Patent Publication Number: US-2006000466-A1

Title: Non-round charcoal grill with ash catcher

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/791,253 filed Mar. 2, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/016,891 filed Dec. 14, 2001, which claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/288,581 filed May 3, 2001 and provisional application Ser. No. 60/255,779 filed Dec. 15, 2000.  
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention generally relates to a charcoal grilling system. More particularly, the present invention presents several points of novelty relating to a system for conveniently removing ashes and grease from a charcoal grill, for providing improved cooking space and performance within the charcoal grill, and for maneuvering the charcoal grill.  
      Grilling remains one of the most popular methods of food preparation today. Grill assemblies use either gas or charcoal as a heat source. While gas grilling has grown increasingly popular, many people prefer to use a charcoal grill. However, there remain many difficulties associated with charcoal grilling.  
      A charcoal grill assembly generally includes a bottom bowl, a lid, and legs or a stand. The bottom bowl typically includes a bowl rim, a cooking grid, and a charcoal support grate. The bottom bowl and the lid typically include ventilation apertures. The cooking grid sits slightly under the bowl rim of the bottom bowl. The charcoal support grate sits beneath the cooking grid inside the bottom bowl. The legs or stand support the assembly. The lid may be placed on top of the bottom bowl. In operation, charcoal is positioned on top of the charcoal support grate, and ignited. The cooking grid is then set in the bottom bowl. The grill operator may then position food on the cooking grid. The grill operator may then position the lid on top of the grill bottom bowl to cover the grill assembly. The grill operator may adjust the ventilation apertures to increase or decrease circulation of air into the covered grill assembly and to control the burn rate of the charcoal.  
      One of the biggest drawbacks associated with a typical charcoal grill assembly is the cleaning of the assembly after cooking. Disposing of the ashes and debris that have fallen to the bottom of the grill bowl during the course of cooking may be a difficult task. To address the problem of cleaning the grill assembly, many spherical grill assemblies include a receptacle for catching ashes situated at the center bottom of the grill bowl. The ash catcher retains ashes and grease, for example, that fall during the course of cooking and that are guided by the grill bowl curvature into the ash catcher. By using the ash catcher, the grill operator may clean the ashes and grease out of the grill by removing the ash catcher, dumping the ash catcher contents and replacing the ash catcher.  
      The typical non-round charcoal grill, however, does not include a receptacle for catching ashes and grease because the walls and base of the flat grill bottom pan do not direct the ashes and grease to the center of the grill pan base where the ash catcher typically would be located. For example, a rectangular charcoal grill assembly is described in U.S. Des. Pat. No. 277,541 issued to Espinda. The flat horizontal base of the grill pan is perpendicular to the generally vertical walls of the grill pan. Because the base of the grill pan is flat, ashes and grease created during the course of cooking stay where the ashes and grease have landed at the base of the grill pan. Likewise, the generally vertical walls of the grill pan guide ashes and grease straight down into the corners where the base of the grill pan and the walls of the grill pan connect. Because the base and walls of the grill pan direct the ashes and grease generally straight down, the ashes and grease are scattered across the entire base of the grill pan. Thus an ash catcher is not included in a typical non-round grill assembly because the non-round assembly does not direct ashes and grease to the center base of the grill pan.  
      Non-round charcoal grill assemblies are also typically not easy to maneuver. For example, non-round charcoal grill assemblies generally do not include a wheeled cart because non-round charcoal grill assemblies generally do not include ash catchers. Without an ash catcher, a non-round charcoal grill attached to a cart would be difficult to clean. For example, the grill bowl and the cart would possibly have to be inverted to clean out the assembly.  
      A generally spherical charcoal grill assembly with an ash catcher is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,099 issued to Waugh. The rounded grill pan walls and grill lid walls of the Waugh assembly limit the vertical depth or draw of the grill assembly between the grill bowl and the grill lid. The short draw limits space within the grill assembly for food, heat circulation, and an adjustable cooking grid. A short draw is a problem typical of rounded and non-rounded charcoal grill assemblies alike. For example, the typical charcoal grill assembly includes a grill lid that slopes acutely downward to the grill bowl, so the charcoal grill assembly has a short draw.  
      A charcoal grill assembly supported by a wheeled cart is described in U.S. Des. Pat. No. 430,717. The frame of the cart envelops the perimeter of the wall of the bottom portion at the rim of the bottom portion. Therefore, the cart takes up considerable space, and so the cart is difficult to maneuver and store. Additionally, the cart includes a large footprint which may be undesirable.  
      Thus, a need has long existed for a non-round charcoal grill assembly that provides for easy disposal of ashes, grease, and debris. Furthermore, a need exists for a non-round grill assembly that includes a wheeled cart, so that the grill operator may easily maneuver the grill assembly. Additionally, a need exists for a non-round charcoal grill assembly that provides improved space for cooking a variety of foods, for improved ventilation and an improved charcoal bum rate, and for an adjustable cooking grid. Finally, a need exists for a non-round grill assembly cart that takes up less space than typical grill assembly carts.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a non-round charcoal grilling system. The system includes a pan having a perimeter, a generally vertical wall, a generally horizontal base including an aperture and a substantial slope leading from the wall to the aperture in the base. A removable receptacle for catching ashes or ash catcher may be positioned under the aperture. The removable ash catcher may be slidably positioned under the aperture along a mounting attached to the pan. Alternatively, the removable ash catcher may be positioned into the aperture and removed from the aperture by using a removal fixture attached to the ash catcher. The pan including the ash catcher may be installed in a grill cart. The cart may have a frame which includes an interior perimeter and the interior perimeter of the frame is smaller than the perimeter of the pan.  
      These and other features of the present invention are discussed or apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1   a  illustrates a profile of a typical non-round charcoal grill assembly.  
       FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c  illustrate a profile and top view, respectively, of a charcoal grill pan according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2   a  illustrates a profile of a typical non-round charcoal grill assembly.  
       FIG. 2   b  illustrates a profile of a charcoal grill assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2   c  illustrates a cutaway profile of the charcoal grill assembly of  FIG. 2   b  and a profile of the charcoal grill assembly of  FIG. 2   a  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2   d  illustrates a cutaway profile of the charcoal grill assembly of  FIG. 2   b  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3   a  illustrates the underside of the plate support frame, the wheels, and a perimeter of the bottom portion of the cart-mounted assembly from  FIG. 7  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3   b  illustrates the underside of the plate support frame, the wheels, and a perimeter of the bottom portion of the small-cart-mounted assembly from  FIG. 8  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3   c  illustrates  FIG. 3   a  superimposed on  FIG. 3   b.    
       FIG. 4   a  illustrates a charcoal grill assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4   b  illustrates an exploded view of the ash catcher and the grill body of  FIG. 4   a  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5   a  illustrates a charcoal grill assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5   b  illustrates an exploded view of the ash catcher and the grill body of  FIG. 5   a  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6   a  illustrates a wheeled charcoal grill assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6   b  illustrates the ash catcher removed from the grill body of  FIG. 6   a  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6   c  illustrates a close-up view of the externally removable ash catcher and the mounting of  FIGS. 6   a - b  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6   d  illustrates a view of the bottom portion of the assembly of  FIGS. 6   a - b  showing grid adjustment rods according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a cart mounted charcoal grill assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates a small frame cart mounted charcoal grill assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1   a  illustrates a profile of a typical non-round charcoal grill assembly  100 . The assembly  100  includes a grill pan  120 . The grill pan  120  includes a flat wall  130  and a flat grill pan base  140 . In operation ashes and grease collect on the flat grill pan base  140  during the course of cooking and must be scooped out manually.  
       FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c  illustrate a profile and top view, respectively, of a charcoal grill pan  145  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The grill pan  145  includes a vertical wall portion  160 , a bottom portion  170 , and an angled wall portion  180 . The wall portion  160 , bottom portion  170 , and angled wall portion  180  form a slope in the grill pan  145 . The bottom portion  170  includes an opening that encompasses substantially the whole bottom portion  170 . A receptacle for catching ashes and grease as described below may be positioned beneath or within the opening in the bottom portion  170 . In operation, the slope of the four-corner three-angle grill pan  145  leads ashes and other debris that fall into the grill pan  145  during the course of cooking toward the center of the bottom portion  170  of the grill pan  145 . The three-angle grill pan  145  is a significant improvement of the prior art because the three-angle grill pan  145  may include an ash catcher attachment which would allow the grill operator to clean the ashes and grease out of the grill pan  145  by removing the ash catcher. In contrast, the flat base  140  of the assembly  100  does not direct ashes, and thus does not include an ash catcher.  
       FIG. 2   a  illustrates a profile of a typical non-round charcoal grill assembly  200 . The assembly  200  includes a grill pan  210 , a grill lid  220 , and a vertical extent  225 . The grill pan  210  includes an adjustable cooking grid  230 , a heat source (not shown), and grid adjustment levers (not shown). In operation, the adjustable cooking grid  230  sits over the heat source in the grill pan  210 . Food may be placed on top of the adjustable cooking grid  230 . The adjustable cooking grid  230  may be lowered and raised within the grill pan  210  by the grid adjustment levers.  
