Patent Abstract:
A food support rack, especially for use on a grill, the food support rack including removable and reversible food support members.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventions relate to food racks for charcoal or gas grills. Mare particularly, the present inventions relate to food racks having reversible food support members that may be easily installed in a frame and easily removed from the frame for cleaning or to accommodate different sized food. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Grilling, both with gas and charcoal grills, has became extremely popular. Similarly, the need for useful accessories to aid in grill cooking has also increased. In particular, there is a growing desire for specialized grilling accessories that aid in the proper preparation of various foods, such, as ribs, shishkabobs and the like. 
     Examples of such food racks are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,862 to Weber-Stephen Products LLC. Among other things, that patent discloses a universal rack suitable for cooking ribs. The rack includes a frame and generally vertically upstanding food support elements. The food support elements have free ends which are inserted into holes in the sides of the frame. Food, such as ribs, may then be placed between the food support elements. However, because the food support members have free ends that are inserted into holes in the sides of the frame, they can only be used one way. In addition they may be more difficult to install and clean. 
     Thus, there remains a need for food rack accessories for a grill that are easy to ship and assemble, provide flexibility for various uses and which are easy to clean. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventions preserve the advantages of known food racks for grills and also provide new features and advantages. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a food rack or support assembly for grills that is easy to clean. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a food support assembly for grills that includes reversible food support members. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a food support assembly for grills that includes a frame that securely yet simply supports the food support members. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a food support assembly for grills that may be shipped disassembled and may be easily assembled for use. 
     Thus, the present inventions provide a food support assembly for use on a cooking surface. The assembly includes a generally rectangular frame having two parallel side members and two parallel end members, each side member including a generally vertical leg and a generally horizontal flange, wherein each horizontal flange includes a plurality of opposing slots. A plurality of food support members, each food support member having two ends, each end including at least one loop portion adapted for insertion into the opposing slots of the side members is also provided. In addition, each end of each food support member may include two loop portions, one being a top loop portion and the other being the bottom loop portion, wherein the top and bottom loop portions are adapted for engagement by the slots of the opposing side members of the frame. As a result, the food support members are reversible and easily removed from the frame for cleaning. 
     The present inventions also provide a food support assembly for use on a cooking surface of a grill which includes a substantially rectangular frame having two side members and two end members, each side member including a substantially vertical leg and a substantially horizontal flange, wherein each horizontal flange includes a plurality of opposing apertures. Further included is a locking rail attached and generally parallel to each side member of the frame and positioned below the horizontal flanges, each looking rail including opposing openings substantially aligned with the plurality of opposing apertures on the horizontal flanges of the frame. A plurality of food support members, each food support member having two ends, each end having at least one loop portion, wherein the apertures on the horizontal flanges and the openings on the locking rail are adapted to receive the at least one loop portion of the food support member are also provided. The food support assembly may also include apertures in the locking rail which are hook shaped to engage the at least one loop portion of the food support member. Each of the ends of each food support member may include a first loop portion and a second loop portion so that the food support member is reversible. Moreover, the apertures on the horizontal flanges may be arcuate so that the food support members may be supported at an angular orientation when installed in the frame. 
     The present inventions further provide for a food support assembly for use on a grill, the assembly including a rectangular frame having two sides and two ends, each of the sides including a substantially horizontal flange, wherein each horizontal flange includes a plurality of opposing apertures. Also included are a plurality of food support members, each member having two ends and each end having at least one loop portion adapted to be received in the apertures in the horizontal flanges; and a locking rail associated with the sides of the frame and positioned below the horizontal flanges, the locking rail having openings aligned with the apertures on the horizontal flanges, the apertures adapted to receive the at least one loop portion of the food support member. A first loop portion and a second loop portion may also be included on each of the food support members so that they may be reversed for use. The locking rail may be hook-shaped and the apertures on the horizontal flanges may be arcuate in other aspects of the present inventions. 
     Inventor&#39;s Definition of the Terms 
     The terms used in the claims of this patent 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. 
