members. The frame members are preferably each of pre-formed construction having an upper portion  52  and a lower portion  54 . In yet another embodiment, the frame assembly  12  is comprised of at least two frame member assemblies, a first frame member  60  and a second frame member  62 . The first and second frame members  60 ,  62  are secured in position for supporting the cooking chamber  12  by being mounted to the chamber  12  in spaced relationship, having an extent of space  64  between the frame members  60 ,  62  ( FIGS. 7 and 10 ). The frame members  60 ,  62  are secured at the spaced extent  64  by securement of the frame members  60 ,  62  to the firebox by at least one mounting member  66  joining the frame members  60 ,  62  to the firebox  18  of the cooking chamber  12 . In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the mounting member  66  includes a plurality of tabs ( FIG. 8 ) extending from the firebox  18  outer wall  68 , at the underside and bottom portion of the firebox  18 . The mounting members  66  thereby cooperatively mate with surfaces of the frame members  60 ,  62  and a fastened to the frame to secure the frame assembly  14  adjacent, and in spaced relation to, the firebox  18 . In the grill shown, the mounting of the frame to the firebox  18  in this manner serves to secure the lower portion of the frame members  60 ,  62  in position without the need for lateral cross members between the frame members  60 ,  62  beneath the fastening at the mounting members  66 . 
     The frame assembly  14  also includes at least one cross member assembly  70  positioned at the upper portion of the frame members  60 ,  62 . The cross member  70  is adapted to provide an upper frame connection perimeter for further fixing the frame members  60 ,  62  in position and separated by an extent of space. The connection perimeter includes two cross members  70 , a first cross member  72  and a second cross member  74 . The cross members  70  preferably each have one end connected to the first frame member  60 , and an opposed end connected to the second frame member  62 . The mounting members  66 , as shown in the preferred form in the Figures, include elongated tabs of metal, the tabs are fastened to the firebox  18  and extend therefrom. The fastened tabs is especially useful to provide mounting for the frame  14  to the cooking chamber  12 , where the firebox is constructed of metal, such as sheet metal or cast metal (aluminum), and the frame  14  is at least partially constructed of other material such as plastic. Since the outer wall of the firebox inevitably will get hot when using the grill, securing a separate tab for mounting the firebox  18  to the plastic frame  14  will provide a mounting assembly that reduces heat transfer to the frame  14 . 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the shelf  22  has a void area  78 . The void area of the shelf  22  is located in the area between the hinge line  26  and the firebox  18  when the shelf  22  is in the first position  22   a , thereby providing a gap or space between the shelf and the side of the firebox  18 . This spacing of the shelf provides a distance for the shelf from the heat emitted at the side of the firebox, especially useful when the shelf is made of plastic. When the shelf  22  is placed in the second position  22   b , the void area  78  exposes a portion of the cross member that thereby provides a handle  80  for the user to move the grill. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, the frame  14  is formed of generally X-shaped frame members  60 ,  62 . The upper portion of the frame members  60 ,  62  extend radially upward and outward from a central body region  76 , and the lower portion of the frame members  60 ,  62  extend radially outward and downward from the central body region  76 . In this embodiment, mounting of the firebox  18  to the frame members  60 ,  62  by the mounting members  66  is located at the central body region  76  of the frame members  60 ,  62 . The lower extending portion of the frame members  60 ,  62  thereby are adapted to serve as supporting legs of the grills assembly  10 . The legs are formed of a unified structure extending from the central body portion  76 , adapted to extend with sufficient rigidity to support the cooking chamber  12  with legs in spaced relationship  64  without the need for cross members securing the legs together. In this arrangement, the grill assembly frame  14  is formed solely from two frame assemblies joined by cross members at one portion of the frame  14 , in cooperation with being joined to the firebox at another portion of the frame  14 . 
