Versatile camp grill

A campfire grill for cooking over an open fire is described as including a base support assembly with a plurality of legs extending away from an upright member. The upright member is of a predetermined height with a cooking implement support knob slidable along the upright member and lockable in a desired position. Cooking implements are interchangeably attached to the support knob for a cooking activity at the desired height above the campfire. A flange is described between the lower end of the upright member and the legs permitting the cooking implement and the upright member to be turned readily as an additional control over the temperature from the campfire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention, in general, relates to cooking apparatus and, more 
particularly, to devices for cooking foods about a campfire. 
The cooking of food about a campfire is, for many people, the essence of 
the camping experience. It matters little whether the campfire is located 
in remote back-country accessible only by foot or is located immediately 
alongside a motor home. The simple act of cooking foods out of doors about 
an open fire brings pleasure to many people. 
However, as many people discover, it is not as easy to cook food about an 
open campfire in practice as it appears to their imagination. It is 
difficult, for example, to control the cooking temperature. Food cooked 
over a campfire will often cook either too slowly or burn if it is allowed 
to cook to quickly. 
Once certain food items have been properly heated, it is difficult to 
maintain those food items at an ideal serving temperature while preparing 
other food items. 
It is also inconvenient generally to serve food that has been cooked over a 
campfire as the bottom of the cooking implements are hot and soot covered. 
Therefore, while food is being served, it is desirable to be able to leave 
the cooking implements resting on the same surface used during heating but 
without continuing to further heat the food. 
Certain food items that are cooked over a campfire are best prepared over 
an open grill surface, such as hot dogs and hamburgers. Certain other food 
items, such as soups and stews, require a container or pot. Still other 
food items, such as fried eggs, are best prepared using a griddle type of 
cooking surface. 
Accordingly, there exists today a need for a versatile camp grill that is 
portable, provides for easy control of the cooking temperature, is able to 
maintain food at the desired temperature, is able to hold pots, pans, and 
food items without heating them further, and can accommodate different 
types of cooking surfaces. 
2. Description of Prior Art 
Campfire grills are known. For example, the following U.S. patents describe 
various types of camp and barbecue grills: 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,604,884 to Walker, Jul. 29, 1952; 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,827,846 to Karkling, issued Mar. 25, 1958; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,354 to Claire et al., issued Apr. 11, 1978; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,912 to Burnside, issued Aug. 6, 1985; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,525 to Ruble, issued Nov. 19, 1985; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,608 to Allred et al., issued Aug. 26, 1986; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,753 to Neyman et al, dated Feb. 16, 1988; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,423 to Burns, issued Aug. 15, 1989; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,490 to Nudo et al., issued Dec. 25, 1990; and 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,806, that issued Jun. 2, 1992. 
While the structural arrangements of the above described devices, at first 
appearance, have similarities with the present invention, they differ in 
material respects. These differences will be described in more detail 
hereinafter. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an important object of the present invention to provide a camp grill 
that is portable. 
It is also an object of the invention to provide a camp grill that provides 
easy control of the cooking temperature. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a camp grill that can readily 
accept a variety of cooking surfaces. 
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a grill that can be 
assembled and disassembled easily and readily for carrying. 
Briefly, a versatile camp grill for cooking over a campfire, that is 
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, 
has a base assembly for accepting stabilizing legs and an upright member 
that is capable of rotating. A grill support is attached to the upright 
member to which a variety of cooking surfaces are supported. The entire 
camp grill assembly is constructed to be assembled quickly and easily.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded view of a versatile camp grill is 
identified generally by the numeral 10. A base assembly, identified in 
general by the numeral 11, has a short upright post 12 and three radially 
extending posts 13. 
An extension 14 is formed to slide over each of the posts 13 and fastened 
by a thumb screw 15. The length and configuration of the extensions 14 are 
variables to accommodate readily almost any size and load handling ability 
that may be desired for each model of the camp grill 10. 
Each of the component parts is constructed from a variety of different 
shaped materials for an easier identification of the respective 
components. Each component part, of course, corresponds in its shape with 
the part with which it cooperates. 
For example, the posts 13 can be formed from square or rectangular material 
permitting the extensions 14 to slide readily over the posts 13. Clearly, 
the extensions 14 can slide into the posts 13 rather than over them, and 
the extensions 14 can have an outer configuration that is square or 
rectangular, while the inner opening can be circular to receive round 
posts 13. 
End stabilizers 16 are inserted into the ends of the extensions 14 to 
provide additional stability. The end stabilizers 16 are secured in place 
either by thumbscrews (not shown) or by a snug friction fit. 
For example, if the extensions 14 are square and the end stabilizers 16 are 
square, but smaller, and capable of fitting into the exposed end of the 
extension, each stabilizer 16 is prevented from turning. In such an 
arrangement, a thumbscrew is optional. 
A preferred arrangement relies upon the use of two stabilizers 16, each one 
having a single change in direction, as shown by angle 16a. The two 
stabilizers 16 are placed so as to surround a campfire 17. 
This provides for a greater stability of the grill 10 when loaded with 
foodstuffs and cooking implements, and when turned, an additional 
stabilizer 16 can be used with the third extension 14, particularly when 
needed for more stability. Extra extensions can be provided to be 
assembled with those extensions 14 for still greater stability, if needed 
also. 
The components of the camp grill 10 are constructed to permit easy field 
assembly and disassembly. The grill 10 normally is stored and transported 
in a substantially disassembled condition, and it is assembled for use 
when needed at the campfire 17. 
An upright member 18 of any convenient shape and length has a flange 19 
extending laterally at its lower end to rest on the top end surface 14a of 
the extensions 14. The inside diameter of the upright member 18 is 
slightly larger than the outside diameter of the upright post 12. 
