Abstract:
A barbecue kit includes a threaded rod having a bore in its interior along its longitudinal axis. An elongated stake having a sharp and a blunt end loosely fits into the interior bore of the threaded rod. The combination of rod and stake include a functional mechanism for allowing the threaded rod to act as a slide hammer to drive the stake into the ground without allowing the rod to fall along the entire length of the stake. A grill having a handle includes a plate with a substantially circular cut-out. The distance and configuration of the cut-out and handle are dimensioned in such a way that the grill can be hung at any place on the threaded rod with the circular cut-out engaging the threads. A pan suitable for holding items to be cooked, or charcoal, or like fuel suitable for cooking, has a like handle which is nevertheless removable and reversibly mountable on the pan. The pan can be similarly hung on the rod either with its hollow or with its substantially flat side up on the threaded rod. When hung on the threaded rod both the grill and the pan can be lowered or raised on the rod by turning it on the threads of the rod.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is in the field of portable barbecue sets. More particularly, the present invention is in the field of a barbecue set which is readily useable at virtually any site where its base can be driven into the ground, and the set can be used as a grill, pan or griddle. 
   2. Brief Description of Background Art 
   Basic barbecue sets and barbecuing equipment have been known and in use for a long time. Nevertheless, the task of barbecuing can present challenges in many ways, for example in terms of ease of use and versatility of the equipment, use with various fuels, use in remote locations, use in locations where open fires or fires burning on the ground are prohibited, and also in terms of compactness and transportability of the equipment. For this reason, the prior art patent literature includes several patents directed to barbecue sets or equipment having improved features in terms of capability to be used at remote locations, and ease and convenience of use. The following United States patents are known to the present inventor to be of interest as background to the present invention: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,029,646; 2,827,846; 5,666,940; 4,979,940; 3,511,22; 5,355,867; 5,862,742; 4,896,651; 4,607,608; 6,827,077; 509,222; 1,666,293; 2,173,024; 2,960,979; 2,974,662; 3,344,780; 3,395,692; 4,363,313; and published U.S. Patent Application Nos. US 2004/0129855 A1 and US 2004/0144379 A1. 
   However, further improvements in terms of relative simplicity of construction, ease of use, versatility and better portability are still desired in this art. Moreover, in relatively recent times there are more and more outdoor locations, such as county, state and national parks, national forests and other outdoor locations which have relatively high fire risk and where the use of open fires or use of burning charcoal placed on the ground are prohibited. The portable barbecue set and kit of the present invention overcomes several disadvantages or deficiencies of the prior art, is of relatively simple construction, easy to use, versatile for allowing cooking on a grill, in a pan or on a griddle, and can be used in locations where fires or charcoal placed on the ground are prohibited. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a barbecue set and kit which can be used virtually anywhere where a stake can be driven into the ground. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a barbecue set and kit which meets the foregoing objective and where driving the stake into the ground is virtually effortless and is highly unlikely to present risk of injury to the person driving the stake into the ground. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a barbecue set and kit which meets the foregoing objectives and which can be used as a grill, griddle or pan for cooking. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a barbecue set and kit which meets the foregoing objectives and which can be used with a fire or hot charcoals placed on the ground or in a specially designed pan for that purpose. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a barbecue set and kit which meets the foregoing objectives and which allows relatively easy disposal of embers or ashes after the cooking had been finished and allows easy removal of the set from the ground. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a barbecue set and kit which meets the foregoing objectives and which is readily made into a compact self-contained relatively flat package that is easy to carry. 
   These and other objects and advantages are attained by a barbecue set and kit including a threaded rod having a bore in its interior along its longitudinal axis. An elongated stake having a sharp and a blunt end loosely fits into the interior bore of the threaded rod. The combination of rod and stake include a functional mechanism for allowing the threaded rod to act as a slide-hammer to drive the stake into the ground without allowing the rod to fall along the entire length of the stake. A grill having a handle includes a plate with a substantially circular cut-out. The distance and configuration of the cut-out and handle are dimensioned in such a way that the grill can be hung at any place on the threaded rod with the circular cut-out engaging the threads. When the grill is hung it stays in position on the threaded rod but it can be lowered or raised on the rod by turning it on the threads of the rod. 
   A pan suitable for holding items to be cooked, or charcoal, or like fuel suitable for cooking, has a like handle which is nevertheless removable and reversibly mountable on the pan. The pan can be similarly hung on the rod either with its hollow or with its substantially flat side up on the threaded rod and can also be moved on the rod, up or down, by turning motion. When the charcoal or other fuel is placed on the ground instead into the pan then the pan can be used with its hollow side up as a vessel for cooking or with its substantially flat side up as a griddle for cooking. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the barbecue set of the present invention assembled as a kit. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the kit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken on lines  3 , 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partial view showing placement of a removable handle to a pan included in the barbecue set. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken on lines  5 , 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 5 , showing attachment of the removable handle to the pan. 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of a threaded rod and stake included in the barbecue set of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken on lines  8 , 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of a shovel having a removable handle, included in the barbecue set of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken on lines  10 , 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a plan view schematically showing how the stake of the barbecue set is driven into the ground while using the threaded rod as a slide-hammer. 
       FIG. 12  is a plan side view showing the assembled barbecue set. 
       FIG. 13  is a partial top view taken on lines  13 , 13  of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken on lines  14 , 14  of  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a plan side view showing the barbecue set assembled with only the grill on the threaded rod. 
       FIG. 16  is a plan side view showing the barbecue set assembled with only the pan to be used for cooking in its hollow side. 
       FIG. 17  is a plan side view showing the barbecue set assembled with only the pan, with the substantially flat side of the pan facing upward, to be used for cooking as a griddle. 
       FIG. 18  is a plan side view of the pan with its hollow side facing upward. 
       FIG. 19  is a plan side view of the pan with its substantially flat side facing upward. 
       FIG. 20  is a plan top view showing the grill mounted on the threaded rod, the circle with the arrows showing that the grill can be raised or lowered by turning it on the threaded rod. 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stake included in the barbecue set and kit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view taken on lines  22 , 22  of  FIG. 21 , the view showing the alternative embodiment of the stake in a position to be driven into the ground. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The following specification, taken in conjunction with the drawings, sets forth the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are the best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out his invention in a commercial environment, although it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the present invention. 
   Referring now to the drawing figures, and particularly to the perspective and exploded perspective views of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  the entire barbecue set, assembled as a kit  38 , of the present invention is disclosed. The barbecue set and kit  38  includes a grill  40  of the type on which meat, such as steaks, hamburgers or meat chops (not shown) are usually cooked over charcoal (not shown) or open fire  42  (shown in later figures), and a pan  44  into which either charcoal or other fuel, or food-to-be-cooked (not shown) can be placed. The barbecue set and kit  38  also includes a threaded rod  46 , a stake to be  48  to driven into the ground  50  (shown in later figures), and a handle  52  which is removably attachable to the pan  44 . For the convenience of the user (not shown) the barbecue set and kit  38  also includes such conventional items which are normally used in outdoor barbecuing and picnic activities, namely a wire brush  54 , a shovel  56  having a removable handle  58 , a spatula  60 , a fork  62 , and a pair of thongs  64 . Because the wire brush  54 , the shovel  56 , the spatula  60 , the fork  62 , and the pair of thongs  64  are conventional no claim of inventiveness per se is made regarding these items except as included in the combination barbecue kit  38  of the present invention. 
   Referring now primarily to  FIG. 3 , the grill  40  assembled to the pan  44  in the position in which the kit  38  would be carried is shown. For the sake of ease of illustration  FIG. 3  does not show the conventional items and some other parts of the present invention contained in the carrying assembly of the grill  40  and the pan  44 . Both the grill  40  and the pan  44  are made from materials conventionally used for this purpose. In the presently described preferred embodiment the pan  44  is made of 16 gauge steel, although it should be understood that, unless described otherwise, neither the dimensions nor the materials of the several parts of the barbecue set  38  are critical in nature and can be subject to such changes and substitutions which will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. 
   The grill  40  includes the conventional latticed surface  66  on which meat (not shown) or other foods (not shown) are conventionally barbecued over hot coals (not shown) or open fire  42 . At one extremity the grill  40  has a downwardly protruding plate  68  having an ear  70  that allows mounting of the grill  40  to the pan  44 . At the other extremity the grill  40  includes another downwardly protruding plate  72  to which another ear  70  and a handle  74  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) are fixedly mounted. Referring still primarily to  FIG. 3  the pan  44  at one of its extremity also includes downwardly protruding plate  76  which includes two apertures  78  although only one aperture is visible in  FIG. 3 . The handle  74  of the grill  40  includes a spring-mounted pin  80 , equipped with a ring  82 , which under bias of the spring  84  engages one of the apertures  78  and thereby removably mounts the grill  40  to the pan  44 . The dimensions, configuration and role of the handle  74  to removably affix the grill  40  on the threaded rod  46  is described further below in this specification. 
   Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  mounting of the handle  52  to the pan  44  is described. It should be noted at the outset that the handle  52  is normally mounted on the pan  44  only for use of the pan  44  while cooking or barbecuing. For carrying the handle  52  is normally contained in the assembled kit  38 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It should also be understood that the handle  52  is “reversible” on the pan  44 , meaning that it is mountable on the pan  44  in the position of the pan  44  in which the pan is used with its hollow side  86  up (best shown in  FIGS. 16 and 18 ), or in the position in which the pan  44  is used with its substantially flat side  88  facing up (best shown in  FIGS. 17 and 19 ). Thus, the handle  52  includes a plate  90 , a pin  92  mounted fixedly in an angle relative to the plate  90  and a second pin  94  that includes an elbow  96  and a portion that protrudes in the same direction as the first pin  92  and also at a angle relative to the plate  90 . However the second pin  94  is rotatable relative to the plate  90 . The two pins  92  and  94  are spaced in such a manner that they can be inserted into the two apertures  78  of the pan  44 .  FIG. 5  shows the two pins  92  and  94  in the position where they are inserted but the handle  52  is not yet affixed to the pan  44 .  FIG. 6  shows the position of the second pin  94  after it has been manually turned by a user (not shown). In this position, shown in  FIG. 6 , the handle  52  is affixed, although removably, to the pan  44 . The dimensions, configuration and role of the handle  52  to removably affix the pan  44  on the threaded rod  46  is also described further below in this specification. 
   Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  11  and  12 , the treaded rod  46 , the stake  48  and their role in setting up the barbecue set  38  for barbecuing or cooking are described. The threaded rod  46  is presently made of steel and has an outside diameter of approximately 1⅜ to 1¼ inches, although the diameter range is not limiting. Nevertheless a diameter range of approximately ¾ to 2 inches is preferred. The threaded rod  46  has an internal bore  98  making it open at one end and closed at the other end. The stake  48 , which is preferably also made of steel, loosely fits within the internal bore  98  like a piston in a cylinder. A spring loaded pin  100 , having a ring  102  to enable pulling of the pin  100  against the bias of the spring  104  is affixed to the outside surface of the threaded rod  46 . An aperture  106  is provided in the threaded rod  46  to enable the pin  100  to penetrate into the interior of the threaded rod  46 . The stake  48  includes a groove or slot  108  in its side. The slot  108  has blind ends and the pin  100  engages the slot  108  when the stake  48  is inserted within the internal bore  98  of the threaded rod  46 . The lower end  110  of the stake  48  is pointed or made otherwise sharp to enable its easy penetration into the ground  50 . 
   As it will be already readily apparent from the present description and inspection of the drawing figures, particularly of  FIG. 11 , one function of the threaded rod  46  is to act as slide hammer to make it relatively easy and convenient to drive the stake  48  into the ground  50 . For this and other reasons and purposes the presently preferred embodiment of the threaded rod  46  is approximately 13 inches long, and the preferred embodiment of the stake  48  is 15 inches long. In the presently preferred embodiment the slot  108  in the stake  48  is approximately one half of the length of the threaded rod  46 . The stake  48  is preferably made of steel, although other metals, such as strong aluminum, bronze and still others can also be used. Because the threaded rod  46  is used as a slide hammer preferably it is relatively heavy. For this and other reasons, such as cost, the threaded rod  46  is also preferably made of steel, and its present weight is approximately 3.25 lbs. However, other metals, especially bronze could also be used for the threaded rod  46 . 
   Referring now primarily to  FIG. 11  it can be readily seen that a user whose hand  112  is shown will alternatively lift and drop the threaded rod  46  to drive the stake  48  into the ground  50 . Because the spring-biased pin  100  engages the slot  108  of the stake  48  it is unlikely that by lifting the rod  46  for the pounding motion will also lift it off entirely from the stake  46 . For the same reason it is also unlikely that by dropping the rod  46  in the pounding motion the user will damage his or her hands. Moreover, the engagement of the pin  100  with the slot  108  also prevents the threaded rod  46  from turning relative to the stake  48 .  FIG. 21  shows an alternative embodiment of the stake  48  having wings  114  which can be driven into the ground  50  and prevent the turning of the stake  48  relative to the ground  50 . The engagement of the pin  100  with the slot  108  also enables the user to relatively easily pull the stake  48  out of the ground  50  when after use it is desired to disassemble the barbecue set  38  for storage or transportation. 
   In general terms the dimensions, including weight and materials of the threaded rod  46  and of the stake  48  should be such which enable the above-described functions, and also preferably enable these parts to be included in the assembled kit  38  suitable for compact storage and transportation. Still speaking generally, the length of the threaded rod  46  is contemplated to be within the range of 8 to 15 inches, the depth of the internal bore  98  is contemplated to be 5 to 10 inches. In the presently preferred embodiment the internal bore  98  is approximately 6 inches long. 
   Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14 , the mounting of the grill  40  and of the pan  44 , or of both, to the threaded rod  46  is described. In this regard it should be noted at the outset that the mounting of both the grill  40  and of the pan  44  is based on substantially the same principles and functions with the exception that the handle  52  of the pan  44  is removable and reversible in its position relative to the pan  44 . The enlarged views of  FIGS. 13 and 14  depict the mounting of the grill  40  to the threaded rod  46 . Threads  116  of the rod  46  serve the functions of holding the mounted grill  40  or pan  44  at virtually any length of the rod  46  and to allow up and down movement of the grill  40 , of the pan  44 , or of both, on the rod  46  by angling either of these items relative to the rod  46  or by turning them on the rod  46 . Presently the rod  46  has 4 threads  116  per inch of its length, but more widely or more densely spaced threads, such as 3 or 5 threads per inch, would equally serve the purpose. 
   As is shown in  FIG. 13 , the ear  70  of the grill  40  has a substantially quadri-circular or semi-circular cut-out portion  118  which preferably corresponds in diameter to the diameter of the threaded rod  46  minus the depth of the threads  116 . The combination of the L-shaped handle  74  and the ear  70  with its cut-out portion  118  is dimensioned in such a manner that when the grill  40  is placed on the threaded rod  46  in a substantially horizontal position then the handle  74  and the ear  70  engage opposite sides of the rod  46 . Consequently the grill  40  sits stably, although removably, on the rod  46 . To accomplish the foregoing, in the preferred embodiment the distance between the handle  74  and the edge of the cut-out portion  118  is the diameter of the rod  46  minus the depth of the threads  116 . In alternative less preferred embodiments the cut-out portion  118  of the ear  70  can be made smaller or omitted, in which case the distance between the handle  74  and the edge of the ear  70  is the diameter of the rod  46  minus the depth of the threads  116 . Proper dimensioning of the space between the ear  70 , with or without the cut-out portion  118 , and the handle  74  relative to the diameter of the threaded rod  46  is important to enable the removable placement of the grill  40  (and of the pan  44 ) on the threaded rod  46 . 
   The spring biased pin  80  visible in  FIG. 13  is the pin which in the assembled kit (shown in  FIG. 1 ) locks the grill  40  to the pan  44 . 
   Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 12 , and  15  through  19  use of the assembled barbecue set  38  of the present invention is illustrated and described.  FIG. 12  illustrates the use wherein the grill  40  is mounted on top and the pan  44  is mounted below. Typically, in this situation coals (not shown) are contained in the pan  44  and food, typically meat (not shown), to be barbecued is placed on the grill  40 . The relative distance of the grill  40  to the pan  44  can be initially adjusted by moving either or both of these items in an angled position relative to the rod  46  and thereafter allowing them to become horizontal and fixed. While moving the items at an angle the ear  70  of the grill  40  and the like ear of the handle  52  of the pan  44  clear the threads  116  of the rod  46 . After these items become hot, they can be moved up or down by turning them on the rod  46 , as is shown schematically by a circle with arrows  120  in  FIG. 20 . 
     FIG. 15  illustrates the use of the barbecue set in a situation where the hot fuel (coals or open fire  42 ) is on the ground  50  and only the grill  40  is mounted to the rod  46 .  FIG. 16  illustrates the use of the barbecue set in a situation where the hot fuel (coals or open fire  42 ) is on the ground  50  and only the pan  44  with its hollow side  86  facing up is mounted to the rod  46 . Such use of the barbecue set is likely to occur when food (not shown) is desired to be cooked inside the pan  44 , similarly to cooking food in a pot (not shown).  FIG. 17  illustrates the use of the barbecue set in a situation where the hot fuel (coals or open fire  42 ) is on the ground  50  and only the pan  44  with its substantially flat side  88  facing up is mounted to the rod  46 . Such use of the barbecue set is likely to occur when food such as eggs or bacon or the like (not shown) is desired to be cooked on the top of the pan  44 , similarly to cooking such food on a griddle (not shown).  FIG. 18  shows the pan  44  with its hollow side  86  up, and  FIG. 19  shows the pan  44  with its flat side  88  up. Both of these figures show that edges of the flat side  88  are slightly elevated so as to prevent run off of juices or fat and improve the use of the pan  44  as a griddle. 
   What has been described above is a barbecue set and kit that is compact, easy to store and transport, and can be used in a very versatile manner even in places where open fires or placement of hot coals on the ground are prohibited and for the task of traditional barbecuing, or other types of cooking in an outdoor location. 
   Several modifications of the present invention may become readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be interpreted solely from the following claims, as such claims are read in light of the disclosure.