     The upper cross member(s)  70  include a handle  80  with a gripping portion  80   a.  Because the cross member is secured between the frame members  60 ,  62 , the cross member  70  is securely fastened such that a portion of the cross member itself may be adapted to provide the handle  80 . This is shown in the Figures, as the cross member  70  includes a curved handle that is suitably dimensioned to provide a gripping portion  80   a  for a user to grasp and transport or lift the grill assembly  10 . As is also shown, still yet another embodiment of this assembly  10  provides securement of the shelf  22  along the hinge line  26  immediately adjacent the cross member  70 . The shelf  22  is thereby supported in the first position  22   a  by resting on at least a portion of the upper surface  82  of the cross member  70 . In a further embodiment, the shelf  22  is supported in the first position  22   a  solely by the combination of the cantilever support at the hinge line  26  and contact of the shelf with the upper surface  82  of the cross member  70 . 
     The grill assembly  10  also includes a heat shield  90  mounted beneath the firebox  18  and attached to the frame  14 . The heat shield  90  is preferably formed of an elongated piece of metal sheet stock. The heat shield  90  also includes a collection chamber  92 , preferably in a central area of the heat shield  90 , for receiving drip of grease or debris from the firebox  18 . The firebox  18  has an opening  94  to allow grease or debris from cooking to fall from within the firebox  18  toward the bottom of the assembly  10 . The collection chamber preferably is adapted to receive a removable receptacle  96  that is positioned below he opening  94 . 
     The combination heat shield  90  and collection chamber  92  is preferably secured into position to substantially span the extent of the space  64  between the frame members  60 ,  62 . The heat shield  90  thereby acts as a barrier between the bottom of the firebox  18  and the area beneath the heat shield  90 . This is especially useful for the grill configuration shown in the Figures, having a compact design with short leg portions of the frame  14 , as is desirable for a table-top grill design. Also, when the grill assembly is attached to a cart structure (not shown), removal of the grill assembly  10  from such a structure will not disrupt the mounting of the heat shield  90  and collection chamber  92  from position beneath the firebox  18 , as the heat shield  90  remains fixed in position by the frame  14 . 
     The heat shield  90  is secured in position on the frame by being supported on at least one lateral support surface  98  along an extent of the frame member ( FIG. 10 ). In the preferred form of the invention, the lateral support surface  98  is comprised of a groove  100  formed in the first and second frame assemblies  60 ,  62 . The grooves  100  cooperatively form a lateral slot along a lateral sliding path residing along a plane  102 . The lateral slot is adapted to provide a path for the heat shield to pass into the space  64  between the frame assemblies  60 ,  62  to be inserted in place, with the bottom surfaces of the grooves  100  providing a sliding surface of edge areas  104  of the heat shield  90  ( FIG. 9 ). At least one groove  100  further having a recess  106  with a lateral wall surface  107  adapted to prevent lateral movement of the shield  90  when the edge area  104  of the shield  90  is dropped from the lateral plane to a position on a lower plane  108  ( FIG. 10 ). In this arrangement of structure, the shield  90  is inserted by the user between the frame members  60 ,  62  by insertion along the plane  102 , and then lowered into plane  108  for the shield to be supported in the groove and prevented from lateral sliding removal by the wall surface  107 . 
     The assembly  10  also includes an ignitor  110 , used to ignite the burner element, which is preferably a gas burner such as is shown in the Figures, with a fuel source such as a fuel tank  112 . The ignitor includes an ignitor actuator control  114  as a button or switch, which is secured to the frame assembly  14  to be mounted securely to the grill  10  and yet be exposed for the user to activate the ignitor distal end  116  which generates the spark or the like to ignite the gas from the burner for cooking. In the preferred form of the invention, the actuator  114  is located on one of the frame assemblies  60  and a portion of the actuator  114  passes through the frame assembly  60  to provide an exposed actuator button  118  on the frame  14  at a recess  120  in the frame  14 . 
