Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention generally relates to commercial cooking equipment, and particularly to commercial griddles and charbroilers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A griddle or a charbroiler is often the first piece of equipment purchased for a new restaurant because it is an essential focal point for activity in the kitchen. Owners of restaurants, hotels, hospitals, military bases, cruise ships, colleges, etc all use a griddle or a charbroiler to cook many of their offerings. 
         [0003]    Commercially available griddles and charbroilers provide a large cooking surface to efficiently cook food. However, after a prolonged period of cooking food on a griddle and/or a charbroiler, large quantities of ejectile food residue, including hot fat and oil splatter, and food particles, are produced. Such ejectile splatter and food residue lands in the ventilation well of a griddle and accumulates. With time, the air flow of the ventilation well dries the food residue, resulting in a dangerous potential for fire. 
         [0004]    Commercially available griddles and charbroilers have a backsplash, typically rising no more than 6 inches above the cooking surface. Cleaning the backsplash at the end of each shift is essential to maintain a safe and professional-looking cooking environment. However, because food ejectile accumulating on the hot backsplash becomes very difficult to remove, one must get close to the backsplash to apply sufficient scrubbing force. Since a cooking surface takes several hours to sufficiently cool, cleaning the backsplash near the cooking surface is dangerous, since it&#39;s difficult to avoid coming into contact with the hot cooking surface. 
         [0005]    Moreover, food and oil ejectile accumulates on the wall immediately behind the griddle or charbroiler. Such ejectile accumulation must be regularly cleaned. However, it is difficult to clean this accumulation with sufficient frequency to maintain a sanitary condition and a professional impression. 
         [0006]    Also, grill cooks can benefit from cooking accessories such as a butter pan, or a sauce water bath. However, such cooking accessories are typically placed on the grill cooking surface, taking up valuable surface area intended for cooking food. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    One general aspect of the invention is an apparatus for use with a commercial grill to increase safety, efficiency, and organization, the commercial grill having a cooking surface and a backsplash. The apparatus includes a barrier extending upwardly with respect to the cooking surface, and extending along the backsplash, the barrier having an accessory staging feature along a topmost portion, and the topmost portion being at least eight inches above the cooking surface. 
         [0008]    In a preferred embodiment, the accessory staging feature has a cross-section shaped like an inverted squared “J”. 
         [0009]    In an alternate preferred embodiment, the accessory staging feature has a cross-section shaped like an inverted “L”. 
         [0010]    In yet another preferred embodiment, the accessory staging feature has a cross-section shaped like a straight vertical wall having a thin smooth flat top across which various accessories can move horizontally. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes an attachment assembly, attached to the back of the barrier, and capable of attaching the barrier to the backsplash. 
         [0012]    In another preferred embodiment, the topmost portion is no more than 17 inches above the cooking surface. 
         [0013]    In other preferred embodiments, the attachment assembly can adapt to a variety of backsplash thicknesses. 
         [0014]    In yet other preferred embodiments, the attachment assembly is removeably attached to the backsplash. 
         [0015]    In preferred embodiments, the attachment assembly includes a plurality of attachment devices. In further preferred embodiments, each attachment device includes a track along which a plurality of clips are slidably attached. 
         [0016]    In preferred embodiments, the barrier is made of stainless steel. 
         [0017]    In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus further includes a side buttress. In further preferred embodiments, the side buttress is adjustable. 
         [0018]    In other preferred embodiments, the apparatus further includes an adjustable side buttress having a top portion and a bottom portion. In further preferred embodiments, the adjustable side buttress is supported by a side splash guard of the grill. In other further preferred embodiments, the bottom portion of the side buttress is slideably cooperative with the top portion of the side buttress. In other further preferred embodiments, the top portion of the side buttress is secured in fixed relationship with the bottom portion so as to accommodate the height of the side splash guard. 
         [0019]    Another general aspect of the invention is an apparatus for use with a commercial grill to increase safety, efficiency, and organization, the commercial grill having a cooking surface and a backsplash. The apparatus includes a barrier extending upwardly with respect to the cooking surface, and extending along the backsplash, the barrier including an accessory staging feature along a topmost portion, the topmost portion being at least 8 inches above the cooking surface; and an attachment assembly, attached to the back of the barrier, and capable of attaching the barrier to the backsplash. 
