US3524980A

US3524980A - Gas light-gas grill combination

Info

Publication number: US3524980A
Application number: US756786A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wade O Meloan
Original assignee: Lear Siegler Inc
Current assignee: Lear Siegler Inc
Priority date: 1968-09-03
Filing date: 1968-09-03
Publication date: 1970-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1987-08-18

Description

Filed Sept. 5, 1968 I N VEN TOR. M4175 Q flaw/M M)? /A% Arrazl/n s United States Patent Office 3,524,980 Patented Aug. 18, 1970 3,524,980 GAS LIGHT-GAS GRILL COMBINATION Wade 0. Meloan, Centralia, Ill., assignor to Lear Siegler, .Inc., Santa Monica, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 3, 1968, Ser. No. 756,786 Int. Cl. A47j 37/00; FZlv 33/00; F24b 3/00 US. Cl. 240-2 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE'INVENTION This invention relates to gas grills and gas lights and more particularly concerns a unique combination of a gas grill with a gas light in which the gas grill is supported on a single support arm horizontally extending from the post which supports the gas light.

Gas lights are popular because of their low cost of manufacture, their troublefree operation, and the aesthetically pleasing appearance they present. They are being increasingly used by individuals at residential locations, such as in the backyards of homes, where outdoor night activities are frequently carried out. They are especially useful for providing light in the dark hours of the day during barbecueing and other forms of outdoor cooking. Gas light units usually consist of a light fixture attached to the top of a post, with gas-carrying lines leading from the ground through the post and into the fixture.

Gas grills have long been used in the cooking of food, both commercially and by individuals. The outdoor use has shown considerable growth in recent years, probably as a result of the noted increase in outdoor recreational activities. At present, outdoor gas grills are designed either as portable units, which carry their own gas supply in tanks mounted on the units, or as permanently mounted units.

Portable gas grills are disadvantageous in that they tend to be bulky and cannot be easily moved from one location to another. Moreover, their gas tanks have to be refilled after irregular intervals, often an inconvenient operation. The permanently mounted grills, although avoidingproblems of refilling and moving, are inconvenient because of their almost complete immobility. That is, even when such grills are rotatable with respect to the mounting post, they cannot be readily moved from one position to another so as to accommodate the positioning of benches and chairs nearby.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION The combined gas grill-gas light of this invention contemplates the utilization of a single support arm, extending from the light post of a conventional gas light, for supporting the gas grill. A gas light fixture is attached to the post at its top and gas lines are provided for connecting the-gas light and grill to a source of gas, the flow of gas to the grill being. regulated by suitable means disposed on the unit.

A particularly useful combination is provided by the utilization of a two-section light post and a support arm having coupling means at one end for connecting the two sections of the post, the other end of the support arm having mounting means on which the grill is rotatably mounted. The rotatable mounting of the grill on the support arm, which preferably permits 360 rotation of the grill, is especially useful when the unit is operated on windy days. With every change in wind direction, the grill can be rotated such that the wind will be at the users back.

Although the above described structure utilizes a twopiece post and a separate support arm, it is to be understood that a one-piece post, or a post integrally formed with a horizontally extending member, can also be employed. The two-sectional design, however, is especially advantageous in that it allows easier installation of the gas lines and flow regulating means during manufacture of the unit and also permits access to such components during operation of the unit.

The combined gas lighLgas grill unit of this invention can also be provided with a support arm which is pivotally mounted on the light post such that the grill can be rotated around the post. Such construction provides a unique feature of mobility in the unit since the gas grill can then be moved about the post to the most advantageous position. The availability of both a rotatable grill and rotatable support arm thus provides obvious advantages over permanently mounted gas grills.

Regulating means, usually consisting of a pressure regulator and manual control valve, is provided for regulating the flow of gas to the gas grill. Similar means can be provided for regulating the flow of gas to the gas light, although commonly used gas lights can often be manufactured without such means and operated continuously. It is essential, however, that such regulating means be provided on the gas grill, since varying amounts of heat are required during cooking and because the grill must be shut off after use.

The support arm preferably is a beam, having an indented bottom, extending horizontally from the light postv The beam is attached to the post by a rotatable coupling means at that end, and is provided with a mounting means, at the other end, on which the grill is rotatably mounted, as described above. The indented bottom, defining the cross section of an inverted channel member, is used to enclose the gas regulating means. Such design allows the regulating means to be easily reached for installation and/or maintenance and yet, by hiding such equipment, provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The support arm, such as the beam described above, is provided at its other end with suitable means on which a gas grill can be rotatably mounted. Preferably, such means consists of a cylindrical member, disposed on the beam, over which a mating cylinder, disposed on the grill, can be positioned. With such structure, the grill can be rotated on the cylindrical member disposed on the support arm.

An especially preferred grill unit for utilization in the combination of this invention has a high-walled outer housing enclosing a grate and grill. The grill can be raised and lowered with respect to the grate by means of a crank and suitable cranking mechanism. The grill also has a lift top which can be opened from either side of the unit such that the user does not have to lean over the grill to open it. The light post ordinarily is secured in a concrete footing or the like.

