WALL MOUNTED COOKING APPARATUS Background

The invention relates generally to any style or form of cooking apparatus.

Whilst this invention will in the main be described in the context of barbecues and grills it applies to other forms of cooking apparatus which use, for example, gas (such as liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas) or electricity to fire burners or heat elements or surfaces which are used for cooking and heating food, in a similar way to cook tops and stoves.

A cooking apparatus used for cooking or grilling and using gas, electricity or other energy sources may be free standing and moveable on its own independent support structure. For example, this independent support structure may be in the form of legs fixed to the body of the cooking apparatus or a moveable trolley upon which the cooking apparatus is mounted. In another variation, the independent support structure may be mounted on wheels. In another form, the cooking apparatus may be built in to a fixed structure made specifically to house the cooking apparatus. For example, this fixed structure may be a frame made of brick, concrete or wood.

A feature of conventional cooking apparatus, whether "free standing" or "built in", (e.g. barbecue, grill or stove) is that the heat sources and/or cooking surfaces are fixed in a horizontal position. As a result of this feature of conventional cooking apparatus, people desiring to avail themselves of, for example, barbecue cooking or grilling must allocate the necessary space to stand or build in the cooking apparatus with the heating sources and surfaces in the horizontal position. In addition, the space taken up by the cooking apparatus and its associated legs, trolley or frame, whether in "free standing" of "built in" form does not alter when the cooking apparatus is not in use. This becomes an issue when the space available may be limited, such as on patios or balconies.

This invention has been specifically designed to incorporate all of the essential features of a cooking apparatus but allow the cooking apparatus to be mounted against any available wall and folded down vertically when not in use so that the space necessary to store the cooking apparatus is considerably reduced.

Another problem associated with cooking apparatus such as barbecues and grills, is that they generate heat which may damage adjacent walls in close proximity. In addition, food that is being cooked may result in fat, grease, oils or other food material being spattered on any uncovered adjacent wall in close proximity. This problem is greatest when the cooking apparatus is in a confined space, such as on a patio or balcony, where the cooking apparatus may be placed adjacent to a wall to maximize the use of the space available.

This invention has been specifically designed to incorporate a lid which covers the whole of the cooking apparatus when not in use for cooking, but which may be lifted when the cooking apparatus is in use to form a protective barrier between the heat source and cooking area and the available wall upon which the cooking apparatus is mounted.

Another problem associated with cooking apparatus such as barbecues and grills is that it is desirable to have shelves adjacent to the cooking surfaces in order to place, food, sauces, spices, utensils, plates, trays or other like items associated with cooking. These shelves are often fixed to either side of the cooking apparatus which take up available space when not in use. This is of particular concern when the cooking apparatus is in a confined space, such as on a patio or balcony.

This invention has been specifically designed to incorporate shelves which may be extended on either side of the cooking apparatus when in use, but which may be retracted or folded within the cooking apparatus when the cooking apparatus is not in use or stored in its vertical position.

Accordingly, the invention has been designed to address the problems identified above.

Description of Invention

The description of the invention should not be taken to limit the scope or form of the invention.

In a preferred form, the body of the cooking apparatus may be made of steel or other metal or combination of metals.

In a preferred form, the cooking apparatus will use an available energy source, such as gas (e.g. liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas or other form of gas) or electricity.

In a preferred form, the cooking surfaces or heat sources may utilise steel, cast iron, glass or other style of heating element. These heating surfaces or heat sources may be in the form of a grill, griddle, hot plate or burner.

In a preferred form, the cooking surfaces will be fixed to the body of the cooking apparatus so that they do not move out of position when the cooking apparatus is moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

In a preferred form, the cooking apparatus will generate heat via the use of gas burners or by electric elements.

In a preferred form the cooking apparatus incorporates a bracket or other mechanism, made of steel or other metal, which permits the cooking apparatus to be mounted to a wall by the means of bolts or screws. The bracket or other mechanism permits the body of the cooking apparatus and associated heating surfaces to be in a horizontal position when in use, but moved to a vertical position when not in use.

