AU2004216602A1 - Cooking apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S):: Gabrielle Margaret Barr AND Murray Phillip Smith ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street,Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2000 INVENTION TITLE: Cooking apparatus The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- P:\WPDOCSTMB\Lsta MiIloSpwcifictions\1249731 I au cnpleetdo-29/0904 -1- COOKING APPARATUS The present invention relates generally to cooking apparatus such as for example grills.

In one application the present invention concerns barbecues or external grills and the like. Although it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this application, it is to be understood that this is not to be taken as a limitation of the scope of the invention.

Cooking apparatus such as grills are difficult and time consuming to clean. Thus it usually transpires that cooking apparatus, especially external ones are usually left with the fat and burnt cooking products on the cooking surfaces for long periods of time after cooking. This attracts vermin and makes it necessary to further delay subsequent grilling because, though users may avoid it, cleaning must be performed before the grilling.

Storage and use of cooking apparatus also presents a problem, in any low-, or highdensity dwelling, as cooking apparatus, especially external ones, are not in continuous use, and require a large volume to use and store, and as such are generally stored in inaccessible places so that subsequent use is also minimised.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a cooking apparatus including a cooker body having one or more heat sources therein and one or more cooking surfaces thereon, the cooker body being mountable to support structure and adapted for movement between cooking and cleaning positions.

P:\WPDOCS\MB\Lste MiffaSpwcifications\I24973 I au complct.doc-29094 -2- In the cooking position the or each cooking surface is adapted to be disposed so as to be capable of carrying articles to be cooked thereon. Preferably this capability is provided by virtue of the fact that the or each cooking surface is generally horizontal.

In the cleaning position the cooking surfaces are adapted to be inclined. Preferably, in the cleaning position, the cooking surfaces are generally upright.

The cooking surfaces may form the top face of a hot plate, grill or the like. In one form there is provided a hot plate and grill pivotally mounted to the cooker body, for pivoting between the cooking and cleaning positions. In a preferred embodiment the hot plate and grill are fixed around their periphery to the cooker body, and the cooker body is pivotally mounted to a frame, so that the entire cooker body may be pivoted between the cooking and cleaning positions.

In a preferred form a pivot is disposed at a rear portion of the cooker body, though it may be disposed at any position along the cooker body's depth, including the middle, to allow more neutral swinging.

In a preferred form the cooker body has a base for mounting the heat sources thereon. In one form heat sources are gas burners, which are operatively connected to an energy source, such as an LP gas bottle.

Preferably, the cooking apparatus is mounted in a recess for protection from weather, knocks, and other accidental abuse. In one form the recess provides protection for the pivot and the entire cooking apparatus when in the cleaning position. In a preferred form the recess is defined by a shroud including opposed peripheral walls at base and top, and opposed side walls. In one embodiment the walls extend outwards from a wall by approximately 23 cm, behind which the cooking surfaces are stored while in the cleaning position, in order to save space.

A drainage tray may be provided into which cooking waste and residue from the or P\WPDOCS\LMB\Lesta MiIQ\Specificaions\1249731 1 au -apledoc-29/09O4 -3each cooking surface may drain. In a preferred form the drainage tray is disposed within the recess, at the base thereof.

Preferably, the support structure is in the form of a frame mounted to a wall so that the underside of the cooking apparatus may be left clear and unimpeded for users' legs and feet.

Accessory support means may be provided for support of accessories. In one form the support means are apertures through the opposed side walls of the recess. In one preferred embodiment the apertures are round holes suitable for receiving an accessory support shaft, the accessory support shaft operatively connected to an accessory support structure in the form of a mesh basket.

Preferably, the cooker body is a barbecue. In a preferred form the barbecue has a flat grill and a flat hotplate, with three gas burners disposed beneath each cooking surface, so that food may be quickly and efficiently cooked. In one form the entire barbecue pivots with the cooking surfaces.

In one embodiment, heat retaining rocks and the like are provided, contained within a wire mesh basket, so that the rocks do not fall over the ground and drainage tray when in the cleaning position.

Locking means are preferably provided, so that the cooking surfaces may be retained in the cleaning position. In a preferred form the locking means are a pin sliding through an aperture in a leg of the frame.

Heat dissipation means may be provided, in a preferred form being mesh all around the barbecue unit and underneath the cooking surfaces. This provides cooling so that the wall to which the barbecue is attached is not damaged when the hot unit is placed in the cleaning position.

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P\WPDOCS\LMB\Lesmt Milla\Spacifcati s\l 249731 I w. omplkendoc-29i09i04 -4- According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cleaning the cooking apparatus of any previous claim, the method including the steps of: cooking a meal with the cooking apparatus; subsequently pivoting the cooking apparatus to a cleaning position while the cooking apparatus is still warm, so that any food residue remaining on cooking surfaces drains away under the influence of gravity, heat, and any oils remaining on the cooking surfaces.

In order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, drawings illustrating example embodiments are attached, and in those drawings: Figure 1 is an isometric view of the cooking apparatus in the cooking position; Figure 2 is a similar view to that shown in Figure 1, but at a larger scale, with fuel supply connected; Figure 3 is an isometric view of a cooking apparatus in the cleaning position; Figure 4 is an isometric view of a cooking apparatus in the storage and cleaning position; Figure 5 is an isometric and a side elevation view of an accessory rack for use with the cooking apparatus; Figure 6 is an isometric view of a retaining tray for retaining volcanic rocks; Figure 7 is a number of front elevation views, one exploded, showing location of retaining tray in relation to the barbecue unit.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a cooking apparatus generally indicated at 10 including a cooking surface 12 adapted to move between a cooking position (Figures 1 and 2) and a cleaning position (Figures 3 and 4).

P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lesw N illa\Spiflications\124973 1 au compet dod-2909/04 The cooking surfaces 12 include a grill 13 and a hotplate 16, both of which are operatively connected to a barbecue unit 18 having a heat source in the form of gas burners (not shown) and which is in turn operatively connected to a fuel source 20 in the form of an LP gas bottle 22.

A frame 26 is provided, to mount the cooking apparatus to a wall (not shown) in order to alleviate the need for ground engaging support legs, leaving the underside of the cooking apparatus 10 free for users legs, shins and feet to pass. The frame includes spaced apart angles 30 through which apertures 32 are drilled for mounting to the wall. The frame further includes pivot support 27 and locking support 28 in the form of apertures 34 and 36 respectively.

The cooking surface 12 and barbecue unit 18 are operatively connected together and to a pivot 14 in the form of a hinge 24 passing through aperture 34 for pivoting.

The frame 26 is provided, mounted in a recess 38, formed by a shroud 40 in the form of a spaced apart upper 42 and lower 44 walls, and spaced apart side walls 46 and 48.

The cooking apparatus 10 is mounted in the recess 38 onto a wall for weather protection and protection from accidental abuse from being struck by a user. For further protection, a cover with handles 49 is provided, the cover indicated at An accessory rack 52 is provided, which is mounted via a shaft 54 fixed to the rack, the shaft engaging the apertures 56 in the shroud Heat dissipation means 60 are provided in the form of mesh 62 so that the wall does not absorb too much heat when the cooking apparatus 10 is in the cleaning position (Figures 3 and 4).

A waste tray 70 is provided to collect waste.

P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Ues Milla\Spodfications\12497311 au nmpleltdo-2909/0 c -6- In operation, the cooking apparatus 10 has its cooking surface 12 in horizontal c, cooking position shown in Figures 1 and 2, to cook food. After cooking, the heat source is turned off and the cooking surfaces 12 and barbecue unit 18, as soon as possible thereafter, are pivoted to the generally upright position shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this way, the O 5 retained heat and cooking waste (generally oils) on the cooking surfaces 12 assists gravity to strip the cooking wastes from the cooking surface 12, the waste draining into the waste Stray The cleaning position shown in Figures 3 and 4 also provides a space saving feature for storage in a small unobtrusive volume.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7 there is shown a retaining tray for retaining volcanic rocks, so that in the cleaning position the rocks do not fall into the drainage tray and over the ground. A main basket 80 fits neatly under the char grill side of the barbecue unit 18.

The basket 80 contains pressed volcanic rock 82 and is secured by a mesh lid 84 and ties 86. The basket 80 supported by a mesh frame 88 and grill 13 and sandwiched between the two by fixing bolts 90 that hold the grill 13 in position.

There is very little movement in the volcanic rock when in the cleaning position due to the rock 82 being held in the basket 80 by the lid 84.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims (28)

1. A cooking apparatus including a cooker body having one or more heat sources therein and one or more cooking surfaces thereon, the cooker body being mountable to a support structure and adapted for movement between cooking and cleaning positions.

2. A cooking apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, in the cooking position the or each cooking surface is adapted to be disposed so as to be capable of carrying articles to be cooked thereon.

3. A cooking apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the or each cooking surface is generally horizontal in the cooking position.

4. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein, in the cleaning position the cooking surfaces are adapted to be inclined. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein, in the cleaning position, the cooking surfaces are substantially vertical.

6. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein the cooking surfaces form the top face of a hot plate, grill or the like.

7. A cooking apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a hot plate and grill are provided pivotally mounted to the cooker body, for pivoting between the cooking and cleaning positions.

8. A cooking apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the hot plate and grill are fixed around their periphery to the cooker body, and the cooker body is pivotally mounted to a frame, so that the entire cooker body may be pivoted between the cooking and cleaning positions. P:\WPDOCS\1MB\Lstea Milla\Spmifications\l 249731 a cplado-29/09/04 -8-

9. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein the pivot is disposed at a rear portion of the cooker body.

10. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein the cooker body has a base for mounting the heat sources thereon.

11. A cooking apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the heat sources are gas burners, which are operatively connected to an energy source, such as an LP gas bottle.

12. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein the cooking apparatus is mounted in a recess for protection from weather, knocks, and other accidental abuse.

13. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein the recess provides protection for the pivot and the entire cooking apparatus when in the cleaning position.

14. A cooking apparatus according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the recess is defined by a shroud including opposed peripheral walls at base and top, and opposed side walls. A cooking apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the walls of the shroud extend outwards from a wall by approximately 23 cm, behind which the cooking surfaces are stored while in the cleaning position, in order to save space.

16. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein a drainage tray is provided into which cooking waste and residue from the or each cooking surface may drain. P:\WPDOCS\1MB\Lcst MiaI\Spifications\1249731 I copIetC.do-29/09104

19- 17. A cooking apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the drainage tray is disposed within the recess, at the base thereof. 18. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein the support structure is in the form of a frame mounted to a wall so that the underside of the cooking apparatus may be left clear and unimpeded for users' legs and feet. 19. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein accessory support means are provided for support of accessories. A cooking apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the accessory support means are apertures through the opposed side walls of the recess.

21. A cooking apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the apertures are round holes suitable for receiving an accessory support shaft, the accessory support shaft operatively connected to an accessory support structure in the form of a mesh basket.

22. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein the cooker body is a barbecue.

23. A cooking apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the barbecue has a flat grill and a flat hotplate, with three gas burners disposed beneath each cooking surface, so that food may be quickly and efficiently cooked.

24. A cooking apparatus according to claim 22 or 23 wherein the entire barbecue pivots with the cooking surfaces.

25. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein heat retaining rocks and the like are provided, contained within a wire mesh basket, so that the P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Ustu Milla\Spcifications\124973I au complaetdo-29/0904 rocks do not fall over the ground and drainage tray when in the cleaning position.

26. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein locking means are provided, so that the cooker body may be retained in the cleaning position.

27. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein the locking means is a pin sliding through an aperture in a leg of the frame.

28. A cooking apparatus according to any previous claim wherein heat dissipation means are provided.

29. A cooking apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the heat dissipation means is in the form of a vent. A cooking apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the vent is in the form of an opening in one or more sides of the cooker body and/or at the base of the cooking surfaces, to provide cooling.

31. A cooking apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the openings are covered with mesh.

32. A cooking apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached drawings. P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lxst Milla\Speciications\I24973 11 compktdoc290904 -11

33. A method of cleaning the cooking apparatus of any previous claim, the method including the steps of: cooking a meal with the cooking apparatus; subsequently pivoting the cooking apparatus to a cleaning position while the cooking apparatus is still warm, so that any food residue remaining on cooking surfaces drains away under the influence of gravity, heat, and any oils remaining on the cooking surfaces.

34. A method of cleaning a cooking apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached drawings. DATED this 2 9 t h day of September 2004 MURRAY PHILLIP SMITH AND GABRIELLE MARGARET BARR By their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE