Abstract:
Devices, systems, and methods for maintaining convection heat within a heating region of a griddle and channeling the convection heat therefrom. The griddle includes a ribbing structure along its underside surface in a configuration that cooperates with the burners of a cooking station. Such ribbing structure allows a user to control the convective heating of the griddle as desired and channels the convective heat to a single side of the griddle, away from the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/331,673, filed May 4, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to gas heated outdoor cooking stations and, more specifically, the present invention relates to a griddle cooking station with controlled region heating and controlled convection heat flow. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Barbequing has become a popular and pervasive tradition in much of the world. A barbeque grill is a device for cooking food by applying heat directly below a grill. There are several varieties of grills but most fall into one of two categories, either gas fueled or charcoal. Gas fueled grills typically use propane or natural gas as a fuel source, with the gas flame either cooking the food directly or heating grilling elements which in turn radiate the heat necessary to cook the food. Grilling has become a popular method of cooking food due to the unique flavors and texture imparted to the food during the grilling process. 
         [0004]    A griddle is a cooking device consisting of a broad flat surface that can be heated using a variety of means and is used in both residential and commercial applications for a variety of cooking operations. The griddle is most commonly a flat metal plate composed of cast or wrought iron, aluminum or carbon steel. Griddles are commonly heated directly or indirectly by open flame or electrical elements. Using a griddle placed directly on a barbeque grill or over flame burners has also become popular when cooking foods not as well suited for cooking directly on a grill over an open flame. 
         [0005]    One problem with using a griddle directly on a grill or over flame burners is the control of the temperature of the griddle cooking surface when it is desired to only use a portion of the surface or when it is desired to have certain portions of the cooking surface a higher temperature than other portions. Another problem with using a griddle over flame burners is the convective heat from the flames moves around the entire periphery of the griddle, often times making it difficult to cook effectively or even somewhat dangerous if children are present due to the heat bellowing around the front of the griddle. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to devices, systems, and methods for maintaining convection heat within a heating region of a griddle and channeling and the convection heat therefrom. For example, in one embodiment, a cooking system is provided. The cooking system includes a frame, multiple burners, and a griddle. The frame extends with a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side, which each may extend between a lower portion and an upper portion of the frame. The multiple burners are coupled to and extend between the front side and the rear side of the frame. The griddle is sized to be suspended by the frame and to be positioned on the upper portion of the frame. The griddle includes a cooking surface and an underside surface, the underside surface extending to define a rectangular shape with a front end, a rear end, a left end, and a right end. Further, the griddle includes a front rib and multiple lateral ribs. The front rib extends along the front end of the underside surface, and the multiple lateral ribs extend along the underside surface from the front rib to the rear end of the underside surface. The multiple lateral ribs are spaced from each other so as to define multiple heating regions such that each heating region is defined between adjacently extending lateral ribs. Further, each of the heating regions include one of the multiple burners positioned below one of the multiple heating regions. With this arrangement, each of the lateral ribs extend downward from the underside surface a height so as to funnel convection heat from any one of the multiple burners toward the rear end of the underside surface of the griddle and from the rear side of the frame. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the front rib substantially blocks convection heat from escaping from the front side of the frame. In another embodiment, the adjacently extending lateral ribs are sized to substantially prevent convection heat from moving over the adjacently extending lateral ribs and directly, convectively heating adjacent heating regions. In another embodiment, the adjacently extending lateral ribs are sized to substantially maintain convection heat between the adjacently extending lateral ribs to only convectively heat the corresponding heating region between the adjacently extending lateral ribs. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the cooking surface of the griddle includes a trough configured to catch grease, the trough extending only along a rear end surface of the cooking surface. In another embodiment, the cooking surface of the griddle includes a trough configured to catch grease, the trough extending only along a rear end surface of the cooking surface and defining an opening at one end of the trough. In a further embodiment, the opening defined in the trough is configured to deposit grease within a vent box coupled to the frame, the vent box including venting for air intake to feed air to the multiple burners. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the frame includes an air intake system configured to feed air to the multiple burners, the air intake system including at least one of a front vent along the front side of the frame, a left vent along the left side of the frame, and a right vent along a right side of the frame. In another embodiment, the front rib and the lateral ribs facilitate convection heat to be channeled to a rear side of the frame. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a griddle configured to control convection heat from one or more gas flame burners of a cooking station is provided. The griddle includes a cooking surface, an underside surface, a front rib, and multiple lateral ribs. The cooking surface includes a rectangular shape and is configured to face upward. The underside surface extends to generally correspond with the cooking surface, the underside surface facing in an opposite direction than the cooking surface, and the underside surface extending to define a periphery with a front end, a rear end, a left end, and a right end. The front rib includes a front rib height and is coupled to the front end of the underside surface such that the front rib extends longitudinally along the front end of the underside surface. The multiple lateral ribs each extend laterally relative to the front rib and extend along the underside surface from the front rib to the rear end of the underside surface. The multiple lateral ribs are spaced from each other so as to define multiple heating regions such that each heating region is defined between adjacently extending lateral ribs. The heating regions are each configured to be positioned above a gas flame burner. With this arrangement, each of the lateral ribs extend downward from the underside surface a lateral rib height such that the adjacently extending lateral ribs are configured to funnel the convection heat from the gas flame burner toward the rear end of the underside surface and away from a rear side of the cooking station. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the front rib substantially blocks the convection heat from escaping a front side of the underside surface. In another embodiment, the adjacently extending lateral ribs are sized to substantially prevent convection heat from moving over the adjacently extending lateral ribs and directly, convectively heating adjacent heating regions. In another embodiment, the adjacently extending lateral ribs are sized to substantially maintain convection heat therebetween to only convectively heat the corresponding heating region between the adjacently extending lateral ribs. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the cooking surface includes a trough configured to collect grease, the trough extending only along a rear end surface of the cooking surface, the trough defining a through hole configured to funnel grease therethrough. In another embodiment, the griddle further includes a splash guard that extends upward above a periphery of the cooking surface. In a further embodiment, the splash guard includes a hinge structure, the hinge structure configured to pivotably couple to a cover of the cooking station. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for selectively heating regions of a griddle with convection heat from one or more gas flame burners of an outdoor cooking station is provided. The method includes: turning on one or more gas burners of the outdoor cooking station such that the one or more gas burners are positioned below an underside surface of a griddle; and selectively heating specific regions of the griddle that correspond with the one or more gas burners turned on, the specific regions each defined by adjacently extending parallel ribs, the ribs extending laterally from a front rib toward a rear end of the underside surface of the griddle such that the front rib and the parallel ribs channel convection heat to flow between the adjacently extending parallel ribs toward the rear end of the griddle and away from the outdoor cooking station. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the step of selectively heating includes selectively heating the specific regions with the parallel ribs substantially preventing convection heat from moving over the parallel ribs by the convection heat being drawn toward the rear end of the griddle. In another embodiment, the step of selectively heating includes blocking the convection heat from moving toward a front end of the underside of the griddle with a downward facing edge of the front rib resting on a frame of the outdoor cooking station to substantially block the convection heat from escaping out the front side of the cooking station. In still another embodiment, the step of selectively heating includes substantially preventing convection heat from moving over the parallel ribs by drawing the convection heat toward the rear end of the griddle with rear end openings, each rear end opening defined by oppositely positioned rear rib ends of the parallel ribs and the rear end of the underside surface of the griddle and a frame component of the outdoor cooking station, the parallel ribs positioned on the frame component. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cooking station with a griddle thereon, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the cooking station without the griddle and a cover shown, depicting gas flame burners within a frame of the cooking station, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective top view of the griddle, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective front-bottom view of the griddle, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective rear-bottom view of the griddle, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the cooking station with the griddle, depicting heating regions and burners in dashed lines, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional side view of the cooking station taken along section line A-A in  FIG. 6 , depicting one burner convectively heating a single region of the griddle and movement of convection heat toward a rear side of the cooking station, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the griddle, depicting the lateral ribs and heating regions, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the griddle, depicting a trough and the lateral ribs extending beyond and under the trough at the rear end of the underside surface of the griddle, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a rear view of the griddle, depicting a rear frame portion in dashed lines, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a left side view of the griddle, according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a right side view of the griddle, depicting a through hole at an end of the trough, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the griddle, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cooking station  10  sized and configured to support a griddle  12 , is provided. The griddle  12  of the cooking station  10  may include structure for channeling and maintaining convection heat flow within selective heat regions of the griddle  12  (see  FIGS. 6 and 6A ). As depicted, in one embodiment, the cooking station  10  may include a frame  14  ( FIG. 2 ) and components sized and configured to be employed as an insert for an outdoor kitchen that may be coupled to, for example, natural gas. In this embodiment, the griddle  12  may be configured to be removeably coupled to the frame  14  or removably integrated with the cooking station  10 . In another embodiment, the cooking station  10  described herein may be a cooking station that is portable with, for example, leg components, caster wheels, and a propane gas tank (not shown), in which the griddle  12  may be removeably coupled and/or removably integrated to the frame  14  such that the griddle  12  is sized to integrate with the frame components. In another embodiment, the griddle  12  may be positioned to merely rest over a grill or frame in a free-supporting manner. In other words, the griddle  12  of the present invention may be employed with various types of cooking stations, i.e., insert or portable, so long as the cooking station is sized to support the griddle  12 . 
         [0030]    With respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , as set forth, the cooking station  10  may include the frame  14  that may extend with various frame components. Such frame components may extend along a front side  16 , a rear side  18 , a left side  20 , and a right side  22  of the frame  14  to form a housing and support structure for the various components of the cooking station  10 . The various components for heating the cooking station  10  may be typical cooking station components with gas flame burners  24 , as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the frame  14  may be coupled to and support multiple burners  24  each associated with igniter needles  26  or the like. The burners  24  may be operated and controlled from a front panel  28  coupled at the front side  16  of the frame  14 . The front panel  28  may include burner knobs  30  and an igniter button  32 , for example. The burner knobs  30  may be configured to control gas flow, via valves and tubing (not shown), through corresponding burners  24  by turning the burner knobs  30  to various open positions and a closed position. For example, turning the knob clockwise may increase the amount of gas provided through the burners  24  and turning the knob counter-clockwise may decrease gas flow until reaching a hard stop at the closed or off position. Each burner knob  30  may be associated with various valves and a manifold coupled to a fuel source (not shown), typically provided in open gas flame cooking stations, as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the multiple burners  24  are coupled to the frame  14  and may extend between the front side  16  and the rear side  18  of the frame  14 . For example, the multiple burners  24  may include a first burner  34 , a second burner  36 , a third burner  38 , and a fourth burner  40 , each of which may be elongated and tubular or the like. Each of the burners  24  may be evenly spaced relative to each other so that each burner  24  may be centered below a different heating region or heat zone of the griddle  12  (see  FIG. 6 ), discussed in further detail hereafter. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment relative to an insert type cooking station  10 , as depicted, the cooking station  10  may include an air intake system  42  and an air out-take system  44 , the air intake system  42  for ensuring air flow is fed to the burners  24  and the air out-take system  44  for venting convection heat from the rear side of the cooking station  10 . For example, in one embodiment, the air intake system  42  may include a left vented duct  46  and a right vented duct  48  and a front vented duct  50 . The left and right vented ducts  46 ,  48  may be box shaped with vents along a top wall and a front wall thereof, the top and front walls being exposed relative to, for example, counter-tops of an outdoor kitchen. Additional venting (not shown) along the left and right sides  20 ,  22  of the frame  14  (behind the left and right vented ducts  46 ,  48 ) may be provided for feeding air to the burners  24 . The front vented duct  50  may be positioned below the front panel  28  for air flow therethrough, as depicted by arrow  52 , as shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         [0033]    With respect to  FIGS. 2 and 6A , the air out-take system  44 , may include ribbing structure  50  of the griddle  12 , discussed in further detail herein, and a rear vented duct  54  for channeling convection heat from below the griddle  12  and from the rear side of the cooking station  10 . Such rear vented duct  54  may be box shaped and include venting defined in the top wall thereof. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, the cooking station  10  may be portable, in which venting may be employed on the left, right and front sides of frame panels (not shown) of the frame or such venting may not be necessary because the underside of the frame may be open to communicate air flow to the burners  24 . In a portable cooking station embodiment, the air out-take system may be facilitated solely with the ribbing structure  50  of the griddle  12  and/or a rear portion of the griddle  12 , in which the rear vented duct may not be included with the portable cooking station. 
