Patent Description:
Cooking appliances such as grills and barbeque cooking appliances are commonly used for cooking food.

<CIT>) relates to an easily converted griller and fryer - having an indirectly heated hot plate resting on bottom plate for frying purposes. According to the abstract of this document the combined frying and grilling apparatus comprises two hot plates which are mounted in movable holders, the upper hot plate which is heated indirectly by a heat radiation source, designed to engage on the upper holder acting as a contact grill in conjunction with the lower heated hot plate. On disengaging the upper hot plate from its holder it can be placed on the lower hot plate so that when raising the upper holder the heat radiation source for the upper plate serves as a mechanism for frying the food which is placed on the back of the upper hot plate. The heat radiation source for the upper hot plate preferably consists of gas pipes with several jets which serve as the burner and heat up the wire or metal mesh which faces the reverse side of the upper hot plate. The lower hot plate can be heated directly by a flat gas burner.

<CIT>) relates to a combined outdoor cooker, grill and heater - having two housing hinged together, containing heat sources, fitted with adjusting frame. According to the abstract of this document the combined cooker, grill and heating appliance is for outdoor use, and consists of two stands formed as housings, which are hinged to each other. Each housing has a heat source one of them having telescopic feet. The housings may be adjusted relative to each other by a frame. The housings may have a container, for cooking purposes and a grill plate, both being fastened via rapid connections. Opposite sides of the housings have recesses to hold a grate, for cooking. The adjustment frame consists of a U-shaped rod, with arms, fastened to it.

<CIT>) relates to a Charcoal-electric combination grill. According to the abstract of this document the charcoal-electric combi grill allows the user to heat with charcoal or electric, characterized in that the grill chamber contains features and elements of two different heating variants (charcoal and electric) through its construction. The detachability of all parts facilitates the use of each of the two heating variants.

Aspects disclosed herein relate to cooking appliances, such as barbeque cooking appliances and grills, which may be used outdoors and/or indoors. Some aspects relate to multi-fuel barbecue grill.

Some barbeque cooking appliances have a gas operated portion of the grill area on one end, and an electric powered other portion of the cooking surface on the other end.

It has been found that a limitation of mains powered electrical appliances, especially in locales where the supply voltage is lower (such as 120V in the USA), that the maximum allowable power allowed to be drawn from a single outlet or circuit is, in practical terms, about <NUM> watts. In <NUM>-<NUM> Volt countries approx. <NUM> watts is allowable. In the barbeque cooking appliance setting, this limitation (either at 120V or to a lesser extent 240V) effectively limits the maximum cooking area of an electric barbeque cooking appliance. It has been noticed that above a certain size, the cooking performance deteriorates rapidly because the temperature to sear and caramelize meat/food is above the peak temperature attainable by spreading <NUM> watts over a large area. It has been found that small gas grills generally have available about 2KW or <NUM> MJ (<NUM> BTU's) of energy per <NUM> square meters (square foot) of cooking area <NUM> KW/square meter (2KW/sq. It has also been found that electric grills of the same practical size are limited to <NUM> to <NUM> KW/square meter (<NUM>-<NUM>. ) ((<NUM> to <NUM> MJ/square meter) <NUM>-<NUM> BTU's /sq. Electrical grills can therefore be seen to be less energy intensive than gas, and the cooking results by most reports are in line with this disparity in available energy.

Ribbing, plus insulation of the cooking chamber and lid, are other techniques used in an effort to conserve as much energy as possible to allow optimization of the size of the cooking area. The char lines limit how many watts/BTU's are needed to get some char lines and flavor into the food, meat in particular. To char the meat over a wider area would take more power.

According to the invention there is provided a cooking appliance as set forth in the appended claims.

Further aspects and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended drawings which are given by way of example only to illustrate the invention(s).

Cooking appliances and grills, such as barbeque cooking appliances and the like, are useable. These are normally gas or mains electric powered. They may have open slat grills or flat griddles or a mixture of both with electric radiant elements or open gas burners mounted below the grill plate to cook food placed above by radiation and convection. In some alterations, the elements, gas or electric, are placed above the grill plate and radiate energy down onto the food from above. Another different type sees the electric elements mounted vertically on each side of the food holder and radiate energy laterally.

Another different type (but again within the general grill category) is the direct contact clamshell type grill (that are based loosely on toasted-sandwich grills) that cooks food from the top and bottom simultaneously, by virtue of generally an upper electrically heated lid mounted grill plate hingedly connected to a lower body with its own electrically heated plate. The plates are typically solid metal type, flat or ribbed, but rely mainly on heat conduction for cooking. Food (such as beef steak) is compressed between the heated lid plate and the heated bottom plate and is rapid seared and heated from both sides. This simultaneously seals two surfaces of the food and provides good cooking results. The clamshell type grill as described above may alternatively utilize open radiation type glowing electric elements and not heated platens.

As mentioned above, there are useable designs that cook food in a vertical condition such as "vertical grills". These typically have an electrically powered heat source on each side and the food is disposed between the heat sources in a removable rack and cooked by radiation. Liberated fat and water baste the food as they run down over the food and are collected in a lower fat tray.

It can be seen that there are many and varied designs of cooking appliances, such as grills and barbeque cooking appliances, may be powered by gas or electric means. Some of them use gas heating tubes or elements powered either from large liquified gas bottles in the <NUM> to <NUM> to 100lb range, or from reticulated (e.g. natural) gas. Some others are designed to also accept "disposable", small, pressurized cans of butane and/or propane, which are deemed to be safer in a building or vehicle than bulk supply cylinders and present less hazard if used indoors or in recreational vehicles in areas where regulations allow.

Alternatively, cooking appliances may be heated by electric elements that are powered by mains <NUM>-volt AC supply or mains <NUM>-volt AC supply via a mains power cord.

Some of these cooking appliances are "portable" in that they can be used at home or in caravans or when camping for instance. Some of them are intended to be used mainly at home and are on trolleys or leg sets and are movable.

Some of these cooking appliances are single fuel appliances, being gas or electric. This may cause a cost to the purchaser and other inconveniences in that for example, a gas barbeque cooking appliance is purchased to use during camping or outdoors cannot be used indoors at home or in a caravan or other recreational vehicle. If used outside and gas supply runs out, the appliance will not be useable. Similarly, an electric unit can only be used where there is power available.

Various aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of example only to illustrate the invention. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes only and is not limiting to any aspect of the invention. Further it should be understood that the invention may be practiced in different ways and embodiments and the following description should not be limiting on any aspect of the invention. Where the context requires, the term "grill" is to be construed as meaning a form of cooking in which heat, and in particular dry heat, is applied directly to a surface of food to cook the food quickly, or to a cooking device used to cook food by applying heat, and in particular dry heat, is directly to a surface of the food. The term "fuel" refers to the type of fuel or energy source used to generate heat for the cooking appliance such as gas, electricity or solid fuels such as charcoal and the like.

Referring to <FIG> there is shown is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a modular multi-fuel cooking appliance. While the illustration is a modular three-mode hybrid grill, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the invention may embrace only two modes or more than three modes, such as for example a gas and electric, or gas and coal, or electric and coal dual-fuel barbeque cooking appliance. In this embodiment an outer cooking chamber 201b is provided to accommodate one of a plurality of interchangeable cooking modules A, B, C, D and E. The outer cooking chamber has a plurality of feet <NUM> for supporting it on the ground or a supporting surface. The interchangeable cooking modules A, B, C, D, E comprise an inner cooking module member <NUM> each of which has different heat generating fuel means. By interchanging the cooking modules A, B, C, D, E with the outer cooking chamber 201b a user can customize the cooking appliance for different cooking fuels. The outer cooking chamber 201b includes a base and a plurality of enclosing sidewalls extending up from the base. At least one, and preferably two, of the sidewalls is provided with a rib or protrusion 202b on which can be supported one of the interchangeable cooking modules A, B, C, D, E. The base of outer cooking chamber 201b includes an opening 206a into, or below, which a drip tray <NUM> is accommodated for catching oils, fats, or fluids released from food during cooking.

Each of the interchangeable cooking modules A, B, C, D, E comprises an inner cooking module member <NUM> and a grill plate cooking surface <NUM>. The grill plate cooking surface <NUM> may form a part of the interchangeable cooking module or may be removably supported above the inner cooking module member <NUM> such that the grill plate cooking surface is itself interchangeable between different ones of the cooking modules. The cooking modules A, B, C, D, E are preferably interchangeably supported with the outer cooking chamber 201b by the rib or protrusion 202b such that the cooking appliance may be configured to operate with different kinds of cooking fuel, such as for example gas, electric, or hot charcoal (coals) as desired by the user. In a first interchangeable cooking module A, the inner cooking member <NUM> is adapted to accommodate coals <NUM> such that the cooking appliance can be configured for cooking over hot coals as shown in <FIG>. In a second example of an interchangeable cooking module B, the inner cooking member <NUM> is provided with an electric cooking element <NUM> and a gas cooking element <NUM> in a single-sided linear configuration as will be described with reference to <FIG>. As shown in <FIG> by arranging the second interchangeable cooking module B to be supported with outer cooking chamber 201b the cooking appliance can be configured as a dual-fuel electric/gas cooking appliance. The outer cooking chamber 201b is provided with slots or openings in its sidewalls to accommodate an electric power cord 203a or gas line 202a as required. The advantage of the second interchangeable cooking module B being of a dual-fuel electric/gas type is that only two interchangeable cooking modules A, B are required for the multi-fuel cooking appliance to be configured with three cooking fuels of electric, gas, hot coals. Alternatively to the a single-sided linear configuration multi-fuel cooking module, a dual-fuel rotatable cooking unit as described with reference to <FIG> and/or as described in United States patent publication no. <CIT> may be used within the outer cooking chamber 201b. In yet a further embodiment, an invertible dual fuel cooking module E may be used may be used within the outer cooking chamber 201b. Referring to <FIG>, an invertible dual fuel cooking module E includes an inner cooking module member <NUM> supporting a first electric cooking fuel mode <NUM> and a second cooking fuel mode <NUM> spaced apart by <NUM>-degrees. The inner cooking module member <NUM> also supports a reflector <NUM> interposed between and delimiting the cooking fuel modes <NUM>, <NUM>. The invertible dual fuel cooking module E is swapped between a gas cooking mode and an electric cooking mode (or vice versa) by removing the cooking module E from the outer cooking chamber 201b, flipping or inverting the cooking module E <NUM> degrees as illustrated by arrow <NUM>, and then replacing the cooking module E with the opposite fuel mode in the upper operable orientation.

In some embodiments it may be desirable for the multi-fuel cooking appliance to be configured solely as a gas cooking appliance, or solely as an electric cooking appliance. Accordingly, in some embodiments there may be provided an interchangeable cooking module C that is provided solely with an electric cooking element <NUM>, or another embodiment of the interchangeable cooking module D to be provided only with a gas element <NUM>. In any one of the aforementioned embodiments of the interchangeable cooking module A, B, C, D, E, the inner cooking member <NUM> may be a simple supporting frame or may include an inner base and inner side walls to form an inner cooking chamber. Such an inner cooking chamber embodiment may optionally include an opening 206b arranged to communicate with opening 206a and drip tray <NUM> when the cooking chamber <NUM> is accommodated for use with the outer cooking chamber 201b.

