Patent Publication Number: US-2013228161-A1

Title: Wind resistant grilling apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to outdoor grilling apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A conventional outdoor grilling apparatus  2  heretofore known in the art is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . The prior art grilling apparatus  2  comprises: a housing structure  4  having a firebox  6  therein; a firebox inner wall  8 ; an outer insulating wall  10 ; an inlet air opening  12  formed in the bottom  14  of the outer wall  10 ; and corresponding air openings  16  which are formed in the bottom portion of the firebox inner wall  8  and are in fluid communication with the bottom opening  12  of the outer wall. 
     The prior art grilling apparatus  2  further comprises: one or more burner elements  18  extending from side-to-side (i.e., from left to right) in the lower portion of the firebox  6 ; a cooking grate or other food support structure  20  which is removably positionable above the burner element(s)  18 ; a lid or other cover  22  which is typically pivotably attached to the housing structure  4  for opening and closing the top of the firebox  6 ; and a rear exhaust opening  24  which extends horizontally across the back of the grilling apparatus  2  when the cover  22  is closed. 
     The rear exhaust opening  24  is positioned at an elevation which is higher than the elevation of the food support structure  20 . In addition, the rear exhaust opening  24  is formed between the upper end  26  of a vertical back wall  28  of the housing structure  4  and a rearward-most back edge  30  of the cover  22 . The back edge  30  of the cover  22  is substantially in vertical alignment with or slightly rearward of the upper end  26  of the vertical back wall  28  of the housing structure  4  such that a line  32  running through points  26  and  30  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  extends at an angle  34  which is typically in a range of from 0° to about  + 5° from vertical. Consequently, the rear exhaust opening  24  defined between the points  26  and  30  faces in a direction  36 , perpendicular to line  32 , which is approximately horizontal. 
     Another example of a conventional prior art grilling apparatus  50  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 . The prior art grilling apparatus  50  is similar to grill  2  except that the prior art grill  50  has: a single-walled firebox  52  having a substantially flat bottom  54 ; a plurality of burner elements  56  extending from front-to-back in the firebox  52  beneath the cooking grate or other food support structure  58 ; and a series of inlet air openings  60  in the bottom  54  of the firebox which extend from side-to-side (i.e., left to right) and are substantially perpendicular to and substantially centered beneath the burner elements  56 . As with the conventional grill  2 , the conventional grill  50  also has a rear exhaust opening  62  formed between a back-side edge  64  of the cover  66  and a backwall upper edge  68  of the grill housing  70  such that the rear exhaust opening  62  faces rearwardly in a direction  72  which is approximately horizontal. 
     A third example of a conventional prior art grilling apparatus  80  is illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 . The grilling apparatus  80  comprises the prior art grill  50  positioned on top of a grill cart  82  having wheels, casters or rollers  84  for moving the grilling apparatus  80 . The grill car  82  includes a cabinet  86  wherein the burner fuel canister is typically housed. During operation, the cabinet  86  is closed so that air for the air inlet openings  60  in the bottom  54  of the grill firebox  52  enters the cabinet  86  through cracks, gaps, side ventilation holes, or downwardly extending side louvers  88 . 
     For an outdoor grilling apparatus  2 ,  50 , or  80  of the type shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , industry wind certification tests require that the grill burner(s)  18  or  56  must remain lit, with the grill cover  22  or  66  open, when exposed to a 10 mile per hour wind. However, even though the burners  18  or  56  of the prior art grill  2  or  50 , or  80  will manage to remain ignited, the performance and consistency of a prior art grilling apparatus  2 ,  50 , or  88  when exposed to winds of 5 miles per hour or more or is severely compromised. 
     Regardless of whether the cover  22  or  66  is open or closed, a wind of 5 miles per hour or more will commonly cause a pressure reversal in the grill  2 ,  50 , or  80  such that a greater pressure will exist above rather than below the burner element(s)  18  or  56 . The pressure reversal then causes cold air flow to downwardly through the food support structure  20  or  60  so that: (a) a significant amount of hot flue gas and heat energy flows out of the bottom air opening  12  or  60  and is lost, (b) the cooking temperature at the food support structure  20  or  58  is significantly reduced and is very inconsistent, and (c) an adequate cooking temperature at the food support grate  20  or  58  cannot be consistently maintained, even if the amount of fuel delivered to the burner(s) is significantly increased. 
       FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  8  illustrate the effect of a horizontal front wind  90  of 5 miles per hour or greater on the operation of the conventional grilling apparatuses  2 ,  50 , and  80 . As shown by the air and gas circulation arrows  92  provided in  FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  8 , the front wind  90  enters front gaps  25  or  65 , for example, between the grill housing and the cover. In addition, the horizontal flow of the wind  90  across the bottom  14  or  54  of the firebox  4  or  52  or across the side vents  88  of a grill cabinet  82  can also create a negative pressure condition at the air inlet opening  12  or  60  below the burner element(s)  18  or  56 . Consequently, a pressure reversal is created such that (a) cold air flows downwardly through at least the forward portion of the cooking grate  20  or  58  and (b) hot combustion gases and heat energy flow out of the air inlet  12  or  60 . 
     Similarly,  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  9  illustrate the effect of a horizontal rear wind  95  of 5 miles per hour or greater on the conventional grilling apparatuses  2 ,  50 , and  80 . As shown by the air and gas circulation arrows  96 , the rear wind forcefully enters the rear exhaust opening  24  or  62  and can also create a negative pressure condition at the bottom air inlet  12  or  60 . Consequently, cold air flows downwardly through substantially the entire cooking grate  20  or  58 . 
     Consequently, a need exists for a wind resistant grilling apparatus wherein the apparatus will not only remain lit when subjected to winds of 10 miles per hour in accordance with industry standards, but will also continue to maintain a higher pressure below rather than above the burner(s) so that combustion gases will continue to flow upwardly through the food support grate and out of the rear exhaust opening. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved grilling apparatus and method which satisfy the needs and alleviate the problems discussed above. By way of example, but not by way of limitation, the present invention can be used to significantly improve the performance of substantially any cooking grill of the type comprising: a housing structure having therein an upwardly facing firebox; a cover for opening and closing the firebox; a food support structure or rotisserie positionable in and/or over the upper end of the fire box; a fuel delivery or placement structure (preferably a burner element) in the firebox below the elevation of the food support structure; an air inlet provided in an outermost wall of the housing structure for receiving outside air such that the outside air flowing into the air inlet will be delivered into the firebox; and a rear exhaust opening which is present when the cover is closed and is located preferably at an elevation above that of the food support structure. 
     In one aspect, the inventive improvement can comprise the air inlet being comprised of one or more openings in the outermost wall oriented and positioned forwardly, rearwardly, or both forwardly and rearwardly of the fuel delivery or placement structure in a manner such that, when (a) the grilling apparatus is operated at an average highest normal cooking energy input level for the grilling apparatus, (b) the cover is closed, and (c) a 10 mile per hour front wind is blowing against and directly perpendicular to the front side of the grilling apparatus, a greater pressure will exist in the firebox elevationally below the fuel delivery or placement structure than will exist in the firebox above the fuel delivery or placement structure. 
     In another aspect, the inventive improvement can additionally or alternatively comprise the air inlet of the housing structure being comprised of one or more openings in the outermost wall facing forwardly, rearwardly, or both forwardly and rearwardly at an orientation within a range of plus or minus 45° from horizontal. 
     In another aspect wherein the fuel delivery structure comprises a burner element having a plurality of gas discharge ports, the inventive improvement can additionally or alternatively comprise the air inlet of the housing structure being comprised of one or more openings positioned in an upwardly extending portion of a front side of the housing structure, in an upwardly extending portion of a rear side of the housing structure, or in both an upwardly extending portion of the front side and an upwardly extending portion of the rear side of the housing structure, and the one or more opening of the air inlet being positioned elevationally lower than gas discharge ports, such that when (a) the grilling apparatus is operated at a highest cooking setting for the burner element, (b) the cover is closed, and (c) a 10 mile per hour front wind is blowing against and directly perpendicular to the front side of the grilling apparatus, a greater pressure will exist in the firebox below the gas discharge ports than will exist in the firebox above the gas discharge ports. 
     Alternatively or in addition, the inventive improvement can comprise a wind diverting structure which extends upwardly and outwardly on a rear side of the housing structure in a manner effective such that the rear exhaust opening is defined between an outer end of the wind diverting structure and an edge of the cover and, when (a) the grilling apparatus is operated at the highest cooking setting for the burner element, (b) the cover is closed, and (c) a 10 mile per hour wind is blowing against and directly perpendicular to the rear side of the grilling apparatus, a greater pressure will exist in the firebox elevationally below the fuel delivery or placement structure than will exist in the firebox above the fuel delivery or placement structure. 
     In another aspect wherein the grilling apparatus comprises a housing structure having an upwardly facing firebox and a cover for opening and closing the firebox, and wherein the grilling apparatus has a front side and rear side and, when the cover is closed, the grilling apparatus has a rear exhaust opening, the inventive improvement can comprise: a wind diverting structure which extends upwardly on a rear side of the housing structure at an outward angle; the outward angle being in a range of from about 20° to about 60° from vertical; and the rear exhaust opening being defined between an outer end of the diverting structure and an edge of the cover such that the rear exhaust opening faces upwardly at a rearward angle of from about 10° to about 60° from vertical. 
     In another aspect wherein the grilling apparatus comprises (i) a housing structure having therein an upwardly facing firebox, (ii) a cover for opening and closing the firebox, and (iii) a fuel delivery or placement structure in the firebox, and wherein the grilling apparatus has a front side and a rear side and, when the cover is closed, the grilling apparatus has a rear exhaust opening, the improvement can comprise: (a) an inlet air receiving structure beneath a bottom of the housing structure, (b) at least one opening provided in the bottom of the housing structure such that the opening is in fluid communication with the firebox and with the inlet air receiving structure and (c) one or more front, rear, or both front and rear air inlets in the inlet air receiving structure for receiving outside air in a manner effective such that, when the grilling apparatus is operated at an average highest normal cooking energy input level for the grilling apparatus, the cover is closed, and a 10 mile per hour wind is blowing against and directly perpendicular to the front side of the grilling apparatus, a greater pressure will exist in the firebox elevationally below the fuel delivery or placement structure than will exist in the firebox above the fuel delivery or placement structure. 
     Examples of inlet air receiving structures include, but are not limited to, duct structures and box structures such as, e.g., stationary cabinets and mobile cart cabinets. 
     Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cutaway perspective side view of a prior art grilling apparatus  2 . 
         FIG. 2  is a cutaway elevational side view of the prior art cooking grill  2  operating under front wind conditions. 
         FIG. 3  is a cutaway elevational side view of the prior art cooking grill  2  operating under rear wind conditions. 
         FIG. 4  is a cutaway perspective side view of a prior art grilling apparatus  50 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cutaway elevational side view of the prior art cooking grill  50  operating under front wind conditions. 
         FIG. 6  is a cutaway elevational side view of the prior art cooking grill  50  operating under rear wind conditions. 
         FIG. 7  is a cutaway perspective view of a prior art grilling apparatus  80 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cutaway elevational side view of the prior art cooking grill  80  operating under front wind conditions. 
         FIG. 9  is a cutaway elevational side view of the prior art cooking grill  80  operating under rear wind conditions. 
         FIG. 10  is a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment  100  of the inventive grilling apparatus. 
         FIG. 11  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  100  operating under front wind conditions. 
         FIG. 12  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  100  operating under rear wind conditions. 
         FIG. 13  is a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment  200  of the inventive grilling apparatus. 
         FIG. 14  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  200  operating under front wind conditions. 
         FIG. 15  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  200  operating under rear wind conditions. 
         FIG. 16  is a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment  300  of the inventive grilling apparatus. 
         FIG. 17  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  300  operating under front wind conditions. 
         FIG. 18  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  300  operating under rear wind conditions. 
         FIG. 19  is a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment  400  of the inventive grilling apparatus. 
         FIG. 20  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  400  operating under front wind conditions. 
         FIG. 21  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  400  operating under rear wind conditions. 
