WO2004072539A1

WO2004072539A1 - Support structure for a barbecue or other article

Info

Publication number: WO2004072539A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000192
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip John Tranchitella
Original assignee: Arlec Barbeques Pty. Limited
Priority date: 2003-02-14
Filing date: 2003-02-14
Publication date: 2004-08-26
Also published as: AU2003203056A1

Abstract

A support structure (10) for mounting a barbecue module or other article, the support structure (10) including a base member (12), a first upright member (14) pivotably coupled to one end of the base member (12), a second upright member (16) pivotably coupled to an opposite end of the base member (12), wherein the support structure (10) is erectable from a collapsed configuration ( Figure 1 ) in which the first (14) and second (16) support members lie generally flat with the base member (12) to an erect configuration ( Figure 11) in which the first (14) and second (16) upright members extend upwardly from the base member (12), and means (50) for substantially rigidly retaining the first (14) and second (16) upright members in the erect configuration ( Figure 11) prior to mounting a barbecue module or other article to be supported by the upright members (14, 16).

Description

SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR A BARBECUE OR OTHER ARTICLE

This invention relates to support structures erectable from a collapsed configuration for mounting barbecues or other articles, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to wheeled trolleys erectable from a collapsed configuration for mounting portable gas barbecue modules.

Conventionally, trolleys for mounting gas barbecue modules are purchased in a disassembled or partly disassembled state with many separate components packed into a box for the sake of convenience and cost-efficiency in transportation and storage during distribution. However, this typically poses difficulties for the end consumer as the trolleys are often complicated to assemble, taking much time to identify and sort the various pieces, and requiring tools to tighten securing bolts and the like. Moreover, when assembled, such trolleys are typically unstable with a significant degree of movement existing in the joints between parts, typically when the trolley has aged and has been exposed to weather. To compensate for this degree of movement in typical barbecue trolleys, users lighten bolts securing the structural parts of the trolley together to such a degree that such parts are prone to breakage. In particular, with wooden trolleys some components, for example the legs, are prone to splitting if fasteners are overly tightened.

It has also been previously proposed to provide a collapsible/erectable trolley for a barbecue wherein the barbecue module is an integral structural component of the trolley. However, as the barbecue module is an integral component, a trolley of this type relies on the presence of the barbecue module to remain upright in its erected configuration. A disadvantage of such a system is that the trolley is not able to retain itself in its erect configuration in the absence of the barbecue module, and thus the trolley must be returned to its collapsed configuration if the barbecue module is to be removed, for example for servicing. Typically, such a system also has the disadvantage that the barbecue module is not readily removable from the trolley as the system has been designed such that the barbecue module remains connected to the trolley in both its erect and collapsed configurations. Accordingly, this results in the further disadvantage of the compactness of the trolley in its collapsed configuration being limited, as barbecue modules can be bulky. Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to provide an erectable support structure for mounting a barbecue module or other article with improved stability, and wherein the support structure is easily erected from a collapsed state.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a support structure for mounting a barbecue module or other article, the support structure including a base member, a first upright member pivotably coupled to one end of the base member, a second upright member pivotably coupled to an opposite end of the base member, wherein the support structure is erectable from a collapsed configuration in which the first and second support members lie generally flat with the base member to an erect configuration in which the first and second upright members extend upwardly from the base member, and means for substantially rigidly retaining the first and second upright members in the erect configuration prior to mounting a barbecue module or other article to be supported by the upright members.

Preferably, each of the upright members includes a pair of opposed upright arms having a transverse cross-brace between them.

Preferably, the means for substantially rigidly retaining the first and second upright members in the erect configuration includes a brace member coupled between the first and second upright members. In one embodiment, the brace member is coupled at one end to the cross-brace of the first upright member and at the other end to the cross-brace of the second upright member, the brace member extending substantially horizontally, and longitudinally with respect to the support structure. Preferably, the means for substantially rigidly retaining the first and second upright members in the erect configuration includes a coupling whereby at least one of the first and second upright members is coupled to the base member at a plurality of locations spaced along the base member. In one embodiment the coupling is a strut. In an alternative embodiment, the coupling is a bolt or the like spaced from the axis about which the respective upright member pivots with respect to the base member. Alternatively, the means for substantially rigidly retaining the first and second upright members in the erect configuration includes couplings whereby each of the first upright member and the second upright member is coupled to the base member at a plurality of locations spaced along the base member. In one embodiment the couplings are struts. In an alternative embodiment, the couplings are bolts or the like such that each of the first and second upright members is coupled to the base member by a bolt or the like spaced from the axis about which the respective upright member pivots with respect to the base member.

Preferably, after erection of the support structure to the erected configuration, the barbecue module or other article is inserted into the support structure to rest on brackets mounted on the first and second upright members. More preferably, the barbecue module or other article is lowered into the support structure to rest between upper portions of the first and second upright members.

Preferably, in the erect configuration the support structure further includes a first table portion mounted on the first upright member, and a second table portion mounted on the second upright member.

Preferably, the support structure is able to be moved between the collapsed configuration and the erect configuration without tools.

Preferably, the support structure further includes removable panels. More preferably, the removable panels include one or more of a rear panel, side panels, and/or front panels. In a preferred embodiment, the removable panels are able to be attached to and removed from the support structure without tools. In one embodiment, the removable panels are able to be attached to the support structure by virtue of resilience in the panels which allows them to be elastically deformed to clip onto the support structure.

In one embodiment, the base member, first upright member, second upright member and brace member are made of wood. In an alternative embodiment, the base member, first upright member, second upright member and brace member are made of metal.

Although in the preferred embodiments the support structure is primarily designed for supporting a barbecue module, as the support structure is separate from the barbecue module it also has the ability for supporting other articles such as ice boxes, food trays, etc. as may typically be used in outdoor entertainment situations.

Preferably, the support structure is a wheeled trolley.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support structure in the form of a trolley in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the trolley being shown in a collapsed configuration;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1, the trolley being shown in a partially erected configuration;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1, the trolley being shown in a further partially erected configuration;

Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view photograph of a support structure in the form of a trolley in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, showing preparation for the insertion of a bolt to retain a first upright member of the trolley in its erect configuration with respect to a base member of the trolley;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1, the trolley being shown in a still further partially erected configuration; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1, the trolley being shown in a still further partially erected configuration;

Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view photograph of the trolley illustrated in Figure 4, showing a lower portion of a second upright member of the trolley and its fixation to the base member;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1, the trolley being shown with both upright members in an erected configuration;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1, the trolley being shown in an erected configuration with a brace member between the upright members;

Figure 10 is a detailed view photograph showing fixation of a table portion to an upper portion of an upright member of the trolley illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1, the trolley being shown in an erected configuration with first and second table portions in place on the first and second upright members, respectively;

Figure 12 is a perspective view photograph of the trolley illustrated in Figure 4, the trolley being shown in an erected configuration with brackets mounted on the upright members for supporting a barbecue module;

Figure 13 is a detailed perspective view of the first upright member of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 14 is a detailed perspective view of the second upright member of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 15 is a detailed perspective view of the upper side of a table portion of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 16 is a detailed perspective view of the underside of the table portion illustrated in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a detailed perspective view of the base member of the trolley illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 18 is a perspective view photograph of a support structure in the form of a trolley in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the trolley being shown in an erected configuration with a barbecue module in place;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a support structure in the form of a trolley in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the trolley being shown in a collapsed configuration;

Figure 20 is a side view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 19, the trolley being shown in the collapsed configuration;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 19, the trolley being shown in a partially erected configuration;

Figure 22 is a detailed perspective view of one corner of the trolley illustrated in Figure 21, showing detail of a strut coupling a first upright member of the trolley to a base member of the trolley, in a collapsed configuration;

Figure 23 is a detailed perspective view photograph of another corner of a support structure in the form of a trolley in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, showing detail of a strut coupling a second upright member of the trolley to the base member of the trolley, in a partially erect configuration;

Figure 24 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 19, the trolley being shown in a further partially erected configuration; - 1 ^■

Figure 25 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 19, the trolley being shown in a still further partially erected configuration;

Figure 26 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 19, the trolley being shown with both upright members in an erected configuration, and with a brace member between the upright members;

Figure 27 is a detailed perspective view photograph of the trolley illustrated in Figure 23, showing a table portion being slid downwards in sleeved arrangement on an upright member of the trolley;

Figure 28 is a perspective view of the trolley illustrated in Figure 19, the trolley being shown in an erected configuration with a brace member between the first and second upright members, and with first and second table portions in place on the first and second upright members, respectively;

Figure 29 is a side view photograph of a support structure in the form of a trolley in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the trolley being shown in an erected configuration with a barbecue module being lowered to rest on brackets mounted on the upright members; and

Figure 30 is a perspective view photograph of the trolley illustrated in Figure 29, the trolley being shown in an erected configuration with a barbecue module in place, and with removable panels in place.

A support structure in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is in the form of a wheeled trolley 10, and is depicted in Figures 1 to 18. The trolley 10 includes a wooden base member 12, and wooden first 14 and second 16 upright members pivotably attached to opposite ends of the base member 12. The trolley 10, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention also includes wooden first 52 and second 54 table portions which, in the collapsed configuration shown in Figure 1, are detached from the first 14 and second 16 upright members. The trolley 10 is for mounting a barbecue module 22 and is erectable from the collapsed configuration in the manner shown by the sequential series of representations shown in Figures 1 to 11. In the compact collapsed configuration in which the first upright member 14 and second upright member 16 lie generally flat with base member 12, the trolley is able to be transported with a minimum usage of space to the end user who then erects the trolley 10 to its erect configuration so that the barbecue module 22 can be supported thereon.

With reference to Figure 2, the first upright member 14 is pivotably attached to the base member 12 by way of an axle 24 which extends through corresponding apertures in both the first upright member 14 and the base member 12 (at locations indicated by reference numeral 25 on opposite sides of the trolley 10 - see Figures 4, 13 and 17). The first upright member 14 is pivoted downwardly (as indicated by arrow 26) away from the base member 12 about an angle of approximately 270 degrees to its erected configuration in which it extends upwardly from the base member 12 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. At this position, means for substantially rigidly retaining the first upright member 14 in its erect configuration is employed, this means being in the form of a threaded bolt 18 and correspondingly threaded wingnut. The bolt 18 is inserted at a location indicated by reference numeral 28 through corresponding apertures in both the base member 12 and the first upright member 14 from the outside of the base member 12, and the wingnut is threaded onto the bolt 18 from the inside of the first upright member 14. The wingnut is tightened such that the first upright member 14 is substantially rigidly retained in its erect configuration in relation to the base member 12. Similarly, a further bolt and wingnut are used to substantially rigidly retain the first upright member 14 in its erect configuration with respect to the base member 12 at the opposite side of the trolley 10, at a location also indicated by reference numeral 28 (see Figures 13 and 17). As the locations indicated by reference numerals 25 and 28 are mutually spaced along the length of the base member 12, the coupling of the first upright member 14 to the base member 12 at both of these locations (by the axle 24 and bolts 18 respectively) provides a rigid retainment of these members 12,14 in their erect configuration, one relative to the other. Each of the first and second upright members 14,16 are provided with a cross-brace 32 between opposing arms 34 thereof, as well as upper 36 and lower 38,38a metal fixing brackets at the top and bottom of each of the arms 34, to improve strength and rigidity. In particular, each of the arms 34 is formed of two parallel longitudinal components 40, the two components 40 being fixed one to the other at either end of each arm 34 by the upper 36 and lower 38,38a metal fixing brackets. As will be noted from the accompanying drawings (in particular Figures 4 and 13) apertures 25 and 28 extend through the lower metal fixing plate 38 for reinforcement purposes.

Wheels 30 are provided at either end of the axle 24 to facilitate movement of the trolley 10 (and of the barbecue module 22 when mounted to the trolley 10). The wheels 30 are made from injection moulded plastic and are attached to the axle 24 in a conventional manner, for example by way of split pins.

After retaining the first upright member 14 in its erect configuration in the manner described above, the second upright member 16 — pivotably mounted to the base member 12 by way of bolts 20 passing through apertures 42 in the lower metal fixing plates 38a (see Figure 7) and through corresponding apertures 44 in the base member 12 — is pivoted about an angle of approximately 90 degrees in the direction of arrow 46 to an erect configuration thereof in which it extends upwardly from the base member 12. The second upright member 16 is substantially rigidly retained in this configuration by bolts 21 (see Figure 7) which extend through corresponding apertures in both the second upright member 16 and the base member 12 at locations indicated by reference numeral 48. These bolts 21 pass through lower metal fixing plates 38a for reinforcement purposes. In a similar arrangement to that which was done for the first upright member 14, wingnuts 23 with corresponding receiving threads are threaded onto the bolts 21 on the inward-facing sides of the second upright member 16.

Once both the first 14 and second 16 upright members are retained in the erect configuration by use of the bolts 18,21 and wingnuts 23 as described above, a brace member 50 is attached at one end to a cross-brace 32 of the first upright member 14, and at an opposite end to a cross-brace 32 of the second upright member 16, such that the brace member 50 rests substantially horizontally and longitudinally with respect to the trolley 10. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 18 the brace member 50 is attached simply by hanging a hooked end thereof over the respective cross-braces 32. However, the brace member 50 may be attached to the cross-braces 32 by way of other means, such as by threads and receiving nuts 51 as shown in Figure 18.

First 52 and second 54 table portions are mounted on the first 14 and second 16 upright members, respectively, each side of each table portion 52,54 being attached by two bolts 58 which are bolted to the corresponding arm 34 of the upright members 14,16 (and also through the corresponding upper metal fixing plate 36 for reinforcement — see Figure 10). Wingnuts 59 are threaded onto the bolts 58 to secure the attachment of the table portions 52,54 to the upright members 14,16. In this way, the table portions 52,54 are substantially rigidly attached to the upright members 14,16.

The trolley 10 is now ready for the barbecue module 22 to be mounted thereon.

The barbecue module 22 is inserted into the trolley 10 by simply lowering it from above to rest upon brackets 60 (see Figure 12) which depend from the arms 34 of the upright members 14,16.

The second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 19 to 30, and shows an alternative configuration in which the support structure is a wheeled trolley 10 made of metal. Features in this drawing are designated with reference numerals of like features in Figures 1-18. In the second embodiment, the trolley 10 functions and is erected from the collapsed configuration (refer to Figure 19) in a way similar to that of the trolley of the first embodiment, however there are several differences which are outlined below:

• As the first upright member 14 lies above the base member 12 when the trolley 10 according to the second embodiment is in the collapsed configuration (as opposed to the trolley according to the first embodiment in which the first upright member 14 lies below the base member 12 when in the collapsed configuration), the first upright member 14 is erected by pivoting same about approximately 90 degrees in the direction indicated by arrow 46 in Figure 21 (rather than by pivoting same about an angle of approximately 270 degrees as was done in the first embodiment).

• Each of the upright members 14,16 is coupled to the base member 12 in spaced locations (see reference numerals 25,28 for the first upright member 14 and reference numerals 44,48 for the second upright member 16) on only one side of the trolley 10.

This is sufficient for a high degree of rigidity with the metal trolley as the metal components of the trolley possess excellent rigidity characteristics. Couplings at locations indicated by reference numerals 28 and 44 are achieved by sliding struts 62 which are notched (see notch at reference numeral 64) to assist positive location of the upright members 14,16 in their erect configuration. The struts 62 are also provided with wingnuts 66 to enable locking of the struts 62 in position.

• The first and second table portions 52,54 attach onto the first and second upright members 14,16 respectively by sliding the table portions 52,54 downward over the arms 34 of the upright members 14,16 to engage in sleeved arrangement. « Removable panels, as depicted in Figure 30, are attached to the trolley 10 after erection. One rear panel 68, two side panels 70 and two front panels 72 clip onto the trolley 10 and enable storage of items on the trolley 10 below the barbecue module 22 in a closeable space. The front panels 70 are in the form of doors provided with hinges such that, when hinge portions 74 of the front panels 70 are attached to the trolley 10 the doors can be swung open and shut about the axis of the hinges. The removable panels may be attached to the trolley 10 by a number of means, such as the panels being provided with slots at opposite ends thereof to slot onto stubs mounted on the arms 34 of the upright members 14,16. Alternatively, the panels may have clips at opposite ends thereof which clip over the arms 34 of the upright members 14,16 by virtue of resilience in the panels which enables the panels to undergo elastic deformation during attachment to or removal from the trolley 10.

• In the trolley 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, each of the arms 34 is formed from a single rod.

• In the trolley 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the first upright member 14 is pivotally mounted to the base member 12 by way of bolts, in contrast to the trolley according to the first embodiment in which the first upright member 14 is pivotally mounted to the base member 12 by way of the axle 24. Consequently, in the second embodiment, the axle 24 is mounted to the trolley 10 by extending same through apertures in the lower portions of the arms 34 of the first upright member 14, and is not directly mounted to the base member 12 itself.

• In the second embodiment, a caster is mounted to the bottom of each of the arms 34 of the second upright member 16.

• Other differences in the general form of the trolley according to the second embodiment of the present invention as compared to the trolley according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings.

The trolleys described herein have several advantages over existing trolleys for mounting barbecues. In particular, the trolleys according to the described embodiments of the present invention are easy to erect from a collapsed configuration as they are substantially pre-assembled and do not require tools for erection. Moreover, each of the trolleys described has the further advantage of being able to stand-alone from the barbecue module in both erect and collapsed configurations, as the barbecue module is not an integral part of the trolley. Also, the trolleys are provided with means for substantially rigidly retaining the upright members in the erect configuration, and are therefore able to provide improved rigidity and stability when compared to previously proposed barbecue trolleys.

The preferred embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. In particular, although in each of the embodiments described the means for substantially rigidly retaining the upright members in the erect configuration prior to mounting the barbecue module thereon includes both a brace member between the erected upright members and couplings whereby both of the upright members are coupled to the base member at a plurality of locations spaced along the base member, it is envisaged that alternative configurations of said means are possible. More specifically, although it is preferable for the trolley to have the brace member as well as couplings which couple each of the upright members to the base member at a plurality of locations spaced along the base member, as alternatives it would be sufficient for the trolley to have EITHER the brace member with such a coupling on only one of the upright members OR to have no brace member and such a coupling on each of the two upright members.

Although in the embodiments described the support structure is primarily designed for supporting a barbecue module, as the support structure is separate from the barbecue module it also has the ability for supporting other articles such as ice boxes, food trays, etc. as may typically be used in outdoor entertainment situations.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS :-

1. A support structure for mounting a barbecue module or other article, said support structure including a base member, a first upright member pivotably coupled to one end of the base member, a second upright member pivotably coupled to an opposite end of the base member, wherein said support structure is erectable from a collapsed configuration in which said first and second support members lie generally flat with the base member to an erect configuration in which said first and second upright members extend upwardly from the base member, and means for substantially rigidly retaining said first and second upright members in said erect configuration prior to mounting a barbecue module or other article to be supported by said upright members.

2. A support structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said upright members includes a pair of opposed upright arms having a transverse cross-brace between them.

3. A support structure as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said means for substantially rigidly retaining said first and second upright members in said erect configuration includes a brace member coupled between said first and second upright members.

4. A support structure as claimed in claim 3 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the brace member is coupled at one end to the cross-brace of the first upright member and at the other end to the cross-brace of the second upright member.

5. A support structure as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the brace member extends substantially horizontally, and longitudinally with respect to the support structure .

6. A support structure as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said means for substantially rigidly retaining said first and second upright members in said erect configuration includes a coupling whereby at least one of said first and second upright members is coupled to the base member at a plurality of locations spaced along the base member.

7. A support structure as claimed in claim 6 wherein said coupling is a strut.

8. A support structure as claimed in claim 6 wherein said coupling is a bolt or the like spaced from the axis about which the respective upright member pivots with respect to the base member.

9. A support structure as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said means for substantially rigidly retaining said first and second upright members in said erect configuration includes couplings whereby each of said first upright member and said second upright member is coupled to the base member at a plurality of locations spaced along the base member.

10. A support structure as claimed in claim 9 wherein said couplings are struts.

11. A support structure as claimed in claim 9 wherein said couplings are bolts or the like such that each of said first and second upright members is coupled to the base member by a bolt or the like spaced from the axis about which the respective upright member pivots with respect to the base member.

12. A support structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein after erection of the support structure to the erected configuration, the barbecue module or other article is inserted into the support structure to rest on brackets mounted on said first and second upright members.

13. A support structure as claimed in claim 12, wherein said barbecue module or other article is lowered into the support structure to rest between upper portions of said first and second upright members.

14. A support structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein in said erected configuration said support structure further includes a first table portion mounted on said first upright member, and a second table portion mounted on said second upright member.

15. A support structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the support structure is able to be erected from said collapsed configuration to said erect configuration, and wherein the upright members are able to be substantially rigidly retained in the erect configuration, without the use of tools.

16. A support structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said support structure further includes removable panels.

17. A support structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein said removable panels include one or more of a rear panel, side panels, and/or front panels.

18. A support structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein said removable panels are able to be attached to and removed from the support structure without tools.

19. A support structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support structure is a wheeled trolley.

20. A support structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying representations.