IES20000879A2

IES20000879A2 - A table style barbecue

Info

Publication number: IES20000879A2
Application number: IE20000879A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Joseph O'connell; Alistair Tidey
Original assignee: Joseph O'connell
Priority date: 2000-11-01
Filing date: 2000-11-01
Publication date: 2002-06-12
Also published as: GB2372429B; GB2372429A; GB0125122D0; IES20010909A2

Abstract

A table style barbecue is disclosed. The barbecue is adapted to be mounted on and form part of a table, and comprises a base portion having at least one burner element. The burner element is adapted to be in controlled communication with a gas fuel supply, located remotely from the barbecue. The base portion is further adapted to support a plurality of grill plates above the burner element. The grill plates are removable from the base portion, and the base portion is further adapted to prevent a heat transfer from the burner element to the table on which the barbecue is mounted. <Figure 3>

Description

Field of the Invention The invention relates to barbecues and in particular to a gas barbecue that is adapted to be mounted and used on a table.

Background to the Invention Barbecues are well known in the art for the outdoor cooking of foods. Traditionally, they have used a wood or charcoal based fuel, but gas fuelled barbecues are becoming more popular as they are envisaged as being cleaner to use and quicker to operate.

A gas barbecue typically comprises a gas burner element mounted under a grill and connected to a gas bottle supply. The barbecue is usually a free standing device that is located away from the eating area. The food that is to be cooked is placed on the grill and cooked by the “cook”. When complete the “cook” takes the cooked food to the table where it is shared amongst all those who are eating.

A number of problems exist with such arrangements. Firstly, as the cooking is done away from the eating area it is not possible for the “cook” to share in the conversation, entertainment etc. that is ongoing at the table during the preparation of the food. Although the participation of the “cook” may be achieved by the gathering of people around the barbecue and away from the eating table, such arrangements typically lead to a break-up of the guests into two or more parties. A further disadvantage arises out of the fact that as one person is responsible for the cooking, the cooked food is usually done to that one person’s particular taste- something that is not usually appreciated by all those present. — --- - · ......«' ** OPEN TO PUBUC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 >rn»s*i IE 0 Ο Ο 8 7 9 There, therefore, exists a need for a barbecue that will allow the gathering of the party at a single location during the preparation of the food and furthermore that will enable individuals to cook their food to their own taste.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved barbecue that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly the present invention provides a table style barbecue adapted to be mounted on and form part of a table, the barbecue comprising a base portion having at least one burner element, the burner element adapted to be in controlled communication with a gas fuel supply, the base portion further adapted to support a plurality of grill plates above the burner element, the grill plates being removable from the base portion, and the base portion being adapted to prevent a heat transfer from the burner element to the table on which the barbecue is mounted.

Preferably the insulation is achievable by the provision of an insulating material on the bottom of the base portion.

Desirably the barbecue is mountable about a centre pole of the table, the base portion comprising at least two base segments adapted to co-operate with one another so as to form a continuous portion extending circumferentially about the pole, the base segments defining a pole receiving portion adapted to envelop, in use, the pole about which the barbecue is mounted.

Preferably, the plurality of grill plates are also arranged about the pole. Desirably four grill plates are provided, each grill plate forming a quadrant on the base portion. ΙΕ ο o a β 7 9 The grill plates preferably comprise a pole proximal portion and a pole distal portion, the plate tapering inwardly from the distal portion to the proximal portion. The grill plates are preferably positioned on the base portion at an angle sufficient to enable any grease formed during the cooking process to pass away from the pole proximal portion to the pole distal portion. The grill plates are desirably dimensioned so as to enable individual plates to be placed into a dishwasher for cleaning. Desirably the plates are made from a cast iron or other suitable material.

Preferably, at least two burner elements are provided, one burner element being situated in each base segment.

Desirably, the gas supply passes from a gas storage container located remotely to the table top to a location near to the base portion where it is separated into a supply for each of the individual burner elements.

The invention also provides a table mountable barbecue substantially as hereinafter described with reference to the following drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a section through a table mountable barbecue according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded view of a grill plate being presented to the base section of the barbecue of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fully assembled table barbecue of the present invention mounted onto a table.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Figures 1 to 3 show a table mountable barbecue 1 according to the present invention. It comprises a base portion 2 having at least one burner element 3. The burner element 3 is adapted to be connected in a controlled manner with a gas fuel supply 4.

IE 0 0 ο 8 Ί 9 The base portion 2 is further adapted to support a plurality of grill plates 5 above the burner element 3, the grill plates 5 being removable from the base portion 2.

Desirably the barbecue is mountable about a centre pole 6 of an outdoor table 7, and is placed on a table top 7a of the table 7. The pole may be the communication line for an gas parasol heater 21 such as shown in Figure 3, or alternatively a conventional outdoor parasol ( not shown). The base portion 2 comprises two base segments 8, 9 adapted to co-operate with one another so as to form a continuous portion 2 extending circumferentially about the pole 6. The base segments 8,9 each define a pole receiving portion 14, which is dimensioned so as to allow a pole to pass through. The base segments 7, 8 are attachable using a clip arrangement 19, or alternatively may be hingeably attachable- not shown. The base portion typically comprises a heat resistant or insulating bottom 20, which is provided to prevent a heat transfer and subsequent damage to the table top 7a below.

Once positioned within the base portion 2, the plurality of grill plates 5 are also arranged about the pole. Desirably four grill plates are provided, each grill plate forming a quadrant on the base portion 2.

The grill plates 5 comprise a pole proximal portion 10 and a pole distal portion 11. The plate 5 tapers inwardly from the distal portion 11 to the proximal portion 10.

The grill plates are preferably positioned on the base portion at an angle sufficient to enable any grease formed during the cooking process to pass away from the pole proximal portion to the pole distal portion, where it gathers in a grease receiving channel 12 and may be subsequently be removed. A series of grooves or channels 13 may also be formed in the grill plates such that any food cooked on the grill plates adopts a griddle effect on the outside.

The grill plates are desirably dimensioned so as to enable individual plates to be placed into a dishwasher for cleaning. Desirably the plates are made from cast iron or some other suitable material.

IE 0 fl 0 8 7 9 Preferably, at least two burner elements 3 are provided, one burner element being situated in each base segment. The gas supply passes in a single fuel line 15 from a gas storage container 4 located remotely to the table top 7a to a location near to the base portion where it is separated into a supply 16, 17 for each of the individual burner elements.

The gas storage container may typically form the gas storage container for the gas parasol heater 21, as well as the storage container for the barbecue. In such situations a distribution means (not shown) is provided so as to separate the gas intended for use in the parasol from that intended for use in the barbecue. In such events it is possible to use both the heater and the barbecue so as to ensure comfort for those preparing food while not requiring the burden of additional gas storage containers.

The control of an individual burner 3 is controllable by a valve 18 located at the base portion and typically controllable by the nearest person seated to that valve. As is apparent the provision of one control and one burner element for each hemisphere or base section results in one person being responsible for the heating of that side of the table’s grill plates. The burner elements 3 are preferably ignited by a electric pilot light type arrangement located adjacent to the control means 18, 19 and not shown in these illustrations.

As will be appreciated the table barbecue of the present invention offers many advantages over the prior art. Firstly as every person is responsible for their own cooking there is no requirement for a particular “cook” to be burdened with overall responsibility. This has a dual effect in that the food may be cooked to individual preference and as the food is cooked around the table there is no need for any break up of the gathering to effect a preparation of the food. Furthermore, as the grill plates of the present invention are removable and are dimensioned so as to be receivable within a conventional dishwasher there is no difficulty in attending to the cleaning after the cooking of the food.

IE Ο Ο Ο 8 7 9 Although the present invention has been described with reference to a solid grill plate it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a non-solid grill plate may also be used with the base portion and burners of the present invention. It is equally possible to interchange solid and non-solid grill plates around the table- so as to effect a different type of cooking for specific requirements. Furthermore, although described with reference to a single burner element in each hemisphere it will be apparent that two or more elements may be provided if a different heating arrangement is required.

The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A table style barbecue adapted to be mounted on and form part of a table, the barbecue comprising a base portion having at least one burner element, the burner element adapted to be in controlled communication with a gas fuel supply, the base portion further adapted to support a plurality of grill plates above the burner element, the grill plates being removable from the base portion, and the base portion being adapted to prevent a heat transfer from the burner element to the table on which the barbecue is mounted.

2. The barbecue as claimed in claim 1 wherein the barbecue is mountable about a centre pole of the table, the base portion comprising at least two base segments adapted to co-operate with one another so as to form a continuous portion extending circumferentially about the pole, the base segments defining a pole receiving portion adapted to envelop, in use, the pole about which the barbecue is mounted.

3. The barbecue as claimed in claim 2 wherein the grill plates comprise a pole proximal portion and a pole distal portion, the plate tapering inwardly from the distal portion to the proximal portion and wherein the grill plates are positioned on the base portion at an angle sufficient to enable any grease formed during the cooking process to pass away from the pole proximal portion to the pole distal portion.

4. The barbecue as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the grill plates are dimensioned so as to enable individual grill plates to be placed into a dishwasher for cleaning purposes.

5. A table style barbecue substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/ or as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.