Multi-function grilling device with rotationally operable upper heating plate

A grilling device comprising:

• a lower heating plate;
• an upper heating plate operably coupled to the lower heating plate by a swing arm, wherein the upper heating plate is rotatable about an intermediate portion of the swing arm between an adjacent face-up position wherein the upper heating plate is next to the lower heating plate and facing upward, a stacked face-up position wherein the upper heating plate is above the lower heating plate and facing upward, and a face-down position wherein the upper heating plate is facing downward;
• and
• a leveling mechanism configured to maintain the upper heating plate in a parallel configuration with the lower heating plate as the swing arm moves at least partially about a primary pivot disposed proximate the lower heating plate, wherein the leveling mechanism includes a band that wraps at least partially around the primary pivot and a secondary pivot positioned at a central portion of the upper heating plate and the intermediate portion of the swing arm, and wherein the leveling mechanism further includes a tensioning block that deflects a portion of the band to wrap the band about at least one of the primary and secondary pivots more than 180 degrees to limit slippage by the band as the swing arm is moved between the adjacent face-up position, the stacked face-up position, and the face-down position, and wherein the band and the tensioning block are disposed within the swing arm.

A multi-function grilling device comprising:

• an upward-facing lower cooking surface;
• an operable cooking surface rotatable about a functional pivot between a plurality of rotational positions;
• a swing arm rotatable about a primary pivot and extending from the upward-facing lower cooking surface to at least the functional pivot, wherein the swing arm and the plurality of rotational positions of the operable cooking surface cooperate to define at least a stacked face-up position wherein the operable cooking surface is above the upward-facing lower cooking surface and faces upward and a face-down position wherein the operable cooking surface faces downward;
• and
• a leveling mechanism that includes a band that at least partially encircles a portion of the primary pivot and the functional pivot, wherein the leveling mechanism maintains the operable cooking surface and the upward-facing lower cooking surface in a parallel configuration as the swing arm pivots at least partially about the primary pivot, and wherein the band is disposed within the swing arm and encircles the primary and functional pivots within the swing arm, and the leveling mechanism further includes a tensioning block, wherein the tensioning block deflects the band to wrap about at least one of the primary and functional pivots more than 180 degrees to limit slippage by the band as the swing arm is moved between the adjacent face-up position, the stacked face-up position, and the face-down position.