Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Provisional Application for United States Patent
TITLE: Adjustable Barbecue Grill Grate Scraper
INVENTOR(S): Irma Marie Duguay
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to tools for cleaning and removing
debris from grill grates such as the grill grates of gas, charcoal or wood
burning
barbecue grills. More specifically, a tool that is used to determine the
contour of
barbecue grill grates wherein during use, the grill grate scraper conforms to
the
physical layout of the cooking grate. Still more specifically, once the
contour of
barbecue grill grate is determined the profile of the tool can be locked into
position
duplicating an inverse footprint of the grill grate configuration.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Outdoor barbecue grilling is a very relaxing and entertaining
social
activity. Barbecuing tends to bring family and friends together for enjoyable
gatherings. The barbecue grill offers another method of cooking food, based on
different techniques such as smoking, roasting, braising and grilling,
resulting in
unique flavors and textures which cannot be easily duplicated in a traditional
kitchen.
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
Grill grates serve as a cooking surface for the barbecue. A grill grate is
usually
made of an assembly of parallel metal rails welded to one or more common metal
bars perpendicular to the parallel rails. There are a variety of different
grill grate
profiles and spacing configurations, such as angular, circular and rectangular
rails.
There is often little uniformity among various brands and models of barbecue
grill
grates. It is not uncommon to find the distances and grill grate profiles
between one
model to be quite different from that in others.
While grilling, food particles, charred debris, food residue and grease tend
to
stick to grill grates. Grill cleaning is another way to remove harmful
carcinogens
which can build up on your grill over time. Unsanitary barbecue grill grates
can
accumulate disease causing bacteria and viruses. Frequent cleaning to remove
such
deposits and residues is necessary to maintain a clean cooking surface. Also,
regular maintenance will greatly benefit the integrity and life span of the
grill
grates.
As a result of the varied grill grate profiles, predetermined grill grate
scraping
devices that is suitable for one grill grate may have little or no value for
cleaning
another. Wire brushes suffer from the bristles bending and breaking. Loose
wire
bristles can stay on the grill grate and become lodged into the food. These
wire
bristles can be ingested, causing life threating fatalities. There exists a
need by
which grills grates can be quickly and easily cleaned after use. Therefore,
what is
2
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
clearly needed is an adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper that solves the
problems
mentioned above.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In
one embodiment of the invention an adjustable barbecue grill grate
scraper is provided, comprising a plurality of elongated blades of uniform
lengths
juxtaposed and each provided with a longitudinal slot, a supporting screw
member
of such a diameter permitting the blades to freely pass through the
longitudinal slot
whereby allowing each of the blades to slide freely and independently and the
supporting screw member to be of a length long enough to extend into the
apertures of the left and right hand frames to retain the plurality of
elongated
blades, a support bracket to support the blades in their parallel relationship
and
reinforces them against any rotational swinging movement with reference to
each
other is perpendicularly oriented with respect to the plurality of the blades
and to
be of a length long enough to extend into the slots of left and right hand
frames, a
right and left hand frame with apertures and slots for supporting screw member
and
support bracket to retain the plurality of elongated blades, a fastener which
presses
the plurality of elongated blades together sidewise applying pressure for
securing
the plurality of elongated blades in a given position and an elongated handle
fixed
to the frames.
3
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
Also in one embodiment said blades, bracket and frames are all made of
stainless steel. Also in one embodiment said plurality of elongated blades of
uniform lengths have a right triangle at one end of the blade. Also in one
embodiment said handle and frames are riveted together. Also in one embodiment
said handle is wood. Also in one embodiment said blades are pressed together
sidewise applying pressure for securing said plurality of elongated blades in
a
given position using a wing nut to firmly secure said plurality of elongated
blades. Also in one embodiment said plurality of elongated blades of uniform
lengths varying in shape and size. Also in one embodiment said support bracket
is
U-shaped. Also in one embodiment are examples of L-shaped support brackets
varying in shape and size for supporting plurality of blades.
In another aspect of the invention a method for using an adjustable barbecue
grill grate scraper is provided, comprising the steps (a) rotating a wing nut
in a
counter clockwise position loosens the wing nut and allows a plurality of
blades to
each slide freely and independently in an upward or downward position, when
the
adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper is pointed in a downward position with
the
wing nut loosened the plurality of blades will gravitate to their lowest
positon, (b)
the plurality of blades are aligned on any style of multiple grill grate
rails, (c) the
plurality of blades are pushed manually with your finger against the grill
grate rails
until the whole of the contour of the grill grate rail is reproduced, thereby
defining
4
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
the grill grate rail profile and the plurality of blades have reached their
maximum
limit allowing some of the blades to extend between the grill grate rails
engaging
the top and sides of grill grate rails. The tips of the blades have then
assumed the
counterpart profile with the particular grill grate rail being defined by the
lower
ends of the blades and a replica of the contour being reproduced by the upper
ends
of the blades. The thinner the blades, the more accurately the profile of the
grill
grate rail will be reproduced, (d) the wing nut is rotated in a clockwise
position
pressing the plurality of blades together sidewise applying pressure to secure
said
plurality of blades into position, duplicating the exact profile of the grill
grate rail,
(e) gripping a long elongated handle, allowing a user to clean a hot grill
without
having his or her hand too close to the grilling heat, align the captured
adjustable
barbecue grill grate scraper profile to the grill grate rails and apply
pressure in a
downward direction, thereafter the grill grate scraper is pushed forward and
pulled
backward until the charred debris and residue is removed from the grill grate
rails,
(f) the process is repeated for the entire grill grate until the grill grate
rails are
cleaned.
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Figure 1. Figure 1 is a rear, top, and left side isometric view of
an
adjustable barbecue grill grate scraping tool according to the preferred
embodiment
of the present invention.
[0005] Figure 2. Figure 2 is a front, top and right side isometric view
of the
adjustable barbecue grill grate scraping tool according to the preferred
embodiment
of the present invention.
[0006] Figure 3. Figure 3 is a detailed view "A" of the securing
mechanism
of the adjustable barbecue grill grate scraping tool shown in FIG. 2 according
to
the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] Figure 4. Figure 4 is a close-up isometric view of a blade, one of
the
elements of the adjustable barbecue grill grate scraping tool shown in FIGS. 1
and
2 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] Figure 5. Figure 5 is a close-up isometric view of an alternate
embodiment of the blade of the invention.
[0009] Figure 6. Figure 6 is a close up isometric view of yet another
alternate embodiment of the blade of the invention.
[00010] Figure 7. Figure 7 is another close up isometric view of still
another
alternate embodiment of the blade of the invention.
6
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
[00011] Figure 8. Figure 8 is another close up isometric view of still
another
alternate embodiment of the blade of the invention.
[00012] Figure 9. Figure 9 is an exploded isometric view illustrating
component parts with apertures and slots of the adjustable barbecue grill
grate
scraping tool shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the preferred embodiment of
the
present invention.
[00013] Figure 10. Figure 10 is an enlarged isometric view of a partial
grill
grate with angled rails and a partial adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper
engaged
on the grill grate with parallel angled rails where the ends of the blades
define the
grill grate profile according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[00014] Figure 11. Figure 11 is a front view of the partial grill grate
with
angled rails and the partial adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper as shown
in FIG.
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[00015] Figure 12. Figure 12 is an enlarged isometric view of a partial
grill
grate with rounded rods and a partial adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper
engaged on the grill grate with parallel rounded rods where the ends of the
blades
define the grill grate profile according to the preferred embodiment of the
present
invention.
7
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
[00016] Figure 13. Figure 13 is a front view of the partial grill grate
with
rounded rods and the partial adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper as shown
in
FIG. 12 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[00017] Figure 14. Figure 14 is an enlarged isometric view of a partial
grill
grate with rectangular rails and a partial adjustable barbecue grill grate
scraper
engaged on the grill grate with parallel rectangular rails where the ends of
the
blades define the grill grate profile according to the preferred embodiment of
the
present invention.
[00018] Figure 15. Figure 15 is a front view of the partial grill grate
with
rectangular rails and the partial adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper as
shown in
FIG. 14 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[00019] Figure 16. Figure 16 is a top view of right and left hand frames,
two
of the elements of the adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper tool shown in
FIGS. 1
and 2 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[00020] Figure 17. Figure 17 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of
the
right and left hand frames of the invention.
[00021] Figure 18. Figure 18 is a top view of yet another alternate
embodiment of the right and left hand frames of the invention.
8
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
[00022] Figure 19. Figure 19 is an enlarged isometric view of an alternate
embodiment of an L-shape support bracket to support the blades of the
adjustable
barbecue grill grate scraping tool.
[00023] Figure 20. Figure 20 is an enlarged isometric view of yet another
alternate embodiment of an L-shape support bracket to support the blades of
the
adjustable barbecue grill grate scraping tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION
[00024] The inventor provides a unique adjustable barbecue grill grate
scraper
enabling the tool to copy variously configured barbecue grill grate profiles,
locking
the profile and reproducing an exact inverse profile of a grill grate. The
tool is able
to clean any style of multiple grill grates rails simultaneously. The present
invention is described in enabling detail in the following examples, which may
represent more than one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1 is a rear, top, and left side isometric view of an adjustable
barbecue
grill grate scraping tool 100; Figure 2 is a front, top and right side
isometric view
of the adjustable barbecue grill grate scraping tool 100 in accordance with
the
preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a detailed view "A"
of
the securing mechanism of the adjustable barbecue grill grate scraping tool
shown
in FIG. 2.
9
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
The adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper 100 comprises a plurality of
elongated blades of uniform lengths juxtaposed 101, each relatively long and
narrow with a right triangle at one end of the blade 101 in this example and
each
provided with a longitudinal slot 101a as shown in FIG. 4. For the purpose of
supporting the blades 101 in their operative relationship to each other, they
are all
threaded on a screw 102 in this example, and the screw of such a diameter that
it
permits each blade 101 to slide freely and independently. It is important to
note
that the blade slot 101a is wider than the diameter of the screw allowing the
plurality of blades 101 to each slide freely and independently in an upward or
downward position. For the purpose of supporting the blades in their parallel
relationship in this example a U-shaped support bracket 103 is perpendicularly
oriented with respect to the plurality of the blades.
Figures 5 to 8 are close-up isometric views of alternate embodiments of the
invention showing blades of varied configurations where each blade is
relatively
long and narrow and each provided with a longitudinal slot could be swapped
for
the blade 101 as shown in Figs 1 and 2. Figure 5 blade 101b having a right
triangle at one end and an inverse right triangle at the other end of the
blade and
the blade having a longitudinal slot 101c. Figure 6 blade 101d having two
right
triangles one at each end of the blade and the blade having a longitudinal
slot 101e.
Figure 7 blade 101f having two rectangular tips one at each end of the blade
and
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
the blade provided with a longitudinal slot 101g. Figure 8 blade 101h having
two
right triangles one at each end of the blade with both right triangles having
filets
and the blade having a longitudinal slot 101j.
Figure 9 is an exploded isometric view illustrating component parts with
apertures and slots of the adjustable barbecue grill grate scraping tool shown
in
FIGS. 1 and 2. In this example a right hand frame 104 and a left hand frame
105
each have two equal elongated slots cutout 104b, 104c, 105b and 105c
respectively.
The elongated slots provide an opening for the U-shape support bracket 103 to
be
inserted. The U-shape support bracket 103 supports the blades 101 to each
slide
freely and independently and reinforces them against any rotational swinging
movement with reference to each other in one embodiment of the present
invention.
Thereby, the blades are held in their parallel relationship at all times.
The left hand frame 105 having a threaded aperture 105a for receiving an
externally threaded screw 102 and the right hand frame 104 having a non-
threaded
aperture 104a to receive the other end of the screw 102 in this example. The
apertures in the left and right hand frame provide a hole for the screw to be
inserted for the purpose of supporting the blades 101. The screw 102 is
firstly
threaded into the aperture 105a of the left hand frame 105 and secondly is
inserted
into a longitudinal slot 101a of a plurality of elongated blades 101 of
uniform
lengths juxtaposed and thirdly the end of the screw 102 is inserted into the
non-
11
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
threaded aperture 104a of the left hand frame 104. The screw 102 allows the
blades 101 to be held in their operative relationship to each other. The U-
shape
support bracket 103 contains a non-threaded aperture 103a which allows the end
of
the screw 102 to go through.
Attached to the end of the screw 102 is a wing nut 106, rotating the wing nut
106 in a counter clockwise position loosens the wing nut and allows the
plurality
of blades 101 to each slide freely and independently in an upward or downward
position, rotating the wing nut 106 in a clockwise position presses the blades
together sidewise applying pressure for securing the plurality of elongated
blades
101 locking the plurality of blades such that the blades will not move in an
upward
or downward position. The assembly of the components are more clearly
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The ends of the right and left hand frames 104 and 105 when mated together are
secured into a slot 107b in an elongated handle 107 in this example, such that
the
tool portion extents outwardly from the handle. The slot 107b extends from one
end of the handle through more than half the portion of the length of the
elongated
handle 107 in this example. Preferably, the slot 107b is just slightly wider
than the
thickness of both right and left hand frames 104 and 105 respectively when
mated
together. The right and left hand frames 104 and 105 may be provided with a
plurality of non-threaded apertures 104g and 105g respectively for attachment
of
12
= CA 3015630 2018-08-28
elongated handle 107 aligned with non-threaded apertures 107a and secured by
conventional fasteners, such as rivets 108a and 108b in this example. The
handle
107 may include an optional non-threaded aperture 107c or other similar
arrangement for allowing the adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper to be
hung on
a support hook for storage.
The right and left hand frame 104 and 105 includes an obtuse angle 104d and
105d respectively to the rest of the frame with the angle of approximately 145
degrees in this example. This ergonomic feature allows a user of such a tool
to
comfortably apply pressure in a forward and rearward motion while cleaning the
grill grates.
The right and left hand frames 104 and 105 in this example are bent inwardly
towards each other 104e and 105e respectively at approximately 142 degree
angle
and 2.5 inches lower the frames are bent outwardly 104f and 105f at
approximately
142 degree angle in the opposite direction. The angles in the right and left
hand
frame 104 and 105 at one end form a V-shape and the other end of the right and
left hand frame are mated together. The V-shape formed within the frames
creates
a predetermined space approximately 3 inches wide in this example to allow a
plurality of elongated blades 101 of uniform lengths juxtaposed to be
assembled
within the V-shaped cavity and the other end of the frames are mated together
and
secured into the slot 107b of the handle 107.
13
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
Figures 10, 12 and 14 are enlarged isometric views of partial grill grates and
a partial adjustable grill grate scraper engaged on different configured metal
grill
grates with parallel rails whereby the ends of the blades define the grill
grates;
Figures 11, 13 and 15 are front views of the partial adjustable grill grate
scraper as
shown in Figures 10, 12 and 14. The use of the presently disclosed adjustable
barbecue grill grate scraper is for the purpose of cleaning grill grates as
illustrated
in FIGS. 10 to 15. More specifically, the partial adjustable barbecue grill
grate
scraper 117, 118 and 119 are positioned over different grill grate profiles
120, 121
and 122 as shown in FIGS. 10 to 15. Grill grates are provided in various
forms.
One conventional grill grate 120 formed with a left and right angled side
surface as
illustrated in FIG. 10. Also, another conventional grill grate 121 with
circular rods
FIG. 12. Also, still another grill grate 122 with rectangular rails FIG. 14.
The dimensions, i.e. the width, length, angles, apertures and slots of the
left
and right hand frames can vary as desired or necessary to accomplish the
desired
purpose. For example, the left and right hand frames can be in the shape of a
square, V-shape or other shape as needed as shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18.
The
left hand frame 105, the right hand frame 104, the plurality of keys 101, the
U-
shape support bracket 103 may be constructed of stainless steel or aluminum
and
the handle 107 may be constructed of any suitable material comprising a metal,
14
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
wood, plastic and carbon fiber composite including 3D and 4D printing material
composite.
Figure 19 is an enlarged isometric view of an alternate embodiment of an L-
shaped support bracket to support the blades of the adjustable barbecue grill
grate
scraping tool. The L-shaped support bracket 113 is inserted into slot 105b
with the
shortest part of the bracket on the outside of the left hand frame 105 and the
longest part of the L-shaped support bracket inserted into slot 105b and of a
length
long enough to extend into slot 104b of right hand frame 104. The aperture
113a of
the L-shaped bracket to align with threaded aperture 105a of the left hand
frame
105. Another L-shaped support bracket 113 is inserted into slot 104c with the
shortest part of the bracket on the outside of the right hand frame 104 and
the
longest part of the L-shaped bracket inserted into the slot 104c and of a
length long
enough to extend into slot 105c of the left hand frame 105. The aperture 113a
of
the L-shaped support bracket to align with non-threaded aperture 104a of the
right
hand frame. Screw 102 is threaded through all of the apertures of the left and
right
frames 105 and 104 and the two supporting brackets 113 and the longitudinal
slots
101a of the blades 101. Wing nut 106 is secured onto the end of the screw 102
applying pressure for securing the plurality of elongated blades 101 locking
the
plurality of blades such that the blades will not move in an upward or
downward
position. The L-shape support brackets 113 supports the blades 101 to each
slide
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
freely and independently and reinforces them against any rotational swinging
movement with reference to each other in alternate embodiment of the
invention.
Thereby, the blades are held in their parallel relationship at all times.
Figure 20 is an enlarged isometric view of yet another alternate embodiment of
an L-shape support bracket to support the blades of the adjustable barbecue
grill
grate scraping tool. An L-shaped support bracket 114 is inserted into a slot
of
either left or right hand frame 105 and 104 respectively with the shortest
part of the
bracket on the outside of the frame and the longest part of the L-shaped
support
bracket inserted into the opposite frame and of a length long enough to extend
into
a slot of the opposite frame. The aperture 114a of the L-shaped bracket 114 to
align with apertures of either the left or right hand frames 105a and 104a.
Screw
102 is threaded through the aperture 114a and the apertures of the left and
right
frames 105a and 104a and the longitudinal slot 101a of the plurality of blades
101.
Wing nut 106 is secured onto the end of the screw 102 applying pressure for
securing the plurality of elongated blades 101 locking the plurality of blades
such
that the blades will not move in an upward or downward position. The L-shape
support bracket 114 supports the blades 101 to each slide freely and
independently
and reinforces them against any rotational swinging movement with reference to
each other in alternate embodiment of the invention. Thereby, the blades are
held
in their parallel relationship at all times.
16
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
METHOD
Operation and use of the adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper 100 of the
present invention, whereby rotating the wing nut 106 in counter clockwise
position
loosens the wing nut and allows the plurality of blades 101 to each slide
freely and
independently in an upward or downward position. When the adjustable barbecue
grill grate scraper is pointed in a downward position with the wing nut
loosened
the plurality of blades 101 gravitate to their lowest position, the plurality
of blades
101 are aligned on any style of multiple grill grate rails and the plurality
of blades
are pushed manually with your finger against the grill grate rails until the
whole of
the contour of the grill grate rail is reproduced, thereby defining the grill
grate rail
profile and the plurality of blades have reached their maximum limit allowing
some of the blades to extend between the grill grate rails engaging the top
and
sides of the grill grate rails. The tips of the blades have then assumed the
counterpart profile with the particular grill grate rail being defined by the
lower
ends of the blades and a replica of the contour being reproduced by the upper
ends
of the blades. The thinner the blades, the more accurately the profile of the
grill
grate rail will be reproduced. The wing nut 106 is rotated in a clockwise
position
pressing the plurality of blades together sidewise applying pressure for
securing the
plurality of blades 101 into position, duplicating the exact profile of the
particular
grill grate rail as shown in FIGS. 10 to 15. Gripping the elongated handle,
17
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
allowing a user to clean a hot grill without having his or her hand too close
to the
grilling heat, align the captured adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper
profile to the
grill grate rails and apply pressure in a downward direction, thereafter the
grill
grate scraper is pushed forward and pulled backward until the charred debris
and
residue is removed from the grill grate rails. The process is repeated to the
entire
grill grate until the grill grate rails are cleaned.
As has been described above in the detailed description and FIGS. 1 to 20 the
adjustable barbecue grill grate scraper according to the present invention is
to be
realized that the ideal dimensional relationships for the parts of the present
invention, to include variations in size, shape and materials. Assembly and
use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in this
application
are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, what has
been described in this application in terms of specific embodiments is done
for
illustrative purposes only and without intent to limit or suggest that what
has been
conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. Further,
since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled
in the
art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation
shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable improvements, modifications
18
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
and equivalents maybe be resorted to falling within the scope of the following
claims and their equivalents.
19
CA 3015630 2018-08-28