       FIG. 2   b  illustrates a profile of a charcoal grill assembly  240  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  240  includes a grill pan  245 , a grill lid  250 , and a vertical extent  255 . The grill pan  245  includes an adjustable cooking grid  260 , a heat source (not shown), and grid adjustment levers (not shown). The vertical extent  255  or draw of the assembly  240  is greater than the vertical extent  225  of the assembly  200  of  FIG. 2   a.    
      In operation, the adjustable cooking grid  260  sits over the heat source in the grill pan  245 . Food may be placed on top of the adjustable cooking grid  260 . The adjustable cooking grid  260  may be lowered and raised within the grill pan  245  by the grid adjustment levers. The deeper draw of the assembly  240  provides several advantages over the prior art. Because of the deeper draw of the assembly  240 , the grill operator may raise or lower the adjustable cooking grid  260  over a greater range of distances. Therefore, the grill operator may cook food at a greater variety of distances from the heat source, so the grill operator has more control over how food is cooked. Additionally, the deeper draw of the assembly  240  provides more space for food and assists in cooking by improving circulation and the burn rate within the assembly  240 .  
       FIG. 2   c  illustrates a superimposed cutaway profile of the charcoal grill assembly  240  of  FIG. 2   b  and the profile of the prior art charcoal grill assembly  200  of  FIG. 2   a  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the vertical extent  255  of the charcoal grill assembly  240  of the preferred embodiment is much greater than the vertical extent  225  of the prior art assembly. As mentioned above, because of the increased vertical extent or deeper draw of the grill assembly  240  the grill assembly  240  is able to provide improved control to a user and improved cooking results, for example due to improved convection.  
       FIG. 2   d  illustrates a cutaway profile of the charcoal grill assembly  240  of  FIG. 2   b  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The grill assembly  240  is shown to include an exemplary food item  270 , a charcoal support grate  275 , and a heat source  280 . The adjustable cooking grid  260  is positioned above the charcoal support grate  275  within the grill assembly  240 . The heat source  280  is positioned on top of the charcoal support grate  275  and the food  270  is positioned on top of the adjustable cooking grid  260 . In operation, the large vertical extent  255  or deep draw of the assembly  240  provides improved space for heat to circulate within the assembly  240  as compared to the prior art. For example, because the vertical extent  255  improves the heat circulation within the assembly  240 , the food  270  may be cooked more evenly and faster than the food  270  would be in the assembly  200  of  FIG. 2   a.    
       FIG. 4   a  illustrates a charcoal grill assembly  400  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  400  includes a grill body  405 , a receptacle for catching ashes or ash catcher  410 , and legs  415 . The grill body  405  includes handles  417 , a grill lid  420 , and a four-corner three-angle grill pan  425 . The grill lid  420  includes a grill lid rim  430 , a grill lid top  432 , a grill lid wall  435 , and an adjustable vent  437 . The grill pan  425  includes a grill pan groove  440 , a grill pan wall  445 , a grill pan base  450 , a charcoal support grate (not shown), and an adjustable cooking grid (not shown). The ash catcher  410  includes two adjustable vents  455 , a ring collar  460 , and a removal fixture, such as a tab  465 .  
      The grill lid  420  covers the grill pan  425  as is illustrated in  FIG. 4   a . That is, the grill lid  420  rests upon the grill pan  425  when the grill lid rim  430  is positioned in alignment with the grill pan groove  440 . The general shape of the grill lid  420  and the grill pan  425  is non-round or preferably rectangular or square. The distance or draw between the grill lid top  432  and grill pan base  450  is, as described above, greater than the draw found in the typical charcoal grill. The grill pan wall  445  slopes into the grill pan base  450  as described above.  
      In operation, charcoal may be placed on the charcoal support grate in the grill pan  425  and ignited. The adjustable cooking grid may then be placed in the grill pan  425  at a desired height. Food may then be placed above the lit charcoal on the adjustable cooking grid. The grill body  405  may then optionally be covered by positioning the grill lid  420  atop the grill pan  425 . The grill lid  420  is positioned by using the handle  417  fastened to the grill lid  420  to rest the grill lid  420  upon the grill pan  425 . The heat from the charcoal cooks the food. During the course of cooking, air may be circulated into the covered grill body  405  by adjusting the vent  437  and the ash catcher vents  455 . Ashes and grease created during the course of cooking are guided into the ash catcher  410  by the sloped grill pan wall  445 . When the cooking has ended, the handle  417  may be used to lift the grill lid  420  up off of the grill pan  425 . The food, adjustable cooking grid, and charcoal support grate may then be removed from the grill pan  425 . Additionally, the ash catcher  410  may also be removed as described below.  