     A support bracket  122  is provided on the frame at the side of the firebox  18  for supporting the fuel tank  112 . The support bracket  122  includes a loop having an inner perimeter that is cooperatively dimensioned to receive the outer perimeter of a standard and common size fuel tank  112 . The fuel tank is thereby held in place on the grill assembly by the combination of the support bracket  122  at one part of the tank  112 , and the tank being secured to the gas manifold  124  of the assembly  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , the support bracket  122  is mounted directly to the inside of a frame assembly  62 , preferably the rear frame structure  14   b . The mounting of the bracket  122  includes an attachment arm  126  that extends from the frame  14  to place the bracket perimeter in position for receiving the tank  112 . 
     Referring now particularly to  FIGS. 14 to 28 , there is shown another embodiment of the cooking apparatus  10  of the present invention, which has a fire bowl  12 . The fire bowl  12  has a bottom  14 . Typically, the fire bowl  12  will be constructed of steel or iron. The bottom  14  assumes a smooth, arcuate shape so that the bottom  14  is basically concave relative to the internal chamber  16  of the fire bowl  12 . The fire bowl  12  also includes a front  18  and a back  20 . The sides of the front and back,  18  and  20  respectively, of the fire bowl  12  are slightly curved being convex from the exterior. The bottom  14  is also curved arcuately in the direction from front  18  to back  20 . This forming of the fire bowl  12  is to maximize the reflecting or application of heat from the heating unit  22  that is contained within the internal chamber  16 . Mounted at the upper end of the internal chamber  16  is a cooking grill  24 . It is to be noted that the upper edge of the front  18  and back  20  are substantially flush to the upper edge of the left side  26  and the right side  28  of the fire bowl  12 . 
     The bottom  14  of the fire bowl  12  is fixedly mounted onto a supporting frame  30 . The supporting frame  30  includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart arcuate main members  32  and  34 , which are in a bowl shape resembling a basic cradle configuration. Within that cradle is mounted the fire bowl  12 . Extending between the members  32  and  34  are cross braces  36  and  38 . The fire bowl  12  is fixedly mounted onto the cross braces  36  and  38  by mounts  40 . 
     One end of the supporting frame  30  terminates in a handle  42  with the opposite end of the supporting frame  30  terminating in a handle  44 . The handle  42  is located directly adjacent but slightly spaced from the left side  26 . The handle  44  is located directly adjacent but slightly spaced from the right side  28 . 
     The main member  32 , as well as main member  34 , is basically configured to be channeled shaped having an internal cavity  46 . This cavity  46  is open at the bottom. A leg assembly composed of leg members  48  and  50  is to be mounted between the main members  32  and  34 . The leg member  48  is pivotally mounted by pivot pins,  52  and  54  respectively, to the main members  32  and  34 . The leg member  48  includes legs  56  and  58  with leg  56  being pivotally mounted by the pivot pin  52  to the main member  32  and leg member  58  being pivotally mounted by the pivot pin  54  to the main member  34 . The outer end of the legs  56  and  58  has extending therebetween a cross member  60 . 
     The leg member  50  includes a similar pair of legs with only leg  62  being shown. The leg  62  is pivotally mounted by a pivot pin  64  to the main member  32 . Extending between the legs  62  and the not shown leg of the leg member  50  is a cross member  66 . 
     The leg members  48  and  50  can be located in a retracted position relative to the supporting frame  30  which will locate the cross member  60  in conjunction with a notch  68  formed within the main member  32  and the cross member  66  engaging with a notch  70  formed within the main member  32 . With the leg members  40  and  50  in this retracted position, the leg member  48  includes a pair of leg extensions  72  and  74  which are to be located on a supporting surface  76 . It is to be noted that in this position the main members  32  and  34  will be located also very near the supporting surface  76 , generally no more than a fraction of an inch therefrom. The leg member  50  also includes a similar pair of leg extensions with only leg extension  78  being shown. 
     When the leg member  48  is moved clockwise to an extended position, and the leg member  50  moved counterclockwise to an extended position, the leg member  78  moves within the internal cavity  46  of the main member number  32 . When the leg extension  78  contacts the upper end of the internal cavity  46 , this will define the limit of movement of the leg member  50  to the extended position. Such also is to occur for the leg member  48  with the leg extensions  72  and  74  as well as the not shown leg extension for leg member  50 . It is to be noted when the leg members  48  and  50  are in the retracted position, the shape of the legs  56 ,  58 ,  62  and the not shown leg of leg member  50  will nest within the internal cavity  46  in a close conforming manner of the main members  32  and  34  respectively. It is to be noted that the leg members  40  and  50  will automatically remain in their retracted position until such is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. The extended position of the leg members  48  and  50  locates the outer end of the leg members  48  and  50  against the supporting surface  76 . 
     Fixedly mounted to the fire bowl  12  at the fore end  26  is a mounting bar  80 . A similar mounting bar  82  is fixedly mounted to the fire bowl  12  at the aft end  28 . Mounted on the mounting bar  80  is a pivot rod  84 . A similar pivot rod  86  is pivotally mounted on the mounting bar  82 . Connected to the pivot rod  84  is the inner end of a first shelf  88 . The inner end of a second shelf  90  is connected to the pivot rod  86 . The first shelf  88  is capable of being pivoted from a stowage position located within the confines of the internal chamber  16  shown in  FIG. 17  of the drawings to an extended position, which is shown in  FIG. 18  of the drawings. Similarly, the second shelf  90  is capable of being pivoted one hundred eighty degrees from the stowage position shown in  FIG. 16  to an extended position shown in  FIG. 18 . In the stowage position shown in  FIG. 16 , the shelves  88  and  90  are located in juxtaposition and in alignment. In  FIG. 18 , the shelves  88  and  90  are no longer in juxtaposition but still in alignment. The shelf  88  has a planar working surface  92 , and shelf  90  has a planar working surface  94 . When the shelf  88  is in the extended position as shown in  FIG. 18 , the underside of the shelf  88  rests on the handle  42 . Similarly, when the shelf  90  is in the extended position as shown in  FIG. 18 , the underside of the shelf  90  rests on the handle  44 . 
     The bottom side of the shelves  88  and  90  is what are located in an upward facing direction when the shelves  88  and  90  are in the stowage position shown in  FIG. 16 . The undersurface of the shelves  88  and  90  includes a plurality of spaced-apart brace members  96  each of which includes notches  98 . These notches  98  are to facilitate stowage of utensils, such as a spatula  100 , tongs  102  and a fork  104 . Also, there is provided sufficient space on the underside of the shelves  88  and  90  to accommodate a propane gas tank  106 . The gas tank  106  can be removed and mounted on the supporting surface  76  in close proximity to the fire bowl  12 . The forward end of the gas tank  106  is to be mounted in conjunction with a support  108 , which is to rest on the supporting surface  76 . It is necessary that the forward end of the gas tank  106  be at an elevated position to the rear end of the gas tank  106  in order for the gas tank  106  to supply gas properly through the conduit  110  to the heating unit  22 . Control of the gas from the tank  106  to the heating unit  22  is by a regulator  184 . Igniting of the gas within the heating unit  22  would normally be accomplished by use of an ignition device such as a conventional match, which is not shown. 