         FIG. 22  is a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment  500  of the inventive grilling apparatus. 
         FIG. 23  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  500  operating under front wind conditions. 
         FIG. 24  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  500  operating under rear wind conditions. 
         FIG. 25  is a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment  600  of the inventive grilling apparatus. 
         FIG. 26  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  600  operating under front wind conditions. 
         FIG. 27  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  600  operating under rear wind conditions. 
         FIG. 28  is a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment  700  of the inventive grilling apparatus. 
         FIG. 29  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  700  operating under front wind conditions. 
         FIG. 30  is a cutaway elevational side view of the inventive cooking grill  700  operating under rear wind conditions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment  100  of the inventive improved grilling apparatus is depicted in  FIGS. 10-12 . The grilling apparatus  100  comprises a housing structure  104  which includes: a firebox  106  within the housing structure  104 ; a firebox inner wall  108 ; an outer insulating wall  110  which covers at least most of the exterior of the inner wall  108 ; and an upwardly extending (preferably substantially vertical) back wall  128 . The grilling apparatus  100  and the housing structure  104  thereof have a front side  115  and rear side  135 . 
     As used herein and in the claims, the terms front side and rear side of the housing structure  104  respectively refer to any surface or other feature of the housing structure  104  which can be seen in an elevational front view or an elevational rear view of the grill. Thus, the front side of the housing structure  104  includes the bottom vertical segment  136  of the outer wall  110  and the upwardly curving portion  138  which curves upwardly and forwardly from the upper end of the bottom vertical segment  136 . As used herein and in the claims, the vertical segment  136  and the upwardly curving portion  138  are each “upwardly extending” portions of the front side  115  of the housing structure  104 . 
     Similarly, the rear side  135  of the inventive grilling apparatus  100  includes the bottom vertical segment  140  of the outer wall  110  and the upwardly curving portion  142  of the outer wall  110  which curves upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the bottom rear vertical segment  140 . The vertical segment  140  and the upwardly curving portion  142  are each “upwardly extending” portions of the rear side  135  of the housing structure  104 . 
     In addition, the inventive grilling apparatus  100  further comprises: one of more fuel delivery or fuel placement structures  118  installed within a lower portion of the firebox  106 ; a cooking grate or other food support structure  120  which is removably positionable above the fuel delivery or fuel placement structure(s)  118 ; and a cover  122  which is preferably pivotably attached to the housing structure  104  for opening and closing the firebox  106 . The fuel delivery or fuel placement structure(s)  118  can comprise (a) one or more gas burner elements, (b) a grate or perforated plate or bin for supporting a solid fuel such as, e.g., charcoal briquettes or wood pellets, or (c) generally any other type of fuel delivery or fuel placement structure used in the art. Examples of preferred fuel delivery structure(s)  118  include, but are not limited to, one or more tube burner element(s), pan burner element(s), or other of gas burner element(s).  FIG. 2  illustrates the use of a tube burner element  118  which can have one, two, or more rows of gas discharge ports  144 . 
     The food support structure  120  used in the inventive grilling apparatus  100  can be a convection grate, an infrared cooking grate or grate assembly, a combination thereof, or any other type of food support structure used in the art. In addition, the food support structure  120  can be a single piece structure or can comprise a combination of two or more elements (e.g., a food support rib or grate structure positioned over a radiating plate or element). 
     In contrast to the prior art grill  2  described above, the air inlet opening(s)  112  of the inventive grilling apparatus  100  preferably comprise one or more slots or one or more rows of apertures which extend across the front side  115  of the outer wall  110  of the housing structure  104  and/or across the rear side  135  of the outer wall  110  of the housing structure  104 . The air inlet opening(s)  112  in the inventive apparatus  100 , therefore, can be located in the upwardly extending vertical bottom segment  136  of the front side  115 , the upwardly extending curved segment  138  of the front side  115 , the upwardly extending vertical bottom segment  140  of the rear side  135 , and/or the upwardly extending curved segment  142  of the rear side  135 . The air inlet opening(s)  112  will preferably be located in the upwardly extending vertical bottom segment  136  and/or the upwardly extending curved segment  138  of the outer wall of the front side  115 . In addition, regardless of whether the air inlet  112  opening(s) is/are provided in the front side  115 , the rear side  135 , or a combination thereof, the air inlet opening(s)  112  will preferably be located below the fuel delivery or fuel placement structure(s)  118 , or at least below the elevational of the gas discharge ports  144  in the case of a gas burner element, so as to prevent flame failure or inadequate combustion. 
     As also seen in  FIGS. 10-12 , the air inlet opening(s)  112  provided in the front side  115  of the outer insulating wall  110  is/are in fluid communication with a gap  146  which is formed between the firebox inner all  108  and the outer insulating wall  110 . Consequently, the primary combustion air, as in the case of a solid fuel grill, or secondary combustion air, as in the case of most gas fuel grills, which is received through the inlet air opening(s)  112  will flow through the air flow gap  146  and then into the firebox  106  via one or more openings  116  provided through the firebox inner wall  108 . The inner wall opening(s)  116  is/are preferably located elevationally below the fuel delivery or fuel placement structure  118 , or at least elevationally below the fuel discharge ports  144  in the case of a gas burner element. 
     The air inlet opening(s)  112  will preferably be located in the front side  115  and/or the rear side  135 , most preferably in the front side  115 , of the outer wall  110  of the housing structure  104  such that, when (a) the cooking grill  100  is operated at an average highest normal energy input level for the cooking grill, (b) the cover  122  is closed (and preferably also when the cover  122  is open), and (c) a 10 mile per hour front wind is blowing against and directly perpendicular to the front side  115  of the inventive grill  100 , a greater pressure will exist in the firebox  106  elevationally below the fuel delivery or fuel placement structure(s)  118  than will exist above the fuel delivery or fuel placement structure(s)  118 . Consequently, when the inventive grill apparatus is operated under these conditions and each fuel delivery or fuel placement structure  118  is a gas burner element, the pressure in the firebox  106  below the gas discharge ports  144  will be greater than the pressure in the firebox  106  above the gas discharge ports  144 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the effect of a 5 mile per hour or greater, or 10 mile per hour or greater, front wind  125  on the operation of the inventive grill  100  with the cover  122  closed. In contrast to the performance of the prior art grill  2  when subjected to a front wind of this nature, the inventive grill  100  continues to maintain a greater pressure below the burner element  118  than above the burner element  118  (i.e., a pressure reversal is prevented) so that, as shown in  FIG. 11  by the air and gas circulation arrows  126 , secondary combustion air continues to properly flow into the air inlet opening(s)  112 , the hot combustion gas produced by the burner element  118  continues to properly flow upwardly through the cooking grate  120 , and the grill exhaust gases continue to properly flow out of the rear exhaust opening  124 . Moreover, the inventive grill  100  will preferably continue to properly operate in this manner when subject to a front wind of up to as much as 20 miles per hour or more and most preferably up to as much as 25 miles per hour or more. 
     As used herein and in the claims the term “average highest normal cooking energy input level” refers to the average cooking energy input level for the grilling apparatus at its highest cooking setting or highest normal cooking temperature operation in dry weather conditions at an ambient temperature of 70° F. with no wind. Consequently, in the case of a gas burner having high, medium and low settings, the average highest normal cooking energy input level for the gas burner will be the high setting. On the other hand, in the case of a gas burner having only a single cooking setting, the average highest normal cooking energy input level for the burner will be at the single setting. 
     Alternatively, or preferably in addition to all of the improvements discussed above, the inventive grilling apparatus  100  shown in  FIGS. 10-12  also differs from the prior art grilling apparatus  2  in that a wind diverting structure  150  is provided on the back of the inventive grill  100  at the rear exhaust opening  124 . The wind diverting structure  150  preferably extends upwardly from the substantially vertical back wall  128  of the housing structure  104  at an outward angle such that the rear exhaust opening  124  extending across the back side of the grill  100  is defined between the outer edge  154  of the wind diverting structure and a rearward edge  156  of the cover  122 . The configuration and orientation of the wind diverting structure  150  are preferably such that when (a) the cooking grill  100  is operated at its average highest normal cooking energy input level, (b) the cover  122  is closed (and preferably also when the cover  122  is open), and (c) a 10 mile per hour rear wind is blowing against and directly perpendicular to the rear side  135  of the cooking grill  100 , the wind diverting structure  150  will be effective for causing a lower pressure to exist at the rear exhaust opening  124  than at the air inlet opening(s)  112 . Thus, at the same time, the wind diverting structure  150  will be effective for causing a lower pressure to exist in the firebox  106  above the fuel delivery or fuel placement structure(s)  118  than exists elevationally below the fuel delivery or placement structure(s)  118 , or at least below the gas ports  144  thereof in the case of a gas burner element. 
     Moreover, the configuration and orientation of the wind diverting structure  150  combined with the location(s) of the air inlet opening(s)  112  in the housing structure  104  are preferably such that a positive pressure differential (i.e., a higher pressure in the firebox  106  elevationally below the fuel delivery or fuel placement structure(s)  118  (or at least elevationally below the gas ports  144  thereof) than elevationally above the fuel structure  118  or ports  144 ) will be maintained regardless of whether the cover  122  is open or closed when operating under either a 10 mile per hour front wind or a 10 mile per hour rear wind. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the effect of a 5 mile per hour or greater, or 10 mile per hour or greater, rear wind  165  on the operation of the inventive grill  100  with the cover  122  closed. In contrast to the performance of the prior art grill  2  when subjected to a rear wind of this nature, the inventive grill  100  continues to maintain a greater pressure below the burner element  118  than above the burner element  118  (i.e., a pressure reversal is prevention) so that, as shown in  FIG. 12  by the air and gas circulation arrows  166 , secondary combustion air continues to properly flow into the air inlet opening(s)  112 , the hot combustion gas produced by the burner element  118  continues to properly flow upwardly through the cooking grate  120 , and the grill exhaust gases continue to properly flow out of the rear exhaust opening  124 . Moreover, the inventive grill  100  will preferably continue to properly operate in this manner when subjected to a rear wind of up to as much as 20 miles per hour and most preferably up to as much as 25 miles per hour. 
     Although other orientations and configurations of the wind diverting structure  150  are possible, it is preferred that (a) the wind diverting structure  150  be a flat element which extends horizontally across the back side of the inventive grill  100  and (b) the outward angle  158  of the wind diverting structure  150  be at least 10° from vertical. The outward angle  158  of the wind diverting structure will more preferably be in the range of from about 20° to about 60° and will most preferably be from about 30° to about 50° from vertical. 
     As another alternative, and preferably in addition to some or all of the improvements discussed above, the inventive grilling apparatus  100  preferably differs from the prior art grilling apparatus  2  in that, regardless of whether a wind diverter structure  150  is used, the rear exhaust opening  124  is oriented at an upward angle. Specifically, the grill housing structure  104  and the lid  122  are preferably configured as illustrated in  FIG. 12  such that the line  168  defining the face of the exhaust opening  124  which extends from the outer edge  154  of the wind diverter structure  150  (or from the top edge of the back wall  128  if no diverter structure is used) to the rearward edge  156  of the cover will be oriented at a forward angle  170  of as much as 90° or more from vertical. The forward angle  170  of line  168  will more preferably be from about 30° to about 80°, more preferably from about 40° to about 70°, from vertical. Consequently, the rear exhaust opening  124  will face upwardly in a direction  175 , which is perpendicular to line  168 , at a rearward angle  180  of as little as 0° from vertical. The rearward angle  180  of the upwardly facing rear exhaust opening faces will preferably be from about 10° to about 60°, more preferably from about 20° to about 50°, and most preferably from about 30° to about 45°, from vertical. 
     Alternative embodiments  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 , and  600  of the inventive grilling apparatus are illustrated in  FIGS. 13-27 . Each of these embodiments provides significant inventive improvements to the prior art grill  50  described above and includes an inventive wind diverting structure  250  and an inventive angled rear exhaust opening  224  of the same type described above. In contrast to inventive embodiment  100 , each of the inventive embodiments  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 , and  600  has a more box-shaped firebox  202  which, with the partial exception of grills  500  and  600 , is formed at least primarily of a single wall and has substantial vertical front and rear sides  204 , and  206 . Each of embodiments  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 , and  600  also preferably includes one or more burner element(s)  208  which is/are positioned in the firebox  202  such that the burner element(s)  208  extend directionally from front to back. 
     Each of the inventive grills  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 , and  600  has one or more air inlets  210  which is/are positioned elevationally below and horizontally forward and/or horizontally rearward of the burner element  208 , or at least the fuel ports thereof, and which face forwardly and/or rearwardly at an angle which is within a range of from plus or minus 45° from horizontal. More preferably, each of the air inlets  210  of the embodiments  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 , and  600  faces forwardly and/or rearwardly at an angle which is within plus or minus 10° from horizontal and which is most preferably substantially horizontal. 
     In inventive grill  200 , the air inlet opening(s)  210  is/are provided in the substantially vertical front wall  204  of the firebox  202  such that outside air flowing through the front opening(s)  210  will be directly received in the firebox  202 . In inventive grill  300 , the air inlet opening(s)  210  is/are provided in the substantially vertical rear wall  206  of the firebox  202  such that outside air flowing through the rear opening(s)  210  will be directly received in the firebox  202 . Inventive grill  400  is a combination of embodiments  200  and  300  having both front and rear air inlets  112  through which outside air will be directly received in the firebox  202 . 
     In the inventive grill  500 , the air inlet  210  is provided on the front side  204  of the firebox housing structure at the mouth of an inlet air receiving structure (e.g., an inlet air duct)  216  which extends beneath the bottom of the firebox  202  and is in fluid communication with one or more firebox bottom opening(s)  218 . Consequently, outside air received by the air inlet  210  flows into the firebox  202  via the inlet air duct  216  and the firebox bottom opening(s)  218 . 
     The inventive grill  600  is similar to the inventive grill  500  except that the air inlet opening(s)  210  of grill  600  is/are provided at the rearward mouth of an inlet air duct  220  which extends beneath the firebox  202  to the rear side  206  of the grill  600 . 
     Yet another embodiment  700  of the inventive grilling apparatus is illustrated in  FIGS. 28-30 . The grilling apparatus  700  is similar to the prior art grill and cart apparatus  80  described above except that (a) the inventive grill  700  includes a wind diverter structure  250  and (b) the inventive grill  700  also includes air inlet openings  210  across the vertical front face  704  of the cabinet  702  so that the cabinet  702  operates as an inlet air receiving structure. The inventive grill  700  thus operates and performs in a manner similar to the inventive grill  500 . It will also be understood that the inlet air opening(s)  210  could be provided across the vertical rear face  706  of the cart box  702  or across both the front face  704  and the rear face  706 . 
     The air and gas circulation arrows provided in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  17 ,  18 ,  20 ,  21 ,  23 ,  24 ,  26 ,  27 ,  29 , and  30  illustrate the improved operation of the inventive grilling apparatuses  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700  when subjected to front or rear winds of 5 miles per hour or greater or 10 miles per hour or greater. In contrast to the performance of the prior art grills  50  and  80  when subjected to front or rear winds of this nature, the inventive grills  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700  continue to maintain a greater pressure in the firebox  202  below the burner element(s)  208 , or at least the ports thereof, so that secondary combustion air continues to properly flow into the air inlet opening(s)  210 , the hot combination gases produced by the burner element(s)  208  continue properly flow upwardly through the grate or other food support structure  260 , and the grill exhaust gases continue to properly flow out of the rear exhaust opening  224 . Moreover, the inventive grills  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700  will preferably continue to operate in this manner when subjected to a front or rear wind of up to as much as 20 miles per hour or more and most preferably up to as much as 25 miles per hour or more. 
     Example 
     Computer simulations of the prior art grilling apparatus  2  illustrated in  FIG. 1-3  and the inventive grilling apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 10-12  show that: (a) if each of these grills is operated at a gas fuel rate which would otherwise provide a grate temperature of 650° F. under dry conditions at an ambient temperature of 70° F. and no wind and (b) each of these grills is then subjected to a perpendicular front wind of 10 miles per hour and a perpendicular rear wind of 10 miles per hour, the results will be as indicated below in Table 1. In addition, Table 1 also shows what the separate results will be for an inventive grill having either (a) a front air opening but no wind diverter or (b) a wind diverter but no front air opening. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ave Food 
                   