In one embodiment it is anticipated that the inner cooking member <NUM> is a simple supporting frame supporting the electric or gas or combination electric/gas cooking elements <NUM>, <NUM> and may be removably accommodated directly within the outer cooking chamber 201b without its own separate inner cooking chamber. The cooking elements <NUM>, <NUM> may be removed and replaced with an inner cooking chamber for accommodating hot coals <NUM>. In yet further embodiments it is anticipated that the hot coals <NUM> may be placed directly in the outer cooking chamber without the need for an inner cooking chamber to accommodate the hot coals. It is recognized however that cooking with hot coals directly in the outer cooking chamber 201b will increase the rate of deterioration of the outer cooking chamber 201b and thus the lifespan of the multi-fuel cooking appliance.

The depiction of gas burners and electric elements are for illustration purpose only, and a number of varieties of burners or elements may be substituted in any configuration without departing from the scope of the invention.

In some embodiments, the cooking modules A, B, C, D, E may be not interchangeable. In some embodiments, the cooking modules A, B, C, D, E are arranged in such a way that one cooking module of the cooking modules A, B, C, D, E is coupled to the lid <NUM> whereas another one of the cooking modules A, B, C, D, E is coupled to the base. The two modules are preferably of different types.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, there shown is a barbecue grill assembly <NUM> with a support frame assembly including a base <NUM>, front frame member <NUM> extending vertically from the base <NUM>, a rear frame member <NUM> extending vertically from the base <NUM>, and a pair of side frame members <NUM>, <NUM> that connects the front and rear frame members <NUM>, <NUM>. The base <NUM> may be supported on feet or wheels or a combination of feet and wheels. The barbecue grill assembly <NUM> further comprises a cooking chamber <NUM> supported on the support frame assembly. The cooking chamber <NUM> including at least a first pair of opposing side walls <NUM>, <NUM> and a second pair of opposing side walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The pairs of side walls define an opening <NUM> into an interior space <NUM> of the cooking chamber <NUM>. A cover or lid <NUM> is hingeably connected to a rear one <NUM> of the second pair of side walls of the cooking chamber. The lower edges of at least one of the first or second pairs of opposed side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> comprises mounting features that engages a limited extent with corresponding frame members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM> when the cooking chamber <NUM> is connected to the support frame assembly. In one end of the cooking chamber is a receiver hub assembly <NUM> with an opening <NUM> for interchangeably receiving a receivable hub <NUM> of a dual-fuel rotatable cooking unit <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, or a single fuel cooking unit such as electric cooking element <NUM> and a gas cooking element <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. The receiver hub assembly opening <NUM> may also accommodate a variable vent or flue unit <NUM>. An optional door <NUM> may be provided in the rear frame member <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, to provide additional ventilation of the grill unit. The optional door <NUM>, if provided, can be opened to provide ventilation for gas or charcoal (hereinafter just coal) cooking as necessary, but closed for, say, an electric cooking mode. The front, rear, left and right side members <NUM>-<NUM> may be double walled frame members for heat insulation. The double walled frame members <NUM>-<NUM> include heat resistant insulation between the double wall skins. The cooking chamber walls <NUM>-<NUM> and cover <NUM> may also comprise double walled members with or without insulation for heat insulation.

Referring to <FIG>, the dual-fuel rotatable cooking unit <NUM> may be of a type described in <CIT>In this specific example the dual-fuel rotatable cooking unit <NUM> has at least a first cooking mode <NUM> and a second cooking mode <NUM>, spaced apart by <NUM>-degrees, and a reflector <NUM> interposed between and delimiting the cooking modes <NUM>, <NUM>. The reflector <NUM> is movably located between the two cooking modes <NUM>, <NUM> and has a drip hole formed centrally. The reflector <NUM> has a first and second reflective surfaces and it may have a straight profile, or a curved profile which is beneficial for enhancing heat radiation. In <FIG>, the first cooking mode consists of a first cooking mode element, which is a gas heating element <NUM> that is connected with the gas regulator <NUM> of the receivable hub <NUM>. The second cooking mode consists of a second cooking mode element, which is an electric heating element <NUM> that is connected with the electrical power inlet <NUM> of the receivable hub <NUM>. An electric element regulator <NUM> with a power cord <NUM> is connectable with the electrical power inlet <NUM> for providing a regulated electric power supply to the electric heating element <NUM>. Such a design however is only elaborative but not restrictive as a person skilled in the art may choose to structure the dual-fuel cooking modes in different configurations. The rotatable cooking unit <NUM> is rotatable by rotating the receivable hub <NUM> within the receiver hub <NUM> of the cooking chamber through preferably <NUM> degrees to alternatively select a preferred one of the dual-fuel cooking modes. In one example, the second cooking mode is adjacent the concave side of the reflector as the profile of the reflector will enhancing heat radiation of the electric heating element <NUM> of the second cooking mode element, which has a different heat generating characteristic to the first cooking mode element.

Referring to <FIG>, a third cooking mode of the barbecue is a charcoal (coal) mode of cooking fuel. As illustrated in <FIG> a charcoal bin <NUM> or container which may be made from cast iron or other metal materials such as stainless steel and the like. The charcoal bin <NUM> includes a base and at least a first pair of opposing side walls <NUM>, <NUM> and a second pair of opposing side walls <NUM>, <NUM> extending upwardly from the base in order to define a chamber <NUM> between the walls for retaining heated coals <NUM>. An outwardly extending flange or lip <NUM> is provided at a top rim of the four side walls <NUM>-<NUM> of the container to provide a supporting means for the bin <NUM> within the cooking chamber <NUM> of the barbecue. In such a configuration the rotatable cooking unit <NUM> is removed in the manner shown in <FIG> and can be replaced with the variable vent or flue means <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The charcoal bin <NUM> of <FIG> is disposed within the cooking chamber <NUM>/ interior space <NUM> of the barbecue and provides a third-fuel cooking mode of the barbecue being a coal cooking mode.

In <FIG> the modular multi-fuel cooking appliance is generally available in gas or electric powered configuration. In some variations, the appliance of <FIG> may have interchangeable cooking modules described with reference to <FIG> and/or <NUM> to <NUM>.

A dual-fuel rotatable cooking unit <NUM> was described with reference to <FIG> and/or <CIT>. In other examples a single-sided linear gas electric dual fuel module may incorporate the gas and electric elements together in a single side as illustrated and described with reference to <FIG>. In yet a further example a gas electric dual-fuel cooking module may include an invertible cooking module as described with reference to <FIG>, such that the dual-fuel module may be removed, flipped or inverted <NUM> degrees and then replaced with the opposite fuel mode operable.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, there shown is embodiments of multi-fuel cooking appliance according to aspects of the invention. In this configuration, described as a clamshell, sandwich toaster or hinged type contact grill <NUM>, there is provided an outer case having an upper case half <NUM> and a lower case half <NUM>. The lower case half <NUM> has feet <NUM> for supporting the grill <NUM> on a work surface. The upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM> are hingedly joined along one edge by a hinge joint <NUM> to be moveable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. In one example, the lower case half may be a lid, and the upper case half may be a base. In one example, the upper case half may be a lid, and the lower case half may be a base. In the closed configuration shown in <FIG> and <FIG> the upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM> are positioned to oppositely face each other with a food cooking space <NUM> between the upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM>. In some embodiments shown in <FIG> the hinge <NUM> is an articulating hinge joint, or a floating hinge, or a lost motion type with for instance the pintles running in slots to allow varying distance from top to bottom plate to provide a variable food cooking space <NUM> between the closed upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM> to accommodate various thicknesses of food. In the open configuration the upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM> are separated from one another by an angle theta (θ) which may be greater than <NUM>-degrees but preferable at least <NUM>-degrees and in some embodiments <NUM>-degrees, see for example <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

In one embodiment each of the upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM> are each arranged to accommodate a cooking module, such as one of the cooking modules as herein described with reference to <FIG> and/or <NUM> to <NUM>. Each of the cooking modules in the upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM> can be interchangeable, or they can be non-interchangeable (e.g., fixed). Referring to a gas cooking module, upper and lower gas elements <NUM>, <NUM> are controlled by respective gas regulators <NUM>, <NUM> located optionally on a front edge of the upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM>. In some embodiments the upper and lower gas elements <NUM>, <NUM> are controlled by a single gas regulator located on one of the upper case halves <NUM> and lower case half <NUM>, or in some embodiments a single gas regulator located co-axial with the hinge <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM> may open <NUM> angular degrees so both may lay flat doubling the area for single side grilling. Referring to <FIG>, a single gas regulator may be located co-axial with the hinge <NUM> and supplied from a single gas bottle or supply (not shown).

Referring to <FIG>, the upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM> are coupled via a hinge <NUM>. In this embodiment, the upper case half <NUM> is a body, optionally with handle, which can be used as a lid, and the lower case half <NUM> is a base. In this embodiment the body is generally dome shape and is made of steel. A grill plate is arranged on and removably attached to the body. Inside the body there is gas element <NUM> controlled by one or more gas regulators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> providing a gas burner. A die cast electric grill plate <NUM> is arranged on, and removably attached to, the base. The die cast electric grill plate has a staked-in heating element that preferably operates using electricity. The upper and lower case halves <NUM>, <NUM> are movable between open and closed (or substantially closed, when a food item is placed therebetween) configurations. In the open configuration the grill plate and the die cast electric grill plate are arranged on substantially the same plane or on substantially parallel planes. In the substantially closed configuration, the grill plate and the die cast electric grill plate are arranged in generally facing relation to each other. Optionally clasp(s) may be provided to lock the upper and lower case halves <NUM>, <NUM> when in the closed configuration. The appliance in <FIG> provide two separate cooking surfaces, which can be used selectively or simultaneously (by operating the gas element and/or the electric grill plate as needed), when in the open configuration. In one variation the upper case half <NUM> can be the base and the lower case half <NUM> can be the lid. The appliance in <FIG> provides an electric grill in one half, and a gas only bbq/grill in another half. The appliance can be used for indoor grill or outdoor grill.

Referring to <FIG>, the upper case half <NUM> and lower case half <NUM> are coupled via a hinge <NUM>. In this embodiment, the upper case half <NUM> is a body, optionally with handle, which can be used as a lid, and the lower case half <NUM> is a base. A grill plate is arranged on and removably attached to the body. Inside the body there is a dual-fuel rotatable cooking unit <NUM>, such as the one described with reference to <FIG> and/or illustrated in <CIT>. Another grill plate is arranged on, and removably attached to, the base. Inside the base there is a gas element <NUM> controlled by one or more gas regulators <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> providing a gas burner. The upper and lower case halves <NUM>, <NUM> are movable between open and closed configurations. In the open configuration the grill plates are arranged on substantially the same plane or on substantially parallel planes. In the closed configuration, the grill plates are arranged in generally facing relation to each other. Optionally clasp(s) may be provided to lock the upper and lower case halves <NUM>, <NUM> when in the closed configuration. The appliance in <FIG> provides two separate cooking surfaces, which can be used selectively or simultaneously when in the open configuration. In one variation, the upper case half <NUM> can be the base and the lower case half <NUM> can be the lid. The appliance in <FIG> provides a rotary dual-mode bbq/grill (electric & gas) in one half, and a gas only bbq/grill in another half. The appliance can be used for indoor grill or outdoor grill.

In yet further alternative embodiments, the clamshell grill may include interchangeable fuel modules in the configurations such as modules A, B, C, D and E hereinbefore described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> and <NUM>, and/or a dual-fuel rotatable cooking unit <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> and <CIT>. As described, the element may be as shown, or in hard contact with or more normally, cast/embedded into the hotplate material. The unit may not utilize any hot plates at all and cook by radiation only from electric elements <NUM> or gas element <NUM> radiation, preferably from surface gas burners or the like, especially on the top half radiating downwards. As well, the invention is not limited to metal sheathed electric elements, as open wire type as seen in toasters, and tubular quartz enclosed wire wound elements area are also envisaged. Infra-red bulbs may also be utilized.

<FIG> is a view of the plan (top or birds-eye) view of a single-sided linear configuration multi-fuel cooking module <NUM> of another embodiment of a multi-fuel barbecue grill according to some aspects of the invention. Shown is the lower body of cooking chamber <NUM>. A gas burner element <NUM> in straight configuration, and the serpentine shaped electric element <NUM> and disposed together in the chamber <NUM>, such that there is no need to rotate or change the cooking element module as in aforementioned embodiments. Both cooking fuel elements <NUM>, <NUM> co-exist in the cooking chamber <NUM>. The serpentine electric element <NUM> is arranged with two elongate loops or fingers extending away from the hub end on either side of the gas element <NUM>. The two fingers are connected to form a series element by a web section between the proximate non-terminal hub ends of the fingers. The web section of the element <NUM> does not cross the gas burner in any flame areas of the gas element <NUM>. It has been found however that if the element <NUM> does cross the burner flame areas that the materials used in the construction of the element can withstand the expected temperatures caused by the gas flames, so an element of almost any shape may be employed. The gas and electric elements <NUM>, <NUM> may both be shaped in for instance serpentine shapes, or differently, such that in combination the electric element <NUM> does not cross direct flame areas of the gas element <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an end section view of the barbecue of <FIG>. A grill plate cooking surface <NUM> is shown disposed above or planar with the gas element <NUM> and electric element <NUM> which are mounted in the same cooking chamber <NUM>. The electric element <NUM> is shown mounted above the gas burner <NUM> so as to be closer to the grill plate <NUM> and/or food for good cooking performance. However, the element may be mounted above, below, or side-by-side with the gas burner <NUM>. A reflector <NUM> is shown to enhance the upward radiation of the electric element <NUM>, a similar part may be mounted below the gas burner <NUM> as a heat shield for the bottom surface of the cooking chamber <NUM>. Generally, a drip tray <NUM> is provided inside or externally to the cooking chamber <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a vertical configuration of the barbecue grill. An end cross section view of a vertical grill is shown. In a vertical example an outer case <NUM> may be of a frustoconical configuration, or in first or second pairs of opposed side walls defining a vertical cooking chamber an upper (top) opening. A removable clamshell food holding rack <NUM> is removably receivable through the upper opening into the cooking chamber and held approximately on the centerline of the unit. Each side of the food rack <NUM> accommodates an electric cooking element <NUM>. Outside the electric element <NUM> is preferably a surface combustion gas burner hot surface <NUM> and burner case <NUM>. Food items <NUM> are placed in the clamshell rack <NUM> and the rack <NUM> and food <NUM> inserted into the allotted space in the cooking chamber formed between the gas burners <NUM> and electric elements <NUM>. In some examples the electric heating elements <NUM> may be omitted such that the arrangement is a gas only version of this configuration. Burners <NUM> of different configurations may be utilized in any version without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Again, for efficiency it is shown, and preferred, that the electric elements <NUM> are closer to the food cooking area than the gas burners <NUM>. The elements <NUM> are designed to handle the gas temperatures when in gas mode with power off.

<FIG> depicts a further embodiment where the gas burner <NUM> and electric element <NUM> track the shape of each other and are mounted in contact or close to each other. The intention here is that each element keeps the other quite hot to reject fat and other fluids if they drip onto the elements.

Reference is now made to <FIG>. A barbeque cooking appliance is disclosed that is of any of the configurations described above, which is larger in effective cooking area than is usual. (For example, <NUM>% to <NUM>% larger for built in or trolley type barbeque cooking appliances) In conventional terms the cooking performance of very large barbeque cooking appliances to sear and cook meats etc. would be unacceptable mainly because the temperature of the element is lower than needed to sear food and for plug-in appliances the allowable max power is limited. In the USA the power available from a single outlet is normally <NUM> watts maximum. In Europe and <CIT> watts are available. Even extended cooking times on a cooler plate cannot attain searing, only "stewing", a term used in the industry. It is a further object of the one aspect to provide an appliance, preferably a barbeque cooking appliance with electric elements, which helps to overcome the disadvantages of low power available. Disclosed is a barbeque cooking appliance in which the total apparent wattage is in excess (e.g., approx. two times) of the maximum allowable. The invention uses these elements in such a way that the apparent wattage of all elements is controlled, so that the maximum actual recorded wattage at any one time is not in excess of that allowable by regulation for the supply connection.

It has been found that surprisingly the grill performs well because searing etc. is only used for a short time in a normal barbeque cooking appliance and then energy levels are turned down to finish cooking. It has been found that when the elements are used in this way, because they are basically already quite hot, (Say at Position A on <FIG>), the transient response time to attain "grilling" temperatures from the <NUM>% power level is quite fast compared to performance from cold, as the element is already running at <NUM>% power. Typically, the controller would run each element up at say <NUM>% power, alternatively switching max from one to the other. At a selected setting the controller would put all power into one element to attain a searing hot temperature to sear the food over that element. The period may be as short as <NUM> second out to several minutes and the invention does not limit any combination of power splits. The control of the power "split" between elements <NUM> and <NUM> may be instigated by temperature of grill or food, time, other sensors, fuzzy logic or any other technique that attains the desired result and does not violate the maximum watts allowance for plug-in units at the relevant voltage.

Reference is now made to <FIG>. A table is shown that illustrates control aspects of some embodiments of the invention. The left-hand axis <NUM> shows % Power. The different controlled modes <NUM> indicate the relative power to each element at a given time. This is for illustration only and one embodiment would enable infinite control of the split of power between the elements.

The invention is not limited by how many elements are to be controlled in this manner but at least two will be involved. The actual power axis <NUM> expresses the % power as Watts of power, and the approximate temperature chart <NUM> illustrates how temperatures may vary with wattage. (Illustrative only).

As seen at A, element <NUM> and element <NUM> are both held at a <NUM>% energy level, the unit power consumption is therefore two times <NUM>% but the element temperature is only <NUM>-deg Celsius, not glowing. It can be seen at B and later C that the differential split of power can be varied to at least drive at least one element to a grilling or desired temperature well above what could be attained by a normal control which would have the elements at a nominal <NUM> watt maximum. Shown at D and E are the reverse applications of power where <NUM> is cooler and <NUM> is hotter.

In the embodiment as seen in <FIG>, a differential splitting of the elements, preferably with an infinite control or a multi-step controller (preferably a Pulse Width Modulation control), will allow the operator to attain whatever temperatures they wish on any given element within the range available, as partially illustrated in <FIG>. It is also disclosed that the control may be manually adjusted or be under automatic control to attain good cooking on both sides of the barbeque cooking appliance even though the power is still within the regulatory defined limits. In effect if a unit is fitted with two <NUM> Watt elements clipped by the controller to effectively be two <NUM> Watt elements, the unit can be controlled in infinite number of steps to the limit of <NUM> Watts on one element only and zero watts on the other, and thus will be able to deliver searing/browning power as, if two <NUM> Watts were available. Of course, it would be at a slightly slower rate, because up to <NUM> watts would be available on one element only at one time if required. It has been found however that the unit, once preheated, has a thermal flywheel effect that helps keep temperatures quite hot and depending on the cycle profile the reheat time for any suppressed element is quite short. This peak wattage performance on each plate is not possible on existing barbeque cooking appliances. Some employ a timed "searing" thermostat override control but the max wattage of <NUM> watts per side cannot be exceeded. The use of this differential wattage concept may translate into a larger than usual barbeque cooking appliance to be viable without exceeding the statutory max wattage overall.

Referring to <FIG>, in a simple embodiment, the control shown at <FIG> would include a single user control <NUM> that supplies a differential amount of energy to each plate. As an example, the chart indicates two <NUM>-watt elements with a left side element (wattage chart) <NUM> and a right-hand element (wattage chart) <NUM>. When the control knob <NUM> is rotated say clockwise, the line <NUM> indicates that the left-hand wattage is very low and the right-hand wattage is almost at maximum. As the knob <NUM> is rotated further clockwise the line <NUM> moves to the position described at line <NUM> which has increased the left side and reduced the right side in the same proportion. Further rotation of the knob clockwise indicates at <NUM> a <NUM>-<NUM> split from left side to right side <NUM>, i.e., <NUM> watts each, and at the limit shown at <NUM> the right side has maximum wattage and the left-hand side has almost zero. It can be seen that at no point does the sum of the wattages exceed the nominal statutory maximum of <NUM> watts. The wattages expressed here are for illustration purposes only.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, one embodiment includes manual control shown as a control knob <NUM> which is the physical version of the central control <NUM> in <FIG> above. It shows a left side <NUM> and a right side <NUM>. The effect of turning the knob <NUM> has the same effect as shown in <FIG>. The use of a single control knob not only simplifies the use, but most importantly keeps both sides in inverse synchronization ensuring that the unit cannot exceed the allowable maximum at any point in time.

To control the overall maximum at any point but keeping the left/right % of power at the desired level, an overall energy regulation device is accessed by using the control knob <NUM>. Of course, each side could have an energy regulator but the use and complexity would be difficult as the aim is to keep the maximum wattage under the max allowable for that connection. The design is not limited to manual control and any manual or automatic energy and/or thermostatic control could be used to attain the desired energy split and overall temperature control.

A grill plate <NUM> of generally larger surface area than can be heated by a single electrical connection is shown in <FIG>. A first heating system of combined electrical / gas heating cooking unit <NUM> is shown. A second heating unit powered by gas-only <NUM> is shown.

A barbeque cooking appliance of the type described in <FIG> has approx. <NUM>% of the area heated by either gas or electric, and the other half heated by gas only. In this way a larger barbeque cooking appliance is provided. Mode <NUM>: <NUM>% area on power or gas, utilizing cooking unit <NUM> and <NUM>% area on gas if no electric power is available, utilizing the gas portion of cooking unit <NUM>, and the gas only portion <NUM>. It can be therefore seen that one appliance can offer the convenience of cooking on <NUM>% area electrically, and <NUM>%-<NUM>% area cooking when on gas. Any appropriate split of power side to side is allowed for in the design. It is also foreseen that the invention applies to two or more heating units in a single barbeque cooking appliance unit.

The electric tubular elements in any of the configurations depicted above may be integrated with the plate by force fit, or direct insert casting into the hot plate cooking surface as in a sandwich maker/clamshell type of barbeque cooking appliances/grills. It is also applicable in electric grills as depicted in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and<FIG> as it delivers heat to the food by direct conduction and the limited electric power is thus used efficiently.

It has been found surprisingly that because these electric elements are designed to run very hot, and in some cases glowing especially when used as indirect radiant elements, having surface temperatures of approx. <NUM> or <NUM>°F, or they can withstand the relatively moderate temperatures that they would be subjected to when they are in an off state but the gas is operating, in the arrangements preferred and shown in the invention drawings.

Inverse to that, when the electric elements are working, and the gas is off, the temperatures attained on the gas burner equipment is below the max allowable temperatures of the materials mandated to be used in gas burners. It has therefore been found that both heating elements (gas and electric) can be utilized in the same cooking chamber provided they are controlled by interlock or similar to isolate one or other of the control mechanisms, so as to inhibit simultaneous use.

Various modifications can be made to the designs. They include but are not limited to electrically blocking one fuel from use if the other is in use, mechanically blocking access to one control if the other is in use, blocking one or the other electrically if thermal sensors indicate that one is on, etc. This would be a mandatory requirement in most jurisdictions. In use typically the electric elements and the gas burner tubes run hot enough to reject/eject any drips from the food, so as to not bake food residue onto the elements. The gas burners normally have the gas exit ports below the centerline of the burner (<FIG>) to avoid food residue from blocking the gas ports. It is also envisaged that cooking surfaces are designed and used in the normal manner in that there are integral blanked areas of an open grill to ensure drips are directed away from the gas burners, to be collected below in a supplied fat drip tray.

<FIG> illustrates, schematically, an embodiment of a (modular) cooking appliance <NUM> in one embodiment not forming part of the invention. The cooking appliance <NUM> includes a first cooking module 1000A and a second cooking module 1000B, e.g., operably connected with the first cooking module 1000A. The first cooking module 1000A includes a first cooking chamber 1002A, a first cooking element 1004A arranged in the first cooking chamber 1002A, and a first cooking surface 1006A. The first cooking element 1004A is arranged to be heat the first cooking surface 1006A. The second cooking module 1000B includes a second cooking chamber 1002B, a second cooking element 1004B arranged in the second cooking chamber 1002B, and a second cooking surface 1006B. The second cooking element 1004B is arranged to be heat the second cooking surface 1006B. The first cooking element 1004A includes one of, or at least one of: an electric cooking element, a gas cooking element, a combination of electric and gas cooking elements, or a bin having a chamber for accommodating hot coals. The second cooking element 1004B comprises one of, or at least one of: an electric cooking element, a gas cooking element, a combination of electric and gas cooking elements, or a bin having a chamber for accommodating hot coals.

Optionally, the first and second cooking elements 1004A, 1004B are different types of cooking elements. In one example the first cooking element 1004A is gas cooking element and the second cooking element 1004B is electric cooking element. In another example the first cooking element 1004A is a combination of electric and gas cooking elements and the second cooking element 1004B is a gas cooking element. In yet another example, the first cooking element 1004A is a combination of electric and gas cooking elements and the second cooking element 1004B is an electric cooking element.

Optionally, the first and second cooking elements 1004A, 1004B are the same type of cooking elements. For example, both the first and second cooking elements 1004A, 1004B are gas cooking elements. For example, both the first and second cooking elements 1004A, 1004B are the dual-fuel rotatable cooking unit <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> and/or as described in United States patent publication no.

Optionally, the two cooking elements 1004A, 1004B share the same gas/power source. Optionally, the two cooking elements 1004A, 1004B use different gas/power sources.

Optionally, the first cooking element 1004A is removable from the first cooking module. Optionally, the first cooking element 1004A is non-removable from the first cooking module.

Optionally, the second cooking element 1004B is removable from the second cooking module. Optionally, the second cooking element 1004B is non-removable from the second cooking module.

Optionally, the combination of electric and gas cooking elements includes independently controllable electric cooking element and gas cooking element. Optionally, the combination of electric and gas cooking elements includes simultaneously or alternately operated electric cooking element and gas cooking element. Optionally, the combination of electric and gas cooking elements are arranged in a rotatable assembly, such as the one described with reference to <FIG>, such that they can rotated about a rotation axis to selectively use electric or gas.

Optionally, the first cooking surface 1006A is removable from the first cooking module. Optionally, the first cooking surface 1006A is non-removable from the first cooking module. Optionally, the second cooking surface 1006B is removable from the second cooking module. Optionally, the second cooking surface 1006B is non-removable from the second cooking module. Optionally, the first and second cooking surfaces 1006A, 1006B are of the same shape and/or size.

Optionally, the first cooking surface 1006A is provided by, at least, a cooking plate, a grill plate, a grill, a grill mesh, a griddle plate, an electric die cast grill plate, etc. Optionally, the second cooking surface 1006B is provided by, at least, a cooking plate, a grill plate, a grill, a grill mesh, a griddle plate, an electric die cast grill plate, etc. Optionally, the first and second cooking surfaces 1006A, 1006B are the same or different types of surfaces.

Optionally, the first cooking element 1004A is integrated with the first cooking surface 1006A as a single piece or member or assembly. For example, the first cooking element 1004A is embedded in a means or device or element (e.g., a cooking plate, a grill plate, a grill, a grill mesh, a griddle plate, an electric die cast grill plate, etc.) that provides the first cooking surface 1006A.

Optionally, the second cooking element 1004B is integrated with the second cooking surface 1006B as a single piece or member or assembly. For example, the second cooking element 1004B is embedded in a means or device or element (e.g., a cooking plate, a grill plate, a grill, a grill mesh, a griddle plate, an electric die cast grill plate, etc.) that provides the second cooking surface 1006B.

Optionally, the first and second cooking surfaces 1006A, 1006B are separate but form a continuous surface (e.g., arranged side by side when in the open configuration).

Optionally, the first cooking module includes one or more of: a stand, one or more legs, one or more handles, or movement means (wheels, casters, etc.). Optionally, the second cooking module includes one or more of: a stand, one or more legs, one or more handles, or movement means (wheels, casters, etc.).

Optionally, the first and second cooking modules are arranged on, e.g., attached to, mechanically and/or magnetically, the same surface, which is preferably a flat surface, or on different surfaces in substantially the same plane. The surface(s) is/are provided by a cart, a bench, a table, cart, which optionally has leg(s), wheel(s), etc..

