GB2306103A - Base plate for solid fuel barbecue - Google Patents

Abstract

A solid fuel barbecuing base plate 2 incorporates a plurality of raised areas operable to support items of solid fuel placed thereon in such a manner as to allow air flow beneath the solid fuel. Advantageously, the provision of raised areas dispenses with the necessity to use a grate to support the solid fuel above the base plate thus causing a reduction in manufacturing costs. Preferably, the plurality of raised areas are formed by a series of substantially parallel ridges which, typically, extend from one edge of the base plate to the opposing edge. The parallel ridges act as ribs to strengthen the base plate by increasing resistance to the type of warping which would be expected if the ridges were absent. A press together with the pressing method are also described.

Description

SOLID FUEL BARBECUING APPARATUS The present invention relates to solid fuel barbecuing apparatus, and a press for the formation of a baseplate for such apparatus.

Solid fuel barbecuing apparatus generally comprises; a baseplate, a charcoal grate adapted to be placed on the baseplate and having a plurality of legs depending therefrom which are operative to space the grate surface from the baseplate surface allowing airflow therebetween and a food grill which is parallel to and disposed above the charcoal grate.

In practice, the charcoal is placed on the grate and lit using an appropriate liquid fuel and at this stage the airflow between the grate and the baseplate assists the burning process.

A disadvantage of such apparatus is the number of parts which it is necessary to manufacture in order to produce a complete apparatus.

A further disadvantage of such apparatus is the necessity to produce the baseplate by a multistep process because of the shape which is necessary to enclose the grate.

The present invention addresses these and other problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided solid fuel barbecuing apparatus comprising a base plate, wherein the base plate incorporates a plurality of raised areas operable to support items of solid fuel placed thereon in such a manner as to allow air flow beneath the solid fuel.

Advantageously, the provision of raised areas dispenses with the necessity to use a grate to support the solid fuel above the base plate thus causing a reduction in manufacturing costs.

Preferably, the plurality of raised areas are formed by a series of substantially parallel ridges which, typically, extend from one edge of the base plate to the opposing edge.

The parallel ridges act as ribs to strengthen the base plate by increasing resistance to the type of warping which would be expected if the ridges were absent.

Typically, the ridges extend laterally and are substantially triangular in section and are arranged parallel to each other so that opposing slopes of the adjacent ridges converge at their respective bases. The solid fuel is supported between the opposing upwardly diverging slopes of adjacent ridges and due to the generally rounded shape of the solid fuel a gap is left between the underside of the solid fuel and the converging slopes beneath. The gap allows air flow beneath the solid fuel and the ridges thus obviate the necessity to use a solid fuel grate for this purpose.

Although, the ridges defined are highly advantageous to the design there is the possibility of utilising other types of raised areas which would still have the effect of leaving a gap beneath the solid fuel for air flow.

Nevertheless, the ridges are preferred due to the added strength which they provide.

A further advantage of the present invention is the possibility it gives of producing the adapted base plate in a single press process.

Prior art devices utilise two or more steps to produce the final base plate. In the first step the general shape of the base plate is pressed into place and, usually simultaneously, any necessary fixing holes or cuts are made in the metal. In order to locate the grate on the base plate it is necessary, in a second step, to fold up a previously cut rectangular section at either end of the plate so that each of the sections face each other perpendicular to the base plate surface and provide abutments between which the solid fuel grate is located and prevented from sliding. As the present invention does not require a solid fuel grate there is no need to carry out a second folding step or to carry out any cutting or fixing hole formation related to a grate.

The ridges are preferably integral with the base plate and are formed from a flat metal base plate in a single press.

In a preferred embodiment, knee braces are provided at spaced intervals along the apex of the ridges. Such braces prevent outward deformation or spreading of the ridge. The braces may be formed during a single press operation by appropriately shaped cooperating forming tools. Typically, the front and rear sides of the base plate are at a small angle, preferably 5 , to the vertical which allows a large number of base plates to be stacked together. In previous base plates the front and rear sides were disposed vertically and, although this allowed some stacking, the number was limited as the stack leaned forward due to the forward displacement of successive plates. However, due to the provision of a small angle in the front and rear sides the forward displacement is not as acute and a greater number of plates may be stacked.

As mentioned previously, the ridges are preferably integral with the base plate and are formed from a flat metal base plate in a single press.

A problem exists with respect to the formation of the base plate of the present invention in a single step. For instance, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, five ridges are provided on the base plate. If an attempt was made to form these simultaneously it would result in the plate being drawn in opposing directions at the same time causing the plate to split or crack.

Thus, according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a press for forming successive ridges in a metallic plate comprising a first series of ridge forming tools mounted on platforms, plate support means operable to support a plate during the forming process and a moving press having a second series of ridge forming tools depending therefrom which are positioned to cooperate with the first series of ridge forming tools to form ridges in a plate positioned therebetween, wherein the first series of forming tools are staggered with respect to the plate surface in such a manner that they do not all impinge on the plate simultaneously allowing successive formation of the ridges during a single press.

Such apparatus prevents the plate being drawn irresistibly in opposing directions simultaneously and allows formation of the ridges successively.

Preferably, at least the ridge forming tools which are utilised to form the first ridge(s) on the plate are mounted on a resiliently deformable platform operable to withstand the ridge forming force and deform in response to the impingement of the moving press.

At the end of the first ridge forming movement the opposed tools are fully interengaged and the moving press surface at the base of the tool impinges on the plate and the opposed ridge forming tool thereunder together with its associated platform. This would normally prevent further movement of the press and thus complete formation of the other ridges. The provision of the resiliently deformable platform allows the press cycle to continue after formation of the first ridge(s) and allows the staggered forming tools to fully interengage. Clearly, the exact staggering sequence could be varied to suit requirements and the number of ridges to be formed and in general it is possible to form two ridges simultaneously without the requirement of a stagger as the metal can be drawn into the ridges during formation from opposite ends of the plate and thus avoid splitting of the plate. However, as soon as three or more ridges are to be formed staggering is required to avoid splitting or damage to the plate.

Preferably, the resilient deformability of the platform is provided by a pneumatic arrangement although other means such as springs may be employed.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure la shows a side view of a baseplate in accordance with the present invention; Figure ib shows a plan view of a baseplate in accordance with the present invention; Figure ic shows a sectional view along line A-A of figure lb;and Figure 2 shows a partial side view of a press in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to figure 1, a solid fuel barbecue baseplate 2 has a rear upwardly and rearwardly extending face 4 disposed at an angle of 5 to the vertical and a front downwardly and forwardly extending face 6 also disposed at an angle of 5 to the vertical. The front face 6 depends from the front edge of a raised platform 8 which has a horizontal surface and a rear face which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the rear edge of the horizontal platform to meet a front flat floor area 12 which is also horizontal. At the rear of the baseplate 2 is located a rear flat floor area 14, from the rear edge of which the rear face 4 extends, so that the main burning area 16 extends between the front and rear floor areas 12 and 14.

The main burning area 16 comprises a plurality of adjoining parallel ridges of triangular cross section formed from the baseplate and extending laterally from one side of the baseplate 2 to the opposite side thereof. At intervals along the apices 18 a,b,c,d & e of the ridges are formed knee braces 20 at right angles to the ridge axis which provide additional support and, in particular, prevent the ridges collapsing or widening during use or transportation. Similar knee braces are formed in the crease between adjacent ridges and along other fold lines for the same purpose.

Referring to figure 2, the method of forming the baseplate of the invention comprises a single step pressing operation using a press.

The press comprises a plurality of ridge forming dies 22,24,26 & 28 spaced at intervals and mounted on supporting adjacent platforms 30, 32 & 34 and a moving press 36 having a plurality of ridge forming punches 38, 40, 42, 44 & 46 depending therefrom which are positioned to cooperate with the forming dies to form ridges in a plate positioned therebetween. The innermost forming dies are mounted on a pneumatic platform 30 which is designed to withstand the force of the punches 40, 42 & 44 during ridge formation but which yields to the force of the moving press impinging directly thereon at the completion of the formation of the innermost ridge. The outer forming dies 22 & 28 are disposed marginally below the innermost dies 24 & 26 so as to allow the plate to be drawn inwardly thereover during formation of the innermost ridges. As the formation of the innermost ridge is completed the moving press 36 impinges upon the plate which is thereafter held firmly between the press and the inner dies 24 & 26. The advancing press then causes the pneumatic platform to depress slightly which allows the outer punches 38,40 & 44,46 to complete the ridge formation cycle about dies 22 & 28.

The slight displacement between the inner and outer dies reduces the longitudinal strain on the metal plate during ridge formation and thus prevents the splitting of the plate which would occur if the dies were not so displaced.

Variations to the invention are envisaged which include the arrangement of the staggering of the dies to suit the number and form of the ridges. In the case of a greater number of ridges being required more staggering could be provided together with additional resiliently deformable platforms.

Claims (14)

1 Solid fuel barbecuing apparatus comprising a base plate, wherein the base plate incorporates a plurality of raised areas operable to support items of solid fuel placed thereon in such a manner as to allow air flow beneath the solid fuel.

2 A solid fuel barbecuing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of raised areas are formed by a series of substantially parallel ridges.

3 A solid fuel barbecuing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ridges extend from one edge of the base plate to the opposing edge.

4 A solid fuel barbecuing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ridges extend laterally and are substantially triangular in section and are arranged parallel to each other so that opposing slopes of the adjacent ridges converge at their respective bases.

5 A solid fuel barbecuing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in use, the solid fuel is supported between the opposing upwardly diverging slopes of adjacent ridges and due to the generally rounded shape of the solid fuel a gap is left between the underside of the solid fuel and the converging slopes beneath.

6 A solid fuel barbecuing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2-5, wherein knee braces are provided at spaced intervals along the apex of the ridges.

7 A solid fuel barbecuing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the front and rear sides of the base plate are at a small angle to the vertical.

8 A solid fuel barbecuing apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the angle is 5

9 A solid fuel barbecuing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2-8, wherein the ridges are integral with the base plate and are formed from a flat metal base plate in a single press.

10 A press for forming successive ridges in a metallic plate comprising a first series of ridge forming tools mounted on platforms, plate support means operable to support a plate during the forming process and a moving press having a second series of ridge forming tools depending therefrom which are positioned to cooperate with the first series of ridge forming tools to form ridges in a plate positioned therebetween, wherein the first series of forming tools are staggered with respect to the plate surface in such a manner that they do not all impinge on the plate simultaneously allowing successive formation of the ridges during a single press.

11 A press as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least the ridge forming tools which are utilised to form the first ridge(s) on the plate are mounted on a resiliently deformable platform operable to withstand the ridge forming force and deform in response to the impingement of the moving press.

12 A press as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the exact staggering sequence could be varied to suit requirements and the number of ridges to be formed.

13 A press as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the resilient deformability of the platform is provided by a pneumatic arrangement.

14 A method of producing a baseplate for a solid fuel barbecuing apparatus comprising only a single pressing step.