US3832989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Charcoal firebox
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-09-10
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Granted: 1974-09-03
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Expires: 1993-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A charcoal firebox for use as an accessory with a rotisserie, brazier or the like comprises a metallic enclosure for a layer of burning coals, the enclosure defined by a grill removably mounted to an open face pan. The grill is formed of spring tensionable material and is spaced from and confronts the central reflector plate of the pan, the spacing between grill anc central plate being less at the bottom of the grill than at the top so that an unburned or newly ignited coal fits easily between plate and grill at the top of the grill but such coals at the bottom of the grill bow the grill forwardly outwardly from the central plate, spring tensioning the grill and generating a grill restoring force causing the lower end of the grill to exert rearwardly directed force on the adjacent coals, retaining them against the central plate as the spring tensioned grill bottom moves rearwardly to follow the coals toward the central plate retaining them against the central plate as the coals are reduced in size by combustion; this structure assures that coals adjacent the top of the grill do not drop to the bottom until the coals adjacent the bottom are substantially reduced in size thereby preserving the single layer depth of coals for a prolonged period. Divider ribs on the central reflector plate divide the enclosure into three compartments, permitting burning coals to be concentrated in one or more of these compartments for improved cooking efficiency. The firebox has a handle assembly extending forwardly from the pan to permit the pan to be placed at various angles relative to the rotisserie to achieve improved cooking results. The handle assembly is weighted sufficiently that when the handle assembly is raised and lowered relative to a horizontal plane to change the angle of the pan relative to the plane, the pan will not tip rearwardly. Support means is mounted to the handle assembly and is extendable toward the brazier bowl to retain the handle at a plurality of predetermined distances above the brazier, controlling the angle between pan and brazier bowl for optimum cooking results.
Inventors
- 👤 R Belford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:24
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J37/00; A47J37/06; A47J37/07; A47J37/0731; A47J37/0718
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A charcoal firebox, useable in the bowl of a brazier, for retaining burning coals to cook an adjacent food product comprising: an open face generally upright pan including a central heatreflecting plate, a lower panel fixed to said plate and extending forwardly from said central reflector plate at the bottom of said plate, and left and right side panels joined to and extending forwardly from said central reflector plate at lateral sides of said central reflector plate; a grill selectively removably mounted to said left and right side panels forwardly of and confronting said central plate and cooperating with said pan to define an enclosure positionable within the bowl for containing burning coals therein, said grill spaced from said central reflector plate to contain a layer of coals between said grill and said central plate; a pair of divider ribs spaced laterally from one another on said central reflector plate, each of said ribs extending from substantially the bottom to the top of said central reflector plate and extending forwardly outwardly from said central plate to define three coal compartments, permitting the burning coals to be concentrated in certain of said compartments; and a handle assembly including a pair of arms connected to said pan adjacent said lower panel and extending forwardly therefrom and further including an insulative handle fixed between the free ends of said arms to permit an operator to manipulate said enclosure by using said handle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
A charcoal firebox, useable in the bowl of a brazier, for retaining burning coals to cook an adjacent food product comprising: an open face generally upright pan including a central heatreflecting plate, a lower panel fixed to said plate and extending forwardly from said central reflector plate at the bottom of said plate, and left and right side panels joined to and extending forwardly from said central reflector plate at lateral sides of said central reflector plate; a grill selectively removably mounted to said left and right side panels forwardly of and confronting said central plate and cooperating with said pan to define an enclosure positionable within the bowl for containing burning coals therein, said grill spaced from said central reflector plate to contain a layer of coals between said grill and said central plate; a pair of divider ribs spaced laterally from one another on said central reflector plate, each of said ribs extending from substantially the bottom to the top of said central reflector plate and extending forwardly outwardly from said central plate to define three coal compartments, permitting the burning coals to be concentrated in certain of said compartments; and a handle assembly including a pair of arms connected to said pan adjacent said lower panel and extending forwardly therefrom and further including an insulative handle fixed between the free ends of said arms to permit an operator to manipulate said enclosure by using said handle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The charcoal firebox of claim 1 and further including an upper reflector panel joined to the upper edge of said central reflector plate and extending upwardly and forwardly therefrom, said upper panel spaced from said grill to form a gap therebetween through which additional coals may be tossed into said enclosure, said upper panel receiving coals tossed through said gap and directing them downwardly into said enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
180 words
The firebox of claim 1 wherein said grill is formed of spring tensionable material and is inclined relative to said central reflector plate such that the distance between said plate and said grill is less at the bottom of said grill than at the top, the distance between said central plate and the bottom of said grill being less than the thickness of an unburned coal so that coals in said pan adjacent the bottom of said grill will elastically bow the grill forwardly outwardly from said central plate, spring tensioning the grill to exert a rearwardly directed force on said coals, retaining them against said central plate, said bowed grill moving rearwardly to follow the coals toward said central plate to retain them against said central plate as the coals are reduced in size by combustion, thus assuring that coals adjacent the top of said grill do not drop to the bottom until the coals adjacent the bottom of said grill are substantially reduced in size to thereby preserve the single layer depth of coals for a prolonged period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
138 words
The firebox of claim 1 wherein: said grill has a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower bars having ends extending horizontally outwardly from each lateral side of said grill, said bars being formed of spring tensionable material; each said side panel has a slot and upper and lower bar receiving notches along said slot to confine the ends of said grill bars, an upper notch being positioned vertically above and forwardly of the lower notch; and said bars becoming tensioned when the adjacent ends thereof are urged toward one another by an operator and returning to untensioned condition when released, adjacent ends of said pairs of bars being releasably contained in said notches with said upper bar being contained in said upper notch and said lower bar being contained in said lower notch of each side panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The charcoal firebox of claim 1 wherein said central reflector plate includes a bowl post orifice adjacent the top thereof to permit said central plate to be lowered upon and positioned about the bowl post when said central plate is in supine position in the bowl of the brazier, and a door pivotally mounted to said central plate to selectively obstruct said orifice.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
The charcoal firebox of claim 1 wherein said arms extend from said pan at right angles to said central reflector plate and are generally parallel to one another, said handle assembly being weighted sufficiently that when said handle assembly is raised and lowered relative to a horizontal plane to change the angle of said pan relative to the horizontal plane, said pan does not tip rearwardly, and support means mounted to said handle assembly and extendable toward the bowl to retain said handle at a plurality of predetermined distances above the bowl to control the angle between pan and bowl for optimum cooking results.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The charcoal firebox of claim 6 wherein said support means is a telescoping wand pivotally mounted to said handle assembly for swinging movement in a generally upright plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
243 words
In combination with a charcoal-burning brazier having a bowl and a spit, an improved charcoal firebox for retaining burning coals to cook a food product on the spit comprising: an open face generally upright pan including a central heat-reflecting plate, a lower panel affixed to said pan and extending forwardly from said central reflector plate at the bottom of said plate, left and right side panels joined to and extending forwardly from said central reflector plate at lateral sides of said central reflector plate; a grill selectively removably mounted to said left and right side panels forwardly of and confronting said central plate and cooperating with said pan to define an enclosure positioned within the bowl for containing burning coals therein, said grill spaced from said central reflector plate to contain a layer of coals between said grill and said central plate; at least one divider rib positioned on said central reflector plate and extending generally uprightly from substantially the bottom to the top of said central reflector plate and extending forwardly outwardly from said central plate to define a plurality of coal compartments permitting the burning coals to be concentrated in certain of said compartments; and a handle assembly including a pair of arms connected to said pan adjacent said lower panel and extending forwardly therefrom and further including an insulative handle fixed between the free ends of said arms to permit an operator to manipulate said enclosure by using said handle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
243 words
In combination with a charcoal-burning brazier having a bowl and a spit, an improved charcoal firebox for retaining burning coals to cook a food product on the spit comprising: an open face generally upright pan including a central heat-reflecting plate, a lower panel affixed to said pan and extending forwardly from said central reflector plate at the bottom of said plate, left and right side panels joined to and extending forwardly from said central reflector plate at lateral sides of said central reflector plate; a grill selectively removably mounted to said left and right side panels forwardly of and confronting said central plate and cooperating with said pan to define an enclosure positioned within the bowl for containing burning coals therein, said grill spaced from said central reflector plate to contain a layer of coals between said grill and said central plate; at least one divider rib positioned on said central reflector plate and extending generally uprightly from substantially the bottom to the top of said central reflector plate and extending forwardly outwardly from said central plate to define a plurality of coal compartments permitting the burning coals to be concentrated in certain of said compartments; and a handle assembly including a pair of arms connected to said pan adjacent said lower panel and extending forwardly therefrom and further including an insulative handle fixed between the free ends of said arms to permit an operator to manipulate said enclosure by using said handle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-02 | 1978-03-04 | 1978-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-02 | 1982-03-04 | 1982-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-02 | 1986-03-04 | 1986-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |