BBQ GRILL SCRAPER

Abstract

A barbeque grill scraper and related methods of use that utilize a scraping end formed of a heat-responsive material to remove char and other debris from the grilling surface. The grill scraper includes a conformable scraping edge formed of the heat-responsive material. As the conformable scraping edge is drawn back and forth along the heated grilling surface, a combination of pressure applied by a user as well as the heat of the grill surface results in the formation of individual grooves along the conformable scraping edge, wherein each groove is formed to match an upper profile of the grilling surface. Over time, the grooves fully conform to the upper profile of the grilling surface such that an entire cooking surface can be scraped clean of char and debris.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A grill scraper comprising: a scraper body, the scraper body having a manipulation end, a scraping end, an upper surface and a lower surface, the scraper body terminating at the scraping end to define a conformable scraping edge, wherein the scraper body defines a central grasping surface arranged between the manipulation end and the scraping end, the central grasping surface having a reduced exterior perimeter as compared to the scraping end; and wherein a plurality of grooves on the conformable scraping edge are formed as the conformable scraping edge is scraped across a grill surface having an upper profile, the plurality of grooves being any number of shapes as defined by the upper profile of the grill surface.

14. The grill scraper of claim 13, wherein the scraper body further defines a beveled scraping surface that define the conformable scraping edge.

15. The grill scraper of claim 14, wherein the beveled scraping surface is defined only by the upper surface of the scraping body.

16. The grill scraper of claim 14, wherein the beveled scraping surface is defined only by the lower surface of the scraping body.

17. The grill scraper of claim 13, wherein the scraping body, the manipulation end, the first surface, the second surface, and the main body surface include added materials such as plastic, stainless steel, or rubber.

18. The grill scraper of claim 13, wherein the scraping end terminates in the conformable scaping end, the conformable scraping edge including a central raised portion that extends laterally down the scraping end, stopping at the conformable scraping edge.

19. The grill scraper of claim 13, wherein the scraping body is made of a suitable wood species.

20. A grill scraper comprising: a scraper body having a manipulation end, a scraping end, a first surface, and a second surface, the first surface and the second surface having a main body surface, wherein the main body surface of the first surface is substantially parallel with the main body surface of the second surface, and the first surface further having a receding surface, the receding surface terminating at the scraping end to define a conformable scraping edge, wherein the scraper body defines a central grasping surface arranged between the manipulation end and the scraping end, the central grasping surface having a reduced perimeter as compared to the scraping end and the manipulation end; and wherein the conformable scraping edge is a straight edge that extends along the entire scraping end.

21. The grill scraper of claim 20, wherein the scraper body is made of a suitable heat-responsive material.

22. The grill scraper of claim 20, wherein the suitable heat responsive material is a suitable species of wood.

23. The grill scraper of claim 22, wherein the suitable species of wood selected is selected from the group consisting of oak, hickory, cedar, alder, or another suitable wood species.

24. A grill scraper comprising: a scraper body made of a suitable heat-responsive material, a scraper body having a manipulation end, a scraping end, an upper surface and a lower surface, the scraper body defining a beveled scraping surface that terminates at the scraping end to define a conformable scraping edge, the scraper body having a single width that extends from the manipulation end to the beveled scraping surface; and one or more grip apertures extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, on the scraper body of the grill scraper.

25. The grill scraper of claim 24, wherein the scraper body further comprises a grip region.

26. The grill scraper of claim 25, wherein the grip region is an indented surface, a rounded end, a protruded grip, or another suitable feature for gripping the grill scraper.

27. The grill scraper of claim 24, wherein a retention aperture extends between the upper surface and the lower surface, proximate the manipulation end.

28. The grill scraper of claim 27, wherein a lanyard passes between the upper surface and the lower surface of the retention aperture.

