WO2007019589A1

WO2007019589A1 - Kettle barbecue adjunct

Info

Publication number: WO2007019589A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2005/000118
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Voss
Original assignee: Michael Voss
Priority date: 2005-08-10
Filing date: 2005-08-10
Publication date: 2007-02-15

Abstract

An adjunct for a kettle barbecue has a base structure (10) supported in the kettle and a grill structure (12) connected to the base structure by screw threads (16,18) so that rotation in one or other direction causes the grill structure to be raised or lowered with respect to the base structure and therefore the fire.

Description

KETTLE BARBECUE ADJUNCT

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an adjunct for a kettle barbecue which may also be used on its own as a barbecue.

BACKGROUND ART

There are a number of makes of kettle barbecues on the market which comprise a base supporting a fire tray, a grill just above the fire tray; and a lid. The lid has apertures which are adjustable as to their size of opening so that the temperature of the fire and the rate of circulation of hot air can be controlled.

As in a normal oven the heat is very close to the material being cooked and it requires circulation of hot air through the unit to afford uniform cooking.

Attempts to grill foodstuffs generally fails due to the proximity of the grill to the fire; and it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjunct whereby the grill can be adjusted in height for satisfactory grilling.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a kettle barbecue adjunct includes: a unit adapted to be supported in the kettle barbecue, and to support a grill, the unit being adapted to raise the grill vertically above the fire.

In a preferred form of the invention the adjunct includes a first and supporting structure which has legs whose free ends rest on the side of the kettle barbecue, or a ring which rests inside the kettle; and a second structure associated with the first structure through means to raise or lower the second structure while the first structure remains in its supporting position. The structures may be associated by means of complemental screw threads so that rotation of the second structure causes it to be raised in one direction of turning thereof with regard to the stationary first structure, and to be lowered in the reverse direction of turning.

Thus the first structure may include a threaded hub and the second structure a downwardly-depending complemental threaded member which turns on the outside or inside of the threaded hub.

Alternatively one of the structures has a screw-threaded element and the other a pin or the like which engages rotatably with the screw-threaded element.

The two structures may comprise spiders and it has been found that a spider having three legs at 120 degrees apart is ideal, affording adequate movement of heat and yet being stable enough to perform their supporting roles. The turnable structure may include formations for firmly gripping the grill.

Alternatively, the turnable structure is unitary and may have handles for effecting the turning operation for varying the height

In a refinement of the invention, the support structure may have removable legs which can support it in an elevated position above a ground fire or a fire of another barbecue. The turnable structure can then be set at the desired height above the fire.

It will be appreciated that the grill may be the same grill as supplied with the kettle barbecue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of a adjunct according to the invention; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the adjunct in assembled form in position in the base of a kettle barbecue;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the adjunct in position;

Figure 4 is a side view showing the lowermost position of the grill; Figure 5 is a similar view showing the grill in an elevated position; Figure 6 is an isometric view of an alternative form of the invention; Figure 7 is a plan view thereof; Figure 8 is a plan view of the lower structure; Figure 9 is an exploded cross- sectional view of the assembly; and Figure 10 is an isometric view of the adjunct as used on its own.

BESTMODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1 , the adjunct comprises two spider structures 10 and 12, the lower structure 10 having a hub 14 which has a threaded element 16.

The upper structure 12 has a downwardly-depending shaft 18 with a pin 19 which rises on the threading of the element 16.

In Figure 3 the ends 30 have hook formations which engage with the periphery of the grill 32.

The ends of the legs 20 of the lower spider structure rest on the wall of the base of the kettle barbecue and the upper structure is free to rotate. Such ends may be formed or adapted to provide sufficient friction to maintain it in position and to prevent rotation. Rotation in one sense causes the upper structure to be elevated as shown in Figure 4, thereby providing an adequate distance between the foodstuff required to be grilled, from the fire.

Turning now to the remaining figures, the adjunct comprises a grill 60 which has handles 62 to assist turning the grill and has a plate 64 to receive a nut 66 which engages in a threaded aperture 68 of spindle 70.

The spindle has a helix 72 which rotates in the bush 74 so that when the grill is turned the grill moves upwardly in one direction of turn and downwardly in the other direction of turn.

The lower, or base structure 80 comprises a ring 82 which rests on the curved inside of the kettle barbecue and has spider reinforcements 86. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, removable legs 90 are provided to support the base structure above ground or other level. Stops 92 prevent the legs from entering the ground too far. A fire may be laid between the ground and the lower structure, and the upper structure rotated to the desired height above the base structure and therefore above the fire. The adjunct of the invention is inexpensive, may be stored inside the kettle barbecue when not in use and is easily located in position and easily removed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A kettle barbecue adjunct characterised in that it includes: a unit adapted to be supported in the kettle barbecue, and to support a grill, the unit being adapted to adjust the grill vertically above the fire.

2. The adjunct according to claim 1 characterised in that it includes: a first and supporting structure which has legs whose free ends rest on the side of the kettle barbecue, or a ring which rests inside the kettle; and a second structure associated with the first structure through means to raise or lower the second structure while the first structure remains in its supporting position.

3. The adjunct according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the structures are associated by means of complemental screw threads so that rotation of the second structure causes it to be raised in one direction of turning thereof with regard to the stationary first structure, and to be lowered in the reverse direction of turning.

4. The adjunct according to claim 3 characterised in that the first structure includes a threaded hub and the second structure a downwardly-depending complemental threaded member which turns on the outside or inside of the threaded hub.

5. The adjunct according to claim 3 characterised in that one of the structures has a screw-threaded element and the other a pin or the like which engages rotatably with the screw-threaded element.

6. The adjunct according to any of the above claims characterised in that the support structure has removable legs which can support it in an elevated position above a ground fire or a fire of another barbecue.