US 6,782,802 B2 · Roller grill assembly for cooking human food

Abstract

A roller grill assembly for cooking human food has a plurality of horizontally aligned roller tubes which can be arranged to extend at an angle of about 3° to 5° are rotatably mounted to a housing frame. A sealing assembly comprises a bearing member and an annular sealing member. A drive chain engages an idler sprocket to rotate the tubes. The housing has a cavity that receives a sliding compartment assembly that has a frame comprising track members and a cross strut shaped to support a pan for holding food. The tubes have heating elements with compact spiraled configuration at the ends. A cover is pivotally mounted by a biased pin or two legged spring to cover a control panel.

Claims49

Dependent claims

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing, said housing comprising a support frame;
(b) a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted with said support frame with each of the tubular members having an axis;
(c) means for driving the tubular cooking members to rotate relative to the frame, comprising;
(i) an electric motor having a drive shaft;
(ii) a drive chain;
(iii) a drive sprocket drivingly connected with the motor shaft, the drive sprocket having teeth and being positioned for engaging the drive chain so that rotation of the drive sprocket in engagement with the drive chain pulls the drive chain;
(iv) an idler sprocket rotatably mounted to the support frame, said idler sprocket having an axis and teeth for engaging the drive chain so movement of the drive chain in engagement with the idler sprocket teeth rotates the idler sprocket, the axis of the idler sprocket being aligned with each of the axes of the tubular members;
and
(v) the tubular members having sprockets with teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the sprocket teeth of the tubular members rotates the tubular members relative to the support frame.

6 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing, said housing comprising a support frame;
(b) a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted with said support frame with each of the tubular members having an axis;
(c) means for driving the tubular cooking members to rotate relative to the frame, comprising;
(i) a drive chain;
(ii) a drive sprocket rotatably mounted to the frame, the drive sprocket having teeth for engaging the drive chain so that rotation of the drive sprocket in engagement with the drive chain pulls the drive chain;
(iii) an idler sprocket rotatably mourned to the support frame, said idler member having an axis and teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the idler sprocket rotates the idler sprocket, the axis of the idler sprocket being aligned with each of the axes of the tubular members;
(iv) the tubular members each having a sprocket with teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the tubular members sprockets rotates the tubular members relative to the support frame, and
(d) means for powering the rotation of the drive sprocket, comprising an electric motor, so that the motor can rotate the drive sprocket with the drive sprocket pulling the chain to move in a direction from the tubular members thence toward and about the idler sprocket and thence toward the drive sprocket.

5 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing with a side support frame, each frame having a vertically extending wall;
(b) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing frames;
(c) means for controlling heating of the food;
(d) the housing having a control panel connected thereto;
the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(e) a cover for covering the control panel and not for covering the means for heating the food, the cover having a wall;
and
(f) means for pivotally mourning the cover to the housing so that the cover wall can be pivoted to a position to cover the control panel and to not cover the means for heating the food, and to a position to uncover the control panel, comprising:
a pin, means for movably mounting the pin to one of the cover or a housing frame, the other of the cover or the housing frame having an opening for receiving the pin, and means for biasing the pin toward the opening, the pin being mounted to extend generally perpendicular to the walls of the housing frames, and to extend in a direction parallel with the cover wall wherein the pin has a first shaft section, the pin has a second enlarged shoulder section of larger diameter than the shaft section, and the pin has a third engagement section extending from the shoulder section in a direction away from the shaft, the biasing means comprising a spring having a first end and a second end, the spring first end abutting the pin shoulder and the spring second end abutting the cover structure about the second hole, so that the spring biases the pin shoulder in a direction toward the first hole in the cover structure.

6 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human foods comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing, the heating means comprising a plurality of tubular cooking members;
(c) means for controlling heating of the food;
(d) the housing having a control panel connected thereto, the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(e) a compartment assembly associated with the housing for storing of food items;
means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing, the housing having a cavity with a first interior wall and a second interior wall, the compartment assembly having a frame comprising a first track member and a second track member, the distal ends of the first and second track members being mounted with a cover, the frame also comprising a cross strut connected to the first track and the second track so that an opening is formed between the tracks, the cross strut and the cover;
a pan having walls with structure providing means for engaging the frame to be supported thereby, the pan being sized to fit between the first and second interior walls of the housing cavity and to be received within the housing cavity, the means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing allows the tracks to slide relative to the housing to a first position wherein the cover acts to cover the control panel, and a second position in which the cover is positioned away from the housing and the pan is positioned to expose it to permit items to be removed by hand therefrom;
and
(f) the housing having a wall located beneath the tubular cooking members and above the cavity, and wherein the tubular cooking members are positioned in proximity to the wall and to the cavity so that heat from the heating means warms food items contained within the pan when the tracks are in the said first position.

6 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing;
(c) means for controlling heating of the food;
(d) the housing having a control panel connected thereto the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(e) a cover for covering the control panel and not for covering the means for heating the food;
means for pivotally mounting the cover to the housing so that the cover can be pivoted to a position to cover the control panel and to not cover the means for heating the food, and to a position to uncover the control panel, comprising:
a spring having a first leg that extends into a bight section, the bight section extending into a second leg, a boss extending from the first leg, the cover having first structure with an opening for receiving the boss, the cover also having second structure against which the second leg can be placed so that with such placement the first leg is biased toward the opening in the first structure to press the boss through the opening in the first structure, the housing having an opening for receiving the boss to allow the cover to pivot relative to the housings, the second structure comprises the cover having a rear side with a pin projecting rearwardly therefrom, the pin having a first shaft section, a second enlarged shoulder section of larger diameter than the shaft section, and a third engagement section extending from the shoulder section in a direction away from the shaft.

4 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing, said housing comprising side support frames, each frame having a vertically extending wall;
(b) a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted with the walls of said support frames;
(c) means for driving the tubular cooking members to rotate relative to the frame, comprising;
(i) an electric motor having a drive shaft;
(ii) a drive chain;
(iii) a drive sprocket drivingly connected with the motor shaft, the drive sprocket, having teeth and being positioned for engaging the drive chain so that rotation of the drive sprocket in engagement with the drive chain pulls the drive chain;
(iv) an idler sprocket rotatably mounted to the support frame, said idler sprocket having teeth for engaging the drive chain so movement of the drive chain in engagement with the idler sprocket teeth rotates the idler sprocket;
and
(v) the tubular members having sprockets with teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the sprocket teeth of the tubular members rotates the tubular members relative to the support frame,
(d) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing;
(e) means for controlling heating of the food;
(f) the housing having a control panel connected thereto;
the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(g) a cover for covering the control panel and not for covering the means for heating the food, the cover having a wall;
and
(h) means for pivotally mounting the cover to the housing so that the cover wall can be pivoted to a position to cover the control panel and to not cover the means for heating the food, and to a position to uncover the control panel, comprising:
a pin, means for movably mounting the pin to one of the cover or a housing frame, the other of the cover or the housing frame having an opening for receiving the pin, and means for biasing the pin toward the opening, the pin being mounted to extend generally perpendicular to the wall of the housing frame with which the pin is mounted or received, and to extend in a direction parallel with the cover wall wherein the pin has a first shaft section, the pin has a second enlarged shoulder section of larger diameter than the shaft section, and the pin has a third engagement section extending from the shoulder section in a direction away from the shaft, the biasing means comprising a spring having a first end and a second end, the spring first end abutting the pin shoulder and the spring second end abutting the cover structure about the second hole, so that the spring biases the pin shoulder in a direction toward the first hole in the cover structure.

14 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing, said housing comprising a support frame;
(b) a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted with said support frame with each of the tubular members having an axis;
(c) means for driving the tubular cooking members to rotate relative to the frame, comprising;
(i) an electric motor having a drive shaft;
(ii) a drive chain;
(iii) a drive sprocket drivingly connected with the motor shaft, the drive sprocket, having teeth and being positioned for engaging the drive chain so that rotation of the drive sprocket in engagement with the drive chain pulls the drive chain;
(iv) an idler sprocket rotatably mounted to the support frame, said idler sprocket having an axis and teeth for engaging the drive chain so movement of the drive chain in engagement with the idler sprocket teeth rotates the idler sprocket, the axis of the idler sprocket being aligned with each of the axes of the tubular members;
and
(v) the tubular members having sprockets with teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the sprocket teeth of the tubular members rotates the tubular members relative to the support frame;
(d) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing;
(e) means for controlling heating of the food;
(f) the housing having a control panel connected thereto;
the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(g) a cover for covering the control panel and not for covering the means for heating the food;
(h) means for pivotally mounting the cover to the housing so that the cover can be pivoted to a position to cover the control panel and to not cover the means for heating the food, and to a position to uncover the control panel, comprising:
a spring having a first leg that extends into a bight section, the bight section extending into a second leg, a boss extending from the first leg, the cover having first structure with an opening for receiving the boss, the cover also having second structure against which the second leg can be placed so that with such placement the first leg is biased toward the opening in the first structure to press the boss through the opening in the first structure, the housing having an opening for receiving the boss to allow the cover to pivot relative to the housing.

13 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing, said housing comprising a support frame;
(b) means for heating the food, comprising a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted with said support frame;
(c) means for driving the tubular cooking members to rotate relative to the frame, comprising;
(i) an electric motor having a drive shaft;
(ii) a drive chain;
(iii) a drive sprocket drivingly connected with the motor shaft, the drive sprocket, having teeth and being positioned for engaging the drive chain so that rotation of the drive sprocket in engagement with the drive chain pulls the drive chain;
(iv) an idler sprocket rotatably mounted to the support frame, said idler sprocket having an axis and teeth for engaging the drive chain so movement of the drive chain in engagement with the idler sprocket teeth rotates the idler sprocket;
and
(v) the tubular members each having an axis and sprockets with teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the sprocket teeth of the tubular members rotates the tubular members relative to the support frame and each of the axes of the tubular members being aligned with the axis of the idler sprocket;
(d) means for controlling heating of the food;
(e) the housing having a control panel connected thereto, the heating control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
and
(f) a compartment assembly associated with the housing for storing of food items;
means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing, the housing having a cavity with a first interior wall and a second interior wall, the compartment assembly having a frame comprising a first track member and a second track member, the distal ends of the first and second track members being mounted with a cover, the frame also comprising a cross strut connected to the first track and the second track so that an opening is formed between the tracks, the cross strut and the cover;
a pan having walls with structure providing means for engaging the frame to be supported thereby, the pan being sized to fit between the first and second interior walls of the housing cavity and to be received within the housing cavity, the means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing allows the tracks to slide relative to the housing to a first position wherein the cover acts to cover the control panel, and a second position in which the cover is positioned away from the housing and the pan is positioned to expose it to permit items to be removed by hand therefrom.

12 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human foods comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing, the heating means comprising a plurality of tubular cooking members, said cooking members having cylindrical outer surfaces;
(c) means for controlling heating of the food;
(d) the housing having a control panel connected thereto, the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(e) a sealing assembly comprising a bearing member, and an annular sealing member comprising an O-ring, the bearing member having a bore there through for receiving the tubular member there through, the bearing member bore having a section which has an annular recessed shape for receiving the annular sealing member, so that the bearing member and annular member can be placed about the tubular member with the annular sealing member held against the outer surface of the tubular member;
and
(f) a compartment assembly associated with the housing for storing of food items;
means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing, the housing having a cavity with a first interior wall and a second interior wall, the compartment assembly having a frame comprising a first track member and a second track member, the distal ends of the first and second track members being mounted with a cover, the frame also comprising a cross strut connected to the first track and the second track so that an opening is formed between the tracks, the cross strut and the cover;
a pan having walls with structure providing means for engaging the frame to be supported thereby, the pan being sized to fit between the first and second interior walls of the housing cavity and to be received within the housing cavity, the means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing allows the tracks to slide relative to the housing to a first position wherein the cover acts to cover the control panel, and a second position in which the cover is positioned away from the housing and the pan is positioned to expose it to permit items to be removed by hand therefrom.

6 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing, said means comprising a plurality of tubular cooking member rotatably mounted to the housing, said cooking members having cylindrical outer surfaces;
(c) means for controlling heating of the food;
(d) a sealing assembly comprising a bearing member, and an annular sealing member comprising an O-ring, the bearing member having a bore there through for receiving the tubular member there through, the bearing member bore having a section which has an annular recessed shape for receiving the annular sealing member, so that the bearing member and annular member can be placed about the tubular member with the annular sealing member held against the outer surface of the tubular member;
(e) the housing having a control panel connected thereto;
the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(f) a cover for covering the control panel and not for covering the means for heating the food;
and
(g) means for pivotally mounting the cover to the housing so that the cover can be pivoted to a position to cover the control panel and to not cover the means for heating the food, and to a position to uncover the control panel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/080,211Filed 21 Feb 2002 · continuation

Priority

9 Oct 1998

Published

US 2002/0148359 A117 Oct 2002

Granted

31 Aug 2004

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B23P 19/084
Machines for placing washers, circlips, or the like on bolts or other members: for placing resilient or flexible rings, e.g. O-rings, circlips
A47J 36/06
Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels: lids or covers for cooking-vessels
A47J 37/048
Roasting apparatus with movably-mounted food supports or with movable heating implements; Spits: sausage grills with rotating rollers
B23P
Metal-working not otherwise provided for

Family

Application60/103,645Us provisional application · filed 9 Oct 1998

Application09/414,785Parent of this continuation · filed 8 Oct 1999

US 2002/0148359 A1Pre-grant publication · published 17 Oct 2002

US 6,393,971 B1Parent of this continuation

US 6,782,802 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Abstract

Claims49

Dependent claims

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing, said housing comprising a support frame;
(b) a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted with said support frame with each of the tubular members having an axis;
(c) means for driving the tubular cooking members to rotate relative to the frame, comprising;
(i) an electric motor having a drive shaft;
(ii) a drive chain;
(iii) a drive sprocket drivingly connected with the motor shaft, the drive sprocket having teeth and being positioned for engaging the drive chain so that rotation of the drive sprocket in engagement with the drive chain pulls the drive chain;
(iv) an idler sprocket rotatably mounted to the support frame, said idler sprocket having an axis and teeth for engaging the drive chain so movement of the drive chain in engagement with the idler sprocket teeth rotates the idler sprocket, the axis of the idler sprocket being aligned with each of the axes of the tubular members;
and
(v) the tubular members having sprockets with teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the sprocket teeth of the tubular members rotates the tubular members relative to the support frame.

6 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing, said housing comprising a support frame;
(b) a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted with said support frame with each of the tubular members having an axis;
(c) means for driving the tubular cooking members to rotate relative to the frame, comprising;
(i) a drive chain;
(ii) a drive sprocket rotatably mounted to the frame, the drive sprocket having teeth for engaging the drive chain so that rotation of the drive sprocket in engagement with the drive chain pulls the drive chain;
(iii) an idler sprocket rotatably mourned to the support frame, said idler member having an axis and teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the idler sprocket rotates the idler sprocket, the axis of the idler sprocket being aligned with each of the axes of the tubular members;
(iv) the tubular members each having a sprocket with teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the tubular members sprockets rotates the tubular members relative to the support frame, and
(d) means for powering the rotation of the drive sprocket, comprising an electric motor, so that the motor can rotate the drive sprocket with the drive sprocket pulling the chain to move in a direction from the tubular members thence toward and about the idler sprocket and thence toward the drive sprocket.

5 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing with a side support frame, each frame having a vertically extending wall;
(b) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing frames;
(c) means for controlling heating of the food;
(d) the housing having a control panel connected thereto;
the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(e) a cover for covering the control panel and not for covering the means for heating the food, the cover having a wall;
and
(f) means for pivotally mourning the cover to the housing so that the cover wall can be pivoted to a position to cover the control panel and to not cover the means for heating the food, and to a position to uncover the control panel, comprising:
a pin, means for movably mounting the pin to one of the cover or a housing frame, the other of the cover or the housing frame having an opening for receiving the pin, and means for biasing the pin toward the opening, the pin being mounted to extend generally perpendicular to the walls of the housing frames, and to extend in a direction parallel with the cover wall wherein the pin has a first shaft section, the pin has a second enlarged shoulder section of larger diameter than the shaft section, and the pin has a third engagement section extending from the shoulder section in a direction away from the shaft, the biasing means comprising a spring having a first end and a second end, the spring first end abutting the pin shoulder and the spring second end abutting the cover structure about the second hole, so that the spring biases the pin shoulder in a direction toward the first hole in the cover structure.

6 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human foods comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing, the heating means comprising a plurality of tubular cooking members;
(c) means for controlling heating of the food;
(d) the housing having a control panel connected thereto, the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(e) a compartment assembly associated with the housing for storing of food items;
means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing, the housing having a cavity with a first interior wall and a second interior wall, the compartment assembly having a frame comprising a first track member and a second track member, the distal ends of the first and second track members being mounted with a cover, the frame also comprising a cross strut connected to the first track and the second track so that an opening is formed between the tracks, the cross strut and the cover;
a pan having walls with structure providing means for engaging the frame to be supported thereby, the pan being sized to fit between the first and second interior walls of the housing cavity and to be received within the housing cavity, the means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing allows the tracks to slide relative to the housing to a first position wherein the cover acts to cover the control panel, and a second position in which the cover is positioned away from the housing and the pan is positioned to expose it to permit items to be removed by hand therefrom;
and
(f) the housing having a wall located beneath the tubular cooking members and above the cavity, and wherein the tubular cooking members are positioned in proximity to the wall and to the cavity so that heat from the heating means warms food items contained within the pan when the tracks are in the said first position.

6 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing;
(c) means for controlling heating of the food;
(d) the housing having a control panel connected thereto the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(e) a cover for covering the control panel and not for covering the means for heating the food;
means for pivotally mounting the cover to the housing so that the cover can be pivoted to a position to cover the control panel and to not cover the means for heating the food, and to a position to uncover the control panel, comprising:
a spring having a first leg that extends into a bight section, the bight section extending into a second leg, a boss extending from the first leg, the cover having first structure with an opening for receiving the boss, the cover also having second structure against which the second leg can be placed so that with such placement the first leg is biased toward the opening in the first structure to press the boss through the opening in the first structure, the housing having an opening for receiving the boss to allow the cover to pivot relative to the housings, the second structure comprises the cover having a rear side with a pin projecting rearwardly therefrom, the pin having a first shaft section, a second enlarged shoulder section of larger diameter than the shaft section, and a third engagement section extending from the shoulder section in a direction away from the shaft.

4 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing, said housing comprising side support frames, each frame having a vertically extending wall;
(b) a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted with the walls of said support frames;
(c) means for driving the tubular cooking members to rotate relative to the frame, comprising;
(i) an electric motor having a drive shaft;
(ii) a drive chain;
(iii) a drive sprocket drivingly connected with the motor shaft, the drive sprocket, having teeth and being positioned for engaging the drive chain so that rotation of the drive sprocket in engagement with the drive chain pulls the drive chain;
(iv) an idler sprocket rotatably mounted to the support frame, said idler sprocket having teeth for engaging the drive chain so movement of the drive chain in engagement with the idler sprocket teeth rotates the idler sprocket;
and
(v) the tubular members having sprockets with teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the sprocket teeth of the tubular members rotates the tubular members relative to the support frame,
(d) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing;
(e) means for controlling heating of the food;
(f) the housing having a control panel connected thereto;
the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(g) a cover for covering the control panel and not for covering the means for heating the food, the cover having a wall;
and
(h) means for pivotally mounting the cover to the housing so that the cover wall can be pivoted to a position to cover the control panel and to not cover the means for heating the food, and to a position to uncover the control panel, comprising:
a pin, means for movably mounting the pin to one of the cover or a housing frame, the other of the cover or the housing frame having an opening for receiving the pin, and means for biasing the pin toward the opening, the pin being mounted to extend generally perpendicular to the wall of the housing frame with which the pin is mounted or received, and to extend in a direction parallel with the cover wall wherein the pin has a first shaft section, the pin has a second enlarged shoulder section of larger diameter than the shaft section, and the pin has a third engagement section extending from the shoulder section in a direction away from the shaft, the biasing means comprising a spring having a first end and a second end, the spring first end abutting the pin shoulder and the spring second end abutting the cover structure about the second hole, so that the spring biases the pin shoulder in a direction toward the first hole in the cover structure.

14 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing, said housing comprising a support frame;
(b) a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted with said support frame with each of the tubular members having an axis;
(c) means for driving the tubular cooking members to rotate relative to the frame, comprising;
(i) an electric motor having a drive shaft;
(ii) a drive chain;
(iii) a drive sprocket drivingly connected with the motor shaft, the drive sprocket, having teeth and being positioned for engaging the drive chain so that rotation of the drive sprocket in engagement with the drive chain pulls the drive chain;
(iv) an idler sprocket rotatably mounted to the support frame, said idler sprocket having an axis and teeth for engaging the drive chain so movement of the drive chain in engagement with the idler sprocket teeth rotates the idler sprocket, the axis of the idler sprocket being aligned with each of the axes of the tubular members;
and
(v) the tubular members having sprockets with teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the sprocket teeth of the tubular members rotates the tubular members relative to the support frame;
(d) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing;
(e) means for controlling heating of the food;
(f) the housing having a control panel connected thereto;
the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(g) a cover for covering the control panel and not for covering the means for heating the food;
(h) means for pivotally mounting the cover to the housing so that the cover can be pivoted to a position to cover the control panel and to not cover the means for heating the food, and to a position to uncover the control panel, comprising:
a spring having a first leg that extends into a bight section, the bight section extending into a second leg, a boss extending from the first leg, the cover having first structure with an opening for receiving the boss, the cover also having second structure against which the second leg can be placed so that with such placement the first leg is biased toward the opening in the first structure to press the boss through the opening in the first structure, the housing having an opening for receiving the boss to allow the cover to pivot relative to the housing.

13 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing, said housing comprising a support frame;
(b) means for heating the food, comprising a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted with said support frame;
(c) means for driving the tubular cooking members to rotate relative to the frame, comprising;
(i) an electric motor having a drive shaft;
(ii) a drive chain;
(iii) a drive sprocket drivingly connected with the motor shaft, the drive sprocket, having teeth and being positioned for engaging the drive chain so that rotation of the drive sprocket in engagement with the drive chain pulls the drive chain;
(iv) an idler sprocket rotatably mounted to the support frame, said idler sprocket having an axis and teeth for engaging the drive chain so movement of the drive chain in engagement with the idler sprocket teeth rotates the idler sprocket;
and
(v) the tubular members each having an axis and sprockets with teeth for engaging the drive chain so that movement of the drive chain in engagement with the sprocket teeth of the tubular members rotates the tubular members relative to the support frame and each of the axes of the tubular members being aligned with the axis of the idler sprocket;
(d) means for controlling heating of the food;
(e) the housing having a control panel connected thereto, the heating control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
and
(f) a compartment assembly associated with the housing for storing of food items;
means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing, the housing having a cavity with a first interior wall and a second interior wall, the compartment assembly having a frame comprising a first track member and a second track member, the distal ends of the first and second track members being mounted with a cover, the frame also comprising a cross strut connected to the first track and the second track so that an opening is formed between the tracks, the cross strut and the cover;
a pan having walls with structure providing means for engaging the frame to be supported thereby, the pan being sized to fit between the first and second interior walls of the housing cavity and to be received within the housing cavity, the means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing allows the tracks to slide relative to the housing to a first position wherein the cover acts to cover the control panel, and a second position in which the cover is positioned away from the housing and the pan is positioned to expose it to permit items to be removed by hand therefrom.

12 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human foods comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing, the heating means comprising a plurality of tubular cooking members, said cooking members having cylindrical outer surfaces;
(c) means for controlling heating of the food;
(d) the housing having a control panel connected thereto, the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(e) a sealing assembly comprising a bearing member, and an annular sealing member comprising an O-ring, the bearing member having a bore there through for receiving the tubular member there through, the bearing member bore having a section which has an annular recessed shape for receiving the annular sealing member, so that the bearing member and annular member can be placed about the tubular member with the annular sealing member held against the outer surface of the tubular member;
and
(f) a compartment assembly associated with the housing for storing of food items;
means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing, the housing having a cavity with a first interior wall and a second interior wall, the compartment assembly having a frame comprising a first track member and a second track member, the distal ends of the first and second track members being mounted with a cover, the frame also comprising a cross strut connected to the first track and the second track so that an opening is formed between the tracks, the cross strut and the cover;
a pan having walls with structure providing means for engaging the frame to be supported thereby, the pan being sized to fit between the first and second interior walls of the housing cavity and to be received within the housing cavity, the means for mounting the compartment assembly to slide relative to the housing allows the tracks to slide relative to the housing to a first position wherein the cover acts to cover the control panel, and a second position in which the cover is positioned away from the housing and the pan is positioned to expose it to permit items to be removed by hand therefrom.

6 more elements

A grill assembly for cooking human food comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) means for heating the food, said means being mounted with the housing, said means comprising a plurality of tubular cooking member rotatably mounted to the housing, said cooking members having cylindrical outer surfaces;
(c) means for controlling heating of the food;
(d) a sealing assembly comprising a bearing member, and an annular sealing member comprising an O-ring, the bearing member having a bore there through for receiving the tubular member there through, the bearing member bore having a section which has an annular recessed shape for receiving the annular sealing member, so that the bearing member and annular member can be placed about the tubular member with the annular sealing member held against the outer surface of the tubular member;
(e) the housing having a control panel connected thereto;
the control means being mounted in association with the control panel;
(f) a cover for covering the control panel and not for covering the means for heating the food;
and
(g) means for pivotally mounting the cover to the housing so that the cover can be pivoted to a position to cover the control panel and to not cover the means for heating the food, and to a position to uncover the control panel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Roller grill assembly for cooking human food

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims49

Roller grill assembly for cooking human food

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims49