BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for grilling and/or smoking food products. In particular, the present disclosure relates to grilling devices having a three (or more) tiered internal grill rack system and/or a substantially oval cross-sectional shape.

Related Technology

Grilling and smoking food products typically includes the use of a device (e.g., grill or smoker) having an oven compartment. When the lid is closed, the device can retain heat and smoke within the oven compartment to cook and smoke the food product. Recent trends include grilling devices having a barrel-shaped outer wall with a circular cross-section, a frontal opening in the outer wall, and an upward-opening, rounded lid attached to the top of the outer wall. The grilling devices also include a grilling rack disposed in the oven compartment adjacent to a heat source. Some grilling devices also include a second, warming rack disposed in the oven compartment above the grilling rack and away from the heat source. A user can cook food on the lower rack, and then move the cooked food to the upper rack to keep it warm while additional food is cooked on the lower rack. Alternatively, food may be slow-cooked or smoked on the upper rack.

Unfortunately, the size and circular cross-section of the residential barrel-shaped grills present a problem for users interested in cooking on more than two levels. In particular, while the rounded configuration may enhance heat and smoke circulation, the rounded top and bottom portions limit the area of the oven compartment substantially over other grills. For instance, upper grill racks may need to be shorted (front-to-back) so that they fit in the oven compartment when the lid is closed. This can substantially limit the amount of cooking space in such grills.

Moreover, inclusion of a third or fourth grill rack (level) in such rounded oven compartments may encumber the grilling space and/or inconvenience the user. Accordingly, users are often left to forgo a desirable rounded configuration to obtain additional grilling space or choose between the upper and lower grill racks (and adjust the heat in order to fine- tune specific cooking procedures) in the rounded grills.

Accordingly, there are a number of disadvantages in grilling devices and systems that can be addressed. BRIEF SUMMARY

Implementations of the present disclosure solve one or more of the foregoing or other problems in the art with improved grilling devices, as well as components and/or subcomponents thereof, and systems and methods incorporating the same. In particular, implementations of the present disclosure relate to a grilling device having a three (or more) tiered grill rack system and/or an oval shaped configuration.

For instance, one or more implementations of the present disclosure can include a substantially barrel- shaped, wood pellet grill having a rounded outer wall partially bounding an inner cavity. The outer wall can have an elongated middle portion that increases the height of the grilling area and the internal volume of the inner cavity. An opening disposed in the outer wall can be covered by a lid and/or the cavity can have three or more grill racks disposed therein. The grilling device can be adapted for an optimal use by providing increased grilling surfaces within the larger grilling cavity.

Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the present disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the implementations briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific implementations thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. For better understanding, the like elements have been designated by like reference numbers throughout the various accompanying figures. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical implementations of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a grilling device having a three-tiered grill rack system according to an implementation of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic showing a partial cut-away thereof;

Figures 3A-3C illustrate detailed views thereof in a plurality of configurations; Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view thereof in an expanded configuration; and

Figure 5A illustrates a perspective view of a grilling device having a three-tiered grill rack system with a removable section according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

Figure 5B illustrates a perspective view of a grilling device having a three-tiered grill rack system with a removable section and food placed therein according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

Figure 6A illustrates a perspective view of a grilling device having a three-tiered grill rack system with multiple removable sections according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

Figure 6B illustrates a perspective view of a grilling device having a three-tiered grill rack system with multiple removable sections and food placed therein according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

Figure 7A illustrates a perspective view of a grilling device having a four-tiered grill rack system with multiple removable sections according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

Figure 7B illustrates a perspective view of a grilling device having a four-tiered grill rack system with multiple removable sections and food placed therein according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific parameters of the particularly exemplified systems, apparatus, assemblies, products, devices, kits, methods, and/or processes, which may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that much, if not all of the terminology used herein is only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any particular manner. Thus, while the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to specific configurations, embodiments, and/or implementations thereof, the descriptions are illustrative only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention.

