Abstract:
A stove that has tiered wings allowing for different sized cooking pots, and that is fully collapsible based on tab-in-slot construction, allowing for completely flat storage and easy replacement of panels.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application relates to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/994,154, filed May 16, 2014, entitled CAMP STOVE, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable stoves come in varieties of designs for different uses (e.g., camping). Most stoves use a fuel tank that connects to a burner that outputs a heat source (e.g., a flame) for cooking. Such stoves have several disadvantages. For example, they are often large and heavy. Also, fuel tanks often run out of fuel, and such stoves do not permit a user to use other sources of fuel (e.g., wood). Accordingly, there is a need for improved stoves of reduced size and weight, and that work with different types of fuel including not only the fuel tanks, but wood as well. 
     SUMMARY 
     One stove relates to the field of portable stoves. More specifically, the disclosure focuses on collapsible camp stoves that offer different cooking surfaces. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of disassembled panels of one stove; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an assembled stove; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up view of the door with bent door tabs of one stove; 
         FIG. 4  is a side panel (or “wall”) of one stove; 
         FIG. 5  is a side panel of one stove; 
         FIG. 6  is a side panel of one stove; 
         FIG. 7  is a side panel of one stove; 
         FIG. 8  is a side panel with door cutout of one stove; 
         FIG. 9  is a base plate (or “base”) of one stove. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWING 
     
         
           10  Stove 
           12  Side panel (“wall”) 
           14  Side panel (“wall”) 
           16  Side panel (“wall”) 
           18  Side panel (“wall”) 
           20  Side panel (“wall”) with door cutout 
           22  Base plate (“base”) 
           24  Door 
           26  Upper door tab 
           28  Lower door tab 
           30  Air vents 
           32  Door handle 
           34  Flame disbursement vent 
           36  Upper panel (“wall-linking”) tab 
           38  Lower panel (“wall-linking”) tab 
           40  Air vents 
           42  Bottom (“base-linking”) tab 
           44  Bottom (“base-linking”) tab 
           46  Air vents 
           48  Lower panel slot 
           50  Logo cutout 
           52  Upper panel slot 
           54  Tiered wing (“support with notches”) 
           56  Flame disbursement vent 
           58  Upper panel (“wall-linking”) tab 
           60  Lower panel (“wall-linking”) tab 
           62  Air vents 
           64  Bottom (“base-linking”) tab 
           66  Bottom (“base-linking”) tab 
           68  Air vents 
           70  Lower panel slot 
           72  Logo cutout 
           74  Upper panel slot 
           76  Tiered wing (“support with notches”) 
           78  Flame disbursement vent 
           80  Upper panel (“wall-linking”) tab 
           82  Lower panel (“wall-linking”) tab 
           84  Air vents 
           86  Bottom (“base-linking”) tab 
           88  Bottom (“base-linking”) tab 
           90  Air vents 
           92  Lower panel slot 
           94  Logo cutout 
           96  Upper panel slot 
           98  Tiered wing (“support with notches”) 
           100  Flame disbursement vent 
           102  Upper panel (“wall-linking”) tab 
           104  Lower panel (“wall-linking”) tab 
           106  Air vents 
           108  Bottom (“base-linking”) tab 
           110  Bottom (“base-linking”) tab 
           112  Air vents 
           114  Lower panel slot 
           116  Logo cutout 
           118  Upper panel slot 
           120  Tiered wing (“support with notches”) 
           122  Flame disbursement vent 
           124  Upper panel (“wall-linking”) tab 
           126  Upper door slot 
           128  Lower door slot 
           130  Lower panel (“wall-linking”) tab 
           132  Bottom (“base-linking”) tab 
           134  Bottom (“base-linking”) tab 
           136  Lower panel slot 
           138  Door cutout (“opening”) 
           140  Logo cutout 
           142  Upper panel slot 
           144  Tiered wing (“support with notches”) 
           146  Base plate slot 
           148  Base plate slot 
           150  Base plate slot 
           152  Base plate slot 
           154  Base plate slot 
           156  Base plate slot 
           158  Base plate slot 
           160  Base plate slot 
           162  Base plate slot 
           164  Base plate slot 
           166  Notches/tiers 
           168  Notches/tiers 
           170  Notches/tiers 
           172  Notches/tiers 
           174  Notches/tiers 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows all individual parts of a collapsible camp stove  10 , and  FIG. 2  offers three-dimensional view of camp stove  10  once assembled. 
