US3845753A

US3845753A - Oven enclosure for a grill

Info

Publication number: US3845753A
Application number: US00468227A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Jackson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-05-09
Filing date: 1974-05-09
Publication date: 1974-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-05

Abstract

A foldable enclosure for placing over a charcoal grill or the like so as to roast or bake viands. An enclosure formed of five relatively light weight panels that are joined together with hinges, the hinges performing the dual function of reinforcing the panels and permitting the panels to be folded so that the enclosure can be transported in a flat condition. A clip for retaining the enclosure in a folded condition. Handles for lifting the enclosure during use of the same and for expediting transportation of the enclosure in a folded condition.

Description

Jackson 1 1 Nov. 5, 1974 1 1 OVEN ENCLOSURE FOR A GRILL [76] Inventor: William B. Jackson, 1256 Laurel Hill Dr., San Mateo, Calif. 94402 122] Filed: May 9, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 468,227

[52] U.S. Cl 126/9 R [51] Int. Cl. F24c l/l6, A47j 37/01, F24b 3/00 [58] Field of Search 126/9 R, 29, 30, 25 R, 1 126/25 A, 274, 275; 220/6; 217/12, 43 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 489,711 1/1893 Mandioni 220/34 A 1,404,808 1/1922 Taylor 126/9 R 1,458,409 6/1923 Higham 126/9 R 2,715,897 8/1955 Newland et a1 126/29 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 23,041 10/1915 Great Britain 126/9 R H I 11ml 1111 l 22 L6- l1 Primary Examiner-Edward G. Favors Assistant Examiner-Harold Joyce Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert Charles Hill [57] ABSTRACT A foldable enclosure for placing over a charcoal grill or the like so as to roast or bake viands. An enclosure formed of five relatively light weight panels that are joined together with hinges, the hinges performing the dual function of reinforcing the panels and permitting the panels to be folded so that the enclosure can be transported in a flat condition. A clip for retaining the enclosure in a folded condition. Handles for lifting the enclosure during use of the same and for expediting transportation of the enclosure in a folded condition.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures L I i OVEN ENCLOSURE FOR A GRILL CROSS-REFERENC E TO RELATED APPLICATION The present invention is related in subject matter and certain advantageous features to my co-pending application for a portable knock down oven, Ser. No. 292,541; filed Sept. 27. I972, now US. Pat. No. 3,812,836.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to foldable oven enclosures and more particularly for such enclosure that is useable with charcoal grills or the like.

Known patents that might be considered to have a degree of relevance to the present invention are US. Pat. No. 1,709,289; 1,156,773; 2,969,055; 3,026,866 and 3,067,737.

Although the devices disclosed in the above enumerated prior art references have improved outdoor cookery, they fail to disclose all of the advantageous features achieved by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided an enclosure constructed of relatively rigid impervious panels that are movable between a flat folded position for transport and an open operative position wherein the panels define an enclosure for placement over a charcoal grill or the like. Viands cooked on a charcoal grill disposed in the enclosure of the invention have improved flavor and texture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an oven enclosure that combines adequate strength and light weight in an optimum way. This object is achieved according to thepresent invention by joiningthe panels to one another with continuous hinges, the plates of the hinges being secured to the peripheral margin of the panels so as to reinforce and stiffen the panels.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an enclosure in which the amount of air flow through the enclosure can be closely controlled. This object is achieved according to the present invention because the employment of continuous hinges virtually eliminates leakage between panels joined by such hinges; the corners of the enclosure are arranged to afford a closely controlled open area which affords circulation of air adequate for maintaining combustion of the charcoal in the grill but inadequate to dissipate the heat and smoke within the oven enclosure.

Contributing to the attainment of the object of making the oven enclosure simple and light weight is the employment of the hinges for legs which serve to space the panels such as to admit combustion air to the interior under the edges of the panels. By employing extensions of the hinges as legs the foldability of the oven is not impaired.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an oven enclosure that is readily foldable for transport. This object is achieved by securing some of the hinge leaves to the panel margins by removable screws so that when the screws are removed, the panels can be folded to overlying relation to one another for ready transport.

A feature and advantage of the aforementioned hinged structure is that the panels forming the enclosure can be laid out in a flat condition for expeditious cleaning.

Yet another object of the present invention is to so arrange the hinge connection between the panels that the inner surfaces of the enclosure are inward when the oven is folded to a flat condition for transport. This is advantageous in that it substantially reduces the likelihood that the users hands or equipment will become soiled by the inner surfaces of the enclosure that may contain grease and/or soot. I

A feature and advantage of the present invention is that one or more extremely simple clips are provided for retaining the oven in a folded condition thereby expediting transporting the same in a. flat condition. Also contributing to convenient transportation of the oven is a pair of handles that are useful both for transporting the oven in a flat condition and for raising the oven from the grill as may be necessary during cooking procedures.

The foregoing together with other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF. THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a charcoal grill with an oven enclosure according to the present invention shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an oven enclosure of the invention in the assembled or operative position.

FIG. 2A is a detailed enlarged scale of a fragment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2B is a detailed enlarged scale of another fragment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2C is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2C-2C of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an oven enclosure of the invention shown in a folded position for transport.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a clip according to the invention for retaining the oven in a folded position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT support rack 13 will be baked and will receive a delicious smoke flavor during cooking.

Oven closure 16 includes a top panel 18 that has a length and width in excess of fire box 12 so as to define an air passage between the periphery of fire pan 12 and the inner walls of enclosure 16.

Top panel 18 is constructed of suitable fire resistant impervious material such as sheet aluminum having a thickness in the range of about .020 inches to about 0.40 inches. Attached to the respective peripheral margins of top panel 18 for stiffening or reinforcing the panel are

plates

20A, 22A, 24A and 26A of

continuous hinges

20, 22, 24 and 26. The hinge plates A 4 26A are secured to the peripheral margin of panel 18 by suitable means such as rivets 28. Plates 20A 26A are preferably at least as thick as top panel 18 so that the panel is stiffened and reinforced by the presence of the hinge plates and their securement to the peripheral margin of the plate. As can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 2B, the hinge plates are secured on the upper or exterior surface of top panel 18; such location of the hinge plates produces a smooth interior surface so as to expedite cleaning of such interior surface. Each of the hinges 20 26 has a second hinge plate which is pivotally or hingedly connected to the first plate, such second hinge plates being identified respectively as 20B, 22B, 24B and 268.

An end panel having a horizontal dimension corresponding to the width of panel 18 is secured to hinge plate 208 by means of rivets or the like 32. There is an opposing end panel secured to the second plate of hinge 24 which cannot be seen in FIG. 2 but which is identical in shape and size to panel 30. The vertical dimension of panel 30 is such that the panel extends from the level at or about fire pan 12 to a height sufficiently above the fire pan that top panel 18 will clear viands disposed on support rack 13. A side panel 34 is secured to hinge plate 228 by means of rivets 36; the horizontal dimension of side panel 34 corresponds to the length of top panel 18 and the vertical dimension of the side panel is the same as the vertical dimension of end panel 30. A side panel identical in shape and size to panel 34 is provided in opposition to side panel 34 and is secured to the second plate of hinge 26. Because end panel 30 and its opposing counterpart and side panel 34 and its opposing counterpart are hingedly joined to top panel 18, such panels can be folded upward into surface contact with the side panel. It should be noted that the vertical dimension of side panel 34 and its opposing counterpart is no greater than the width of top panel 18 in order that the side panels can be folded up into surface contact with the top panel when the oven enclosure is moved to a folded position.

Secured along opposite vertical edge margins of panel 30 and its opposing counterpart are identical vertically extending hinges 38. Each hinge has a first leaf 38A which is permanently secured to one edge margin of an end panel. rivets 40 exemplifying a suitable means for securing the hinge leaf to the end panel. Hinges 38 have a length exceeding the vertical dimension of panel 30 and its opposing counterpart so as to form a space 42 between the lower extremity of the side panels and end panels and the lower extremity of the vertically extending hinges 38. Thus when the oven enclosure is placed on a flat surface that supports the grill an air space is provided which admits the combustion air to the charcoal in fire pan 13. Each hinge 38 has a second leaf 38B that is joined for pivotal movement to leaf 38A. Adjacent the lower extremity of side panel 34 and its opposing counterpart, leaf 38B is formed with an aperture 44; the edge margins of side panel 34 and its opposing counterpart are formed with holes 46 that align with holes 44. Holes 46 are arranged so as to engage the threads ofa threaded fastener 48, aperture 44 being a clearance 'hole for such fastener. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, fastener 48 is passed through aperture 44 and threadedly engaged in hole 46 to retain side panel 34 and its opposing counterpart to hinge leaf 388. Such retention fixes the panels of the enclosure into a parallelepiped configuration so that the enclosure can perform its intended function. Removal of the screws 48 permits the oven enclosure to be moved to its folded position which is shown in FIG. 3.

