Patent Publication Number: US-2017347835-A1

Title: Double hinge double level camping grill

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to grills for use with double level camping fire pit enclosures. Camp fire pit enclosures commonly used in various parks consist of an annular enclosure having side walls and an open top. The walls of the annular enclosure extend upwardly with the front half of the enclosure and the back half of the enclosure being of different heights such that the back half of the enclosure is taller than the front half of the enclosure leaving a two level top. While this type of fire pit enclosure is popular, it requires a user to bring two separate grills in order to utilize the entire potential cooking surface of the top of the enclosure. It is inconvenient to use two separate grills, particularly since the grills are not particularly stable when placed on the top of the fire pit enclosure. The present invention overcomes this problem with this sort of fire pit enclosure by providing a grill which actually uses the features of the enclosure to greater effect. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a double hinged camping grill made in accordance with the present invention showing the double hinged grill in its fully extended position. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the double hinged camping grill shown in  FIG. 1  showing the grill in its fully folded position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the double hinged camping grill shown in  FIG. 1  showing the grill in its articulated position. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the double hinged camping grill positioned on a two level fire pit enclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a double hinged camping grill made in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring firstly to  FIG. 1 , a camping grill made in accordance with the present invention is shown generally as item  10  and includes a first grill member  12  and a second grill member  14  coupled together by means of articulating hinges  16  and  18 . Articulating hinges  16  and  18  consist of elongated members having opposite first and second ends, with the first end of each elongated member pivotally connected to grill member  12  and the second end of each elongated member pivotally connected to grill member  14 . 
     Each of the elongated members are preferably made to be releasably coupled to either of the grill members, permitting the entire grill to be disassembled for cleaning, storage or where each grill member is to be used separately. Preferably, each elongated member is about 4 inches long and consists of a threaded rod having opposite ends, with each end of the rod coupled to a grill member by means of a threaded connector element which is in turn welded to the grill member. Each grill member preferably consists of a grid made of 3/16 inch steel rods, although other sizes may be used depending on the required stiffness and strength of the grill. The spacing between the steel rods is a function of the desired need, with 0.7 inches being typical for most applications. The dimensions of the grill members are also tailored to the dimensions of the fire enclosure used, but will typically be in the range of 25 inches in length to 13 inches in width. Preferably the grill members, the elongated members and the threaded connector elements are all made of a corrosion resistant alloy. 
     The pivotal connection of each elongated member to each of grill members  12  and  14  is a 360° connection, allowing the grill members to move pivotally with respect to each other in a plurality of different orientations. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , one grill member may be folded over the other to permit the entire grill to be folded into a more compact configuration. Alternatively, the two grill members can be articulated into a parallel articulated position as shown in  FIG. 3  wherein one grill member is positioned above the other grill member. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , this articulated orientation of the grill is useful for placing grill  10  on top of an annular fire pit enclosure  20  with grill member  12  on top of rear portion  22  and grill member  14  on top of front portion  24 . With the grill in this orientation on top of enclosure  20 , the user can cook over the entire surface of the enclosure. Furthermore, since the grill members are connected to each other, the grill is more secure. Also, one grill member can be pivoted upwardly to add fuel to the fire contained within enclosure  20  without disturbing the other grill member. This allows greater flexibility allowing the user to replenish the fuel of the fire without having to remove pots or pans resting on grill. Furthermore, since grill member  14  is lower than grill member  12 , grill member  14  can act as the “hot” grill since it is closer to the fire, while grill member  12  can act as the “simmer” or “warm” grill as it is further away from the fire. 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention which is identical to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , differing only in the shape of one of the grill members. In the case of this embodiment of the grill, shown generally as item  30 , grill member  32  is rectangular, while grill member  34  has a curved or semi-circular shape in order to better conform to the shape of the fire pit enclosure. Grill member  34  has a curved side  40  which is dimensioned to fit move closely to the front curvature of the fire pit enclosure. Elongated members  36  and  38  are each pivotally connected to both grill members  32  and  34  as in the previous embodiment. This embodiment of the grill functions in exactly the same manner as the previously discussed embodiment. 
     Regardless of the embodiment used, when placed on the fire enclose, the grill can be placed into two stable orientations. The first orientation is as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , where the two grill members are placed parallel to each other with one of the grill members positioned above the other grill member. Alternatively, the lower grill member can be pivoted upwards so that it rests substantially perpendicular to the upper grill member, thereby allowing the user free access to the interior of the fire enclosure, thereby permitting the addition of fuel to the fire or to manipulate the burning wood in the fire pit. The elongated members attaching the two grill members are preferably configured to ensure that the lowermost grill member can lean back slightly to rest against the uppermost grill member so as to hold the lowermost grill member in an elevated position. As mentioned previously, when the grill is off the fire enclosure, the grill may be folded with one grill member folded over top of the other grill member. 
     A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims