US2972942A

US2972942A - goldberg

Info

Publication number: US2972942A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1961-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 1978-02-28

Description

Fe 2 1 c. J. GOLDBERG COLLAPSIBLE BROILER 5 Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed Aug. 13, 1958 INVENTOR.

CHESTERJGOLDBERG zj ATTORNEYS Feb. 28, 1961 c. J. GOLDBERG COLLAPSIBLE BROILER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 13, 1958 Um m KG OR T R N 0 E T L T o A G J R E M T S E w Feb. 28, 1961 c. J. GOLDBERG COLLAPSIBLE BROILER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 13, 1958 CHESTER \IGOLDBERG ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1961 c. J. GOLDBERG 2,972,942

COLLAPSIBLE BROILER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 13, 1958 P 3 e W} \IIL/ 8 2 & m m llilw E W A 6 A Z\ M /K F l6. l3

INVENTOR.

CHESTER JGOLDBERG 7C1, JWM dub ATTORNEYS 2,972,942 Ice Patented Feb. 23, 1951 COLLAPSIBLE BROILER Chester J. Goldberg, 365 New York Ave., Brooklyn 13, N.Y.

Filed Aug. 13, 1958, Ser. No. 754,771

Claims. (Cl. 99-421) This invention relates generally to broilers and, more specifically, to electric broilers of the collapsible type in which the broiler is adapted to be mounted on a suitable vertically disposed supporting surface such that the broiler may be swung outwardly to an operative position from a substantailly collapsed inoperative position.

An object of this invention is to provide a broiler having a heating element which is movable from a nonuse position in which it is conveniently and substantially unobstructively placed to a usable position by an improved structure operable in an effective manner.

Another object is to provide a broiler adapted to be coupled with substantially any suitable and vertically disposed supporting surface to swing between a vertical inoperative position and a horizontal operative position extending from this supporting surface at substantially right angles thereo, and further may be supported in this manner by such surface either exteriorly or interiorly of any particular household.

A further object is to provide a collapsible broiler having a heating unit mounted interiorly of a panelized frame, which,'in turn, is adapted to encase a majority of the other parts of this broiler to thus present a cabinet appearance when the broiler is swung into its collapsed non-use position.

A still further object is to provide a structurally and functionally improved broiler of the collapsible type which is adapted to be supported by substantially any suitable and vertically disposed surface while possessing the characteristics of being readily portable so that it may be relocated withoutmuch difiiculty.

An important object is to provide a broiler structure, in which a tray may be advantageously located with respect to the broiler heating unit; and in which a spit may be incorporated into suchbroiler structure which, in turn, may be so constructed and arranged to provide means for automatically rotating this spit; and in which other components normally associated with broiler units may be incorporated to such structure to facilitate broiling and other similar culinary operations.

Numerous other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a single preferred embodiment of my invention in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a broiler in accordance V with this embodiment showing its extended operative position;

, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along heating coil 56 is suitably anchored to a plate 5S.

2 line 66 of Fig. 5 with certain parts broken away and removed;

Fig. 7 is a partial elevational view in the direction of the arrows of line 77 of Fig. 5 with certain parts broken away and removed;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of this broiler in a collapsed inoperative state;

Fig. 9 is a similar perspective view of this broiler in a partly opened position;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line ltl-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 11-11 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1212 of Fig. 9 with certain parts broken away and removed; and

Fig. 13 is a bottom plan view of the collapsed unit illustrated in Fig. 8.

In the drawings I have illustrated a broiler fabricated in accordance with my present invention of the collapsible type which is adapted to be disposed in a substantially vertical position on a suitable substantially vertical supporting surface. This surface may be 10- coated on the interior or exterior of any particular household. In this connection, the broiler may be suitably mounted at an appreciable distance from this household in close proximity to terraces, picnic grounds or the like, and preferably at a location permitting the tapping of a suitable source of electrical energy.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, I provide a base plate 20 for permitting, among other functions, the connection of my broiler to the aforenientionedv suitably disposed vertical supporting surface. This base plate 20 constitutes a composite structure including several lamina such as a rear plate 22 formed, for example, from ply wood, an interposed sheet of suitable heat insulating material 24 and an outer metallic sheet 26 having suitably flanged edge portions for facilitating its securement to the rear plate 22 to thus advantageously position the insulating sheet material 24 therebetween.

