WO2008085534A1

WO2008085534A1 - Portable and pre-assembled grill having collapsible leg system

Info

Publication number: WO2008085534A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/068489
Authority: WO
Inventors: G. L. Huff
Original assignee: Meco Corporation
Priority date: 2006-05-08
Filing date: 2007-05-08
Publication date: 2008-07-17

Abstract

A portable and pre-assembled grill has a nestable and collapsible support system, which provides the benefits of a more compact profile for shipping and storage, as well as for portability. The grill may include a housing unit including a grilling surface, and the support system may include upper legs connected to the housing unit, lower legs, each respectively connected to one of said upper legs. The upper and lower legs are movable between a collapsed position for shipping and/or storage and an expanded position for use. In the collapsed position, the upper and lower legs are substantially confined within a periphery of the housing unit. The grill may further include and handle and wheels to facilitate transportation, and a table.

Description

PORTABLE AND PRE-ASSEMBLED GRILL HAVING COLLAPSIBLE LEG SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for providing a portable and pre-assembled grill, and more particularly, to a grill having collapsible legs, which provides the benefits of a more compact profile for shipping and storage, as well as for portability.

2. Related Art

[0002] Outdoor barbecue cooking continues to grow in popularity despite certain difficulties and inconveniences. Consumers frequently prefer pre-assembled grills, as these reduce or remove the time and frustration of assembly. Such pre- assembled grills, though, can be bulky and difficult to transport at both the wholesale and consumer level. At the wholesale level, the costs of distribution, including shipping and storage, are significantly more for a larger package. Therefore, the bulk of the package containing a pre-assembled grill is preferably minimized. At the consumer level, an initial difficulty can be simply transporting the grill home from the store.

[0003] To address these problems, many grills are shipped unassembled or partially assembled. Although this somewhat reduces the costs of distribution and the consumer's difficulties of transportation, it causes other problems. If a consumer purchases such an unassembled grill, the consumer can more easily transport the grill home, but then needs to assemble the grill.

[0004] If the consumer is not handy with tools, assembly can often present insurmountable or at least frustrating problems. Often, these consumers will therefore purchase assembled grills and then be confronted with the aforementioned transport problem. Sometimes these consumers will attempt to assemble the grill on their own, but discover they lack the required tools. If they have the tools, they may assemble the grill improperly, which can be especially dangerous with gas grills. If, perchance, they have the required tools and assemble it properly, it will usually take quite a bit of time and aggravation, and will delay the satisfaction of use. Consumers who are more handy with tools can usually assemble a grill properly, but still are delayed the satisfaction of grilling during the assembly time. [0005] Another difficulty faced by consumers is that outdoor barbecue cooking is increasingly expanded from the back yard to locations such as tailgate parties, beach outings, picnic outings, etc., that require the consumer to again transport the grill. Although many portable grills exist, most have unacceptably small grilling surfaces, and can be inconveniently low to the ground when in use because they lack full-sized legs. [0006] To address many of these problems, some consumers have opted for pre- assembled, portable camping or picnic-type grilling devices, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 1 ,273,840, 1 ,309,049, 2,597,477, 3,025,849, 3,611 ,912, 4,334,516, 4,621 ,608, 4,706,817, 5,105,726, 5,174,197, 5,317,961 , 5,423,308, 5,605,142, and 5,947,007, which use non-intersecting, pivotally attached legs, or U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,515,521 , 5,836,295, or 5,906,196, which use non-intersecting, detachable, or telescoping legs, or U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,447,530, 4,026,266, or 4,488,535, which can use intersecting legs. Although these grills may typically solve at least some of the transport, assembly, and storage problems, they also typically lack the functionality of a full-sized grill and can be bulky or difficult to handle when transporting from a vehicle to a cooking site and vice versa. [0007] A few full-sized grills have addressed these problems. U.S. Pat. No. 3,200,806 uses a relatively less stable arrangement wherein a pair of pivotally attached legs are themselves pivotally attached to an intersecting third leg, which is itself detachably connected to the grill body. The grill lacks any sort of arrangement to prevent accidentally folding and the grill cannot be stored in a folded/standing position.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,452,736 discloses a knock-down type grill with separate legs and bowl (grill body).

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,076 discloses a folding grill with crossed legs and wheels, wherein one pair of legs is pivotally attached to the grill body and pivotally fixed to the other pair of legs which are detachable from the grill body. The grill lacks any sort of arrangement to prevent accidentally folding and the crossed-leg arrangement when folded is not as compact as would be preferable (see FIG. 5). [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,118 discloses a system similar to U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,076, in which the legs are pivotally connected by an off-center link pin that "allows close collapsing of the legs in the folded condition." The tops of both sets of legs are pivotally connected to the grill, but an over-center link allows one set to partially swing away.

[0011] Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,414 discloses a system similar to U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,076 with a snap-in cooking grill that stays in place when folded. It lacks wheels for transport and has does not have any sort of hanging arrangement for storage. [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,322 discloses a system similar to U.S. Pat. No.

3,556,076 in which the legs are pivotally connected. One pair releases at the top to fold into a crossed-leg arrangement. Again, there does not appear to be any sort of arrangement to prevent accidentally folding and the grill cannot be stored in a folded/standing position. [0013] Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,221 discloses a grill having two pairs of collapsible legs. One pair of legs is fixedly and pivotally attached to the grill body (or bowl), and the other pair of legs is removably attached. Additionally, each leg is pivotally connected to one leg of the other pair of legs. In the collapsed position, all of the legs extend toward one side of the grill. The disadvantage, though, of this arrangement, is that the length of the legs exceeds the length of the grill body. Therefore, even the collapsed position is larger than optimal in this design.

[0014] Accordingly, the foregoing demonstrates that despite much effort in the art over a number of years, there remains a long-felt, but unresolved need for a portable and pre-assembled grill that provides the benefits of a more compact profile for shipping and storage, a full-sized or large grilling surface, is easy to use, and/or requires minimal assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] The invention meets the foregoing needs and provides a portable and pre- assembled grill that is more compact for shipping and storage, is portable, may have a full-sized or large grilling surface, is easy to use, and requires minimal assembly, and that furthermore includes other advantages apparent from the discussion herein. [0016] The grill of the invention is portable and can be easily distributed, transported, and/or stored. This not only reduces the cost to the consumer and/or increases the profit to the manufacturer, distributor, and/or retailer, but also allows consumers to easily and quickly use the grill for tailgating, picnics, beach use, etc. When collapsed, a handle at one end and wheels at the other make it easy to transport and hang for storage. A nestable and collapsible leg system allows the grill to fold very flat for more compact storage.

[0017] The grill of the invention may be completely pre-assembled and may require no tools to convert from the collapsed position to the expanded position. The collapsible and pre-assembled grill of the invention may be shipped and stored in an area or volume smaller than that required by conventional grills. In particular, according to one embodiment, the grill of the invention may be shipped in a volume of only 5.9 cubic feet, compared to a shipping volume of 9.6 cubic feet for a conventional grill having otherwise similar proportions. Moreover, as many as 378 units of the inventive grill may be transported in one shipping container, compared to 240 units per typical container of conventional grills having otherwise similar proportions. Similarly, as many as 486 grills constructed according to the principles of the invention may be stored on a pallet, versus only 312 grills of a typical conventional arrangement. Accordingly, this provides a great deal of cost savings for shipping, storing, and transporting the grill. These various criteria are one aspect of the grill constructed according to the principles of the invention; other arrangements may have a different size. Nonetheless the nestable and collapsible leg system of the invention provides benefits to both the user and the seller of the grill. Moreover, its compact size allows the entire grill to be made overseas, in Asia for example, because of its smaller nature and ability to be shipped from around the world at lower cost.

[0018] Additionally, the grill of the invention may eliminate the need for a separate hang hook for storage. Accordingly, the costs of shipping damage are reduced. [0019] The invention may be implemented in a number of ways. According to one aspect of the invention, a portable and collapsible apparatus for cooking includes a housing unit including a grilling surface, upper legs fixedly and pivotally connected to the housing unit, lower legs, each respectively fixedly and pivotally connected to one of the upper legs, and wherein the upper and lower legs are movable between a collapsed position for shipping and/or storage and an expanded position for use. [0020] The cooking apparatus may include wheels attached to a lower end of at least two of the lower legs. The apparatus may include a handle attached to the apparatus, and the handle may be movable from a compact position for storage to an expanded position to facilitate moving the apparatus. The wheels and the handle may be attached such that when the apparatus is in the collapsed position, the wheels and the handle may be at opposite sides of the apparatus. The cooking apparatus may include a joint connecting each of the upper and lower legs such that all of the legs may be substantially confined within the outer periphery of the housing unit in at least the collapsed position. The apparatus may further include a handle having two ends, wherein each of the two ends of the handle are connected to one of the joints between the upper and lower legs. The grilling surface may be at least 300 square inches. The apparatus may include a table attached to at least one of the upper legs. The table may have a storage position disposed substantially within the outer periphery of the housing unit and an expanded position extending beyond the outer periphery for use. The apparatus may include a lockable support brace connected to at least one of the legs. [0021] According to another aspect of the invention, a portable and collapsible grill includes a housing unit having an outer periphery defining a footprint. The housing unit includes a grilling surface contained within the footprint, and a support structure hingedly connected to the housing unit to support the housing unit on a surface. The support structure is movable between a compact position and an expanded position. The support structure, when in the compact position, is substantially contained within the footprint of the housing unit.

[0022] The support structure may include foldable legs. The grill may include wheels attached to a lower portion of the support structure. The support structure may be pivotally movable between the compact and expanded positions. The compact position is for at least one of packaging, distribution, storage, and transport, and the expanded position is for use. The grill may include a handle having a compact position for storage and an extended position for travel. The grill may include a structure mounted on the housing unit to lock the support structure in the compact position. The support structure may include foldable legs, and further may include a lockable support brace connecting at least two of the foldable legs and being lockable in the expanded position.

[0023] In a further aspect of the invention, a method of converting a grill having a housing and a collapsible support structure substantially confined within an outer periphery of the housing between collapsed, travel, and expanded positions, includes the steps of expanding the support structure from a folded position adjacent the housing to an expanded position spaced from the housing, and locking the support structure in the expanded position. The grill further may include a handle having a collapsed position and an expanded position, and the method further may include the step of moving the handle into the expanded position spaced from the housing prior to transport. The grill may include a table, and the method further may include the step of moving the table from a storage position substantially within the outer periphery of the housing into a use position extending outside the periphery of the housing. The grill further may include a handle, and the method further may include the step of locking the table in the expanded position with the handle. The method may include the step of moving the handle of the grill into the collapsed position prior to shipping. The method may include the step of storing the grill by supporting it at least partially by the handle. The method may include the step of packaging the grill into the collapsed position by unlocking the supporting structure, and folding the support structure into accordion-like folds. The folding step may include folding the support structure within the outer periphery of the housing. The grill may include a table, and further may include the step of moving the table into the collapsed position. [0024] According to another aspect of the invention a grill includes means for containing a grilling surface, with containing means having an outer periphery defining a footprint, means for supporting the containing means on a surface, and means for positioning the supporting means in a compact position and an expanded position. The supporting means, when in the compact position, is substantially contained within the footprint of the containing means. [0025] The grill may include means, attached to the supporting means, for moving the grill. The grill may include means for latching the supporting means in the compact position. The grill may include means for locking the supporting means in the expanded position. The grill may include means, attached to the supporting means, for transporting the grill using the moving means.

[0026] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a side, elevated view of one embodiment of a grill constructed according to the principles of the invention, in an upright, compact position for shipping and/or storage;

[0029] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the back and one side of the grill of

FIG. 1 in an upright, compact position, in which the leg system is collapsed and nested;

[0030] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the front and one side of the grill of FIG. 1 in a tilted, transport position, in which the leg system is collapsed and the handle extended;

[0031] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the back of the grill of FIG. 3 resting on its side in preparation for expansion from the transport position to an in-use position; [0032] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the grill of FIG. 4, in which the leg system has been expanded for use; [0033] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the grill similar to FIG. 5, in which the leg system has been expanded and a table has been moved into an expanded and locked position; and