By removing all four screws 48 and first folding side panel 34 and its opposing counterpart into contact with the lower surface of top panel 18 followed by folding hinges 38 to a flat position and movement of end panel 30 and its opposing counterpart into contact with the lower surfaces of the side panels, the oven enclosure is moved to a folded position at which transport and storage is facilitated. For retaining the enclosure in such folded condition there is a pair of identical clips 50, one of whichis shown at enlarged scale in FIG. 4. Clip 50 is formed of resilient spring steel or the like and is of generally U-shaped configuration. The clip has two

arms

52 and 54 which are held in generally parallel spaced relation by an end web 56. End web 56 is so proportioned that the space between

arms

52 and 54 is equal to the combined thickness of hinge plates 22A and 228, top panel 18, side panel 34 and its opposing counterpart, and hinge leaves 38A and 388. The clips are inserted centrally of the longest dimension of top panel 18 (see FIG. 3) so that the oven enclosure is secured in the folded position for convenient transportation or storage.

For facilitating carrying the oven enclosure both in the folded or the operative position identical handles edge margin of panel 18 and hinge plates 20A and 24A.

Because of the finger clearance beneath the handles, the handles function to afford a convenient hand grip when the oven enclosure is in both the folded and operative positions. Moreover, screw 60 performs the dual function of retaining the handle posts in place and securing hinge plates 20A and 24A to the edge margins of top panel 18.

Because the hinge plates and hinge leaves make overlapping surface to surface contact with the edge margins of the respective panels and because the hinges are continuous, the enclosure is substantially air tight. In order to afford a minimal degree of circulation of combustion air to the charcoal within the fire pan 13 four vent openings are provided in the upper corners of the enclosure. With reference to FIG. 28 it will be noted that the edges of the panels are set back from the pivot axis of the hinges and that hinges 20A and 38 terminate remote from the corners of the panels. This form of constructions forms an inverted generally L-shaped opening 62 at each upper corner. It is preferred that the area of each such L-shaped opening be of the order of magnitude of approximately one inch so that there is sufficient air circulation to maintain combustion of the charcoal within fire pan 14 but insufficient exhaust area to permit significant heat to escape from the interior of the enclosure.

The operation of the enclosure of the present invention is as follows: With the enclosure in the folded position of FIG. 3 it is a simple matter to remove clips 50 and grasp handles 56 in either hand whereupon gravity will cause the end and side panels to swing down. With the end and side panels in such position hinge leaves 388 are manipulated relative to panel 34 and its opposing counterpart until hole 46 aligns with aperture 44 in hinge leaf 38B. Screws 48 are then installed and the enclosure is ready for use. After viands are placed on rack 13 the enclosure is lowered over the rack so that the heat and smoke from the charcoal fire within fire pan 12 is captured within the enclosure. Accordingly, baking or roasting can proceed and a delicately smoke like flavor is imparted to the viands. Space 42 beneath the lower edges of the side panel and the end panels permits entry of combustion air, a portion of which is circulated out through vent opening 62 so as to maintain the fire within fire pan 12 in an appropriate state. Should attention to the viands be necessary it is a simple matter to lift the oven enclosure by grasping handles 56. When cooking has been completed, screws 48 are removed after which side panel 34 and its opposing counterpart are folded upward into surface contact with the inner surface of panel 18. Thereafter, hinges 38 are folded flat and end panel 30 and its opposing counterpart is folded into a similar position parallel to the previously folded panels. Clips 50 are then installed on opposite sides of the folded even so that transportation and storage of the oven is facilitated. Should it be desired to thoroughly clean the interior surface of the enclosure, clips 50 are removed, the oven is inverted from the position shown in FIG. 3 and the side panels and end panels can be laid back thus exposing the entire inner surface for thorough cleaning.

Thus it will be seen that the present invention provides an oven enclosure which is light in weight, convenient to use and convenient to fold for storage and transportation. Although one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described it will be obvious that other adaptations and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

'l. A foldable oven enclosure for a grill of the type having a fire pan and a perforated viands support rack overlying the fire pan, said enclosure comprising a rectangular substantially rigid impervious top panel having a length and width exceeding that of the grill, means secured to the peripheral margin of said top panel for stiffening said top panel, said stiffening means including four continuous horizontal hinges having lengths corresponding to respective peripheral margins of said top panel, each said hinge having a first plate and a second plate connected to said first plate for pivotal movement relative thereto, means for securing the first plate of each said hinge along a respective peripheral margin of said top panel, four rectangular substantially rigid impervious side panels each having vertical dimension no greater than the width of said top panel, said side panels each having a horizontal dimension corresponding to respective peripheral margins of said top panel, means for securing the upper horizontal margin of said side panels to said second plates of respective said hinges so that said side panels are movable between a folded position into surface contact with said top panel and an operative position at which said side panels depend perpendicularly from said top panel to define a right parallelepiped chamber and in which the vertical edges or adjacent said side panels are disposed in parallel juxtaposition to form corner regions of said chamber, means for stiffening said side panels and for sealing said corner regions, last said means including four equilength continuous vertical hinges having a length exceeding the vertical dimension of said side panels, said vertical hinges each having a first leaf and a second leaf connected to said first leaf for pivotal movement relative thereto, means for securing the first leaf of each said vertical hinge to a respective vertical edge of two opposite side panels so that said two opposite side panels are stiffened by said vertical hinges, and means for removably connecting the second leaves to vertical edge margins of the other two side panels, the excessive length of the vertical hinges acting to space the lower edges of said side panels above the lower extremities of said vertical hinges to define an inlet for combustion air to said fire pan.

2. An oven enclosure according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a portion of each said second leaf defining an aperture, each vertical edge margin of said other side panels having a thread engaging hole therein in alignment with respective said apertures, and a threaded fastener passed through each said aperture and engaged in said hole.

3. An oven enclosure according to claim 1 including means forming four air vents in the upper portion of said enclosure, said air vents being defined at the corners of said top panel where two adjacent side panels intersect one another, each said side vent being formed by setting back the edge of said panels from the pivot axis of said hinges, each said air vent having an area of approximately 1 square inch.

4. An oven enclosure according to claim 1 in combination with first and second generally U-shaped resilient clips for retaining said oven in a folded position, said U-shaped clip having generally parallel arms and means spacing said arms from one another by a distance substantially equal to the sum of the thicknesses of two said hinge plates, two said hinge leaves, said top panel and two said side panels.

5. An oven enclosure according to claim 1 including first and second hand grips and means for mounting respective said hand grips to said top panel adjacent opposite edge margins thereof.

6. An oven enclosure according to claim 5 wherein said hand grips are mounted on said first hinge plates and wherein said hand grip mounting means includes fastening means extending through said top panel and said first hinge plate into engagement with said hand grip so that said fastening means secures said first hinge said enclosure.

Claims

1. A foldable oven enclosure for a grill of the type having a fire pan and a perforated viands support rack overlying the fire pan, said enclosure comprising a rectangular substantially rigid impervious top panel having a length and width exceeding that of the grill, means secured to the peripheral margin of said top panel for stiffening said top panel, said stiffening means including four continuous horizontal hinges having lengths corresponding to respective peripheral margins of said top panel, each said hinge having a first plate and a second plate connected to said first plate for pivotal movement relative thereto, means for securing the first plate of each said hinge along a respective peripheral margin of said top panel, four rectangular substantially rigid impervious side panels each having vertical dimension no greater than the width of said top panel, said side panels each having a horizontal dimension corresponding to respective peripheral margins of said top panel, means for securing the upper horizontal margin of said side panels to said second plates of respective said hinges so that said side panels are movable between a folded position into surface contact with said top panel and an operative position at which said side panels depend perpendicularly from said top panel to define a right parallelepiped chamber and in which the vertical edges or adjacent said side panels are disposed in parallel juxtaposition to form corner regions of said chamber, means for stiffening said side panels and for sealing said corner regions, last said means including four equi-length continuous vertical hinges having a length exceeding the vertical dimension of said side panels, said vertical hinges each having a first leaf and a second leaf connected to said first leaf for pivotal movement relative thereto, means for securing the first leaf of each said vertical hinge to a respective vertical edge of two opposite side panels so that said two opposite side panels are stiffened by said vertical hinges, and means for removably connecting the second leaves to vertical edge margins of the other two side panels, the excessive length of the vertical hinges acting to space the lower edges of said side panels above the lower extremities of said vertical hinges to define an inlet for combustion air to said fire pan.

6. An oven enclosure according to claim 5 wherein said hand grips are mounted on said first hinge plates and wherein said hand grip mounting means includes fastening means extending through said top panel and said first hinge plate into engagement with said hand grip so that said fastening means secures said first hinge plate to said top panel and mounts said hand grip to said enclosure.