Grill with safety system

摘要

An electric grill for cooking food items comprises: a receptacle for receiving fats and breakaway solids generated during the cooking of the food; and a safety mechanism configured to prevent the grill from operating without at least one movement of the receptacle subsequent to the grill being powered on. Optionally, other safety features include, a fire suppression system, temperatures sensors, proximity sensors for detecting obstructions near the grill, weight sensors, liquid level sensors and infrared photo-interrupter sensors for detecting whether the tray has been removed from the grill, since the grill's last operation.

主权项

1. An electric grill for cooking food items, comprising:
a receptacle for receiving fats and breakaway solids generated during the cooking of the food; a safety mechanism configured to prevent the grill from operating without at least one movement of the receptacle subsequent to the grill being previously powered on; wherein the safety mechanism comprises a mechanical lock configured to mechanically engage the receptacle prior to the grill being powered off and mechanically disengage the receptacle when the grill is powered off, the mechanical lock, comprising:
a power on off switch;a spring loaded plunger connected to the power on off switch;a spring configured to urge the receptacle out of the grill;a moveable stop disposed below the plunger and the moveable stop being biased upward toward the plunger, and configured to hold the receptacle against the spring; and a port in the receptacle, configured to receive the plunger, and the port disposed above the moveable stop, wherein when the power switch is placed in an off position, the plunger is pushed through the port, and the plunger is configured to push the moveable stop down to disengage the stop from holding the receptacle back against an urging of the spring.