The present gas grill-gas light unit represents a unique combination of the components. The gas grill is safely and effectively supported by the signal support arm of this invention. By such structure, each component complements the other. That is, the mounting of the gas grill on the light post allow the grill to be easily moved out of the way of objects located nearby, thereby pro- 3 viding a semiportable gas grill. The gas light provides an attractive and eflicient source of light, such that the gas grill can be operated during the evening hours. Moreover, the utilization of a single support arm, which is rotatably around the light post, allows for simplified installation of the unit, generally at low cost, and provides a structure having an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a combined gas grill and gas light of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a preferred means for coupling the support arm to the light post and illustrates the placement of gas flow regulating means within the support arm;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the post of FIG. 1 taken along lines 3-3; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a preferred means for mounting the gas grill unit on the support arm.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring in detail to FIG. 1, the gas grill unit 2 is rotatably mounted on a support arm 4 which is rotatably attached to the lower section of a light post 6. A convention gas light fixture 8 is secured at the top of the post, which is secured in the ground, usually by means of a concrete footing. The gas grill 2 is of a high-walled design to shield the grill from changes in the wind direction and to offer solid support for the inner components of the unit. The gas grill 2 has a cover 10 which can be lifted by means of handles 12 from either side of the grill, such that a user does not have to lean over the grill to open and close the cover. A crank 14 and cranking mechanism (not shown) are provided for raising and lowering the grill 16 above the grate 18 and burner 20 to provide exactly the desired exposure to the flame during cooking. Valve means (not shown) are disposed within an indented portion of the support arm 4, a control knob 22 being positioned on the outer wall of the support arm 4 for regulating the fiow of gas to the grill unit 2.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a preferred support arm 4 which couples a two-

sectional light post

24, 26 and which also is employed to support the gas grill at its opposite end. The support arm 4 consists of a beam member 28 disposed between a coupling portion 30 and a grill mounting portion at the other end. The coupling portion 30 of the support arm 4 consists of a cylindrically shaped member 32 which is welded or other wise fabricated around the two sections of the

light post

24, 26, with

gas lines

33, 34 for the light fixture and gas grill unit entering at the bottom of such cylindrically shaped member 32 and separating at the center thereof. Gas line 32 proceeds into the upper section of the light post and gas line 34 passes into the support arm 4 and to the grill burner. A pressure regulator valve mechanism 36 is disposed within the indented portion of the beam adjacent the coupling end of the support arm and can be reached from below the support arm. A valve control knob 22 projects through the wall of the support arm. A valve control knob 22 projects through the wall of the support arm 4 to the front side of the gas grill 2 to allow ready control of the gas flow.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 illustrating the cylindrical shape of the coupling portion 40 of the support arm 4 and additionally showing the indented cross sectional shape of the beam member 28 connected therewith. Also illustrated is the valve means 36 disposed within the indented portion of the beam member 28 adjacent the coupling portion 30 of the support arm.

FIG. 4 illustrates means by which the gas grill 2 is mounted on the outwardly extending end of the support arm 4. A cylindrically shaped member 38 is disposed within an upwardly extending mounting portion 40 of the support arm. The gas grill has a similarly cylindrical member 42 projecting at its base which is capable of fitting over and in mating relationship with the cylindrical member 38 disposed on the support arm. The mating relationship of the two cylindrically shaped mounting members allows the gas grill 2 to be rotated on the support arm. A plate 44 is secured within the cylindrically shaped member 38 of the support arm for supporting tubing manifold 46 entering the support arm and passing into the gas unit 2 to the grill burner. The tubing manifold 46 is secured to the plate 44, securing a burner orifice 48 which meters gas to the burner.

Additionally, other components may be attached to the gas grill unit 2 or to the support arm 4, or both. For example, a small two-burner gas or electric plate, used to heat coffee or to keep food warm can be supported by a second support arm extending from the described support arm. Similarly, an intercom and/or an AM-FM radio speaker can be connected and used in combination with the structure herein disclosed. A gas or electric infrared heater can be attached to the post, or to the support arm, to provide heat for a person using the gas grill or sitting in the adjacent area.

The support arm preferably is an aluminum casting, the light post ordinarily constructed of heavy gauge galvanized steel. They are usually fabricated by means of conventional resistance welding techniques. After the welding operation, the seam is usually regalvanized. The light post and support arm are then finished with silicone enamel to provide increased durability and service. The grill housing is preferably constructed of heavy gauge cast aluminum and preferably is also finished in a silicon enamel. The working components of the grill, that is, the grate, grill and the like, may be constructed of stainless steel. Also, a grate can be provided for uniformly holding ceramettes over the burner for even heat distribution. The handles on the covers, as well as the knob for the regulating means and similar components, may be constructed of plastic, such as a phenolic material. Copper tubing, or coated steel tubing, and the like, can be employed for conveying gas to the light and grill.

It is claimed:

1. A combination gas light and gas grill comprising (a) a post;

(b) a gas light attached to the post;

(0) a support arm extending from the post;

(d) a gas grill;

(e) means for rotatably mounting the gas grill on the support arm;

(f) gas lines connecting the gas light and grill to a source of gas; and

(g) means for regulating the flow of gas to the grill.

2. A combination gas light and gas grill comprising:

(a) a post including first and second sections;

(b) a gas light attached to the post;

(0) a support arm horizontally extending from the post;

(d) coupling means at one end of the support arm connecting the first and second sections of the post;

(e) a gas grill secured to the support arm;

(f) means disposed at the other end of the support arm for rotatably mounting the grill;

(g) gas lines connecting the gas light and grill to a source of gas; and

(h) means for regulating the flow of gas to the grill.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the mounting means is constructed to produce rotation of the grill on the support arm through 360".

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the support arm is coupled to the post by means of a cylindrically shaped member rotatably mounted thereon such that the support arm can be rotated around the post.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the regulating means comprises a valve disposed on the support arm,

the valve having a control knob projecting from the support arm.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the portion of the support arm between the coupling and mounting means defines an inverted channel member, the valve means being disposed within the channel.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the mounting means of the grill comprises'a vertically disposed cylindrical member, secured to an upwardly extending portion of the support arm and mating with a cylinder disof the grill.

6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS CHARLES J. MYHRE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.