Abstract:
A slip-on, insulating and decorative cover is provided with an overall covering complete with decorative outer aesthetics having one of a variety of designs. The decorative novelty cover is specifically adapted for use with the popular, commercially available GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machines. The decorative novelty cover is intended to make a fashion statement along with the additional benefit of keeping the appliance clean.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document No. 500,061 filed on Sep. 17, 2001 under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37 C.F.R. §1.14. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to decorative novelty covers and, more particularly, to a variety of decorative novelty covers adapted for attachment to a portable electric cooking grill. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As is well-known in the art, portable electric cooking devices have existed in various sizes, shapes, and styles. Typical of such kitchen appliances is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,262,399, but many others are commercially available. Currently popular is a brand sold as GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machines manufactured and distributed by Salton, Inc. of prospect, Ill. 
     Also well known are various types of decorative appliance covers that provide for an aesthetic distraction to the otherwise mechanical design of various kitchen appliances. Covers such as that shown in U.S. Des. 257,712 for general appliances, U.S. Des. 246,497 for irons, U.S. Des. 424,371 for blenders, U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,790 for pots, and U.S. Des. 386,349 for toasters are some such examples. Such a concept has also been extended to other non-kitchen appliances, such as in U.S. Des. 424,540 for computers and U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,246 for toilet paper rolls. 
     Another problem occurs from the use of covers for cooking appliances due to the heat generated and time necessary to cool to a safe temperature. Attempts at solving this problem are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,658 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,638 for barbeque grills. 
     Consequently, a need has been felt for providing decorative novelty covers adapted for attachment to a portable electric cooking grill. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved decorative novelty cover. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved decorative novelty cover specifically adapted to be used with a portable electric cooking grill. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to provide a main body retention means which functions to stretch to fit over and contract to fit the contour of a portable electric cooking grill. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide interfacing for making the overall structure slightly stiffer, thereby holding its overall shape. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that conforms to the contour of a GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machines and the like. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that is self-securing. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be easily slid on and off the GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machine. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that is washable. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that comes in a variety of colors and decorative patterns to suit user&#39;s taste and facilitate individuality. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a decorative novelty cover is provided specifically adapted for use with the popular, commercially available GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machines. A slip-on, insulating and decorative cover is provided with an overall covering complete with decorative outer aesthetics comprising one of a variety of designs. The invention is intended to make a fashion statement along with the additional benefit of keeping the appliance clean. The decorative cover is readily attached and easily removed to allow for washing of the invention. 
     The use of the present invention allows one to cover up a conventional GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machine to make a fashion statement. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the protective and decorative cover for a portable electric grill according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded side perspective view thereof; 
     FIG. 8 is side perspective view of the protective and decorative cover for a portable electric grill according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in-use; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fusion grill; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the party grill; 
     FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the alternate embodiment shown in-use; and 
     FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, a protective and decorative cover  10  is shown, according to the present invention, designed for use with a conventional GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machine  20  and the like. The present invention comprises a main body  30 , constructed of a flame retardant material and dimensionally-sized so as to fit over and cover in a conforming manner the contour of a GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machine  20 . For purposes of this disclosure, it is envisioned that the present invention as heretofore and henceforth described, is available in various sizes so as to dimensionally accommodate and be adaptable for use with the various models of GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machines  20  manufactured and distributed by Salton, Inc. of Prospect, Ill. 
     Available in a variety of colors and decorative patterns  40 , the main body  30  provides an effective, low cost method by which one can customize his or her GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machine  20 . The main body  30  has an anterior end  32  opposite a posterior end  33  and includes a generally flat, circular upper surface  34  having a downwardly extending, peripheral side wall  36  which tapers from the posterior end  33  to the anterior  32  end. 
     A main body retention means  55  is attached at the furthermost lateral ends of the peripheral side wall  36  excluding a tail portion  31  thereof, so as to form a generally enclosed structure. For purposes of this disclosure, the main body retention means  55  is depicted as an elastic band  56 . The elastic band  56  functions to stretch to fit over and contracts to fit the contour of the GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machine  20 . 
     Interfacing  70  is secured circumferentially to an inner face  35  of the upper surface  34  and to inner corners  37  of the main body  30  so as to make the overall structure slightly stiffer, and thus holding its overall shape. 
     When properly fitted, the protective and decorative cover  10  resembles an English cap or similar headgear of like characteristics. 
     It is envisioned that the main body  30  is washable. It is also envisioned that a reflective coating  72  is located on the main body  30 , thus permitting the present invention to be used by construction workers and the like, for safety purposes, as is required by applicable state and federal regulations. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is provided which includes a generally circular main body  90 , constructed of a flame retardant material and dimensionally-sized so as to fit over and cover in a conforming manner the contour of a GEORGE FOREMAN™ party grill  80  and GEORGE FOREMAN™ fusion grill  82 . It is envisioned that the main body  90  is available in a variety of colors and decorative patterns  100 . The main body  90  includes a generally flat, circular upper surface  94  having a downwardly extending, peripheral side wall  96 . A ball-shaped tassel  99  is sewn to the symmetrical center  92  of the upper surface  94  to accentuate the appearance of a beanie or comparable cap worn on the head. 
     Interfacing  110  is secured circumferentially to an inner face  104  of the upper surface  94  and to an inner wall  98  of the peripheral side wall  96  of the main body  90  at spaced locations. The interfacing  110  serves to make the overall structure slightly stiffer so as to hold its overall shape. 
     When properly fitted, the alternate embodiment resembles a beanie or similar headgear of like characteristics. 
     It is envisioned that the main body  90  is washable. It is also envisioned that a reflective coating  120  is located on the main body  90 , thus permitting the alternate embodiment to be used by construction workers and the like, for safety purposes, as is required by applicable state and federal regulations. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     To use the present invention, the user extends the peripheral side wall  36  about an outer peripheral surface of the GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machine  20  and fits the main body  30  thereover. Once properly fitted, the present invention resembles an English cap or similar headgear of like characteristics. 
     The use of the present invention allows one to cover up a conventional GEORGE FOREMAN™ grilling machine to make a fashion statement. 
     As designed, a device embodying the teachings of the present invention is easily applied. The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following Claims.