GB2437913A

GB2437913A - Tilting barbeque patio heater

Info

Publication number: GB2437913A
Application number: GB0609136A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Conal Hubert Curran
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-09
Filing date: 2006-05-09
Publication date: 2007-11-14
Also published as: GB0609136D0

Abstract

A barbeque comprises a firebox 2, barbeque tray 7 and a fire grid 10. With the barbeque tray 7 in the horizontal position, the barbeque can be used to cook food. The barbeque tray 7 can be tilted into an upright position in which it can be used as a patio heater. The angle of the tilt may be variable. The barbeque tray 7 may have a firebox 2 at one end which houses the burning fuel when the barbeque is in a upright position. The barbeque can be tilted into an upright position by means of adjusting the positioning of member on a rail 5.

Description

Tilting Barbeque Patio Heater This invention relates to a device for

using a barbeque as a patio heater.

A barbeque may serve two purposes in this case; (1) to cook food and (2) to provide heat.

Quite often, after cooking food on a barbeque, it is then allowed to coo! without any further benefit from the direct heat emitted from the burning coals. In temperate climates the surrounding air may get cold and this makes sitting outdoors unpleasant.

A standard horizontal barbeque loses most of its heat to the atmosphere by convection with vertical currents of air rising directly above it. In these circumstances very little heat is radiated to the surrounding environment or patio.

A way of counteracting this problem is to tilt the barbeque at an angle so that heat may be radiated to the surrounding area similar to a fireplace indoors in one's home.

In order to perform this function safely, the barbeque may have a containing firebox to catch embers and, or a griddle to support the addition of solid fuel, at one side of its length (that end being the lowest point of its tilt).

The cooking surface grill may be detached and when the barbeque is tilted and secured at an angle to the horizontal, the embers or additional fuel will gravitate to the firebox and continue to bum providing heat directly radiated to the surrounding environment.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows a horizontally secured barbeque with a firebox arrangement at one end Figure 2 shows a barbeque tilted at an angle to the horizontal Figure 3 shows a variation on the positioning of a ground engaging wheel in relation to a supporting member which may lend greater stability.

Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view through the rail and its attachment to the adjustable supporting member.

Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view through the rail and a different version of attachment to the adjustable supporting member.

Figure 6 shows a variation on the theme of tilting the barbeque without a rail but by folding the supporting member.

Figure 7 shows another variation on the tilting arrangement by allowing variation on the crossing over attachment between the supporting members.

Figure 8 shows an arrangement whereby the adjustable member is secured into a notch on the rail when in the fully horizontal position.

In figure 1, heated air convection currents are represented by wavy lines I arising from the barbeque which is mounted horizontally in the cooking position. The firebox 2 which may be attached by means of nuts and bolts, by welding, or be continuous with the barbeque tray 7, is at one end of the barbeque. There may be a removable ash box 9, that fits into the firebox, which can be removed when cool by means of a small handle. There may be a supporting grid 8, that is attached to or continuous with the firebox 2 and barbeque tray 7.

The cooking grid 10 sits above the barbeque tray as it hangs on adjustable height struts 11. Its dimensions may correspond to the internal circumference of the barbeque tray and therefore the heat source. It can be removed for cleaning purposes and for safety prior to adjustment of the tilt position of the barbeque.

Handles 4 protrude from either side of the barbeque and these may carry additional hooks for hanging other associated barbeque tools or implements. The handles may be attached by means of welding or nuts and bolts and will be employed when moving the location of the barbeque or changing the position of tilt of the barbeque.

The barbeque is supported by members 3 and 13, one or both of which may engage the ground directly or by attachment to a wheel 12. The wheel(s) may be solid or hollow, or inflatable and may contain bearings or a single axle.

A base plate 6 provides additional support and may be hinged in the middle to fold up when the position of tilt is altered.

The upper end of the left supporting member 13 may run by means of an attached wheel on the rail 5 attached beneath the barbeque tray. It would be allowed to do this by lifting the left handle 4 of the barbeque tray and sliding it along the rail as the lower end of the member attached to the base tray 6 pivots on a small axle. The action of the member 13 in sliding along the rail allows the left side of the barbeque tray and therefore the fire box to be lowered beneath the horizontal and come to rest at an angle between the vertical and horizontal directly on the left member 13.

In figure 2, the upper end of the left member 13 has progressed along the rail 5 to the right side of the rail and in so doing has reached its maximum, and removed support for the left side of the barbeque tray and firebox, thus allowing the left side of the barbeque to be lowered by means of the handle towards the ground. On reaching the left member 13 the barbeque tray lies along its length and rests in a secure and supported position. The lines of heat I are now radiating out form the barbeque and firebox laterally, as well as vertical convection currents. The right supporting member 3 has adjusted its position in relation to the barbeque tray and the vertical as shown, by means of rotating on a small axle or hinge attached to the under surface of the barbeque. This action is automatic when the left handle is lifted to release the left member as it slides along the rail.

Also, the base tray 6 has folded in the middle where it is hinged to allow the lower ends of the members to come closer together.

Figure 3, shows a close up of an alternative version of the wheel attachment to the member. There is a dog-leg angle introduced to allow for more stability when the barbcque is in the tilt position.

Figure 4, shows a close up of a version of the contact arrangements for the upper end of the member 3 to securely run along the rail 5, beneath the barbeque tray. Here the member is attached by means of a bolt or an axle to a circular wheel with concave running surface to allow close approximation with the convex running surface of the rail.

Figure 5, shows an alternative version where the upper end of member 3 is attached by means of a bolt to a circular stopping washer and or nut on the inside of the rail such that the rail running surfaces will be in close contact with the bolt, retained in place by the stop.

Figure 6, shows an alternative version of the tilting arrangement with the left member, instead of running in a rail, the lower part of the member telescopes into the upper part and is secured in place by a coiled spring attached internally to both parts by welding. The lower part of the member may be removed and folded at an angle to it allowing the left side of the barbeque to be lowered into a tilting position.

Figure 7, shows another alternative version of the tilting arrangement with a crossover of the members. The members are secured to each other and held rigid at one point by a bolt passing through a hole in each member and secured on the other side by a nut.

The choice of hole through which the bolt is passed determines the angle of tilt of the barbeque. The left side of the barbeque rests on the ground supported by the handle.

The member 3 may be hinged or again a removable telescoped part to avoid protrusion into the air. There is also illustrated a close up of the bolt arrangement between the two members as they cross.

Figure 8, shows an arrangement whereby the securing bolt (or runner wheel) for the member 13 slips securely into a notch in the upper rail and is held in place by the weight of the barbeque tray when it is horizontal. The securing bolt may be released by manually using the handle 4 to lift the barbeque on the left side and relieve the weight which is the securing force. Then the member's bolt may slide along the rail.

The size and shape of the barbeque tray 7, firebox 2 and grid 8 may be variable and it would be appropriate if they were made from steel or iron or another metal alloy that may need to be treated for preventing corrosion. The legs may be made of metal and may be of variable size, length and thickness. The members may be hollow or solid.

The handles may be solid metal or hollow, as the members. The members may be hinged to the under surface of the barbeque tray or may articulate with a fixed brace (fixed to the under surface of the barbeque tray) by means of a bolt and nut.

The rail may be made of the same metal as the barbeque tray or the members and may be solid or hollow.

Claims

Claims I. A barbeque with removable grill, fire housing box and fire

grid that may drop down on one side by the re-positioning of its members to tilt into an upright position of variable degree angles to the horizontal, and in an upright position of whatever angle radiate heat to a surrounding area or patio.

2. A barbeque unit according to claim 1, in which the fire box is on one side of the barbeque and houses the burning fuel in an upright position.

3. A barbeque unit according to claim 1 that is also powered by means of gas fuel.

4. A barbeque unit according to claim I that is powered by any other fuel energy source.

5. A barbeque unit according to claim I that has detachable or fixed fire housing box, grill or members, or that may be covered with a lid or have other attachments for holding implements.

6. A barbeque unit according to claim I that can tilt to adjustable angles.

7. A barbeque unit according to all the preceding claims that can be of any dimensions and made of any material.

8. A barbeque Unit according to all the preceding claims that is tilted into an upright angle by means of adjustment of the positioning of its members on a rail by whatever means, or in relation to each other and the barbeque tray.