Patent Publication Number: US-7591404-B2

Title: Swingable apparatus attachable to a vehicle for transporting a device and permitting access to the vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,800, filed Sep. 30, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,913, titled “Swingable apparatus attachable to a vehicle for transporting a cooking device and permitting access to the vehicle”, which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to apparatuses for attaching a device to a vehicle. More particularly, the invention concerns an apparatus that is selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device (for example a cooking device), and positioning the device in an orientation that permits access to the vehicle (for example, while cooking). 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Outdoor leisure and recreational activities such as camping, fishing, picnicking at the beach or a park, cookouts, road trips, and tailgate parties at sporting events have become increasingly popular. Often, people are transported to these types of outdoor activities in a vehicle such as a truck, pickup truck, sport utility vehicle, or recreational vehicle. Frequently, people partaking in these mobile outdoor activities desire a freshly cooked hot meal. 
     One way of cooking a hot meal is to build a campfire and cook the meal over the fire. However, building a campfire can require a lot of effort, and creates a risk of fires. Also, campfires are not permitted in many areas. Hot meals can also be cooked on a public barbeque at a campground or picnic area. However, public barbeques are frequently dirty, are in a state of disrepair, or are not available. 
     Another way of cooking a hot meal is to bring a barbeque in the vehicle, set it up at the camping, picnicking, or tailgating site, and cook the meal on the barbeque. However, transporting the barbeque in the vehicle uses valuable space inside the vehicle, and further, the barbeque cannot be put back into the vehicle until it cools down after cooking. 
     Another approach has been to permanently attach a barbeque to the exterior of a vehicle. However, it is often undesirable to always have a barbeque attached to the exterior of the vehicle. For example, there is a risk of theft, the barbeque is exposed to the elements for a long period of time, and parking can be problematic. 
     Yet another approach is to attach a barbeque to a trailer hitch on the rear of the vehicle. Although this has the advantage of permitting removal of the barbeque from the vehicle, this approach has the disadvantage of blocking access to the rear doors or hatch of the vehicle when the barbeque is attached. In summary, all of the known ways of cooking a hot meal when partaking in mobile outdoor activities have proven inadequate. 
     Additionally, known ways of transporting items other than cooking devices also often block access to the rear doors or hatch of the vehicle. Furthermore, known apparatuses that attach to the rear of a vehicle for transporting items, often do not permit simultaneous use of a trailer ball hitch, thereby preventing the user from towing an object, such as a boat or trailer, while using the apparatus. 
     SUMMARY 
     An example of one aspect of the invention is an apparatus that is selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device and positioning the device in an orientation that permits access to the vehicle. The apparatus may include a support arm defining a support arm longitudinal axis, wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole. The apparatus may also include a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinal axis. The apparatus may further include a primary hinge assembly coupled to the support arm and the primary swing arm. This example and other examples of the invention are described in the sections below. 
     Examples of the invention may provide one or more of the following advantages. Some examples of the apparatus of the invention permit swinging a device (such as a cooking device, bicycle, skis, luggage, wheelchair, container, or tank) further behind the vehicle, or to the side of the vehicle, to permit complete accessibility to the vehicle cargo bay via the rear door(s) or the rear hatch of the vehicle, when loading or unloading the vehicle. Additionally, some examples of the apparatus can easily be attached and unattached from the vehicle. Also, some examples of the apparatus permit easily adjusting the distance of portions of the apparatus from the vehicle. Further, some examples of the apparatus permit utilizing a trailer ball hitch while using the apparatus. The invention also provides a number of other advantages and benefits, which should be apparent from the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in its operative environment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in its operative environment. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a partially exploded perspective view of another example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a partially exploded perspective view of another example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a partially exploded perspective view of another example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart of an operational sequence for using an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a partially exploded perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a partially exploded perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a partially exploded perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a side view of an example of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The nature, objectives, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings. Herein “attached” means directly or indirectly connected. 
     I. Hardware Components and Interconnections 
     A. First Examples 
     One aspect of the invention is an apparatus that is selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device, and positioning the cooking device in an orientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle. As an example the invention may be embodied by the apparatus  100  shown in its operative environment in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1  the apparatus  100  is attached to the trailer hitch  102  of a vehicle  104 , with the apparatus  100  oriented for transport, and with the rear door and hatch of the vehicle  104  closed. The apparatus  100  is also shown in its operative environment in  FIG. 2 , attached to the trailer hitch  102  of the vehicle  104 , with the apparatus  100  oriented for cooking, and with the rear door and hatch of the vehicle  104  open. As an example, the trailer hitch  102  is a standard tubular trailer hitch  102 , that typically has a hollow tube  106  that has a rearward facing hollow tubular end  108  and a hole in a first side (not shown) of the trailer hitch hollow tube  106  and a hole  110  the second side of the trailer hitch hollow tube  106  that is aligned with the first hole in the trailer hitch hollow tube  106 . A hitch locking pin  112  is used to secure the apparatus  100  to the trailer hitch  102 . The vehicle  104  may be any type of vehicle, for example a sport utility vehicle, a recreational vehicle, a pickup truck, a truck, a station wagon, or any other suitable vehicle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the apparatus  100  includes a hitch insertion member  302  that has a base  304 , a hitch insertion member first side  306 , and a hitch insertion member second side  308 . The hitch insertion member defines a hitch insertion member longitudinal axis  310 . Optionally, the hitch insertion member  302  could be shortened to position the remainder of the apparatus  100  closer to the vehicle  104 . The hitch insertion member first side  306  has a hole  312 , and the hitch insertion member second side  308  has a hole  314  aligned with the hole  312  in the hitch insertion member first side  306 . As an example, the hitch insertion member  302  may be sized and shaped to fit into the standard tubular trailer hitch  102  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The opening of the hollow tubular end  108  of the trailer hitch  102  typically is two inches by two inches. This type of trailer hitch  102  is commonly provided in the standard tow package on most pickups, sport utility vehicles, and recreational vehicles. To secure the apparatus  100  to this type of trailer hitch  102 , the hitch insertion member  302  is inserted into the rearward facing hollow tubular end  108  of the trailer hitch  102 , and the holes  312 ,  314  in the first  306  and second  308  sides of the hitch insertion member  302  are aligned with the hole in the first side and the hole in the second side  110  of the trailer hitch hollow tube  106 , and the hitch locking pin  112  is inserted through the holes  312 ,  314  in the first  306  and second  308  sides of the hitch insertion member  302  and the hole in the first side and the hole in the second side  110  of the trailer hitch hollow tube  106 , to secure the hitch insertion member  302  to the trailer hitch  102 . Alternatively, the hitch insertion member  302  could be configured to attach to tubular trailer hitch openings that have different sizes and shapes. 
     Alternatively, the hitch insertion member  302  may be configured for use with different types of trailer hitches. An example of another type of trailer hitch is a draw bar hitch (not shown) that has a horizontal bar having an aperture, and a threaded bar attached to a hitch ball for insertion into the aperture. For attachment to this type of hitch, the hitch insertion member may be configured to have a vertical hole (not shown) or vertical holes into which the threaded bar attached to the hitch ball may be inserted to secure the hitch insertion member to the horizontal bar of the trailer hitch. Alternatively, a pin, rather than the threaded bar attached to a hitch ball, can be inserted into the aperture to secure the hitch insertion member to the trailer hitch. Alternatively, the hitch insertion member may be configured to have a vertical hole or vertical holes into which the hitch ball may be inserted to secure the hitch insertion member to the trailer hitch. 
     In an alternative example the apparatus  100  could be adapted to be attached to the frame of a vehicle, rather than being attached to a trailer hitch  102 . For example, the apparatus  100  could be permanently attached to the frame of a recreational vehicle. Likewise, in an alternative example the apparatus  100  could be adapted to attach to a bumper of a vehicle. In these alternative examples, a support arm  322  could be adapted to be attached directly to the frame or bumper of the vehicle  104 , without including a hitch insertion member  302  on the apparatus. Alternatively, instead of the hitch insertion member  302 , one or more attachment members (not shown) could be attached to the support arm  322  for attachment to the vehicle frame or bumper. Alternatively, the apparatus  100  could be attached to a portion of the vehicle  104  other than the frame or a bumper. 
     The apparatus  100  includes the support arm  322  that has a support arm top  324  and a support arm bottom  326 , and a support arm first end  328  and a support arm second end  330 . The support arm  322  also defines a support arm longitudinal axis  332 . The support arm top  324  has a support arm top primary hinge hole  334 , and the support arm bottom  326  has a support arm bottom primary hinge hole  336  that is aligned with the support arm top primary hinge hole  334 . If the support arm  322  is solid, the support arm top primary hinge hole  334  and the support arm bottom primary hinge hole  336  would be different ends of a single hole. The support arm top  324  may also have a support arm primary angle securing hole  338 . The support arm  322  is attached to the base  304  of the hitch insertion member  302 . As an example, the first end  328  of the support arm  322  may be attached to the base  304  of the hitch insertion member  302  with the support arm longitudinal axis  332  substantially perpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis  310 . However, this perpendicular arrangement is not required. 
     In one example the support arm top primary hinge hole  334  is located about 2.7 centimeters from the support arm second end  330 , and the support arm primary angle securing hole  338  is located about 5.8 centimeters from the support arm top primary hinge hole  334 . Typically, the support arm top primary hinge hole  334  will be located within about five centimeters from the support arm second end  330 , and the support arm primary angle securing hole  338  will be located within about ten centimeters from the support arm top primary hinge hole  334 . However, the support arm top primary hinge hole  334  can be located at other distances from the support arm second end  330 , and the support arm primary angle securing hole  338  can be located at other distances from the support arm top primary hinge hole  334 . Optionally, more than one set of support arm top and bottom primary hinge holes and primary angle securing holes could be provided in the support arm  322 , to permit selectively attaching a primary swing arm  340  to different locations on the support arm  322 . 
     The apparatus  100  includes the primary swing arm  340 , which defines a primary swing arm longitudinal axis  342 , and which has a primary swing arm hinged end  344  and a primary swing arm swinging end  346 . The primary swing arm  340  is typically able to swing one hundred and eighty degrees. However, the apparatus  100  can be configured to permit larger or smaller maximum swing angles for the primary swing arm  340 . The capability of the primary swing arm  340  to swing one hundred and eighty degrees is a convenience and safety feature that allows the user to safely locate the cooking device  348  (which may be hot) in a safe location, and to position it in a desirable orientation in relation to the wind. The cooking device  348  defines a cooking device longitudinal axis  349 . 
     This example of the apparatus  100  further includes a primary hinge assembly  350  for pivotally attaching the primary swing arm  340  to the support arm  322 . However, any type of hinge, pivot, or other suitable apparatus for pivotally attaching the primary swing arm  340  to the support arm  322  could be used. The primary hinge assembly  350  has a top hinge plate  352  having a central hole  354  for alignment with the support arm top primary hinge hole  334 . The top hinge plate  352  may also have a plurality of locking holes  356  for selective alignment with the support arm primary angle securing hole  338 . The primary hinge assembly  350  also has a bottom hinge plate  358  having a central hole  360  for alignment with the support arm bottom primary hinge hole  336 . The primary hinge assembly  350  may also have a stop wall  362  attached to the bottom hinge plate  358  to establish the maximum angle the primary swing arm longitudinal axis  342  can rotate in relation to the support arm longitudinal axis  332 . The primary hinge assembly  350  also includes an attachment wall  364  connected to the top hinge plate  352  and the bottom hinge plate  358 . The attachment wall  364  is attached to the primary swing arm  340 . As an example, the attachment wall  364  may be attached to the hinged end  344  of the primary swing arm  340 . However, the attachment wall  364  could be attached to other locations on the primary swing arm  340 . The portion of the primary hinge assembly  350  that includes the top hinge plate  352 , bottom hinge plate  358 , stop wall  362 , and attachment wall  364 , may be made from two or more separate pieces that are attached together, or can be formed from a singe piece (for example a single piece of metal). 
     The primary hinge assembly  350  also includes a primary hinge bar  366  inserted through the central hole  354  in the top hinge plate  352  in the primary hinge assembly  350 , the support arm top primary hinge hole  334 , the support arm bottom primary hinge hole  336 , and the central hole  360  in the bottom hinge plate  358  of the primary hinge assembly  350 , to attach the primary swing arm  340  to the support arm  322 , and to permit the primary swing arm  340  to rotate in relation to the support arm  322 . The primary hinge assembly  350  may also have a primary angle locking bar  368  inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes  356  in the top hinge plate  352  of the primary hinge assembly  350  and into the primary angle securing hole  338  in the support arm  322 , to lock the primary swing arm longitudinal axis  342  at an angle in relation to the support arm longitudinal axis  332  selected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of the locking holes  356  in the top hinge plate  352  of the primary hinge assembly  350  and by the location of the support arm primary angle securing hole  338 . The primary angle locking bar  368  may be in a self contained, spring loaded bar housing (not shown), which contains the bar to prevent the bar from being lost. The bar housing may be tack welded to the top hinge plate  352 . Alternatively, the primary angle locking bar  368  is not in a bar housing. Optionally, the primary angle locking bar  368  may be held in place with a clip or pin. 
     Optionally, the central hole  354  in the top hinge plate  352  of the primary hinge assembly  350  is located in an overhang area  370  of the top hinge plate  352 , and the plurality of locking holes  356  in the top hinge plate  352  of the primary hinge assembly  350  are also located in the overhang area  370  of the top hinge plate  352 . Also optionally, the central hole  360  in the bottom hinge plate  358  of the primary hinge assembly  350  is located in an overhang area  372  of the bottom hinge plate  358 , and the stop wall  362  is partially contiguous with the overhang area  372  and a nonoverhang area  374  of the bottom hinge plate  358 . 
     The apparatus  100  also includes a pedestal  376  that has a base  378 . The pedestal  376  defines a pedestal longitudinal axis  380 . The base  378  of the pedestal  376  is attached to the primary swing arm  340 . As an example, the base  378  of the pedestal  376  may be attached to the swinging end  346  of the primary swing arm  340  with the pedestal longitudinal axis  380  substantially perpendicular to the primary swing arm longitudinal axis  342 . However, this perpendicular arrangement is not required. For example, in embodiments of the invention where the primary swing arm  340  is not horizontal, the pedestal longitudinal axis  380  is not perpendicular to the primary swing arm longitudinal axis  342 . Also, the pedestal  376  could be attached to the primary swing arm  340  at a location other than the swinging end  346  of the primary swing arm  340 . The pedestal  376  may have a rotation adjustment locking hole  382 , which may be threaded. The apparatus  100  also includes a column  384 , which is at least partially inserted into the pedestal  376 . The column  384  defines a column longitudinal axis  386 . The apparatus  100  may also include a column rotation locking bar  388 , which may be threaded, that is secured through the rotation adjustment locking hole  382  to lock the column  384  at a selected rotation within the pedestal  376 , by tightening the column rotation locking bar  388  against the column  384 . The column rotation locking bar  388  could also be used to lock the column  384  at a selected height within the pedestal  376 , by tightening the column rotation locking bar  388  against the column  384 . Alternatively, a plurality of holes could be provided in the column  384 , into which the column rotation locking bar  388  could be selectively inserted, to lock the column  384  at a selected height within the pedestal  376 , to lock the cooking device  348  at a selected height. Alternatively, a plurality of fixed locating pins attached to the pedestal  376  could be used to select a desired height. The apparatus may also include a lateral member  390  attached to the column  384 . A collar swivel (not shown) could be attached at or near the top of the column  384 , and to the lateral member  390 , to permit the column  394  to rotate in relation to the lateral member  390 , to permit three hundred sixty degree (or less) rotation of the cooking device  348 . The collar swivel could have a securing knob, for example attached to a threaded or spring loaded bar, for locking the collar swivel at a selected rotation. 
     The apparatus  100  may also include a support arm outside gusset  392  attached to the support arm  322  and the hitch insertion member  302 . The apparatus  100  may also include a support arm inside gusset  394  attached to the support arm  322  and the hitch insertion member  302 . The apparatus  100  may also include an inside pedestal gusset  396  attached to the pedestal  376  and the primary swing arm  340 . Optionally, the inside pedestal gusset  396  could have a threaded hole aligned with a rotation adjustment locking hole in the pedestal  376 . The apparatus  100  may also have an outside pedestal gusset  398  attached to the pedestal  376  and the primary swing arm  340 . The apparatus  100  may also have a top hinge hole liner  400  inside the support arm top primary hinge hole  334 , and a bottom hinge hole liner  402  inside the support arm bottom primary hinge hole  336 . The apparatus  100  may also have a first bracket  404  attached to a first end  406  of the lateral member  390  and a second bracket  408  attached to a second end  410  of the lateral member  390 . The first bracket  404  may have a plurality of holes  412  and the second bracket  408  may have a plurality of holes  414 , and the cooking device  348  (for example a barbeque) may have a plurality of holes  416  aligned with the plurality of holes  412  in the first bracket  404  and the plurality of holes  414  in the second bracket  408 . The apparatus  100  may also include a plurality of bolts  418  and a plurality of nuts  420  for attaching the cooking device  348  to the first bracket  404  and the second bracket  408 , wherein the cooking device  348  is attached to the lateral member  390  by attaching the cooking device  348  to the first bracket  404  and the second bracket  408  by inserting a bolt from the plurality of bolts  418  through each of the aligned holes in the cooking device  348  and the first bracket  404 , and through each of the aligned holes in the cooking device  348  and the second bracket  408 , and securing each bolt with a nut from the plurality of nuts  420 . Typically, 6-8 bolts are used, although different numbers could be used. The lateral member  390  may have a lateral member hole  422 , and the column  384  may be inserted into the lateral member hole  422  and attached to the lateral member  390 . However, the cooking device  348  could be attached to the primary swing arm  340  in any other suitable way. For example the column  384  may be attached to the cooking device  348  with one or more support arms (not shown), and the lateral member  390  and the first bracket  404  and the second bracket  408  need not be included. 
     A cross section of the hitch insertion member  302  perpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis  310  may be a square, rectangle, circle, oval or any other suitable shape. A cross section of the support arm  322  perpendicular to the support arm longitudinal axis  332  may be a square, rectangle, circle, oval or any other suitable shape. A cross section of the primary swing arm  340  perpendicular to the primary swing arm longitudinal axis  342  may be a square, rectangle, circle, oval or any other suitable shape. A cross section of the pedestal  376  perpendicular to the pedestal longitudinal axis  380  may be a square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other suitable shape. A cross section of the column  384  perpendicular to the column longitudinal axis  386  may be a circle or any other suitable shape. The hitch insertion member  302  (and the collar insertion member  1626 ,  1646  discussed below), the support arm  322 , the primary swing arm  340 , and the column  384  may be hollow, tubular, bar stock, solid, honeycombed or any other suitable structure, and may have different structures. The pedestal  376  is hollow to permit insertion of the column  384 . 
     The hitch insertion member  302 , support arm  322 , primary swing arm  340 , primary hinge assembly  350 , pedestal  376 , column  384 , lateral member  390 , first bracket  404 , second bracket  408 , and the other components of the apparatus  100  (and the apparatus  1600 ,  2000  discussed below) may be made of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic, or any other suitable material. Different components of the apparatus  100  may be made from different materials. Any suitable type of finish may be used for the components of the apparatus  100 , for example, zinc type 1, zinc type 2, paint, powder coat, or black oxide could be used for steel components; polished stainless steel could be used for stainless steel components; and soft anodized, hard anodized, paint, or powder coat could be used for aluminum components. Chrome plating could be applied to any material, and nickel plating could be applied to any material except plastic. The apparatus  100  could be painted to match the color of the vehicle  104  to which the apparatus  100  is removably attached. 
     The cooking device  348  may be attached to the lateral member  390 . However, the apparatus  100  does not have to include a cooking device  348 . The cooking device  348  could be, for example, a barbeque, a griddle, a wok, a gas burner, a smoker, a rotisserie, a deep fryer, or any other suitable device for cooking. Many of the possible cooking devices will have a grill. Almost any grilling area could be used, but typically the grilling area will range from about one hundred square inches to about two thousand square inches. Different sizes and types of barbeque models can be used as the cooking device  348 , and almost any barbeque could be used. Appropriate gas barbeques can have one, two, or more burners. Propane fueled barbeques having almost any BTU rating could be used, for example ten thousand BTU (or less) to one hundred thousand BTU (or more). A suitable barbeque can be obtained, for example, from Onward Manufacturing Company, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Although not required, the cooking device  348  typically will have a cover  424 . The cover  424  may include a logo. 
     The cooking device  348 , which for example may be a barbeque, can have almost any weight, and typically will range from, for example, about twenty-five pounds to about five hundred pounds. However, a lighter or heavier cooking device  348  could be used. A typical barbeque used as the cooking device  348  may weigh about twenty-five pounds. The weight of the apparatus  100  including a barbeque (but not including a fuel tank) may range, for example, from about thirty pounds to about five hundred pounds, commonly will be about thirty pounds to about seventy-five pounds, and typically will be about fifty pounds. However, the weight of the apparatus  100  could be lighter than thirty pounds or heavier than five hundred pounds. Typically, a propane tank will weigh from about ten pounds to about twenty pounds, but could weigh less than ten pounds or more than twenty pounds. 
     The fuel for the cooking device  348  can be, for example, propane (LPG), charcoal, wood, natural gas, electricity, or any other type of gas or other fuel used for cooking. A wide variety of standard fuel tanks, for example standard propane tanks, could be connected to the cooking device  348 , typically by using a standard connector for quick connection and disconnection. Optionally, the apparatus  100  can include an attachment for connecting the cooking device  348  to a gas source on a vehicle, or to a land based gas source. For example, when used with a recreational vehicle (RV), the apparatus  100  could be attached to a propane tank on the recreational vehicle that is also used for the stove, refrigerator, and other appliances in the recreational vehicle. 
     Optionally, the pedestal  376  has a pedestal front securing hole  426  and a pedestal back securing hole  428 , wherein the pedestal front securing hole  426  and the pedestal back securing hole  428  are on opposite sides of the pedestal  376  and are aligned with each other. Similarly, optionally, the column  384  has a column front securing hole  430  and a column back securing hole  432 , wherein the column front securing hole  430  and the column back securing hole  432  are on opposite sides of the column  384  and are aligned with each other. The column front securing hole  430  is located to permit alignment with the pedestal front securing hole  426 , and the column back securing hole  432  is located to permit alignment with the pedestal back securing hole  428  when the column  384  is inserted into the pedestal  376 . The apparatus may also optionally include a securing wall  434  attached to the support arm  322 . The securing wall  434  has a securing wall hole  436  located to align with the pedestal back securing hole  428  when the primary swing arm  340  is in a closed position adjacent the support arm  322 . The apparatus  100  also optionally includes a locking bar  438  for insertion into the securing wall hole  436 , the pedestal back securing hole  428 , the column back securing hole  432 , the column front securing hole  430 , and the pedestal front securing hole  426 , to secure the apparatus  100  for transport. A clip may be attached to the locking bar  438  to secure the locking bar  438 , or alternatively, the locking bar may be part of a lock or may be attached to a lock. This arrangement of the securing holes and the securing wall  434  and the locking bar  438  permits securing or locking the column  384  (and therefore also the cooking device  348 ) to the apparatus  100 . This arrangement also provides for securing or locking the column  384  and pedestal  376  to the securing wall  434  on the support arm  322 , thereby maintaining the primary swing arm  340  in a closed position next to the support arm  322  for safely transporting the apparatus  100 . 
     Optionally, the apparatus  100  could include a sensing device (not shown), for example an electrical or magnetic switch or a photovoltaic sensor, which could be attached, for example, to the support arm  322 , the primary swing arm  340 , the primary hinge assembly  350 , or the securing wall  434 , to detect when the primary swing arm  340  is in a closed position next to the support arm  322 . The sensing device could be coupled to a light, buzzer, speaker, or other type of indicator in the vehicle  104 , to notify the user when the apparatus  100  is not in a closed position when transporting or preparing to transport the apparatus  100 . 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus includes a fuel tank holder  450  attached to the primary swing arm  340  for attaching a fuel tank  452  to the apparatus  100 . Alternatively, the fuel tank holder  450  could be attached to the support arm  322 , the pedestal  376 , or the hitch insertion member  302 . Other types of fuel tank holders could also be used. Alternatively, rather than including a fuel tank holder on the apparatus  100 , the fuel tank  452  could be placed on the ground when connected to the cooking device  348  for cooking, and could be placed in the vehicle  104  when transporting the apparatus  100 . The fuel tank  452  may be stored in the vehicle, or placed in the fuel tank holder  450 , when transporting the apparatus  100 . The apparatus also  100  optionally includes fuel hose retaining clips (not shown) for the fuel hose  453 . 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus  100  could also include a fire extinguisher holder  454  attached to the pedestal  376 , for attaching a fire extinguisher  456  to the apparatus  100 . Alternatively, the fire extinguisher holder  454  could be attached to the support arm  322 , the primary swing arm  340 , or the hitch insertion member  302 . The fire extinguisher  456  may be stored in the vehicle  104 , or placed in the fire extinguisher holder  454 , when transporting the apparatus  100 . 
     Optionally, additional items could be permanently or temporarily attached to the support arm  322 , the primary swing arm  340 , and/or the pedestal  376 . The additional items could include one or more coolers (ice chests), refrigerators, cutting surfaces (for example cutting boards), condiment trays, and compartments or drawers for storing cooking utensils, grill covers, lights (for example for night barbequing), side-auxiliary grills (auxiliary burners), and/or additional cooking devices. 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus could include a shock dampening device  462  having a shock dampening device first end  464  permanently or removably attached to the hitch insertion member  302  (or the support arm  322  or the primary swing arm  340 ), and a second shock dampening device end  466  permanently or removably attached to the lateral member  390  (or the cooking device  348 ), to dampen the vibration of the cooking device  348  when transporting the apparatus  100 . The shock dampening device  462  may be a shock absorber or any other device for dampening movement and vibration of the cooking device  348 . 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus may include a supplemental trailer hitch receptacle  468 , and may also include a trailer hitch ball assembly  470  which may be attached to the supplemental trailer hitch receptacle  468 . The supplemental trailer hitch receptacle  468  is attached to the hitch insertion member  302 , to enable the user to tow something (for example a trailer or boat) with the vehicle  104 , while the apparatus  100  is attached to the trailer hitch  102  of the vehicle  104 . The supplemental trailer hitch receptacle  468 , and the trailer hitch ball assembly  470  could be temporarily attached and removable, or permanently attached, to the apparatus  100 . Also, the trailer hitch ball assembly  470  could be permanently or removably attached to the supplemental trailer hitch receptacle  468 . Alternatively, a trailer hitch ball assembly could be attached directly to the apparatus  100  without using a supplemental trailer hitch receptacle  468 . 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus includes a license plate mount  472  and a license plate light  474  attached to the support arm  322 . Alternatively, the license plate mount  472  and license plate light  474  could be attached to the primary swing arm  340 , the hitch insertion member  302 , the pedestal  376 , or any other portion of the apparatus  100 . 
     Optionally, the apparatus could be configured to be self-aligning for transport. For example, the cooking device  348  would be automatically rotated to orient the cooking device longitudinal axis  349  substantially parallel with the support arm longitudinal axis  332 , when the primary swing arm  340  is moved to a closed position next to the support arm  322 . This could be accomplished, for example, with an alignment arm (not shown) connected to the swing arm and the column  384 . The apparatus could also be configured to be self closing. 
     Optionally, one or more springs (not shown) could be attached to the support arm  322  and the primary swing arm  340  to assist in closing the apparatus  100  for transport (positioning the primary swing arm  340  next to the support arm  322 ). Optionally, one or more springs (not shown) could be attached to the apparatus  100  to assist in raising the cooking device  348  when adjusting the cooking device  348  to a desired height for cooking. 
     Optionally, one or more electrical motors (not shown) could be attached to the support arm  322  and the primary swing arm  340  to swing the primary swing arm  340  away from the support arm  322 , and to close the primary swing arm  340  to a position next to the support arm  322 . A motor could also be attached to the column  384  or lateral member  390  and/or other part of the apparatus  100  to raise or lower the cooking device  348 . The motor or motors could be operated with a wireless remote control device, or with a switch in the vehicle wired to the motor or motors, or with a switch on the apparatus  100  wired to the motor or motors. 
     Optionally, the apparatus  100  could include speakers (not shown) that could be connected to a vehicle audio system. 
     Optionally, a ground support leg (not shown) could be used with the apparatus  100  to help support the cooking device  348  when cooking food that is particularly heavy. The ground support leg could be a vertical post with a base. The ground support leg could be placed between the ground and either the primary swing arm  340 , the lateral member  390 , the first bracket  404 , the second bracket  408 , or the cooking device  348 , to help support the cooking device  348 . 
     Optionally, the apparatus  100  could be placed in a carrier stand (not shown) when the apparatus is not attached to a vehicle. As an example, the carrier stand may have wheels to permit rolling the carrier stand on the ground. The carrier stand could be rolled to a location in the user&#39;s garage for storage of the apparatus  100 , and could be rolled to the trailer hitch  102  on the vehicle  104  when attaching the apparatus  100  to the trailer hitch  102 . As an example, the carrier stand could be configured to carry the apparatus  100  so that the hitch insertion member  302  is at a height that permits easy insertion into the trailer hitch  102  on the vehicle  104 . The carrier stand could also be configured to permit adjusting the height of the apparatus  100  when the apparatus  100  is in the carrier stand, to facilitate inserting the hitch insertion member  302  into the trailer hitch  102 . The apparatus  100  could also be used as a backyard, tailgate, or beach barbeque when placed in the carrier stand. Optionally, the carrier stand could be made with removable wheels, or without wheels. 
     B. Inclined Primary Swing Arm 
     As an example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the support arm longitudinal axis  332  and the primary swing arm longitudinal axis  342  are substantially parallel and horizontal, when the hitch insertion member  302  is oriented to be inserted into the trailer hitch  102 . In another example of the apparatus  500  shown in  FIG. 5 , the support arm longitudinal axis  502  is substantially horizontal and the swing arm longitudinal axis  504  defines an angle alpha from horizontal, when the hitch insertion member  506  is oriented to be inserted into the trailer hitch  102 . In the apparatus  500  shown in  FIG. 5 , the primary swing arm  508  is attached directly to the lateral member  510 , and the apparatus  500  may not have a pedestal  376  or column  384 . 
     C. Shapes of the Support Arm and Primary Swing Arm 
     In the example of the apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 4 , the support arm  322  and the primary swing arm  340  are substantially straight. In another example of the apparatus  600  shown in  FIG. 6 , the support arm  602  and the primary swing arm  604  are curved, for example, to contour to the shape of a vehicle or to the shape of item(s) attached to a vehicle. Alternatively, the support arm  602  could be straight and the primary swing arm  604  could be curved, or, the support arm  602  could be curved and the primary swing arm  604  could be straight. Optionally, the pedestal  376  and column  384  could be curved (whether or not the support arm  602  and/or the primary swing arm  604  are curved). In another example of the apparatus  700  shown in  FIG. 7 , the support arm  702  has extra segments  704  and the primary swing arm  706  has extra segments  708 , for example, to fit the apparatus  700  around a spare tire or fuel container or water container. Alternatively, one or more additional extra segments, or less additional segments, could be used which are configured differently than the extra segments  704 ,  708  shown in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively only the support arm  702  or only the primary swing arm  706  has one or more extra segments, for example, to support a gas or water container. One or more straight or curved extra segments could also be included in a curved support arm and/or a curved primary swing arm, and curved extra segments could also be included in a straight support arm and/or a straight primary swing arm. Further, one or more extra segments could be included in the support arm and/or the primary swing arm and/or the secondary swing arm in the other examples of the apparatus described herein. 
     D. Vertical Members and Telescoping Portions 
     In another example of the apparatus  800  shown in  FIG. 8 , a hitch vertical member  802  is attached to the hitch insertion member  804  and the support arm  806 , to attach the support arm  806  to the hitch insertion member  804 , and to locate the support arm  806  and the primary swing arm  808  in a plane that is a specified distance above the trailer hitch  102 . Alternatively, the hitch vertical member  802  could extend below the hitch insertion member  804  and could be used to locate the support arm  806  and the primary swing arm  808  in a plane that is a specified distance below the trailer hitch  102 . Optionally, the hitch vertical member  802  could have an outer telescoping portion and an inner telescoping portion, to permit adjustment of the length of the hitch vertical member  802 , which optionally could be locked at a desired length with a threaded locking pin that could be inserted in a threaded hole in the outer telescoping portion to push against the inner telescoping portion. 
     In another example of the apparatus  900  shown in  FIG. 9 , the primary swing arm  902  is above the support arm  904 . Alternatively, the primary swing arm  902  could be located below the support arm  904 . 
     In another example of the apparatus  1000  shown in  FIG. 10 , a support vertical member  1002  is attached to the primary hinge assembly  1004  and the primary swing arm  1006 , to position the primary swing arm  1006  a specified distance above the support arm  1008 . Alternatively, the support vertical member  1002  could extend below the support arm  1008  and could be used to position the primary swing arm  1006  a specified distance below the support arm  1008 . Optionally, the support vertical member  1002  could have an outer telescoping portion and an inner telescoping portion, to permit adjustment of the length of the support vertical member  1002 , which optionally could be locked at a desired length with a threaded locking pin that could be inserted in a threaded hole in the outer telescoping portion to push against the inner telescoping portion. 
     In another example of the apparatus  1100  shown in  FIG. 11 , the primary swing arm  1102  has a retainer portion  1104  and a telescoping insertion portion  1106  that is partially inserted into the retainer portion  1104  and secured to the retainer portion  1104 , wherein the telescoping insertion portion  1106  can be partially extended from within the retainer portion  1104  to extend the length of the primary swing arm  1102 . A retainer knob  1107  connected to a threaded retainer bar may be inserted into a threaded hole in the retainer portion  1104 , to push against the telescoping insertion portion  1106  to hold the telescoping insertion portion  1106  in place. In this example the attachment wall  1108  of the primary hinge assembly  1110  is attached to the telescoping insertion portion  1106  of the primary swing arm  1102 , and the base  1112  of the pedestal  1114  is attached to the retainer portion  1104  of the primary swing arm  1102 . Similarly, the support arm  1116  could have a retainer portion (not shown) and a telescoping insertion portion (not shown) to extend the length of the support arm. 
     E. Swinging Support Arm 
     Another example of the invention may be embodied by the apparatus  1200  shown in  FIG. 12 . The apparatus  1200  generally has the features of the apparatus  100 , and also has the following additional components and features. In one implementation of the example of the invention shown in  FIG. 12 , the support arm longitudinal axis  1202  could swing approximately one hundred eighty degrees, from perpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis  1204  in a first direction, to perpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis  1204  in a second opposite direction. For example, the support arm longitudinal axis  1202  could be swung to a position substantially parallel to a rear bumper of the vehicle  104  in one direction, and then could be swung one hundred and eighty degrees to a position substantially parallel with the rear bumper of the vehicle  104  an opposite direction. However, the range of swing could be greater, or smaller, than one hundred eighty degrees. In the apparatus  1200 , the hitch insertion member  1206  has a hitch insertion member top  1208  that has a hitch insertion member top hinge hole  1210 , and the hitch insertion member  1206  also has a hitch insertion member bottom  1212  that has a hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole  1214  that is aligned with the hitch insertion member top hinge hole  1210 . The hitch insertion member top  1208  also has a hitch insertion member angle securing hole  1216 . 
     The apparatus  1200  also includes a central hinge assembly  1218 . However, any type of hinge, pivot, or other suitable apparatus for pivotally attaching the support arm  1236  to the hitch insertion member  1206  could be used. The central hinge assembly  1218  has a top hinge plate  1220  having a central hole  1222  for alignment with the hitch insertion member top hinge hole  1210 . The top hinge plate  1220  may also have a plurality of locking holes  1224  for selective alignment with the hitch insertion member angle securing hole  1216 . The central hinge assembly  1218  also has a bottom hinge plate  1226  having a central hole  1228  for alignment with the hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole  1214 . The central hinge assembly  1218  may also have a stop wall  1230  attached to the bottom hinge plate  1226  to establish a maximum angle the support arm longitudinal axis  1202  can rotate in relation to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis  1204 . Optionally, a second stop wall (not shown) could also be used. For example, a first stop wall could limit the extent of swing of the support arm  1236  in a first direction, and a second stop wall could limit the extent of swing of the support arm  1236  in a second direction. The central hinge assembly  1218  also includes a back wall  1234  connected to the top hinge plate  1220  and the bottom hinge plate  1226 . The back wall  1234  is attached to the support arm  1236 . The central hinge assembly  1218  also includes a central hinge bar  1238  inserted through the central hole  1222  in the top hinge plate  1220  in the central hinge assembly  1218 , the hitch insertion member top hinge hole  1210 , the hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole  1214 , and the central hole  1228  in the bottom hinge plate  1226  of the central hinge assembly  1218 , to attach the support arm  1236  to the hitch insertion member  1206 , and to permit the support arm  1236  to rotate in relation to the hitch insertion member  1206 . The central hinge assembly  1218  may also have a central angle locking bar  1240  inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes  1224  in the top hinge plate  1220  of the central hinge assembly  1218  and into the angle securing hole  1216  in the hitch insertion member  1206 , to lock the support arm longitudinal axis  1202  at an angle in relation to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis  1204  selected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of the locking holes  1224  in the top hinge plate  1220  of the central hinge assembly  1218  and by the location of the angle securing hole  1216  in the hitch insertion member  1206 . The central angle locking bar  1240  may be in a self contained, spring loaded bar housing (not shown), which contains the bar to prevent the bar from being lost. The bar housing may be tack welded to the top hinge plate  1220 . Alternatively, the primary central angle locking bar  1240  is not in a bar housing. 
     F. Secondary Swing Arm 
     Another example of the invention may be embodied by the apparatus  1300  shown in  FIG. 13 . The apparatus  1300  generally has the features of the apparatus  100 , and also has the following additional components and features. The support arm  1302  in the apparatus  1300  may be longer than the support arm  322  in the apparatus  100 . In the apparatus  1300 , the support arm top  1304  has a support arm top secondary hinge hole  1306 , and the support arm bottom  1308  also has a support arm bottom secondary hinge hole  1310  that is aligned with the support arm top secondary hinge hole  1306 . The support arm top  1304  may also has a support arm secondary angle securing hole  1312 . 
     The apparatus  1300  also includes a secondary swing arm  1314  defining a secondary swing arm longitudinal axis  1316 , and having a secondary swing arm hinged end  1318  and a secondary swing arm swinging end  1320 . The apparatus  1300  further includes a secondary hinge assembly  1322 . However, any type of hinge, pivot, or other suitable apparatus for pivotally attaching the secondary swing arm  1314  to the support arm  1302  could be used. The secondary hinge assembly  1322  has a top hinge plate  1324  having a central hole  1326  for alignment with the support arm top secondary hinge hole  1306 . The top hinge plate  1324  may also have a plurality of locking holes  1328  for selective alignment with the support arm secondary angle securing hole  1312 . The secondary hinge assembly  1322  also has a bottom hinge plate  1330  having a central hole  1332  for alignment with the support arm bottom secondary hinge hole  1310 . The secondary hinge assembly  1322  may also have a stop wall  1334  attached to the bottom hinge plate  1330  to establish the maximum angle the secondary swing arm longitudinal axis  1316  can rotate in relation to the support arm longitudinal axis  1336 . The secondary hinge assembly  1322  also includes an attachment wall  1338  connected to the top hinge plate  1324  and the bottom hinge plate  1330 . The attachment wall  1338  is attached to the secondary swing arm  1314 . The secondary hinge assembly  1322  also includes a secondary hinge bar  1340  inserted through the central hole  1326  in the top hinge plate  1324  in the secondary hinge assembly  1322 , the support arm top secondary hinge hole  1306 , the support arm bottom secondary hinge hole  1310 , and the central hole  1332  in the bottom hinge plate  1330  of the secondary hinge assembly  1322 , to attach the secondary swing arm  1314  to the support arm  1302 , and to permit the secondary swing arm  1314  to rotate in relation to the support arm  1302 . The secondary hinge assembly  1322  may also have a secondary angle locking bar  1342  inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes  1328  in the top hinge plate  1324  of the secondary hinge assembly  1322  and into the secondary angle securing hole  1312  in the support arm  1302 , to lock the secondary swing arm longitudinal axis  1316  at an angle in relation to the support arm longitudinal axis  1336  selected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of the locking holes  1328  in the top hinge plate  1324  of the secondary hinge assembly  1322  and by the location of the secondary angle securing hole  1312  in the support arm  1302 . The secondary angle locking bar  1342  may be in a self contained, spring loaded bar housing (not shown), which contains the bar to prevent the bar from being lost. The bar housing may be tack welded to the top hinge plate  1324 . Alternatively, the secondary angle locking bar  1342  is not in a bar housing. 
     In the illustrated example, a secondary pedestal  1343  is attached to the secondary swing arm  1314 . Optionally, the secondary pedestal  1343  can have front and back holes for securing the secondary swing arm  1314  to a securing wall (not shown) with a secondary locking bar  1345 . Optionally, one or more additional items may be permanently or removably attached to the secondary pedestal  1343  and/or the secondary swing arm  1314 . Optionally, the secondary pedestal  1343  is not included and one or more of the additional items is attached directly to the secondary swing arm  1314 . These additional items could include one or more coolers  1344  (ice chests), refrigerators, cutting surfaces  1346  (for example cutting boards), condiment trays, and compartments or drawers  1348  for storing cooking utensils, grill covers, lights (for example, for night barbequing), side-auxiliary grills (auxiliary burners), and/or additional cooking devices. 
     G. Height Locking Bar 
     Another example of the invention embodied by the apparatus  1400  is illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The apparatus  1400  includes a height locking bar  1402  pivotally connected to the swing arm  1404  with a pivot assembly  1406 , wherein the height locking bar  1402  has a movable end  1408  that has a hole  1410 . The apparatus  1400  also has a ledge  1412  attached to the lateral member  1414 , wherein the ledge  1412  has a lateral slit  1416 . The apparatus  1400  also has a height locking bolt  1418  inserted through the hole  1410  in the movable end  1408  of the height locking bar  1402  and through the lateral slit  1416  in the ledge  1412  of the lateral member  1414 . The apparatus  1400  also has a wingnut  1420  attached to the height locking bolt  1418 , for securing the movable end  1408  of the height locking bar  1402  to the ledge  1412 , to lock the cooking device  1422  at a desired height. Optionally, the height locking bar  1402  could have two telescoping portions, and a locking rod for locking the telescoping portions so that the height locking bar  1402  could be locked at different lengths. Optionally, one or more additional height locking bars, height locking bolts, and wingnuts could be used, and one or more additional ledges and lateral slits could be used (or the ledge  1412  and the lateral slit  1416  could be extended). Optionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , in the apparatus  1400  the column  1424  may have a square cross section rather than a circular cross section (although a circular cross section could be used). Also, the apparatus  1400  may not include a column rotation locking bar  388  or a rotation adjustment locking hole  382 . 
     H. Hitch Collar, Ground Support Post, and Additional Embodiments 
     An example of the invention shown in  FIG. 16 , is an apparatus  1600  selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device and positioning the device in an orientation that permits access to the vehicle. The apparatus may include a support arm  1602  defining a support arm longitudinal axis  1604 , wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole  1606 . The hitch collar hole  1606  may be located proximate a first end  1608  of the support arm  1602 , but could be located in other locations. As an example, the hitch collar hole  1606  is rectangular, (and may be square). However, the hitch collar hole  1606  could have any desired shape, and could be a square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other suitable shape. The hitch collar hole  1606  may define a hitch collar hole longitudinal axis  1610 , and the hitch collar hole longitudinal axis  1610  may be substantially perpendicular to the support arm longitudinal axis  1604 . The support arm  1602  may have a first set screw hole  1612 , which may be threaded. Further, a first set screw  1614  may be attached to the first set screw hole  1612 . 
     The apparatus  1600  may further comprise a hitch collar  1616  inserted into the hitch collar hole  1606  in the support arm  1602  and attached to the support arm  1602 . If a hitch collar  1616  is included, then the first set screw hole  1612  may extend through both the support arm  1602  and the hitch collar  1616 . The hitch collar  1616  may have a second set screw hole  1618 , which may be threaded, and a second set screw  1620  may be attached to the second set screw hole  1618 . Alternatively, the second set screw hole  1618  could be located in the support arm  1602 , for example on a top  1622  of the support arm  1602  (and could also extend through the hitch collar  1616 ), and the second set screw  1620  could be attached to the second screw hole in the support arm  1602 . Alternatively, the first set screw hole could be located in the hitch collar  1616 , (and not in the support arm  1602 ), for example in a portion  1623  of the hitch collar  1616  that protrudes behind the support arm  1602 , and the first set screw  1614  could be attached to the first screw hole in the hitch collar  1616 . In another alternative embodiment, one or more additional set screw holes could be provided in the support arm  1602  and/or the hitch collar  1616 , and additional set screws could also be provided to be attached to the additional set screw holes. The apparatus  1600  may also include a primary swing arm  1624  (having a longitudinal axis  1625 ), and a primary hinge assembly  350  for swingably attaching the primary swing arm  1624  to the support arm  1602 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , the apparatus  1600  may also include a collar insertion member  1626 , which may be inserted into the hitch collar  1616 . The shape of a cross section of the collar insertion member  1626  perpendicular to a longitudinal axis  1628  of the collar insertion member  1626 , may be the same as the cross sectional shape of the hitch collar  1616  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  1610  of the hitch collar  1616 , which for example, may be rectangular (and more specifically, may be square). However, cross sections of the collar insertion member  1626  and/or the hitch collar  1616  could have any shapes that permit inserting the collar insertion member  1626  into the hitch collar  1616 , and securing the collar insertion member  1626  to the hitch collar  1616 , and need not be the same. For example, the shape of a cross section of the collar insertion member  1626  and or the hitch collar  1616  could be a square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other suitable shape. In embodiments that do not include a hitch collar  1616 , the support arm  1602  could be attached directly to the collar insertion member  1626  (for example, by tightening one or more set screws), and the cross section of the collar insertion member  1626  could have any shape that permits inserting the collar insertion member  1626  into the hitch collar hole  1606  in the support arm  1602 , and that also permits insertion into the trailer hitch  102  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) attached to the vehicle  104  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), and securing the collar insertion member  1626  to the trailer hitch  102 . For example, a cross section of the collar insertion member  1626  could be a rectangle, square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other suitable shape. The collar insertion member  1626  may be shaped to be insertable into any sized or shaped vehicle trailer hitch. In an alternative embodiment, if the openings in the hitch collar  1616  and the trailer hitch  102  do not have the same cross sectional shape and size, then the collar insertion member  1626  could have two (or more) cross sectional shapes, wherein a first shape may correspond with the cross sectional shape of the opening in the hitch collar  1616  (or the hitch collar hole  1606  if a hitch collar  1616  is not included), and wherein a second shape may correspond with the shape of the opening in the vehicle trailer hitch (the rearward facing hollow tubular end  108  of the trailer hitch  102 ), for the portion of the collar insertion member  1626  that may be inserted into the vehicle trailer hitch. Thus, the collar insertion member  1626  may be configured to attach to various types of tubular trailer hitch openings having different sizes and shapes. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 17 , the collar insertion member  1626  may have a hole  1630  in a first side  1632  and a corresponding hole (not shown) in a second side  1634  that is opposite the first side  1634 , to permit inserting a hitch locking pin  112  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) through the hole  1630  and the corresponding hole in the second side  1634  of the collar insertion member  1626 , and corresponding hole  110  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) in the second side (and the corresponding hole in the first side) of the trailer hitch  102 , to secure the collar insertion member  1626  to the vehicle  104  trailer hitch  102 . The collar insertion member  1626  may also have a second hole  1636  in the first side  1632 , and a corresponding hole (not shown) in the second side  1634  of the collar insertion member  1626 , to permit selectively inserting the hitch locking pin  112  through either the hole  1630  or the hole  1636 , to selectively determine the length of the portion of the collar insertion member  1626  that protrudes from the trailer hitch  102 . In embodiments that do not have a hitch collar  1616 , the hitch collar hole may be formed so that the edges of the hitch collar hole  1606  contact the collar insertion member  1626 , when the collar insertion member  1626  is inserted into the hitch collar hole  1606 . The first set screw  1614  and/or the second set screw  1620  may be tightened to contact and push against the collar insertion member  1626  to secure the collar insertion member  1626  to the hitch collar  1616 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , although not required, in another embodiment of a collar insertion member  1646 , a hitch ball  1640  may be attached to a hitch ball mount  1642  that is attached to the end  1644  of the collar insertion member  1646 . Thus, the collar insertion member  1646  includes the hitch ball  1640  and the hitch ball mount  1642 . Accordingly, some embodiments permit attaching a trailer hitch ball  1640  to the trailer hitch  102  of the vehicle  104  while using the apparatus  1600 , which permits towing an object such as a boat or a trailer, while the apparatus  1600  is attached to the vehicle  104 . The collar insertion member  1646  may be a standard trailer hitch ball apparatus commonly used with vehicle trailer hitches, or may be custom designed. The collar insertion member  1646  generally has the characteristics and features of the collar insertion member  1626  (in addition to having a hitch ball mount  1642  and a hitch ball  1640 ). A collar insertion member  1626  or a collar insertion member  1646  may interchangeably be used with the apparatus  1600 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , the apparatus  1600  is shown with the collar insertion member  1626  fully inserted into the hitch collar  1616 . 
       FIG. 20  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus  2000 , wherein the hitch collar  2002  does not have a portion  1623  (shown in  FIG. 16 ) protruding behind the support arm  2003 , but instead ends immediately behind the back side  2004  of the support arm  2003 . In this embodiment both the first set screw  2006  and the second set screw  2008  are located so as to be inserted into holes (not shown) in the support arm  2003 , and into holes (not shown) in the hitch collar  2002  beneath the holes in the support arm  2003 . Besides these differences, the apparatus  2000  generally may have the elements and characteristics of the apparatus  1600 . In  FIG. 20 , the collar insertion member  1626  is shown fully inserted in to the hitch collar  2002 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , the apparatus  1600  is shown adjacent a vehicle  104  that is attached to a trailer hitch  102 . As discussed above, a hitch locking pin  112  is shown for insertion into hole  1630  or hole  1636  (and through the corresponding hole on the second side  1634 ) of the in the collar insertion member  1626 , and through the hole  110  in the trailer hitch  102  (and the corresponding hole on the opposite side of the trailer hitch  102 ) to secure the apparatus  1600  to the trailer hitch  102 . A locking pin clip  2102  may be inserted into a hole  2104  in the hitch locking pin  112 , to secure the hitch locking pin  112  to the trailer hitch  102 . A pedestal  376  is attached to the primary swing arm  1624 , and a column  384  is inserted into the pedestal  376 . A cooking device is attached to the column  384  (either directly or as described in other sections herein). However, a device other than a cooking device could be attached. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 21 , the apparatus  1600  may also include a ground support post  2104 , which may be attached to the primary swing arm  1624 . A base  2106  may be attached to the ground support post  2104 . The ground support post  2104  may be one piece, or as shown, may have a telescoping end portion  2108  inserted into a base portion  2110 , for adjusting the length of the ground support post  2104 . In one example, holes  2112  may be provided in the ground support post  2104  for inserting one or more bolts or pins for locking the length of the ground support post  2104 . When extended to come in contact with the ground, the ground support post  2104  helps support the weight of the apparatus  1600  and any attached device. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 21 , a ground support post hinge  2114  may be attached to the primary swing arm  1624 , and the ground support post  2104  may be attached to the ground support post hinge  2114 , to permit swinging the ground support post  2104  from a first position near the primary swing arm  1624 , to a second position wherein an end (which may be the base  2106 ) of the ground support post  2104  is in contact with the ground. In other embodiments (not shown), a ground support post hinge  2114  is not provided, and the ground support post  2104  may be slidably attached to the apparatus  1624  for vertical movement from a first position wherein the ground support post  2104  is adjacent the apparatus  1600 , to a second position wherein an end (the base  2106 ) of the ground support post  2104  is in contact with the ground. A ground support post retaining clip (not shown) may be attached to the primary swing arm  1624 , for securing the ground support post  2104  in the first position, retracted near the primary swing arm  1624 . Additionally or instead of providing a ground support post retaining clip, a spring (not shown) may be attached to the ground support post  2104  and to the primary swing arm  1624  (or the ground support post hinge  2114 ), for holding the ground support post in the first position near the primary swing arm  1624 . The ground support post  2104  (with or without the base  2106 ) and the ground support post hinge  2114  together may be called a kickstand. The ground support post  2104  (and any of the associated elements discussed herein) may also be included in any of the other embodiments of the invention discussed in any section herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , the appatatus  1600  is shown with the primary swing arm  1624  in an extended position, and with the ground support post  2104  extended and in contact with the ground  2202 . In  FIG. 22 , a hitch ball  1640  is attached to a hitch ball mount  1642 , which are part of the collar insertion member. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21 and 23 , the position of the hitch collar  1616  on the collar insertion member  1626  may be adjusted to locate the apparatus  1600  (or  2000 ) at a desired distance from the vehicle  104 , to accommodate attaching different sized devices to the apparatus. Thus, the support arm  1602  may be positioned at a desired distance from the vehicle  104 , selected from a range of distances determined by the length of the collar insertion member  1626 , (and by which hole  1630  or  1636  is used to secure the collar insertion member  1626  to the trailer hitch  102 ), and may be secured in the desired position by tightening the set screws  1614 ,  1620 . 
     The primary swing arm  1624  discussed in this section (with regard to the apparatus  1600 ,  2000 ) may be the same as the primary swing arm  340  discussed in other sections herein, except that the primary swing arm  1624  may be shorter to permit the hitch ball mount  1642  and the hitch ball  1640  to protrude from the apparatus  1600  without being hit by the primary swing arm  1624 , and to permit the collar insertion member  1626  to protrude from the apparatus  1600  without being hit by the primary swing arm  1624  in embodiments where the collar insertion member  1626  also protrudes. Thus, a length of the support arm  1602  parallel to the support arm longitudinal axis  1604  may be greater than a length of the primary swing arm  1624  parallel to the primary swing arm longitudinal axis  1625 . The primary hinge assembly  350  discussed in this section may be the same as the primary hinge assembly  350  described in other sections herein. Similarly, the pedestal  376  and the column  384  discussed in this section may be the same as the pedestal  376  and the column  384  discussed in other sections herein. The apparatus  1600  or  2000 , may generally have any of the elements, features, and characteristics discussed in other sections herein for other embodiments. For any embodiment discussed herein, the device may be any transportable device of suitable size and weight, and may be for example, a cooking device, a bicycle (or bicycles), skis, luggage, a wheelchair, a container, or a tank (for storing a gas or a liquid). These devices may be attached to the apparatus using any suitable method of attachment, and need not be attached to a column and/or pedestal. 
     II. Operation 
     In addition to the various hardware embodiments described above, a different aspect of the invention concerns a method for using an apparatus that temporarily attaches to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device  348  and positioning the cooking device  348  in an orientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle.  FIG. 15  shows a sequence  1500  for an exemplary method for using the apparatus. However, other methods of using the apparatus could be used. For ease of explanation, but without any intended limitation, the example of  FIG. 15  is described in the context of the apparatus  100  described above in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     The sequence  1500  begins with task  1502  in which the apparatus is attached to the trailer hitch  102  on the vehicle  104 . In task  1504 , the user secures the apparatus in a closed position for safe transport for driving the vehicle  104 . The apparatus  100  may be secured by orienting the primary swing arm  340  in a closed position next to the support arm  322 , and then inserting the primary angle locking bar  368  into the primary angle securing hole  338  and also into the locking hole from the plurality of locking holes  356  in the top hinge plate  352  of the primary hinge assembly  350  that is lined up with the support arm primary angle securing hole  338  when the primary swing arm  340  is in a closed position next to the support arm  322 . Alternatively, or in addition to using the primary angle locking bar  368  to secure the apparatus  100 , the apparatus  100  may be secured by orienting the primary swing arm  340  in a closed position next to the support arm  322 , and then inserting the locking bar  438  into the securing wall hole  436 , the pedestal back securing hole  428 , the column back securing hole  432 , the column front securing hole  430 , and the pedestal front securing hole  426 , and securing the locking bar in place, for example with a locking pin or a lock. In task  1506 , the user drives the vehicle  104  to a desired cooking location. The user then parks the vehicle  104  at the desired cooking location in task  1508 . In task  1510 , the user unsecures the apparatus  100  from the closed position, while leaving the apparatus  100  connected to the trailer hitch  102  on the vehicle  104 . The apparatus  100  is unsecured by removing the primary angle locking bar  368 , and/or by removing the locking bar  438 . Next, in task  1512 , the user selects a locking hole from a plurality of locking holes  356  on the primary hinge assembly  350 , to line up with the angle securing hole  338  on the support arm  322 , to establish a desired angle between the support arm longitudinal axis  332  and the primary swing arm longitudinal axis  342 , wherein the desired angle is selected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of the plurality of locking holes  356  and the angle securing hole  338 . In task  1514 , the user moves the primary swing arm  340 , to align the selected locking hole with the angle securing hole  338 . Next, in task  1516 , the user inserts the primary angle locking bar  368  into the selected locking hole from the plurality of locking holes  356  and into the angle securing hole  338 , to lock the primary swing arm longitudinal axis  342  at the desired angle in relation to the support arm longitudinal axis  332 . Optionally, in task  1518 , the user rotates the cooking device  348  to a desired rotation. Optionally, in task  1520 , the user secures the cooking device  348  at the desired rotation. Optionally, in task  1522 , the user adjusts the height of cooking device  348  to a desired height. Optionally, in task  1524 , the user secures the cooking device  348  at the desired height. If the cooking device  348  is not already connected to a fuel source or does not already have a fuel source, then in task  1526 , the user connects a fuel line connected to a fuel source to the cooking device  348 . In task  1528  the user ignites a heat source in the cooking device  348 . The user cooks some food in task  1530 . Next, in task  1532 , the user extinguishes the heat source in the cooking device  348 . Optionally, in task  1534 , the user disconnects the fuel line from the cooking device  348 . Typically, the fuel line will be disconnected from the cooking device  348  prior to transporting the apparatus  100 . However, the fuel line could be left connected if the fuel tank  452  is attached to the apparatus  100  during transport, for example in a fuel tank holder  450 . Next, in task  1536 , the user secures the apparatus in a closed position for safe transport for driving the vehicle  104 , as described above. In task  1538 , the user then drives the vehicle  104  to another location. In task  1540 , the user parks the vehicle  104 . Finally, in task  1542 , the user removes the apparatus  100  from the trailer hitch  102  on the vehicle  104 . 
     Alternatively, after parking the vehicle  104  at the location desired for cooking, the user removes the apparatus  100  from the trailer hitch  102  of the vehicle  104  places the apparatus  100  on a carrier stand that is separate from the apparatus  100 , optionally connects a fuel line connected to a fuel source to the cooking device  348 , ignites the heat source in the cooking device  348 , cooks some food, extinguishes the heat source, optionally disconnects the fuel line from the cooking device  348 , removes the apparatus  100  from the carrier stand, attaches the apparatus  100  to the trailer hitch  102  on the vehicle  104 , secures the apparatus  100  in a closed position for safe transport for driving the vehicle  104 , drives the vehicle  104  to another location, parks the vehicle  104 , and then removes the apparatus from the trailer hitch  102  on the vehicle  104 . 
     For the embodiments of the apparatus  1600  and  2000  discussed above, the sequence may also include selecting either a collar insertion member  1626  that does not have a hitch ball  1640 , or a collar insertion member  1646  that includes a hitch ball  1640  and a hitch ball mount  1642 . The sequence may also include inserting the collar insertion member  1626  or  1646  into the hitch collar  1616 . The sequence may also include tightening the set screws  1614 ,  1620  at this point. The sequence may also include inserting the collar insertion member  1626  or  1646  into the rearward facing hollow tubular end of the trailer hitch  108 , and may further include aligning either the hole  1630  or the hole  1636  in the collar insertion member  1626  or  1646  with the hole  110  in the trailer hitch  102 . The sequence may also include inserting the hitch locking pin  112  through the aligned holes to secure the collar insertion member  1626  or  1646  (and the other portions of the apparatus  1600 ,  2000 ) to the trailer hitch  102 . The sequence may also include attaching a locking pin clip  2102  to the hitch locking pin  112 , to prevent the hitch locking pin  112  from becoming dislodged from the trailer hitch  102 . If the set screws  1614 ,  1620  were previously tightened, the sequence may also include loosening the set screws  1614 ,  1620  so that, if desired, the sequence may also include moving the hitch collar  1616  in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  1628  of the collar insertion member  1626 ,  1646 , to position the support arm  1602 ,  2003  (and other portions of the apparatus) at a desired distance from the vehicle  104 . The sequence may also include tightening the set screws  1614 ,  1620  after the support arm  1602 ,  2003  is at a desired distance from the vehicle  104 , to secure the hitch collar  1616  to the collar insertion member  1626 ,  1646 . In embodiments in which only one set screw is provided, then in the sequence only the single set screw is tightened (or loosened). In summary, in some embodiments attaching the apparatus to a trailer hitch  102  on the vehicle  104  may include one or more of the operations described in this paragraph. 
     For ease of explanation, but without any limitation intended limitation, use of the ground support post  2104  is discussed with reference to the apparatus  100 ,  1600 ,  2000 . However, the ground support post  2104  could be used with other embodiments discussed herein. For any embodiment that includes a ground support post  2104 , the sequence may also include moving an end of the ground support post  2104  from a position near the apparatus  100 ,  1600 ,  2000 , to a position in contact with the ground  2202 , after the primary swing arm  340 ,  1624  is secured at a desired angle in relation to the support arm  322 ,  1602 . Moving the end of the ground support post  2104  from a position near the apparatus  100 ,  1600 ,  2000 , to a position in contact with the ground  2202 , may assist in securing the device at a desired height in some embodiments. To prepare the apparatus  100 ,  1600 ,  2000  for transport, the sequence may also include moving the end of the ground support post  2104  from a position in contact with the ground  2202 , to a position near the apparatus  100 ,  1600 ,  2000 . For any embodiment of the invention, the sequence may also include removing the device from the apparatus to permit using the device, and may also include attaching the device to the apparatus when use of the device is completed. 
     III. Additional Information 
     Some examples of the invention are described in the following entries: 
     Entry 1. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in an orientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
         a hitch insertion member having a base;   a support arm having a support arm top and a support arm bottom, and wherein the support arm defines a support arm longitudinal axis, and wherein the support arm top has a support arm top primary hinge hole and the support arm bottom has a support arm bottom primary hinge hole aligned with the support arm top primary hinge hole, and wherein the support arm is attached to the base of the hitch insertion member;   a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinal axis;   a primary hinge assembly comprising:
           a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with the support arm top primary hinge hole;   a bottom hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with the support arm bottom primary hinge hole; and   an attachment wall connected to the top hinge plate and the bottom hinge plate, the attachment wall being attached to the primary swing arm;   
           a primary hinge bar inserted through the central hole in the top hinge plate in the primary hinge assembly, the support arm top primary hinge hole, the support arm bottom primary hinge hole, and the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly, to attach the primary swing arm to the support arm, and to permit the swing arm to rotate in relation to the support arm;   a pedestal having a base, wherein the base of the pedestal is attached to the primary swing arm; and   a column, the column being at least partially inserted into the pedestal.       

     Entry 2. The apparatus of entry 1:
         wherein the hitch insertion member has a hitch insertion member first side and a hitch insertion member second side, and wherein the hitch insertion member first side has a hole and the hitch insertion member second side has a hole aligned with the hole in the hitch insertion member first side;   wherein the support arm has a support arm primary angle securing hole;   wherein the top hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment with the support arm angle securing hole;   wherein the primary hinge assembly further comprises a stop wall attached to the bottom hinge plate to establish the maximum angle the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm can rotate in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm;   wherein the pedestal has a rotation adjustment hole;   further comprising a primary angle locking bar inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes in the top hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly and into the primary angle securing hole in the support arm, to lock the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm selected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of the locking holes in the top hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly and by the location of the primary angle securing hole in the support arm;   further comprising a column rotation locking bar secured through the pedestal rotation adjustment hole to lock the column at a selected rotation within the pedestal; and   a lateral member attached to the column.       

     Entry 3. The apparatus of entry 2 further comprising a cooking device attached to the lateral member. 
     Entry 4. The apparatus of entry 3 wherein the cooking device is a barbeque. 