29. The grill scraper of claim 24 wherein, the suitable heat responsive material is a suitable species of wood.

30. The grill scraper of claim 24 wherein, the suitable species of wood is a softwood.

31. The grill scraper of claim 24, wherein the suitable species of wood is a hardwood.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention is more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of a grill scraper positioned for scraping a grilling surface according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the grill scraper of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the grill scraper of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view of a grill scraper positioned for scraping a grilling surface according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of the grill scraper of FIG. 4.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of the grill scraper of FIG. 4.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a front, perspective view of a grill scraper positioned for scraping a grilling surface according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a top view of a grill scraper including a replaceable scraping end according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a side view of the grill scraper of FIG. 8.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the grill scraper of FIG. 8 taken at Detail 10 of FIG. 9.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a front view of a scraping end and a heated grilling surface illustrating an initial use of a grill scraper according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a front view of a scraping end positioned against a heated grilling surface illustrating an onset of customization to a conformable scraping edge during use of a grill scraper according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a front view of a scraping end positioned against a heated grilling surface illustrating the progression of a conformable scraping edge during subsequent use of the grill scraper according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a front view of a scraping end positioned against a heated grilling surface illustrating the full transition of a conformable scraping edge to match an upper profile of the heated grilling surface according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] While the present invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a representative embodiment of a grill scraper 100 can comprise a scraper body 102 having a scraping end 104 and a manipulation end 106. Scraper body 102 includes an upper surface 108 and a lower surface 110. In some embodiments, upper surface 108 and lower surface 110 can be identical in appearance while in yet other embodiments, upper surface 108 and lower surface 110 can include differing performance features. As illustrated in FIG. 2, upper surface 108 and lower surface 110 can each include a beveled scraping surface 112, a main body surface 114 and a grip region 116. Grip region 116 can include a variety of features promoting holding and application of scraping force at the manipulation end 106 such as, for example, an indented surface 118 and a rounded grip end 120. Beveled scraping surface 112 terminates in a conformable scraping edge 122 at scraping end 104. A retention aperture 124 can extend between the upper surface 108 and lower surface 100 proximate the manipulation end 106. Retention aperture 122 can accommodate a storage accessory 126 such as a hook or a lanyard 128 as seen in FIG. 1 such that grill scraper 100 can be hung on or in proximity to a barbeque grill.

[0027] Grill scraper 100 is generally formed of a heat-responsive material 130 that allows for conformable scraping edge 122 to continually adapt to a grill surface being scraped in response to the heat of the grill surface. Generally, heat-responsive material 130 can comprise suitable non-toxic materials that are conformable in response to heat but that do not deposit or leave debris or ash on a grill surface being cleaned. In a preferred embodiment, heat-responsive material 130 comprises a suitable wood species variety such as, for example, oak, hickory, cedar, alder and the like. Depending upon the type of food being prepared, certain advantages may exist for using a specific variety of wood species as the heat-responsive material 130. For example, hardwoods may be preferred when preparing foods at high heat while softwood varieties may be better suited for use with foods prepared with low heat. In addition, the variety of wood species utilized as heat-responsive material 130 may be selected due to a “seasoning” flavor applied to the grill surface by the chosen wood species as grill scraper 100 is utilized to scrape the grill surface.

[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, an alternative embodiment of a grill scraper 200 can substantially resemble grill scraper 100 with the further inclusion of a grip aperture 202 extending between the upper surface 108 and the lower surface 110. Grip aperture 202 can be located at a suitable position on main body surface 114. Grip aperture 202 provides a user with an additional grip point whereby additional force can be applied during the scraping process. In some embodiments, the presence of grip aperture 202 can allow grill scraper 200 to stored by hanging the grill scraper 200 by the grip aperture 200, thereby allowing for the removal of retention aperture 122 and storage accessory 126.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of a grill scraper 300 can substantially resemble grill scraper 100 with the addition of modifications to the main body surface 114. Grill scraper 300 can comprise a rear tapered surface 302, a forward tapered surface 304 and a central grasping surface 306. Central grasping surface 306 has a reduced exterior perimeter 308 so as to make it easier for a user to wrap their hand about and grasp the grill scraper 300. In this way, a user is provided with an additional grip point whereby additional force can be applied during the scraping process.

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, another alternative embodiment of a grill scraper 400 can substantially resemble grill scraper 200 with the inclusion of a permanent body portion 402 and a replaceable scraper portion 404. Permanent body portion 402 generally comprises manipulation end 106 and a receiving end 406. Receiving end 406 generally comprises a longitudinal slot 408 extending between a first side 410 and a second side 412. Receiving end 406 can further comprise an upper slot surface 414 and a lower slot surface 416 wherein a pair of fastener apertures 418 are aligned so as to be continuous between the upper surface 108 and lower surface 110. Replaceable scraper portion 404 includes an insertion end 420 and scraping surface 112. Insertion end 420 includes a projecting surface 422 configured so as to insert snugly into the longitudinal slot 406. Projecting surface 422 can include a pair of projection apertures 424 that are sized and aligned so as to correspond with fastener apertures 418. With the projecting surface 422 fully inserted into longitudinal slot 406 such that corresponding fastener apertures 418 are aligned with corresponding projection apertures 424, a pair of fasteners 426 such as, for example, nuts and screws can be utilized to retainably couple the permanent body portion 402 with the replaceable scraper portion 404.

[0031] Grill scraper 400 can provide a number of benefits including those related to material selection. For instance, permanent body portion 402 can be constructed of easily cleaned or dishwasher safe materials such as stainless steel or plastic. In addition, additional materials can be utilized such as, for example, rubberized sections on permanent body portion 402 to enhance a users overall grip of the grill scraper 400. In addition, replaceable scraper portion 404 can be replaced as the scraping surface 112 deteriorates or can be swapped out for a second replaceable scraper portion 404 better suited for the food being cooked based upon cooking temperatures or seasoning desired.

[0032] Operation and use of grill scrapers of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 7 and 11-14. While operation is generally described with respect to grill scraper 100, it is to be understood that the method would apply to each of the previously described embodiments. Generally, grill scraper 100 is intended for use with a heated barbeque grill, either prior to cooking or following cooking. A user grasps grill scraper 100 at the manipulation end 106 and positions the scraping end 104 against a grilling surface 500, typically a wire grate 502. The user can apply additional pressure to the scraping end by pressing down with their second hand on the main body surface 114 or alternatively grasping the grip aperture 202 or the central grasping surface 306. While maintaining pressure on the scraper body 102, the user slides the grill scraper 100 forward and back along the grilling surface 500 such that conformable scraping edge 122 remains in continuous contact with the grilling surface 500.

[0033] Grilling surface 500 is generally constructed of metallic or ceramic materials and during cooking, can be heated to temperatures of more than 500° F. As illustrated in FIG. 11, conformable scraping edge 122 is initially provided with a straight scraping edge 150. As the conformable scraping edge 122 is slid along the heated grilling surface 500, the straight scraping edge 150 begins to change in response to the effects of the heated grilling surface 500 on the heat-responsive material 130 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In the case of heat-responsive material 130 comprising a suitable wood species, the heat-responsive material 130 essentially begins to combust such that the straight scraping edge 150 assumes a transitional scraping edge 152 in which grooves 154 begin to become burned into the conformable scraping edge 122 based upon the profile and spacing of the grilling surface 500. After one or more uses, grooves 154 are fully burned into the conformable scraping edge 122 such that a fully conformed scraping edge 156 includes a plurality of grooves 154 that substantially resemble the top profile of the grilling surface 500 as shown in FIG. 14. In the case of grilling surface 500 comprising a wire grate, the fully conformed scraping edge 156 includes grooves 154 such that the fully conformed scraping edge 156 is in direct contact with an upper 180° of each wire which is essentially the cooking surface upon which food comes into contact. Once fully conformed scraping edge 156 has been formed, sliding the grill scraper 100 forward and back along the grilling surface 500 allows for scraping along the entire cooking surface to remove char and other debris. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the heat-responsive material 130 to the heated grill surface 500 ensures that any surface coatings on the grilling surface are not scraped off or otherwise damaged when using the grill scraper 100.

[0034] The foregoing descriptions present numerous specific details that provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various embodiments, having been disclosed herein, may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, known components have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments are set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this disclosure is illustrative only. Other embodiments can be constructed that nevertheless employ the principles and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. It is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.