Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates generally to cooking equipment. More specifically, this application relates to a grill assembly for cooking food outdoors. 
     Outdoor cooking is a popular activity that takes place in many different environments. These include natural environments like campsites, parks, and backyards, but also include other environments like parking lots near sporting events, amusement parks, and other venues. While some popular barbecue grills use liquid propane or natural gas as a fuel, those fuels are not easily portable to different locations or venues. Individuals interested in portable grills generally prefer the use of fuels like wood or charcoal. 
     A number of different designs are known for wood or charcoal grills. These range from extremely simple structures like a plain metal grille intended to be disposed over rocks that encircle a campfire to other structures intended for the use of charcoal. A typical charcoal grill has a metal housing with a top opening coverable with a hinged or otherwise removable lid. A charcoal grate is supported within a lower portion of the housing, with a food grate supported thereover within the housing. The two grates are installed within the housing by dropping them into the housing, which typically supports them with a series of upper and lower internal support tabs, enabling the grates to be removed to insert charcoal in the bottom portion of the housing. 
     Such conventional grills suffer from a number of drawbacks and limitations. For example, they are not very versatile, being designed exclusively for the use of either wood or charcoal as a fuel. Charcoal designs in particular are often not easily portable and generally suffer from difficulties of removing charcoal residue after cooking. In addition, conventional designs are not readily suited for use in the wide variety of environments in which outdoor cooking is desirable. 
     Embodiments of the invention address these limitations by providing an easily portable grill suitable for use with both wood and charcoal fuels in a wide variety of different environments. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention provide a portable cooking grill that comprises a plurality of upright posts, a plurality of rails, a grilling surface, and a fuel tray. Each rail couples a respective pair of the upright posts. The grilling surface is coupled with the plurality of rails and is adapted to support food for cooking. The fuel tray is coupled with the plurality of rails and adapted to receive a volume of fuel. At least one of the grilling surface or the fuel tray is slidably coupled with the plurality of rails to allow the grilling surface and fuel tray to be relatively moved into a plurality of distinct positions. A first of the plurality of distinct positions comprises a position in which the fuel tray is beneath the grilling surface. A second of the plurality of distinct positions comprises a position in which at least a portion of the fuel tray is not beneath the grilling surface. 
     In a particular embodiment, the second of the plurality of positions comprises a position in which no portion of the fuel tray is beneath the grilling surface. 
     In some embodiments, each of the plurality of upright posts comprises a beveled end adapted for insertion into the ground. Each of the plurality of upright posts may also comprise a flared end opposite the beveled end for receiving force from an impact tool. Each of the plurality of upright posts may comprise a depth indicator. 
     A distal end of each of the plurality of rails may be coupled with a receiving member comprised by distal ones of the upright posts. In some instances, each of the distal ones of the upright posts comprises a plurality of such receiving members. Similarly, a proximal end of the each of the plurality of rails may be received by a hole in a protrusion comprised by proximal ones of the upright posts. Each protrusion may sometimes comprise a plurality of such holes. 
     The fuel tray may comprise a charcoal tray adapted to receive a volume of charcoal. The fuel tray may comprise a fuel-tray body, a frame, and an inset. The fuel-tray body has a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces integral with the bottom surface to define an open receptacle. The frame is coupled with the bottom surface exterior to the open receptacle. The inset is coupled with the frame and with the bottom surface, and configured to maintain a position of the fuel tray in at least one of the plurality of distinct positions. The fuel tray may also comprise a handle. The frame comprises a plurality of proximal protrusions and a plurality of distal protrusions, each of the proximal and distal protrusions being adapted to receive one of the plurality of rails. The distal protrusions may be substantially flat with the proximal protrusions being substantially nonflat. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, a kit is provided that comprises a plurality of posts, a plurality of rails, a grilling surface, and a fuel tray. The plurality of rails are adapted for coupling with the plurality of posts. The grilling surface is adapted for coupling with the plurality of rails and adapted to support food for cooking. The fuel tray is adapted for coupling with the plurality of rails and adapted to receive a volume of fuel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, wherein like reference labels are used through the several drawings to refer to similar components. In some instances, reference labels are followed with a hyphenated sublabel; reference to only the primary portion of the label is intended to refer collectively to all reference labels that have the same primary label but different sublabels. 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  provide isometric views of a slider grill in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, with  FIG. 1A  showing the grill in a closed position and  FIG. 1B  showing the grill in an open position; 
         FIG. 2  provides a top view of the slider grill of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in a position intermediate between the open and closed positions; 
         FIG. 3  provides a side view of the slider grill of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in the open position shown isometrically in  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  provide end views of the slider grill of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 5  provides a detail of a rail rest used with the slider grill of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 6  provides a detail of a frame section of the slider grill of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 7  provides a detail of rail mounts used with the slider grill of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIGS. 8A-8D  provide detail views of a charcoal pan used with the slider grill of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; and 
         FIG. 9A  provides an isometric view of the charcoal pan of  FIGS. 8A-8D ; and 
         FIG. 9B  provides a side detail view illustrating a relationship between a grilling surface and charcoal pan of the slider grill of  FIGS. 1A and 1B   
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to a grill for cooking food outdoors. The grill advantageously allows for cooking over open fires like campfires or for cooking using a fuel supplied to a fuel tray such as charcoal provided to a charcoal tray. While the description that follows sometimes makes reference to charcoal specifically, it is to be understood that this is done merely by way of illustration and that alternative fuels may be supplied to the fuel tray in alternative embodiments, such as various charcoal substitutes that are known in the art. While many such charcoal substitutes are solid, the invention may also be used with liquid charcoal substitutes that have been developed. 
