AU2018101082A4 - Ignition system for charcoal barbecues - Google Patents

Abstract

A charcoal barbecue has a barbecue body (10), a grill surface (18); a fuel tray (40) for receiving charcoal and which is disposed within the barbecue body below the grill surface; and an electric heating element (50) within the barbecue body (10) and spaced a distance below the grill surface (18). The fuel tray (40) is movable relative to the barbecue body (10) between a plurality of different levels by a height adjustment mechanism (60). The fuel tray (40) is movable relative to the electric heating element (50) between a first position in which the electric heating element (50) is spaced a distance away from the fuel tray (40), and a second, ignition position in which the electric heating element (50) is in contact the fuel tray (50) to ignite charcoal within the fuel tray (40). The fuel tray (40) is also movable relative to the grill surface (18) between a plurality of different positions for controlling the amount of heat for cooking on the barbecue. Figure 4 ------------------ )I.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to barbecues, and more particularly to solid fuel barbecues and ignition systems therefor.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] WO2017/063019 A1 relates to a barbecue with spit functionality, having a barbecue body and a grill area on the upper surface of the grill body having a grill rack above a grill interior. The barbecue includes spit support members which are movable from a first, storage position in which the spit support members are contained within the barbecue body, into a second, ‘in use’ position in which the spit support members extend upwardly out of the barbecue body. A spit rod, including a handle and spit forks, is mountable on the spit support members in the second, in use position when it is desired to use the spit functionality of the barbecue.

[0003] The grill interior of the grill rack of the barbecue of WO2017/063019 A1 may be adapted to receive solid fuel, such as charcoal or firewood which is ignited for heating the grill rack. In solid fuel barbecues, such as the barbecue of WO2017/063019 A1, ignition of the solid fuel to heat up the grill rack can take a relatively long time compared to gas or electric barbecues in which gas or electricity is used to heat up the grill rack.

[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide a solid fuel barbecue with improved ignition means for igniting the solid fuel so that the grill area of the barbecue heats up more quickly and efficiently that known types of solid fuel barbecues.

[0005] It is also desirable to provide a solid fuel barbecue in which at least some of the disadvantages of the known solid fuel barbecues are alleviated.

2018101082 06 Aug 2018

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided solid fuel barbecue comprising: a barbecue body; a grill surface; a fuel tray for receiving solid fuel and disposed within the barbecue body below the grill surface; and an electric heating element within the barbecue body and spaced a distance away from the grill surface; wherein the fuel tray is movable relative to the barbecue body [0007] The grill surface is preferably provided by a grill plate at a fixed location relative to the barbecue body, and the barbecue includes a height adjustment mechanism configured to move the fuel tray between a plurality of different levels within the barbecue body below the grill surface.

[0008] In one embodiment, the fuel tray is movable relative to the electric heating element between a first position in which the electric heating element is spaced a distance away from the fuel tray, and a second, ignition position in which the electric heating element is disposed closely adjacent or in contact with a part of the fuel tray.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a solid fuel barbecue comprising: a barbecue body; a grill surface; a fuel tray for receiving solid fuel and disposed below the grill surface, and an electric heating element within the barbecue body and spaced a distance away from the grill surface; wherein the fuel tray is movable relative to the electric heating element between a first position in which the electric heating element is spaced a distance away from the fuel tray, and a second, ignition position in which the electric heating element is disposed closely adjacent to or in contact with at least one part of the fuel tray.

[0010] Preferably, in the second, ignition position, the electric heating element is arranged to contact the at least one part of the fuel tray. This provides better

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 heating and ignition of the solid fuel than if the electric heating element is disposed closely adjacent to, but spaced a short distance away from, the at least one part of the fuel tray.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment, the fuel tray includes a tray insert which is the at least one part of the fuel tray closely adjacent to, or in contact with, the electric heating element in the second, ignition position.

[0012] After the part of the fuel tray closely adjacent to or in contact with the electric heating element has been heated sufficiently to ignite solid fuel within the fuel tray, the fuel tray can then be moved into the first position in which it is closer to the grill surface to provide more efficient heating for the grill surface.

[0013] The fuel tray preferably has a plurality of holes in its lower surface. The holes provide better ventilation allowing more air or oxygen into the fuel tray for more efficient burning of the solid fuel.

[0014] In one preferred embodiment, the barbecue includes a fan adapted to blow air or oxygen into the solid fuel tray.

[0015] The grill surface is preferably provided by a grill plate at a fixed location relative to the barbecue body. The heating element is preferably disposed below the grill surface at a fixed location which is spaced from the grill plate.

[0016] The first position is preferably a raised position and the second position is preferably a lowered position with the fuel tray being movable between the first and second positions, with a height adjustment mechanism provided for moving the fuel tray between the first and second positions.

[0017] Alternatively, or additionally, the fuel tray may be movable relative to the grill surface between a plurality of different positions for controlling the amount of heat for cooking on the barbecue.

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 [0018] In an embodiment, the barbecue has a rotisserie function and includes: a first spit support member configured to be removably mounted in a first opening in the barbecue body at a use position in which the first spit support member protrudes from the barbecue body; a second spit support member configured to be removably mounted in the first opening at a use position in which the second spit support member protrudes from the barbecue body; and a spit rod engageable with the first and second spit support members, wherein the first and second spit support members set a fixed spit rod height for the spit rod above the barbecue body, and wherein the fuel tray is movable in use relative to the grill surface between the plurality of different positions to vary the amount of heat received by food mounted on the spit rod.

[0019] The height adjustment mechanism may include a controller a controller for operating the height adjustment mechanism to move the fuel tray between the different positions.

[0020] The controller may be a mechanical controller with a manually engagable handle. Alternatively, the controller may be electrically operable.

[0021] The controller may enable the fuel tray to be moved to at least one intermediate position between the first and second positions for controlling the amount of heat for cooking on the barbecue.

[0022] In one embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism includes at least one tray support arm which is movable relative to the barbecue body to lower and raise the fuel tray between the first and second positions.

[0023] The at least one tray support arm preferably has a first end connected to the fuel tray, and a second end which is movable relative to the barbecue body.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first end of the at least one tray support arm is pivotally connected to the fuel tray, and the second end of the at least one tray

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 support arm is arranged to move pivotally relative to a fixed part of the barbecue body.

[0025] The second end of the at least one tray support arm may be moved pivotally by being connected to a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft may be mounted for rotation relative to shaft location plates which are fixed relative to the barbecue body.

[0026] The shaft location plates may be connected to vertically extending members which are fixed to a part of the barbecue body. Alternatively, the shaft location plates may be directly fixed to a part of the barbecue body.

[0027] The height adjustment mechanism may include a lever connected to the rotatable shaft by a linkage, wherein movement of the lever controls rotation of the rotatable shaft.

[0028] The manually engagable handle of the mechanical controller may be provided on one end of the lever.

[0029] In one embodiment, the end of the lever on which the manually engagable handle is provided extends through an elongate slot in a wall of the barbecue body.

[0030] The elongate slot may have a plurality of notches along its length to enable the lever to be located at any one of a plurality of locations along the length of the slot, each location corresponding to a different intermediate position for the fuel tray between the first and second positions.

[0031] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an ignition system for a solid fuel barbecue having a grill surface, wherein the ignition system comprises: a fuel tray for receiving solid fuel; an electric heating element for heating the fuel tray to ignite solid fuel in the fuel tray when the electric heating

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 element is activated; wherein the fuel tray is movable relative to the electric heating element between a first position in which the electric heating element is spaced a distance away from the fuel tray, and a second, ignition position in which the electric heating element is disposed closely adjacent to or in contact with at least one part of the fuel tray.

[0032] Preferably, in the second, ignition position, the electric heating element is arranged to contact the at least one part of the fuel tray. This provides better heating and ignition of the solid fuel than if the electric heating element is disposed closely adjacent to, but spaced a short distance away from, the at least one part of the fuel tray.

[0033] In one preferred embodiment, the fuel tray of the ignition system includes a tray insert which is the at least one part of the fuel tray closely adjacent to, or in contact with, the electric heating element in the second, ignition position.

[0034] The fuel tray preferably has a plurality of holes in its lower surface. The holes provide better ventilation allowing more air or oxygen into the fuel tray for more efficient burning of the solid fuel.

[0035] In one preferred embodiment, the ignition system includes a fan adapted to blow air or oxygen into the solid fuel tray.

[0036] The barbecue in accordance with the first or second aspect of the invention, or the ignition system in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, preferably further includes an electronic control system for controlling operation of the electric heating element.

[0037] The electronic control system may also be arranged to control operation of the fan.

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 [0038] In one embodiment, the electronic control system is programmed to turn on the electric heating element for a predetermined heating period when the fuel tray is in the second, ignition position, and then to turn off the electric heating element at the end of the predetermined heating period.

[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a solid fuel barbecue comprising: a barbecue body; a grill surface; a fuel tray for receiving solid fuel, such as charcoal, and disposed within the barbecue body below the grill surface; and an ignition system for igniting solid fuel within the support tray, the ignition system comprising: an electric heating element arranged to heat a fuel tray of the barbecue in an ignition position when the electric heating element is activated; switch means operable to activate the electric heating element, and an electronic control system which is programmed to turn on the electric heating element for a predetermined heating period when the fuel tray is in the ignition position, and then to turn off the electric heating element at the end of the predetermined heating period.

[0040] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic control system for a solid fuel barbecue in which an electric heating element is arranged to heat a fuel tray of the barbecue in an ignition position to ignite sold fuel in the fuel tray, wherein the electronic control system includes a programmable controller for operating the electric heating element, the programmable controller being programmed to turn on the electric heating element for a predetermined heating period when the fuel tray is in the ignition position, and then to turn off the electric heating element at the end of the predetermined heating period.

[0041] The electronic control system may also be programmed to control operation of a fan for blowing air or oxygen into the fuel tray.

[0042] The predetermined heating period is preferably sufficient to ignite solid fuel placed in the fuel tray.

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 [0043] The predetermined heating period preferably falls substantially in the range from 6 minutes to 12 minutes, preferably from 7 minutes to 9 minutes, and more preferably the predetermined heating period is about 8 minutes.

[0044] The electronic control system is preferably programmed to turn on the fan for a predetermined blowing period at the end of the predetermined heating period, and then to turn off the fan at the end of the predetermined blowing period.

[0045] The predetermined blowing period preferably falls substantially in the range from 8 minutes to 16 minutes, preferably from 10 minutes to 14 minutes, and more preferably about 12 minutes.

[0046] The electronic control system may be adapted to control one or more of other electrical components of the barbecue, including an electric rotisserie and one or more electric lights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0047] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a charcoal barbecue with grill, spit and roast functionality in a grill configuration;

[0049] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a charcoal barbecue of Figure 1 in a roast configuration;

[0050] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a charcoal barbecue of Figure 1 in a rotisserie configuration;

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 [0051] Figure 4 is a schematic internal view of the barbecue of Figure 1;

[0052] Figures 5 and 6 are top perspective and front views of the grill, fuel tray and ignition heating element of the barbecue of Figure 4 with the fuel tray in a raised position for cooking;

[0053] Figures 7 and 8 are underneath perspective and front views of the grill, solid fuel tray and ignition heating element of the barbecue of Figure 4 with the fuel tray in a lowered position for cooking;

[0054] Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the fuel tray and height adjustment mechanism of the barbecue of Figure 4;

[0055] Figures 10 and 11 are side views of the height adjustment mechanism of Figure 9, showing raised and lowered positions respectively for the fuel tray;

[0056] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram for the electronic control system for the barbecue of Figures 1 to 4;

[0057] Figure 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of the ignition system and other controls of the barbecue of Figures 1 to 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0058] Figures 1 and 2 show a barbecue 1 having a barbecue body 10, a support frame 11 and a removable roasting hood 20. The barbecue body 10 has an upper surface 12, a lower surface 13, a front surface 14, a rear surface 15, and first and second sides 16, 17. The upper surface 12 includes a grill area 18 and a platform area 19 at one side of the grill area 18 adjacent the second side 17 of the barbecue 10. The lower surface 13 of the barbecue body 10 is mounted on the support frame 11 which includes four support legs 21, two or more of

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 which may be provided with wheels 29 for facilitating movement of the barbecue

1.

[0059] Figure 1 shows the barbecue 1 in a grill configuration with the roasting hood 20 mounted on the first side 16 of the barbecue. The grill area 14 includes a grill plate 22, which is heated for cooking food on the barbecue.

[0060] As shown in Figure 1, a first side portion 23 of the upper surface between the grill area 18 and the first side 16 of the barbecue body 10 includes a first removable square panel 25, and the platform area 19 between the grill area 18 and the second side 17 of the barbecue body 10 includes a second removable square panel 26. The square panels 25, 26 are removed when it is desired to use the barbecue in its rotisserie configuration, as will be described with reference to Figure 3 below.

