Abstract:
A foot activated grill opening apparatus and method for reducing the chance of user injury and eliminating awkwardness when opening and closing the cover of a grill. The apparatus allows a user to open the cover of a grill in a hands-free fashion. The present invention allows a user carrying utensils and plates in both hands to still open and close the cover of a grill. Additionally, the apparatus further reduces the chance of user injury from contact burns, radiant heat burns, grill flare-ups, and the like that may occur when a user reaches across and above a grill&#39;s heat source while opening and closing a grill cover in a conventional manner. The present invention further provides aid to elderly and weaker individuals incapable of either lifting the weight of the grill cover or generating the necessary shoulder/arm range of motion to open the grill cover.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This U.S. utility patent application builds upon and claims priority to the previously filed U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/296,562 carrying a filing date in the USPTO of Jan. 20, 2010 (20January2010), which is specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention generally relates to grills, more specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanical foot activated grill opening apparatus allowing for hands-free opening of a grill. 
         [0006]    2. Background Art 
         [0007]    An outdoor cooking grill, also commonly referred to as a “barbecue grill,” “barbecue,” or simply “grill,” may include a hinged cover that encloses the cooking surface. A hinged cover is a particularly common feature of grills fueled by propane and natural gas, though other grills may have covers as well. 
         [0008]    Keeping the grill cover closed during cooking retains a remarkable amount of the heat and moisture (at least fifty to seventy five percent) along with other gases, promoting even and thorough cooking. When keeping the cover closed there is less chance of charring (blackening) the foods because the moisture is enclosed. The applicant&#39;s present embodiments are directed toward the significant easing of the operation of opening the cover of cooking instruments, grills and the like, in a manner that focuses on substantially improving the overall operation and safety of the grill cover while cooking. 
         [0009]    Outdoor grills are typically designed with a handle affixed to the front of the grill cover. In the course of food preparation, it is necessary to manually lift the grill cover in order to gauge the progress of the food preparation. On conventional grills, the grill cover opens upward and away from the person lifting the cover. The cover is inevitably placed in a resting position, leaning behind and away from the grill frame. When carrying a plate of food and cooking utensils, many people find the conventional process for opening a grill cover to be very awkward and ill-manageable. 
         [0010]    Additionally, the conventional hinge design of grill covers is itself awkward and somewhat dangerous as the operator has to place his hands or a suitable tool near the heat source each time the cover is opened or closed. The typical design and placement of the grill cover handle may unnecessarily expose a user to injury from heat, flame bursts, and the like when opening the grill cover. A user typically grabs the grill cover handle, grasping it from the closed position until the cover reaches its resting position. As such, the user&#39;s arm is momentarily directly above the heat emanating from the heating element used in the grill. In addition, many grill covers are designed such that a user&#39;s arm can inadvertently contact the grill cover while the cover is being lifted or closed. The user also has to carry the bulk of the cover&#39;s weight as it is pivoted open on the rear located hinge, which is particularly problematic for heavy ceramic grill covers. Thus, it can be seen that needs exist for a hands-free way of opening and closing a grill with a hinged cover. It is to such an apparatus and method that the present invention is directed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention comprises a system and/or method that have one or more of the following features and/or steps, which alone or in any combination may comprise patentable subject matter. 
         [0012]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention may comprise a device for foot operation of a cover of a grill having a frame base, comprising a contact bar, wherein the contact bar provides a surface upon which an activation force may be applied and at least one connector arm, wherein a first end of the at least one connector arm is connected to the contact bar and a second end of the at least one connector is connected to the cover of the grill. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the invention may comprise a method for foot operation of a cover of a grill having a frame base, comprising the steps of providing a foot operative device, the device comprising a contact bar, wherein the contact bar provides a surface upon which an activation force may be applied and at least one connector arm, wherein a first end of the at least one connector arm is connected to the contact bar and a second end of the at least one connector is connected to the cover of the grill; applying the activation force upon the contact bar, wherein application of the activation force upon the contact bar moves the contact bar away from the cover thereby pulling the at least one connector arm and causing the cover to rotate relative to the frame base; and moving the cover to an open position relative to the frame base of the grill. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    A better understanding of the present invention will be realized from the detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a grill incorporating the apparatus of the present invention wherein the grill cover is in the closed position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the grill incorporating the apparatus of the present invention of  FIG. 1  wherein the grill cover is in the closed position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  depicts a front view of the grill incorporating the apparatus of the present invention of  FIG. 1  wherein the grill cover is in the open position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the grill incorporating the apparatus of the present invention of  FIG. 3  wherein the grill cover is in the open position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of the grill incorporating the apparatus of the present invention of  FIG. 1  wherein the grill cover is in the closed position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the grill incorporating the apparatus of the present invention of  FIG. 5  wherein the grill cover is in the open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  depicts a front view of a grill incorporating another embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention wherein the grill cover is in the open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  depicts a side view of the grill incorporating the embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention of  FIG. 7  wherein the grill cover is in the open position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  depicts a front view of the grill incorporating the embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention of  FIG. 7  wherein the grill cover is in the closed position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  depicts a side view of the grill incorporating the embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention of  FIG. 7  wherein the grill cover is in the closed position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  depicts a perspective view of the grill incorporating the embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention of  FIG. 7  wherein the grill cover is in the closed position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of the grill incorporating the embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention of  FIG. 7  wherein the grill cover is in the open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. 
