Patent Publication Number: US-2006000468-A1

Title: Barbecue grill tank enclosure

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Not Applicable.  
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable.  
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to a support for a fuel tank, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a moveable support for a fuel tank used in connection with a barbecue grill and/or other cooking accessories.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Over the past few decades, the popularity of gas barbecue grills and outdoor cooking devices has increased tremendously. Such barbecue grills may be connected to a cart assembly and thus moveable between various locations, or the barbecue grills may be incorporated into or connected to a fixed structure, such as a built-in island. Additionally, the barbecue grill may receive its fuel for cooking from a fuel tank, often holding liquid propane, and/or from a direct line, typically carrying natural gas which is conveyed through piping. When a fuel tank is utilized a tank support is usually incorporated into the cart assembly or fixed structure.  
      Manufacturers of cart assemblies and other fixed structures have introduced a number of support devices for the barbecue grill fuel tank. Conventional support devices, however, suffer from a number of problems and limitations. Most conventional support devices are affixed to a portion of the frame assembly of the barbecue grill or the cooking device, typically a vertical frame member. In this manner, the support device and the fuel tank are exposed to potentially harsh outdoor elements. Also, the frame members must be specifically designed or reinforced to withstand the increased loads presented by the support device and the fuel tank. Additionally, because most frame assemblies are formed from a plurality of frame members, access to a spent fuel tank is compromised when the support device is affixed to the frame assembly.  
      A number of larger gas barbecue grills have a frame assembly which includes a cabinet or a storage cavity, and the fuel tank is placed therein. In this manner, the fuel tank remains unsecured and susceptible to unexpected movement. Alternatively, a conventional support device is permanently affixed to an internal frame member of the cabinet. In either case, the structure of the cabinet impairs the access to and replacement of a spent fuel tank.  
      Therefore, there is a definite need for a support device for a fuel tank that is movable between a first position wherein the fuel tank is protected and stored for use, and a second position, wherein the fuel tank is accessible. In addition, there is a need for a support device that provides for generally unobstructed removal and replacement of a spent fuel tank.  
      The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a fuel tank enclosure and support apparatus for a fuel tank used in connection with a gas barbecue grill assembly or other gas outdoor cooking device. The support apparatus generally comprises a housing member and a support member for the fuel tank.  
      According to one embodiment, the support member is a door assembly. The door assembly has a first wall and a second wall adjacent and transverse to the first wall. The second wall of the door assembly is adapted to support the fuel tank. In one embodiment the first and second walls are in intersecting vertical planes.  
      According to another embodiment, a gusset joins a portion of the first wall and the second wall to provide additional rigidity to the door assembly. The gusset may extend from adjacent one end of the first wall and join the second wall adjacent one end of the second wall.  
      According to another embodiment, the door assembly is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the door assembly and the fuel tank are positioned generally within the housing member of the enclosure. In the second position, a portion of the door assembly is positioned generally beyond a portion of the housing and the frame assembly. Further, in the second position the fuel tank is positioned generally beyond the housing and the frame assembly. Thus, when the door is in the first position the fuel tank is stored for use, and when the door is in the second position the fuel tank is accessible, meaning that a user can detach and/or remove an empty fuel tank from the door assembly.  
      According to another embodiment, a tank scale is provided. The fuel tank is supported by the fuel tank scale.  
      According to another embodiment, the tank enclosure has a first vent aperture and a second vent aperture. The first vent aperture is adjacent a top of the fuel tank enclosure, and the second vent aperture is adjacent a bottom of the fuel tank enclosure.  
      According to another embodiment, the housing member of the fuel tank enclosure assembly has a first wall, a second wall opposing the first wall, a top wall, a bottom wall opposing the top wall, and a rear wall. Further, the housing member has an opening leading to a cavity between the walls of the housing for the fuel tank. Typically, when the door is in the first position the door substantially covers the opening to the cavity of the housing.  
      According to another embodiment, the housing member has no bottom wall.  
      According to another embodiment, a shaft member is provided. The door assembly rotates about the shaft member to move from the first position to the second position. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft member resides in a generally vertical axis.  
      According to another embodiment, the shaft member has an angled portion to provide support for the door. Further, in one embodiment the shaft member has a top end and a bottom end. In this embodiment the shaft member may engage the housing or frame assembly adjacent both the top and bottom ends of the door. In one embodiment, a first end of the shaft extends past an extent of a first end of the door, and a second end of the shaft extends past an extent of a second end of the door. The first and second ends of the shaft extend into the housing assembly of the barbecue grill.  
      According to another embodiment, a retaining member is provided. The retaining member removably secures the door in the second position. The retaining member is adapted to provide securement to the door such that the position of the door remains generally fixed. In one embodiment, the retaining member is a magnet that removably secures the door to a wall of the housing.  
      The fuel tank support apparatus of various embodiments provides a number of significant advantages over conventional fuel tank support devices. One such advantage is the ability to rotate the door from a stored position (first position) to an access position (second position) such that a spent fuel tank can be removed and replaced. Another advantage is the ability to rotate the door from the access position to the stored position once the replacement fuel tank is connected to the door. Yet another advantage provided by the door is positioning the fuel tank within the housing in the stored position to preclude exposure to outdoor elements.  
      Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a barbecue grill assembly incorporating one embodiment of the tank enclosure assembly;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another barbecue grill assembly incorporating one embodiment of the tank enclosure assembly;  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the tank enclosure assembly;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tank enclosure assembly;  
       FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the tank enclosure assembly of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the fuel tank support of  FIG. 4 , showing the door of the tank enclosure assembly in the first position;  
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the tank enclosure assembly of  FIG. 4 , showing the door of the tank enclosure assembly in the second position;  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a barbecue grill assembly incorporating another embodiment of the tank enclosure assembly;  
       FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the tank enclosure assembly;  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the tank enclosure assembly of  FIG. 9 ; and,  
       FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of the tank enclosure assembly of  FIG. 10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:  
      While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.  
      Referring now in detail to the FIGS., and specifically to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is shown one embodiment of a tank enclosure assembly  10 . The tank enclosure assembly  10  generally comprises a support apparatus  12 , generally being a door  12 , a housing assembly  16  and a hinge or pivot member  18 . The housing assembly  16  may include a fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14 . The tank enclosure assembly  10  may be utilized in conjunction with a barbecue grill assembly  20  having a frame assembly  22 , such as in the example shown in  FIG. 1 , or it may be utilized in conjunction with barbecue grill assembly  24  having a built-in support structure  26 , such as in the example shown in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, the tank enclosure assembly  10  may be a part of the frame assembly  22  or the built-in support structure  26 .  
      For reference purposes, the barbecue grill assembly  20  shown in  FIG. 1  generally includes a frame assembly  22  and a cooking chamber  28 . The frame assembly  22  is adapted to provide support to the cooking chamber  28 . The frame assembly  22  includes a combination of vertical frame members  30 , transverse frame members  32 , and horizontal frame members  34 . Conversely, the barbecue grill assembly  24  shown in  FIG. 2  has a built-in support structure  26  for providing support to the cooking chamber  36 .  
      Referring back to the tank enclosure assembly  10 , in one embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the door  12  of the tank enclosure assembly  10  has a first wall  38 , a second wall  40  and a gusset  42 . The second wall  40  is adapted to support the fuel tank  63 . With reference to the two walls of the door  12 , the first wall  38  is generally adjacent and transverse to the second wall  40 . Further, in this embodiment, the first and second walls  38 ,  40  are positioned in substantially intersecting vertical planes. A gusset  42  connects the first wall  38  and the second wall  40  by joining a portion of the first wall  38  and the second wall  40 . The gusset  42  provides additional structural strength and rigidity to the door  12  of the tank enclosure assembly  10 .  
      With respect to this example of the door  12  of the tank enclosure assembly  10 , the first wall  38  has a first end  44 , a second end  46 , a third end  48  and a fourth end  50 . Similarly, the second wall  40  has a first end  52 , a second end  54 , a third end  56  and a fourth end  58 . The first end  44  of the first wall  38  is adjacent to the first end  52  of the second wall  40 , the fourth end  50  of the first wall  38  is adjacent to the gusset  42 , and the fourth end  58  of the second wall  40  is adjacent to the gusset  42 .  
      Additionally, portions of the first and second walls  38 ,  40  of the door  12  have flanges  60  to assist in increasing the structural rigidity of the door  12 . Specifically, the second and third ends  46 ,  48  of the first wall  38 , and the second and third ends  54 ,  56  of the second wall  40  have such flanges  60 . Additionally, the gusset  42  may also have a flange  61  to increase the rigidity and overall strength of the door  12 .  
      The door  12  of the tank enclosure assembly  10  is moveable between a first position, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , and a second position, as shown in  FIG. 7 . In the first position, the fuel tank  63  is positioned generally within the housing assembly  16  of the fuel tank enclosure assembly  10 , and the door  12  is positioned generally adjacent the housing assembly  16 . In the second position, a portion of the door  12  is positioned generally beyond a portion of the housing assembly  16 . Further, in the second position the fuel tank  63  is positioned generally beyond a cavity  85  of the housing assembly  16 . Accordingly, when the door  12  is in the first position the fuel tank  63  is stored for use, and when the door  12  is in the second position the fuel tank  63  is accessible, meaning that a user can detach and/or remove an empty fuel tank  63  from the door  12 .  
      To move from the first position to the second position, the door  12  rotates or pivots about a hinge assembly  18 . In one embodiment, the hinge/pivot assembly  18  is a shaft  62 . Thus, in this embodiment the door  12  rotates about the shaft member  62  to move from the first position to the second position. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the shaft member  62  resides in a generally vertical axis to provide rotational support for the door  12  to rotate about the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14 . Thus, in a preferred embodiment the door  12  is rotatable about a generally vertical axis.  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the shaft member  62  has a first end  66 , a first angled portion  64   a  adjacent the first end  66 , a second end  68 , and a second angled portion  64   b  adjacent the second end  68 . Generally, the portion of the shaft member  62  between the first end  66  and the first angled portion  64   a  is in a parallel vertical axis as the portion of the shaft member  62  between the second end  68  and the second angled portion  64   b . The angled portions  64  assist in providing rigidity to the shaft member  62 , as well as providing locational positioning and support for the door  12 . The shaft  62  is generally connected to a support structure, which may include a frame assembly  22 , a built-in support structure  26 , a fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14 , a housing assembly  16 , or any other acceptable structure. In one embodiment, the shaft member  62  is supported by the housing assembly  16  adjacent both its first and second ends  66 ,  68  thereof.  
      To accept and retain the shaft  62 , the door  12  has a first aperture  70  in one of the upper portions of the door  12 , and a second aperture  72  in one of the lower portions of the door  12  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The first end  66  of the shaft  62  extends through the first aperture  70 , and the second end  68  of the shaft  62  extends through the second aperture  72 . Additionally, the first end  66  of the shaft  62  also extends through a first bushing  74  adjacent the upper portion of the door  12 . Similarly, the second end  68  of the shaft  62  also extends through a second bushing  76  adjacent the lower portion of the door  12 . A further description of the structure and use of the bushings  74 ,  76  is described below.  
      As explained above, the door  12  is rotatedly connected to either the housing assembly  16  or the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14  (which may be a component of the housing assembly  16 ). Further, the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14  may be part of the frame assembly  22 , part of the built-in support structure  26 , or it may be a separate component. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14  is a component that is tack welded to the housing assembly  16 , and thus forms a part of the housing assembly  16 . The frame assembly  14  generally provides structural rigidity to a portion of the housing assembly  16 . In this embodiment the frame assembly  14  comprises opposing first and second frame members  78   a ,  78   b  and opposing third and fourth frame members  80   a ,  80   b . The frame assembly  14  also has connecting members  82  to connect the frame assembly  14  to the housing assembly  16 . Additionally, one of the connecting members  82  preferably has a connection portion  84  to support a gas line  102  extending from the grill.  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , the housing assembly  16  generally comprises a housing structure which is made of a plurality of walls defining a cavity  85 . In one example, the housing assembly  16  has a back wall  86 , a top wall  88 , a bottom wall  90 , and opposing side walls  92 . The back wall  86 , top wall  88  and bottom wall  90  can be made of a single piece of bent sheet material, such as aluminum or steel, including stainless steel. The opposing side walls  92  are connected, typically via welding, to the top, bottom and back walls  86 ,  88 ,  90 . Once the housing assembly is  16  constructed, each of the respective connecting members  82  of the frame assembly  14  can be secured to the respective portion of the housing assembly  16 . This may be accomplished with hardware, such as with bolts and nuts, via welding, or via any other acceptable process.  
      In this embodiment of the housing assembly  16 , the back wall  86  of the housing assembly  16  has an aperture  94  for housing a vent  96 , and an aperture  98  for housing a grommet  100 . As best shown in  FIG. 6 , a gas piping or tubing  102  extends through the aperture  98  and grommet  100  and connects to a gas fitting  104 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , the fuel tank  63  is supported by the door  12  via a fuel tank scale  106  connected to a support channel  108 . The support channel  108  is connected to the second wall  40  of the door  12  via a plurality of fasteners, and the tank scale  106  is connected to the support channel  108  on the second wall  40  with a plurality of fasteners. The second wall  40  has an opening  110  which allows a user access to secure fasteners, such as wing nuts, to threaded posts extending from the tank scale  106  and through the support channel  108 . In this manner the tank scale  106  is secured to the support channel  108 , and the fuel tank  63  is supported by a bracket of the tank scale  106 . The second wall  40  has additional openings  112  which allow a user access to secure tank glides  114  to the support channel  108 . The tank glides  114  assist in positioning the tank  63  a distance for the support channel  108 , as well as providing a surface in which the tank  63  can glide against as the tank  63  moves upward due to the decreasing weight of a depleting fuel tank  63 .  
      Fuel is supplied from the fuel tank  63  via a fuel line  116  that extends from the tank valve  118  to the gas connection port  104 . This fuel line  116  is generally a flexible fuel line  116  which is long enough to allow the fuel tank  63  to be moveable, i.e., when the door  12  is moved from the first position ( FIG. 4 ) to the second position ( FIG. 7 ), even when the fuel tank  63  is in fluid connection to the grill.  
      Ultimately, the fuel tank  63  is contained within the cavity  85  of the housing assembly  16  when the door  12  is positioned in the first position as described above. Similarly, when the door  12  is in the first position, as shown in  FIG. 4 , an opening to the cavity  85  of the housing assembly  16  is substantially covered or closed by the door  12 .  
      When the door  12  is in the first position, however, the opening to the cavity  85  of the housing  16  is not completely closed in a preferred embodiment. Instead, a gap  120  is defined adjacent at least one edge of the door  12 . In one embodiment, a gap  120  is provided adjacent the bottom edge of the door  12 , generally at the location adjacent the fourth end  50  of the first wall  38 .  
      The gap  120  provides an area for the ingress or egress of air flow about the cavity  85  of the housing  16 . Air can also flow into and out of the cavity  85  through the vent  96  in the housing  16 . As such, air flow patterns into and out of the cavity  85  are provided via the vent  96  and the air gap  120 . In one embodiment the gap  120  is provided by a portion of at least one of the bushings  74 ,  76  adjacent the door  12 .  
      As explained above, in this embodiment the first end  66  of the shaft  62  extends through the first bushing  74  adjacent the top of the door  12 , and the second end  68  of the shaft  62  extends through the second bushing  76  adjacent the bottom of the door  12 . The bushings  74 ,  76  generally have a stem portion  122  and a shoulder portion  124 . The stem portion  122  of the first bushing  74  may be inserted into either the first aperture  70  of the door  12  or an aperture  126  in one of the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14  or the housing assembly  16 . Similarly, the stem portion  122  of the second bushing  76  may be inserted into either the second aperture  72  of the door  12  or an aperture  128  in one of the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14  or the housing assembly  16 . As explained above, it is understood that the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14  and the housing assembly  16  may be comprised of a single assembly or a multi-functional assembly.  
      Subsequently, the shoulder portion  124  of the first bushing  74  is positioned adjacent the top portion of the door  12 , and the shoulder portion  124  of the second bushing  76  is positioned adjacent the bottom portion of the door  12 . In one example, the bottom portion of the door  12  generally rests on the shoulder portion  124  of the second bushing  76 . Thus, by engineering a height of the shoulder portion  124  of the bushings  74 ,  76  to a defined dimension, and specifically by engineering the height of the shoulder portion  124  of the second bushing  76  to a determined dimension, the gap adjacent the door  12  can be defined. More specifically, in this example the shoulder portion  124  of the second bushing  76  determines the height of the gap  120  adjacent the lower portion of the door  12 .  
      The fuel tank enclosure assembly  10  may also include a handle  130  to assist a user in opening the door  12 . The handle  130  is generally connected to the outside of the first wall  38  of the door  12 . Additionally, the fuel tank enclosure assembly  10  may include a retaining member  132  ( FIG. 3 ) to removably secure the door in the first position. In one embodiment, the retaining member  132  is a magnet  132  secured to the second wall  40  of the door  12 .  
      An alternate embodiment of the fuel tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ is disclosed in  FIGS. 8-11 . In describing the embodiment of  FIGS. 8-11 , like components of this embodiment to the prior embodiment will be identified with like reference numerals and including a “′” identifier. This embodiment includes an alternate form of venting of the housing  16 ′. In general, such alternate venting is accomplished via an alternate housing assembly  16 ′ and support assembly  12 ′. As in the prior embodiment, the support assembly is typically a door.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the fuel tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ comprises a door  12 ′, a housing assembly  16 ′ and a hinge or pivot member  18 ′. The housing assembly  16 ′ may also include a fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14 ′. In a preferred embodiment, the fuel tank frame assembly  14 ′ is a component of the housing assembly  16 ′. The tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ may be utilized in conjunction with a barbecue grill assembly  20  having a frame assembly  22 , such as in the example shown in  FIG. 1 , or it may be utilized in conjunction with barbecue grill assembly  24  having a built-in support structure  26 , such as in the example shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8 . Additionally, the tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ may be a part of the frame assembly  22  or the built-in support structure  26 .  
      In this embodiment, the door  12 ′ of the tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ has a first wall  38 ′, a second wall  40 ′ and a gusset  42 ′. The second wall  40 ′ is adapted to support the fuel tank  63 . With reference to the two walls of the door  12 ′, the first wall  38 ′ is generally adjacent and transverse to the second wall  40 ′. Further, in this embodiment, the first and second walls  38 ′,  40 ′ are positioned in substantially intersecting vertical planes. The gusset  42 ′ connects the first wall  38 ′ and the second wall  40 ′ by joining a portion of the first wall  38 ′ and the second wall  40 ′. The gusset  42 ′ provides additional structural strength and rigidity to the door  12 ′ of the tank enclosure assembly  10 ′.  
      With respect to this example of the door  12 ′ of the tank enclosure assembly  10 ′, the first wall  38 ′ has a first end  44 ′, a second end  46 ′, a third end  48 ′ and a fourth end  50 ′. Similarly, the second wall  40 ′ has a first end  52 ′, a second end  54 ′, a third end  56 ′ and a fourth end  58 ′. The first end  44 ′ of the first wall  38 ′ is adjacent to the first end  52 ′ of the second wall  40 ′, the fourth end  50 ′ of the first wall  38 ′ is adjacent to the gusset  42 ′, and the fourth end  58 ′ of the second wall  40 ′ is adjacent to the gusset  42 ′.  