A broiler heater unit 28 is pivotally secured to the base plate 20 to swing between a vertical inoperative or non-use position and a horizontal operative or usable position extending from the base plate 20 at substantially right angles thereto. In this connection, the broiler heater unit 28 includes a panelized heater enclosure which includes, when in an extended position, a top panel 30, integrally extending

side panels

32 and 34 as well as a rear panel 36. The rear panel 36 is hingedly connected to the base plate 20 as at 38 in a manner substantially as shown. The frontal sector of the panelized heater enclosure'may be varied, depending upon the desired configuration and, as illustrated, may have an inclined wall 40 extending integrally from the top panel 30, an inclined wall 42 extending integrally from side panel 32 and an inclined wall 44 extending integrally from side panel 34. These inclined walls then terminate in a wall 46, which is substantially parallel the rear panel 36. In an effort to reduce the number of sharp edges on the panelizecl heater enclosure 28, a lower peripheral inturned flange 48 may be provided on

side panels

32 and 34 as well as

Walls

32, 44 and 46. An insulating strip 50 is placed adjacent the inner face of the top panel 30 and is fixed thereto by means of a suitably secured panel 52.

A heating element 54 is displaceable within the enclosure 28 and includes the usual heating coil 56. The Plate 58 extends into a pair of downwardly projecting sides 64) and 62 which, in turn, are flanged at 64 and 66, respectively. As aforementioned, the heating element 54 is displaceable within the enclosure 28 and, more particularly, capable of being raised or lowered when the broilor heater unit 28 is swung to its horizontal operative position. In this connection, the heating element 54 is permitted to travel in tracks 68 and 70 properly located and formed on the interior face of each of the

side panels

32 and 34. A stud 72 may be threadedly secured to the side 65) of the heater element 54 and is permitted limited displacement within elongated slot 74. In the side panel 32, a knob 76 projects from the other end of the stud 72 to facilitate the raising and lowering of the heating element 54.

The distal end of the heating element 54 is substantially the same and includes a stud 78 extending through the side 62 of the heating element 54, elongated slot 80 and side panel 34 with the knob 82 attached thereto.

A slidable or shiftable latch 84 is then employed to releasably look its associated end of the heating element 54 at the desired elevation.

The structure and the functioning of the

latches

84 and 86 will be best understood by referring to Fig. 7 which shows in detail the latch 86. shiftably mounted on side panel 34 substantially in juxtaposition with the elongated slot 80. In this regard, the latch 86 is formed with a pair of slots 88 and 90 which are adapted to receive the shanks of a pair of threaded bolts 92 and 94, respectively, projecting from side panel 34. The latch 96 additionally presents a latching sector which includes a series of spaced recesses 96 for conveniently receiving the stud 76 therein when the latch is shifted to the left, as viewed in Fig. 7. Thus, upon determining the desired elevation of the heating element 54, the broiler operator need only to associate the threaded shaft 78 with the appropriately located recess 96 of the latch 86 when the latter is shifted to the right as viewed in Fig, 7. Then the broiler operator can shift the latch 86 to the left as viewed in this figure and thereby lock the subject end of the heating element 54 at the selected elevation, A similar procedure is resorted to in positioning the other end of the heating element 54.

A pair of pivotal arms and 102 are pivotally secured to the base plate 20 to swing between a vertical inoperative position substantially parallel to the base 20 and a vertical operative position extending from the base 20 at right angles thereto and with respect'to the broiler heater unit 28. These

arms

100 and 102 when in an operative position are adapted to support the broiler heater unit 28 in an operative position, substantially as illustrated in. Fig. l; and when in an inoperative position they are adapted to be contained within the broiler heater unit 23 when the latter is in an inoperative position, as illustrated in Fig. 8. Arm 100 is hingedly connected at 164 to a post 106 secured to the back plate 20. Arm 102, on the other hand, is hinged at 108 to a post 110 similarly connected to back plate 20.

Arm 100 includes a pair of

side panels

112 and 114, a pair of spaced

end panels

116 and 118 as well as a top panel 129 an bottom panel 122. Insulation 124 is suitably spaced within the pivotal arm 100 to minimize heat transfer to the outer exposed panels. A plurality of spaced parallel racks 126, the purpose of which would become apparent shortly, are suitably mounted by side panel 114.

