AU2019100475A4 - A Grate - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a grate 12 for cooking. The grate 12 comprises a plurality of spaced posts 14. Each post 14 is a Y- or T-shaped fence post of the type that comprises a stalk 44 and wings 46 that project from the stalk. The grate 12 can 5 also comprise one or more webs 42. The one or more webs 42 are arranged to maintain the plurality of posts 14 in the spaced relationship such that together they form the grate 12. Also disclosed is a barbecue or grill 10 comprising the grate 12. 11250370_1 (GHMatters) P111018.AU Y-II 1Ln r-N bO U-

Description

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to a grate for cooking, such as for use in a grill or barbecue. 5 The disclosure also relates to a grill or barbecue incorporating such a grate.

Background Art

Cooking grates, also known as cooking grids, are a surface on which the food may be cooked in a grill or barbecue. Cooking grates may be made of cast iron, stainless steel, porcelain-coated cast iron, porcelain-coated steel, chrome-plated steel, etc.

Cooking grates used over gas, wood or charcoal fuelled barbecues and grills may allow fat and oil to drop between the grill bars. This may cause the fat or oil to ignite in a 'flare-up', the flames from which may be used to char, blacken or even bum the food on the grate.

Some barbecues are fitted with plates, baffles or other means to deflect the dripping flammable fluids away from the burning fuel (e.g. to deflect the cooking oils/fats and food oils/fats). However, such devices may result in the “flamegrilled” flavour imparted to the food being removed when compared to food cooked over a naked flame.

0 It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

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2019100475 02 May 2019

Disclosed herein is the use of one or more Y- or T-shaped fence posts as a rail in a grate for cooking. Each Y- or T-shaped fence post is of the type that comprises a stalk (e.g. major flange, stem or long leg) and wings (e.g. minor flanges, short legs) that project from the stalk. The fence post has a Y-shape or T-shape in profile (i.e. when viewed from an end of the post).

Also disclosed herein is a grate for cooking. The grate may be used over gas, wood or charcoal fuel sources as part of a barbecue or grill. The grate can be square, rectangular, circular, elliptical, etc.

The grate comprises a plurality of spaced rails. In accordance with the present disclosure, at least one of the rails is a Y- or T-shaped fence post (i.e. of the type that comprises a stalk and wings that project from the stalk). Typically, each of the rails can be a Y- or T-shaped fence post. However, the grate may comprise some rails that are not a Y- or T-shaped fence post, but instead that may each comprise a member such as a bar or rod, etc.

It has been surprisingly discovered that, due to the sheer volume of material that is present in a Y- or T-shaped fence post, and once the post is heated, the post can stay hotter for longer (i.e. the post can act as heat sink when used in a barbecue or grill). It has also been surprisingly discovered that a Y- or T-shaped fence post may more efficiently distribute heat in use as part of a barbecue or grill. Further,

0 when in use in a barbecue or grill, a Y- or T-shaped fence post may more effectively direct flammable fluids (e.g. fats, oils, etc.) away from a fuel source.

In an embodiment, the grate may further comprise a frame that is arranged to maintain the plurality of rails in the spaced relationship. For example, the frame may be arranged to maintain the plurality of rails in a parallel relationship.

5 Together, the rails and frame may form the grate.

In one embodiment, the frame may comprise a housing. The housing may be arranged to surround a perimeter of the plurality of rails. Further, the housing may

11250370_1 (GHMatters) P111018.AU

2019100475 02 May 2019 be secured (e.g. welded, connected (bolted, riveted), formed, etc.) to each of the rails.

In one embodiment, the frame may comprise one or more webs. The one or more webs may each extend generally transversely to the plurality of rails. Each web may be secured (e.g. welded, connected (bolted, riveted), formed, etc.) to each of the rails.

In an embodiment, when the grate comprises more than one web, the webs together with the plurality of rails can give the grate a mesh- or lattice-type formation.

In an embodiment, the frame may comprise both the housing and the one or more webs. In this regard, the housing and webs may collectively support the one or more rails.

In an embodiment, the one or more webs may be located at an underside of the grate in use (i.e. so as not to interfere with the cooking surface).

In an embodiment, the one or more webs may each be secured to distal end edges of respective stalks of the one or more rails when in the form of Y- or T-shaped fence posts. Thus, in use, wings of each Y- or T-shaped fence post can face upwards to provide a cooking surface.

When the fence post is Y-shaped, and when the wings are arranged to face

0 upwards to provide the cooking surface, the wings of each post can define an upwardly facing recess therebetween. The recess can act as a receptacle and as a drain/gutter for fats/oils (i.e. to direct the fats/oils away from the cooking food and away from an underlying fuel source).

When the fence post is T- shaped, and when the wings are arranged to face

5 upwards to provide the cooking surface, the wings of each post can define a generally flat cooking surface thereon. The wings may also be aligned with

11250370_1 (GHMatters) P111018.AU

2019100475 02 May 2019 underlying burners, whereby the wings can direct fats/oils away from the cooking food and away from the underlying fuel source.

When the fence post is either Y- or T- shaped, and when the wings are arranged to face upwards in use, the stalk will generally project down, and so can act as a heat-collecting “fin” (i.e. the stalk is the portion of the rail that is first heated by an underlying fuel source). The heat can flow from this fin up to the wings. Here, the heat can then diffuse from the wings and into the overlying food and to the overlying atmosphere.

When the fence post is either Y- or T- shaped, and when the wings are arranged to 10 face downwards in use, the stalk will in this case generally project upwards. In this orientation, the wings can act to direct dripping fats and oils away from the cooking food and away from an underlying fuel source (e.g. away from a given row of gas burners).

Also disclosed herein is a barbeque or grill comprising the grate as set forth 15 above.

In an embodiment, the barbeque or grill may further comprise one or more supports. The one or more supports may be connected the frame and can be configured to space the frame above a surface, such as a heat source. The one or more supports may each take the form of legs. The one or more supports may also

0 space the frame and grill above an underlying surface (e.g. the surrounding ground) in use. The one or more supports may each be pivotally connected to, so as to be foldable into, the frame when in a collapsed (e.g. transportable) form of the barbeque or grill. The one or more supports may each be foldable out of the frame into an erected form of the barbeque or grill.

5 In an embodiment, the barbeque or grill may further comprise one or more handles. The one or more handles may be connected the frame and can enable the barbeque or grill to be handled (e.g. carried, transported, stored, etc.).

Brief Description of the Drawings

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2019100475 02 May 2019

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Fig· 1 is a perspective view of a portable barbeque or grill comprising one form of a grate as disclosed herein.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the barbeque or grill of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the barbeque or grill of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an underside perspective view of the barbeque or grill of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative from of the grate as disclosed herein.

Fig. 6 is an end (profile) view of a Y-post suitable for use in the grate as disclosed herein.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a simple form of a grate separate to the barbeque or grill of Figs. 1 to 4.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the grate of Fig. 7 taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

Figs. 1 to 4 show a barbeque or grill 10 that comprises a grate 12 used for cooking (e.g. grilling/barbecuing) of food. As described hereafter, the grate 12 is formed

11250370_1 (GHMatters) P111018.AU

2019100475 02 May 2019 from at least one, but usually from a plurality of rails in the form of Y- or Tshaped fence posts 14. Aside from a unique aesthetic quality, the Y- or T-shaped fence posts have been shown to provide unexpected and surprising benefits when employed as a rail in a grate for use in a barbecue or grill. These benefits are explained below.

A frame of the grate 12 can comprise a housing 15. The housing 15 can surround the perimeter of the Y- or T-shaped fence posts 14 in the grate 12. The Y- or Tshaped fence posts 14 can be releasably supported in the housing 15. However, in the barbeque or grill 10 of Figs. 1 to 4, the Y- or T-shaped fence posts 14 are usually affixed (such as by welding or fasteners) to the housing 15, as described in greater detail below.

The barbeque or grill 10 further comprises two supports in the form of collapsible U-shaped legs 16 that are each located at and connected to a respective end of the housing 15. The legs 16 are configured to space the housing 15 including grate 12 above a surface, such as a heat source (e.g. above one or more gas burners, or a charcoal- or wood-bearing tray, open fire, etc.). The legs 16 also space the frame and grill above the surrounding ground in use.

As best shown in Fig. 4, a respective end of each U-shaped leg 16 is connected (e.g. welded, fastened) to one end of a support plate 18. An opposite end of the

0 support plate 18 has an aperture that is configured to receive therethrough an elongate support bar 20. The support bar 20 is connected to extend between opposing side walls 22 of the housing 15, with each support plate 18 able to pivot on the support bar 20. This allows each leg 16 to be folded into the housing 15 to assume a collapsed (e.g. transportable) form of the barbeque or grill 10. In use, the

5 legs 16 can each be folded out of the housing 15 into an erected form of the barbeque or grill 10 as best shown in e.g. Figs. 1 and 3.

The barbeque or grill 10 also has handles 24 located and fastened at opposite ends walls 26 of the housing 15. The handles 24 allow the barbecue or grill to be carried when in either of the collapsed or erected configurations.

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2019100475 02 May 2019

As set forth above, the Y- or T-shaped fence posts 14 may be released from the housing 15. Thus, the Y- or T-shaped fence posts 14 can be used separately from the housing 15 such as over a gas, wood or charcoal fuel source.

To facilitate such separate usage from the housing 15, a frame of the grate 12 can 5 comprise one or more webs in the form of strips 42 (and which can take the form of rods 42’ in the embodiment of Fig. 5). The strips 42 (rods 42’) are arranged to maintain the Y- or T-shaped fence posts 14 in a spaced, usually parallel, relationship. Thus, the Y- or T-shaped fence posts 14 and the strips 42 (rods 42’) can form the grate 12 separately from the housing 15.

Typically, however, the frame of the grate 12 comprises both the housing 15 and the strips 42.

The grate 12 can be square, rectangular, elliptical, etc. For example, Fig. 5 shows a circular grate in the form of a grate 30. The grate 30 comprises no such housing 15 and is separated into an inner circular grate portion 32 and an outer annular grate portion 34. Each portion 32 and 34 can comprise a plurality of rails in the form of a plurality of Y- or T-shaped fence posts 14 that are secured (e.g. welded) to inner and outer circular rods 42’.

As set forth herein, each rail of the grate 12 typically takes the form of a Y- or Tshaped fence post 14. As shown in Fig. 6, when each rail is in the form of a Y20 post 14’, the fence post 14’ comprises a stalk 44 and wings 46 that each project at an angle from the stalk 44. However, in the case of a T-type fence post, the wings 46 would each project laterally (e.g. at right angles) from an end edge of the stalk 44 (i.e. the stalk defines a stem of the T and the wings define a top of the T).

As described earlier, due to the significant amount of material (i.e. mild steel) that

5 is present in a Y- or T-shaped fence post, when the post 14, 14’ is heated (i.e.

when in use in a barbecue or grill), each post can stay hotter for longer (i.e. it can act as heat sink). As described earlier, a Y- or T-shaped fence post may more efficiently distribute heat and may more effectively direct flammable fluids away

11250370_1 (GHMatters) P111018.AU

2019100475 02 May 2019 from a fuel source. For example, the stalk 44 of the Y-post shown in Fig. 6 is considerably larger and thicker than the wings 46, whereby the stalk 44 holds more heat, whereas the wings 46 tend to release and diffuse the heat.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the plurality of Y- or T-shaped fence posts 14 are 5 arranged in the grate 12 to be parallel to one-another. Further, the plurality of strips 42 are arranged in the grate 12 to extend generally transversely (typically at a right angle) to each of the plurality of posts 14. This gives the grate 12 a meshor lattice-type formation (see esp. Fig. 2). Typically, each strip 42 is secured (e.g. welded, etc.) to each of the posts 14. In use, the strips 42 are located on an underside of the grate 12 (i.e. so as not to interfere with the cooking surface).

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, the strips 42 are each secured (e.g. typically welded) to distal end edges of the respective stalks 44 of the posts 14. This can help to prevent warping of the grate 12 when in use.

When the grate 12 is in use in a barbecue or grill, the wings 46 of each post 14 are 15 arranged to face upwards, with the plurality of upwardly-facing wings 46 thus providing the cooking surface (see Figs. 1, 2 & 8). In this orientation, the wings 46 of each post 14’ define an upwardly facing recess therebetween (this is shown as recess R in Fig. 6). The recess R can act as a receptacle and as a drain/gutter for fats/oils (i.e. to direct the fats/oils away from the cooking food and away from an

0 underlying fuel source).

With the wings 46 facing/located upwards in the barbeque or grill 10, the stalk 44 of each post 14, 14’ projects down in use. Thus, each stalk 44 can act as a heatcollecting “fin” (i.e. the stalk is the first portion of post 14 that is heated by an underlying fuel source). The heat can collect in and flow from stalk 44 up to the

5 wings 46. Here, the heat can then diffuse from the wings and into the overlying food and also to the surrounding atmosphere.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, where like reference numbers are used to denote similar or like parts, an embodiment of a grate 12’ is shown that comprises a

11250370_1 (GHMatters) P111018.AU

2019100475 02 May 2019 plurality of spaced Y-fence posts 14’. The grate 12’ can be used separately of a barbecue or grill, such as the barbecue/grill 10 shown in Figs. 1-4. For example, the grate 12’ can be positioned and used directly over an open fire, etc.

In one form, the frame for the grate 12’ can comprise a housing 15’. The housing 5 15’ is similar to the housing 15 of Figs. 1-4 although is truncated in height. The housing 15’ is arranged to surround a perimeter of the spaced Y-fence posts 14’. Each Y-fence post 14’ is secured (e.g. typically welded) at opposite ends thereof (i.e. via the wings 46) to an inside of the housing 15’. In this regard, as shown in Fig. 8, the opposite ends of the wings of each Y-fence post 14’ are welded to the housing 15’ at locations 50. Thus, the posts 14’ and the housing 15’ can form the grate 12’ separately to the strips 42.

In another form, the frame for the grate 12’ can comprise one or more webs in the form of strips 42 that extend generally transversely to so as to maintain the plurality of posts 14’ in their spaced relationship as shown. In this regard, each strip 42 can be secured to each of the posts 14’ (e.g. typically welded at 52 to a lower edge of each stalk). Thus, the posts 14’ and the strips 42 can form the grate 12’ separately to the housing 15’.

However, usually to provide a robust and warp-resistant grate 12’, the grate comprises both the housing 15’ and the strips 42.

0 Variations and modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the disclosure.

For example, when the rail 14 is a T- shaped fence post, and when the wings 46 are arranged to face upwards to provide the cooking surface, the wings of each post can define a generally flat cooking surface thereon. The wings 46 can be aligned with (i.e. extend over) underlying burners, whereby the wings can direct fats/oils away from the cooking food and away from the underlying fuel source.

In another variation, for either a Y- or T- shaped fence post, the wings 46 can be arranged to face downwards in the barbeque or grill 10. Thus, the stalk 44 of each

11250370_1 (GHMatters) P111018.AU

2019100475 02 May 2019 post 14 projects upwards, with the plurality of stalks then defining the cooking surface. In this orientation, the wings 46 can act to direct dripping fats and oils away from the cooking food and away from an underlying fuel source (e.g. away from a given row of gas burners).

The grate 12, 12’ as set forth herein can additionally comprise other rail types. For example, the grate could be formed with alternating posts 14, 14’ and members in the form of more conventional grill bars or grill rods.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the grate and barbecue/grill.

Claims (5)

1. A grate for cooking, the grate comprising a plurality of spaced rails, at least one of the rails being a Y- or T-shaped fence post of the type that comprises a stalk and wings that project from the stalk.

2. The grate of claim 1, wherein the grate comprises a plurality of rails each being a Y- or T-shaped fence post, the grate further comprising a frame arranged to maintain the plurality of rails in the spaced, optionally parallel, relationship such that, together, the rails and frame form the grate.

3. The grate of claim 2, wherein the frame comprises:

- a housing, the housing arranged to surround a perimeter of the plurality of rails, the housing being secured to each of the rails; and/or

- one or more webs that extend generally transversely to the plurality of rails, each web being secured to each of the rails.

4. The grate of claim 3, wherein the one or more webs are located on an underside of the grate in use, the one or more webs each being optionally secured to distal end edges of respective stalks of the one or more rails such that, in use, wings of each Y- or T-shaped fence post are able to face upwards to provide a cooking surface.

5. A barbeque or grill comprising:

the grate of any one of claims 1 to 4;

one or more supports, the one or more supports connected to the frame and configured to space the frame above a surface, such as a heat source.