[0061] The front surface 14 of the barbecue body 10 includes a vertically extending elongate rectangular slot 27 through which extends an adjustment handle 61 for operating a fuel tray height adjustment mechanism 60 which will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 9. The slot 27 has a plurality of notches 28 which allow the height of a fuel tray 40 of the barbecue 1 to be set at different levels relative to the fixed height of the grill plate 22.

[0062] The front surface 14 of the barbecue body 10 also includes a substantially rectangular large opening 30 in which an upper door 31 and a lower storage drawer 32 are provided. The upper door 31 allows access to the internal region of the barbecue body 10 below the grill plate 22. The storage drawer 32 has a drawer handle 33 which can be pulled to allow access to the drawer where cooking utensils and the like can be stored.

[0063] Figure 2 shows the barbecue 1 in a roast configuration with the roasting hood 20 mounted on the upper surface 12 above the grill area 18.

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 [0064] Figure 3 shows the barbecue 1 in a rotisserie configuration in which a rotatable spit rod 34, including a spit handle 35 and spit forks 36, is mountable on detachable first and second spit support members 37, 38. In the rotisserie configuration, the first and second square panels 25, 26 shown in Figure 1 are removed, and the first and second spit support members 37, 38 are attached to mounts 39 located below apertures in the upper surface 12 where the square panels 25, 26 are located in the grill and roast configurations of Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 3, the first and second spit support members 37, 38 extend upwardly from the upper surface 12 of the barbecue 10 at the sides of the grill area 18.

[0065] The schematic view of Figure 4 shows various internal parts of the barbecue body 10, including the mounts 39 (only one shown in Figure 4) for the spit support members 37, 38, the fuel tray 40, the height adjustment mechanism 60 for the fuel tray 40, and the ignition system 50 for igniting solid fuel in the fuel tray. The ignition system 50 includes a heating element 51 for heating a part of the fuel tray 40, and a fan 52 and duct 53 for blowing air or oxygen into the fuel tray 40.

[0066] The barbecue body 10 also includes at least one air channel 54 for allowing air to pass from one of more air inlets 55 in the first side 16 of the barbecue body 10 to the fan 52. As shown in Figure 4, the at least one air channel 54 is provided in the barbecue body 10 below the storage drawer 32.

[0067] The internal parts of the barbecue 10 also include the electric wiring (not shown) for rotating the spit rod 34 of the rotisserie and for the ignition system 50.

[0068] Referring to Figures 4 to 9, the fuel tray 40 is movable by the height adjustment mechanism 60 vertically between a first, fully raised position shown in Figures 5, 6 and 11, and a second, fully lowered position shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10. In the fully raised position, the fuel tray 40 is located immediately below

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 the grill plate 22 for maximum heating. In the fully lowered position, the fuel tray is located immediately above the heating element 51 for igniting solid fuel in the fuel tray 29. Figure 4 shows the fuel tray 40 in an intermediate position between the fully raised and fully lowered positions.

[0069] The fuel tray 40 is best shown in Figures 7 and 9 and has a substantially rectangular base 41, a front wall 42, a rear wall 43 and first and second side walls 44, 45. The fuel tray 40 includes a tray insert 46 which is received in a complementary shaped opening in the base 41. The tray insert 46 shown in Figures 7 and 9 is in the shape of a square shaped dish, though it will be appreciated that other shapes of tray inserts may be provided. In the fully lowered position of the fuel tray 40 shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10, the tray insert 46 is arranged to contact the heating element 51 of the ignition system 50.

[0070] The fuel tray base 41 includes a plurality of apertures 47, and the tray insert 46 also includes a plurality of apertures 48 which allow air to enter the fuel tray 40 from below. The flow of air into the fuel tray 40 is assisted when the fan 52 is operated.

[0071] The tray height adjustment mechanism 60 for the fuel tray 40 includes first and second vertically extending members 62, 63, a plurality of tray support arms 65, 66, a horizontally extending shaft 67, a control lever 68 connected to the adjustment handle 61 and a linkage 69 which connects the control arm 68 to the horizontally extending shaft 67.

[0072] The first and second vertically extending members 62, 63 are fixedly secured to the rear wall 15 within the barbecue body 11. As shown particularly in Figure 9, there is a first pair of upper and lower tray support arms 65, 66 at one side of the fuel tray 40, and a second pair of upper and lower tray support arms 65, 66 at the other side of the fuel tray 40. Each support arm 65, 66 has a forward end pivotally connected to a respective one of the first and second tray side walls 44, 45 of the fuel tray. The rearward end of each upper support arm 65 is

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 mounted on a respective end portion of the horizontally extending shaft 67 which is mounted for rotation relative to first and second fixed shaft location plates 71, 72.

[0073] A first one of the shaft location plates 71 is fixed to the first vertically extending member 62, and a second one of the shaft location plates 72 is fixed to the second vertically extending member 63. The rearward end of each lower support arm 66 is pivotally connected to a respective one of the shaft location plates 71, 72 for the horizontally extending shaft 67.

[0074] A first end 73 of the horizontally extending shaft 67 is extends through an aperture 75 in the first shaft location plate and the second, opposite end 74 of the horizontally extending shaft 67 extends through an aperture 76 in the second shaft location plate.

[0075] The linkage 69 comprises a first linkage arm 77 and a second linkage arm 78. The first linkage arm 77 is shorter than the second linkage arm 78. A first end of the first linkage arm 77 is mounted on the second end 76 of the horizontally extending shaft 67, and a second end of the first linkage arm 77 is pivotally connected to a first end of the second linkage arm 78.

[0076] The adjustment handle 61 is provide on a first end 79 of the control lever 68 which extends through the elongate rectangular slot 27 in the front wall of the barbecue body 11 and out of the barbecue body 11. The opposite, second end 80 of the control lever 68 is connected to a fixed control lever mounting plate 81 which is secured to the second vertically extending member 63 below the second shaft location plate 72. A second end 82 of the second linkage arm 78 is pivotally connected to the control arm at a location spaced from the control lever mounting plate 81.

[0077] As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the heating element 51 of the ignition system 50 extends substantially horizontally at a fixed height from a mounting

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 block 56 which is fixedly secured to an internal part (not shown) of the barbecue body 10.

[0078] In operation, the fuel tray 40 may be moved vertically upwards or downwards relative to the grill plate 18 and the heating element 51 by a user gripping the adjustment handle 61 and moving the control lever 68 upwardly or downwardly within the vertically extending slot 27.

[0079] The lowest position of the adjustment handle 61 shown in Figures 9 and 10 corresponds to the lowest position of the fuel tray 40 in which the tray insert 46 contacts the heating element 51 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. When the adjustment handle 61 is moved upwardly, the control lever 68 pivots about the fixed control lever mounting plate 81, and in turn the second linkage arm 78 moves upwardly causing the first linkage arm 77 to pivot upwardly and to rotate the horizontally extending shaft 67.

[0080] Rotation of the horizontally extending shaft 67 causes the upper and lower support arms 65, 66 to pivot relative to the fixed shaft location plates 71, 72, raising the forward ends of the support arms and raising the fuel tray 40.

[0081] The highest position of the adjustment handle 61 shown in Figure 11 corresponds to the highest position of the fuel tray 40 in which the fuel tray 40 is immediately below the grill plate 22 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. It will, however, be appreciated that the fuel tray 40 can be positioned at one or more different intermediate levels between the highest and lowest positions by engaging the control lever 68 in different notches 28 of the vertical slot 27. This height adjustment assists in providing more control of the heat for cooking on the barbecue in each of the grill, roast and rotisserie configurations.

[0082] The operation of the ignition system 50 may be at least partly controlled electronically, as will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13.

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 [0083] The schematic block diagram of Figure 12 shows different parts of the electric/electronic components of the barbecue 1, including: the electric heating element 51, the fan 52, a rotisserie motor 90, a plurality of lights 91, 92, a power source 93, a programmable control module, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) 94 and a user interface (Ul) 95 which includes a plurality of control buttons. The user interface 95 and control buttons may be provided on a control panel 96 on the front wall 14 of the barbecue as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The control buttons may include a “Quickstart’ button switch for operating a “Quickstart’ ignition cycle, a booster fan control button, a light button for operation one or more lights of the barbecue, and a rotisserie button for operating the rotisserie.

[0084] As shown in Figure 12, each of the heating element 51, the fan, 52, the rotisserie motor 90 and the user interface 95 are connected to the programmable control module (PCB) 94 which in turn is connected to the power source 93. The lights 91 and 92 may be connected to the programmable control module (PCB) 94 either directly, or indirectly via pluggable connections 96.

