GB2527560A

GB2527560A - A combined barbeque and heater

Info

Publication number: GB2527560A
Application number: GB1411331.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-26
Filing date: 2014-06-26
Publication date: 2015-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 2034-06-26
Also published as: GB2527560B; GB201411331D0

Abstract

A combined barbecue and heater is disclosed, comprising a cooking section 5, a dish-shaped lid 11 comprising a heating means configured to provide radiant heat, and a heater section support 4 configured to support the heater section above the cooking section. The support may be telescopic to allow the heater section to be raised or lowered in height. The heater section may act as a lid for the barbeque when in the lowered position adjacent to the cooking platform, and may comprise vents. The heating section may be attachable to the cooking section via latches and a detachable hinge. The heater may be gas powered, in which case a retractable coil pipe is used to transport the gas from a gas canister located below the cooking section. The cooking section may use either gas or charcoal for fuel.

Description

A combined barbegue and heater

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a combined barbeque and heater.

Background

A popular pastime during the warmer months of the year, weather permitting, is outdoor socialising. As evenings are frequently chilly even in summer months, outdoor heaters are often located in gardens, the outdoor areas of restaurants, bars and public houses, or similar outdoor socialising areas. A common type of outdoor heater is the so-called patio heater where a heating or burner unit is located above head height at the top of a supporting pole, with the heat produced by the heating/burner unit directed and/or reflected downwards by way of a cap above the heater. The base of the patio heater forms a stand for the heater, and usually contains a gas bottle or similar to provide heating fuel to the burner.

One popular form of outdoor socialising is the preparation and consumption of food outdoors. The word barbeque' is often used to refer to both an event of this type and the apparatus used for preparation of the food. A typical barbeque apparatus comprises a grill supported at around waist height, onto which foodstuffs to be cooked are placed. Cooking heat is provided from under the grill by a gas burner, charcoal, or similar.

As most outdoor heaters of the patio heater' type are freestanding, they occupy floorspace that could otherwise be used for socialising (standing, mingling, etc).

Similarly, barbeque type cookers are required to occupy a certain amount of floorspace so that food can be cooked.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: US20090308382 describes and shows an eccentric telescopic portable outdoor heater that has a burner assembly, a base, and a connecting assembly between the burner assembly and the base. The connecting assembly is an arched telescopic curving-arm assembly so that an eccentric telescopic portable outdoor heater with smooth arched configuration is formed.

W0200423954 describes and shows a cooking arrangement where a patio heater or other overhanging heater is utilised in association with a grill arrangement in order to provide a barbecue. The grill arrangement includes a grill pan appropriately supported and located and held in a relative position to a radiator heater reflector of the patio heater.

DE10010654 describes and shows a gas burner with a reflector which directs the radiated heat down on a table for food preparation and which is attached to vertical supports which may be extended vertically by means of a crank to raise the burner to serve as general heating.

GB2372429 discloses a multifunctional gas powered apparatus comprising a parasol heater and a barbeque and/or light, powered by the same gas source.

In contrast the present invention provides a combined barbeque and outdoor heater that is compact and which can be easily deployed and adjusted as required.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a combined barbeque and heater comprising: a cooking section comprising a cooking platform onto which food can be placed to cook; a heater section comprising a heating means configured to provide radiant warming heat; and a heater section support configured to support the heater section above the cooking section so that radiant warming heat is provided to users located around the combined barbeque and outdoor heater.

This arrangement removes the need to have separate barbeques and outdoor heaters, and helps to minimise the amount of floor space taken up with equipment.

In one example, the heater section support extends from within the cooking section.

This helps to keep the footprint of the combined barbeque and outdoor heater as small as possible.

In one example, the combined barbeque and outdoor heater further comprises shielding configured to protect the heater section support from heat from the cooking section. This helps to ensure that the heater section support and any items with the heater section support do not get damaged by heat from the cooking section in use.

In some embodiments, the cooking section is configured to hold a gas bottle below the cooking section to provide gas to the heater section. This allows the combined barbeque and outdoor heater to be portable and self-contained. Advantageously this enables the combined barbeque and heater to be suitable for portable use for

example camping.

In some other embodiments alternative fuels or methods of heating may be used.

For example the combined barbeque and heater may use ecologically sustainable fuels. Or may use infrared heating means such as infrared heating panels.

Advantageously such means may allow the heater as a whole to comparatively reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The cooking section may further comprise legs configured to extend below the cooking section to hold the cooking section stable at substantially waist height. This allows the combined barbeque and outdoor heater to be portable and self-contained.

