초록 ▼

The present invention is embodied in a grill configured for quick assembly, a method of partially pre-assembling the grill for shipping from the factory in a container, and a method of assembling the grill when removed from the shipping container. The grill comprises a firebox assembly for mounting

The present invention is embodied in a grill configured for quick assembly, a method of partially pre-assembling the grill for shipping from the factory in a container, and a method of assembling the grill when removed from the shipping container. The grill comprises a firebox assembly for mounting on a cart assembly, the cart assembly having first and second support assemblies and at least one linking member interconnecting them. A hinge or pivot in the mid-portion of the linking member divides it into first and second linking member portions, and the opposite ends of the linking member portions are pivotally connected by hinges or the like to the first and second support assemblies. The linking member holds the first and second support assemblies together in a partially pre-assembled state, and the pivotal connections of the linking member portions allow the two assemblies to be folded for packaging in a shipping container. When removed from the container, the pivotal connections of the linking member portions allow the first and second support assemblies to be unfolded, with the linking member holding the two support assemblies in approximately the proper position with respect to each other and to the firebox assembly for assembly of the grill, thus allowing for easier and quicker grill assembly by one person. Alternatively, the linking member can itself be a support assembly with the first and second support assemblies pivotally attached to opposite ends of the linking member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A grill comprising: a firebox assembly comprising: a firebox base, anda firebox hood pivotally connected to the firebox base; anda cart assembly for supporting the firebox assembly, the cart assembly comprising: a first support assembly configured to be joined directly to the firebox base,a secon

1. A grill comprising: a firebox assembly comprising: a firebox base, anda firebox hood pivotally connected to the firebox base; anda cart assembly for supporting the firebox assembly, the cart assembly comprising: a first support assembly configured to be joined directly to the firebox base,a second support assembly configured to be joined directly to the firebox base,a linking member interconnecting the first and second support assemblies,a first hinge connecting the first support assembly to the linking member, anda second hinge connecting the second support assembly to the linking member,wherein the first and second support assemblies can be unfolded about the first and second hinges respectively to convert the cart assembly from an unassembled configuration, in which the first and second support assemblies are folded, to an assembled configuration, in which the first and second support assemblies are unfolded to a position suitable for supporting the firebox assembly. 2. The grill of claim 1, wherein the linking member of the cart assembly is a third support assembly. 3. The grill of claim 1, wherein the hinges connecting the linking member and support assemblies are configured so that the first and second support assemblies cannot unfold substantially beyond the assembled configuration that facilitates installation of the firebox assembly on the cart assembly. 4. The grill of claim 1, wherein the cart assembly further comprises a cart panel attached to at least one support assembly or the linking member. 5. The grill of claim 4, wherein the cart panel is attached to the at least one support assembly or the linking member when the cart assembly is in the unassembled configuration. 6. The grill of claim 1, wherein the cart assembly further comprises a fold down tray attached to at least one support assembly or the linking member. 7. The grill of claim 1, wherein one or more doors are pivotally attached to the linking member. 8. The grill of claim 1, wherein threaded fasteners are partially pre-inserted into the cart assembly or firebox assembly. 9. The grill of claim 1, further comprising one or more grill members attached to the cart assembly or the firebox assembly, wherein each of the one or more grill members includes at least one keyhole opening comprising: a larger opening, sized and configured to receive the head of a threaded fastener partially pre-inserted into the cart assembly or the firebox assembly, anda smaller opening, contiguous with the larger opening, and sized and configured to slide under the head and around the shaft of a threaded fastener. 10. The grill of claim 9, wherein one of the one or more grill members is a cross-member comprising: a body portion,a first end attached to the first support assembly, anda second end attached to the second support assembly. 11. The grill of claim 10, wherein a part of the body portion of the cross-member is pivotally attached to a first end of a bottom support assembly and a second opposite end of the bottom support assembly is attached to the linking member of the cart assembly. 12. The grill of claim 11, wherein the bottom support assembly is adapted to support a supply tank. 13. The grill of claim 9, wherein one of the one or more grill members is a cart shelf. 14. The grill of claim 9, wherein one of the one or more grill members is a cart panel. 15. The grill of claim 9, wherein one of the one or more grill members is a side table. 16. The grill of claim 1, further comprising: a side burner valve assembly having a partially inserted, threaded fastener; anda side table having a keyhole opening formed therein to receive the threaded fastener and secure the side burner valve assembly to the side table. 17. The grill of claim 1, wherein: the first support assembly comprises a first upper crossmember and a first lower crossmember;the second support assembly comprises a second upper crossmember and a second lower crossmember;the first hinge connects the first upper crossmember to the linking member;the second hinge connects the second upper crossmember to the linking member;the cart assembly further comprises a third hinge connecting the first lower crossmember to the linking member; andthe cart assembly further comprises a fourth hinge connecting the second lower crossmember to the linking member. 18. The grill of claim 1, wherein: the linking member comprises an upper crossmember and a lower crossmember; andthe upper crossmember and the lower crossmember each interconnect the first and second support assemblies. 19. The grill of claim 18, wherein: the cart assembly further comprises a bottom support assembly configured to be attached to the lower crossmember. 20. The grill of claim 1, wherein the first and second support assemblies can be unfolded horizontally about the first and second hinges respectively. 21. The grill of claim 1, wherein: the cart assembly further comprises a a rear crossmember configured to interconnect the first and second support assemblies. 22. A kit configured to be assembled into a grill, the kit comprising: a firebox assembly comprising: a firebox base,a firebox hood pivotally connected to the firebox base;a cart assembly for supporting the firebox assembly;wherein the cart assembly comprises: a first support assembly configured to be joined directly to the firebox base,a second support assembly configured to be joined directly to the firebox base,a linking member interconnecting the first and second support assemblies,a first hinge connecting the first support assembly to the linking member,a second hinge connecting the second support assembly to the linking member; andwherein the first and second support assemblies can be unfolded about the first and second hinges respectively to convert the cart assembly from a unassembled configuration, in which the first and second support assemblies are folded inwardly against one another resulting in little or no separation between them, to an assembled configuration, in which the first and second support assemblies are unfolded to a position suitable for supporting the firebox assembly. 23. The kit of claim 22, wherein the linking member is a third support assembly. 24. The kit of claim 22, wherein the hinges connecting the linking member and support assemblies are configured so that the first and second support assemblies cannot unfold substantially beyond the assembled configuration that facilitates installation of the firebox assembly on the cart assembly. 25. The kit of claim 22, wherein the cart assembly further comprises a cart panel attached to at least one support assembly or the linking member. 26. The grill of claim 25, wherein the cart panel is attached to the at least one support assembly or the linking member when the cart assembly is in the unassembled configuration. 27. The kit of claim 22, wherein the cart assembly further comprises a fold down tray attached to at least one support assembly or the linking member. 28. The kit of claim 22, wherein one or more doors are pivotally attached to the linking member. 29. The kit of claim 22, wherein threaded fasteners are partially pre-inserted into the cart assembly or firebox assembly. 30. The kit of claim 29, further comprising one or more grill members adapted to be attached to the cart assembly or the firebox assembly; wherein each of the one or more grill members includes a keyhole opening comprising a larger opening, sized and configured to receive the head of a threaded fastener partially pre-inserted into the cart assembly or the firebox assembly; anda smaller opening, contiguous with the larger opening, and sized and configured to be slid beneath the head and over the shaft of the threaded fastener. 31. The kit of claim 30, wherein: one of the one or more grill members is a cross-member comprising: a body portion,a first end attached to the first support assembly, anda second end attached to the second support assembly. 32. The grill of claim 31, wherein a part of the body portion of the cross-member is pivotally attached to a first end of a bottom support assembly and a second opposite end of the bottom support assembly is attached to the linking member of the cart assembly. 33. The kit of claim 32, wherein the bottom support assembly is adapted to support a supply tank. 34. The kit of claim 30, wherein one of the one or more grill members is a cart shelf. 35. The kit of claim 30, wherein one of the one or more grill members is a cart panel. 36. The kit of claim 30, wherein one of the one or more grill members is a side table. 37. The kit of claim 22, further comprising: a side burner valve assembly having a partially inserted, threaded fastener; anda side table having a keyhole opening formed therein to receive the threaded fastener and secure the side burner valve assembly to the side table. 38. The kit of claim 22, wherein: the first support assembly comprises a first upper crossmember and a first lower crossmember;the second support assembly comprises a second upper crossmember and a second lower crossmember;the first hinge connects the first upper crossmember to the linking member;the second hinge connects the second upper crossmember to the linking member;the cart assembly further comprises a third hinge connecting the first lower crossmember to the linking member; andthe cart assembly further comprises a fourth hinge connecting the second lower crossmember to the linking member. 39. The kit of claim 22, wherein: the linking member comprises an upper crossmember and a lower crossmember; andthe upper crossmember and the lower crossmember each interconnect the first and second support assemblies. 40. The kit of claim 39, wherein: the cart assembly further comprises a bottom support assembly configured to be attached to the lower crossmember. 41. The kit of claim 22, wherein the first and second support assemblies can be unfolded horizontally about the first and second hinges respectively. 42. The kit of claim 22, wherein: the cart assembly further comprises a a rear crossmember configured to interconnect the first and second support assemblies.