[0034] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the grill of FIG. 6 in the fully expanded and upright position, ready for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0035] The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non- limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well- known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. [0036] As used herein, the term "grill" is meant to encompass outdoor cooking grills, including, but not limited to, charcoal grills, gas grills, electric grills, solar grills, and wood pellet grills, of any shape that have an upwardly open grill body structure supporting a grilling surface. The terms "front," "rear," and "sides" as used herein, relative to the grill body (or housing unit), are for describing relative positions and are not meant as a limitation. For example, round grills might not have an actual front, rear, or sides, and for other shapes it would be well within the ability of one of ordinary skill in the art to rotationally reposition the grill body relative to the leg elements.

[0037] The invention includes a grill having a collapsible and nestable leg system, which is preferably not larger than the grill body itself, as well as wheels at one end and a handle at the other, for easy shipping and consumer handling, but which further provides for assembly without tools and cannot accidentally collapse after being erected. [0038] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a portable and pre-assembled grill 100 constructed according to the principles of the invention. One side of grill 100 is shown in profile, in an upright, compact or collapsed position or configuration for shipping and/or storage. The grill body (or housing unit) 10 formed from an upper and lower halves 12, 13 and is shown as generally ovoid in profile, but may be any other shape used for grills, such, as, but not limited to, rectangular shapes, spherical shapes, and combinations thereof.

[0039] The upper half of the housing unit 10 may optionally be formed as or include a lid 12 that may be hinged or detachably connected to the lower half 13 of the housing unit 10 by any means known in the art, so as not to become separated when the grill 100 is moved or hung up for merchandising or storage. The lid 12 can optionally include a lid handle 14, which is preferably fixed attached to the lid 12, and may be used to open the grill 100 for use. The grill body 10 contains a conventional grilling surface (not shown), which in one embodiment is full-sized or large, and not compact, for example, the surface area of the grilling surface range from about 300 to about 500 square inches. Like the lid 12, it is preferable that grilling surface be attached to the grill body 10 in such a manner as to not be separated when the grill 100 is not horizontal. The grill 100 may further include a body handle 16, which is preferably fixedly attached to the grill body 10, and may be used to lift the grill 100. The grill 100 includes a collapsible and nestable leg system 18 for supporting the grill 100 on a surface. The leg system 18 may be pivotally (or hingedly) attached to the grill body 10, and is discussed in further detail below.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, the grill 100 is shown in an upright, compact position, in which the leg system is collapsed and nested. The grill 100 may further include a transport (or storage) handle 20, which is preferably pivotally attached to the leg system 18, and may be used to facilitate transportation or storage of the grill 100. The grill 100 may further include wheels 22, attached to the leg system 18. The handle 20 and wheels 22 are attached to opposite ends of the leg system 18, and are discussed in further detail below. [0041] Referring to FIG. 3, the grill 100 is shown in a tilted, transport position, in which the leg system 18 remains collapsed and the handle 20 has been pivoted from the storage position to the transport position, in which handle 20 is substantially aligned with leg system 18. In this position, the user may manually transport the grill 100 by pulling the handle 20 while the wheels 22 are rolling along the ground (or other surface). Alternatively, in this position, the grill 100 may be stored by hanging the grill in a storage space from the handle 20, thereby reducing the amount of floor space consumed. [0042] Referring to FIG. 4, the grill 100 is shown on its side, in the travel position, ready for expansion to the in-use position. Referring to FIG. 5, the grill 100 is shown on its side, with the leg system 18 expanded for use. In this view, additional details of the underside of the grill 100 can be seen, including the leg system 18, which will be discussed in greater detail below. The grill 100 may optionally include a table 60, which is shown in its stored position under housing unit 10. The table 60 may be pivotally attached at an upper portion 73 of the leg system 18 by any means known in the art, such as a hinge pin, a rivet, or the like. In the stored position, the table 60 is positioned adjacent to the underside of the grill body 10.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, the grill 100 is shown on its side, in the expanded and locked position, ready for use, in which the table 60 has been pivoted to an open or expanded position, such that it extends horizontally out from and beyond the envelope of the grill body 10 and leg system 18, as shown best in FIG. 7. Additionally, the handle 20 may be pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 5 to an open or expanded position shown in FIG. 6, in which it may engage with a releasable catch or latch 62 provided on the underside of the table 60, such that the table is supported and locked in the expanded position.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 7, the grill 100 is shown in the fully expanded position, upright and ready for use. The grill body 10 is supported above a surface such as a deck or the ground by the leg system 18. The leg system 18 may include four upper legs 70, the upper portion of each of which may be pivotally or hingedly connected to the underside of the grill body 10 in any manner known in the art, such as a hinge pin, a rivet, or the like. The leg system may further include four lower legs 72, the upper portion of each of which is pivotally or hingedly connected to a lower portion of the upper legs 70 at a joint 74, again, by any sort of arrangement known in the art, such as a hinge pin, a rivet, or the like. The wheels 22 are connected to a lower portion of the lower legs 72, by individual axles or a common axle, as is known in the art. The grill 100 may include two wheels 22 in order to ease transportation, but other wheel combinations may be employed as long as the grill 100 remains stable s and secure.

[0045] The leg system 18 may include one or more lockable support braces 76, which may pivotally connect two of the upper legs 70, two of the lower legs 72, or one of the upper legs 70 to another of the lower legs 72. FIGS. 6 and 7 show a lockable support brace extending between two of the upper legs and two of the lowerQ legs on each side of the grill. Each lockable support brace 76 may include a first section 78, and a second section 80, with the two sections being pivotally connected by any means known in the art, such as a hinge pin, a rivet, or the like. The lockable support brace 76 prevents the accidental or unintentional collapse of the leg system 18 when in the in-use position, as is known in the art. When fully extended ands locked as shown in FIG. 7, each lockable support brace 76 does not pivot, and so it maintains a constant distance between the two leg portions to which it is attached. The lockable support brace 76, though, may be unlocked, for example by the consumer releasing a locking mechanism and pulling up on the pivotal connection between the first and second sections 78 and 80, such that the lockable support0 brace 76 pivots, which allows the leg system 18 to be collapsed into its storage or transport position. In one embodiment, each section of the lockable support brace 76 may include tabs that frictionally engage the other section to define the locking mechanism and achieve a locked state. Of course, any other suitable locking mechanism known in the art may be employed. s [0046] The leg system may also include one or more cross braces 82 fixedly connecting two of the upper legs 70, two of the lower legs 72, or one of the upper legs 70 to another of the lower legs 72. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-7, the two cross braces 82 extend laterally across the grill to connect the lower legs not connected by the locking support braces 76. The cross brace 82 stabilizes the grill0 100 by maintaining a constant distance between the two leg portions to which it is attached. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that the lockable support brace 76 and the cross brace 82 may not be connected to any same pair of leg portions. [0047] The manufacturer, distributor, retailer, and/or consumer may convert the grill 100 from one position to another under various circumstances. The compact or collapsed position, shown in FIGS. 1-2, in which the leg system 18, the table 60, and the handle 20 are all in the compact position, may be used for shipping the grill, transporting the grill after purchase, storing the grill, or transporting the grill for use. The transport or hanging storage position, shown in FIG. 3, in which the leg system 18 and the table 60 are in the compact position, and the handle is extended, may be used to facilitate transportation, to display the grill for merchandising, or to store the grill by hanging from the handle 20. The expanded or in-use position, shown in FIG. 7, in which the leg system 18 is fully extended and locked, and the table may be optionally pivoted out from the underside of the housing unit 10, may be used when the consumer is grilling or preparing to grill. In order to convert the grill from the compact position to the travel position, the consumer pivots the handle 20 out from the underside of the housing unit 10, to a position such that the consumer may hold the handle and pull the grill 100, while the grill 100 rolls on its wheels 22. The handle 20 may include a conventional strap of latch to maintain its extended position shown in FIG. 3. The grill 100 may include a structure mounted on the housing unit 10, such as for example, a latch or catch, for locking the leg system in the compact position of FIGS. 1-2. [0048] In order to convert the grill 100 from the compact or the travel position to the in-use position, the consumer extends the leg system 18 by pulling the leg system 18 away from the housing unit 10 (or by pulling the housing unit 10 away from the leg system 18) and then locking the lockable support brace 76. In order to set up the table, the consumer may also pivot the table 60 out from the underside of the housing unit 10, and pivot the handle 20 such that it supports the underside of the table 60.

[0049] While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A portable and collapsible apparatus for cooking, said apparatus comprising: a housing unit including a grilling surface; upper legs fixedly and pivotally connected to said housing unit; lower legs, each respectively fixedly and pivotally connected to one of said upper legs; and wherein said upper and lower legs are movable between a collapsed position for shipping and/or storage and an expanded position for use.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising wheels attached to a lower end of at least two of said lower legs.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a handle attached to the apparatus, said handle being movable from a compact position for storage to an expanded position to facilitate moving the apparatus.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said wheels and said handle are attached such that when the apparatus is in said collapsed position, said wheels and said handle are at opposite sides of the apparatus.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a joint connecting each of said upper and lower legs such that all of said legs are substantially confined within the outer periphery of said housing unit in at least the collapsed position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a handle having two ends; wherein each of the two ends of said handle are connected to one of said joints between said upper and lower legs.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the grilling surface is at least 300 square inches.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a table attached to at least one of said upper legs, said table having a storage position disposed substantially within the outer periphery of said housing unit and an expanded position extending beyond the outer periphery for use.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a lockable support brace connected to at least one of said legs.

10. A portable and collapsible grill comprising: a housing unit having an outer periphery defining a footprint, said housing unit including a grilling surface contained within the footprint; a support structure hingedly connected to said housing unit to support said 5 housing unit on a surface, said support structure being movable between a compact position and an expanded position; and wherein said support structure, when in the compact position, is substantially contained within the footprint of said housing unit.

11. The grill according to claim 10, wherein said support structure compriseso foldable legs.

12. The grill according to claim 10, further comprising wheels attached to a lower portion of said support structure.

13. The grill according to claim 10, wherein: said support structure is pivotally movable between the compact ands expanded positions, the compact position is for at least one of packaging, distribution, storage, and transport, and said expanded position is for use.

14. The grill according to claim 13 further comprising a handle having a compact position for storage and an extended position for travel.

15. The grill according to claim 10 further comprising a structure mounted ono the housing unit to lock said support structure in the compact position.

16. The grill according to claim 10 wherein the support structure comprises foldable legs, and further comprising a lockable support brace connecting at least two of said foldable legs and being lockable in said expanded position.

17. A method of converting a grill having a housing and a collapsible support₅ structure substantially confined within an outer periphery of the housing between collapsed, travel, and expanded positions, said method comprising the steps of: expanding the support structure from a folded position adjacent the housing to an expanded position spaced from the housing; and locking the support structure in the expanded position. 0

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the grill further includes a handle having a collapsed position and an expanded position, and further comprising the step of moving the handle into the expanded position spaced from the housing prior to transport.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the grill includes a table, and further comprising the step of moving the table from a storage position substantially within the outer periphery of the housing into a use position extending outside the periphery of the housing.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the grill further includes a handle, and further comprising the step of locking the table in the expanded position with the handle.

21. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of moving the handle of the grill into the collapsed position prior to shipping.

22. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of storing the grill by supporting it at least partially by the handle.

23. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of packaging the grill into the collapsed position by unlocking the supporting structure, and folding the support structure into accordion-like folds.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the folding step comprises folding the support structure within the outer periphery of the housing.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the grill includes a table, and further comprising the step of moving the table into the collapsed position.

26. A grill comprising: means for containing a grilling surface, said containing means having an outer periphery defining a footprint; means for supporting said containing means on a surface; means for positioning said supporting means in a compact position and an expanded position; and wherein said supporting means, when in the compact position, is substantially contained within the footprint of said containing means.

27. The grill according to claim 27, further comprising: means, attached to said supporting means, for moving the grill.

28. The grill according to claim 27, further comprising: means for latching said supporting means in the compact position.

29. The grill according to claim 27, further comprising: means for locking said supporting means in the expanded position.

30. The grill according to claim 28, further comprising: means, attached to said supporting means, for transporting the grill using said moving means.