    
    
     
       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 preferred embodiment of a food support assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a frame of the embodiment of the food support assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of a preferred embodiment of a reversible food support member of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a frame of an alternative embodiment of a food support assembly of the present invention having a locking rail; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the frame of the alternative embodiment of the food support assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the alternative embodiment of a food support assembly of  FIG. 4  showing a plurality of reversible food support members engaged in the book-shaped cut-outs of the locking rail in a representative angular orientation in the frame; and 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of the alternative embodiment of the food support assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     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. 
       FIGS. 1, 2 and 3  show one preferred embodiment of a food support assembly  10  of the present inventions. The food support assembly  10  includes a generally rectangular frame  20  and a plurality of food support members  40 . The preferred embodiment of food support member  40  shown in  FIG. 3  is reversible and may be used with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 . It may also be used with the alternative embodiment of food support assembly  10  as shown in  FIGS. 4-7  as hereinafter described. Preferred food support member  40  is reversible to accommodate different types of food and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a body portion  41  may take a variety of forms depending upon the anticipated use. It will also be understood by those of skill in the art that food support assembly  10  is placed upon the grate or cooking surface of a grill (not shown). In addition, food support assembly  10  and its various components may be made from a variety of materials. It will be further understood by those of skill in the art that frame  20  may be sized so accommodate any desired number and variety of food support members  40  and/or to fit within various sized grids. 
     The frame  20  of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2  can best be seen by reference to  FIG. 2 . Frame  20  includes two generally parallel side members  22  and two generally parallel end members  24 . Ends  24  and sides  22  are attached together using holts or rivets  21  or other well known means to form a generally rectangular frame  20 . It will be understood by those of skill in the art that frame sides  22  and/or frame ends  24  may be formed from a single piece of material or may be constructed from different pieces of material that are welded or otherwise attached together. It will also be understood that frame  20  may be square or any other shape suitable to accept food support members  40 . Ends  24  are generally L-shaped and include a lower horizontal flange  25  and an integral vertical end member  26 . A handle  2  may be provided that is attached to or integral with vertical end member  26 . Frame sides  22  preferably include a vertical leg  28  and an upper horizontal flange  29  which projects outwardly from the frame sides  22 . A lower horizontal foot portion  23  may also be provided for additional stability when the food support assembly  10  is placed on a cooking surface of a grill. 
     In the embodiment of frame  20  in  FIG. 2 , upper horizontal flange  29  is integral with and/or formed as part of vertical leg  28 . In addition, horizontal flange  29  is preferably curvilinear. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that vertical leg  28  and horizontal flange  29  may be formed from a single sheet of material or made from separate components which are welded or otherwise attached together. In addition, the curvilinear shape of generally horizontal flange  29  is preferred, but not required. The horizontal flanges  29  of each side frame member  22  are provided with a plurality of opposing slots  30  that are aligned with each other on the opposite flanges  29 . Depending upon the configuration of food support members  40 , slots  30  may extend  31  to vertical leg  28 . The shape and size of slots  20  and any extension  31  to vertical leg  28  are adapted to releasably accommodate fond support members  40  as hereinafter described. 
     Preferred reversible food support member  40  may be seen by reference to  FIG. 3 . Food support member  40  includes two ends  42  and an intermediate body portion  41 . Preferably, food support members  40  are formed from circular rods that are bent or deformed into the desired shape. Ends  42  are formed to preferably have two loop portions; namely, a first loop portion  43  (the top loop portion of  FIG. 3 ) and a second loop portion  44  (the bottom loop of  FIG. 3 ). In a preferred, embodiment body portion  41  is generally arcuate when the second loop portion  44  is on the bottom and generally U-shaped when the first loop portion  43  is on the bottom. In this manner, a user may decide which way to use reversible food support member  40  depending upon cooking needs (compare  FIGS. 1 and 7 ). It is preferred, but not required, that ends  42  of food support member  40  include both the first and second loop portions  43  and  44 . Thus, it is preferred but not required that food support member  40  be reversible. In a non-reversible embodiment, only one loop portion  43  or  44  is provided. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the loop portions  43  and  44  and the body portion  41  may take a variety of shapes and sizes. All that is required is that loop portions  43  and/or  44  are accepted by slots  30  and slots  30  (and any slot extensions  31 ) are sized and shaped to accommodate and secure either or both loop portions  43  and  44 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , slots  30  (and any necessary extensions  31 ) accept either first loop  43  and/or second loop  44  (the first loop  43  is shown engaged in  FIG. 1 ). If a different configuration of body portion  41  is desired, the food support element  40  may be reversed and slots  30  (and any necessary extensions  31 ) may accept second loop ends  44  (compare  FIGS. 1 and 7 ). In this manner, food support element  40  is reversible. In addition, since either loop end  43  or  44  is simply inserted into slot  30 , they may be easily removed for cleaning and both assembly and cleaning by the user are also simplified. As indicated, the size of slots  30  and the need for any extension  31  is determined by the size and shape of ends  42  and loops  43  and  44 , as will fee understood by those of skill in the art. 
     An alternative preferred embodiment  10  of the rack of the present inventions may be seen by reference to  FIGS. 4-7 . In this embodiment the same food support element  40  used with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2  may also be used. Alternative frame  20  also includes two generally parallel side members  22  and two generally parallel end members  24  which may be attached together with rivets  21  or other well known means. Ends  24  are generally L-shaped and include a lower horizontal flange  25  and a vertical end member  26 . A handle  21  may also be provided. Sides  22  include a generally vertical leg  28  and an upper horizontal flange  29  that projects outwardly from sides  22 . A lower horizontal foot portion  23  may also be provided. A plurality of opposing slots  30 ′ are provided on horizontal flange  29 , and slots  30 ′ may extend  31  to vertical leg  28  if necessary to accommodate the ends  42  of food support member  40 . In this alternative embodiment, slots  30 ′ are arcuate, preferably as shown in  FIG. 4 . Unlike the frame  20  embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , frame  20  of the alternative embodiment includes a locking rail  32  ( FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 ) to more securely engage first loop portion  43  or second loop portion  44  of food support member  40 . 
     As indicated, each side member  22  of the alternative embodiment of frame  20  includes a locking rail  32 . As shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 , preferred looking rail  32  is generally L-shaped and includes a horizontal portion  33  that is attached in vertical leg  21  of side member  22  and a vertical portion  34  that rims parallel to vertical leg  28  of side member  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 , vertical portion  34  is located below generally horizontal flange  29 . Vertical portion  34  of locking nail  32  includes a plurality of hook-shaped out-outs  35  ( FIG. 5 ) having a vertical opening portion  36  that is generally aligned with arcuate slots  30 ′ of horizontal flange  29  and recess portion  37 . Hook-shaped cut-outs  35  coincide with the number of slots  30 ′. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , arcuate slots  30 ′ are arced away from recess portion  37  of hook-shaped cut-outs  35  such that the top of the arc is in alignment with the vertical opening portion  36 . Although not required, the preferred arcuate slots  30 ′ enable the food support member  40  to be secured at a slight angle while loop portions  43  or  44  are engaged in recess portion  3  of hook-shaped cut-out  35  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In use, the desired loop portion  43  or  44  is inserted through arcuate slot  305  and into hook-shaped cut-out  35 . Because the slots  305  are arcuate, outer leg portion  45  and inner leg portion  46  of ends  42  of food support member  40  fit within the bottom of the arc such that food support member  40  may be angled once inserted through arcuate slots  30 ′. Loop portion  43  or  44  is then engaged in the recess portion  37  of book-shaped cut-out  35 . Food support member  40  is then supported in frame  20  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     It will be understood by those of skill in the art that although hook-shaped cut-outs  35  and arcuate slots  30 ′ are preferred in this embodiment, they are not required. For example, cut-outs  35  do not have to be book-shaped, but instead, simply include a vertical opening portion  36  such that loop portion  43  or  44  are accepted therein. In this manner, food support member  40  is more securely supported on frame  22  than in an embodiment without locking rail  32  or its equivalents. If required, a portion of arcuate slot  30 ′ may be extended  31  to vertical leg  28 . 
     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 is 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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0