The other pivotal arm 10?. is similarly fabricated and includes a pair of spacedside panels 128 and .1301,

end panels

132 and 134, top panel 136 and bottom panel 133. insulation 14% is disposed within the pivotal arm 102 to reduce the effects of heat from the broiler heating element 54. A series of racks 142 are then secured to the inner face of the side panel 123 in a manner somewhat similar to the securement of racks 126 to their associated side panel 114. i

A tray 144 is suitably ing edges 146 and is adapted to be slidably supported by the inwardly projecting

racks

126 and 142 when the

pivotal arms

100 and 102 are swung to their operative formed with peripheral upstand-.

position substantially normal to the back plate 20. This tray 144 has secured to its back face a hook structure 148 which is adapted to frictionally engage complementary surfaces of another hook structure 150 anchored to the inner face of the inner lamina 26 of the back plate 2%). Thus, when the arms 10% and 102 are in their collapsed inoperative position, the tray 144 is adapted to be interposed between these collapsed arms and the back plate 20 and further secured in this position by means of the cooperating

hook structures

148 and 150. When it is desired to place the tray 144 in the appropriate selected pair of racks 1 2,6 and 142, the tray is unhooked from the back plate 20, after arms and 102 are in their operative position, and then suitably positioned.

To ensure the maintenance of the

arms

100 and 102 in their collapsed inoperative position, a latch 152 is provided, which is pivotally mounted on the exterior panel of one of these arms. This latch 152 is adapted to engage a projecting pin 154 extending from the exterior panel of the other arm through a latch recess portion 156. When desired, the

arms

100 and 102 may be swung outwardly with respect to the back plate 20 by initially disassociating the latch 152 with the engaged projecting pin 154.

When the

arms

100 and 102 are in their fully extended position with respect to the back plate 20, further movement of these arms past their desired perpendicularity with respect to this back plate 20 will be prevented by the engagement of the

end panels

118 and 134 with the vertically extending posts 106 and respectively. Although a properly mounted tray 144 in

racks

126 and 142 will prevent the

arms

100 and 102 from swinging inwardly, provisions are nevertheless made for a pair of catches 160 pivotally mounted on the side panel 112 of arm 100 and side panel of arm 102 engageable, respectively, with the

side panels

32 and 34 of the broiler heater unit 28. Prior to collapsing

arms

100 and 102, the catches are swung out of engagement with their associated broiler

unit side panels

32 and 34.

Mounted within the arm 100 is an electric motor 162 which is suitably coupled with a reduction gear assembly 164 similarly positioned within the confines of the arm 100. The drive coupling for this motor reduction gear assembly 164 is accessible through a suitably formed opening 166 in the side panel 114 of arm 100. A spit 168 having the usual prongs 170 may be detachably journaled in the drive coupling of the gear assembly 164 when it is desired to resort to a rotisserie method of preparing food. It has been found that satisfactory results are obtained when the output of the motor 162 is geared down by assembly 164 to approximately 9 rpm. The other arm 102, in order to cooperate in rotatably mounting the spit 168, is provided with a slot 172 formed in end panel 132 and

side panels

128 and 130. The slot 172 is defined by suitably positioned wall portions that cooperate to substantially enclose the interior confines of arm 102. The dimensions of the slot 172 should be such that the end of the spit 168, which includes a suitable bearing collar 174 as well as handle 176, is permitted free rotation therein upon actuation of the other spit end by energization of the motor 162. The collar 174 mounts a suitable washer which is adapted to rotate in a slit formed in the lower wall of thevslot 172 to prevent the spit 168 from becoming disengaged with the motor 162. If for some reason an automatic rotation of spit 168 is not desired, the handle 176 may be activated to obtain manual rotation. V A suitable electric switch 178 may be mounted on the end panel 116 of arm 100 and may be properly electrically connected to the motor 162 to initiate and stop the actuation of the latter. Additionally, a suitable warning pilot light 180 may be incorporated into the structure of the arm 100 adjacent the endpanel a 116 to indicate whether or not the motor is running. a

If it is found to be necessary, -a similar switching means and pilot light arrangement may be employed in connection with the energization of the heating element 54 located within the panelized enclosure of the broiler heater unit 28.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a suitable electric timer 182 may be additionally provided in arm 100 as an aid in the preparation of food by means of the present invention.

