Replacement link for a rolling grill enclosure and method thereof
12359500 ยท 2025-07-15
Assignee
Inventors
- Brian FERNANDO (Avondale, AZ, US)
- Michael Richard WHEAT (Glendale, AZ, US)
- Richard Ryan CARROLL (Phoenix, AZ, US)
- Thomas Hugh MOYER (Orwigsburg, PA, US)
Cpc classification
E06B9/581
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
Abstract
A replacement link for a rolling grill enclosure having a longitudinal body disposed about a longitudinal axis, and a first end grommet contiguous with a first end of the longitudinal body, the first end grommet having a discontinuous first grommet body disposed about a first center.
Claims
1. A replacement link for a rolling grill enclosure comprising: a longitudinal body disposed about a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal body comprises a curved longitudinal body; a first end grommet contiguous with a first end of the longitudinal body, the first end grommet having a discontinuous first grommet body disposed about a first center, wherein the first center is offset from the longitudinal axis in a first direction; and a second end grommet contiguous with a second end of the longitudinal body, the second end grommet having a discontinuous second grommet body disposed about a second center, wherein the second center is offset from the longitudinal axis in a second direction, the first center and the second center being on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, wherein the discontinuous first grommet body and the discontinuous second grommet body each comprises an interior face that is substantially a tear drop shape comprising a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter, and a knife edge feature is formed in the discontinuous first grommet body and the discontinuous second grommet body adjacent to a portion of the interior face that has the second diameter, wherein the knife edge feature comprises a flat surface formed between the portion of the interior face that has the second diameter and a curved surface of the curved longitudinal body.
2. The replacement link of claim 1, further comprising: a grommet axis bisecting the first center and the second center, the discontinuous first grommet body having a first aperture with a first aperture width, the first aperture width including a first midpoint that is offset from the grommet axis in the first direction; and the discontinuous second grommet body having a second aperture with a second aperture width, the second aperture width including a second midpoint that is offset from the grommet axis in the second direction.
3. The replacement link of claim 2, wherein the first aperture is entirely offset from the grommet axis in the first direction.
4. The replacement link of claim 2, wherein the grommet axis passes through the second aperture.
5. The replacement link of claim 2, wherein the discontinuous first grommet body is configured and dimensioned to receive a first rod having a first rod diameter that is larger than the first aperture width, the replacement link being pivotable about the first rod when the first rod is received in the discontinuous first grommet body.
6. The replacement link of claim 5, wherein the discontinuous first grommet body is configured to deflect about the first rod when the first rod is urged through the first aperture.
7. The replacement link of claim 5, wherein the first diameter of the discontinuous first grommet body is substantially equal to the first rod diameter.
8. The replacement link of claim 2, wherein the discontinuous second grommet body is configured and dimensioned to receive a second rod having a second rod diameter that is larger than the second aperture width, the replacement link being pivotable about the second rod when the second rod is received in the discontinuous second grommet body.
9. The replacement link of claim 8, wherein the discontinuous second grommet body is configured to deflect about the second rod when the second rod is urged through the second aperture.
10. The replacement link of claim 8, wherein the first diameter of the discontinuous second grommet body is substantially equal to the second rod diameter.
11. The replacement link of claim 10, wherein the first diameter of the discontinuous second grommet body is substantially equal to the first diameter of the discontinuous first grommet body and the second diameter of the discontinuous second grommet body is substantially equal to the second diameter of the discontinuous first grommet body.
12. The replacement link of claim 2, wherein an obtuse angle between a) a first line normal to a second line that runs through the second midpoint between two closest points of the second aperture and extending away from the second center and b) the grommet axis is between 105 degrees and 140.
13. The replacement link of claim 2, wherein an acute angle between a) a first line normal to a second line that runs through the first midpoint between two closest points of the first aperture and extending away from the first center and b) the grommet axis is between 10 degrees and 40.
14. The replacement link of claim 2, wherein a line normal to the first aperture width extending through the first midpoint is offset from the first center.
15. The replacement link of claim 2, wherein a line normal to the second aperture width extending through the second midpoint is offset from the second center.
16. The replacement link of claim 2, wherein the first aperture width and the second aperture width are equal.
17. The replacement link of claim 1, wherein a curved portion of the discontinuous first grommet body has a uniform thickness.
18. The replacement link of claim 1, wherein a curved portion of the discontinuous second grommet body has a uniform thickness.
19. The replacement link of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal body has a uniform thickness throughout a substantial portion of the longitudinal body.
20. The replacement link of claim 19, wherein the uniform thickness of the longitudinal body is greater than a uniform thickness of a curved portion of the discontinuous first grommet body and a uniform thickness of a curved portion of the discontinuous second grommet body.
21. The replacement link of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal body includes a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being substantially parallel to the second edge, the first edge and the second edge being offset on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis.
22. A grill for an enclosure system comprising: a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a plurality of edge links adjacent the first side and adjacent the second side; a plurality of field links disposed between the plurality of edge links; and a replacement link configured to replace one of the plurality of field links while the plurality of edge links remain in a fixed position, the replacement link comprising: a longitudinal body disposed about a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal body comprises a curved longitudinal body; a first end grommet contiguous with a first end of the longitudinal body, the first end grommet having a discontinuous first grommet body disposed about a first center, wherein the first center is offset from the longitudinal axis in a first direction; and a second end grommet contiguous with a second end of the longitudinal body, the second end grommet having a discontinuous second grommet body disposed about a second center, wherein the second center is offset from the longitudinal axis in a second direction, the first center and the second center being on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, wherein the discontinuous first grommet body and the discontinuous second grommet body each comprise an interior face that is substantially a tear drop shape comprising a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter, and a knife edge feature is formed in the discontinuous first grommet body and the discontinuous second grommet body adjacent to a portion of the interior face that has the second diameter, wherein the knife edge feature comprises a flat surface formed between the portion of the interior face that has the second diameter and a curved surface of the curved longitudinal body.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The following detailed description of embodiments of the closure system and method thereof will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
(2)
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
(10) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a replacement for a rolling grill enclosure and method thereof. Embodiments are shown in
(11) Replacement link 200 and 700, as shown in
(12) Referring to
(13) Referring to
(14) In one embodiment, an acute angle is formed between a line normal to first midpoint 308, extending away from first center 304, and grommet axis 208. The acute angle may be an angle of 0 to approximately 50, approximately 10 to approximately 40, or approximately 20 to approximately 30. In a preferred embodiment, such as the embodiment illustrated in
(15) First grommet body 302 may be configured and dimensioned to receive first rod 305. First rod 305 may have first rod diameter d1 that is larger than first aperture 306. For example, first rod 305 may have first rod diameter d1, which is larger than first aperture width 310 of first aperture 306. First rod diameter d1 may be approximately 0.1 inches to approximately 2.0 inches, approximately 0.3 inches to approximately 1.5 inches, or approximately 0.8 inches to approximately 1.2 inches. In some embodiments, first rod diameter d1 is approximately 0.25 inches to approximately 0.3 1 inches. Replacement link 200 may be pivotable about first rod 305 when first rod 305 is received in the first grommet body 302. For example, first rod 305 may be received within first aperture 306 of first end grommet 300, and replacement link 200 may then be pivotable about the first rod.
(16) First grommet body 302 may be configured to deflect about first rod 305 when first rod 305 is urged through first aperture 306. For example, first grommet body 302 may deflect during installation of first grommet body 302 on first rod 305. First grommet body 302 may be configured to have spring tension due to its shape and material. The spring tension of first grommet body 302 may allow first grommet body 302 to return to its original shape after deflecting about first rod 305. In addition, first grommet body 302 may include knife edge features, which may prevent first rod 305 from exiting first aperture 306 of first grommet body 302 when first rod 305 is urged through first aperture 306. In one embodiment, first rod 305 is configured to deflect when inserted into first end grommet 300. In some embodiments, first rod 305 may be configured to flex or deflect in addition to first grommet body 302. First rod 305 may be configured to deflect along its horizontal length with the cross-section of first rod 305 remaining unchanged. In some embodiments, first rod 305 includes support points, which are located at sides 107 and 109 of enclosure 100. In one embodiment, first rod 305 deflects along its horizontal length about its support points. For example, first rod 305 may flex along its horizontal length about its support points when first rod 305 is urged into first aperture 306.
(17) First grommet body 302 may include interior face 303. Interior face 303 of first grommet body 302 may be a substantially teardrop shape having first diameter d3 and second diameter d4. First diameter d3 of interior face 303 may be substantially equal to diameter d1 of first rod 305. First diameter d3 of interior face 303 may be greater than second diameter d4 of interior face 303.
(18) Referring to
(19) In one embodiment, second aperture width 410 may be substantially equal to first aperture width 310. Grommet axis 208 may pass through second aperture 406. In one embodiment, an obtuse angle is formed between a line normal to second midpoint 408, extending away from second center 404, and grommet axis 208. The obtuse angle may be an angle of approximately 95 to approximately 150, approximately 105 to approximately 140, or approximately 115 to approximately 130. In a preferred embodiment, an obtuse angle of approximately 105 to approximately 140 (e.g., approximately) 120 may be formed between a line normal to second midpoint 408, extending away from second center 404, and grommet axis 208. Second aperture 406 may include aperture line 407. Aperture line 407 may be a line formed by the shortest distance between two points on opposite ends of second aperture 406. A line normal to aperture line 407 and extending through second midpoint 408 may be offset from second center 404. For example, the line normal to aperture line 407, extending through second midpoint 408 may not bisect second center 404.
(20) Second grommet body 402 may be configured and dimensioned to receive a second rod. Second rod 405 may have second rod diameter d2 that is larger than second aperture 406. For example, second rod diameter d2 may be larger than second aperture width 410 of second aperture 406. Second rod diameter d2 may be from approximately 0.1 inches to approximately 2.0 inches, from approximately 0.3 inches to approximately 1.5 inches, or from approximately 0.8 inches to approximately 1.2 inches. In some embodiments, second rod diameter d2 is from approximately 0.25 inches to approximately 0.3 1 inches. Second rod 405 may be received within second aperture 406 of second end grommet 400, and after replacement link 200 has been pivoted about the first rod 305.
(21) Second grommet body 402 may be configured to deflect about second rod 405 when second rod 405 is urged through second aperture 406. For example, second grommet body 402 may deflect during installation of second grommet body 402 on second rod 405. Second grommet body 402 may be configured to have spring tension due to its shape and material. The spring tension of second grommet body 402 may allow second grommet body 402 to return to its original shape after deflecting about second rod 405. In addition, second grommet body 402 may include knife edge features, which may prevent second rod 405 from exiting second aperture 406 of second grommet body 402 when second rod 405 is urged through second aperture 406. In one embodiment, second rod 405 is configured to deflect when inserted into second end grommet 400. In some embodiments, second rod 405 may be configured to flex or deflect in addition to second grommet body 402. Second rod 405 may be configured to deflect along its horizontal length with the cross-section of second rod 405 remaining unchanged. In some embodiments, second rod 405 includes support points, which are located at sides 107 and 109 of enclosure 100. In one embodiment, second rod 405 deflects along its horizontal length about its support points. For example, second rod 405 may flex along its horizontal length about its support points when second rod 405 is urged into second aperture 406.
(22) Second grommet body 402 may include interior face 403. Interior face 403 of second grommet body 402 may include first diameter d5 and second diameter d6. First diameter d5 of interior face 403 may be substantially equal to diameter d2 of second rod 405. First diameter d5 of interior face 403 may be greater than second diameter d6 of interior face 403. First diameter d5 of second grommet body 402 may be substantially equal to first diameter d3 of first grommet body 302, and second diameter d6 of second grommet body 402 may be substantially equal to second diameter d4 of first grommet body 302. However, diameters, d3, d4, d5, d6 may vary in size. For example, diameter d3 may vary based on diameter d1 of first rod 305 and diameter d5 may vary based on diameter d2 of second rod 405.
(23) Referring to
(24) In one embodiment, a width of first aperture 306 may be reduced after inserting first rod 305 through first aperture 306, and within first end grommet 300. For example, first aperture width 310 may be reduced using a tool or manually to reduce the width of first aperture 306 after insertion of first rod 305 through first aperture 306, and further, to secure first grommet body 302 around first rod 305. Once first rod 305 has been inserted through first aperture 306, and is disposed within first end grommet 300, replacement link 200 may be rotated about first rod 305 such that second end grommet 400 of replacement link 200 engages with second rod 405. Once replacement link 200 has been rotated such that second end grommet 400 engages second rod 405, second rod 405 may be inserted into second aperture 406. After rotation of replacement link 200, second rod 405 may flex to allow for insertion of second rod 405 into second aperture 406. For example, prior to insertion of second rod 405 into second aperture 406 of second end grommet 400, pressure may be applied to second rod 405 to cause it to flex along its horizontal length about its support points to allow second aperture 406 to engage second rod 405. In the alternative, body 202 may be deflected prior to insertion of second rod 405 into second aperture 406 to allow second aperture 406 to engage second rod 405. During insertion of second rod 405 into second aperture 406, second grommet body 402 may be deflected about second rod 405.
(25) In one embodiment, a width of second aperture 406 may be reduced after inserting second rod 405 through second aperture 406, and within second end grommet 400. For example, second aperture width 410 may be reduced using a tool or manually to reduce the width of second aperture 406 after insertion of second rod 405 through second aperture 406, and further, to secure second grommet body 402 around second rod 405.
(26) Referring to
(27) An alternative replacement link for a rolling grill enclosure is shown in
(28) Body 702 may further include first guide face 724 and second guide face 728. First guide face 724 may be disposed at an obtuse angle to longitudinal axis 723. First guide face 724 may extend from first edge 705 across longitudinal axis 723 and may terminate proximate to interior surface 730 of first end grommet 714. Second guide face 728 may be disposed at an obtuse angle to longitudinal axis 723. Second guide face 728 may extend from second edge 703 across longitudinal axis 723 and may terminate proximate to interior surface 732 of second end grommet 716. Interior surface 730 and interior surface 732 may both include a first diameter and a second diameter. The first diameter of interior surface 730 may be substantially equal to the first diameter of interior surface 732, and the second diameter of interior surface 730 may be substantially equal to the second diameter of interior surface 732.
(29) First aperture 722 of first end grommet 714 may be shaped and dimensioned to receive a first rod. First aperture 722 may have a width that is smaller than the diameter of first rod, and first grommet body 720 may deflect to receive the first rod. The width of first aperture 722 may be approximately 0 inches to approximately 3.0 inches, approximately 0.1 inches to approximately 2.5 inches, or approximately 0.2 inches to approximately 2.0 inches. In some embodiments, the width of first aperture 722 is approximately 0.285 inches to approximately 0.295 inches. First grommet body 720 may deflect during installation of first grommet body 720 on the first rod. First grommet body 720 may be configured to have spring tension due to its shape and material. The spring tension of first grommet body 720 may allow first grommet body 720 to return to its original shape after deflecting about the first rod. In addition, first grommet body 720 may include knife edge features, which may prevent the first rod from exiting first aperture 722 of first grommet body 720 when the first rod is urged through first aperture 722. In some embodiments, the first rod may be configured to flex or deflect in addition to first grommet body 720. The first rod may be configured to deflect along its horizontal length with the cross-section of the first rod remaining unchanged. In some embodiments, the first rod includes support points, which are located at sides 107 and 109 of enclosure 100. In one embodiment, the first rod deflects along its horizontal length about its support points. For example, the first rod may flex along its horizontal length about its support points when the first rod is urged into first aperture 722.
(30) Once first aperture 722 receives the first rod, body 702 may be pivoted about the first rod such that second aperture 726 of second end grommet 716 engages a second rod. The second rod may have a diameter greater than a width of second aperture 726. The width of second aperture 726 may be approximately 0 inches to approximately 3.0 inches, approximately 0.1 inches to approximately 2.5 inches, or approximately 0.2 inches to approximately 2.0 inches. In some embodiments, the width of second aperture 726 is approximately 0.285 inches to approximately 0.295 inches. The second rod may be urged through second aperture 726, thereby resulting in second grommet body 718 deflecting to receive the second rod. In one embodiment, the second rod is configured to flex or deflect when inserted into second end grommet 716. In some embodiments, second rod may deflect in addition to second grommet body 718. Second grommet body 718 may deflect during installation of second grommet body 718 on the second rod. Second grommet body 718 may be configured to have spring tension due to its shape and material. The spring tension of second grommet body 718 may allow second grommet body 718 to return to its original shape after deflecting about the second rod. In addition, second grommet body 718 may include knife edge features, which may prevent the second rod from exiting second aperture 726 of second grommet body 718 when the second rod is urged through second aperture 726.
(31) In some embodiments, the second rod may be configured to flex or deflect in addition to second grommet body 718. The second rod may be configured to deflect along its horizontal length with the cross-section of the second rod remaining unchanged. In some embodiments, the second rod includes support points, which are located at sides 107 and 109 of enclosure 100. In one embodiment, the second rod deflects along its horizontal length about its support points. For example, the second rod may flex along its horizontal length about its support points when the second rod is urged into second aperture 726.
(32) It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms a, an and the are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning at least one.
(33) It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.
(34) Further, to the extent that the methods of the present invention do not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the particular order of the steps should not be construed as limitation on the claims. Any claims directed to the methods of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.