Patent Publication Number: US-2015076293-A1

Title: Gas Manifold Bracket for Gas Grill

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventions relate to gas grills. More particularly, the present, inventions relate to mounting brackets that secure the gas distribution manifold to both the fire box and grill frame. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many available gas grills typically include a support frame or cart, often with wheels and shelves for accessories and the like. They also include a cooking chamber or fire box having a hinged lid. The fire box accommodates the gas distribution components, such as the burner tubes, cooking grates and the like. Other gas distribution components, such as the valves and manifold, are typically attached to the burner tubes. The fire box is attached to and sits on the support frame. 
     Many gas grills are sold in a partially disassembled state for ease of shipping and are to be assembled by the consumer. Typically, the fire box, including the gas distribution components, is packaged and shipped as one complete subassembly. This is done for safety reasons and particularly, so that the consumer is only required to make a minimum of gas supply and/or distribution connections. The support frame, on the other hand, typically requires more assembly by the consumer. Once the support frame is assembled, the fire box and its gas distribution components are placed on the frame and attached thereto. 
     In typical gas grills, a gas distribution manifold, which is the component that distributes the gas through the valves and to the burners, is typically supported by one or more brackets that mount the manifold (which in turn helps support the valves and burner tubes) only to the fire box. While this arrangement is adequate for many situations, more stability and support for the gas manifold and associated components may be desirable. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present inventions to stabilize the gas distribution manifold when the gas grill is assembled, white still permitting ease of assembly by the consumer without the need tor specialized tools. 
     It is an additional object of the present inventions to simultaneously mount the gas distribution manifold to the lire box and the grill support frame. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to produce gas distribution manifold mounting brackets that secure the gas distribution manifold to the grill frame and the fire box for additional security and stability. 
     NOTICE OF CLAIM OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION 
     A portion of the disclosure and drawings of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all rights. 
     SUMMARY Off THE INVENTION 
     The present inventions preserve the advantages of known gas grills and also provide new features and advantages. 
     More particularly, the present inventions provide a mounting bracket for a gas distribution manifold for a gas grill, the grill including a fire box and support frame. The mounting bracket includes a first end adapted to support a gas distribution manifold, a second end adapted to be attached to a wall of the fire box and an intermediate portion adapted to be secured to the support frame. The present inventions may also include a plurality of mounting brackets to support the gas distribution manifold. In addition, the second end of the mounting bracket may have an attachment portion that is at a right angle to the bracket and parallel to the fire box. The present inventions may also include a mounting bracket that is unitary, i.e., wherein the first end, second end and intermediate portion are formed from a single piece of metal or other suitable fire or heat resistant material. 
     The present inventions also provide a mounting bracket for securing a gas distribution manifold to the fire box and support frame of a gas grill including three portions. Specifically, the mounting bracket includes a manifold support portion for supporting a gas distribution manifold, a fire box attachment portion for securing the bracket to the fire box and a frame attachment portion for securing the bracket to the grill support frame. 
     INVENTOR&#39;S DEFINITION OF THE TERMS 
     The terms used in the claims of this patent are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language. Where alternative meanings are possible, in either the specification or claims, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar, the trade and the English language. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The stated and unstated objects, features and advantages of the present inventions (sometimes used in the singular, but not excluding the plural) will become apparent from the following descriptions and drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in the various views, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a representative gas grill, shown without the lid; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of portions of the representative gas grill of  FIG. 1 , with the control panel and other components removed to show the gas supply and distribution components and a preferred embodiment of a manifold mounting bracket of the present invention shown attached to both the fire box and grill support frame; 
         FIG. 3  is a side or lateral view of the components of  FIG. 2 , including a preferred embodiment of the mounting bracket of the present invention shown secured to the fire box and to the support frame of a gas grill; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a typical fire box and gas supply and distribution assembly shown in the state in which it would typically be shipped, including a preferred embodiment of the present invention secured to the fire box; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the gas manifold mounting bracket of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be the preferred embodiments or best representative examples of the inventions claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to the embodiments and preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, purpose, structure or result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent. 
     A representative gas grill to which the present inventions may apply is shown generally as  10  in  FIG. 1 . It includes a support frame assembly  12  and a fire box or cooking chamber  14  having a hinged lid (not shown). A control panel  16  and knobs  17  to operate the gas valves  33  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) are also provided. The fire box  14  is supported by and attached to frame  12  in a manner that is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The typical gas supply and distribution assembly  30  and fire box  14  are shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . The fire box  14  includes two side walls  20 , a back wall  21  and a front wall  22 . Fire box  14  also includes a ledge  23  to accommodate sear bars (not shown) or other similar components. Fire box  14  also includes a lip  24 , typically on the front  21  and back  22  walls to accommodate and support a cooking grate (not shown) or similar surface. 
     A typical gas supply and distribution, assembly  30  includes burner tubes  31 , a cross pilot tube  32  and gas valves  33 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the burner tubes  31  are attached at one end to the rear wall  21  of fire box  14 . The other end of burner tubes  31  protrude through holes  25  provided in the front wall  22  of fire box  14 . Valves  33  are affixed to the ends of the burner tubes  31 . Valves  33  are in turn attached to and in fluid communication with the gas distribution manifold  35 . The gas distribution manifold  35 , and components attached thereto, are supported by a gas manifold mounting bracket  40  of the present inventions as hereinafter described. A gas supply line  36  is also provided which is in fluid communication with the gas distribution manifold  35 . 
     As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, gas supply line  36  is ultimately connected to a gas source (not shown), such as a tank or gas line. In operation, gas flows from the gas source through the gas supply line  36  and into gas distribution manifold  35 . As its name connotes, gas distribution manifold  35  distributes the gas through the selected valves  33  and to the burner tubes  31  where the gas is ignited and ultimately used for cooking. 
     The gas supply and distribution assembly  30 , and particularly the gas distribution manifold  35 , is supported by gas manifold mounting bracket  40 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a first end or manifold support portion  41  of mounting bracket  40  supports gas distribution manifold  35 . A back end or fire box attachment portion  42  of mounting bracket  40  is adapted to be attached to the front wall  22  of fire box  14 . In a preferred embodiment, tabs  44  are formed into back end  42  or fire box connection point and are secured to the fire box  14  by a nut and bolt. Those of ordinary skill will understand that, the bracket  40  may take a variety of forms and be attached to the fire box  14  and gas distribution manifold  35  in a variety of ways consistent with the present inventions. It will also be understood that mounting bracket  40  may be made from a variety of materials consistent with its environment of use and safety and regulatory considerations. 
     Importantly, manifold bracket  40  is also adapted to provide a portion that may be secured to the grill frame assembly  12 . As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an intermediate or frame connection portion  43  of mounting bracket  40  is provided with a tab or similar means that is secured to the grill frame assembly by a nut and bolt or other well known means. It will be understood that the intermediate portion  43  may also take a variety of farms consistent with the present inventions. In this manner, the manifold mounting bracket  40  provides extra support and security by mounting the gas distribution manifold  35  simultaneously to both the fire box  14  and frame  12 . 
     When a typical grill assembly is shipped in the usual partially assembled form, the fire box will preferably include the components shown in  FIG. 4  pre-assembled. Specifically, the burner tubes  31 , cross pilot tube  32 , valves  33  and gas distribution manifold  35  supported by manifold mounting bracket  40  are preferably attached at the factory. As shown, gas manifold mounting bracket  40  is secured to fire box  14 , but is not secured to frame assembly  12  when shipped. When the consumer assembles the support frame  12 , they attach the lire box  14  (for example, as shown in  FIG. 4 ) to the support frame  12 . The consumer will then secure gas mounting manifold bracket  40  to the grill support frame as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . It will be understood, however, that the foregoing is a desired application of the present inventions, but is not required. 
     The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in or the scope of the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist, that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the present inventions have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the claimed invention. In addition, although the term “claimed invention” or “present invention” is sometimes used herein in the singular, it will be understood that there are a plurality of inventions as described and claimed. 
     Various features of the present inventions are set forth in the following claims.