Naturally, when an ordinary broiling operation is employed, the use of the rotatable spit 168 is not necessary. Accordingly, when not in use, the spit 163 may be mounted by means of hooks 184 properly located on the back plate 20 so that the spit, as well as hooks, will not obstruct the desired movement of the parts to either the operative position of Fig. 1 or collapsed position of Fig. 8.

However, when the spit is utilized, it will be evident that its axis of rotation is substantially fixed when it extends between the mounting

arms

100 and 102. In this connection, the distance between the heating element 54 and this axis of rotation may be increased or decreased by simply manipulating the

latches

84 and 86 to etfect the desired displacement of this element.

As mentioned in the foregoing, a broiler fabricated in accordance wtih this invention is in most respects portable when its backing plate 20 is not permanently secured to a vertically disposed supporting surface. When a broiler collapsed position is assumed, as illustrated in Fig. 8, a latch assembly 186 may be included to releasably secure the broiler heater unit 28, and consequently

arms

100 and 102, to the back plate 20. A handle 188 may then be provided on the panel 46 of this unit to facilitate its transportation to a selected location.

Thus, it will be apparent that the numerous aforenoted objects and advantages, among others, are most efiectively attained. Although a single embodiment has been illustrated and described, it is intended that this invention be defined by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible broiler comprising in combination: a vertically disposed base adapted to be secured in a substantially vertical position; a broiler unit having an electrical heater element and being in a substantially horizontal operative position extending from said base at substantially right angles thereto; a first pivotal means pivotally connecting said broiler unit to said base so that said broiler unit is displaceable from said horizontal operative position to a substantially vertical collapsed position against said base; a first arm and second arm being spaced from one another and being in a substantially vertical operative position extending from said base at substantially right angles thereto and at right angles with respect to said broiler unit, said arms supporting said broiler unit in its operative position; a second and third pivotal means respectively pivotally connecting said first arm and said second arm to said base so that said arms are pivotal from their vertical operative position to a substantially vertical collapsed position at which they are against said base and substantially contiguous one another, and said broiler unit and said pivotal arms being so constructed and arranged that when said pivotal arms are in their collapsed position they are adapted to be contained within said broiler unit when the latter is in its collapsed position.

2. The invention, in accordance with claim 1, wherein a tray support means form part of said arms for supporting a tray at a number of selected locations on said arms with respect to said broiler unit; and a tray supported by said tray support means at a selected location on said arms with respect to said broiler unit.

3. The invention, in accordance with claim 2, wherein said broiler is so constructed and arranged that said tray is adapted to be interposed between said arms and said base when said arms are in their collapsed position.

4. The invention, in accordance with claim 1, wherein said broiler further includes a spit; and means on said arms for rotatably mounting said spit.

5. The invention, in accordance with claim 4, wherein a motor is mounted by one of said arms for continuously driving said spit. I

6. The invention, in accordance with claim 4, wherein said broiler unit includes adjusting means for adjusting the position of said heating element within said broiler unit and with respect to said spit.

7. The invention, in accordance with claim 4, wherein tray support means form part of said arms for supporting a tray below said spit; and a tray supported by said tray support means below said spit with said spit being interposed between said tray and said heater element.

8. The invention, in accordance with claim 1, wherein said broiler unit includes an adjusting means for adjusting the position of said heater element within said broiler unit.

9. The invention, in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of said arms includes means for mounting a timer; and one of said arms includes means for mounting a warning device for indicating the energization of certain parts of said broiler.

10. The invention, in accordance with claim 1, wherein a tray is supported by said arms and restricts movement of said arms from their operative position to their collapsed position; and latch means operatively connected between said broiler unit and both of said arms for re stricting movement of said arms beyond their operative position and further away from their collapsed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,404,808 Taylor Jan. 31, 1922 1,718,961 Humphrey July 2, 1929 2,398,508 Shoemaker Apr. 16, 1946 2,470,645 Reichart May 17, 1949 2,477,529 Sprinkle July 29, 1949 2,558,294 Finizie June 26, 1951 2,627,854 Saua Feb. 10, 1953 2,718,845 Dudley Sept. 27, 1955 2,783,705 Vrionis Mar. 5, 1957 2,811,628 Gottfried Oct. 29, 1957 2,856,507 Naxon Oct. 14, 1958