Barbeque cover support device

Abstract

A cooking apparatus for controlling the opening of a cover over a barbecue grill includes a motor for opening and closing the cover over the barbecue grill, with the motor connected to the cover by a coupling rod. The cooking apparatus includes, in one embodiment, a counterweight attached at the rear of the barbecue cover. The cooking apparatus also comes with a remote control for transmitting control signals to the motor. The remote control transmits start and stop signals to the motor, or alternatively, the motor operates only during the transmission of control signals to the motor. The remote control may also transmit signals to control flow of a combustible gas. The barbecue cover opener is removable from the barbecue grill. Control of the motor allows movement of the cover to stop at any point within the full range of the cover being opened or closed.

1 . A cooking apparatus, comprising: 
 a grilling surface;    a heating source for transmitting heat to the grilling surface;    a cover that provides a hollow chamber over the grilling surface, the cover being connected to the cooking apparatus by a hinge; and    a motor coupled to the cover, whereby operation of the motor while cooking adjusts the position of the cover about the hinge, which in turn alters the size of an opening into the hollow chamber and alters the cooking conditions.    
   
   
       2 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote control for the motor.  
   
   
       3 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is cupped over the grilling surface.  
   
   
       4 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heating source comprises combustible material.  
   
   
       5 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heating source comprises charcoal.  
   
   
       6 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein operation of the motor allows the cover to be maintained in a position between fully opened and fully closed.  
   
   
       7 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is weather resistant.  
   
   
       8 . A method for cooking, comprising: 
 transmitting heat to a grilling surface;    placing food on the grilling surface; and    operating a motor coupled to a cover having a hinge, the cover providing a hollow chamber over the grilling surface;    wherein operation of the motor while cooking adjusts the position of the cover about the hinge, which in turn alters the size of an opening into the hollow chamber and alters the cooking conditions.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a remote control is used to operate the motor.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising positioning the cover in a partially open position for a significant portion of the cooking time.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising adjusting the position of the cover a plurality of times during cooking.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising raising the cover to monitor cooking conditions.