Abstract:
A modular cooking system includes a body, a grill receiver located in an upper region of the body, a grill top resting on the grill receiver, and a charcoal holder located in a region of the body below the grill receiver. Two pairs of support arms support the charcoal holder. A threaded lever passes through the body into the interior region of the system. There is a horizontal resting on a support bracket in the interior of the system. The horizontal, the support bracket, the threaded lever, and the support arms to lift and lower the charcoal holder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority on U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/073,570 filed Oct. 31, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of cooking devices, and, in particular, to a new and useful modular cooking apparatus which may be employed for grilling and barbequing. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    The terms “barbeque” and “grilling” are sometimes used inter-changeably. While there is variation and overlap in terminology and method surrounding these forms of cooking, a generally-accepted difference between barbecuing and grilling is in the type of heat used: grilling is generally performed over direct heat from low-smoke fuels (with the flame contacting the meat itself), while barbecuing is usually performed over indirect heat from high-smoke fuels (with the flame not contacting the meat directly). 
         [0006]    Another difference concerns the time of exposure and intensity of the heat. Grilling involves cooking over intense heat (500° or more) for relatively short periods of time (an hour or less). Barbecuing involves cooking over low heat (225° or less), with smoke, and for long periods of time (usually longer than one hour). 
         [0007]    One problem faced in both grilling and barbequing is that ashes periodically fall into the bottom of the cooking apparatus, forcing the user to scoop out the ashes, vacuum them or otherwise clean the bottom with great difficulty. The present invention addresses this problem. 
         [0008]    Another problem is faced in shipping and transporting cooking devices, particularly those with legs. The present invention allows for convenient handling, shipping and transportation. The present invention simplifies the disassembling and storing process. A further, related, difficulty faced by commercial entities, as well as by end users, is the amount of space taken up by typical cooking apparatuses. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,755 to Johnston teaches a grill assembly having a plurality of legs which are partially fastened together at their lower ends by a shelf and secured at their upper ends by a grill containment surface. The upper grill containment surface has a rectangular middle section with a portion removed for receiving a grill and at least one side shelf extending towards the front of the assembly. However, this assembly does not have an adequate ash collection function. It is also bulky and presents shipping and storage problems to the user. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,965 to Thorndyke teaches a portable barbecue grill apparatus having barbecuing, baking, roasting, and pan broiling functions. The reference teaches that the grill apparatus may be provided with an extendable rear lid having a rotisserie attached to a base. The lid and base each contain heating elements associated one or two portable propane tanks. 
         [0011]    The apparatus taught therein is low to the ground when used without a table or other surface. This limits the user to locations where a raised surface is located. Otherwise, it forces the user to purchase and carry a separate product, such as a table, both increasing cost and reducing convenience. In the absence of a table or raised surface, the user is forced to place the product on the ground and kneel, squat or bend over the device in order to cook. In addition, the known problems associated with ash removal are not addressed at all by this reference. 
         [0012]    Thus, there is a need in the art for a device which addresses the problems outlined above. 
         [0013]    The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    A modular cooking apparatus and associated cooking method is disclosed herein. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable and versatile cooking apparatus. 
         [0016]    It is a further object to provide a cooking apparatus which is convenient and is easy to clean and maintain. 
         [0017]    The cooking apparatus disclosed herein is a modular cooking system which includes a body, a grill receiver located in an upper region of the body, a grill top resting on the grill receiver, and a charcoal holder located in a region of the body below the grill receiver. Two pairs of support arms are connected to and support the charcoal holder. There is a horizontal bar resting on a support bracket and cooperating with the support arms to lift and lower the charcoal holder. 