[0085] A preferred operation of the electronically controlled ignition system 50 is illustrated in the schematic flow chart of Figure 13. The PCB 94 of the control system is first connected to the power source 93, for example by being plugged into a mains supply (step 102). This causes all of the control buttons on the control panel to be illuminated in a first colour, eg blue (step 104). With the fuel tray 40 in its fully lowered position in which it contacts the electric heating element a ‘Quickstart’ button is pressed (step 106) to start the ‘Quickstart’ cycle (108).

[0086] In the ‘Quickstart’ cycle, the ‘Quickstart’ button is illuminated in a second colour, eg red (step 110). The PCB 94 is programmed to energise the heating element 51 for a first predetermined time interval, preferably about 8 minutes (step 112) before it is automatically turned off by the PCB 94 (step 114). The ‘Quickstart’ button then changes colour back to the first colour, eg blue (step 116). The fan 52 is then started automatically by the PCB 94 and the fan button is illuminated in a second colour, eg red (step 118), and the PCB 94 is programmed

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 to energise the fan 52 for a predetermined second time interval preferably about minutes (step 120) before the fan is automatically turned off by the PCB 94 (step 122). The fan button then changes colour back to the first colour, eg blue (step 124).

[0087] The ‘Quickstart’ cycle can be interrupted at any time, either during operation of the heating element 51 by pressing the ‘Quickstart’ button (step 126) to cancel the cycle (step 128), or during operation of the fan 52 by pressing the fan button (step 130) to cancel the cycle (step 132). In each of these cases the ‘Quickstart’ button and the fan button change colour back to the first colour, eg blue (step 134).

[0088] It is also possible for the fan 52 to be energised manually as a booster fan at any time to assist in combustion of the fuel in the fuel tray 40 by pressing the fan button (step 136). Again, this causes the ‘Quickstart’ button to be illuminated in a second colour, eg red (step 138) and the booster fan turns on (step 140). The user may press the fan button again (step 142) so that the fan button changes colour back to the first colour, eg blue (step 144) to turn the booster fan off (step 146).

[0089] Figure 13 also illustrates operation of a light or lights for the barbecue. When the user presses the light button (step 148), the light button is illuminated in a second colour, eg red (step 150), and the at least one light turns on (step 152). When the user no longer requires the light(s) on he or she presses the light button again (step 154), the light button changes colour back to the first colour, eg blue (step 156), and the light or lights turn off (step 158).

[0090] The rotisserie shown in Figure 3 can be operated in similar manner by pressing the rotisserie button (step 160). The rotisserie button is then illuminated in a second colour, eg red (step 162) and the rotisserie turns on (step 164) to rotate the spit rod 34 of the rotisserie. When the user no longer requires the rotisserie on he or she presses the rotisserie button again (step 166), the

2018101082 06 Aug 2018 rotisserie button changes colour back to the first colour, eg blue (step 168), and the rotisserie turns off (step 170).

[0091] The ignition system and electronic control system for the barbecue described above enables solid fuel in the fuel tray to be ignited in a relatively short period of time compared to some other forms of ignition for solid fuel barbecues.

[0092] It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

2018101082 06 Aug 2018

Claims (19)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A solid fuel barbecue comprising: a barbecue body; a grill surface; a fuel tray for receiving solid fuel and disposed within the barbecue body below the grill surface; and an electric heating element within the barbecue body and spaced a distance below the grill surface; wherein the fuel tray is movable relative to the barbecue body.
2. 2. A barbecue according to claim 1, wherein the grill surface is provided by a grill plate at a fixed location relative to the barbecue body, and the barbecue includes a height adjustment mechanism configured to move the fuel tray between a plurality of different levels within the barbecue body below the grill surface.
3. 3. A barbecue according claim 2, wherein the fuel tray is movable relative to the electric heating element between a first position in which the electric heating element is spaced a distance away from the fuel tray, and a second, ignition position in which the electric heating element is disposed closely adjacent or in contact with a part of the fuel tray.
4. 4. A barbecue according to claim 3, wherein the first position of the fuel tray is a raised position and the second, ignition position of the fuel tray is a lowered position with the fuel tray being movable by the height adjustment mechanism between the first and second positions.
5. 5. A barbecue according to claim 4, wherein the fuel tray includes a tray insert which is the part of the fuel tray closely adjacent to or in contact with the electric heating element in the second, ignition position.
6. 6. A barbecue according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the fuel tray and/or the fuel tray insert has a plurality of holes in its lower surface, and wherein