     As shown, the camp stove  10  including five side panels (or “walls”)  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20 , a pentagonal base plate  22 , and a door  24 . All side panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  have the same outline. As will be shown and described in relation to later figures, side panel  20  differs from side panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  by the lack of air vents, the addition of a door cutout (or “opening”), and door slots sized to receive door tabs of the door  24 . The base plate  22  has pairs of slots  146  and  148 ,  150  and  152 ,  154  and  156 ,  158  and  160 ,  162  and  164  cut out along each of the five sides (or “edges”). These slots may be aligned slightly closer to one edge than the other. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3 through 9  in addition to  FIGS. 1 through 2 . 
     All parts  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  are assembled via a tab-in-slot design to form the camp stove  10  shown in  FIG. 2 . Assembly is accomplished by positioning base plate  22  flat in such a way that the off-centered base plate slots  146  and  148 ,  150  and  152 ,  154  and  156 ,  158  and  160 ,  162  and  164  are to the right of center on each side. Bottom (“base-linking”) tabs  42 ,  44  of side panel  12  are inserted into any pair of base plate slots  146  and  148 ,  150  and  152 ,  154  and  156 ,  158  and  160 , or  162  and  164  that are located along the same edge of the base plate  22  with the tiered wing  54  (“support with notches”) pointing towards the right (or the left in some embodiments). The bottom (“base-linking”) tabs  64 ,  66 ,  86 ,  88 ,  108 ,  110 ,  132 ,  134  of the remaining side panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  are inserted in the unoccupied base plate slots  146  and  148 ,  150  and  152 ,  154  and  156 ,  158  and  160 , or  162  and  164 , ensuring that all side panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  follow the same alignment of the tiered wings  54 ,  76 ,  98 ,  120 ,  144  as described above, positioned towards the right (or the left). To construct the pentagonal open pyramid shown in  FIG. 2 , each side panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  connects with its adjacent panels via tab-in-slot functionality. The lower panel (“wall-linking”) tabs  130 ,  38 ,  60 ,  82 ,  104  slide in the lower panel slots  48 ,  70 ,  92 ,  114 ,  136  of the adjacent side panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . Next, the upper panel (“wall-linking”) tabs  124 ,  36 ,  58 ,  80 ,  102  insert in the same way into the upper panel slots  52 ,  74 ,  96 ,  118 ,  142  of the adjacent side panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . 
     After assembly, the bottom (“base-linking”) tabs  42 ,  44 ,  64 ,  66 ,  86 ,  88 ,  108 ,  110 ,  132 ,  134  function as support legs that lift the base plate  22  off the ground. 
     The door tabs  26  and  28  of the door panel  24  may be formed as an s-bend, which allows it to function as a hinge. In other embodiments, a bend is not necessary. In order to attach the door panel  24  to the side panel  20 , the upper door tab  26  and the lower door tab  28  may be inserted into the upper door slot  126  and lower door slot  128 . When the door  24  is attached to the assembled camp stove  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , gravity will force it shut unless held open, due to the angled position of the side panel  20  relative to the base plate  22 . This reduces the risk of large sparks or embers emitting during use, increasing the safety of the unit. The tab-in-slot design of the door  24  also allows for easy removal of door panel  24 , facilitating prolonged access to the interior of the stove when needed. 
     Of course, the slots  126  and  128 , and the door tabs  26  and  28  can be reversed, such that the side panel  20  includes the tabs, and the door panel  24  includes the slots. 
     The tab-in-slot design allows for fast assembly and disassembly, compactness in disassembled form, and easy panel replacement in case of damaged parts. Furthermore, the tiered-wings  54 ,  76 ,  98 ,  120 ,  144  (where each tier is a different notch) of the side panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  create cooking surfaces with various circumferences. 