      Additionally, portions of the first and second walls  38 ′,  40 ′ of the door  12 ′ have flanges  60 ′ to assist in increasing the structural rigidity of the door  12 ′. Specifically, the second and third ends  46 ′,  48 ′ of the first wall  38 ′, and the second and third ends  54 ′,  56 ′ of the second wall  40 ′ have such flanges  60 ′. Additionally, the gusset  42 ′ may also have a flange  61 ′ to increase the rigidity and overall strength of the door  12 ′. An access slot  138 ′ is provided in the gusset  42 ′ to allow the shaft  62  to be inserted into position without having to bend the shaft  62 ′.  
      The tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ of this embodiment has a first vent  134 ′ in the door  12 ′. The first vent  134 ′ has a first vent opening or aperture  136 ′. In a preferred embodiment, the first vent  134 ′ is generally adjacent a top of the fuel tank enclosure  10 ′, and preferably adjacent a top or second end  46 ′ of the door  12 ′. As shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , in a preferred embodiment, the first vent aperture  136 ′ comprises a plurality of apertures  136 ′. Such apertures  136 ′ in the illustrated embodiment comprise a plurality of slots  136 ′. In a preferred embodiment, the first vent  134 ′ comprises twenty-seven vertical slots  136 ′. Each of the slots has a total area of approximately 0.742 in 2 .  
      Like the door of the prior embodiment, the door  12 ′ of this tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ is moveable between a first position, as shown in  FIG. 10 , and a second position, as shown in  FIG. 11 . In the first position, the fuel tank  63  is positioned generally within the housing assembly  16 ′ of the fuel tank enclosure assembly  10 ′, and the door  12 ′ is positioned generally within the cavity  85 ′ of the housing assembly  16 ′. In the second position, a portion of the door  12 ′ is positioned generally beyond a portion of the housing assembly  16 ′ and substantially outside the cavity  85 ′ of the housing assembly  16 ′. Further, in the second position the fuel tank  63  is positioned generally beyond the housing  16 ′ and the frame assembly  14 ′. Accordingly, when the door  12 ′ is in the first position the fuel tank  63  is stored for use, and when the door  12 ′ is in the second position the fuel tank  63  is accessible, meaning that a user can detach and/or remove an empty fuel tank  63  from the door  12 ′.  
      To move from the first position to the second position, the door  12 ′ rotates or pivots about a hinge assembly  18 ′. In one embodiment, the hinge/pivot assembly  18 ′ is a shaft  62 ′. Thus, in this embodiment the door  12 ′ rotates about the shaft member  62 ′ to move from the first position to the second position. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft member  62 ′ resides in a generally vertical axis to provide rotational support for the door  12 ′ to rotate about the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14 ′. Thus, in a preferred embodiment the door  12 ′ is rotatable about a generally vertical axis.  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the shaft member  62 ′ is provided to position the door  12 ′ about the vertical axis. More specifically, the shaft member  62 ′ has a first end  66 ′, a first angled portion  64   a ′ adjacent the first end  66 ′, a second end  68 ′, and a reverse angled portion  64   b ′ adjacent the second end  68 ′. Generally, the portion of the shaft member  62 ′ between the first end  66 ′ and the first angled portion  64   a ′ is in a similar vertical axis as the portion of the shaft member  62 ′ between the second end  68 ′ and the reverse angled portion  64   b ′. The angled portions  64   a ′,  64   b ′ assist in providing rigidity to the shaft member  62 ′, as well as providing locational positioning and support for the door  12 ′. Additionally, the reverse angled portion  64   b ′ in connection with access slot  138 ′ (described above) provides assistance in assembling the tank enclosure assembly  10 ′. The shaft  62 ′ is generally connected to a support structure, which may include a frame assembly  22 , a built-in support structure  26 , a fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14 ′, a housing assembly  16 ′, or any other acceptable structure. As explained below, in a preferred embodiment the shaft member  62 ′ is supported by portions of the housing assembly  16 ′ adjacent both its first and second ends  66 ,  68 . In a preferred embodiment the shaft  62 ′ is made of a 0.243″ diameter steel rod that is formed in the desired shape.  