Square tubing is preferred for the grill 10, particularly for the upright 
member 18. This permits the upright member 18 to be more readily grasped 
with the hand for turning, as will be described in more detail presently. 
The flange 19 permits the upright member 18 to be placed over and to slide 
down along the length of the upright post 12 until the flange 19 comes to 
rest on the top end surface 14a of each of the extensions 14. The top end 
surface 14a is that portion of each extension 14 between the upright post 
12 and a thumbscrew 15. 
Of course, the flange 19 may be replaced by having the bottom of the 
upright member 18 rounded slightly so as not to be too abrasive as it 
turns on the end surfaces 14a, or when they are not close against the 
upright member 18, as it turns on the upper surface of each of the posts 
13. 
An advantage of the flange 19 is realized when one of the extensions 14 is 
not sufficiently close to the upright member 18, creating a gap that is 
readily bridged by the flange 19. This type of a mechanical arrangement, 
using a flange 19, permits the smooth and continuous pivoting of the 
upright member 18 over any desired arc, even to a rotation of 360 degrees, 
thereby providing a control over the temperature from the fire 17. 
A thumbscrew 20 at the lower end of the upright member 18 is tightened to 
prevent the upright member 18 from turning once it is in a desired 
position. 
An upper support knob 21 is of any desired shape and size with inside 
dimensions that are slightly larger than the outside of the upright member 
18. A support 22 for the grill 26 extends from the upper support knob 21 a 
desired length and has a thumbscrew 23 near an end furthermost from the 
knob 21. 
The knob 21 passes over the upright member 18 and, being open at its upper 
and lower ends, is slidable along the length of the upright member 18. A 
wing nut 24, when tightened, bears against the upright member 18 to secure 
the knob 21 a desired distance above the campfire 17. 
The support 22 with the thumbscrew 23 and the support knob 21 with the wing 
nut 24 form a grill support assembly 25. This arrangement of the grill 
support assembly 25 permits the cooking of food in the desired type of 
cooking vessel on various cooking surfaces at various heights above the 
campfire 17. 
As described herein, the term "thumb screw" identifies a threaded member 
with an enlarged, flat end for grasping between the forefinger and the 
thumb for turning. A preferred thumb screw has an opening permitting an 
elongated object, like a pencil, even a stick or twig, to be inserted for 
additional torque when turning. In contrast, a "wing nut" is a threaded 
member with arcuate flared ends for grasping between the forefinger and 
thumb to apply far more torque more easily and more readily when turning. 
A grill surface 26 is attached to a grill tube 27. The thumbscrew 23 is 
tightened to secure the grill tube 27 and grill surface 26 in position. 
The grill surface 26, preferably, is affixed to the grill tube 27. This 
arrangement permits the interchange of cooking surfaces more easily and 
more quickly when it is so desired. 
Other types of cooking surfaces or cooking implements are attached to 
similar tubes 27 for use in place of the grill surface 26, when desired. 
In FIG. 2, a container 28 is shown as one type of cooking implement that is 
attached to a second grill tube 27a and is inserted in the support 22 when 
an open top, kettle-type of cooking implement is needed instead of a 
grill-type surface. A griddle surface (not illustrated) is attached to its 
own grill tube, as are a variety of other and different types of cooking 
implements. 
According to a modification to which the arrangement of the invention is 
adaptable, the grill tube 27 is eliminated, and a desired cooking surface 
is attached directly to, either the support assembly 25, or to the support 
22. 
In use, the component parts of the grill 10 are assembled as described, and 
the grill 10 is positioned about a campfire 17. The wing nut 24 is 
loosened and the knob 21, the support 22, the grill surface 26, and the 
grill tube 27 are positioned along the upright member 18 to the desired 
height above the campfire 17. 
The thumbscrew 20 is loosened to rotate the upright member 18 and the grill 
26 to a position relative to the fire 17 and, then, is tightened to 
prevent any further movement during cooking. 
When a food being prepared attains a desired temperature, the thumbscrew 20 
is loosened and the grill surface 26 is rotated slightly away from the 
campfire 17. The thumbscrew 20 is tightened as necessary to secure the 
grill surface 26 in the new position. 
This type of partial rotation of the grill surface 26 relative to the 
campfire 17 moves a portion of the grill 26 away from the campfire 17, 
permitting foods remaining directly over the campfire to continue cooking, 
while keeping those food items warm that have been moved away from the 
campfire 17. Food items, it is observed, are either located directly on 
the grill surface 26 o in pots and pans placed upon the grill surface 26. 
Campfires do not produce heat at a constant temperature for protracted 
periods of time, because the amount and type of wood that is available 
varies. As the heat that is produced diminishes, the wing nut 24 is 
loosened and the knob 21 with the grill surface 26 is moved to locate the 
grill 26 lower, closer to the campfire. The wing nut 24, then, is 
tightened to secure the new position. 
Similarly, when less heat is required for cooking, the entire assembly 25 
is adjusted to move the grill 26 further from the campfire. The wing nut 
24 again is tightened to secure this new position. 
After all of the food items have been prepared, the camp grill 10 is used 
as a serving platform. To do this, the thumbscrew 20 is loosened and the 
upright member 18, with the grill 26 is rotated approximately 180 degrees 
away from the campfire 17. The thumbscrew 20, then, is tightened. 
The above described maneuvers positions the food, as well as any cooking 
implements that are resting on the grill surface 26, one-half circle away 
from the campfire 17 and permits safe access for serving the prepared food 
from the grill surface 26. 
After use, the component parts of the camp grill 10 are disassembled. The 
various component parts are stored in a container or pouch for compact 
storage and ease of portability. 
The invention has been shown, described and illustrated in substantial 
detail with reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It will be 
understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of 
the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.