Refractory lattice and fabrication

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring first to FIG.
1, one form of refractory lattice 10 constructed in accordance with the invention is usable above a flame source and below a cooking zone.
As will appear, the lattice is adapted to be heated by underlying flames, and to radiate heat upwardly to the cooking zone such as may be formed by a grille seen at 11 in FIGS.
2 and 3.
Steaks or other meat are shown at 12 in FIG.
3, on the open work grille.
Other types of cooking zones may be used.
As shown in FIG.
1, the lattice 10 is comprised of a series of integrally interconnected refractory bodies 13 forming the lattice which in use is adapted to extend generally horizontally.
Thus, the lattice comprises a one-piece unit which may be easily placed into the shell or housing 14 of the cooking unit 15 and suitably edge supported, as by ledges 16 seen in FIG.
3 as associated with the shell.
Grille 11 may be supported by the shell, as at 11a.
Bottom 70 of the lattice is flat.
Openings are formed through the one-piece lattice, as for example are indicated at 17 in FIGS.
1-3.
Such openings are adapted to pass hot gases and some flames upwardly through the lattice for escape of the gases and also to optimize heating of the refractory lattice to enable efficient upward radiation of heat thereby to the cooking zone.
For this purpose, the bodies 23 are preferably arranged in rows and columns as seen in FIG.
1, arrows 24 indicating the direction of rows, and arrows 25 indicating the directions of columns.
The openings 17 may then be efficiently spaced in regular row and column pattern over the area of the lattice, and at reduced thickness junctions 25 between the bodies 13.
Such junctions also extend in row and column pattern, and if the bodies have generally rectangular or square outline as shown, the openings 17 may be efficiently formed at junction corners between the bodies, i.
e.
between diagonally related bodies.
FIGS.
2 and 3 also show flames 27 rising from gas burners 28 extending in a zone 29 below the lattice