      To accept and retain the shaft  62 ′, the door  12 ′ has a first aperture  70 ′ in one of the upper portions of the door  12 ′, and a second aperture  72 ′ in one of the lower portions of the door  12 ′ as shown in  FIG. 9 . The first end  66 ′ of the shaft  62 ′ extends through the first aperture  70 ′, and the second end  68 ′ of the shaft  62 ′ extends through the second aperture  72 ′. Additionally, the first end  66 ′ of the shaft  62 ′ also extends through a first bushing  74 ′ adjacent the upper portion of the door  12 ′. Similarly, the second end  68 ′ of the shaft  62 ′ also extends through a second bushing  76 ′ adjacent the lower portion of the door  12 ′. In this embodiment, the bushings  74 ′ and  76 ′ are positioned within the apertures  70 ′ and  72 ′ in the door  12 ′.  
      As explained above, the door  12 ′ is rotatedly connected to either the housing assembly  16 ′ or the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14 ′ (which may be a component of the housing assembly  16 ′). Further, the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14 ′ may be part of the frame assembly  22 , part of the built-in support structure  26 , or it may be a separate component. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14  is a component that is plug or tack welded to the housing assembly  16 , and thus forms a part of the housing assembly  16 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 9 , the housing assembly  16 ′ has a fuel tank enclosure frame assembly  14 ′. The frame assembly  14 ′ comprises a first frame member  78   a ′, and opposing third and fourth frame members  80   a ′,  80   b ′. The frame assembly  14 ′ also has three connecting members  82 ′, adjacent the first, third and fourth frame members  78   a ′,  80   b ′,  80   c ′ to connect the frame assembly  14 ′ to the housing assembly  16 ′.  
      Also as shown in  FIG. 9 , the housing assembly  16 ′ generally comprises a housing structure which is made of a plurality of walls defining a cavity  85 ′. In the example shown in  FIG. 9 , the housing assembly  16 ′ of this embodiment has a back wall  86 ′, a top wall  88 ′, and opposing side walls  92 ′. The housing assembly  16 ′ has no bottom wall. The back wall  86 ′, and the opposing side walls  92 ′ are made of a single piece of bent sheet material, such as aluminum or steel, including stainless steel. The top wall  88 ′ is connected, typically via welding, to the back and side walls  86 ′,  92 ′. In this embodiment the top wall  88 ′ has an aperture  140 ′ through which a portion of a bulkhead or regulator bracket  142 ′ can be positioned to connect the bulkhead assembly  144 ′. The top wall  88 ′ also has an aperture  146 ′ into which the first end  66 ′ of the shaft  62 ′ extends to connect the top portion of the door  12 ′ to the housing assembly  16 ′. In this embodiment, the housing assembly  16 ′ also has a cross member  79 ′. The cross member  79 ′ connects the opposing side walls  92 ′ of the housing  16 ′. The cross member  79 ′ has an aperture  148 ′ into which the second end  68 ′ of the shaft  62 ′ extends to connect the bottom portion of the door  12 ′ to the housing assembly  16 ′.  
