Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/652,722, filed Aug. 29, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if being set forth in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention pertains to grills for cooking foods, and more particularly, to transportable grills for use at sporting events.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Sporting events may include pre-game festivities that occur in parking lots. One tradition of such festivities includes the preparation of barbecue-cooked food. Due to restrictions on the size of vehicles used to transport the attendants to the sporting event, as well as other accessories for pre-game festivities, the barbecues may typically be limited to small table-top “hibachi” type barbecues, which may be limited as to the type and amount of food which may be prepared at a given time. These style grills may also require attendants to kneel down to cook.  
         [0004]     Attendants utilizing larger vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, may fit larger barbecues, however loading and unloading such barbecues may be cumbersome and dangerous. To solve this problem, barbecues adapted to engage a trailer receiver hitch have been developed. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,949. These barbecues typically use the square receiver portion of the hitch to engage a square post extending from the barbecue grill. The mounting provisions provide for these barbecues to remain attached to the receiver hitch while food is barbecued in the barbecue. Such placement may limit the ability of the owner of a vehicle to which the barbecue is attached to access the vehicle while the barbecue is lit, as well as to limit the ability to locate the barbecue away from the vehicle during operation. Additionally, such barbecues may provide a safety hazard, as the hot barbecue grill, when in use, may be located adjacent to trunks and rear mounted gas tanks, especially where the barbecue grill is attached to a receiver hitch mounted to a car, rather than to a pick-up truck.  
         [0005]     Although the present invention may be beneficially used for festivities at sporting events, the utility of the present invention is not limited to such events.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention is a transportable grill for accompanying a user to a remote event, such as a sports match. The transportable grill may include a lateral element and a vertical element, wherein the lateral element is adapted to be engaged to a receiver on a vehicle. The lateral element may additionally be provided with structure to allow the position of the lateral element to be adjusted relative to the vertical element, such that the vertical element and grill unit may raised or lowered relative to the vertical element to assist in positioning the transportable grill for engagement to a receiver or use.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the transportable grill may include a lateral element, a vertical element, and a grill unit. The lateral element may have a mounting element and a junction element. The junction element may be implemented such as to allow the lateral element to move vertically relative to the vertical element to allow alternately positioning the junction element and associated lateral element in travel and use positions.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, the transportable grill may include a lateral element which is hinged relative to the vertical element, such that the angle between the vertical element and the lateral element may be adjusted to allow engagement of the tongue into a receiver hitch while the grill remains supported by the ground.  
         [0009]     In an alternate embodiment, the transportable grill may include a lateral element, a vertical element, and a grill unit. The lateral element may further include a means for engaging a vehicle receiver for engaging said transportable grill to the vehicle. The lateral element may further include a means for varying the position of the horizontal element relative to the vertical element. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0010]     Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a transportable grill according to the present invention, showing the grill as having an aesthetic form associated with a sport;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a transportable grill according to the present invention, showing the grill as having an aesthetic form associated with a sport;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a transportable grill according to the present invention, showing the lateral element hinged at the junction element to allow mating of the lateral element with a receiver hitch;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view in cross section of the vertical and lateral elements of a grill according to the present invention, showing a first fixing method;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view in cross section of the junction element, lateral element, and vertical element of a grill according to the present invention, utilizing a hinged engagement between the lateral element and the junction element;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top view in partial cross section of the engagement zone between a receiver hitch as would be associated with a vehicle engaged to a grill according to the present invention, showing a first retention method;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top view in partial cross section of the engagement zone between a receiver hitch as would be associated with a vehicle engaged to a grill according to the present invention, showing a second retention method;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view in cross section of the junction element, lateral element, and vertical element of a grill according to the present invention, showing an alternate fixing method;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  shows a lift assist device in an isometric view for assisting a user in positioning the vertical element relative to the lateral element;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a transportable grill assembly having a height adjustable vertical element;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates a transportable grill engaged to a vehicle;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a hinge mechanism for the grill shown in  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  shows an anti-tip feature for the grill shown in  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  illustrates a view of the transportable grill;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  illustrates a view of the transportable grill;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  illustrates a view of the transportable grill;  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  illustrates a view of the transportable grill; and  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  illustrates a view of the transportable grill. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]     As shown in the Figures, wherein like numbers represent like elements, the transportable grill  100  of the present invention may be formed from a vertical element, a lateral element, and a grilling unit  106  attached to the top of the vertical element. The lateral element may have a first end that is slidably engaged to the vertical element, allowing the position of the lateral element to be varied between an in-use position and a travel position. The bottom of the element may be provided with a foot element  108 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the foot element may be an axle  110  disposed substantially orthogonal to the vertical element and the lateral element. Where an axle is utilized, wheels  112  may placed on the ends of the axle to allow easy movement of the grill unit  100  when the grill unit  100  is detached from a vehicle (not shown).  
         [0030]     The lateral element may be adapted to be inserted into a hitch receiver on a vehicle. Preferably, the hitch receiver will have a square or rectangular inner pocket susceptible to receiving a slightly smaller square or rectangular cross sectioned mating element  114  on the lateral element. The mating element  114  may be attached to the lateral element  104 , or may be an integral portion of the lateral element  104 . The mating element  114  may be provided with a feature  116  for retaining the mating element  114  to the receiver hitch, such as a through hole through which a retaining pin or pins may be placed to retain the mating element  114  to the receiver hitch.  
         [0031]     The junction between the lateral element  104  and the vertical element  102  may be formed through the use of a junction element  118  attached to the lateral element  104  having a slightly larger internal through cavity than the outer cross section of the vertical element  102 , such that the junction element  118  may slidably surround the vertical element  104 . The junction element may be either a separate piece attached to the lateral element, or an integral portion of the lateral element. A locking feature  120  may be provided to allow the position of the junction element  118  to be fixed relative to the vertical element  102 . The locking feature  120  may comprise a pin  122  that engages one of a plurality of engagement holes  124  dependent upon a desired position of the junction element  118  relevant to the vertical element  102 . Alternately, the locking feature  120  may be a device which bears against the vertical element  102  when in a locked position, such that friction between the vertical element  102  and the locking element  120  prevents the vertical element  102  from moving relative to the junction element  120 .  
         [0032]     A mounting feature  126  for attaching an energy source for the grill unit  100 , such as but not limited to propane tanks, may be attached to the lateral element  104 . Placement of the mounting feature  126 , and association of an energy source with the mounting feature  126 , may beneficially shift the center of gravity of the grill unit  100  closer to the centroid of any ground contact points. An anti-tip feature  128  may be provided to limit the ability of the grill assembly  100  to tip relative to the foot element  106 .  
         [0033]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lateral element  104  may have a lower position at which the foot element  106  may rest against a surface  202 . A rest element  204  may be attached to the lateral element  104  to provide further support for the grill assembly  100  to provide stability while the grill assembly is in use. A hinge pin  206  may be provided, such that the lateral element  104  can rotate relative to the junction element. A pin  208  and through hole (not shown) may be provided to allow the lateral element to be fixed relative to the junction element  118 .  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lateral element may be rotated upward to allow engagement of the mating element  114  to a receiver hitch  302  attached to a vehicle  304 . A lower edge  306  of the mating element may be rested against the receiver hitch  302 , allowing a user to either raise the junction element until the mating element engages the receiver hitch, or the entire grill assembly may be lifted to allow the mating element to engage the receiver hitch.  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the junction element  118  may be provided with slipper elements  402 , such as Teflon sheet material, between the inner surface  404  of the junction element  118  and the vertical element  102  to reduce friction between the elements. As shown, the locking element may be a pin which extends through both the junction element and the vertical element to prevent translation of the junction element relative to the vertical element. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the lateral element  104  may be fixed relative to the junction element.  
         [0036]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the junction element  118  may be provided with a hinge pin  206  to allow the lateral element  104  to rotate relative to the junction element  118 . A through hole  502  may be provided to allow rotation of the lateral element  104  to be constrained relative to the junction element  118 . Also as shown, the locking feature  120  may be provided with a threaded portion  504  which engages with a threaded portion of the junction element  118  to retain the locking feature  120  to the junction element  118 .  