     The fuel tray is coupled mechanically with a grilling surface such that at least one of the fuel tray and grilling surface may be slidably moved to achieve at least two positions: a first position in which the fuel tray is disposed substantially beneath the grilling surface and a second position in which at least a portion of the fuel tray is not beneath the grilling surface. It is noted that such relative slidable movement may be achieved with a substantially fixed grilling surface and moveable fuel tray, with a substantially fixed fuel tray and moveable grilling, or with a moveable fuel tray and moveable grilling surface. It is generally expected that cooking of food takes place when the fuel tray is in the first position, although cooking may also be accomplished in various intermediate positions accessible by the sliding mechanism so that only a portion of the grilling surface is heated. 
     In one particular embodiment, the second position comprises a position in which no portion of the fuel tray is beneath the grilling surface. Such a second position advantageously enables the heat source for cooking to be displaced substantially entirely from the grilling surface. This allows greater control over the application of cooking heat, may avoid burning food, permits prompt response to observed cooking conditions, and allows other food preparations to be made substantially without the application of heat to the grilling surface. 
     In some embodiments, the grill may be provided in a pre-assembled form, but in other embodiments, the grill may be provided as a kit that may be assembled and disassembled as appropriate, thereby increasing the portability of the grill. 
     The invention may be understood with reference to  FIGS. 1A-9B , which provide various views of the grill. The following description simultaneously references the various views, some of which are more illustrative for particular features. The isometric views of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  respectively show the assembled grill  100  in the open and closed positions. The grill  100  generally comprises a grilling surface  104  and a fuel tray  108 , each of which is composed of a material such as metal suitable to withstand normal cooking temperatures. The grilling surface  104  is shown as substantially flat, with a latticework structure that promotes the direct transfer of heat to food placed on the grilling surface  104 , but may more generally have arcuate or other shapes. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the grilling surface  104  may comprise a plurality of distinct levels that enable food to be subject to different heat levels. Merely by way of example, such distinct levels might provide for a “cooking level,” a “warming level,” and the like. It is also emphasized that the latticework structure is provided by way of illustration; more generally, the grilling surface  104  may comprise and structure effective to promote heat from an underlying heat source to food placed on the grilling surface. This might include a series of parallel or nonparallel rods, a thin flat sheet of metal, or other structures. 
     When the grill  100  is in the open position shown in  FIG. 1A  or when the fuel tray  108  has been removed, the grilling surface  104  may be disposed directly over an open fire such as a campfire that provides the source of heat. When the grill  100  is in the closed position shown in  FIG. 1B , the grilling surface  104  is disposed over the fuel tray  108 , with the burning of fuel in the fuel tray  108  providing the source of heat. 
     The grilling surface  104  may comprise one or more handles  112  to facilitate movement or carrying of the structure. Similarly, the fuel tray  108  may comprise one or more handles  116  to facilitate movement or carrying of the fuel tray. When the structure is disassembled, the handles  112  and  116  may be especially convenient for moving the grilling surface  104  and fuel tray  108  separately. 
     The grill  100  is supported by a plurality of posts  124 . While the drawings show a structure in which four posts  124  are provided, this is also exemplary, and alternative embodiments may use a different number of posts  124 . The structure of the posts shown in the drawing is exemplary, with each of the posts including a beveled end  148  suitable for insertion into the ground or other pliable surface and a flared end  152  suitable to receive the force of a mallet or other tool to aid in insertion of the posts  124  into the ground or other pliable surface. Such a structure is particularly suitable for deployments of the grill  100  in environments like campsites, backyards, or the like, where the grill  100  is to be used over the ground. In other embodiments, such features as the beveled ends  148  and flared ends  152  may be omitted or substituted with other characteristics. For example, structures in which the beveled ends  148  are replaced with flat ends, perhaps including low-friction caps made of rubber or a similar material, may be especially suitable for deployment of the grill  100  in environments like parking lots near sporting events, on concrete sidewalks, on wooden decks, or the like. In some instances, assembly kits for the grill  100  may include a plurality of sets of posts to enable the grill to be used in different such environments. 