               
               
                   
                 LID CLOSED 
                 Chamber 
                 LID OPEN 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Inlet 
                   
                 Exhaust 
                   
                 Temp 
                   
                   
                 Exhaust 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Gauge 
                 Gas Flow 
                 Gauge_Press 
                 Ave Grate 
                 Above 
                 Inlet Gauge Press 
                 Gas Flow 
                 Gauge Press 
                 Ave Grate 
               
               
                   
                 Press (Pa) 
                 Direction 
                 (Pa) 
                 Temp (° F.) 
                 Grate (° F.) 
                 (Pa) 
                 Direction 
                 (Pa) 
                 Temp (° F.) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Prior Art Grill 2 
                 −1.81 
                 Down 
                 7.43 
                 360 
                 170 
                 −1.23 
                 Down 
                 −0.07 
                 591 
               
               
                 (Rear Wind) 
               
               
                 Prior Art Grill 
                 −6.85 
                 Down 
                 −4.19 
                 723 
                 418 
                 8 
                 Down 
                 13 
                 396 
               
               
                 2 (Front Wind) 
               
               
                 Inventive Grill 100 
                 −8.8 
                 Up 
                 −15.4 
                 747 
                 750 
                 −.14 
                 Up 
                 −.16 
                 677 
               
               
                 (Rear Wind) 
               
               
                 Inventive Grill 100 
                 8.48 
                 Up 
                 −4.05 
                 712 
                 733 
                 17 
                 Up 
                 12 
                 641 
               
               
                 (Front Wind) 
               
               
                 Diverter but No 
                 −10.5 
                 Up 
                 −14.0 
                 712 
                 617 
                 −1.23 
                 Down 
                 −.07 
                 591 
               
               
                 Front Air Opening 
               
               
                 (Rear Wind) 
               
               
                 Diverter but No 
                 −6.85 
                 Down 
                 −4.19 
                 723 
                 418 
                 8 
                 Down 
                 13 
                 396 
               
               
                 Front Air Opening 
               
               
                 (Front Wind) 
               
               
                 Front Air Opening 
                 −5.74 
                 Down 
                 9.21 
                 577 
                 278 
                 −.14 
                 Up 
                 −.16 
                 677 
               
               
                 but No Diverter 
               
               
                 (Rear Wind) 
               
               
                 Front Air Opening 
                 8.48 
                 Up 
                 −4.05 
                 712 
                 733 
                 17 
                 Up 
                 12 
                 641 
               
               
                 but No Diverter 
               
               
                 (Front Wind) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As these simulation results indicate, the prior art grill  2  will experience a pressure reversal in each case, regardless of whether the cover is open or closed and regardless of whether the wind is against the front or the back of the grill. Consequently, the gas flow through the food support structure of the prior art grill  2  will be downward rather than upward. 
     In contrast, the simulation results provided in Table 1 show that: (a) the use of a front side air inlet  112  in accordance with the present invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 10-12  will cause the combustion gas to continue to flow upwardly through the food support grate  120  in the case of a front wind, regardless of whether the cover is closed or open, and in the case of a rear wind when the cover  122  is open, (b) the inventive wind diverting structure  150  will cause the combustion gases to continually flow upwardly through the food support grate  120  with the cover  122  closed when subjected to a rear wind of 10 miles per hour, and (c) the inventive wind diverting structure  150  and an inventive front air inlet location  112 , in combination, will cause the combustion gases produced in the inventive grill  100  to continue to flow upwardly through the food support structure  120  when subjected to either a 10 mile per hour front wind or a 10 mile per hour rear wind, regardless of whether the cover  122  is open or closed. 
     In addition, actual cooking tests conducted on the inventive grill  100  and the prior art grill  2  under 10 mile per hour winds showed that the temperature at the cooking grate of the prior art grill  2  was so impaired that the required cooking time was more than tripled and the prior art grill  2  was substantially unable to leave sear marks on the food. In contrast, however, the cooking temperature at the grate of the inventive grill  100  was from 100 F.° to 200° F. higher and good sear marks were produced on the food. 
     Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the invention as defined by the claims.