      In the preferred embodiment, the back wall  86 ′ of the housing assembly  16 ′ has an aperture  150 ′, and the sidewall  92 ′ of the housing assembly  16 ′ has an aperture  152 ′. These apertures  150 ′,  152 ′ are to allow piping to extend from the bulkhead assembly  144 ′ to the gas grill, typically for either the gas burners or an auxiliary burner, such as a side burner. Typically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the apertures  150 ′,  152 ′ have either an open grommet or bushing  100 ′, or a closed or plugged grommet or bushing  100 ′. For example, if the gas tubing is to be extended out the aperture, then an open bushing would be utilized, however, if no gas tubing is to be extended out that aperture, then a plugged bushing would be utilized.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , the bulkhead assembly  144 ′ comprises a regulator  154 ′ which connects to the fuel tank  63 , a fuel line  116 ′ which connects the regulator  154 ′ to a tee connector  158 ′, and an elbow  160 ′ which connects to the bulkhead bracket  142 ′. Typically the gas line  102 ′ extending to the gas burner of the barbecue grill will connect to the outlet of the elbow  160 ′. If an auxiliary burner is not utilized, the secondary outlet of the tee connector  158 ′ will be capped. Otherwise, if an auxiliary burner is utilized then a second gas line will be connected to the outlet of the tee connector  158 ′. The bulkhead assembly  144 ′ is connected to the fuel tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ by inserting a portion of the bulkhead bracket  142 ′ through the aperture  140 ′ in the top wall  88 ′ of the housing assembly  16 ′. The bulkhead bracket  142 ′ is then secured with fasteners to the top wall  88 ′ of the housing  16 ′.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , the fuel tank  63  is supported by the door  12 ′ via a fuel tank scale  106  and a support channel  108 ′. As explained above, the support channel  108 ′ is connected to the second wall  40 ′ of the door  12 ′, typically via tack welding, and the tank scale  106  is connected to the support channel  108 ′ on the second wall  40 ′ with a plurality of fasteners. The second wall  40 ′ has an opening  110 ′ which allows a user access to secure fasteners, such as wing nuts, to threaded posts extending from the tank scale  106  and through the support channel  108 ′. In this manner the tank scale  106  is secured to the support channel  108 ′, and the fuel tank  63  is supported by a bracket of the tank scale  106 . The second wall  40 ′ has additional openings  112 ′ which allow a user access to secure tank glides  114 ′ to the support channel  108 ′.  
      Ultimately, the fuel tank  63  is contained within the cavity  85 ′ of the housing assembly  16 ′ when the door  12 ′ is positioned in the first position as described above. Similarly, when the door  12 ′ is in the first position, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the opening through the front of the housing  16 ′ is substantially covered or closed by the door  12 ′.  
      As explained above, the first end  66 ′ of the shaft  62 ′ extends through the first bushing  74 ′ adjacent the top of the door  12 ′, and the second end  68 ′ of the shaft  62 ′ extends through the second bushing  76 ′ adjacent the bottom of the door  12 ′. The first end  66 ′ of the shaft  62 ′ then further extends into the aperture  146 ′ in the top of the housing assembly  16 ′, and the second end  68 ′ of the shaft  62 ′ extends into the aperture  148 ′ in the cross member  79 ′ of the housing assembly  16 ′. This secures the door  12 ′ to the housing assembly  16 ′.  
      The fuel tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ also includes a pull handle  130 ′ which is inset into the door  12 ′ to assist a user in opening the door  12 ′. Additionally, the fuel tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ typically includes a retaining member  132 ′ ( FIG. 9 ) to removably secure the door  12 ′ in the first position. In this embodiment, the retaining member  132 ′ is a magnet  132 ′ secured in the flange  60 ′ of the first wall  38 ′ of the door  12 ′. The magnet  132 ′ connects to a bracket on the housing  16 ′.  
      Accordingly, the fuel tank enclosure  10 ′ of this embodiment includes a first vent  134 ′ and a second distal vent  135 ′ to vent the cavity  85 ′ of the fuel tank enclosure  10 ′. The first vent  134 ′ has a first vent aperture  136 ′, and the second vent  135 ′ has a second vent aperture  137 ′. The first vent  134 ′ is adjacent a top of the fuel tank enclosure  10 ′. In a preferred embodiment this is in the top or second end  46 ′ of the first wall  38 ′ of the door  12 ′. The second vent  135 ′ is adjacent a bottom of the fuel tank enclosure  10 ′. In a preferred embodiment, this is beneath the door  12 ′, and more particularly below the cross member  79 ′ of the housing assembly  16 ′. Since the housing assembly  16 ′ has an open bottom, the second vent  135 ′ of the tank enclosure  10 ′ can vent into the built-in support structure  26 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Additionally, there is a gap  178 ′ between the cross member  79 ′ and the bottom end  180 ′ of the housing assembly  16 ′. Thus, the second vent  135 ′ also vents out the front of the fuel tank enclosure assembly  10 ′ beneath the door  12 ′.  
      Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” as used herein are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Further, the term “plurality” as used herein indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number.  
      It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.  
      While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.