EP0085055A1

EP0085055A1 - Collapsible grill

Info

Publication number: EP0085055A1
Application number: EP19820901447
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aivars Bruveris
Original assignee: INTERALL AB
Current assignee: INTERALL AB
Priority date: 1981-05-05
Filing date: 1982-05-05
Publication date: 1983-08-10
Also published as: SE8102796L; SE436613B; WO1982003759A1

Abstract

Gril pliable (1) comprenant des parties qui peuvent etre demontees et consistant en une partie superieure (2), une partie inferieure (3), des panneaux lateraux (4), un panneau posterieur (5) et un support de pieds (7). La partie superieure est equipee d'une unite chauffante produisant un chauffage infrarouge pour la preparation des aliments dans le gril. Le gril est concu pour une utilisation aussi bien a l'exterieur qu'a l'interieur et en tant que gril de table ou reposant sur son propre support de pied demontable. Dans un tel gril demontable il est necessaire entre autres d'assurer que l'unite chauffante ne puisse etre utilisee lorsqu'elle est demontee du gril. La partie superieure (2) est par consequent pourvue d'un dispositif de contact avec un bouton (9) qui, lorsque la partie superieure est assemblee, est actionnee par le grill afin de permettre l'alimentation en courant de l'unite chauffante. Lorsque la partie superieure est demontee le dispositif de contact empeche automatiquement toute mise sous tension de l'unite chauffante, etant donne que le bouton n'est pas actionne.Foldable grill (1) comprising parts which can be dismantled and consisting of an upper part (2), a lower part (3), side panels (4), a rear panel (5) and a leg support (7) . The upper part is equipped with a heating unit producing infrared heating for the preparation of food in the grill. The grill is designed for use both indoors and outdoors and as a table grill or resting on its own removable stand. In such a dismountable grill it is necessary inter alia to ensure that the heating unit cannot be used when it is removed from the grill. The upper part (2) is therefore provided with a contact device with a button (9) which, when the upper part is assembled, is actuated by the grill in order to allow the power supply to the heating unit. When the upper part is removed, the contact device automatically prevents any energization of the heating unit, since the button is not actuated.

Description

1 COLLAPSIBLE GRILL

Technical field :

Thi-s invention relates to a collapsible grill for the preparation of food¬ stuffs and comprises an upper part with heating unit , lower part , side panels , a rear panel and feet or legs , e. g . in the form of a stand .

Background : .. . .

There is a need, with regard to so called infra grills for outdoor use , to increase the degree of utilization as an infra grill is as suitable for indoor use in the preparation of food-stuffs as it is for outdoor use. Further-more there is a need of being able to reduce the volume of the grill for transport and storage purposes.

A known outdoor grill is arranged with a heating unit for infra heating in order to avoid the use of current fuels for such grills, e. g . grill charcoal . The known grill is however relatively bulky and is not especi¬ ally dismantleable either. The dismantleability is considerably limited to the possibility of reducing the height of the associated stand. The grill has also limited applications and can thus not be used as a "table grill " . Known domestic grills are furthermore not adaptable for outdoor use.

Technical problem:

Aproble with a dismantleable infra grill is that it must not be possible to dismantle the grill ' s heating unit and to utilize the heating unit as a heater e . g . for heating premises .

Disclosure of the invention :

With the grill according to the invention however the -specified require¬ ment for an infra grill can be met at the same time as the problem with known infra grills can be eliminated , as also with the problem specified for dismantling infra grills . Thus the grill according to the invention can be dismantled and reduced to a compact and appreciably smaller volume. Dismantling , as with assembly of the grill , can be achieved in a simple manner with easy hand operations without the use of tools. The manufact¬ ure has not been complicated in achi eving a dismantleable grill and no actual cost increases for the manufacture of the grill have arisen . Instead the grill has retained a simple and appropriate design and is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use as a floor or table model etc. Apart from the compactness achieved through the dismantling possibility the grill is easier to maintain and clean . When dismantling the grill , apart from when only dismantling the stand , the grill ' s heating unit automatically becomes unusable for heating purposes and when assembled it automatically becomes usable for heating purposes without, due to this , being immediately and permanently heated . The grill in accordance with the invention is charac¬ terized in that the upper part of the grill is dismantleable from the side and rear panels of the grill , which are dismantleable from' ;the lower part of the grill and that the side and rear panels are preferably separable from each other , and that the upper part comprises a heating unit for generation of infra heating and also a contact device wh-ich is arranged so that when, the upper part is dismantled there is no possibility of power supply to the heating unit.

Another characteristic of the grill according to the invention is that the contact device is provided with a displaceable button arranged opposite an opening in a casi ng surrounding the contact device.

The casing can hereby be arranged to protrude from the upper part of the grill , whereby a characteristic for the grill according to the invention is that the rear panel of the grill has an outward facing flange so arrang¬ ed that when the rear panel and upper part are assembled it covers the opening in the casing. The aforesaid flange has hereby a device activating the button e . g . consisting of a boss or similar item which is arranged to activate the button on the contact device so that the contact device closes.

Brief description of the drawings :

Further characteristics for, and advantages with the grill according to the invention will be apparent from an example in the following descrip- tion of the invention, whereby at the same time reference will be made to the accompanying schematic drawings , of -which, Fig. 1 shows a per¬ spective view from the front of a grill according to the invention. Fig . 2 shows a grill as in Fig. 1 but from the opposite direction without stand and side table . Fig. 3 shows the grill as in Fig . 2 from below . Fig. 4 shows the upper part of the grill from one side . Fig. 5 shows one side of a side panel to the grill . Fig . 6 shows a perspective view of a rear panel to the grill . Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the grill ' s lower part and Fig . 8 shows a dismantled leg to the grill . Mode for carrying out the invention : ^{~ ~}

Reference 1 in Figures 1 - 3 indicates a grill with legs 6 and 7 respec¬ tively . The grill shows an upper part 2 , a lower part 3 or grill tray and also an upper and lower part combined with side panels 4 and a rear panel 5.

The upper and lower parts together with the side and rear panels form an open box shaped unit surrounding a space 27 for the preparation of food-stuffs . In this space is shown the usual screen 28 , screen tray 29 and screen rails 30 for the support of screens and screen tray. The groove 31 in the side panels 4 is provided for the use of grill forks.

In Figure 1 the grill is equipped with a stand 7 consisting of four sepa¬ rate legs or second legs which are arranged with a removeable attachment to the lower part of the grill 3. With further reference to Figure 3 the under side 21 of the lower part is provided with attachment devices 22 for the attachment of the legs 7 to the . lower part. According to a simple arrangement for carrying out the attachment device 22 they consist of two tubular pieces 32-, 33 or similar for each leg 7. The aforesaid attachment devices are permanently secured to the lower part . With further reference to Figure 8 the leg 7 is seen to consist of three combined rods 23 whose ends 24 are joined at least at one point 38 , whilst the remaining parts of the rods are somewhat bent outwards from each other and mutually arranged to be drawn apart in opposi tion to the spring effect in the rods . The free ends of the rods have attachment parts 25 which in their simp¬ lest design consist of a bent over end on each rod 23 in the leg . The attachment parts 25 are upon assembly with the grill connected to the attachment devices 22 in the lower part 3.

With the stand 7 the grill has a suitable working height when used as a floor model . If the grill is to be used placed e.g. on a table the stand 7 is dismantled and instead feet 6 or first legs are used. Said feet are permanently secured to the under side 21 of the lower part 3 .

The stand 7 can be provided with hooks or support devices 34 for fitting a tray 35 which is supported by the stand.

The aforementioned box shaped unit which comprises the grill itself is dismantleable and collapsible and consists of separate parts as shown ϊiϊ Figures 4 - 7 . In Figure 4 is shown an upper part 2 which is provided with a heating unit 8 in the form of a loop for the generation of infra heating . The heating unit 8 is of course arranged facing the grill ' s food- stuff preparation space 27 and behind the heating unit there is prefer¬ abl y arranged a reflector plate 36. Upper part 2 also contains a casing 11 for the electrical connection and power supply . In accordance with the example of carrying out the grill the casing is arranged to; . protrude from the upper part. In the casing there is a contact device with a displace- able button 9 which is situated opposite an opening 10 in the casing wall 12. Thus the contact device is activateable by means of button 9 which is displaceable toward the casing 11.

In order to use the infra grill as a dismantleable unit or to have a dis- mantleable heating unit 8 it must be ensured that the heating element cannot be utilized for other purposes, e. g. for heating premises. There¬ fore the contact device is arranged to automatically prevent the possibil¬ ity of power supply to the heating unit 8 as the upper part 2 is dis¬ mantled at the same time as the contact device this disconnection is automatically cancelled permitting power supply to the heating unit when the upper part is assembled and takes up its correct position.

Even when the upper part is dismantled the contact device button 9 is generally so arranged that it is situated within the casing wall 12 or at least so arranged that upon external ^' influence such that the button 9 is moved to a position where it is level or even somewhat inside the casing wall , the contact device shall be arranged in such a manner that It still prevents any possibility of power supply to the heating unit 8 . When the upper part is dismantled the button is , or will be, at its optimum pro- truded position which usually mean at its nearest position to the opening

10 in the casing wall or protruding outside the casing wall . Due to the effect of spring force the button can be made to move further into the casing. In which case the opening must be passed by an external object.

The upper part further indicates a form of a downward facing open box whose side edges 17 provide first connecting devices 18 for connection and locking to the side and rear panels 4 , 5.. The connecting devices in accordance with the example of carrying out the grill consist of threaded pins sitting in the side edges of the upper part and protruding from these side edges .

In ^' Figure 5 is indicated one of the two side panels 4. In addition to that the side panels are shown the aforementioned groove 31 the side panels comprise with said first connecting devi ces 18 in the upper part 2 co-operating second connecting devices 19 which hereby consist of through holes . With the aid of screw nuts 37 or equivalent devices . the upper part can be interlocked with the side panels 4 and the rear panel 5. The rear panel has corresponding second connecting devices 19 in the form of through holes , see Figure 6. With the shown second coupling devices of side panels 4 e. g. consisting of protruding ears 16 or similar items , the side panels can be attached to the lower part 3.

The lower part 3 as shown in Figure 7 consists of an open box with side edges 26 whereby two opposite side edges present a first pair of coupling devices 15 and a side edge between the two opposite side edges presents also a first pair of coupling devices 15. According to the example of carrying out the grill the coupling devices are in the form of recesses in the material and showing the shape of slits arranged to receive the ears

16 on the side panels 4 and corresponding ears 16 on the rear panel .

The rear panel 5 also presents at both of its side edges , edge flanges 20. These edge flanges are arranged to catch both side panels 4 thus compris- ing a part of the dismantleable grill ' s connecting and locking devices.

When assembling , side panels 4 and rear panel 5 are arranged to inter¬ lock with the lower part 3 whereby one has to see to it that the rear panel ' s edge flanges 20 catch the side panels. Thereafter is fitted the upper part 2 which with its connecting devices 18 interlocks with the side and rear panels . Thereby an outward protruding flange 13 on the rear panel 5 will cover the opening 10 in the casing 11. At the same time a device 14 indicated on the flange 13 , comprising e. g . a raised boss or similar item, enters into the opening in the casing causing the contact device to close . In accordance with the example of carrying out the inven¬ tion said device will influence the button 9 on the contact device and press it further into the casing sufficiently far enough to cancel the dis¬ connection of the power supply to the heating unit 8. When the upper part is secured with screw nuts 37 the grill unit will become stable and locked in its intended condition for use.

Without exceeding the scope of the invention's concept, modifications may be made to the grill according to the described example. Thus the con¬ figuration, form and^' dimensions can be different for the grill according to the invention. It is not excluded that the grill is shaped as a more or less spherical shaped grill. The stand which is practical, can be ex¬ changed for another e.g. with more homogenous legs and with other spec- ial devices for attachment to the grill. Connecting and coupling devices a between the various parts of the grill can cosist of other and known devices , such as screws , hooks and similar items. The side panels can be designed with edge flanges which can e.g. catch the rear panel . The grill according to the invention is thus not limited to that indicated and described but only by the following patent claims.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Collapsible grill comprising an upper part (2), a lower part (3), side panels (4), a rear panel (5) and legs (6, 7), characterized in that the upper part (2) is dismantleable from the side and rear panels (4, 5), 5 which are dismantleable from the lower part (3) and preferably separable from each other, that the upper part (2) comprises a heating unit (8) for generation of infra heating for preparation of food-stuffs, and that the upper part also comprises a contact device which when the.. upper part is dismantled is so arranged that it prevents the possibility of power supply 10 to the heating unit.

2. Collapsible grill in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the contact device has a displaceable button (9) which is arranged to be situated opposite an opening (10) in a casing (11) surrounding the

15 contact device.

3. Collapsible grill in accordance with patent claim 2, characterized in that the button (9) can be activated preferably by being moved into the contact device and when the upper part is dismantled is situated within

20 the casing wall (12) or at least arranged in such a manner that upon ex¬ ternal influence of the button so that the button is moved to a position where the button is level with the casing wall, then the^' button shall re¬ main in such a situation that the contact device prevents the possibility of power supply to the heating unit (8).

25

4. Collapsible grill in accordance with patent claims 2 or 3, whereby the casing (11) is arranged to protrude from the upper part (2), characterized in that the rear panel (5) has an outward protruding flange (13) which is arranged so that when the rear panel and upper part are assembled it .30 covers the opening (10) in the casing (11).

5. Collapsible grill in accordance with patent claim 4, characterized in that the flange (13) has a button (9) influenced device (14) e.g. consist-

/ ing of a protruding boss or similar item which is arranged to activate

35 the button (9) on the contact device so that the contact device closes.

-

6. Collapsible grill in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the lower part (3) is designed as an open box whereby a part of the box walls (26) or when the box is square-shaped, preferably three of 'the box walls, have first coupling devices (15) consisting e.g. of re- cesses such as slits which are arranged to receive second coupling de¬ vices (16) in the side and rear panels (4, 5) e.g. in the form of pro¬ truding ears or similar items.

7. Collapsible grill in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the upper part (2) has side edges (17) with first connecting devices

(18) for connection to the side and rear panels (4, 5) which have second connecting devices (19) co-operating with said first connecting devices (.18).

8. Collapsible grill in accordance with patent claim 1, characteriz d in that the rear panel (5) or the side panels (4) have edge flanges (20) catching the side panels or rear panel respectively.

9. Collapsible grill in accordance with patent claim 1, characterized in that the lower part's (3) under side (21) is arranged to be able to be furnished with first and second legs (6, 7) where said first legs (6) are arranged to bring the lower part to a slight height above a base whilst said second legs (7) are arranged to bring the lower part to a consider¬ ably higher level above a base, whereby said second legs are dismantle- able by means of a removeable attachment on the lower part preferably with interlocking in attachment devices (22) arranged on the under side (21) of the lower part (3).

10. Collapsible grill in accordance with patent claims 1 or 9, charac- terized in that a second leg (7) is formed of three connected rods (23) whose end parts (24) are joined whilst the remaining parts of the rods are arranged to be drawn from each other against spring effect in the rods and that their free ends are shaped as or provided with attachment parts (25) for interlocking with the lower part (3).