Grill grate

Abstract

A plurality of bars are arranged to form a grill grate that can be used to cook food items. The bars are disposed to form a surface upon which food items can be cooked. The plurality of bars defines at least one opening and an insert is position in the at least one opening.

1 . A grill grate comprising: 
 a plurality of bars that are arranged to form a surface upon which food items can be cooked;    at least one opening being defined by the plurality of bars; and    an insert being positioned in the at least one opening.    
   
   
       2 . The grate of  claim 1  wherein the insert is removably positioned in the at least one opening.  
   
   
       3 . The grate of  claim 1  wherein the insert is secured in the at least one opening.  
   
   
       4 . The grill of  claim 1  wherein two or more openings are defined by the support bars and an insert is positioned in each opening.  
   
   
       5 . The grill of  claim 3  wherein the openings are of different sizes and the inserts are sized to fit into the opening.  
   
   
       6 . The grate of  claim 1  wherein the insert includes indicia that a user of the grate desires to display.  
   
   
       7 . The grate of  claim 5  wherein the indicia is disposed on the grate in a manner whereby the indicia can be transferred onto food items that are cooked on the grate.  
   
   
       8 . The grate of  claim 2  wherein a support bar is positioned around at least a portion of the at least one opening and a flange is secured to the support bar, the flange being disposed to removably receive the insert that is removably positioned in the at least one opening.  
   
   
       9 . The grate of  claim 1  wherein at least one clip extends from the insert, the clip being disposed to releasable engage on of the plurality of bars to removeably secure the insert in the at least one opening.  
   
   
       10 . The grate of  claim 9  wherein more than one clip extends from the insert.  
   
   
       11 . The grate of  claim 9  wherein material that can be displaced to fit over the bar and then be resiliently biased against the bar to secure the insert in the at least one opening.  
   
   
       12 . The grate of  claim 11  wherein the at least one clip has a curved portion that is designed to engage the bar to assist in securing the insert in the at least one opening in the grate.  
   
   
       13 . The grate of  claim 12  wherein a tab can be positioned on the end of the at least one clip that is spaced apart from the insert to assist in displacing the at least one clip during installation and removal of the insert.