Various aspects of the present disclosure, including devices, systems, methods, etc., may be illustrated with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments or implementations. As used herein, the terms "exemplary embodiment" and/or "exemplary implementation" mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or implementations disclosed herein. In addition, reference to an "implementation" of the present disclosure or invention includes a specific reference to one or more embodiments thereof, and vice versa, and is intended to provide illustrative examples without limiting the scope of the invention, which is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the following description.

Furthermore, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. While a number of methods, materials, components, etc. similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present disclosure, only certain exemplary methods, materials, components, etc. are described herein.

It will be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a "column" includes one, two, or more columns. Similarly, reference to a plurality of referents should be interpreted as comprising a single referent and/or a plurality of referents unless the content and/or context clearly dictate otherwise. Thus, reference to "columns" does not necessarily require a plurality of such columns. Instead, it will be appreciated that independent of conjugation; one or more columns are contemplated herein.

As used throughout this application the words "can" and "may" are used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Additionally, the terms "including," "having," "involving," "containing," "characterized by," as well as variants thereof (e.g. , "includes," "has," "involves," "contains," etc.), and similar terms as used herein, including the claims, shall be inclusive and/or open- ended, shall have the same meaning as the word "comprising" and variants thereof (e.g. , "comprise" and "comprises"), and do not exclude additional, un-recited elements or method steps, illustratively.

Various aspects of the present disclosure can be illustrated by describing components that are coupled, attached, connected, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms "coupled", "attached", "connected," and/or "joined" are used to indicate either a direct association between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect association with one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled", "directly attached", "directly connected," and/or "directly joined" to another component, no intervening elements are present or contemplated.

Thus, as used herein, the terms "connection," "connected," and the like do not necessarily imply direct contact between the two or more elements. In addition, components that are coupled, attached, connected, and/or joined together are not necessarily (reversibly or permanently) secured to one another. For instance, coupling, attaching, connecting, and/or joining can comprise placing, positioning, and/or disposing the components together or otherwise adjacent in some implementations.

As used herein, directional and/or arbitrary terms, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "forward," "rear," "left," "right," "up," "down," "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "internal," "external," "interior," "exterior," "anterior," "posterior," "proximal," "distal," and the like can be used only for convenience and/or solely to indicate relative directions and/or orientations and may not otherwise be intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, including the specification, invention, and/or claims. According, such directional and/or arbitrary terms are not to be construed as necessarily requiring a specific order or position.

To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Furthermore, alternative configurations of a particular element may each include separate letters appended to the element number. Accordingly, an appended letter can be used to designate an alternative design, structure, function, implementation, and/or embodiment of an element or feature without an appended letter. Similarly, multiple instances of an element and or sub-elements of a parent element may each include separate letters appended to the element number.

In each case, the element label may be used without an appended letter to generally refer to instances of the element or any one of the alternative elements. Element labels including an appended letter can be used to refer to a specific instance of the element or to distinguish or draw attention to multiple uses of the element. However, element labels including an appended letter are not meant to be limited to the specific and/or particular embodiment(s) in which they are illustrated. In other words, reference to a specific feature in relation to one embodiment should not be construed as being limited to applications only within said embodiment.

It will also be appreciated that where two or more values, or a range of values (e.g. , less than, greater than, at least, and/or up to a certain value, and/or between two recited values) is disclosed or recited, any specific value or range of values falling within the disclosed values or range of values is likewise disclosed and contemplated herein. Thus, disclosure of an illustrative measurement or distance less than or equal to about 10 units or between 0 and 10 units includes, illustratively, a specific disclosure of: (i) a measurement of 9 units, 5 units, 1 units, or any other value between 0 and 10 units, including 0 units and/or 10 units; and/or (ii) a measurement between 9 units and 1 units, between 8 units and 2 units, between 6 units and 4 units, and/or any other range of values between 0 and 10 units. Various modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Thus, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. It is also noted that systems, apparatus, assemblies, products, devices, kits, methods, and/or processes, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties, features, components, members, and/or elements described in other embodiments disclosed and/or described herein. Thus, reference to a specific feature in relation to one embodiment should not be construed as being limited to applications only within said embodiment.

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, methods, and devices for grilling. In particular, certain implementations of the present disclosure relate to improved grills and grilling devices, as well as components and/or sub-components thereof and/or systems, methods, and apparatus incorporating the same. Some implementations of the present disclosure relate to grilling devices having a three (or more) tiered internal grill rack system and/or a substantially oval cross-sectional shape.

For instance, one or more implementations of the present disclosure can include a substantially barrel- shaped, wood pellet grill having a rounded outer wall partially bounding an inner cavity. The inner cavity can also have a rounded configuration corresponding to the shape of the outer wall. The outer wall can also have an elongated middle portion (forming a substantially oval shape). The elongated outer wall can increase the height of the internal grilling area and/or the internal volume of the inner cavity compared to a grill having a more cylindrical outer wall and/or inner cavity.

In some embodiments, however, the outer wall and inner cavity can have different shapes. For instance, the inner cavity can have a rounded cross-sectional shape while the outer wall has a substantially rectangular shape. Alternatively, the inner cavity can have an elongated, oval cross-sectional shape while the exterior surface may have a non-oval cross- sectional shape.

An opening disposed in the outer wall can be covered by a lid and/or the cavity can have three or more grill racks disposed therein. The grilling device can be adapted for an optimal use by providing increased grilling surfaces within the larger grilling cavity.

It will be appreciated that while reference is made to "grills," "grilling," "grilling devices," "grilling systems," and the like, the present disclosure extends to smoking, baking, roasting, braising, barbequing, and other food preparation methods, as well as devices and systems for warming, cooking, and/or preparing food products in any of the above-recited or other manners. Likewise, while reference is made to an "oven section," "cooking section," "heating area," and the like, the present disclosure also extends to various spaces suitable for heating, including open grilling surfaces (e.g. , exposed to ambient air), closed kilns and ovens, heating spaces that can be selectively opened and closed, and the like.

Accordingly, the particular features, configurations, design characteristics, and/or components (assemblies) described herein can be applicable to a variety of different fields of use extending beyond cooking or otherwise preparing food products. These different fields of use are also contemplated herein. Thus, reference to one or more "grills," "grilling," "grilling devices," "grilling systems," and the like, or one or more components thereof, should not be construed as being limited only to applications involving food grilling or grilling devices.

Grills of the present disclosure can be heated using a variety of fuels. For example, the disclosure extends to grills configured to burn propane and/or natural gas and grills configured to burn solid fuel (e.g., charcoal, briquettes, wood, etc.). In some embodiments, the grill is configured to use wood pellets as fuel. In addition, in some embodiments, grills according to the present disclosure are configured to be moveable (e.g. , by means of wheel(s) or other moving elements).

In other embodiments, grills may be configured as stationary appliances and/or may be installed in a relatively permanent fashion (e.g. , bolted or otherwise fastened to a wall and/or floor, or otherwise installed as part of a kitchen or cooking area). Furthermore, grills according to the present disclosure can be configured for outdoor use in some embodiments. For instance, certain regulations and/or safety concerns may require and/or recommend the use of combustion-style grills only in outdoor, open-air areas, away from structures, vegetation, and/or other potentially flammable materials.

In addition, certain embodiments may be described with reference to one or more metals or metal materials. As used herein, the term "metal" refers to a material that comprises an elemental metal or metal alloy, blend, or combination. Certain embodiments may also refer to heat and/or smoke distribution and/or circulation. It will be appreciated that such forms of directing and/or using heat and/or smoke can include active distribution and/or circulation and/or passive distribution and/or circulation.

It is further to be understood that some of the drawings included herewith, and which are referenced herein, are diagrammatic, schematic, and other representations of example embodiments, and are not limiting on the present disclosure. Moreover, while various drawings are provided at a scale that is considered functional for some embodiments, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale for all contemplated embodiments. No inference should therefore be drawn from the drawings as to the necessity of any scale. Rather, the proportionality, scale, size, shape, form, function, and/or other feature of the disclosed embodiments can be altered without necessarily departing from the scope of this disclosure (unless such feature is expressly described herein as essential).

Furthermore, as indicated above, in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, like structures will be provided with similar reference designations, where possible. Specific language will be used herein to describe the exemplary embodiments. Nevertheless it will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Rather, it is to be understood that the language used to describe the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure (unless such language is expressly described herein as essential).

Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure. Unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with another feature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative systems, methods, apparatus, and the like are not described herein in particular detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments.

Reference will now be made to the figures to describe various aspects of example embodiments of the disclosure. Figures 1 depicts a grilling device 100 having an oven section 102, an optional support element 160 (e.g., supporting oven section 102 above the ground), a hopper 170 for delivering fuel (e.g., wood pellets) into oven section 102, and/or one or more utility shelves 180. Oven section 102 can have an outer wall 104 at least partially bounding an internal grilling compartment 106 and having an access opening 108 disposed therein. Oven section 102 can also have a lid 110 that selectively covers access opening 108 and/or that can be selectively actuatable between an opened position (Figure 1) and a closed position (not shown).

Grilling device 100 and/or oven section 102 thereof can also comprise a multi-tiered grill rack system 120 having a plurality of grill racks 122 and a mounting assembly 128. As shown in Figure 2, for instance, mounting assembly 128 can include a plurality of grill rack mounting elements 129 connected to an inner surface 105 of outer wall 104 and/or defining a plurality of (e.g., three) tiers. As depicted in the figures, grill rack mounting elements 129 comprise brackets attached to inner surface 105 of outer wall 104. It will be appreciated, however, that one or more of the grill rack mounting elements 129 can comprise a channel, rail, track or other suitable mounting element.

An upper grill rack 122a can be disposed in an upper, first tier, and intermediate grill rack 122b can be disposed in an intermediate, second tier, and a lower grill rack 122c can be disposed in a lower, third tier. One or more grill racks 122 (e.g., upper grill rack 122a and intermediate grill rack 122b) can be supported and/or suspended by mounting elements 129. In some embodiments, the grilling device 100 may include multiple grill rack mounting elements 129, some or all of which may be used to support grill racks 122. Indeed, more grill rack mounting elements may be provided than there are grill racks, in a given grilling device.

For example, in a three-tiered grill rack system, four, five, six or more sets of grill rack mounting elements 129 may be provided. These additional grill rack mounting elements 129 may provide a greater amount of flexibility to the user when placing grill racks. Still further, at least in some cases, the grill rack mounting elements 129 may be adjustable up or down. In this manner, the compartment may be fully customizable to the user.

One or more grill racks 122 (e.g., grill rack 122c) can be supported and/or suspended by an additional mounting element in certain embodiments. For instance, inner surface 105 of outer wall 104 can have one or more ledges or lips 127 extending partially into compartment 106 (see e.g., Figure 3C). The one or more ledges or lips 127 can extend from a front portion(s), side portion(s), and/or rear portion(s) of inner surface 105 such that one or more grill racks 122 can be supported thereon. For instance, a portion (e.g., outer edge) of grill rack 122c can rest on or be supported by the one or more ledges or lips 127. It is also noted that various internal features (e.g., heat and/or smoke circulating element(s), etc.) may necessitate a break in the one or more ledges or lips. Accordingly, inner surface 105 of outer wall 104 can have one or more divided ledges or lips extending partially into compartment 106.

As further depicted in Figure 2, one or more grill racks 122 can have a rear lip or raised edge configuration. Such a configuration may prevent and/or inhibit food products from sliding off the back of grill rack 122. In addition, outer wall 104 (or side wall panel thereof) can have a pill or oval (cross-sectional shape) (e.g., with a rounded and/or curved top portion or edge 109 and an elongated (central) straight and/or linear portion or edge 103 (see also Fig. 5A). Accordingly, unlike existing barrel-shaped grills having a round cross-sectional shape, internal grilling compartment 106 of grilling device 100 can be substantially taller and/or provide a substantial amount of additional grilling height (i.e., top-to-bottom) for a food product to be placed therein (e.g., without increasing the depth (i.e., front-to-back) of the grilling device 100).

However, the rounded and/or curved top portion or edge 109 is substantially recessed relative to the elongated (central) straight and/or linear portion or edge 103 (see also Fig. 5A). Accordingly, while lower grill rack 122c can extend from the rear of internal grilling compartment 106 to the front thereof at a deeper point corresponding to elongated (central) straight and/or linear portion or edge 103, upper rack 122a may be shorter or smaller (front-to- back) than lower rack 122c because of its location corresponding to rounded and/or curved top portion or edge 109.

In addition, intermediate grill rack 122b may be disposed at a height between grill rack 122a and grill rack 122b, and likewise have a depth (front-to-back) that is between the depths of grill rack 122a and grill rack 122b. Accordingly, the grill rack system may have an opera- house or stadium seating-type configuration with each of the upper levels having a progressively shorter or smaller depth (front-to-back) and/or a progressively recessed front and/or rear edge (compared to the grill rack immediately therebelow). In other words, grill rack 122c may be larger than grill rack 122b, which may be larger than grill rack 122a.

Such configurations may permit and/or allow for a suitable amount of cooking area between the upper surface of a lower grill rack and the lower surface of an upper grill rack. For instance, such configurations may permit and/or allow for flipping and/or rotating of food products without the substantial risk of touching an adjacent grill rack and/or being burned thereby. It is noted, however, that each of the grill racks 122 can have substantially the same width or length (side-to-side) and/or height (i.e., top-to-bottom).

As illustrated in Figures 3A-3C, one or more of the grill racks 122 can be re- configurable and/or re-positionable (e.g., on-demand). For instance, grill rack 122c can be disposed in a lower position of the third tier as illustrated in Figure 3A, with grill rack 122c supported by one or more ledges or lips 127 (see e.g., Figure 3C). Grill rack 122c can also be disposed in an upper position of the third tier as illustrated in Figure 3B, with grill rack 122c supported by one or more grill rack mounting elements 129. In some embodiments, the upper position can be disposed vertically above the lower position.

For instance, the lower position can comprise a direct heating position, where a food product placed on grill rack 122c in the lower position can be exposed to direct and/or radiant heat from a heating source (not shown) disposed within device 100 (e.g., in a bottom portion of the grilling compartment or oven section thereof). The heating source can be fed a fuel source (e.g., wood pellets) by means of an auger disposed between the fuel source and the hopper. In some embodiments, the food product placed on grill rack 122c in the lower position can be exposed to flames produced by the heating element.

In other embodiments, a heat shield and/or drip pan 125 can be disposed between the fuel source and grill rack 122c. The heat shield and/or drip pan 125 can absorb, conduct, and/or radiate heat from the heating element such that the food product placed on grill rack 122c can be cooked thereby. Alternatively, the food product can be placed directly on the heat shield and/or drip pan 125. For instance, grill racks 122b and/or 122c can be removed in some embodiments.

As illustrated in Figures 3B and 3C, grill rack 122c can also be slidable and/or movable between a retracted position (Figure 3B) and a protruding position (Figure 3C). For instance, in some embodiments, grill rack 122c can be supported by a plurality of (e.g., two, three, or more) grill rack mounting elements 129. The grill rack mounting elements 129 can comprise brackets, as illustrated, or rails, tracks, etc. Alternatively, grill rack 122c can be supported by one or more ledges or lips 127.

In either case, grill rack 122c can slide along one or more components of mounting assembly 128 (e.g., grill rack mounting elements 129 and/or lips 127) such that in the protruding position, at least a portion of grill rack 122c extends out of internal grilling compartment 106 and/or beyond access opening 108 (see Figure 1). As illustrated in Figure 3B, a plurality of lower grill rack mounting elements 129 can support grill rack 122c from beneath the grill rack, and at least one grill rack mounting element 129 can be disposed above grill rack 122c (e.g., providing and/or serving as a catch to prevent over protrusion and/or rotation of grill rack 122c).

In one or more embodiments, grill rack system 120 can include a fourth grill rack 122d (as shown in Figures 4 and 7A). Grill rack 122d can be disposed in the lower position of the third tier while grill rack 122c is disposed in the upper position thereof. Alternatively, the lower position can comprise a fourth tier in some embodiments. Furthermore, one or more of the grill racks 122 can include a selectively removable component. For instance, as illustrated in Figure 5A, intermediate grill rack 122b can comprise a frame component 121 and a selectively removable component 123. In at least some embodiments, removal of removable component 123 can permit a larger and/or taller food product or item to be placed on lower grill rack 122c and still fit within internal grilling compartment 106.

In one embodiment, a grilling device 100 is provided which includes an oven section 102. The oven section 102 has an internal grilling compartment 106 that is at least partially bound by an outer wall 104. The grilling device 100 also includes a multi-tiered grill rack system 120. This multi-tiered grill rack system is disposed within the internal grilling compartment 106, and includes at least three grill racks (e.g. 122a-c), although more grill racks are possible. Indeed, four, five, six or more grill racks may be included in a single grilling device.

The grilling device 100 also includes a mounting assembly 128 for supporting the grill racks within the internal grilling compartment 106. The mounting assembly 128 includes multiple grill rack mounting elements 129. These grill rack mounting elements 129 are placed at various positions on each of the inner surfaces 105 of the outer wall 104. The grill rack mounting elements 129 may be arranged or spaced in a variety of different places on the inner surface 105. The grill rack mounting elements 129 may be fixed or may be adjustable. For example, the grill rack mounting elements may be configured to adjust upward or downward to accommodate different foods or different placements of the grill racks 122.

In some cases, the grill racks 122 are arranged in a vertically spaced relationship within the grill rack system 120. As shown in Figure 5A, grill racks 122a, 122b and 122c are arranged in a vertically spaced relationship, where grill rack 122a is placed vertically over grill rack 122b, and both of which are placed vertically over grill rack 122c. The grill racks 122 are placed in the oven section 102 of the grilling device 100. The oven's outer wall 104 bounds the internal grilling compartment 106. This internal grilling compartment is accessible to a grill user via the hinged lid 110 which is selectively operable between an open and a closed position.

The outer wall 104 of the oven section 102 includes opposing first and second side portions and an encircling body portion extending between the opposing first and second side portions. The encircling body portion's inner surfaces, along with the side portions' inner surfaces 105 define the oven section 102 in which the food is grilled or smoked. The body portion includes an access opening 108 that is selectively covered using the lid 110. The lid 110 is attached to a specific portion of the outer wall 104. This portion may be behind the apex of the outer wall 104, especially in cases where the outer wall is oval shaped.

In cases where the outer wall is oval-shaped, the lid is formed to match the curves and edges (103 & 109) of the outer wall to form a seal when the lid 110 is closed. Upon actuating the lid 110 to a closed position, the seal formed by the curvature of the lid 110 acts to entrap the heat and/or smoke created by the grill's heat and/or smoke source.

The grill racks 122 of the grill rack system 120 may have the same or different depths. For example, the grill rack system 120 may include a grill rack 122c having a first depth, a second grill rack 122b disposed above the first grill rack 122c and having a second depth that is smaller than the first depth, and a third grill rack 122a that is disposed above the second grill 122b rack and has a third depth that is smaller than the second depth. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 5A, grill rack 122c may be placed at or near the bottom of the grill rack system 120, grill rack 122b may be placed at or near the middle of the grill rack system 120, and grill rack 122a may be placed at or near the top of the grill rack system 120. These racks are, of course, removable and interchangeable to at least some extent, although larger racks may not fit on the higher portions of the grill without impeding actuation of the lid 110.

The grill rack system 120 also includes a mounting assembly 128 for supporting the at least three grill racks 122a-c in a vertically spaced configuration. The mounting assembly includes multiple grill rack mounting elements 129 connected to an inner surface 105 of the outer wall 104. These grill rack mounting elements 129 hold the grill racks securely in place during operation of the grill, and further allow removal and replacement of the grill racks as desired.

In some embodiments, the grilling device 100 includes grilling racks 122 that have at least one selectively removable component. For example, as shown in Figure 5A, the grilling rack 122b has a selectively removable component 123. The selectively removable component 123 may be removed or replaced at any time by a grill user. The selectively removable component 123 attaches to a frame component 121 of the grill rack. The selectively removable component 123 of the grill rack 122b may be of substantially any length or depth in relation to the frame component 121.

For instance, the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5A shows that, in this embodiment, the selectively removable component 123 is approximately half of the width of the grill rack 122b. It will be understood that the selectively removable component 123 may be one-fourth, three-fourths, nine-tenths or any other fraction of the grill rack. Still further, while only one selectively removable component 123 is shown in Figure 5 A, substantially any number of selectively removable components 123 may be included in a given grill rack or grill rack system 120. The selectively removable component 123 is supported by the remaining portion of the grill rack.

Allowing the grill racks 122 to have selectively removable components 123 provides increased flexibility when preparing food in the grill. For example, as shown in Figure 5B, a turkey may be placed on the bottom rack 122c, and the turkey may extend into the middle rack 122b. The turkey extends into the space that would have otherwise been occupied by the removed selectively removable component 123. Thus, in this manner, a grill user may be able to cook substantially larger food items, or may be able to stack or move the food items in ways not previously possible, as the food items may extend into the space normally occupied by the upper racks.

In some cases, as shown in Figure 6A, multiple grill racks 122 may have selectively removable components 123. In the grilling device 100 of Figure 6A, the middle grilling rack 122b has a selectively removable component 123, and the upper grilling rack 122a also has a selectively removable component 124. This allows larger foods to be placed on the right side of the bottom grilling rack 122c, and on the left side of grilling rack 122b. The food placed in the right side of the bottom grilling rack 122c can extend into the space that would have been occupied by the selectively removable component 123 of grilling rack 122b, and the food placed in the left side of the middle grilling rack 122b can extend into the space that would have been occupied by the selectively removable component 124 of grilling rack 122a.

Thus, as shown in Figure 6B, a turkey may be placed on grilling rack 122c and may extend into the space of the selectively removable component 123, and a beer can chicken can be placed on grilling rack 122b and may extend into the space of the selectively removable component 124 of grilling rack 122a. It will be understood, of course, that these food items are merely examples of many different larger food items that a user may want to grill. Using the selectively removable components, a user may place multiple food items higher or lower in the grill as desired.

For instance, as shown in Figures 4 and 7, in cases where two lower level racks are being used (122c and 122d), the grilling rack 122c may have a selectively removable component 123 on the right side which may be removed, allowing lower-profile food items to be placed on the left sides of both grilling racks 122c and 122d. Then, both of these racks (122c & 122d) would hold food items (such as hamburgers) closer to the heat source, while still allowing for a higher-profile food item to be placed on the right side.

A further embodiment is provided in which a grill rack system 120 is provided. The grill rack system 120 includes multiple grill racks 122, including a first grill rack 122c having a first depth, a second grill rack 122b that has a second depth which is smaller than the first depth, and a third grill rack 122a that has a third depth which is smaller than the second depth. In this manner, the grill racks are disposed within the oven section 102 of the grilling device in a tiered, stadium-seating manner, where the lowest grilling rack has the greatest depth, the middle racks have a smaller depth, and the higher racks have the smallest depth. The tiered grilling rack system 120 also includes a mounting assembly 128 for supporting the grill racks 122 in a vertically spaced configuration. The grill racks 122 may each have substantially the same width, or may have varying widths. The grill rack system 120 may include grill racks that have selectively removable components 123. The selectively removable components 123 of the grill rack system 120 may include at least one selectively removable component that is supported by the remaining portion of the grill rack. Thus, as shown in Figure 5A, the selectively removable components 123 are supported by the frame component 121 of the grill rack 122b. When the selectively removable component 123 is removed from the grill rack system 120, the remainder of the grill rack (i.e. the frame component 121) remains in the grilling device 100.

Even in cases where a grilling rack includes multiple selectively removable components, the remaining frame component 121 stays within the grilling device, and provides support for food items placed on the grilling rack 122b, and further provides support for the selectively removable component(s) 123 when they are returned to their position in the grilling rack. When the selectively removable components 123 are returned to the grilling rack, they may slide, snap and/or lock into place so that they are secured and usable for grilling.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the selectively removable component 123 is on the middle grill rack 122b. As such, food items that are placed on the bottom grill rack 122c below the middle grill rack can extend past the remaining portion of the middle grill rack 122b. In some cases, the mounting assembly 128 substantially prevents sliding of the grill racks once the grill racks are inserted into the mounting elements 129. In other cases, the mounting assembly 128 permits sliding of the grill racks in opposing first and second directions. For instance, the mounting assembly may permit sliding of the grill racks front to back, but may not permit movement of the grill racks side to side. Thus, the mounting elements 129 may hold the grilling racks in place during use, and may further hold the grilling rack frame component 121 in place whenever a selectively removable component 123 is removed.

A further grilling device 100 may be provided which includes an oven section 102 that has an outer wall 104 which bounds the internal grilling compartment 106. The outer wall 104 has opposing first and second side portions, as well as an encircling body portion that extends between the side portions. The body portion has an access opening and a lid 110 attached to the outer wall 104 which is actuatable between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening and an open position in which the access opening is uncovered. The lid 110 may have a handle attached thereto that allows for actuation of the lid.

This grilling device 100 also includes a grill rack system 120 that itself includes multiple grill racks 122 disposed in the internal grilling compartment 106. The grilling racks include a first grill rack 122c that has a first depth, a second grill rack that is disposed above the first grill rack and has a second depth which is smaller than the first depth, and a third grill rack that is disposed above the second grill rack and has a third depth which is smaller than the second depth. The grilling device also includes a mounting assembly 128 for supporting the grill racks 122 in a vertically spaced configuration. The mounting assembly includes multiple grill rack mounting elements 129 connected to an inner surface 105 of the outer wall 104.

The grill rack mounting elements are connected to the opposing first and second side portions of the outer wall 104 using some type of fastening means. The mounting assembly 128 may include ledges that extend from the inner surface 105 of the outer wall 104. These ledges provide support for the grill racks 122. In some embodiments, the first and second side portions may have a substantially oval configuration with an upper curved edge 109, an opposing lower curved edge, and opposing linear side edges 103 extending between the upper and lower curved edges. The respective front edges of the grill racks 122 may be progressively recessed compared to an adjacent lower grill rack.

In some cases, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, four or even more grilling racks may be placed in such a grilling device. For instance, the grilling device 100 of Figure 7 A may include four grilling racks 122a-d. Two or more of these grilling racks may include a removable grill rack insert (i.e. selectively removable component 123). This selectively removable component 123 allows food items placed on the lower grill racks to extend up through the higher grill racks.

Thus, as shown in Figure 7B, large food items such as turkeys and beer can chickens can be placed on lower racks and can extend into the higher racks, while still allowing food to be cooked on the higher racks. That is, instead of having to remove the upper racks entirely to make room for the larger food items, portions of the grilling rack can remain in position, while other portions are removed. This allows a great deal of flexibility and customizability when preparing food in grilling device 100.

The foregoing detailed description makes reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope contemplated herein and as set forth in the appended claims. In particular, while illustrative exemplary embodiments in this disclosure have been more particularly described, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, but includes any and all embodiments having modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g. , of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the foregoing detailed description. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the foregoing detailed description, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

Moreover, any steps recited in any method or process described herein and/or recited in the claims may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented in the claims, unless otherwise stated (explicitly or implicitly) in the claims. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given above.

It will also be appreciated that various features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions of certain embodiments of the present invention are compatible with and/or can be combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present invention. Thus, disclosure of certain features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions relative to a specific embodiment of the present invention should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions to the specific embodiment.

Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention. Likewise, certain embodiments can include fewer features than those disclosed in specific examples without necessarily departing from the scope of this disclosure.

In addition, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.