         [0018]    The charcoal holder, the threaded lever, the support arms, the support bracket, and the horizontal bar are oriented such that, when the threaded lever is turned in one direction the charcoal holder moves in a generally upwards direction and when the threaded lever is turned in the opposite direction the charcoal holder moves in a generally downwards direction. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, there is a plate positioned on the horizontal bar. A threaded lever passes through an opening in the body and is designed and positioned to push against the plate. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, the threaded lever does not push against a plate on the horizontal bar. Rather, the threaded lever is provided with a ring, from which extends a perpendicular extension. The perpendicular extension extends through a side opening in a housing. The housing is positioned to press up against the underside of the horizontal bar. As the threaded lever extends forward into the interior of the body, the perpendicular extension moves along a length of the side opening of the housing. This causes the housing to push up against the underside of the horizontal bar. The upward movement of horizontal bar causes the parallelogram arms to lift up. With the lifting of the parallelogram arms, the charcoal tray is lifted up. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    In the drawings: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of the modular cooking system according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a top, side perspective view of a first embodiment of the present modular cooking system with the side trays and the grill top removed, and the ash collector pulled out; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is top, front perspective view thereof; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a close-up view of the view shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a top, side perspective view of the first embodiment showing the charcoal holder resting above the ash collector; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a top, side view thereof showing the ash collection tray pulled out; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7A  is a close-up front view thereof showing the side tray separated from the body;  FIG. 7B  is a top, side perspective view thereof showing the manner of connecting the side tray to the body;  FIG. 7C  shows the side tray connected to the body; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a close-up, top, perspective view thereof showing the relationship among the handle, the threaded lever, the parallelogram arms, the plate, the horizontal, and the charcoal holder; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a close-up, top, perspective view thereof showing the threaded lever pushing against the plate; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a close-up, top, perspective view thereof showing the relationship among the brackets, the parallelogram arms, the plate, the horizontal, and the charcoal holder; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a close-up, top, perspective view thereof showing the handle and the threaded lever; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a top, right perspective view of a second embodiment of the present modular cooking system; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is a top, left perspective view thereof; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is a close-up, top view thereof showing the threaded lever; 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a close-up, top, perspective view thereof showing the relationship among the threaded lever, the housing, the bracket, the parallelogram arms, the horizontal, and the charcoal holder; 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a close-up, top, perspective view thereof showing the relationship among the first bracket, the parallelogram arms, and the charcoal holder; 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  is a partial front view thereof, showing the handle and a side tray folded down; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18A  is a close-up, top, perspective view thereof showing the horizontal resting on the second bracket; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 18B  is a close-up, top, perspective view thereof showing the horizontal after being pressed up from the second bracket by the housing. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-4  show an embodiment of the modular cooking system  10  which has a body  12 , a grill top  14 , shelves  16  and legs  18 . The legs may include casters  20  of different sizes. The grill top  14  may be a single-piece as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a multi-piece, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The modular cooking system  10  has a length and width, each of which can be selected according to the needs of the user or the demands of the marketplace. The body  12  is typically a square or rectangular box shape that can vary in size. However, it is within the scope of the invention for the body  12  to be of any convenient shape known to those of skill in the art, including, but not limited to, round or oblong. 
         [0042]    As also shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the body  12  further includes a grill receiver  22  on which the grill top  14  is disposed. The grill receiver  22  can accommodate a one-piece grill top  14  or a multi-piece grill top  14 . The grill top  14  optionally includes at least one handle  60 . It is within the scope of the invention for the handles or handles  60  to be removable. 
         [0043]    One or more parts of the grill top  14  can slide on or off the modular cooking system  10  depending on whether the user wants to charcoal-grill the food or use skewers to barbecue the food. 
         [0044]    That is, the present invention allows for cooking on the grill top  14  or using skewers with the grill top  14  removed. This provides for flexibility to the user regarding the distance between the food and the heat source. 
         [0045]    As well, the present invention is adapted to allow for the use of numerous skewers simultaneously. 
         [0046]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2, 4-10, 16, 18A and 18B , the body  12  also includes a movable charcoal holder  24 , typically a grated metal tray, for holding charcoal. The position of the charcoal holder  24  may be manually adjusted by a threaded lever  26 , as discussed in detail below. Thus the threaded lever  26  functions to adjust the distance between the charcoal holder  24  (and, therefore, the charcoal heat) and the food on the grill  14  for faster or slower cooking. The threaded lever  26  is typically provided with a handle  28 . It is within the scope of the invention for the threaded lever  26  and handle  28  to extend from either the front or the back of the body  12 . 
         [0047]    The threaded lever  26  can be rotated inwards or outwards relative to the body  12 . In one embodiment, rotating the lever handle  28  in one direction causes the threaded lever  26  to push against a plate  42  disposed on a horizontal bar  58 . The plate  42  and the horizontal bar  58  cooperate with parallelogram arms  44  that support the grated charcoal holder  24 , thereby raising the grated charcoal holder  24 . Rotating the lever handle  28  in the opposite direction causes the threaded lever  26  to retreat from the plate  42 , thereby lowering the grated charcoal holder  24 . Thus, the position of the grated charcoal holder  24  is variable and depends of the position of the threaded lever  26 . 