         [0028]    The apparatus and method of the present invention facilitates safety and burn prevention when opening a grill cover. The present invention may assist a wide assortment of individuals including but not limited to users with their hands full of utensils or plates, individuals with weak upper body strength, individuals with a reduced physical range of motion, and the like. When a user simply steps on the contact bar that is disposed parallel to and just above the floor or other support surface, downward movement of the contact bar causes the grill cover to open. In such a manner, users need only apply a portion of their body weight, minimal muscular force from their lower extremities, or any other activation force to the contact bar to move the grill cover from a closed position into and open position. 
         [0029]    A preferred embodiment of the foot activated grill opening apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 .  FIGS. 1-2  depict a front view and a side view of a conventional grill  100  incorporating the apparatus of the present invention, wherein the cover  10  is shown in the closed position relative to the frame base of the grill  100 .  FIGS. 3-4  depict a front view and a side view of the same conventional grill  100  wherein the cover  10  is shown in the open position relative to the frame base of the grill  100 . The apparatus, as best seen in the perspective views of  FIGS. 5-6 , may comprise a contact bar  15  that provides the point of interaction between the apparatus and a user. Preferably the apparatus is symmetrical and comprises matching elements on both the left and right sides of the grill  100 ; however, the scope of the present invention also includes asymmetrical embodiments and their equivalents. 
         [0030]    The components of the apparatus of the present invention may be altered within the scope of the invention to allow for incorporation of the invention onto a grill of any size, shape, or dimensions. The examples provided depict use of the apparatus on a typical rectangular-shaped grill but the scope of the invention includes use of the apparatus on rectangular grills, square grills, circular grills, and any other grill shapes or configurations known within the art. 
         [0031]    The contact bar  15  may comprise a horizontal bar that is disposed adjacent the lower front region of the frame base of the grill  100 . When the cover  10  of the grill  100  is in the closed position, the contact bar  15  may be elevated above the floor or other support surface as shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and  5 . When a user steps on or otherwise applies downward force to the contact bar  15 , the contact bar  15  is depressed and may either contact the support surface or reach the end of its downward range of motion before contacting the support surface. Downward movement of the contact bar  15  provides the mechanical force necessary for the apparatus to pivot the cover  10  of the grill  100  into the open position (see  FIGS. 3-4  and  6 ). 
         [0032]    Ends of the contact bar  15  may be secured to at least one lower arm. In a preferred embodiment, the contact bar  15  may be secured to at least one lower arm. In a preferred embodiment the ends of the contact bar  15  may be secured to a first lower arm  20   a  and a second lower arm  20   b  respectively (see  FIGS. 1-6 ). The first lower arm  20   a  may be pivotally secured to a lower portion of the frame base of the grill  100  at a first lower arm connection  25   a . Likewise, second lower arm  20   b  may be pivotally secured to the lower portion of the frame base of the grill  100  at a second lower arm connection  25   b . The respective first and second lower arm connections  25   a , 25   b  may preferably comprise pivotal connections wherein the contact bar  15  pivots about an axis created by the first and second lower arm connections  25   a , 25   b . When a user steps on or otherwise applies an activation force upon the contact bar  15 , the contact bar  15  may then pivot from an elevated position to a depressed position relative to the support surface on which the grill  100  rests. 
         [0033]    In an alternate embodiment, respective first and second lower arm connections  25   a , 25   b  may comprise slidable connections to the frame base of the grill  100  wherein the contact bar  15  slides up and down in a fixed-plane range of motion that is parallel to the front surface of the frame base of the grill  100 . Such first and second lower arm connections  25   a , 25   b  may provide for vertical travel and movement of the first and second lower arms  20   a , 20   b  wherein at least one spring may bias the first and second lower arms  20   a , 20   b  into the upper end of their range of motion. When a user steps on or otherwise applies force upon the contact bar  15 , the contact bar  15  then vertically slides from a biased elevated position to a depressed position relative to the support surface. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 1-2  and  FIG. 5  show different perspectives of a contact bar  15  embodiment having a pivotal connection and its associated adjacent structures wherein the contact bar  15  is in the elevated position and the cover  10  of the grill  100  is in the closed position.  FIGS. 3-4  and  6  show different perspectives of the contact bar  15  and its associated adjacent structures wherein the contact bar  15  is in the depressed position and the cover  10  of the grill  100  is in the open position. 
         [0035]    Force is transferred from the contact bar  15  up to the cover  10  of the grill by at least one connector arm. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one connector arm may comprise a first connector arm  30   a  and a second connector arm  30   b . The first and second connector arms  30   a , 30   b  may each comprise a rigid rod, but the scope of the present invention includes and is not limited to first and second connector arms  30   a , 30   b  comprising a bar, cable, wire, string, chain, belt, rope, strap or connecting structures known within the art. The purpose and function of any embodiment of the first and second connector arms  30   a , 30   b  is to transfer the activation forced applied to the contact bar  15  to at least one upper arm that transfers the force to the grill cover  10 . 
         [0036]    The first connector arm  30   a  may be attached to the first lower arm  20   a  at the first lower connection  35   a  and the first connector arm  30   a  then extends upward to a region adjacent the cover  10 . At the position adjacent the cover  10 , the first connector arm  30   a  may attach to at least one upper arm. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one upper arm may comprise a first and second upper arm  40   a , 40   b . The first connector arm  30   a  may attach to the first upper arm  40   a  at a first upper connection  50   a . The first upper arm  40   a  may be secured to the cover  10  by at least one fastener  45 , wherein the at least one fastener  45  may include but is not limited to a screw, bolt, rivet, welded joint or any equivalent fastener known within the art. Similarly, the second connector arm  30   b  may be attached to the second lower arm  20   b  at the second lower connection  35   b  and the second connector arm  30   b  then extends upward to a region adjacent the cover  10 . At its position adjacent the cover  10 , the second connector arm  30   b  may attach to a second upper arm  40   b  at a second upper connection  50   b . The second upper arm  40   b  may be secured to the cover  10  by at least one fastener  45 , wherein the at least one fastener  45  may include but is not limited to a screw, bolt, rivet, welded joint or any equivalent fastener known within the art. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second upper connections  50   a , 50   b  comprise pivotal connections. 
         [0037]    As best seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4  and dependent on the specific structure of the grill  100 , portions of the grill  100  may require structural alterations to allow for free and unobstructed movement of elements of the inventive apparatus including but not limited to the first and second connector arms  30   a , 30   b ; the first and second upper arms  40   a , 40   b ; and the first and second upper connections  50   a , 50   b . Such a determination will need to be made on a case-by-case basis for allowing free movement of the apparatus of the present invention. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 4-6  depict the second upper arm  40   b  being secured to the cover  10  of the grill  100  by at least one fastener  45 , wherein an embodiment having two fasteners  45  is shown. The grill cover  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1-2  and  FIG. 5  is shown in the closed position. Upon user application of an activation force upon the contact bar  15 , the second upper connection  50   b  and first upper connection  50   a  (not shown) are pulled downward by their respective first and second connector arms  30   a , 30   b  thereby imparting a pivotal force about the pre-existing pivot joint disposed between the cover  10  and the frame base of the conventional grill  100 . A release of or a decrease in the activation force applied to the contact bar  15  may allow the weight of the grill cover  10  to impart a reversing pivotal force about the pre-existing pivot joint that acts to bring the cover  10  back into the closed position. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 7-12  depict the use of a traction-enhancing element  55 . The traction-enhancing element  55  may be used to allow for easier and more reliable foot placement and pressure application by a user to the contact bar  15 . Preferred embodiments of the traction-enhancing element  55  may increase the traction of the surface exposed to the user&#39;s foot including but not limited to diamond plate, friction tape, knurled textures. Other characteristics of the traction-enhancing element  55  may include a unitary or separate structural component for increasing the surface area of the contract bar  15  thereby allowing for easier user manipulation as needed, wherein such structures may include but are not limited to oblique extensions relative to the contact bar  15 , perpendicular extensions  56  relative to the contact bar  15 , one or more portions having increased dimensions  57  of width and/or length relative to the contact bar  15 , and the like.  FIGS. 7-12  depict one embodiment of a traction-enhancing element  55  comprising a perpendicular extension  56  extending from the contact bar  15  and a portion of increased width  57  having diamond-plated tractions protrusions thereon. The increased surface area and traction protrusions combine to improve and facilitate a user&#39;s activation of the contact bar  15  as needed to open the grill cover  10 . Such traction-enhancing elements  55  may be omitted, used alone, or used in any combinations thereof. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 7-12  also depict the use of one or more dampeners  60 . The one or more dampeners  60  may comprise any structural element or configuration known within the art to slow, decelerate, or otherwise oppose the force of a moving body wherein such structures may including but not limited to hydraulic pistons, pneumatic pistons, springs, and the like. The one or more dampeners may have a first end attached to the frame base of the grill  100  and a second end thereof that may be attached to at least one connector arm ( 30   a , 30   b ), at least one side arm ( 20   a , 20   b ), or the contact bar  15 . 
         [0041]    The one or more dampeners  60  may function in a manner analogous to the pistons located in conventional screen doors. As shown in  FIGS. 7-8  and  FIG. 12 , the one or more dampeners  60  may be biased to motivate the cover  10  into an open position. The weight of the cover  10  may prevent the cover  10  from opening without further assistance being provided by the application of an activation force upon the contact bar  15 . Due to the bias of the one or more dampeners  60  to move the cover  10  to its open position, the one or more dampeners  60  may assist the user in moving the cover to the open position when the user applies a force to the contact bar  15 . Likewise, the bias of the one or more dampeners  60  to move the cover  10  to its open position also brakes or slows any closing motion of the cover  10  as the cover  10  is lower or pulled down by gravity to a closed position. The user may additionally apply an activation force to the contact bar  15  to further assist in slowing the descent of the cover  10  as it moves from an open position to a closed position. In alternate embodiments, the one or more dampeners  60  may also assist in maintaining the cover  10  in the open position if the cover  10  has moved past dead-center of the pivot point between the cover  10  and the frame base of the grill  100 . 
         [0042]    In use, a user may step on the contact bar  15  of the present inventive apparatus that may be installed upon a pre-existing or newly purchased conventional grill  100 . Application of the activation force on the contact bar  15  pivots or slides the contact bar  15  from an elevated position to a depressed position relative to the floor or other support surface beneath the grill  100 . When the contact bar  15  is in the elevated position the cover  10  of the grill  100  is closed and as the contact bar  15  is motivated into the depressed position the cover  10  of the grill  100  is moved into an open position. Application of a downward activation force on the contact bar  15  pulls the first and second connector arms  30   a , 30   b  to a lower relative position since the first and second connector arms  30   a , 30   b  may be secured to the first and second lower arms  20   a , 20   b  on either end of the contact bar  15 , respectively. The downward displacement of the first and second connector arms  30   a , 30   b  further motivates the rear portion of both the first and second upper arms  40   a , 40   b  in a downward direction due to the location and positioning of the first and second upper connections  50   a , 50   b , respectively. The downward displacement of the rear portion of both the first and second upper arms  40   a , 40   b  pulls down on the rear portion of the grill cover  10  thereby pivoting and lifting the front portion of the grill cover  10  from a closed position to an open position. The cover  10  pivots about the pre-existing pivot point disposed between the cover  10  and the lower frame base of the conventional grill  100 . 
         [0043]    Upon release of the activation force applied to the contact bar  15 , if the center of gravity of the grill cover  10  has crossed over dead-center of the pivot point between the cover  10  and the frame base, the cover  10  will remain in an open position. If the center of gravity of the grill cover  10  has not crossed over dead center of the pivot point between the cover  10  and the frame base, however, the cover  10  will then reverse direction and return to a closed position due to the weight of the grill cover  10 . Structural manipulation of the range of motion available to the grill cover  10  allows for adjustment or selection between a grill cover  10  that will remain open after a full activation force has been removed from the contact bar  15  (i.e. cover  10  passes over dead center of the pivot point with the grill frame base) and a grill cover  10  that will automatically assume or return to a closed position after a full activation force has been removed from the contact bar  15  (i.e. cover  10  does not pass over dead center of the pivot point with the grill frame base). 
         [0044]    As disclosed above, one or more dampeners  60  may further be incorporated into any known embodiments of the present invention. The one or more dampeners  60  may be biased to motivate the cover  10  into its open position thereby assisting or providing a supplemental force when a user steps on or otherwise applies an activation force to the contact bar  15 . In an embodiment where the cover  10  crosses over dead-center of the pivot point with the frame base, the cover  10  will remain in an open position with the additional help provided by the one or more dampeners  60 . In any of the potential embodiment, the biasing force provided by the one or more dampeners  60  may oppose movement of the cover  10  from an open position to a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing force of the one or more dampeners  60  is enough to resist but not equal the downward closing force provided by the weight of the cover  10 , wherein the one or more dampeners  60  prevent the cover  10  from forcefully slamming shut and provide for a controlled slower descent of the cover  10  to the closed position as the user&#39;s foot reduces the activation force on or is completely removed from the contact bar  15 . 
         [0045]    Accordingly the reader will see that the present invention may provide for a kit that allows for retrofitting the apparatus of the present invention onto pre-existing grills. Alternatively, the apparatus of the present invention may be pre-installed on new grills before the grills are sold to consumers. 
         [0046]    Although a detailed description as provided in the attachments contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not merely by the preferred examples or embodiments given.