Abstract:
A collapsible cooking apparatus including a collapsible generally circular shaped hollow cooking enclosure that has containers in its interior for holding fuel during the cooking process. A collapsible structure is also included for suspending articles above or within the collapsible generally circular shaped hollow cooking enclosure for cooking or warming. This collapsible structure for suspending articles has a plurality of collapsible legs whose lower end portions are adapted to rest upon the ground or the like around the collapsible generally circular shaped hollow cooking enclosure when the collapsible cooking apparatus is assembled for cooking.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Currently there are several types of collapsible cooking apparatus, however there is no single cooking apparatus that allows food preparation for a group of people, such as a family, at one time and is portable for use in outdoor recreation. More and more state and federal laws and regulations are restricting or banning the use of bonfires and open-air barbecues. What is needed is a cooking apparatus that allows for barbecue style cooking but in a contained and clean-cook fashion for safety and anti-pollutant reasons. There exists a need for a cooking apparatus that not only has the capacity to cook for a large group of individuals, such as a family, at one time, but that has the means of moderating and adjusting the heat to cook different types of food. 
     In addition, most outdoor cooking apparatus take up a comparatively large volume of space and are too heavy for easy use in remote locations that are not readily accessible to a vehicle that can transport the cooking apparatus to its point of intended use. Ideally this apparatus needs to be easily portable, light in construction and able to collapse into a container that will fit in a standard backpack. Ideally this cooking apparatus should be easy to assemble, and tear down to return it to its original state for storage in its container ready for reuse and the cooking apparatus should be easy to dispose of any ash and food residue and easy to clean as well as be resistant to staining. 
     The requirements of the backpacker are very demanding since the backpacker needs a collapsible cooking apparatus that has the smallest possible volume as well. In addition, since a backpacker will have few if any tools the collapsible cooker must be easily assembled for use without any tools the backpacker will also, in many instances, be required to carry his or her fuel for the cooker and hence the collapsible cooker must be extremely efficient in its use of fuel since the fuel source may be fixed to a small amount without the ability for it to be replenished. Fire is also a possibility in many backpacking situations and hence it is important the a collapsible cooker for backpacking situations properly contact ignited fuel or fuel that could be ignited so that it does not pose a possible fuel hazard. 
     It is also important that a collapsible cooker be readily cleaned. This is particularly true in various outdoor situations where the access to cleaning facilities is limited such as in the case of backpacking or in remote camping situations. 
     Existing collapsible cookers are also difficult to readily assemble. This is particularly true when assembly is required under difficult conditions such as in low light conditions that are likely to be encountered when backpacking or camping. 
     The new collapsible cooking apparatus of this invention overcomes these problems and provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that is easy to use and safe to use to cook for varying numbers of people with different types of possible cooking techniques. The new collapsible cooking apparatus is light in weight, is very compact and yet it is easy to assemble without the need for any tools. The new collapsible cooking apparatus has portions that are used for more than one purpose. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to cooking apparatus and more particularly to collapsible cooking apparatus. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that is readily portable. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that can be reduced to a small volume. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that is light in weight. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that is strong for its weight. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that efficiently uses its structure. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that has dual function structure. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that has a wide range of cooking capacities. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that can be used for cooking for a wide number of individuals. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that can be used for various types of cooking. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that can be configured for different types of cooking. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that can be configured for cooking in an oven, grilling, simmering and warming. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that can be configured for varying the cooking heat. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that folds into a small package. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that uses pivoting interconnected structures. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that folds into a small package but deploys into a rigid structure for cooking. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that safely handles the cooking fuel. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that contains and controls the location of the fuel while it is burning, during its burning and in its partially burnt state. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus efficiently uses is fuel. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that reduces fuel fire hazards. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that contains fuel ashes and residue. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that is easy to clean. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that is maintenance free. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that is rugged and reliable for its light weight. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that is simple in its operation. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that is easy to manufacture. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible cooking apparatus that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     These and other objects will be apparent from the collapsible cooking apparatus invention that includes a collapsible generally circular shaped hollow cooking enclosure that has triangular cross section hollow containers in its interior for holding fuel during the cooking process and a collapsible structure for suspending articles above or within the collapsible generally circular shaped hollow cooking enclosure for cooking or warming. The collapsible structure for suspending articles above the generally circular shaped hollow cooking enclosure has a plurality of collapsible legs whose lower end portions are adapted to rest upon the ground or the like around the collapsible generally circular shaped hollow cooking enclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be hereinafter more fully described with references to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled collapsible cooking apparatus invention with a portion broken away for clarity; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure set forth in FIG. 1 illustrating a fuel chamber and adjacent structure; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure set forth in FIG. 2 taken within the circle  3  thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure set forth in FIG. 2 taken within the circle  4  thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure set forth in FIG. 2 taken within the circle  5  thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a modification of the cooking enclosure portion of the collapsible cooking apparatus invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the cooking enclosure portion of the invention set forth in FIG. 1 in its collapsed or stowed configuration; and 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the cooking enclosure portion of the invention set forth in FIG. 7 in an alternate collapsed or stowed configuration. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to FIG. 1 the collapsible cooking apparatus invention is illustrated in its assembled condition or configuration and is designated generally by the number  10 . The collapsible cooking apparatus  10  includes a collapsible generally circular shaped hollow cooking enclosure that is designated generally by the number  12  and a collapsible suspension structure that is designated generally by the number  14 . The generally circular shaped hollow cooking enclosure  12  is formed from a series of panels  16  whose opposite long edges are formed so that their long edges  18  and  20  are connected together in a manner that will be hereinafter described in greater detail. 
     The collapsible cooking apparatus  10  also includes a disposable thin foil flat bottom that is designated generally by the number  22 . A number of these disposable thin foil bottoms  22  would be provided and once they are used they are disposed of in an appropriate trash container or the like. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cooking enclosure  12  illustrated in FIG.  1  and illustrates, along with FIGS. 3 through 5, how the fuel holding chambers  23  are formed by the panels  16  and fuel panels  25  and  27  and how the panels  16 ,  25  and  27  are connected. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the edge portions  18  of each panel  16  have a rolled portions that form hollow hinge cylinders. 
     These hinge portions have important spatial relationships so that they function properly. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the hinge cylinders members located on the edge portion  18  are substantially identical and are designated by the number  29 . It will be noted that uppermost hinge cylinder member  29  that has its upper edge portion  31  located adjacent to the upper edge  33  of the panel  16 . This hinge member  29  is located adjacent an indentation  35  whose width W1 is substantially twice the width W2 of the hinge member  29 . This same pattern is repeated down the edge portion  18  of the panel  16 . That is, the hinge cylinder member  29  is followed by an adjacent indentation  35  on down to the bottom edge  37  of the panel  16 . 
     The construction of the opposite edge portion  20  of the panel  16  is different from the edge portion  18 . The edge portion  20  has a series of projections designated by the number  39  and the associated indentations that are designated by the number  41 . The projections  39  have a width W2 and the indentations  41  a width W1. However the first indentation  43  from the top  33  of the panel  16  is different in that its width is equal to substantially one-half of the regular indentations  41  or is equal to W2. This indentation  43  is followed by a projection  39  that is in turn followed by an indentation  41  and this pattern of projections  39  and indentations  41  is repeated down the edge portion  20  to the bottom edge  37  of the panel  16 . 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, identical hinge pin members  45  are used with the hinge members  29  on the edge portions  18  of the panels  16 . In this connection, the hinge pin members  45  have a long substantially straight shank portion  47  and an enlarged head portion  49  located at the upper end of the shank portion  47 . The shank portions  47  have a circular cross section whose diameter permits the shank portions  47  to be received in holes  51  in the hinge members  29  of the edge portions  18 . It should be noted that the enlarged head portion  49  prevents the pin member  45  from slipping through the holes  51  in the hinge members  29 . 
     The fuel holding chambers  23  are formed from a panel  16  plus two connected additional fuel panels  25  and  27  that are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5. The fuel panel  25  has a left edge hinge portion  55  and a right latch edge portion  57 . The hinge edge portion  55  has a series of projecting hinge members  59  that alternate with adjacent indentations  61 . These hinge projection members  59  have a width substantially equal to the width W2 and the indentations  61  have a width that is equal to the width W1. Consequently, the hinge projections  59  are sized to fit between the adjacent projections  29  and  39  of the adjacent panels  16  and the indentations  61  are sized to be equal to W1 and to receive the adjacent hinge projections  29  and  39  of the adjacent panels  16 . The right latch edge portion  57  has a generally straight edge  63  with two projecting latch portions  65  that project outwardly from the edge  63 . These projecting latch portions  65  each have a rolled hook portion  67  on its outer edge that is adapted to engage a portion of the fuel panel  27  as hereinafter described. 
     The fuel panel  27  is similar in construction to the fuel panel  25  and the fuel panel  27  has a right hinge portion  69  and a left latch edge portion  71 . The right hinge portion  69  is similar in construction to the hinge edge portion  55  of the fuel panel  25 . In this connection the hinge portion  69  has a series of projections  73  that are sized to fit between the adjacent hinge members  29  and  39  of the adjacently located panels  16 . The hinge portion  69  also has a series of indentations  75  located adjacent to each projection  73  that are sized to receive the hinge projections  29  and  39  of the adjacent panels  16 . The left latch edge portion  71  has a substantially straight rolled portion  77  with indentations  79  that are located to be opposite the location of the projecting latch portions  65  of the panel  25 . As indicated in FIG. 5, the rolled straight edge portion  77  is crimped around and securely holds a circular cross section pin  81 . This pin  81  is exposed at the indentation  79  and is sized to be engaged by the hook portion  67  of the projecting latch portion  65  so that the fuel panels  25  and  27  are latched together by the latch portion  65  and the engaged pin  81  in a manner that will hereinafter be described in further detail. 
     The details of how the panels  16  are interconnected to each other are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As illustrated, the shank portion  47  of the hinge pin member  45  passes through the apertures or holes  51  in the hinge members  29  of the panel  16  and the holes  54  in the hinge members  59  of the fuel panel  25  or the holes  56  in the hinge members  73  of the fuel panel  27  so that the panel  16  and the adjacent fuel panel  25  or  27  are pivotally connected together. However, the projections  39  of the adjacent panels  16  are connected to the shank portion  47  by being hooked into place with a hook portion  83  of the projection  39  being located in place around the shank portion  47  of the hinge pin  45  so that the panel  16  is pivotally connected to the hinge member  29  and hence to the adjacent panel  16  and to the fuel panel  25  or  27  whose respective projections  59  or  73  are pivotally connected to the shank portion  47  of the hinge pin  45 . Since the adjacent panels  16  are clipped together in the previously described manner it will be appreciated that these panels  16  can be readily disconnected by pulling them apart when it is desired. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the details of the projecting latch portion  65  of the fuel panel  25  and the associated portion of the panel  27 . As illustrated, the projecting latch portion  65  has an engaging portion  67  that is shaped like a hook that snaps over the associated exposed portion  85  of the pin  81 . In this manner the fuel panels  25  and  27  are latched together. Unlatching can be accomplished by pushing inward on the panel  27  in the direction indicated by the letter I in FIG.  5 . 
     As illustrated in FIG.  1  and as previously described, there are a plurality of fuel holding chambers  23  located on the inside of the hollow cooking enclosure  12 . An enlarged view of a portion of one of these fuel holding containers  23  is illustrated in FIG.  2 . As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fuel container  23  has three substantially flat sides. Two of these sides are formed by the fuel panels  25  and  27  that have the pattern of small holes  80  and  82  and the third side is formed by one of the panels  16  that forms part of the circular shaped hollow cooking enclosure  12 . 
     As a result of this arrangement, the fuel panels  25  and  27  are capable of rotating with their edge portions  55  and  69  connected to the hinge pin members  45  that interconnect the panel  16  to the fuel panels  25  and  27  so that the fuel panels  25  and  27  can be manually folded toward and be placed against the adjacent panel  16  in a manner indicated by the arrows A and B in FIG.  2 . Of course, in doing this one fuel panel  25  or  27  will lie against the other fuel panel  25  or  27 . This arrangement permits the fuel panels  25  and  27  to be completely folded for storage with the hollow cooking enclosure  12  and its panels  16 . 
     The fact that a portion of the hollow cooking enclosure  12  is also used to form part of the chamber or container for the fuel  23  is important since this serves to reduce the required structure and also the volume and weight of the collapsible cooking apparatus  10 . Since the panel  16  that forms part of the fuel container  23  has a reflective surface, this focuses the heat from the fuel inward toward the center of the hollow cooking enclosure  12 . This increases the efficiency of heating with the fuel as well as reducing the heat on the outside of the hollow cooking enclosure  12 . The holes  80  and  82  in the fuel panels  25  and  27  also increases the efficiency of heating with the fuel. 
     It has been unexpectedly determined for the six fuel chamber  23  embodiment of the invention  10  set forth in FIG. 1, that the volume of the fuel chamber or container  23  formed by the fuel panels  25  and  27  and the interconnecting panel  16  should be related to the volume of the hollow cooking enclosure  12  as set forth below: 
     
       
         A×V1=V2 
       
     
     
       
         25≦A≦55 
       
     
     Where: 
     V1=Volume of the interior of the fuel chamber  23   
     V2=Volume of the interior of the cooking enclosure  12   
     In the preferred embodiment A is substantially equal to 40. 
     The fact that the panels  16  that make up the cooking enclosure  12  are connected to each other by having their edge portions clipped together manually gives the enclosure  12  flexibility by allowing the size and volume of the enclosure  12  to be varied. FIG. 6 along with FIG. 1 illustrate how this is accomplished. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cooking enclosure  12  is made up of twelve panels  16  with six fuel chambers  23 . However, by removing four panels  16  and two sets of fuel panels  25  and  27 , that form the fuel chamber  23  with one of the removed panels  16 , this results in the cooking enclosure designated generally by the number  85  that has only eight panels  16  and four fuel chambers  23 . This reduced size cooking enclosure  85  provides a more fuel efficient cooking structure when a smaller meal is desired. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the collapsible suspension structure  14  has a substantially circular shaped thin top plate  87  that has a centrally located hook  89  on its lower surface as well as three pivot point structures  91  located on the lower surface of the top plate  87 . These pivot point structures  91  can be secured to the top plate  87  in a suitable manner known in the art such as by welding. The collapsible suspension structure  14  also has three elongated hollow legs  93  that are designed to be rotatably connected by the pivot point structures  91  to the top plate  87  and to depend downwardly from the top plate  87 . 
     Each elongated leg  93  is formed or assembled from three equal length hollow tubes  95 ,  97 , and  99  that are interconnected. The tubes  95  that are to be located farther from the top plate  87  are smaller in diameter in size than the intermediate tubes  97  and these in turn are smaller in diameter in size than the tubes  99  that are located adjacent to and are connected to the top plate  87 . Consequently, tube  95  fits inside tube  97  and tube  97  in turn fits into tube  99 . The lower end portions of the tubes  97  and  99  are formed to hold respective rotatable internally threaded connecting members  102  and  104  that accept threads on the upper end portions  106  and  108  of the respective tubes  97  and  95 . The upper tubes  99  have holes  103  in them that can be used to hang food that is to be suspended for cooking or warming. Rubber feet or pads  107  may be attached to the bottom of the hollow legs  93 . The fact that the tubes  95  and their connecting members  104  are smaller in diameter in size than the intermediate tubes  97  and that the intermediate tubes  97  and their connecting members  102  are smaller in diameter in size than the tubes  99  permits the tubes  95  and their connecting members  104  to be stored within the tubes  97  and the tubes  97  and their connecting members  102  to in turn be stored within the tubes  99 . 
     The collapsible cooking apparatus  10  is made and used in the following manner. The cooking chamber plates  16  are stamped from 0.02 inch aluminum sheet and are formed using conventional stamping and forming techniques known in the art. The hinge pin members  45  are cut from suitable size aluminum wire with a circular cross section and one end is formed using conventional techniques to produce the head portion  49 . The fuel panels  25  and  27  are cut from 0.02 inch aluminum sheet and their edges are formed by folding using conventional cutting and forming techniques known in the art. 
     The top plate  87  is cut from suitable aluminum plate and the pivot structures  91  are formed from aluminum by conventional forging and drilling techniques. The leg segments  95 ,  97  and  99  are cut from suitable hollow aluminum tube and their ends are formed using suitable threading and forming techniques known in the art. The connecting members  102  and  104  are formed from aluminum castings or forgings using techniques known in the art. The rubber feet or pads  107  are available from various suppliers known in the art. 
     The collapsible cooking apparatus  10  is used in the following manner. Usually, the cooking enclosure  12  would be assembled first. This is accomplished by manually hooking together the unconnected edges  18  and  20  of any panels  16  that have been unhooked to form the hollow shaped cooking enclosure  12 . Normally, the panels  25  and  27  would be connected to the adjacent panel  16  and all that is necessary is to manually latch the edges of the panels  25  and  27  through the use of the latch portions or members  65  to form the fuel chambers  23 . The assembled cooking enclosure  12  with the assembled fuel chambers  23  is then located over a disposable foil bottom  22  that has been laid upon the ground or other suitable surface that is free from materials that could be ignited. The fuel chambers  23  would then be filled using suitable size charcoal or the like. 
     The suspension structure  14  is then assembled by removing the leg tube portions  97  from their stored locations within the leg tubes  99  and removing the leg tube portions  95  from their stored position within the leg tube portions  97  and securing the leg tube portion to the adjacent leg tube portions  99  by use of the internally threaded connecting members  104  and securing the leg tube portions  95  to the portions  97  by use of the internally threaded connecting members  102  in a conventional manner. When the legs  93  have been appropriately assembled, they are pivoted outwardly from the top plate  87  a suitable amount so that the legs  93  can be located around the assembled hollow cooking enclosure  12  with their pads  107  resting upon the ground or other similar surface. After the fuel is ignited, cooking would be accomplished in a conventional manner. In this connection, the hook  89  and the holes  103  in the upper tubes  99  of the support legs  93  can be used to suspend hooks or other conventional cooking gear or utensils for holding food for cooking and/or warming in a conventional manner. After cooking has been completed the cooking apparatus  10  can be disassembled by reversing the assembly process and then be cleaned for storage. 
     In view of the construction of the cooking apparatus  10  in particular, the construction of the collapsible cooking enclosure  12 , the cooking apparatus  10  can be stored in a variety or various configurations. This is made possible by the fact that the panels  16  that form the cooking enclosure  12  can be separated from each other merely by unhooking their edges. Consequently, packages of various numbers of panels  16 ,  25  and  27  can be made up for storage purposes. This is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 where two different shapes of the same number of stacked panels  16 ,  25 , and  27  are illustrated. This feature is important in situations where space is limited or the available storage space has a particular configuration such as would possible be the case in backpacking or on canoeing trips. It should be noted in FIG. 7 that their are stacked panels  16 ,  25  and  27  located behind the visible panels  16 ,  25  and  27  that are obscured by the visible panels  16 ,  25  and  27 . 
     Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood that variations or modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.