GB2616624A

GB2616624A - An outdoor cooking device

Info

Publication number: GB2616624A
Application number: GB2203548.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kontoghiorghes Alexander
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-03-15
Filing date: 2022-03-15
Publication date: 2023-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 2042-03-15
Also published as: GB202203548D0; GB2624848A; GB2616624B; GB202212982D0

Abstract

An outdoor cooking device 99 comprises a cooking section 55 and a support 15. The support is arranged to elevate the cooking section. The outdoor cooking device has gas burner(s), food holders 10 and a motor(s). The holders comprise perforated clamping plates with endmost spindles, such that a foodstuff is clamped between the plates and the motor(s) controlled by a transceiver turns the spindle. The holders may be displaceable from the cooking section and / or comprise a hinged top plate, secured to a lower plate at a sliding catch. A battery (78, Fig 5) may provide power. Preferably the cooking device comprises a thermoelectric generator. The burners may include wirelessly enabled gas valves. The motor(s) may provide wirelessly controlled rotation or flipping. Preferably the support has a lid 9 and / or a cupboard 7 for a gas canister 16 and / or a food preparation surface 14. Preferably the cooking devices comprise a sensor(s), which may measure food temperature, comprise video cameras for monitoring and measure weight. Software enables cooking models to be set.

Description

AN OUTDOOR COOKING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an outdoor cooking device; more particularly but not exclusively a barbecue.

Background

Many people in many societies enjoy outdoor eating in increasing numbers, and in increasing numbers of situations, particularly as the climate increasingly allows it.

However as the climatic conditions can be increasingly unpredictable, many such eating situations may be compromised or difficult to manage.

For this reason, as well as the demanding time and effort required to cook outdoors, it may be impossible or undesirable for a cook to remain with the outdoor cooking equipment over a prolonged period.

As a result, it may be desirable to obtain the benefits and experience of outdoor cooking without being continually required to monitor cooking conditions, for example turning foodstuffs to ensure even cooking.

Prior Art

EP 2 082 475 (HECKER et al) discloses a rotisserie cooking device for use with a cooking source comprising: a food holding member; at least one motor operatively linked with the food holding member; at least one thermopile associated with the motor, the at least one thermopile providing energy for driving the at least one motor for rotating the food holding member.

CN 109 917 713 (HOU) discloses a wireless intelligent controller used for a barbecue oven and a control method thereof. The controller comprises a micro-control unit, a 35 storage unit, a power supply unit, an external input unit, an external driving unit, an external measuring unit, an alarm unit, and a wireless unit, wherein the storage unit, the power supply unit, the external input unit, the external driving unit, the external measuring unit, the alarm unit, and the wireless unit are connected to the micro-control unit. The storage unit is connected to a display unit. The external driving unit is connected to a motor, a fan and a heating rod of the barbecue oven. The external measuring unit is connected to a temperature probe in the oven. By using the control method of the invention, a biomass material can be burned in the barbecue.

US 2007 0 240 698 (HOLBROOK) discloses an accessory for a barbecue grill which automatically flips food over 180 degrees at desired intervals, and which allows the food to rest essentially on the existing grill rack surface when cooking. The system includes a food support rack, rack mounts, linkage, motor control and motor mount with a motor and an L-shaped drive shaft. The food support rack includes lower and upper racks of open mesh, with the food to be cooked placed therebetween. The rack mounts provide for rotatable movement of the food support rack and are located on an axis essentially coincident with one of the longitudinal edges of the food support rack.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an outdoor cooking device comprising: a cooking section and a support, the support arranged to elevate the cooking section; one or more gas burners; a plurality of food holders; and at least one motor; and a transceiver adapted to control the one or more motors; wherein the holders comprise perforated clamping plates having endmost spindles, such that a foodstuff is clamped between the plates and a motor controlled by the transceiver is arranged to turn the spindle.

In some embodiments the one or more holders is displaceable from the cooking section, such that the holders may be more easily operated with foodstuffs, which may be emplaced in the holders at a different location, for example indoors in a kitchen.

In some embodiments the one or more holders comprises a hinged top plate on a 35 hinge with two pivot pins at one end, secured to a lower plate at a sliding catch. In this way the holders may accommodate and clamp down over different depths of foodstuffs.

In some embodiments the device comprises a battery, which may advantageously 5 enable the device to be self-contained and moveable.

In some embodiments the device comprises a thermoelectric generator. This may harvest energy from heat within the cooking section, and may therefore be envisaged to provide a trickle-charge for the battery.

In some embodiments the device burners comprise wirelessly enabled gas valves, such that the amount of heat applied to the foodstuffs may be controlled remotely.

In some embodiments the motors provide wirelessly controlled rotation, such that the 15 speed and amount of rotation may be controlled remotely.

In some embodiments the support includes a lid, so as to enclose the cooking section and prevent contamination or rain entry.

In some embodiments the support includes a cupboard for a gas canister. In this way the gas may be locally stored and the device more self-contained and moveable.

In some embodiments the support includes one or more food preparation surfaces for local food preparation or utensil storage, such as a shelf, and in some embodiments 25 the support includes castor wheels so as to allow easy movement.

In some embodiments the device comprises three holders and it may be envisaged that the device comprises three Iccal controls.

In some embodiments the holders comprise stainless steel mesh.

In some embodiments the device comprises one or more sensors. In some such embodiments the sensor is arranged to sense internal temperature of food held in a holder, comprising a probe.

In some embodiments the device may comprise one or more video cameras, such that a remote user can monitor the cooking of the foodstuffs.

In some embodiments the device comprises one or more weighing means or weight 5 sensing means, for example provided by a weight transducer to convert an input mechanical force such as load, weight, tension, compression, or pressure into an electrical output signal that can be measured, converted and standardised. Such weighing means may be adapted to weigh the food holders. In this way it may be envisaged that the food holders may be weighed with foodstuff items after the food 10 holders have been attached. This in turn may be envisaged to be advantageously used to monitor item weight, and therefore the device may be enabled to adjust and temperature and/or rotation patterns accordingly.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided software for 15 controlling a device according to nay of the preceding claims comprises a means to set cooking models combining temperature, timing and rotation patterns.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the 25 present invention, with the support opened; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with the support closed; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; And Figure 6 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of an outdoor cooking device generally comprising: a cooking section 5 and a support 15, the support arranged to elevate the cooking section; one or more gas burners; a plurality of food holders 10; and motors 23; and a transceiver adapted to control the motors; wherein the holders comprise perforated clamping plates having endmost spindles, such that a motor turns the spindle.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a 20 monolithic support 15, which supports the cooking section 5 on an upper location thereof.

The cooking section is rectangular in footprint and has a hinged lid 9, which is hinged at a hinge 2 along one long edge, and includeS a handle 8 at the opposed long edge. 25 The lid curves upwards to provide space under it.

The support 15 includes an internal skeleton 51 formed in mild steel and is clad with sheets of stainless steel or aluminium. A front face of the support provides a hinged door 7, for a cupboard to contain a gas canister in use, and whatever utensils.

A side face of the support provides a laterally extending food preparation area 14, which has a wooden or stone surface 41.

The support further includes castcr wheels 17 to enable the movement of the device.

The cooking section comprises three spindles which support the holders 10. The holders comprise two perforated stainless steel plates, which are longitudinally arranged on the spindles and hinged at an end. The hinge comprises two vertically spaced hinge pins and rocker connector between the two pins, such that the holder plates can adjust for different depth foodstuffs, and the distal end of the holder includes a slidable ring to catch the top plate, and hold it under tension against the foodstuff and hinge.

The support includes a sliding grease collection tray 16, and a battery hatch 18, for receipt of batteries 78, which may be rechargeable or replaceable. It, may be envisaged for example that the electronics are powered by a 12V LiPo battery which could be trickle-charged using the heat generated from the gas grill, or could be replaceable, and re-charged externally.

The cooking section cooking tray 25, which comprises a motor and control end and a support plate end 11. The control end includes a cooling fan (not shown) expelling hot air from internal the cooking section through vents 12, and a printed circuit board control (not shown). The three motors comprise 12V geared down motors driven by the battery or batteries.

The control end further comprise an ignition and three individual local speed controls 3 for the motors. The front of the cooking section comprises further local control means 6, namely three gas burners controls for heat control.

The support plate 11 has depending slots in its top edge, into which the distal ends of the spindles are dropped. When the lid 9 is closed, as shown in Figure 3, the spindle ends 13 are still available for the user to turn them.

In use therefore the spindles are displaced from the cooking section, the holders are 30 opened and the foodstuffs placed within them, then the top plate is closed down over the foodstuff and the ring catch at the distal located to hold the holder closed.

The proximal ends are located onto the motor at the control end and the distal ends into the slots.

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 protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. An outdoor cooking device comprising: a cooking section and a support, the support arranged to elevate the cooking section; one or more gas burners; a plurality of food holders; and at least one motor; and a transceiver adapted to control the one or more motors; wherein the holders comprise perforated clamping plates having endmost spindles, such that a foodstuff is clamped between the plates and a motor controlled by the transceiver is arranged to turn the spindle.
2. An outdoor cooking device according to claim 1 wherein the one or more holders is displaceable from the cooking section.
3. An outdoor cooking device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the one or more holders comprises a hinged top plate on a hinge with two pivot pins at one end, secured to a lower plate at a sliding catch.
4. An outdoor cooking device according to any preceding claim comprisihg a battery to enable a self-contained device.
5. An outdoor cooking device according to any preceding claim comprising a thermoelectric generator.
6. An outdoor cooking device according to any preceding claim wherein the burners include wirelessly enabled gas valves.
7. An outdoor cooking device according to any preceding claim wherein the motors provide wirelessly controlled rotation or flipping.
8. An outdoor cooking device according to claim wherein the support includes a lid.
9. An outdoor cooking device according to any preceding claim wherein the support includes a cupboard for a gas canister.
10. An outdoor cooking device according to claim wherein the support includes a food preparation surface.
11. An outdoor cooking device according to any preceding claim wherein the support includes castor wheels.
12. An outdoor cooking device according to claim comprising three holders. 5
13. An outdoor cooking device according to claim comprising three local controls.
14. An outdoor cooking device according to any preceding claim wherein the holders comprises stainless steel mesh. 10
15. An outdoor cooking device according to claim comprising one or more sensors.
16. An outdoor cooking device according to claim 15 wherein the sensor is arranged to sense internal temperature of food held in a holder, comprising a probe.
17. An outdoor cooking device according to claim 15 wherein the sensors comprise one or more video cameras, arranged such that a remote user can monitor the cooking of the foodstuffs.
18. An outdoor cooking device according to claim 15 wherein the sensors provide a weighing means.
19. An outdoor cooking device according to claim 18 wherein the weighing means enables weighing of a food holder.
20. Software for controlling a device according to any of the preceding claims comprises a means to set cooking models combining temperature, timing and rotation patterns.