Patent Publication Number: US-2007113837-A1

Title: Support with locking device for a barbecue grill cover

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a support with a locking device, and more particularly to a support with a locking device for a barbecue, with which it is easy to adjust the height of a barbecue grill cover to control the temperature.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      A barbecue has a gas burner, a grill and a cover. The cover is mounted over the grill to concentrate the heat and accelerate the cooking process.  
      However, the cover can only be completely opened or completely closed. Hence, when cooking, the grill is either completely exposed or completely covered such that it is difficult to control the temperature.  
      Therefore, the invention provides a support with a locking device for a barbecue grill cover to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The main objective of the present invention is to provide a support with a locking device for a barbecue grill cover with which is easy to adjust the height of the cover to control the temperature.  
      Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a partial operational perspective view of a support with a locking device for a barbecue grill cover in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the support with a locking device for a barbecue grill cover in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the support with a locking device for a barbecue grill cover in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is an operational side view of the support with a locking device for a barbecue grill cover in  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 5  is a partial operational side view of the support with a locking device for a barbecue grill cover in  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      With reference to  FIG. 1 , a barbecue has a body ( 10 ), a gas burner (not shown) mounted in the body ( 10 ), a grill ( 12 ) mounted on a top of the body ( 10 ), and a cover ( 15 ) pivotally mounted on a top end of the body ( 10 ). The grill ( 12 ) is substantially rectangular, has four sides and a frame ( 11 ) formed around the four sides of the grill ( 12 ). A support with a locking device ( 20 ) is mounted on the frame ( 11 ) at a front end of the grill ( 12 ). The grill ( 12 ) is covered with the cover ( 15 ), which can be pivoted along a rear end of the grill ( 12 ).  
      With further reference to  FIGS. 2-3 , the locking device ( 20 ) has an upright base plate ( 21 ), a horizontal adjusting plate ( 22 ), a locking plate ( 23 ), and a spring ( 24 ).  
      The base plate ( 21 ) has a bracket ( 211 ) mounted on a lower sidewall thereof. A channel ( 210 ) is formed between the bracket ( 211 ) and the lower sidewall of the base plate ( 21 ). The channel ( 210 ) faces downward and has two open ends. Multiple parallel slots ( 212 ) are transversely defined in the base plate ( 212 ).  
      The adjusting plate ( 22 ) has a handle ( 221 ) mounted at a first end thereof and an up-turned end ( 222 ) formed at a second end thereof. A slit ( 220 ) is defined transversely in a middle portion of the adjusting plate ( 22 ) and has a larger width than the base plate ( 21 ). Two ears ( 223 ) are respectively formed at two opposite sides of the adjusting plate ( 22 ) and extend upwards. Corresponding through holes are defined in each ear ( 223 ). A pin ( 224 ) is inserted through the through holes in the ears ( 223 ).  
      The locking plate ( 23 ) has a V-shaped cross section forming two wings. A first wing has a bent locking tab ( 230 ) formed at a free end and a second wing has a bent thumb tab ( 231 ) formed at a free end.  
      In assembly, the base plate ( 21 ) is inserted into the slit ( 220 ) of the adjusting plate ( 22 ) so that the adjusting plate ( 22 ) can be moved longitudinally along the base plate ( 21 ). The locking plate ( 23 ) is mounted on the adjusting plate ( 22 ) between the ears ( 223 ). The pin ( 224 ) is inserted into the through holes of the ears ( 223 ) over the locking plate ( 23 ) so that the locking plate ( 23 ) can pivot about the pin ( 224 ). The spring ( 24 ) is mounted between the adjusting plate ( 22 ) and the thumb tab ( 231 ) to bias the locking plate ( 23 ). The locking tab ( 230 ) is inserted into and securely connected to a slot ( 212 ).  
      In another embodiment, the spring ( 24 ) can be mounted between the adjusting plate ( 22 ) and the wing of the locking plate ( 23 ) with the locking tab ( 230 ) thereby the wing is pulled downward by the spring.  
      With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the support with a locking device ( 20 ) is mounted on front end of the grill ( 12 ) with the frame ( 11 ) received in the channel ( 211 ). When the cover ( 15 ) is open, a front end of the cover ( 15 ) can be placed on an upper surface of the adjusting plate ( 22 ), which can be positioned at a desired height.  
      With further reference to  FIG. 5 , when the thumb tab ( 231 ) is pressed downward the locking tab ( 230 ) separates from the slot ( 212 ). The adjusting plate ( 22 ) can then be moved upwards or downwards to a desired height. Then the pressure is released from the thumb tab ( 231 ) and the locking tab ( 230 ) is inserted into another slot ( 212 ) by a resilient force of the spring ( 24 ). Thus, the cover ( 15 ) can be kept open at a desired height relative to the grill ( 12 ) easily and conveniently.  
      It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.