In a preferred form, the cooking apparatus has a fold down lid covering the whole of the upper surface of the cooking apparatus. The fold down lid is fixed to the rear most section of the cooking apparatus by a hinge mechanism permitting the lid to be raised to a near vertical position when the cooking apparatus is in use so as to form a protective barrier between the cooking area and the wall upon which the cooking apparatus is mounted. The lid may be folded down when the cooking apparatus is not in use so as to cover the cooking apparatus.

In a preferred form, the cooking apparatus incorporates shelves which may be extended out from either side of the cooking apparatus to provide surfaces upon which the user may place food, sauces, spices, utensils, plates, trays or other like items associated with cooking. The shelves may, for example, be extended by the use of slides rails. In another form, the shelves may be folded out on hinges. The shelves may be retracted or folded within the cooking apparatus when not in use to save available space.

In a preferred form, the cooking apparatus incorporates the features of a barbecue, grill or stove.

One embodiment of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, a particular embodiment of the invention is described and displayed in a series of drawings attached, which should not be taken to limit the nature or scope of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

• Figure 1 Mounting to Wall. This describes and displays the manner in which a bracket may be mounted to a wall.

• Figure 2 Placement on Bracket. This describes and displays the manner in which the cooking apparatus may be attached to the bracket.

• Figure 3 Ready for Use. This describes and displays the manner in which the cooking apparatus may be made ready for use.

• Figure 4 Movement from horizontal to vertical. This describes and displays the manner in which the cooking apparatus may be moved from the horizontal position to the vertical position.

• Figure 5 Exploded View. This displays the cooking apparatus in an "exploded view" format showing all of its component parts.

Description of an embodiment of the invention

The cooking apparatus in this particular embodiment of the invention incorporates the following features as illustrated in the "exploded view" diagram contained in Figure 5, which displays the:

• Front Lid which, when closed covers the cooking griddle and cooking grid (ref# 01)

• Cooking griddle and/or cooking grid in any combination upon which food may be cooked (ref# 02 & 03)

• In a gas fired cooking apparatus, a Flame Tamer and Fire Brick to ensure an even dispersion of the heat generated by the gas flame (ref# 04 & 05)

• Slide out shelves on either side of the cooking apparatus upon which food, plates, utensils or other items may be placed when the cooking apparatus is in use (ref# 06), including the Side Rail upon which it moves (ref# 14)

• The heating mechanism including the U Shape Burner, Front Baffle, Gas Valve, Manifold, Control Knob, Knob Bezel,, Control Panel and Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas Regulator (ref# 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 15)

• Fire Box, which provides the frame or body for incorporating all of the essential elements of the cooking apparatus (ref# 19)

• Grease tray for catching grease from cooking (ref# 16)

• Rear Panel to the Fire Box (ref# 21) incorporating the hinge upon which the Front Lid is attached (ref# 22)

• Wall Bracket which is attached to the available wall and upon which the cooking apparatus is mounted (ref# 23). See also Figure 1.

• Anterior Screw and Posterior Screw (ref# 17 & 18) which are connected to, and extend out from, the Fire Box and which are then positioned through and on the Wall Bracket permitting the movement of the cooking apparatus from the horizontal cooking position to the vertical storage position. See also Figure 2.

• Brackets for the cooking grids, which hold the cooking griddle and/or cooking grid in place when the cooking apparatus is moved from the horizontal position to the vertical position (ref# 20)

The Wall Bracket (ref# 23) and structure of the cooking apparatus is typically made of sheet metal or similar material such as stainless steel, so that it is strong and capable of withstanding the heat generated by the cooking apparatus. The cooking griddle and/or grid may also be made of stainless steel, or alternatively may be made of cast iron.