     While the foregoing written description of the disclosure enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The disclosure should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. 
     The number of side panels and the number of sides/edges of the base plate may be varied. For example, there may be three, four, five or any number of side panels and corresponding base plate edges. 
     The size position, and number of tabs and corresponding slots may be varied. For example, there may be one, two, or any number of tabs and corresponding slots. The tabs and slots may be shorter, longer, thinner, wider or other differences in sizes. The tabs and slots may be at different positions than shown in the figures while still permitting adjacent panels/plates to couple to each other using those tabs and slots. 
     The shapes of the side panels, base plate and door may vary so long as those shapes permit tabs and slots of adjacent items to couple to each other. As shown in the figures, the top edges and the bottom edges of the side panels are different lengths such that the side edges of the side panels are not parallel. Of course, the top edges and the bottom edges of the side panels can be the same length such that the side edges of the side panels could be parallel. The side panels may also be non-flat (e.g., curved) so that the different sides of the assembled stove are not the flat sides shown in the figures. For example, each of two, three, four and n side panels could form ½, ⅓, ¼ and 1/n parts of circle. However, it is noted that having curved side panels may increase the dissembled profile of the stove such that it occupies more space. Where the side panels are non-flat, the edge(s) of the base may be formed along a similar shape (e.g., the base has one continuous edge that forms a circle). Also, where the side panels are non-flat, the door may be formed using a similar shape. Furthermore, the base&#39;s slots and the base-linking tabs of the side panels may also be curved. 
     Similarly, the shapes of the supports with notches (i.e., the tiered wings) may be varied. For example, the height and width of the notches may be smaller or larger. In one embodiment, each tiered wing may not be integral with a side panel such that each tiered wing may also include tabs or slots that couple to corresponding slots or tabs of a side panel. 
     Alternatives to the tab-and-slot configuration shown in the figures are also contemplated, including configurations where the slots extend through a tab-like protrusion that extends away from the edge of the side panel and/or base plate. 
     The size and position of the vents may also be varied. 
     The camp stove may be made of different materials, including metal, ceramic and other suitable materials. 
     Attention is now given particular embodiments of stoves. 
     In one embodiment, a camp stove includes: a base that includes (i) a top surface, (ii) a bottom surface, (iii) edges, and (iv) slots extending through the base between the top surface and the bottom surface of the base; walls that each include: (i) an outer surface, (ii) an inner surface, (iii) one or more base-linking tabs extending from a bottom edge, (iv) one or more wall-linking tabs extending from a first side edge, (v) one or more slots extending through the wall between the outer surface and the inner surface, and (vi) a support portion extending from one of the side edges; a door that includes: (i) an outside surface, (ii) an inside surface, (iii) edges, and (iv) one or more door tabs extending from one of the edges. 
     In one embodiment, one of the walls includes (i) an opening, and (ii) one or more slots positioned to receive the one or more door tabs. 
     In one embodiment, the base and the walls are separate parts of the camping stove that are coupled to each other using the slots of the base, the base-linking tabs of the walls, the slots of the walls, and the wall-linking tabs of the walls. 
     In one embodiment, the slots of the base are sized to receive the base-linking tabs of the walls. In one embodiment, the walls couple to the base by insertion of the base-linking tabs of the walls into the slots of the base. 
     In one embodiment, the slots of each wall are sized to receive the wall-linking tabs of another wall. In one embodiment, each wall couples to a different pair of the walls by insertion of the wall-linking tabs of that wall into the slots of a first wall from the pair, and also by insertion of the wall-linking tabs of a second wall from the pair into the slots of that wall. 
     In one embodiment, the support portion includes notches at different positions to support cooking vessels of different sizes. 
     In one embodiment, there are 10 slots extending through the base, and each of the walls includes two base-linking tabs that are sized to be inserted into different pairs of the 10 slots. 
     In one embodiment, the number of edges of the base is equal to the number of the walls. In one embodiment, there are four walls. In one embodiment, there are five walls. 