         [0020]    In preferred embodiments, the topmost portion is no more than 17 inches above the cooking surface. 
         [0021]    In other preferred embodiments, the apparatus further includes an adjustable side buttress having a top portion and a bottom portion, the adjustable side buttress being supported by a side splash guard of the grill. 
         [0022]    The barrier of the invention is preferably made from stainless steel, and is easily attached to a standard factory backsplash. The invention substantially reduces the likelihood of ventilation/exhaust well fires. With the barrier of the invention mounted on a factory backsplash of a griddle or charbroiler, food items and oils on the cooking surface of the grill have substantially less chance of spattering into the exhaust well, thereby reducing the risk of fire as presently experienced with grills having only a standard factory backsplash. In addition, the invention makes cleaning the factory backsplash much easier, because the backsplash is substantially protected from splatter by the apparatus of the invention. Consequently, cleaning the factory backsplash is now safer and easier due to the invention. 
         [0023]    Another feature of the invention is an accessory staging feature that is capable of supporting one or more accessories, such as a pan of grill butter, above the cooking surface of the grill. For example, the accessory staging feature supports the pan of grill butter high enough above the cooking surface to allow the area below the pan to be used for cooking, but still close enough to the cooking surface to keep the butter warm. Keeping the butter pan off the cooking surface frees up more grill surface area, thereby allowing more food to be cooked on the grill at any one time. 
         [0024]    The invention also substantially protects the stainless steel or tile kitchen back wall from splatter, smoke, grease, and soot. 
         [0025]    The invention can also support a “warming drawer” attached under a shelf that is mounted on the accessory staging feature of the invention. The warming drawer can be used to hold and enclose meat that has already been cooked, but must be held in a warm state after cooking while other meats are being further cooked. 
         [0026]    The shelf also supports a spatula, grill weights, and cooking tongs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a rear corner isomeric view of a prior art griddle having a backsplash and an exhaust well; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a rear corner isomeric view of showing a preferred embodiment of the invention attached to the backsplash of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3A  is an isomeric view of a plurality of adjustable retaining clips and a single-track embodiment for holding the barrier of the invention to the backsplash; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3B  is an isomeric view of a reinforced track embodiment, and an exploded view showing how an adjustable retaining clip is attached to the reinforced track; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3C  is an isomeric view showing a partial barrier sized to accommodate a grill partition, such as a partition between a griddle portion and a charbroil portion of a grill; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a preferred embodiment of the invention configured as an integral part of a griddle or char-broiler; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a rear corner isomeric view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the barrier showing an inverted “L” shape accessory support portion; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is an isomeric view of the rear of a grill, with a barrier of the invention secured in place by a plurality of clips, the position of each clip being adjustable using a respective track attached to the barrier; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the barrier of the invention, showing how the barrier is clipped to a factory backsplash having a top portion that is bent forward, also employing a spacer; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8A  is an isometric view of the barrier of the invention, also showing an adjustable side buttress having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion of the adjustable side buttress being attached to or integral with the barrier, and being supported by a side splash guard of the grill; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 8B ,  8 C,  8 D, and  8 E respectively show the top portion of the side buttress of  FIG. 8A , and three views of a bottom portion of the side buttress slideably cooperative with the top portion of the side buttress; and 
           [0039]      FIGS. 8F and 8G  respectively show a side view of the bottom portion, and a front view of how the top portion of the side buttress can be secured in fixed relationship with the bottom portion after being properly adjusted to accommodate the height of the side splash guard. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a rear corner perspective view of a grill  100  with a cooking surface  110 , a front  115 , a backsplash  120 , side walls  130 , and an exhaust well  150 , representative of that found in the prior art. The backsplash  120  functions as a barrier between the grill cooking surface  110  and the exhaust well  150 . The backsplash  120  rises approximately four inches above the grill cooking surface  110 , thereby preventing splatter from hitting the wall behind the grill, and preventing food items from being pushed into the exhaust well  150 . Since a cook accesses the cooking surface  110  from the front  115  of the grill  100 , the exhaust well  150  typically extends along the back edge of the cooking surface  110  so as to exhaust cooking fumes, vapors, smoke, and/or particulates away from the cook and away from the food being cooked. The backsplash  120  is integral with, or attached to, the rear portion of the cooking surface  110 , the backsplash  120  separating the cooking surface  110  from the exhaust well  150 . 
         [0041]    The exhaust well  150  directs combustion fumes created by gas burners below the cooking surface  110  through the exhaust well  150  and up towards overhead exhaust vents (not shown). The overhead exhaust vents then remove the combustion fumes, along with any cooking fumes, from the general area of the grill  100 . The interior surfaces of the exhaust well  150  become very hot due to the high temperatures of the hot gases flowing within the exhaust well  150 . Consequently food items, cooking oils and the like, that fall into contact with the hot inner surfaces of the exhaust well  150 , are likely to catch fire. 
         [0042]    There are several ways food particles, oil splatter, and the like, can fall over the backsplash  120  and into the exhaust well  150 . The most likely way is manipulation of food on the grill surface  110  near the backsplash  120 . Cooks tend to handle food quickly, thereby creating food “ejectile” which can fly into the exhaust well  150 . A scoop-and-lift motion often used by experienced cooks tends to launch food off the grill surface  110 , adding to the likelihood of food entering the exhaust well  150 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in use with a typical grill. The barrier  210  of the invention is attached to the backsplash  120  so as to vertically extend the backsplash  120 , thereby more effectively preventing food, oil splatter, and other ejectile originating from the surface  110  of the grill from entering the exhaust well  150 . The barrier  210  can be attached to the backsplash  120  of any commercially available flat top griddle or charbroiler. In preferred embodiments, the barrier  210  includes attachment clips  220  that enable the barrier  210  to easily attach to the backsplash  120 . 
         [0044]    To attach the barrier  210  to the backsplash  120 , the rear surface  230  of the barrier  210  is pressed against the front surface of the backsplash  120 , and then urged downward until spring clips  220  of the barrier  210  engage with the back of the backsplash  120 . 
         [0045]    The barrier  210  further includes an accessory staging feature  240 , which in the preferred embodiment shown as an inverted squared “J”. One advantage of the inverted squared “J” is to provide resistance to lateral bending of the barrier  210 . In alternate embodiments, the accessory staging feature  240  can be shaped as an inverted “L”, or simply as a straight vertical wall having a thin smooth flat top across which various accessories can move horizontally. 
         [0046]    To function effectively in the high-temperature environment of a commercial griddle or charbroiler, the barrier  210  is preferably made of stainless steel. While other materials can be used, such as aluminum, cast iron, copper, and the like, they are more costly. Stainless steel is preferable also because it is easy to clean, and is commonly used in commercial kitchens. Stainless steel is also a readily available material which can be readily shaped into the various embodiments of the accessory staging feature  240 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , the spring clips  220  are sized (e.g. 5¼ inches) and shaped to allow for easy and secure installation of the barrier  210  over various heights (e.g., up to a 5 inch backsplash) and thicknesses of the backsplash  120 . The spring clips  220  are formed into a modified “Z” shape having a guide toe  310  at a lower end angling away at 45 degrees from the barrier rear  230 . The guide toe  320  allows the spring clip  240  to easily engage the top edge of the backsplash  120  during installation. In a preferred embodiment, the spring clip  240  includes a 90 degree bend  320  and a 45 degree bend  330 , such that the portion of the clip  240  between bends  320  and  330  extends straight downwards. After installation, the bend  330  contacts the backsplash  120 , holding the barrier  210  in place. 
         [0048]    With reference to  FIG. 3B , in this preferred embodiment, a plurality of separate tracks  350  can each support a clip  240  in slideable and adjustable relationship with a respective track  350 . Embodiments can include from two to five tracks, for example, depending on the width of the grill. The track  350  in the embodiment of  FIG. 3B  is six inches wide, which allows the clips to be laterally positioned so as to avoid structural obstructions sometimes found within the exhaust vent of the grill. The clips shown in  FIG. 3A  are attached in positions known to be free of such structural obstructions for a particular grill. By contrast, the clips of  FIG. 3B  can be adjustably positioned so as to adapt to a variety of grill models. 
         [0049]    A track  350  includes a slot  360  through which bolts  370  can pass, thereby engaging with threaded holes  380  of the clip  240 . 
         [0050]    In this preferred embodiment, the track  350  is vertically positioned between two and seven inches above the base of the barrier  210 , for example. 