     The lid  114  is to be removed by unlatching of a latch mechanism (not shown) in  FIGS. 14 to 18  by turning of knob  112  and grasping of handle  116  from its position totally enclosing of the internal chamber  16  and separating of the lid  114  completely from the fire bowl  12 , as is shown in  FIG. 16 . Propane tank  106  is then to be removed and placed as shown in  FIG. 18 , and the conduit  110  is connected to an appropriate connection, which is not shown, mounted on the bottom  14  of the fire bowl  12 . The spatula  100 , tongs  102  and fork  104  are then removed and shelf  88  pivoted one hundred eighty degrees to rest on the handle  42 , and shelf  90  then being pivoted one hundred eighty degrees to rest on the handle  44 . The handle of the spatula  100  is to be located within the longitudinal groove  118  formed within the working surface  92  of the shelf  88 . Similarly, the tongs  102  is to be mountable in conjunction with a pair of elongated grooves  120  formed within the working surface  92 . Similarly, the handle of the fork  104  is to be locatable in longitudinal groove  122  formed within the working surface  92 . The depths of the grooves  118 ,  120  and  122  are such that the spatula  100 , tongs  102  and fork  104  are located below the working surface  92  so that the working surface  92  is capable of being used by locating of a plate or other object thereon during performing of cooking on grill  24  even when the utensils are still mounted with the shelf  88 . However, by using the longitudinal grooves  118 ,  120  and  122 , the spatula  100 , the tongs  102  and the fork  104  are ready at hand available for usage. 
     The lid  114  is connectable to the fire bowl  12  which is discussed in relation to the third embodiment of this invention which follows in the specification that permits the lid  114  to move to a tilted position, shown in  FIG. 18 , which provides access into the grill  24  without having the lid  114  separated completely from fire bowl  12 . This position of the lid  114 , which is shown in  FIG. 18 , would be common during cooking of food on the grill  24 . The lid  114  includes a latching pawl  128 , which is to engage with the side  18  in order to lock in position the lid  114  when it is in the completely closed position, which is shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     It is to be understood that the initial position of the grill will normally be that of  FIG. 14 . The operator will first put the leg members  48  and  50  to the extended position and then remove the lid  114  from the fire bowl  12 . The propane tank  106  and the utensils  100 ,  102  and  104  are removed from the back side of the shelves  88  and  90 . The shelves  88  and  90  are then moved to the extended position, which is shown in  FIG. 18 . The spatula  100  is located in conjunction with the longitudinal groove  118 , the tongs  102  is located in conjunction with the longitudinal groove  120  and the fork  104  is located in conjunction with the longitudinal groove  122 . The lid  114  can then be located in the tilted position in conjunction with side extensions  124  and  126 . Turning of the knob  112  will initiate the supplying of the gas through conduit  110  to the heating unit  22  and upon ignition of the gas of the heating unit  22 , the cooking apparatus  10  of this invention is now ready for usage. After usage, the procedure is reversed to place the cooking apparatus  10  back in the position shown in  FIG. 14 , which would mean that the cooking apparatus  10  is in a position for transportation and storage. 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 19 to 22 , there is shown another further embodiment  130  of cooking apparatus of this invention. The embodiment  130  includes a fire bowl  12 , which has a bottom  14 , an internal chamber  16  and sides  18  and  20 . Mounted within the internal chamber  16  is the heating unit  22  and grill  25 . The fire bowl  26  also has a fore end  26  and an aft end  28 . Turning of knob  112  causes knob  112  to pivot relative to block  132  mounted on the exterior surface of the side  18 . The knob  112  has fixedly connected thereto a rod  134 . Rod  134  extends through a hole formed in the side  18  and is fixed to hook  136 . Hook  136  can be pivoted into engagement with retainer  138 . Retainer  138  is fixedly mounted on the inside surface of the lid  114 . When the control knob  112  is turned counterclockwise to the maximum, the hook  136  will engage with the retainer  138 , as is shown in  FIG. 20  of the drawings. Movement of the control knob  112  ninety degrees in a counterclockwise direction will cause the hook  136  to become disengaged from the retainer  138  which will permit the lid  114  to be pivoted to an almost ninety degree tilted position, which is clearly shown in  FIG. 22  of the drawings. The lid  114  has a peripheral depending lip  140 , which is to overhangingly connect with in a close conforming manner an upstanding free edge  142  of the fire bowl  12 . Mounted on the exterior surface of the lid  114  there may be included a manufacturing identifying emblem  144 . 