   2018101082 06 Aug 2018 the barbecue includes a fan adapted to blow air or oxygen into the solid fuel tray through the plurality of holes in the fuel tray and/or the fuel tray insert.
7. 7. A barbecue according to any one claims 2 to 6, wherein the heating element is disposed below the grill plate at a fixed location which is spaced from the grill plate.
8. 8. A barbecue according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel tray is movable relative to the grill surface between a plurality of different positions for controlling the amount of heat for cooking on the barbecue.
9. 9. A barbecue according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barbecue has a rotisserie function and includes: a first spit support member configured to be removably mounted in a first opening in the barbecue body at a use position in which the first spit support member protrudes from the barbecue body; a second spit support member configured to be removably mounted in the first opening at a use position in which the second spit support member protrudes from the barbecue body; and a spit rod engageable with the first and second spit support members, wherein the first and second spit support members set a fixed spit rod height for the spit rod above the barbecue body, and wherein the fuel tray is movable in use relative to the grill surface between the plurality of different positions to vary the amount of heat received by food mounted on the spit rod.
10. 10. A barbecue according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height adjustment mechanism includes a controller for operating the height adjustment mechanism to move the fuel tray between the plurality of different positions.
11. 11. A barbecue according to claim 10, wherein the height adjustment mechanism includes a manually engagable handle connected to a lever which extends through an vertical slot in the barbecue body, and the elongate slot has a plurality of notches along its length to enable the lever to be located at any one of

    2018101082 06 Aug 2018 a plurality of locations along the length of the slot, each location corresponding to a different position for the fuel tray.
12. 12. A solid fuel barbecue comprising: a barbecue body; a grill surface; a fuel tray for receiving solid fuel, such as charcoal, and disposed within the barbecue body below the grill surface; and an ignition system for igniting solid fuel within the support tray, the ignition system comprising: an electric heating element arranged to heat a fuel tray of the barbecue in an ignition position when the electric heating element is activated; switch means operable to activate the electric heating element, and an electronic control system which is programmed to turn on the electric heating element for a predetermined heating period when the fuel tray is in the ignition position, and then to turn off the electric heating element at the end of the predetermined heating period.
13. 13. An electronic control system for a solid fuel barbecue in which an electric heating element is arranged to heat a fuel tray of the barbecue in an ignition position to ignite sold fuel in the fuel tray, wherein the electronic control system includes a programmable controller for operating the electric heating element, the programmable controller being programmed to turn on the electric heating element for a predetermined heating period when the fuel tray is in the ignition position, and then to turn off the electric heating element at the end of the predetermined heating period.
14. 14. A barbecue according to claim 12 or an ignition system according to claim 13, wherein, in the ignition position, the electric heating element is arranged to contact at least a part of a solid fuel tray.
15. 15. A barbecue or an ignition system according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the fuel tray includes a tray insert which is the part of the fuel tray closely adjacent to or contacted by the electric heating element in the ignition position.

    2018101082 06 Aug 2018
16. 16. A barbecue or an ignition system according to any one claims 12 to 15, wherein the fuel tray and/or the fuel tray insert has a plurality of holes in its lower surface.
17. 17. A barbecue or an ignition system according to claim 16, further including a fan adapted to blow air or oxygen into the fuel tray through the plurality of holes in the fuel tray and/or the fuel tray insert.
18. 18. A barbecue or an ignition system according to claim 17, wherein the electronic control system is also arranged to control operation of the fan.
19. 19. A barbecue or an ignition system according to claim 18, wherein the electronic control system is programmed to turn on turn on the fan for a predetermined blowing period at the end of a predetermined heating period, and then to turn off the fan at the end of the predetermined blowing period.

    PACIFIC TRENDS INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD

    WATERMARK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PTY LTD

    UIP1592AU00

    2018101082 06 Aug 2018

    CO

    NJ

    2018101082 06 Aug 2018

    2. / 8

    C)

    NJ

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    5/Γ

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    2018101082 06 Aug 2018 _β

    2018101082 06 Aug 2018

    Power Source

    2018101082 06 Aug 2018

    -Ο