       FIG. 4   b  illustrates an exploded view of the ash catcher  410  and the grill body  405  of  FIG. 4   a  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The grill pan  425  includes an ash catcher insert aperture  485 . The ash catcher  410  may be removed from the grill pan  425  by gripping the removal fixture, the tab  465 , and pulling the tab  465  generally upward. As the tab  465  is pulled upward, the ash catcher  410  is lifted up and out of the insert aperture  485 . After being removed from the grill body  405 , the ash catcher  410  may be easily cleaned. For example, the ash catcher  410  may be inverted, and the ashes may be removed. The ash catcher  410  may then be replaced within the insert aperture  485  of the grill pan  425 .  
      The addition of a receptacle for catching ashes and grease to a non-round charcoal grill assembly is a major improvement over previous non-round charcoal grill assemblies. The ash catcher allows the grill operator to conveniently clean the non-round grill assembly, whereas before the grill operator may have had to clean the non-round grill assembly by reaching into the filthy grill pan or inverting the assembly and dumping out the contents. Of course, the addition of the ash catcher to a non-round charcoal grill assembly is made possible by the slope of the four-corner three-angle grill pan shown in  FIG. 1   b.    
      In another embodiment, similar to the sliding ash catcher embodiment shown below in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , an ash catcher that is directly removable from the outside of the grill body  405  may be employed. For example, the grill pan base  450  may include a mounting fastened to the underside of the grill pan base  450  and used to position the removable ash catcher  410  underneath the insert aperture  485  as shown in  FIGS. 6   a - c . Thus, the ash catcher  410  may then be slidably positioned and removed for cleaning.  
       FIG. 5   a  illustrates a charcoal grill assembly  500  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  500  includes legs  505 , a receptacle for catching ashes or ash catcher  510 , and a charcoal grill body  515 . The legs  505  include a storage plate  520 . The ash catcher  510  includes two adjustable vents  525 , a ring collar (not shown), and a tab (not shown). The charcoal grill body  515  includes a top portion  540 , a four-corner three-angle bottom portion  545 , handles  550 , and an adjustable vent  555 . The bottom portion  545  includes an adjustable cooking grid (not shown).  
      The ash catcher  510  and the grill body  515  are generally similar to the ash catcher  410  and the grill body  405  of  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b . The general shape of the grill body  515  is non-round or preferably rectangular or square. The vertical extent or draw is, as described above, greater then the vertical extent found in a typical charcoal grill. The three-angle bottom portion  545  directs ashes and grease to the center of the bottom portion  545  as described above.  
      In operation, the assembly  500  performs similarly to the assembly  400  of  FIG. 4 . The handle  550  attached to the top portion  540  may be used to remove or position the top portion  540  as described above. The adjustable cooking grid may be positioned in the bottom portion  545  at a desired height. During the course of cooking, air may be circulated into the covered grill body  515  by adjusting the vent  555  and the vents  525  of the ash catcher  510 . The long legs  505  provide the grill operator with easy access to the assembly  500  and space for a storage plate  520 . The storage plate  520  may hold food, fuel, or other items and provide support to the legs  505 .  
       FIG. 5   b  illustrates an exploded view of the ash catcher  510  and the grill body  515  of  FIG. 5   a  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5   b , the ash catcher  510  includes a ring collar  557  and a tab  559 . The bottom portion  545  includes an insert aperture  560 . The ash catcher  510  is positioned into the insert aperture  560  and pulled out of the insert aperture  560  from above by use of the tab  559  as described above with regard to  FIG. 4   b.    
      The addition of a receptacle for catching ashes and grease to a non-round charcoal grill assembly is a major improvement over previous non-round charcoal grill assemblies. The ash catcher allows the grill operator to conveniently clean the non-round assembly, whereas before the grill operator may have had to clean the non-round assembly by reaching into the filthy grill pan or inverting the assembly and dumping out the contents. Of course, the addition of the ash catcher to a non-round charcoal grill assembly is made possible by the slope of the four-corner three-angle grill pan shown in  FIG. 1   b.    
      In another embodiment similar to the sliding ash catcher embodiment shown below in  FIGS. 6   a - c , an ash catcher that is directly removable from the outside of the grill body  515  may be employed. For example, the base of the bottom portion  545  may include a mounting fastened to the underside of the bottom portion  545  and used to position the removable ash catcher  510  underneath the insert aperture  560  as shown in  FIGS. 6   b  and  6   c . Thus, the ash catcher  510  may then be slidably positioned and removed.  
       FIG. 6   a  illustrates a wheeled charcoal grill assembly  600  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  600  includes legs  605 , an externally removable receptacle for catching ashes or removable ash catcher  610 , and a charcoal grill body  615 . The legs  605  include wheels  620  and a storage plate  625 . The ash catcher  610  includes a ring collar  630 , adjustable vents  635 , and a handle  640 . The grill body  615  is generally similar to the grill body  405  of  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  and includes a four-corner three-angle bottom portion  645 , a top portion  650 , and hinges (not shown). The top portion  650  includes a handle  655  and a vent  660 . The bottom portion  645  includes grid height adjustment levers  662 , a mounting  670 , and an adjustable cooking grid (not shown). The general shape of the grill body  615  is non-round or preferably rectangular or square. The vertical extent or draw is, as described above, greater then the vertical extent found in a typical charcoal grill. The three-angle bottom portion  645  directs ashes and grease to the center of the bottom portion  645  as described above.  
      In operation, the grill operator may obtain access to the interior of the grill body  615  by using the handle  655  to raise and rotate the top portion  650  along the hinges that attach the top portion  650  to the bottom portion  645  opposite the handle  655 . The grid height adjustment levers  662  may be used to lower or raise the height of the cooking grid inside the bottom portion  645 . During the course of cooking, air may be circulated into the covered grill body  615  by adjusting the vent  660  and the vents  635  of the ash catcher  610 . The mounting  670  may be used to slidably insert or remove the ash catcher  610  from under the bottom portion  645 .  
      The assembly  600  may be moved by tilting the assembly  600  back on the wheels  620  and rolling the assembly  600  on the wheels  620 . The two legs  605  without wheels  620  may be pressed into a supporting surface and prevent the assembly  600  from moving inadvertently. The storage plate  625  may hold food, fuel, or other items, and the storage plate  625  also provides support to the legs  605 .  
       FIG. 6   b  illustrates the ash catcher  610  removed from the grill body  615  of  FIG. 6   a  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bottom portion  645  includes an insert aperture  665 . In operation, the ash catcher  610  is slidably positioned underneath the insert aperture  665  along the mounting  670  as described below.  
       FIG. 6   c  illustrates a close-up view of the externally removable ash catcher  610  and the mounting  670  of  FIGS. 6   a - b  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The mounting  670  includes rails  675  and a stop  680 . The rails include grooves  685 . The mounting  670  is fastened under the bottom portion  645  shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . In operation, the ash catcher  610  may be inserted into the rails  675  by fitting the ring collar  630  into the grooves  685  of the rails  675 . The handle  640  may be used to guide the ash catcher  610  into the grooves  685  and position the ash catcher  610  along the rails  675 . The stop  680  prevents the ash catcher  610  from being slid past the position where the ash catcher  610  is aligned directly below the insert aperture  665  of the bottom portion  645  shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . The rails  675  are preferably fastened closely to the underside of the bottom portion  645  so that the ash catcher  610  on the rails  675  presses up tightly against the edge of the insert aperture  665 . However, in another embodiment the rails  675  may be separated from the underside of the bottom portion  645  by a clearance, and the clearance may be used for ventilation. When the ash catcher  610  is slidably moved against the stop  680  and aligned directly below the insert aperture  665 , the assembly  600  may be used to cook. When the cooking is finished, the ash catcher  610  may be slid along the rails  675  in the opposite direction of the stop  680  until the ring collar  630  is no longer contained within the grooves  685  of the rails  675 . The ash catcher  610  may then be cleaned by inverting the ash catcher  610  and dumping out the ashes and grease. The ash catcher  610  may then be slid back under the insert aperture  665 .  
       FIG. 6   d  illustrates a view of the bottom portion  645  of the assembly  600  of  FIGS. 6   a - b  showing grid adjustment rods  677  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The grid adjustment rods  677  include rear fixture portions  678 , front fixture portions  679 , and grid contact beams  681 . The bottom portion  645  includes two sets of oppositely aligned apertures (not shown) in the front and rear of the bottom portion  645 . Each set of the apertures provides fixation to one of the grid adjustment rods  677 . The front fixture portions  679  extend through the apertures at the front of the bottom portion  645  and are integrally formed with the grid height adjustment levers  662 . The adjustable cooking grid may be positioned on top of the support beams  681 .  
      In operation, the apertures suspend the grid adjustment rods  677  within the bottom portion  645 . The grid adjustment rods  677  may be rotated within the apertures by repositioning the grid height adjustment levers  662 . As the grid height adjustment levers  662  are re-positioned inward or outward, the grid adjustment rods  677  rotate with the support beams  681  upward or downward to raise or lower the adjustable cooking grid positioned on the support beams  681 . Thus, the grid adjustment rods  677  may be used to position the cooking grid and any food thereon at a variety of distances from a heat source in the bottom portion  645 . The preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 6   d  illustrates three positions for the grid adjustment rods  677  and grid height adjustment levers  662  represented by the one solid-line rendering and two dotted-line renderings. Of course, the bottom portion  645  may provide greater or fewer positions for the grid adjustment rods  677  and grid height adjustment levers  662 .  
      The addition of an externally removable ash catcher to a non-round charcoal grill assembly is a major improvement over previous non-round charcoal grill assemblies. The externally removable ash catcher allows the grill operator to conveniently clean the non-round assembly, whereas before the grill operator may have had to clean the non-round assembly by reaching into the filthy grill pan or inverting the assembly and dumping out the contents. Of course, the addition of the ash catcher to a non-round charcoal grill assembly is made possible by the slope of the four-corner three-angle grill pan shown in  FIG. 1   b.    
      In another embodiment the ash catcher  610  includes a tab and does not include the handle  640  and may be inserted and removed from above as demonstrated by the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  above.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a cart mounted charcoal grill assembly  700  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  700  includes a wheeled cart  705 , a receptacle for catching ashes or ash catcher  710 , and a grill body  715 . The cart  705  includes legs  720  and a frame  725 . The legs  720  include wheels  730 , a storage plate  735 , and a plate support frame  737 . The frame  725  includes trays  740 . The ash catcher  710  includes a handle  750 , adjustable vents  755 , and a ring collar (not shown). The grill body  715  includes a top portion  760 , a four-corner three-angle bottom portion  765 , and hinges (not shown). The top portion  760  includes a vent  770  and a handle  775 . The bottom portion  765  includes grid height adjustment levers  780 , a mounting (not shown), and an adjustable cooking grid (not shown).  
      The grill body  715  and the ash catcher  710  are generally similar to the grill body  615  and the ash catcher  610  of  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . The general shape of the grill body  715  is non-round or preferably rectangular or square. The vertical extent or draw is, as described above, greater then the vertical extent found in a typical charcoal grill. The three-angle bottom portion  765  directs ashes and grease to the center of the bottom portion  765  as described above.  
      In operation, the grill body  715  and the ash catcher  710  perform similarly to the grill body  615  and the ash catcher  610  in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . The grill operator may obtain access to the interior of the grill body  715  by using the handle  775  to raise and rotate the top portion  760  along the hinges that attach the top portion  760  to the bottom portion  765  opposite the handle  775 . The grid height adjustment levers  780  may be used to raise or lower the height of the cooking grid inside the bottom portion  765 . During the course of cooking, air may be circulated into the covered grill body  715  by adjusting the vent  770  and the vents  755  of the ash catcher  710 . The frame  725  of the wheeled cart  705  supports the grill body  715 . The wheels  730  may be used to maneuver the assembly  700 . The plate support frame  737  retains the storage plate  735  between the legs  720 . The storage plate  735  may hold food, fuel, or other items and provide support to the legs  720 . The trays  740  provide space to set plates, cooking utensils, and other items. The ash catcher  710  may be slidably positioned along the mounting and removed from the mounting as demonstrated above by the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6   a - c.    
      The addition of a cart to a non-round charcoal grill body is a significant advancement in the use of a non-round charcoal grill. Previously, grill operators who enjoyed grilling with a non-round charcoal assembly could not experience the conveniences of a cart mounted grill assembly. Non-round grill bodies were not attached to carts because the non-round grill bodies did not include ash catchers, and thus cleaning a grill body on a cart without the use of an ash catcher would have been a difficult task. However, the new four-corner three-angle grill pan may be used to guide ashes and grease into an ash catcher. Since a non-round charcoal grill assembly may now include an ash catcher, the grill operator may easily clean the non-round grill assembly without inverting the non-round grill assembly. Therefore, a non-round charcoal grill assembly equipped with an ash catcher may now be conveniently maneuvered on a wheeled cart like a gas grill assembly or a round charcoal grill assembly.  
      In another embodiment the ash catcher  710  includes a tab and does not include the handle  750  and may be inserted and removed from above as demonstrated by the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b.    
       FIG. 8  illustrates a small frame cart mounted charcoal grill assembly  800  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  800  includes a wheeled cart  805 , a receptacle for catching ashes or ash catcher  810 , and a grill body  815 . The cart  805  includes legs  820 , support rails  825 , and trays  830 . The legs  820  include wheels  840 , a storage plate  845 , and a plate support frame  847 . The ash catcher  810  includes a handle  850 , adjustable vents  855 , and a ring collar (not shown). The grill body  815  includes a top portion  860 , a four-corner three-angle bottom portion  865 , and hinges (not shown). The top portion  860  includes a handle  870  and an adjustable vent  875 . The bottom portion  865  includes grid height adjustment levers  880 , a mounting (not shown), and an adjustable cooking grid (not shown).  
