Abstract:
A camp stove is provided having a convertible baffle and shelf. In an embodiment, a convertible baffle and shelf is hinged to one side of a firebox of the camp stove. The convertible baffle and shelf is folded upward and attached to a lid for the camp stove to serve as a baffle. The convertible baffle and shelf is folded downward, to a position horizontal with the ground, so that it may be used as a shelf. In an embodiment, the baffle extends outward away from the camping stove when it serves the shelf function. However, in an alternate embodiment, the baffle may fold inward relative to the stove surface to serve the shelf function.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to stoves, and more particularly relates to camp stoves.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Portable camp stoves are often used by campers for preparing foods at a camp site. Typically, such camp stoves include a pair of burners, a fuel supply, a collapsible lid, and baffles to screen sides of the stove from wind. The baffles typically attach to the lid and are folded against the lid for storage. To store a camp stove, the baffles are folded to the lid, and the lid is folded over the stove burners. The burners are usually mounted within a firebox, and closing the lid over the firebox forms a box-like enclosure around the burners. The enclosure may then be stored in a cardboard box, or may be stored as is.  
         [0003]     The fuel supply for conventional camp stoves is typically either kerosene or propane. If kerosene is utilized, the kerosene tank is typically mounted to the stove, for example along the front of the stove. The tank is typically disconnected during storage. For camp stoves that utilize propane, a propane bottle is typically attached to the camp stove, for example, at the front, back, or one of the sides of the camp stove. Again, like the kerosene tank, the propane bottle is typically removed during storage.  
         [0004]     Although camp stoves work well for their intended purpose, often there is little-to-no storage space for items used in connection with the camp stove during operation of the camp stove. For example, in general, there is no place on a conventional camp stove to place cooking utensils, food, and food preparation items, absent placing the items directly on a cooking surface.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.  
         [0006]     In accordance with an embodiment, a camp stove is provided having at least one convertible baffle and shelf that may be positioned in one configuration to be used as a baffle and in another configuration to be used as a shelf. In an embodiment, a convertible baffle and shelf is hinged to one side of a firebox of the camp stove. The convertible baffle and shelf is folded upward and attached to a lid for the camp stove to serve as a baffle. The convertible baffle and shelf is folded downward, to a position horizontal with the ground, so that it may be used as a shelf. In an embodiment, the baffle extends outward away from the camping stove when it serves the shelf function. However, in an alternate embodiment, the baffle may fold inward relative to the stove surface to serve the shelf function.  
         [0007]     Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a camp stove incorporating an embodiment of the invention, the camp stove shown in a closed configuration; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the camp stove of  FIG. 1 , with the camp stove opened.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]     In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.  
         [0011]     Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a camp stove  20  incorporating an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the camp stove  20  includes a firebox  22 , having situated along its upper surface a grill  24  and a griddle  26 . In the embodiment shown, the stove  20  includes two burners  28 , only one of which is shown in  FIG. 2 . However, aspects of the present invention may be utilized in a camp stove having one burner, or more than two burners. Moreover, aspects of the present invention may be utilized in a camp stove having just one or more grill surfaces, just one or more griddle surfaces, any combination of grill and griddle surfaces, and/or a camp stove having cooking surfaces other than grills or griddles.  
         [0012]     The camp stove  20  includes a pair of control knobs  30 ,  32  mounted on the front of the firebox  22 . In the embodiment shown, a propane bottle  34  is attached to a right rear section of the firebox  22 . However, aspects of the present invention may be utilized with a camp stove using other fuel sources, including but not limited to kerosene, other liquid or gas sources, and/or charcoal grills.  
         [0013]     In the embodiment shown, the camp stove  20  includes a lid  40  connected to the firebox  22  by a latch  42  and hinges (not shown, but known in the art). The lid  40  may be closed when the burners  28  are off, and provides protection for the burners. Closing the lid  40  over the firebox  22  forms a box-like enclosure around the burners  28 . The box-like enclosed camp stove  20  may then be stored in a cardboard box, or may be stored as is.  
         [0014]     The camp stove  20  also includes left and right convertible baffles and shelves  44 ,  46 . In the embodiment shown, the convertible baffles and shelves  44 ,  46  are substantially planar, and each includes a rounded bottom  48 . Angled brackets  50  extend from the bottom edge of the rounded bottom  48  into slots  52 ,  54  at outer, upper edges of the firebox  42 . The angled brackets  50  are received in the slots  52 ,  54  in such a manner so that the convertible baffles and shelves  44 ,  46  may be rotated about an axis extended parallel with the rounded bottom  48  of the convertible baffles and shelves  44 ,  46 .  
         [0015]     A rear upper edge of each of the baffles  44 ,  48  includes a slotted opening  56 . The slotted opening  56  is arranged and configured to fit onto protrusions  58  on the underside of the lid  40 .  
         [0016]     In use, the convertible baffles and shelves  44 ,  46  are stored in a flat position against the top of the grill  24  and the griddle  26 . This position is shown in phantom in  FIG. 1  for both of the convertible baffles and shelves  44 ,  46  and again is shown in phantom in  FIG. 2  for the right convertible baffle and shelf  46 .  
         [0017]     To utilize the convertible baffles and shelves  44 ,  46  as wind blocks (i.e., baffles), the lid  40  is raised, and each of the convertible baffles and shelves is raised so that it extends vertically. The left convertible baffle and shelf  44  is shown in this position in  FIG. 2 . To lock the convertible baffles and shelves  44 ,  46  in this position, the slotted openings  56  are fitted onto the protrusions  58 . In this manner, the convertible baffles and shelves  44 ,  46  may both be raised and attached to the lid  40  so that the three elements serve as a three-sided wind block for the cooking surface of the camp stove  20 , i.e., in the embodiment shown, the grill  24  and the griddle  26 .  
         [0018]     To utilize one of the convertible baffles and shelves, such as the convertible baffle and shelf  46 , as a shelf, the convertible baffle and shelf may be folded inward to the position shown in phantom in  FIG. 2 . In this position, the shelf extends over the griddle  26 . It is not recommended that the stove  20  be operated with the griddle  26  hot and the convertible baffle and shelf  46  in the folded inward position, but the convertible baffle and shelf  46  may be used in its folded inward position when, for example, only the grill  24  of the stove  20  is in operation. In this configuration, items may be placed on the back side of the convertible baffle and shelf  46 , such as food, food preparation items, cooking utensils, or other items.  
         [0019]     In another shelf configuration, the convertible baffle and shelf  46  is folded outward to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . In this position, the angled brackets  50  and the rounded bottom  48  engage the top and outer surfaces of the firebox  22 , and prevent further rotation of the convertible baffle and shelf  46  downward. Thus, the convertible baffle and shelf  46  extends outward, in a horizontal direction. The convertible baffle and shelf  46  may thus be used as a shelf, and may receive many items, such as the items listed above. The convertible baffle and shelf  44  may similarly be utilized as a shelf in this manner.  
         [0020]     Although one type of convertible baffle and shelf is shown in the drawings, other configurations are contemplated. For example, convertible baffle and shelf may include a lock for locking the baffle into the shelf position, and may include a chain or some other member that suspends the baffle in the open position. In addition, although a single type of hinge is shown, alternate hinge systems may be used. Further, a convertible baffle and shelf may be used in which the convertible baffle and shelf does not hinge to the firebox  22 , but instead connects or is otherwise rearranged to provide baffle and shelf functions. As one example, a baffle may be removable, and may be connected in a first vertical position to act as a baffle, and in a second horizontal position to act as a shelf.  
         [0021]     Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.  
         [0022]     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.  
         [0023]     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.  
         [0024]     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.