The Wall Bracket (ref# 23) is affixed by screws to the available wall where it is desired to mount the cooking apparatus. Figure 1 further describes the manner of fixation to the wall. The Wall Bracket incorporates cut out slots within which the Anterior and Posterior Screws (ref# 17 & 18) are positioned to provide a sturdy mount for the Fire Box when it is in the horizontal position in readiness for cooking. The Posterior Screw (ref# 18) is placed through the horizontal cut our slot sitting towards the top of each side extension of the Wall Bracket. The Anterior Screw (ref# 17) may be positioned within the open cut out slot towards the top of each side extension of the Wall Bracket. When it is desired to place the cooking apparatus in the vertical position, the Fire Box is gently lifted so that the Anterior Screw (ref# 17) comes out of its position within the Wall Bracket allowing the Fire Box to be moved forward until it is clear of the Wall Bracket. The Posterior Screw (ref# 18) is simultaneously slid along its horizontal slot to the forward position. The Fire Box may then be tilted downwards until wholly in the vertical position, with the Anterior Screw being positioned in the cut out slot towards the bottom of each side extension of the Wall Bracket. The sequence is reversed when it is desired to put the Fire Box back into the horizontal position in readiness for cooking. See also Figure 2 which describes how the Fire Box is placed on the bracket and Figure 4 which displays the movement of the cooking apparatus from the horizontal to the vertical position.

The cooking apparatus is such that, when in the horizontal position, the Front Lid (ref# 01) which is hinged along the whole of the rear of the cooking apparatus, may be opened by being raised into a vertical position leaning back on to the wall upon which the cooking apparatus is mounted to constitute a protective barrier for the wall

against spills, oils and greases which may occur during cooking. See also Figure 3 which displays the lid in the open position.

The Slide Out Shelves (ref # 06) are wholly retracted within the cooking apparatus when not in use. This is achieved by sliding the Shelves towards each other until they meet. When the cooking apparatus is to be used, the whole apparatus is lifted to the horizontal position and locked into place through the use of the Anterior and Posterior Screws positioned within the Wall Bracket. The Front Lid (ref# 01) is then lifted into the vertical position revealing the Slide Out Shelves below. The Shelves are then slid out to the left and right of the Fire Box respectively until fully extended. These Shelves may then be used for placing foods, cooking utensils, plates, trays etc as may be required. See Figure 3 which displays the shelves in the fully extended position.

The Brackets for the cooking grids (ref# 20) have extensions, which overlap the cooking griddle and/or grid. Once put into position over the cooking griddle and/or grid, the Brackets are then screwed into the Fire Box (ref# 19) thereby locking in place the cooking griddle and/or grid. This ensures that when the cooking apparatus is moved from the horizontal position to the vertical position, the cooking griddle and or grid remain fixed to the Fire Box in the correct position and do not fall forward due to the affect of gravity.

FIGURE 1 MOUNTING TO WALL

Step 1: Six 8 ^χ 60mm screws are used to attach the bracket onto the wall as per the figure shown below.

FIGURE 2 PLACEMENT ON BRACKET

Step 2: The screws used to attach the cooking apparatus to the bracket are aligned with the holes in the bracket, and then re-screwed into the holes on the side of the cooking apparatus and tightened into place.

FIGURE 3 READY FOR USE

The lid of the cooking apparatus is lifted and the side shelves extended by sliding them to the left and the right so that the cooking apparatus is ready for use.

FIGURE 4 MOVEMENT FROM HORIZONTAL TO VERTICAL

After use, the left and right side shelves and the front lid are closed. The front of cooking apparatus is lifted so that the anterior screw comes out of the hole in the bracket (see figure 4.1). The cooking apparatus is then pulled forward away from the wall until the posterior screw sits against the guide hole of the bracket which is furthest from the wall. The cooking apparatus is then tilted downward (see figure 4.2) and anterior screw inserted into the lower hole in the bracket so that the cooking apparatus may sit vertically (see figure 4.3).

FIGURE 5 EXPLODED VIEW