         [0048]    As best shown in  FIG. 10 , the grated charcoal holder  24  is connected to parallelogram arms  44  via a first bracket  48 . The parallelogram arms  44  are themselves supported by first and second brackets  48 ,  50  and a horizontal bar  58 . The horizontal bar  58  is supported on second bracket  50 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 12-18B  show a further embodiment of the invention in which the threaded lever  26  does not push directly against a plate  42 . Rather, in this embodiment, the threaded lever  26  is provided with a ring  62 , from which extends a perpendicular extension  64 . The perpendicular extension  64  extends through a side opening in a housing  66 . The housing  66  is positioned to press up against the underside of the horizontal ( FIG. 18A ). As the threaded lever  26  extends forward into the interior of the body  12 , the perpendicular extension  64  moves along a length of the side opening of the housing  66 . This causes the housing  66  to push up against the underside of the horizontal bar  58 . The upward movement of horizontal bar  58  causes the parallelogram arms  44  to lift up ( FIG. 18B ). With the lifting of the parallelogram arms  44 , the charcoal tray  24  is lifted up. It is within the scope of the invention for the perpendicular extension  64  to extend directly from the threaded lever  26 , that is, without the need for a ring  62 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , in certain embodiments, instead of the threaded lever  26 , there is provided an external lever  70 , supported on a toothed bracket  72  for manually raising and lowering the charcoal holder  24 . 
         [0051]    As best seen in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 , situated below the body  12  is a removable ash collector  30 , for capturing spent charcoal ash from the charcoal holder  24 . The ash collector  30  is optionally provided with a handle  32 . The removable ash collector  30  slides into and out of the body  12 , below the charcoal holder  24 , such that a user can easily dispose of the ashes. The ashes are prevented from falling. Otherwise, the user would need to vacuum them or otherwise remove them with difficulty. 
         [0052]    As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 17 , extending from the bottom side of the body  12  are one or more (e.g., four) built-in and properly-sized openings  36  to easily receive the legs  18  in and withdraw them out of the body  12  without any tools or screws. This feature enables the modular cooking system  10  to be much more compact for commercial shipping and handling. It also enables end consumers to transport the system  10  to various locations such as to the beach, a picnic site, or a camping site. This feature further simplifies disassembling and storing the modular cooking system  10 . The dismountable features of the modular cooking system  10  minimize the space required for commercial entities to hold and sell the modular cooking system  10  as well as for consumers to store the system  10  once purchased, if desired. The simplicity of assembly also reduces the time, cost and expertise required for usage. 
         [0053]    As noted above, the removable legs  18  are configured to optionally accept casters  20  of different sizes. These casters  20  further enhance the convenience and portability of the modular cooking system  10  by allowing the user to easily roll the modular cooking system  10  to any point on a particular site (e.g., a different location on a backyard) in a convenient and practical manner. This is especially useful in cases where the modular cooking system  10  must be moved to better lighted or ventilated areas. The casters  20  are removable for more convenient shipping and storage. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the modular cooking system  10  further includes one or more removable and adjustable shelves  16  located below the ash collector  30  for facilitating the storage, handling and usage of accessories, raw and cooked food, cookware and utensils. The removable shelves  16  can be adjusted in height to be conveniently located for the user. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 7A-7C and 17  the modular cooking system  10  further includes one or more side trays  40 . The side trays  40  are useful for several purposes, including holding food (raw or cooked), cookware, and utensils. The side trays  40  can also be used to support, for example, a lamp to illuminate the modular cooking system  10  or a fan to expedite the lighting of the charcoal. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , in certain embodiments, the side trays  40  can be removed for ease of use and portability. In these embodiments, the side trays  40  are provided with U-shaped grooves  52  at one end. These U-shaped grooves  52  rest on receiving extensions  54  provided on the main body  12 . In these embodiments, the side trays  40  may be provided with buttresses  68  for supporting the weight of objects placed on the side trays  40 . 
         [0057]    As best seen in  FIG. 17 , in certain embodiments, the side trays  40  are hinged to the body  12  and can be folded down or up. 
         [0058]    Thus, not only is it within the scope of the invention for the side trays  40  to be foldable down or up, but they may also be easily removed and replaced without tools. These features are useful for reducing the form factor of the modular cooking system  10  to optimize shipping and reduce space requirements during storage. 
         [0059]    Embodiments of the present modular cooking system  10  can be made from any convenient material known to those of skill in the art, including but not limited to any metal, including but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminum, iron, or combinations thereof. 
         [0060]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the above-described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the embodiments, the modular cooking system  10  may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. 
         [0061]    Thus, while a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.