     As best shown in the front and rear end views of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  respectively, each of the posts  124  may include depth indicators  144 . When provided at a uniform distance from the beveled ends  148 , as indicated by reference line  140 , the depth indicators  144  allow the posts  124  to be disposed in the ground at a substantially uniform depth, ensuring that the grilling surface  104  is substantially horizontal. While the illustration shows only a single depth indicator  144  on each post  124 , multiple depth indicators may be provided in alternative embodiments, enabling the grill  100  to be disposed over the ground at different substantially horizontal heights. 
     The posts  124  are coupled with a plurality rails  120 . While the drawings show two rails  120 , it is understood that any plural number of rails  120  may be used in alternative embodiments. The grilling surface  104  comprises a structure with holes through which the rails  120  extend. The rails  120  may be affixed to the posts  124  using any suitable mechanism, one example of which is shown in detail in  FIG. 5 . In this example, which is used to affix the rails  120  to the front posts  124 - 1  and  124 - 2 , a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions  136  are provided at an end of the rail  120 , enabling the intermediate portion of the rail  120  to be accepted by shaped receiving members  128  coupled to respective posts  124 . While it is possible to use the same mechanism to affix the rails  120  to the rear posts  124 - 3  and  124 - 4 , the drawings illustrate an alternative affixation mechanism in detail in  FIG. 7  that comprises protrusions  132  extending from the respective posts  124  and including a hole sized for receipt of the respective rails  120 . While embodiments may be provided in which the same affixation mechanism is used for all posts  124 , the use of different affixation mechanisms as illustrated in the drawings advantageously simplifies assembly of the grill  100 . Specifically, the affixation mechanism shown in  FIG. 7  provides greater structural support to the grill  100  while the affixation mechanism shown in  FIG. 5  simplifies assembly of the grill  100  over a campfire or location. 
     The drawings also show the inclusion of the plurality of spaced-apart protrusions  136  in  FIG. 5  and the protrusions  132  in  FIG. 7 . Generally, these structures are provided at corresponding positions on the posts  124  to ensure deployment of the grill  100  achieves a horizontal grilling surface  104 . In combination with the depth indicators  144 , the inclusion of a plurality of such structures on each post  124  enables assembly to be effected with the grilling surface  104  at different heights above the ground or other surface. In alternative embodiments, only a single structure is provided with each post  124  or a plurality of structures greater than two is provided. 
     The detail of  FIG. 6  shows that the grilling surface  104  may comprise structural members  172  and  176 , and that the latticework or other structure  168  may be spot welded  180  to such structural members. 
     Detail views of the fuel tray  108  visible in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 ,  3 , and  4  are provided in  FIGS. 8A-8D .  FIGS. 8A and 8B  provide end views with  FIG. 8A  showing the fuel tray  108  itself and support frame  138  separately and  FIG. 8B  showing them together. The support frame  138  includes front protrusions  134 , each of which includes a hole for receiving respective ones of the rails  120 .  FIG. 8C  shows a top view of the fuel tray  108  and support frame  138 , which also includes rear protrusions  160  shown in  FIG. 8D . The rear protrusions  160  also include holes for receiving respective ones of the rails  120 . While the front protrusions  134  may be generally flat so that they substantially abut the front posts  124 - 1  and  124 - 2  when the grill  100  is in the open position shown in  FIG. 1A , the rear protrusions  160  may be jogged, with a top of the rear protrusions disposed within the structure defining the grilling surface  108 . Such a configuration provides a stopping point when the fuel tray  108  is slid along the rails  120  that defines the open position. 
       FIG. 9A  provides an isometric illustration of the fuel tray  108  in which the structure of the rear protrusions  160  is evident, as well as showing the presence of spot welds  180  at the bottom of the fuel tray  108 , used to hold the fuel tray  108  in position. The side view of  FIG. 9B  further illustrates the mechanism for holding the fuel tray  108  in position, also showing the presence of briquettes  184  within the fuel tray  108  to provide fuel. 
     Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the illustrative embodiments described above describe particular sliding mechanisms, but this is not intended to be limiting. More generally, and as will be understood by those of skill in the art, any suitable sliding mechanism may be used, including metal-to-metal low-friction movement, rolling mechanisms mounten on the grilling surface or frame, an arrangement of shaft-collar connections, and the like. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.

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