         [0051]    In the alternative embodiment, a barrier  380  is shown in  FIG. 3C  having a single attachment ledge  390 , and five clips  240  securely attached thereto. The attachment ledge  390  is positioned approximately two inches above the base edge of the barrier  380 . This allows the barrier  380  to be installed on a backsplash  120  of the grill  100 , without impinging upon the grill divider  394 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a preferred embodiment of the barrier of the invention a grill or charbroiler  405  includes a barrier  410  configured as an integral part of the grill  405 . The barrier  410  is an integral extension of the backsplash of the grill  405 . Alternatively, the barrier  410  can be permanently attached to the backsplash of the grill  405 , such as by welding, or by a nut and bold assembly. 
         [0053]    The barrier  410  includes an accessory support portion  430 , which in a preferred embodiment is shaped so as to structurally reinforce the portion  430 . For example, the accessory support portion  430  can be shaped like an inverted “U”, or it can be shaped like a “T”, or like an inverted “L”. In some embodiments, at least the accessory support portion is made from strengthened or thickened metal. The accessory support portion  430  is capable of receiving attachment of, and supporting, a variety of accessories, such as a butter pan holder, sauce pan holder, a shelf, a spice rack, a spatula holder, a warming drawer, grill weight holder, and any other accessory that would be helpful in using the grill. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , which is a rear corner perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the invention, the barrier  510  may also be secured in place over an existing grill backsplash by the spring clips  240 . Rigidity for the barrier  510  is provided by a horizontal inverted “L” top  520  extending over the cooking surface  110 . 
         [0055]    The preferred embodiment of  FIG. 5  is further illustrated in  FIG. 6 , where it can be seen that the combustion exhaust well  150  is maintained open by the vent support  600 . A user installs spring clips  240  using respective tracks  350 , as described in  FIG. 3C . The lateral position of the spring clips  240  is determined so as to avoid the obstruction presented by the vent supports  600 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a barrier  210  of the invention is clipped to a factory backsplash  120  using clips  240 . The barrier  210  rests on the surface  110  of the grill  100 , and is maintained in a substantially vertical position due to the placement of a spacer  700  that compensates for the forward displacement due to the forward bend  710 . The width  720  of the spacer  700  is the same magnitude as the forward distance component of the forward bend  710 . For example, the width  720  is half an inch. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8A  is an isometric view of the barrier  210  of the invention, also showing a side buttress having a top portion  800  and a bottom portion  820 , the side buttress being attached to or integral with the barrier  210 , and being supported via a bottom portion  820  by a side splash guard  130  of the grill  100 . The top portion  800  of the side buttress is adjustably joined with the bottom portion  820 . The bottom portion  820  has a base  830  which rests upon the side splash guard  130 . The top portion  800  of the side buttress is adjustably cooperative with the bottom portion  820  via an adjustable fastener, such as a bolt assembly  840 . The cooperation of the top portion  800  of the side buttress, the bottom portion  820 , and the bolt assembly  840  serves to brace the barrier  210  against bending forward, especially when weight is placed at the top of the barrier, such as when the barrier  210  is used to support an accessory. 
         [0058]      FIG. 8B  shows the top portion  800  of the adjustable side buttress of  FIG. 8A , the top portion  800  having a slot  850  for receiving the bolt assembly  840 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 8C  shows a first view of the top portion  800  slideably cooperative with the bottom portion  820  of the adjustable side buttress, also showing the slot  850 , the bolt assembly  840  inserted therethrough, and the base  830  which rests upon the side splash guard  130 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 8D and 8E  shows second and third views of the top portion  800  and the bottom portion  820  in different states of adjustment so as to accommodate respective side splash guards  130  of different heights. For example, sliding the bottom portion  820  downward accommodates a relatively shorter side splash guard  130 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 8F  shows the bottom portion  820 , having the base  830 , and a bolt  840  of the bolt assembly. 
         [0062]      FIG. 8G  shows a side view illustrating how the wing nut  860  attaches to the bolt  840  of the bolt assembly to tighten the top portion  800  of the side buttress against the bottom portion  820  of the side buttress so as to allow the base  830  to rest in supporting relationship with the side splash guard  130 . Thus, the bottom portion  820  can be secured in fixed relationship with the top portion  800  of the adjustable side buttress after being properly adjusted to accommodate the height of the side splash guard. 
         [0063]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.

Technology Category: f