     In one embodiment, each wall includes two base-linking tabs, two wall-linking tabs, and two slots. 
     In one embodiment, the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the base are of equal dimension, and wherein each of the base&#39;s edges are of equal length. 
     The camping stove of claim  1 , wherein the number of the base&#39;s slots equals the number of the base-linking tabs for all of the walls. 
     In one embodiment, each of at least two of the walls includes vent openings above the base-linking tabs. 
     In one embodiment, the door includes a handle extending from an edge that is opposite to the edge from which the door tabs extend. 
     In one embodiment, each wall includes a first wall-linking tab and a first slot, and wherein the middle of the first wall-linking tab and the middle of the first slot are positioned at a first same height above the bottom edge. 
     In one embodiment, each wall includes a second wall-linking tab and a second slot, and wherein the middle of the second wall-linking tab and the middle of the second slot are positioned at a second height above the bottom edge. 
     In one embodiment, the longest dimension of each of the base&#39;s slots is parallel to one of the base&#39;s edges. 
     In one embodiment, the longest dimension of each wall&#39;s slots is parallel to a second side edge of that wall. 
     Various embodiments are contemplated for different supports with notches (also referred to as wings with tiers or “tiered wings”). Each notch is formed by a horizontal edge and a vertical edge (as shown, e.g., in  FIGS. 4-6 ), where there may be a curved transition from one edge to the other (or where the vertical edge is curved). The collection of horizontal and vertical edges forms a top edge of the support (as shown, e.g., in  FIG. 8 ). 
     For a particular wall, each notch may be offset from other notches in two dimensions. By way of example, each notch may be offset from other notches in horizontal and vertical dimensions as shown in the figures (where the offsets can be considered from any point between the start of the horizontal edge and the end of the vertical edge). 
     In the figures, notches that are positioned to receive larger cooking vessels are to the right and above notches that are positioned to receive smaller cooking vessels (on a relative scale). Collectively, when considering multiple walls, notches at the same position on the walls create a support surface for sizes of cooking vessels that fall with a particular range of sizes. The vertical and/or horizontal offset from neighboring notches can vary depending on the embodiment. For example, the height of the vertical edges can be shorter or taller than shown. 
     In one embodiment, no notches are present such that there is one long horizontal edge that supports the various cooking vessel sizes supported by the different notches of other embodiments shown in the figures. In this embodiment, there is no vertical dimension of the top surface (as illustrated, e.g., by the dotted line labeled “i” in  FIG. 7 ). In an alternative embodiment, no notches are present such that there is a top edge that is flat, but spans upward and to the right from a first horizontal and vertical coordinate to a second horizontal and vertical coordinate surface (as illustrated, e.g., by the dotted line labeled “ii” in  FIG. 7 ). 
     Advantages of the camp stoves described herein include an ability to be used with different fuels like wood and similar fuel sources that may be inserted through the door and placed inside the walls of the stove. Typical propane camp stoves cannot use such fuel sources like wood. Alternatively, a hole may be formed in the center of the base plate so a fuel source may be burned from underneath the base plate (where the flame passes through the hole), or so that a fuel source (e.g., a gas or gel tank) can be inserted into the camp stove (or the camp stove can be inserted over that fuel source). 
     Attention is now given methods of manufacturing stoves disclosed herein. Various manufacturing methods comprise forming different combinations of the items described above. For example, one method of manufacture comprises: forming a base that includes (i) a top surface, (ii) a bottom surface, (iii) edges, and (iv) slots extending through the base between the top surface and the bottom surface of the base; forming walls that each include: (i) an outer surface, (ii) an inner surface, (iii) one or more base-linking tabs extending from a bottom edge, (iv) one or more wall-linking tabs extending from a first side edge, (v) one or more slots extending through the wall between the outer surface and the inner surface, and (vi) a support portion extending from one of the side edges; forming a door that includes: (i) an outside surface, (ii) an inside surface, (iii) edges, and (iv) one or more door tabs extending from one of the edges; and forming one of the walls so it includes (i) an opening, and (ii) one or more slots positioned to receive the one or more door tabs.