         [0037]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the junction between the mating element  114  and a receiver hitch  302  may be fixed through the inclusion of a pin  602  which is interposed though holes  604 ,  606  in both the receiver hitch  302  and the mating element  114 . The pin  602  may be formed by the inclusion of a shaft  610  having a threaded portion  612  and a smooth portion  614 . The smooth portion may  614  be tapered, as may be the receiving hole in the mating element  114 , to improve the tightness of the contact between the smooth portion  614  and the receiving hole  606 . The pin  602  may be provided with a grip  616  to assist a user in turning the threaded portion  612  of the pin  602  to cause engagement of the smooth surface  614  against the receiving hole  606 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows an alternate feature for retaining the mating element  114  to a receiver hitch  302 , such as would be desirable when the transportable grill  100  was being transported. A through pin  702  may be selected to pass through receiver hitch retainer holes  704 ,  706  and mating element retainer holes  708 ,  710  to prevent the mating element  114  from sliding out of the receiver hitch  302  during transport of the transportable grill  100 . The through pin  702  may be provided with a grip  712  to assist a user in inserting the through pin  702  through the receiver hitch retainer holes  704 ,  706  and the mating element retainer holes  708 ,  710 . Additional, a feature may be provided, such as a clevis pin  714 , cotter pin, or retaining clip, to prevent the through pin  702  from unintentionally becoming withdrawn from the receiver hitch retainer holes  704 ,  706  or the mating element retainer holes  708 ,  710 .  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the locking feature  120  between the junction element  118  and the vertical element  102  may comprise a spring biased height adjustment pin  802 . The spring biased pin  802  may extend through a first hole  804  in the junction element  118  into a height positioning hole  806  in the vertical element  102 . The vertical element  102  may have a plurality of height adjustment holes  808 ,  810 , such that the pin  802  can be inserted into alternate height adjustment holes dependant on the desired positioning of the junction element  118  relative to the vertical element  102 . A housing  812  may be provided to trap an elastic element  814  such as a spring between the housing element  812  and a shoulder  816  on the height adjustment pin  802 , thus biasing the height adjustment pin  802  into a height adjustment hole  806 ,  808 ,  810 . The pin  802  and height adjustment holes  806 ,  808 ,  810  may be tapered to provide a solid fit between the height adjustment holes  806 ,  808 ,  810  and the height adjustment pin  802 . Alternately, the height adjustment pin  802  may alternately use a threaded feature (not shown) to allow the height adjustment pin  802  to be forced into engagement with a height adjustment hole.  
         [0040]     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a lift assist device  902  may be provided to assist in repositioning the junction element  118  (and thus the lateral element) relative to the vertical element  102 . The lift assist  902  may be a lever  904  rotating about a pin  906  on the lateral element  104  and a pin  908  on the vertical element  102 . The lever  904  may be provided with a slot  910  for the pin  908  constraining motion of the lever  904  relative to the vertical element  102 , such that the translation of the lever  904  relative to the vertical element pin  908  does not bind the lever  904  against the lateral element pin  906 .  
         [0041]     The lever  904  may be provided with a handle  912 , such that the action of a user in lifting the handle  912  provides a mechanical advantage in raising the vertical element  102  and associated grill relative to the lateral element  104 . Accordingly, with the grill unit  100  positioned adjacent to a receiver hitch  302  to which the grill unit  100  is to be connected, the junction element  118  can be released from the vertical element  102 , and slid upwardly so that the mating element  114  may be mated with a receiver hitch  302 . Since the foot (not shown) of the grill unit  100  is not intended to remain in contact with the ground while in transit, the vertical element  102  would need to be raised a sufficient distance above the ground to allow the grill unit  100  to transit behind a vehicle to which the receiver hitch  302  is connected without striking the ground. Thus, once the mating element  114  has been joined to the receiver hitch  302 , the vertical element  102  may be raised relative to the lateral element  104  through the lifting of the handle  912  until the vertical element  102  is in a raised position, at which point the vertical element  102  can be re-locked relative to the lateral element  104 . Alternately, if no lifting device  902  is provided, a user may manually lift the vertical element  102  and grill unit  100  to a travel position, and re-lock the junction element  118  relative to the vertical element  102 .  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the foot may include a crossbar  1002 . Wheels  1004  may be mounted at the distal ends of the crossbar  1002 , or near the junction of the crossbar  1002  and the vertical element  102 , such that a slight tipping of the transportable grill would allow the transportable grill  100  to be wheeled to a location away from a transport vehicle. The vertical element  102  may be connected to the crossbar  1002 , and extend upwardly for a distance controlled by the desired height adjustment potential between the lateral element and the crossbar. Such a height adjustment potential may be implemented by forming the vertical element from an inner tube  1006  and an outer tube  1008 . A through pin  1010  may be provided to fix the inner tube  1006  relative to the outer tube  1008 .  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 11 , an aesthetically pleasing form may be implemented for the grill portion of the transportable grill assembly. An energy source may be attached to the lateral element, such that the transportable grill assembly includes all components required for the transportable grill assembly to be utilized at a sporting event.  FIG. 12  shows details of one implementation of a hinged junction between a lateral element and a junction element.  FIG. 13  shows an implementation of an anti-tip feature.  
         [0044]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 2