US 10,881,245 B2Granted

Modular griddle with searing device

AssigneeAccuTemp Products, Inc.

InventorsRaymond R. Rudy, Gary L. Seitz

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Abstract

A collection of cooking devices are modularly attachable to a common base frame. For example, a searing device can be selectively attached to a pivotable handle assembly, such that the handle and searing device are moveable between a sear position and a raised position relative to the griddle. The searing mechanism of the present disclosure is sized to provide a sear surface capable of searing multiple items of food simultaneously. The searing device may be removed from the base frame without tools, and other griddle attachments may be installed in its place to modularly alter the function of the griddle. The pivotable attachment point may provide a forward-bias balance such that the griddle provides even pressure on food items even as griddle attachment is raised and lowered, while also avoiding a sudden release of steam and/or heat in the direction of the operator upon raising the handle.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A modular cooking mechanism, comprising:

a frame having a proximal portion with a handle configured for operator manipulation, and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion;
a yoke assembly comprising:
a yoke frame having a base plate and a pair of arms extending away from the base plate, the pair of arms each having an aperture formed therethrough which defines an axis substantially parallel to a plane defined by the base plate;
a pivot shaft fixed to the distal portion of the frame and coupled to the apertures formed in the pair of arms, such that the pivot shaft defines a pivot axis of the frame;
a counterbalance spring coiled around the pivot shaft and having a first end attached to the yoke frame, and a second end attached to the pivot shaft, whereby rotation of the frame about the pivot axis is biased by the counterbalance spring;
and
a modular attachment feature fixed to the frame between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the modular attachment feature comprising:
a cylindrical mounting surface defining an attachment pivot axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the frame;
a retention shoulder adjacent the cylindrical mounting surface, the retention shoulder configured to provide lateral restraint to movement of a structure disposed on the cylindrical mounting surface;
and
a cooking attachment pivotably mounted to the frame via the modular attachment feature, the cooking attachment having an upper cooking surface.

8 more elements

A griddle comprising:

a cooking surface;
a base frame rotatable between a closed position and an open position, the base frame having a first attachment feature;
a first cooking attachment having a second attachment feature complementary to the first attachment feature, the first attachment feature configured to be engaged with the second attachment feature to rotatably attach the first cooking attachment to the base frame by hand and without the use of tools;
a second cooking attachment having a third attachment feature complementary to the first attachment feature, the first attachment feature configured to be engaged with the third attachment feature to rotatably attach the second cooking attachment to the base frame by hand and without the use of tools,
whereby the first and second cooking attachments are modularly attachable to the griddle via the base frame, and
a yoke assembly comprising:
a yoke frame having a base plate and a pair of arms extending away from the base plate, the pair of arms each having an aperture formed therethrough which defines an axis substantially parallel to a plane defined by the base plate;
and
a pivot shaft fixed to the distal portion of the base frame and coupled to the apertures formed in the pair of arms, such that the pivot shaft defines a pivot axis of the base frame.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/981,360Filed 16 May 2018 · us provisional application
Priority: 18 May 2017
Published: US 2018/0255970 A113 Sep 2018
Granted: 5 Jan 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A47J 37/0611
Roasters; Grills; Sandwich grills: the food being cooked between two heating plates, e.g. waffle-irons
A47J 37/067
Roasters; Grills; Sandwich grills: horizontally disposed broiling griddles
A47J 27/14
Cooking-vessels: cooking-vessels for use in hotels, restaurants, or canteens
A47J 37/0704
Roasting devices for outdoor use; Barbecues: with horizontal fire box