     Fixedly mounted to the exterior surface of the bottom  14  is a pair of parallel spaced apart cross braces  146  and  148 . The cross braces  146  and  148  are fixedly mounted to the bottom  14  by means of short rods  150 . The outer end of each cross brace  146  and  148  has an enlarged head  152 . The cross braces  146  and  148  are located transverse to the sides  18  and  20 . 
     An arcuately shaped supporting stand  154  has a pair of parallel oriented spaced apart curved main members  156  and  157 . Connecting between the main members  156  and  157  adjacent their ends thereof are connecting braces  158  and  160 . Within the convex edge  162  of the main member  156  are mounted a pair of spaced apart protruding feet  164 . Also formed within the convex edge  162  is a pair of slots  166 . Cross brace  146  is to connect with a pair of the slots  166  with one slot  166  being in main member  156  and the other slot  166  being in the main member  157  that is parallel to and spaced from main member  156 . Similarly, cross brace  148  is to be connectable with a similar pair of aligned slots  166 . The connection of the cross braces  146  and  148  within the respective slots  166  is in a snug manner so that the support stand  154  will be held in position in conjunction with the cross braces  146  and  148 . When the cross braces  146  and  148  are located within the slots  166 , the support stand  154  is mounted so as to space the fire bowl  12  some distance away from the supporting surface with it being understood that the outer ends of the main members, such as main member  156 , are resting on the supporting surface  168 . 
     Each of the main members  156  and  157  have formed on their inside surface a pair of slots  170  which are similar to slots  166 . Each cross brace  146  and  148  can snugly connect with an aligned set of slots  170  which will locate the support stand  154  in the position shown within  FIG. 19  of the drawings. This is the stowage position of the support stand  154 , which is to be utilized when the second embodiment  130  is not being operated. 
     Pivotally mounted to the fore end  26  is a first shelf  88  with a second shelf  90  being pivotally mounted to the aft end  28 . This pivot mounting is obtained by using pivot rods  84  and  86  respectively. The shelves  88  and  90  can be pivoted to an outward extending position with first shelf  88  resting on handle  161  and shelf  90  resting on handle  163 . The handles  161  and  163  are also to function to physically pick up and transport the second embodiment  186  of cooking apparatus. The inside surface of the first shelf  88  includes a series of recesses which facilitate stowage of utensils, such as the spatula  172  and the fork  174 . Mounted on the undersurface of the shelf  90  is a wire holder in the form of a pair of wire hangers  176  and  178 . The wire hangers  176  and  178  connect with the propane tank  180 . When the shelf  90  is pivoted one hundred eighty degrees from the position shown in  FIG. 21  to the position shown in  FIG. 22 , which is the extended position of the shelf  90 , propane tank  180  will be held in position against the under surface of the shelf  90  but permitted to be located at approximately a thirty degree inclined angle. This inclination is necessary in order for the propane to move the flow in a desirable manner through the connecting hose  182  to the burner unit, which is not shown. It is to be noted that the second embodiment  130  is of a smaller configuration than the first embodiment  10 . Because of this, it was necessary to fold in half the utensils composing of the spatulas  172  and  174  so as to cut down the length of such in order to achieve stowage against the under surface of the shelf  88 . The shelf  88  in  FIG. 22  has within its working surface  188 , which is the upper surface, a pair of elongated grooves  190  and  192 . When the fork  174  is pivoted about its pivot joint  194  from the collapsed position to the expanded position, it then can be mounted within the groove  190  so that the fork  174  is located totally beneath the working surface and does not interfere with the utilization of the working surface  188 . The same is true for the spatula  172  if it is pivoted from its collapsed position about pivot joint  196  to the expanded position and inserted within the groove  192 . 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 23 to 28  of the drawings, there is shown another further embodiment  186  of cooking apparatus of this invention. This embodiment  186  is to be the largest of the embodiments, and because of its size, it is not easily as portable as embodiment  10  and embodiment  130 . The fire bowl  12  of the third embodiment  186  is substantially larger in size. The backside of the lid  114  includes a pair of spaced apart protuberances  198  and  200 . Each protuberance  198  and  200  is to connect with a hole formed within the fire bowl  12  with only hole  202  being shown. The holes, such as hole  202 , are formed within the free edge  142  of the fire bowl  12 . The connection arrangement between the protuberances  98  and the holes  202  is such that it will permit the lid  114  to pivot to an upward position and be supported in that position with the lid  114  assuming a tilted position. 