Optionally, the cooking appliance further comprises a lid for the first cooking module. The lid may also be used as a lid for the second cooking module. Optionally, the cooking appliance further comprises a lid for the second cooking module. The lid may also be used as a lid for the first cooking module. Optionally, the cooking appliance further comprises two lids, one for each of the first and second cooking modules. The two lids may be of the same shape, size, height, form, etc. The lid may include no cooking element. The lid may be hinged to the cooking module, or may be a loose lid removably coupleable to the cooking module.

Optionally, the first and second cooking modules form first and second cooking halves of the cooking appliance. The two halves can be of the same shape, size, form, etc..

Optionally, the cooking appliance further includes a connector connecting the first and second cooking modules.

Optionally, the connector is integrated with one or both of the first and second cooking modules, or it is removably coupled with one or both of the first and second cooking modules. Optionally, the connector comprises a hinge arranged between the first and second cooking modules. Optionally, the cooking appliance is movable between a substantially closed configuration, in which the first and second cooking surfaces 1006A, 1006B generally face each other, and an open configuration, in which the first and second cooking surfaces 1006A, 1006B are not in facing relation with each other (e.g., the first and second cooking surfaces 1006A, 1006B are arranged in substantially the same plane).

Optionally, the cooking appliance <NUM> further includes a locking means arranged on the first and/or second cooking modules to lock the first and/or second cooking modules in the closed configuration. The locking means may include a clasp, a latch, etc. The locking means may be arranged on the first and/or second cooking modules on an opposite side of the hinge.

Optionally, the cooking appliance <NUM> further includes a rotisserie spit rod / spit rod forks arranged in the first and/or second cooking chambers 1002A, 1002B, e.g., between the first and second cooking surfaces 1006A, 1006B. Optionally, the cooking appliance <NUM> further includes a motor arranged to rotate the rotisserie spit rod / spit rod forks. The motor may be powered by DC (e.g., battery) or AC.

Optionally, the cooking appliance <NUM> may be "powered" by gas (fuel) or electricity (AC and/or DC, e.g., battery) as appropriate. The battery may be rechargeable.

Optionally, the cooking appliance <NUM> is portable. Optionally, the cooking appliance <NUM> is an indoor cooking appliance. Optionally, the cooking appliance <NUM> is an outdoor cooking appliance. Optionally, the cooking appliance <NUM> is an indoor-and-outdoor cooking appliance. Optionally, the cooking appliance <NUM> is a benchtop cooking appliance. Optionally, the cooking appliance <NUM> is a clamshell type cooking appliance, a contact grill type cooking appliance, etc..

The cooking appliance <NUM> embodiment of <FIG>, along with its variations, can be implemented in or incorporated into, among other things, any of the device embodiments disclosed and illustrated in the drawings. In some implementations, the cooking appliance <NUM> may include additional cooking modules (similar or the same as cooking modules 1000A, 1000B).

<FIG> shows one embodiment of a cooking appliance <NUM> based on the design in <FIG>. In this design, the two cooking modules 1100A, 1100B are both mounted, fixedly or movably or removably, on a platform or surface <NUM> provided by a wheeled cart <NUM>. The two cooking modules1100A, 1100B do not touch each other in this example. In one variation, the surface <NUM> may include recesses each configured to receive a cooking module.

<FIG> shows one embodiment of a cooking appliance <NUM> based on the design in <FIG>. This design is similar to that in <FIG>, except that the two cooking modules are shown to include leg(s) and/or wheel(s) <NUM>, and that the wheeled cart <NUM> includes a cabinet <NUM>, which allows storage of, e.g., foodstuff, the lids for the cooking modules 1200A, 1200B, kitchen utensils, etc..

<FIG> shows one embodiment of a cooking appliance <NUM> based on the design in <FIG>. In this design, the two cooking modules 1300A, 1300B are hingedly connected together via a hinge <NUM>.

<FIG> shows one embodiment of a cooking appliance <NUM> based on the design in <FIG>. This design is similar to that in <FIG>, except that one of the cooking modules 1400B includes a handle 1422B and a locking member 1424B for locking the appliance <NUM> when closed.

<FIG> shows one embodiment of the cooking appliance <NUM> of <FIG>. This design is similar to that in <FIG>, except that the cooking surfaces 1506A, 1506B are arranged further deep inside the respective cooking chamber 1502A, 1502B.

<FIG> shows one embodiment of the cooking appliance <NUM> of <FIG> in the closed configuration. When closed, the two cooking surfaces are spaced apart to receive food to be cooked. The cooking appliance <NUM> can include a rotisserie (hot shown) incorporated or arranged therein, between the two cooking surfaces 1506A, 1506B.

Claim 1:
A cooking appliance (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprising:
a first cooking module (<NUM>; 1300A; 1400A; 1500A) and a second cooking module (<NUM>; 1300B; 1400B; 1500B) arranged to be hingedly connected adjacent one edge such that they can be pivotally moved between an open configuration and a substantially closed configuration; the first cooking module comprising a first cooking chamber (1302A; 1402A; 1502A), a first cooking element (1304A; 1404A; 1504A) arranged in the first cooking chamber, and a first cooking surface (1306A; 1406A; 1506A), the first cooking element being arranged to heat the first cooking surface;
the second cooking module comprising a second cooking chamber (1302B; 1402B; 1502B), a second cooking element (1304B; 1404B; 1504B) arranged in the second cooking chamber, and a second cooking surface (1306B; 1406B; 1506B), the second cooking element being arranged to heat the second cooking surface;
and
wherein the second cooking element includes: an electric cooking element, a gas cooking element, a combination of electric and gas cooking elements, or a bin having a chamber for accommodating hot coals;
characterized in that the first cooking element includes: a combination of electric and gas cooking elements arranged in a rotatable assembly that is rotatable about a rotation axis to selectively use electric or gas.