      The grill body  815  and ash catcher  810  are generally similar to the grill body  615  and the ash catcher  610  of  FIGS. 6   a - c . The general shape of the grill body  815  is non-round or preferably rectangular or square. The vertical extent or draw is, as described above, greater then the vertical extent found in a typical charcoal grill. The three-angle bottom portion  865  directs ashes and grease to the center of the bottom portion  865  as described above.  
      In operation, the assembly  800  performs similarly to the assembly  700  in  FIGS. 7   a - b . The handle  870  and hinges may be used to raise and lower the top portion  860  as described above. The grid height adjustment levers  880  may be used to raise or lower the height of the cooking grid inside the bottom portion  865 . During the course of cooking, air may be circulated into the covered grill body  815  by adjusting the vent  875  and vents  855  of the ash catcher  810 . The trays  830  support the grill body  815 . For example, the grill body  815  may be fastened or bolted to the trays  830 . The trays  830  also provide space to set plates, cooking utensils, or other items. The wheels  840  may be used to maneuver the cart-mounted grill assembly  800 . The plate support frame  847  retains the storage plate  845  between the legs  820 . The storage plate  845  may hold food, fuel, or other items and provide support to the legs  820 . The ash catcher  810  may be slidably positioned along the mounting and removed from the mounting as demonstrated by the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6   a - c.    
      The geometric extent of the area of the frame of a cart may be described as the footprint of the cart. Preferably, the perimeter of the footprint of the cart is less than the perimeter of the bottom portion of a grill assembly. The bottom portion  865  may be described as substantially similar in size and shape to the bottom portion  765 . As shown in  FIGS. 3   a - b , the footprint of the grill cart  805  of  FIG. 8  may be described as smaller than the perimeter of the bottom portion  865  of the assembly  800 , but the footprint of the grill cart  705  of  FIG. 7  may be described as substantially the same as the perimeter of the bottom portion  765  of the assembly  700 . The footprint of the grill cart  805  of  FIG. 8  may thus be described as smaller than the footprint of the grill cart  705  of  FIG. 7 . The grill cart  805  has a reduced footprint because, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the legs  820  of the grill cart  805  slope up and out along the bottom portion  865  from the support rails  825  located underneath the bottom portion  865  of the grill body  815  instead of encompassing the entire perimeter of the bottom portion  865 . Thus, the cart  805  has a smaller interior perimeter or footprint than the cart  705  of  FIG. 7  and may therefore be easier to store and maneuver than the cart  705  of  FIG. 7 .  
      The assembly  800  is a significant improvement upon previous charcoal grill assemblies. The assembly  800  includes the four-corner three-angle bottom portion  865  which guides ashes and grease into the ash catcher  810 . The addition of the ash catcher  810  allows the non-round grill body  815  to be used with a cart  805  because the grill body  815  may be easily cleaned by removing the ash catcher  810 . However, the assembly  800  also provides the improvement of a smaller grill cart  805  than the grill cart  705  of  FIG. 7  due to the small footprint of the bottom portion  865 . Thus, the assembly  800  not only allows a grill operator to enjoy the improved cooking characteristics of a non-round grill body with the convenience of a maneuverable cart, but the assembly  800  also may take up less space than the grill cart assembly  700  of  FIG. 7 .  
      In another embodiment the ash catcher  810  includes a tab and does not include the handle  850  and may be inserted and removed from above as demonstrated by the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b.    
       FIG. 3   a  illustrates the underside of the plate support frame  737 , the wheels  730 , and a perimeter  766  of the bottom portion  765  of the cart-mounted assembly  700  of  FIG. 7  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The perimeter  766  of the bottom portion is shown by a dotted line. The perimeter of the plate support frame  737  may be described as the perimeter of the footprint of the cart  705  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The footprint may be described as the geometric extent of the area of the frame of a cart. In  FIG. 3   a , the perimeter of the footprint of the cart  705  is substantially the same as the perimeter  766  of the bottom portion  765  shown in  FIG. 7 .  
       FIG. 3   b  illustrates the underside of the plate support frame  847 , the wheels  840 , and a perimeter  866  of the bottom portion  865  of the small-cart-mounted assembly  800  from  FIG. 8  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The perimeter  866  of the bottom portion is shown by a dotted line. The perimeter of the plate support frame  847  may be described as the perimeter of the footprint of the cart  805  shown in  FIG. 8 .  
      The bottom portion  865  of  FIG. 3   b  as shown is the same size as the bottom portion  765  of  FIG. 3   a . Correspondingly, the perimeter  866  of the bottom portion  865  of  FIG. 3   b  as shown is the same size as the perimeter  766  of the bottom portion  765  shown in  FIG. 3   a.    
      Thus, as seen in comparing  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 3   b , the footprint of the cart  805  of  FIG. 3   b  is considerably smaller than the perimeter  866  of the bottom portion  865  of the grill. Recall that in  FIG. 3   a , the footprint of the cart  705  is approximately the size of the perimeter  766  of the bottom portion  765  of the grill. Consequently, the footprint of the cart  805  of  FIG. 3   b  is smaller than the footprint of the cart  705  of in  FIG. 7 . Consequently, in operation, the grill cart  805  therefore may require less space for support and may be easier to maneuver than the grill cart  705  because the cart  805  has a smaller footprint.  
       FIG. 3   c  illustrates  FIG. 3   a  superimposed on  FIG. 3   b . As shown, the difference in the footprints of the two carts  705  and  805  may be more clearly seen. That is, the perimeter of the plate support frame  847  of the standard cart is shown to be greater than the perimeter of the plate support frame  737  of the small-frame cart. Therefore, the small-frame charcoal grill assembly  800  may be easier to store and maneuver or may otherwise be more attractive to a consumer as described above.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 - 8 , the four-corner, three-angle shape of the grill pan provides a slope that directs ashes and grease into the center of the grill pan base. The slope is an important improvement upon prior non-round grill assemblies because the slope allows non-round charcoal grills to include ash catchers. Previously, any grill operator who wanted to use a non-round charcoal grill assembly for the improved bum rate and ventilation characteristics was unable to clean the grill assembly with a removable ash catcher.  
      The addition of a removable ash catcher to a non-round charcoal grill assembly as embodied in  FIGS. 4-8  allows a grill operator to easily remove ashes or other debris that accumulate at the bottom of the grill in the course of cooking without having to turn the grill assembly upside down to dump out the ashes or reach into the dirty grill assembly to clean out the ashes as required by prior art charcoal non-round charcoal grills. Therefore, because of the four-corner three-angle grill pan, grill operators may now quickly and efficiently clean a non-round charcoal grill assembly and avoid the hassles of grill cleaning that come with using other non-round charcoal grill assemblies.  
      The addition of a non-round charcoal grill assembly with an ash catcher to a wheeled cart as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  may yield considerable benefits in grilling with a non-round charcoal grill assembly. Until now, a non-round charcoal grill body could not be used with a cart because the non-round body generally had to be cleaned by inverting the body and dumping the ashes. Inverting the grill body is not an easy task when the body is fastened to a cart. Therefore, grill operators who wanted to grill with a non-round charcoal assembly could not experience the advantages of grilling with a cart-mounted grill body. The advantages of the cart include an assembly that is easy to maneuver and plenty of space to set items. However, by including the four-corner three-angle charcoal grill pan of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a charcoal grill assembly may include an externally removable ash catcher, so consequently a charcoal grill assembly may be attached to a cart. Thus, now a charcoal grill operator may enjoy the advantages of grilling with a non-round charcoal grill while being able to maneuver the grill assembly and store many different items.  
      The deep draw shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 - 8  provides more vertical space within the grill body than previous charcoal grill assemblies. The deeper draw allows grill operators to set the cooking grid at a greater variety of heights above the heat source. The extra height options grant the grill operator more control over how food is cooked. The deeper draw allows grill operators to place more food and a greater variety of food in the grill body. Additionally, the deeper draw improves the burn rate of the charcoal during cooking within the grill body. Thus, the deeper draw of the present invention may greatly increase the cooking options of the charcoal grill operator.  
      The small grill cart of  FIG. 8  is a significant improvement because the small grill cart has a small footprint and may therefore be easier to maneuver and store. Because the three-angle slope of the bottom portion reduces the size of the base of the bottom portion, the cart has a reduced footprint. The perimeter of the footprint of the small cart therefore may be described as less than the perimeter of the bottom portion. The small footprint results in a small cart. Because the size of the cart is limited, the small cart may be easy to maneuver and store. Therefore, the four-corner three-angle grill pan improves upon the prior art in two ways in the case of the small cart charcoal grill assembly. The grill pan allows a non-round charcoal grill body to conveniently be used as part of a cart assembly because the grill body may include an ash catcher. Also, the four-corner three-angle grill pan actually allows for a small cart to be used with the non-round grill body.  
      While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications and incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.