     Fixedly mounted to the bottom  14  of the fire bowl  12  are four in number of short rods  204 . Two of the short rods  204  are fixed to cross brace  206  with the remaining two in number of short rods  204  being fixed to the cross brace  208 . The cross braces  206  and  208  are fixed between a pair of main members  210  and  212  of the supporting frame  214 . The left end of the supporting frame  214  terminates in a handle  216  with the right end of the supporting frame  214  terminating in a handle  218 . Mounted underneath each handle  216  and  218  is a latch plate with only latch plate  220  being shown for handle  216 . The latch plate  220  is forced by a coil spring  222  to an at-rest position. This at-rest position will lock the leg assembly  224  in its upper position, which is shown in  FIG. 23  of the drawings. Connected between the leg members  226  and  228  of the leg assembly  224  is a rod  230 . The latch plate  220  has a pair of pawls  232  and  234  located at opposite ends of the plate  220 . The pawls  232  and  234  are to engage respectively with recesses  236  and  238 , which are formed respectively within spools  240  and  242 , which are fixedly mounted onto the rod  230 . When the latch plate  220  is lifted in the direction of arrow  244 , the pawls  232  and  234  are removed from their respective recesses  236  and  238 , which will permit the leg assembly  224  to be pivoted to the outwardly extending position shown in  FIG. 27 . In this outwardly extending position, knob  236  can be manually tightened so as to fix in position the leg assembly  224  in this outwardly extended position. In a similar manner, knob  238  can be tightened which will further fix in position the leg assembly  224  in this outwardly extended position. 
     In a similar manner, a latch plate, which is mounted under the handle  218  is to be moved in the same way in order to permit the leg assembly  250  to be pivoted to an outwardly extended position. Again, knobs  252  are to be tightened which will secure in position the leg assembly  250  in this outward extended position. The leg assembly  250  is to include wheels  254  and  256 . The wheels  254  and  256  facilitate low frictional rolling movement of the third embodiment  186  of this invention by lifting on handle  216  and then rolling of the third embodiment  186  on the wheels  254  and  256 . It is to be noted that the leg assembly  250  assumes a crossed position relative to the leg assembly  224  when in the upper or retracted position shown in  FIG. 23 . The leg assembly  250  is essentially parallel to the leg assembly  224  when in the outwardly extended or usage position shown in  FIG. 27 . 
     Mounted on the grill  24  is a pair of shelves  88  and  90 . The only difference is that because of the size of the fire bowl  12 , there will be normally included two separate burners within the internal chamber of the fire bowl  12 . Therefore, each burner has to have its own separate butane tank with their being two butane tanks  180  hung by wire hangers  176  and  178  with there being a separate butane tank  258  located under each shelf  88  and  90 . 
     Along with the utensils  260  and  262 , which can be mounted in a stowage position between the shelves  88  and  90  when such are mounted on the grill  24 , there also may be included a basting container  262 . This basting container  262  can be disengaged from the backside of shelf  88  and mounted on the shelf  90 , as is shown in  FIG. 28 . The utensils  260  and  262 , which comprise a spatula and fork respectively, can also include tongs  264 . When the shelves  88  and  90  are in an outwardly extended position with shelf  88  being supported on the handle  216  and shelf  90  being supported on the handle  218 , the spatula  260 , the fork  262  and the tongs  264  can be mounted within grooves  266  formed in the upper surface of shelf  88 . Again, the mounting of the spatula  260 , fork  262  and tongs  264  are such that it is located beneath the working surface of the shelf  88 . 
     While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.