         [0035]    Now with reference to  FIGS. 3, 4 and 8 , the griddle  12  will now be described. The griddle  12  may include an upper surface  56  and an underside surface  58 . In one embodiment, the upper surface  56  may include a flat cooking surface  60  extending over substantially all or a majority of the upper surface  56 . The upper surface  56  may be elongated with a rectangular shape defining a longitudinal axis  62 , the upper surface  56  extending to an upper front end  64 , an upper rear end  66 , an upper left end  68  and an upper right end  70 . In one embodiment, the periphery of the upper surface  56  or each side may include a splash guard  72 , such as a front splash guard  74 , a rear splash guard  76 , a left splash guard  78  and a right splash guard  80 . The front and rear splash guards  74 ,  76  may be coupled to and extend along a length  82  of the upper front end  64  and the upper rear end  66 , respectively, of the upper surface  56  of the griddle  12 . Similarly, the left and right splash guards  78 ,  80  may be coupled to and extend along a width  83  of the upper left end  68  and the upper right end  70 , respectively, of the upper surface  56  of the griddle  12 . Each of the splash guards  72  may extend upward from their respective sides. The rear splash guard  76  may extend higher than the front splash guard  74  and the left and right splash guards  78 ,  80  may taper or slope downward in height from the rear to the front sides. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the upper surface  56  may define a trough  84  extending along the upper rear end  66  of the upper surface  56 . The trough  84  may be sized and configured to collect grease or other food byproducts being cooked on the griddle  12 . The trough  84  may extend with a bend from the flat cooking surface  60  along the upper rear end  66 . In one embodiment, the trough  84  may extend entirely along the length  82  and along the upper rear end  66  of the upper surface  56 . Further, the trough  84  may extend only along the upper rear end  66  of the upper surface  56 , without any other troughs extending along other sides of the cooking surface  60 . In another embodiment, the trough  84  may include a through hole  86  along the length of the trough  84 . For example, the trough  84  may define the through hole  86  at one end of the trough  84 , such as adjacent a corner of the upper rear end  66  and upper right end  70  of the upper surface  56 . Although not shown, under the through hole  86 , a channel, such as a u-shaped channel, leading or extending to a grease cup may be positioned and removably secured below the through hole  86 . Such channel and grease cup may be positioned within the right vented duct  48  and accessible from the top wall of the right vented duct  48  that may be pivotably openable (see  FIG. 1 ). The grease cup may be readily removable for cleaning purposes and then re-positioned and secured. In another embodiment, the through hole  86  may be at or adjacent a mid-point along the length of the trough  84 . 
         [0037]    Now with reference to  FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 , the underside surface  58  of the griddle  12  may also extend with a rectangular shape corresponding with the shape of the upper surface  56 . Similar to the upper surface, the underside surface  58  may extend to a front end  88 , a rear end  90 , a left end  92  and a right end  94 . The underside surface  58  may include the ribbing structure  50  or multiple ribs each being positioned and directly coupled to the underside surface  58  of the griddle  12  in pre-determined locations to define heating regions and channels for venting or channeling convection heat from the burners  24  ( FIG. 2 ). For example, the multiple ribs  50  may include a front rib  96  and multiple lateral ribs  98 . The front rib  96  may be elongated with a front rib length  100  that extends with a consistent height  102  and thickness. The front rib  96  may extend along the front end  88  of the underside surface  58 . The front rib  96  may include a front lower edge  04  configured to be positioned to rest on a portion of the front side  16  of the frame  14  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0038]    Each of the lateral ribs  98  may extend laterally relative to the front rib  96  such that the lateral ribs  98  may be positioned substantially perpendicular relative to the front rib  96  such that the lateral ribs  98  extend substantially parallel relative to each other. The lateral ribs  98  may be elongated with a lateral rib length  106  that extends between first and second ends  108 ,  110  with an upper edge  112  and a lower edge  114 . The first end  108  of each lateral rib  98  may be positioned and secured directly against an inside surface of the front rib  96 . The second end  110  may extend toward or adjacent to the rear end  90  of the underside surface  58 . The upper edge  112  may be positioned and secured against the underside surface  58  with the upper edge  112  extending downward at an angle adjacent the second end  110  to account for the underside of the trough  84 . The lower edge  114  of the lateral ribs  98 , adjacent the second end  110 , may be configured to rest on a portion of the rear side  18  of the frame  12  ( FIG. 2 ). The lower edge  114  may extend from the first end  108  continuously and then step downward to a rear portion of the lower edge  114  sized and configured to rest on the frame  12 . In another embodiment, the lower edge  114  of the lateral ribs  98  may angle downward from adjacent the first end  108  and then extend parallel and continuous with the underside surface  58  to the second end  110  of the lateral ribs  98 . 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the underside surface  58  may also include one or more stabilizers  116 . For example, the one or more stabilizers  116  may be elongated and extend between the left and right ends  92 ,  94  along the underside surface  58  of the griddle  12 , for example, along a mid portion of the griddle  12 . The one or more stabilizers  116  may be configured to stabilize the griddle  12  so as to substantially prevent warping upon the griddle  12  being over heated. Further, in addition to the front rib  96  and lateral ribs  98  serving as channel portions for channeling convective heat, the front rib  96  and lateral ribs  98  may also serve as stabilizers in substantially preventing the griddle from warping or partially warping. 
         [0040]    Now with reference to  FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 , the lateral ribs  98  may extend from the front rib  96  in an evenly spaced relationship relative to each other so as to define multiple heating regions of the griddle  12  on the cooking station  10 . In other words, each heating region of the underside surface  58  of the griddle  12  may be defined between adjacently extending lateral ribs  98 . Further, each heating region may be defined between the front rib  96  and the rear end  90  of the underside surface  58  between adjacently extending lateral ribs  98 . As depicted, the heating regions defined by the adjacently extending lateral ribs  98  each include one burner  24  positioned below each heating region, the front rib  96 , lateral ribs  98  and burners  24  depicted with dashed lines in  FIG. 6 . In one embodiment, as depicted, the griddle  12  may define multiple heating regions, for example, a first region  118 , a second region  120 , a third region  122 , and a fourth region  124 , each region including a single burner  24  aligned and centered below a corresponding heating region. In another embodiment, there may be multiple burners  24  associated with a single heating region. In this manner, one or more burners  24  may be sized and configured to exclusively provide convective heat to a defined heating region. 
         [0041]    With respect to  FIG. 6A , the griddle  12  may be positioned, at least partially, within the frame  14  of the cooking station  10 . In one embodiment, the front rib  96  and lateral ribs  98  of the griddle  12  may fit snug within the frame  14  of the cooking station  10  in an integrated manner, the cooking surface  60  and splash guards  72  of the griddle  12  disposed above the frame  14 . For example, the front lower edge  104  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the front rib  96  may be positioned on a ledge  126  of a front extension  128  extending along the front side  16  of the frame  14  with an outer surface  130  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the front rib  96  abutting against an inward facing front frame surface  132 . Further, the front end  88  ( FIG. 4 ) of the underside surface  58  of the griddle  12  may sit flat against an upward facing front frame surface  134  of the frame  14 . In this manner, the front rib  96  along with the front end  88  of the griddle  12  cooperates with the front side  16  of the frame  14  in an integrated manner to substantially block and prevent convection heat  140  escaping from the front side  16  of the frame  14  and griddle  12 . 
         [0042]    With respect to  FIGS. 2, 5 and 6A , as previously set forth, the lateral ribs  98  of the griddle  12  may at least partially fit within the frame  14  of the griddle  12 . For example, an outer surface  136  of the lateral ribs  98  at the most left and right sides of the griddle  12  may fit snug relative to an inner surface of the respective left and right sides  20 ,  22  of the frame  14 . Further, the frame  14  may include a rear frame portion  142  with a horizontal component  144  and a vertical component  146 , each of which may extend between left and right sides  20 ,  22  of the frame  14  along a rear side  18  of the frame  14 . The vertical component  146  may be employed to couple one end of each of the burners  24  thereto. The horizontal component  144  of the rear frame portion  142  may be sized and configured to support and receive the lower edge  114  adjacent the second end  110  of each of the lateral ribs  98 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 9 , with the lower edge  114  adjacent the second end  110  of each of the lateral ribs  98  positioned directly on the horizontal component  144 , such arrangement provides multiple openings  150  or passageways above the horizontal component  144  that each correspond with adjacently extending lateral ribs  98 . In other words, each opening  150  or passageway is defined between the second ends  110  of the adjacently extending lateral ribs  98  and the rear end  90  of the underside surface  58  of the griddle  12  and the horizontal component  144  of the rear frame portion  142 . Such opening  150  or passageway provides a path of least resistance for convection heat  140  to flow such that the opening  150  is configured to draw convection heat  140  from the space between the adjacently extending lateral ribs  98 . In this manner, there are multiple openings  150  or passageways provided at the rear side of the griddle  12 , each of which are similarly defined between each of the second ends  110  of the adjacently extending lateral ribs  98  that corresponds with one of the first, second, third, and fourth heating regions  118 ,  120 ,  122 , and  124 . Further, in another embodiment, the openings  150  or passageways are not limited to a fully bound or closed loop opening  150 , but may extend and be defined as an inverted u-shape or channel shape (without the horizontal component  144 ), as depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0044]    Now with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 6A , applying convection heat  140  to one of the heating regions with one of the burners  24 , will now be described. With the burner  24  positioned directly below, for example, the second heating region  120  and, upon the burner  24  being ignited, convection heat  140  rises to the underside surface  58  of the griddle  12  along the second heating region  120 . Due to the height of the ribbing structure  50  ( FIG. 5 ), a space or volume between the lateral ribs  98  fills with convection heat  140 , thereby convectively heating the second heating region  120 . As this space fills, the convection heat  140  is drawn toward the rear side of the griddle  12  as indicated by arrow  152 , the path of least resistance due to there not being a rib structure extending along the length  82  ( FIG. 8 ) of the rear end  90  of the griddle  12 , but rather, a passage or opening  150  (see also  FIG. 9 ) between the second ends  110  of the adjacently extending lateral ribs  98  that draws the convection heat  140  therethrough before bellowing over the lower edge  114  of the lateral ribs  98  to adjacent heating regions, such as the first and third heating regions  118 ,  122 . In this manner, each of the lateral ribs  98  extend downward a distance or height from the underside surface  58  of the griddle  12  so that convection heat  140  may only heat the particular region or second heating region  120  associated with the burner  24  and is funneled toward the rear end  90  of the underside surface  58  of the griddle  12  through the opening  150 . 
         [0045]    With respect to  FIGS. 1, 10, 11 and 12 , the left splash guard  78  and the right splash guard  80  of the griddle  12  may include a hinge component  154 . Such hinge component  154  may be sized and configured to cooperate with a cover  15  or lid of the cooking station  10 . In this manner, the cover  15  may be pivotably coupled to the griddle  12 . In another embodiment, the cover  15  may be pivotably coupled to the frame  14 . Further, the frame  14  may include finger shields  156  extending upward on a left side  20  and right side  22  of the frame  14 . Such finger shields  156  may extend upward and adjacent to the hinge component  154  of the splash guards  72  to minimize potential pinching of a user&#39;s fingers proximate the pivoting point between the cover  15  and the splash guards  72 . 
         [0046]    The frame  14  of the cooking station  10  and griddle  12  may be formed of metallic materials. For example, various components of the frame  14  may be formed of various steel materials, such as stainless steel or the like, formed with paneling, extensions, cross-members, or any other suitable frame components, and may be coupled together with typical fasteners and/or bolts and the like. The griddle  12  may also be formed from metallic materials, such as, carbon steel, cast iron, stainless steel, or aluminum, or various metal alloys, or any other suitable cooking surface material known in the art, such as porcelain coated materials. The metallic materials may be manufactured using cold rolled steel processes, or hot rolled steel techniques, or any other known manufacturing process, such as casting or stamping, as known in the art. The various plate components of the griddle  12  may include a thickness of 5-6 millimeters, but is not so limited, as such thickness of the various components of the griddle may range, for example, between 4-10 millimeters. Further, the ribbing structure  50  may be formed with typical metal cutting techniques and processes and coupled to the underside surface of the griddle  12  with known techniques, such as welding. Also, portions of the griddle  12 , such as the trough  84  and splash guards  72  may be formed by employing cutting and bending techniques from sheet or plate material to form the griddle  12  as well as forming portions to the of the griddle  12  with welding techniques, or employing any other known process or techniques to form the griddle  12 , as known by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0047]    While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. Further, the structural features of any one embodiment disclosed herein may be combined or replaced by any one of the structural features of another embodiment set forth herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.