Apparatus and method of providing a universal condiment rack for a cooking grill

Abstract

A universal condiment rack having a mounting bracket for adjustably securing the rack to cooking grills of many configurations is provided. The mounting bracket pivots to accommodate grills of a variety of dimensional characteristics and has an adjustable protrusion for leveling the rack on grills having different vertical tapers.

1 . An apparatus for providing a universal condiment rack on a cooking grill of any shape, comprising: 
 a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal members, configured to define a rack for supporting condiments, for attaching to a grill;    at least one support attached to the plurality of longitudinal members; and    at least one universal mounting bracket, pivotally attached to said at least one support, for mounting the rack to said grill, wherein the at least one universal mounting bracket pivots for attaching to said grill.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one universal mounting bracket comprises an opening configured to engage a top edge of a grill housing.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one universal mounting bracket comprises flat metal, formed to be generally J-shaped comprising a base, a long leg, and a short leg.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one universal mounting bracket further comprises: 
 a fastener configured to engage a first surface of a cooking grill housing; and    a hole in the short leg, configured to threadably receive the fastener.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one universal mounting bracket further comprises a passage formed in a first surface of the long leg, for pivotally receiving one of the plurality of supports in an orientation parallel to the long leg.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one universal mounting bracket further comprises a length-adjustable protrusion secured to a second surface of the leg, for contacting a second surface of the cooking grill housing, wherein the protrusion is adjustable to permit leveling the rack when attached in a plurality of different grill housing configurations.  
   
   
       7 . A method of attaching a universal condiment rack to a grill housing, comprising: 
 pivoting a condiment rack mounting bracket to correspond with a top edge of a grill housing;    engaging an opening in the condiment rack mounting bracket with the top edge of the grill housing;    securing the condiment rack mounting bracket to the grill housing with a fastener, wherein the fastener engages the condiment rack mounting bracket; and    adjusting the condiment rack mounting bracket with a leveling protrusion, wherein the adjusting permits a substantially horizontal rack position independent of the grill shape.    
   
   
       8 . A system for providing a universal condiment rack for a grill, comprising: 
 a pivoting means for adjusting a mounting device;    a supporting means for attaching a rack to the mounting device; and    a fastening means for securing the mounting device to a grill.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a leveling means for adjusting the rack to a substantially horizontal orientation.  
   
   
       10 . A grill, comprising: 
 a cooking grill housing;    a rack surface for supporting condiments;    at least one support, attached to the rack surface; and    at least one pivotally-adjustable mount, for attaching the support to the cooking grill housing.    
   
   
       11 . The grill of  claim 10 , wherein the mount comprises a fastening device engaged with the cooking grill housing.  
   
   
       12 . The grill of  claim 10 , wherein the mount comprises a rack leveling device engaged with the cooking grill housing.