In some embodiments, the cooking section is configured to hold a quantity of charcoal below the cooking platform. This allows a user to cook on the cooking platform using heat and flame from lit charcoal below the cooking platform.

In one example the cooking section further comprises at least one gas burner located below the cooking platform to provide heat to the cooking platform in use. This allows a user to cook on the cooking platform using heat and flame from the burner.

In some embodiments the cooking section has displaceable elements, comprising burners or other paraphernalia associated with the gas burners. In further embodiments a displaceable cover may be provided to cover such cooking paraphernalia.

The cooking platform may comprise a number of interchangeable plates and grills.

This allows a user to configure the cooking platform as required for different meals and types of cooking.

Advantageously the plates and grills are displaceable so that they may be readily interchanged and may also be removed for cleaning. Preferably the plates and grills may be suitable for dishwasher cleaning.

In some embodiments the heater section support is configured to telescope to raise and lower the heater section from a position directly adjacent to the cooking section to a position above the cooking section. This allows the heater section to be lowered to keep the combined barbeque and outdoor heater compact when not in use, and for transport if required.

Advantageously the support can be compacted and stowed within the cooking section when not in use.

The support can be extended to the desired height when in use, for example to accommodate the height of the user.

The support is formed from a strong, durable, heatproof material so as to be suitable for repeated use and in order to not be damaged by high surrounding temperatures.

The support may include a sprung or hydraulic means so as the support to be raised and lowered in a controller manner in order to be safe and prevent an injury caused by rapid closing or opening.

In one example the heater section is further configured to cover and protect the cooking section when directly adjacent to the cooking section. For example the heating section may serve as a cover to protect food being cooked in adverse weather conditions such as rain or high winds. This option also helps to protect the combined barbeque and outdoor heater from the elements when not in use.

In some embodiments the heater section may further include at least one vent grill so as to allow ventilation. Ideally the vent grills may be openable and closable in order to control temperature by allowing, limiting or preventing ventilation.

The heater section may be gas-powered, the combined barbeque and outdoor heater further comprising a retractable coil pipe that extends through the heater section support from below the cooking section to the heater section to provide gas from a remote soulce. This allows the combined barbeque and outdoor heater to operate from a single gas source, and helps to keep the construction and configuration of the combined barbeque and outdoor heater compact and robust.

In some embodiments the heater section and cooking section further comprise a mutually connecting and releasable hinge, configured so that when connected the heater section can rotate open rearwardly, the heater section further comprising a handle opposite the hinge. This allows the heater section to act as a normal hinged lid when the heater is not required, without having to raise the heater section above the cooking section.

The heater section may attach to the cooking section with a series of engaging and disengaging latches.

Ideally the latches are operated by a holder that can be grasped and adjusted by the user.

In some embodiments the holder is centrally located on an outer face of the heater section and the latches are engaged and disengaged by twisting the centre holder 90 degrees, to a variety of positions.

Typically attachment of the lid comprises a sliding, reversible or retractable engagement and consequently allows the heater section to be attached and detached with ease, maintaining a strong connection when attached, and ideally allowing pivoting thereof

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the front and to the right of a combined barbeque and outdoor heater according to an embodiment of the present invention, having separate cooking and heating sections, the heating section movable from directly adjacent to the cooking section as shown, to a location above the cooking section to provide warming heat to users.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view from the front and to the right of the combined barbeque and outdoor heater of figure 1 with the heating section raised above the cooking section and supported by a heater section support.

Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view from the front and to the right of the combined barbeque and outdoor heater of figures 1 and 2.

Figures 4a and 4b show a top view of a second embodiment of the heater and a side view of hinge respectively.

Figure 5 shows a reverse isometric view of the first embodiment as shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

An embodiment of the combined barbeque and heater of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

A combined barbeque and outdoor heater 1 as shown in figures 1 to 3 is formed from three main sections: a cooking section 2, a heater section 3, and a heater section support 4.

The cooking section 2 comprises a cooking platform 5 onto which food can be placed to cook, the cooking platform 5 supported by a frame and legs 6 so that when the combined barbeque and outdoor heater 1 is on a flat horizontal surface, the cooking platform will be substantially horizontal and located at various heights such as waist height. The cooking platform 5 comprises a number of interchangeable plates 7 and grills 8. This allows a user to configure the cooking platform as required for different meals and types of cooking -for example by using all grills for grilling meat, or using plates when searing or similar cooking is required. If a mix of foodstuffs is required, plates and grills can be mixed and matched as required. In this embodiment, the cooking section has a number of gas burners 9 located below the cooking platform 5 that provide flame and heat to the cooking platform 5 in use to allow a user to cook on the cooking platform 5. In a variation, the cooking section 2 could be configured to hold a quantity of charcoal below the cooking platform 5, which would be lit to allow a user to cook on the cooking platform 5 using heat and flame from the lit charcoal. The combined barbeque and outdoor heater 1 can be connected via hard-plumbing or similar into a mains gas supply. However, in the embodiment shown, the frame and legs 6 of the combined barbeque and outdoor heater 1 form a framework that contains and supports a gas bottle 10. This provides gas for the cooking section, and allows the combined barbeque and outdoor heater 1 to be portable and self-contained.

The heater section 3 comprises an inverted dish-shaped lid 11 that holds a heating means such as a gas heater that provides radiant warming heat that is directed downwards and outwards by the lid 11. In use, the heater section 3 can be raised so that it is located at a height of around two metres from the normal ground surface -just above head height so that radiant warming heat is provided to users located around the combined barbeque and outdoor heater 1. The heater section 3 can also be positioned directly adjacent to the upper part of the cooking section 2 to cover and protect the cooking section 3. In this position, this helps to protect the combined barbeque and outdoor heater from the weather when not in use. The lid of the heater section 3 further comprises a plurality of openable and closable vent grills (not shown) through the lid, which provide ventilation. In this example the heater in the heater section is gas-powered, as this allows the barbeque cooking section 2 and the heater section 3 to be powered from a single fuel source.

The heater section 3 is raised and selectively lowered by way of a heater section support 4 that extends approximately centrally from the cooking section 2. The heater section support 4 is a heat resistant telescoping support that raises and lowers the heater section 3 from a position directly adjacent to the cooking section 2 to a raised position above the cooking section, at an overall height of around two metres, where the heating means can be used to provide radiant heat to keep users warm.

The support locks into position and hides inside the cooking section when not extended. A spring loaded or soft-close mechanism inside the telescopic support ensures it doesn't slam down on someone's hand or onto the cooking section's platform. For example a spring or resiliently deformable member may be included at or near the support's lowest point that is compressed manually by the heating section during closing.

A retractable coil pipe6oextends through the heater section support from below the cooking section to the heater section to provide gas to the gas heater from the gas bottle 10. Such coil pipe extends with the support 4. The shielding 12 is annular in shape in this example and extends upwards around the base of the heater section support 4 to protect the heater section support 4 from heat from the cooking section 2.

When a user wishes to both cook and use the heater, they raise the heater and light both the cooking burners 9 and the heater in the heater section 3. If the weather is warm enough that the heater is not required, then it is rather inconvenient to have to raise the heater. For this case, the heater section 3 and cooking section 2 further comprise a mutually connecting and releasable hinge 14 at the rear of the combined barbeque and outdoor heater 1. The hinge 14 is configured so that so that when connected, the heater section 3 can pivot open rearwardly, the hinge forming an axis.

The heater section 3 has a handle 13 opposite the hinge to facilitate this. This allows the heater section to act as a normal hinged lid when the heater is not required, without having to raise the heater section above the cooking section. The hinge is released if the heater section is to be raised, wherein the hinge bolts 141 are slid together to open and slid apart to connect the hinge.

The lid 11 attaches to the cooking section, with a series of engaging and disengaging bayonet mechanisms. These are operated by twisting the centre handle 15 of the lid by 90 degrees, i.e. into one of 4 positions, numbered A, B, C, D which relate to the following: Position A The lid is closed. A latch at the front and a hinge mechanism at the back keep the lid closed.

Position B The front latch is deactivated or retracted, allowing the lid to hinge open. This can be used when cooking, either with the lid open or closed.

Position C The rear hinge and front latch are deactivated allowing the lid to be raised (with the cooking burner attached).

The lid can be lifted straight up at this point until the heater section support locks into place at its first position. The lid may be let go at this point and the support raised up again to its full extension, where it can be subsequently locked into place.

Position D The front latch, rear hinge and cooking burner attachments are all disengaged, allowing the lid to be fully displaced or removed completely.

With regards to the hinge 14, this will work to allow the lid to be attached and detached with ease whilst maintaining a strong connection when attached. Other similar mechanisms may be envisaged, such as magnetic portions, pivots, catches, latches and/or springs.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A combined barbeque and heater, comprising: a cooking section comprising a cooking platform onto which food can be placed to cook; a heater section comprising a heating means configured to provide radiant warming heat; and a heater section support configured to support the heater section above the cooking section so that radiant warming heat is provided to users located around the combined barbeque and outdoor heater.
2. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heater section support extends from within the cooking section.
3. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in claim 2 further comprising shielding configured to protect the heater section support from heat from the cooking section.
4. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the cooking section is configured to hold a gas bottle below the cooking section to provide gas to the heater section.
5. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the cooking section further comprises legs configured to extend below the cooking section to hold the cooking section stable at substantially waist height.
6. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the cooking section is configured to hold a quantity of charcoal below the cooking platform.
7. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the cooking section further comprises at least one gas burner located below the cooking platform to provide heat to the cooking platform in use.
8. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the cooking platform comprises a number of interchangeable plates and grills.
9. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the heater section support is configured to telescope to raise and lower the heater section from a position directly adjacent to the cooking section to a position above the cooking section.
10. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in claim 9 wherein the heater section is further configured to cover and protect the cooking section when directly adjacent to the cooking section.
11. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in claim 10 wherein the heater section further comprises a plurality of openable and closable vent grills.
12. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the heater section is gas-powered, the combined barbeque and outdoor heater further comprising a retractable coil pipe that extends through the heater section support from below the cooking section to the heater section to provide gas from a remote source.
13. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the heater section and cooking section further comprise a mutually connecting and releasable hinge, configured so that when connected the heater section can pivot open rearwardly, the heater section further comprising a handle opposite the hinge.
14. The combined barbeque and heater as claim in any preceding claim wherein a holder is provided on an outer face of the heater section.
15. The combined barbeque and heater according to claim 14 wherein the holder is linked to at least one latch so as to allow variation in how the heater section connects to and is displaced from the cooking section.
16. The combined barbeque and heater according to claim 14 wherein the latch or latches allow a plurality of independent connections of edges between sections.
17. The combined barbecue and heater comprising: a cooking platform on which S food maybe selectively cooked; a lid moveable from a lowered position in which the lid is adjacent to at least partially cover the platform to a raised position, spaced apart, above the platform; and a heating element coupled to the lid.
18. The combined barbecue heater of claim 17, further including a raised and lowering mechanism operatively to and extending between the cooking platform and the lid.
19. The combined barbecue and heater of one of any claims 18 and 19, wherein the raising and lowering mechanism is telescoping.
20. A combined barbeque and heater substantially as herein described with reference to the figures.Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A combined barbeque and heater, comprising: a cooking section comprising a cooking platform onto which food can be placed to cook; a heater section comprising a heating means configured to provide radiant warming heat; and a heater section support configured to support the heater section above the cooking section so that radiant warming heat is provided to users located around the combined barbeque and outdoor heater wherein the heater section support is configured to telescope to raise and lower the heater section from a position directly adjacent to the cooking section to a position above the cooking section.2. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heater section support extends from within the cooking section.3. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising shielding configured to protect the heater section support from heat LI') from the cooking section.0 4. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any preceding claim r" 20 wherein the cooking section is configured to hold a gas bottle below the cooking N-section to provide gas to the heater section.5. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cooking section further comprises legs configured to extend below the cooking section to hold the cooking section stable at substantially waist height.6. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cooking section is configured to hold a quantity of charcoal below the cooking platform.7. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cooking section further comprises at least one gas burner located below the cooking platform to provide heat to the cooking platform in use.8. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cooking platform comprises a number of interchangeable plates and grills.9. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the heater section is further configured to cover and protect the cooking section when directly adjacent to the cooking section.10. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the heater section further comprises a plurality of openable and closable vent grills.11. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the heater section is gas-powered, the combined barbeque and outdoor heater further comprising a retractable coil pipe that extends through the heater section support from below the cooking section to the heater section to provide LI') gas from a remote source.0 12. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any preceding claim r 20 wherein the heater section and cooking section further comprise a mutually N-connecting and releasable hinge, configured so that when connected the heater 0 section can pivot open rearwardly, the heater section further comprising a handle opposite the hinge.13. The combined barbeque and heater as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a holder is provided on an outer face of the heater section.14. The combined barbeque and heater according to claim 13 wherein the holder is linked to at least one latch so as to allow variation in how the heater section connects to and is displaced from the cooking section.15. The combined barbeque and heater according to claim 14 wherein at least one latch allows a plurality of independent connections of edges between sections.16. The combined barbecue and heater according to any preceding claim including a lid moveable from a lowered position, in which the lid is adjacent to at least partially cover the platform, to a raised position, spaced apart, above the platform.17. The combined barbecue and heater according to claim 16 wherein the heating means is coupled to the lid.18. A combined barbeque and heater substantially as herein described with reference to the figures. IC) rN