     Entry 5. The apparatus of entry 4:
         wherein the pedestal has a pedestal front securing hole and a pedestal back securing hole, and wherein the pedestal front securing hole and the pedestal back securing hole are on opposite sides of the pedestal and are aligned with each other;   wherein the column has a column front securing hole and a column back securing hole, wherein the column front securing hole and the column back securing hole are on opposite sides of the column and are aligned with each other, and wherein the column front securing hole is located to permit alignment with the pedestal front securing hole and the column back securing hole is located to permit alignment with the pedestal back securing hole when the column is fully inserted into the pedestal; and   further comprising:   a securing wall attached to the support arm, the securing wall having a securing wall hole located to align with the pedestal back securing hole when the primary swing arm is adjacent the support arm; and   a locking bar for insertion into the pedestal front securing hole, the column front securing hole, the column back securing hole, the pedestal back securing hole, and the securing wall hole, to secure the apparatus for transport.       

     Entry 6. The apparatus of entry 5:
         wherein the central hole in the top hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly is located in an overhang area of the top hinge plate, and wherein the plurality of locking holes in the top hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly are also located in the overhang area of the top hinge plate; and   wherein the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly is located in an overhang area of the bottom hinge plate.       

     Entry 7. The apparatus of entry 6 wherein the bottom hinge plate also has a nonoverhang area, and wherein the stop wall is partially contiguous with the overhang area and the nonoverhang area of the bottom hinge plate. 
     Entry 8. The apparatus of entry 7 wherein the support arm has a first end, and wherein the support arm top primary hinge hole is located within about 5 centimeters from the second end of the support arm, and wherein the support arm primary angle securing hole is located within about 10 centimeters from the support arm top primary hinge hole. 
     Entry 9. The apparatus of entry 8:
         wherein the hitch insertion member defines a hitch insertion member longitudinal axis, and wherein a cross section of the hitch insertion member perpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis is a square;   wherein a cross section of the support arm perpendicular to the support arm longitudinal axis is a rectangle;   wherein a cross section of the primary swing arm perpendicular to the primary swing arm longitudinal axis is a rectangle; and   wherein the pedestal defines a pedestal longitudinal axis and wherein a cross section of the pedestal perpendicular to the pedestal longitudinal axis is a square; and   wherein the column defines a column longitudinal axis, and wherein a cross section of the column perpendicular to the column longitudinal axis is a circle.       

     Entry 10. The apparatus of entry 9 further comprising:
         a support arm outside gusset attached to the support arm and the hitch insertion member;   a support arm inside gusset attached to the support arm and the hitch insertion member;   an inside pedestal gusset attached to the pedestal and the primary swing arm, the inside pedestal gusset having a threaded hole aligned with the rotation adjustment hole in the pedestal;   an outside pedestal gusset attached to the pedestal and the primary swing arm;   a top hinge hole liner attached to the support arm top primary hinge hole;   a bottom hinge hole liner attached to the support arm bottom primary hinge hole;   a first bracket attached to a first end of the lateral member;   a second bracket attached to a second end of the lateral member;   a plurality of bolts and nuts; and   wherein the first bracket has a plurality of holes and the second bracket has a plurality of holes, and the barbeque has a plurality of holes aligned with the plurality of holes in the first bracket and the second bracket, and wherein the barbeque is attached to the first bracket and the second bracket with a bolt from the plurality of bolts inserted through each of the aligned holes in the barbeque and the first bracket, and through each of the aligned holes in the barbeque and the second bracket, with each bolt being secured with a nut from the plurality of nuts; and   wherein the lateral member has a lateral member hole, and the column is inserted into the lateral member hole.       

     Entry 11. The apparatus of entry 4:
         wherein the hitch insertion member defines a hitch insertion member longitudinal axis and the pedestal defines a pedestal longitudinal axis;   wherein the support arm has a support arm first end, and wherein the support arm first end is attached to the base of the hitch insertion member with the support arm longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis; and   wherein the primary swing arm has a primary swing arm hinged end and a primary swing arm swinging end, and wherein the attachment wall of the primary hinge assembly is attached to the primary swing arm hinged end, and wherein the base of the pedestal is attached to the primary hinge assembly swinging end, with the pedestal longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm.       

     Entry 12. The apparatus of entry 4, wherein, the support arm longitudinal axis and the swing arm longitudinal axis are substantially parallel and horizontal, when the hitch insertion member is oriented to be inserted into a trailer hitch. 
     Entry 13. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the support arm longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to horizontal, and wherein the swing arm longitudinal axis defines an angle alpha from horizontal, when the hitch insertion member is oriented to be inserted into a trailer hitch. 
     Entry 14. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the support arm and the primary swing arm are curved. 
     Entry 15. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the support arm has at least one additional support arm segment and the primary swing arm has at least one additional swing arm segment. 
     Entry 16. The apparatus of entry 3, further comprising a hitch vertical member attached to the hitch insertion member and the support arm for attaching the support arm to the hitch insertion member and to locate the support arm and the primary swing arm in a plane that is a specified distance above the trailer hitch. 
     Entry 17. The apparatus of entry 4 wherein the primary swing arm is above the support arm. 
     Entry 18. The apparatus of entry 3, further comprising a support vertical member attached to the primary hinge assembly and the primary swing arm to position the primary swing arm a specified distance above the support arm. 
     Entry 19. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the primary swing arm comprises a retainer portion and a telescoping insertion portion partially inserted into the retainer portion and secured to the retainer portion, wherein the telescoping insertion portion can be partially extended from within the retainer portion to extend the length of the primary swing arm, and wherein the attachment wall of the primary hinge assembly is attached to the retainer portion, and wherein the base of the pedestal is attached to the telescoping insertion portion. 
     Entry 20. The apparatus of entry 3, further comprising a supplemental trailer hitch receptacle attached to the apparatus. 
     Entry 21. The apparatus of entry 20, further comprising trailer hitch ball attached to the supplemental trail hitch receptacle. 
     Entry 22. The apparatus of entry 4 further comprising a license plate mount and a license plate light attached to the apparatus. 
     Entry 23. The apparatus of entry 4 further comprising a fuel tank retaining rack attached to the apparatus, for attaching a fuel tank to the apparatus. 
     Entry 24. The apparatus of entry 4 further comprising a shock dampening device having a shock dampening device first end attached to the hitch insertion member and a shock dampening device second end attached to the lateral member. 
     Entry 25. The apparatus of entry 3 further comprising:
         a height locking bar pivotally connected to the swing arm, the height locking bar having a movable end having a hole;   a ledge attached to the lateral member, the ledge having a lateral slit;   a height locking bolt inserted through the hole in the movable end of the height locking bar and the lateral slit in the ledge of the lateral member; and   a wingnut attached to the height locking bolt, for locking the cooking apparatus at a desired height.       

     Entry 26. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the hitch insertion member has a hitch insertion member top and a hitch insertion member bottom, and wherein the hitch insertion member top has a hitch insertion member top hinge hole and the hitch insertion member bottom has a hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole aligned with the hitch insertion member top hinge hole, and wherein the hitch insertion member top has a hitch insertion member angle securing hole; and
         further comprising:   a central hinge assembly comprising:
           a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with the hitch insertion member top hinge hole, the top hinge plate also having a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment with the hitch insertion member locking hole;   a bottom hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with the hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole;   a stop wall attached to the bottom hinge plate to establish a maximum angle the longitudinal axis of the support arm can rotate in relation to the longitudinal axis of the hitch insertion member; and   a back wall connected to the top hinge plate and the bottom hinge plate, the back wall being attached to the support arm;   
           a central hinge bar inserted through the central hole in the top hinge plate in the central hinge assembly, the hitch insertion member top hinge hole, the hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole, and the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the central hinge assembly, to attach the support arm to the base of the hitch insertion member, and to permit the support arm to rotate in relation to the hitch insertion member; and   a central angle locking bar inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes in the top hinge plate of the central hinge assembly and into the locking hole in the hitch insertion member, to lock the longitudinal axis of the support arm at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the hitch insertion member selected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of the locking holes in the top hinge plate of the central hinge assembly and by the location of the angle securing hole in the hitch insertion member.       

     Entry 27. The apparatus of entry 3:
         wherein the support arm has a support arm top secondary hinge hole and the support arm bottom has a support arm bottom secondary hinge hole aligned with the support arm top secondary hinge hole, and wherein the support arm top has a support arm secondary angle securing hole; and   further comprising:   a secondary swing arm defining a secondary swing arm longitudinal axis;   a secondary hinge assembly comprising:
           a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with the support arm top secondary hinge hole, the top hinge plate also having a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment with the support arm secondary angle securing hole;   a bottom hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with the support arm bottom secondary hinge hole;   a stop wall attached to the bottom hinge plate to establish the maximum angle the longitudinal axis of the secondary swing arm can rotate in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm; and   an attachment wall connected to the top hinge plate and the bottom hinge plate, the attachment wall being attached to the secondary swing arm;   
           a secondary hinge bar inserted through the central hole in the top hinge plate in the secondary hinge assembly, the support arm top secondary hinge hole, the support arm bottom secondary hinge hole, and the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the secondary hinge assembly, to attach the secondary swing arm to the support arm, and to permit the secondary swing arm to rotate in relation to the support arm; and   a secondary angle locking bar inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes in the top hinge plate of the secondary hinge assembly and into the secondary angle securing hole in the support arm, to lock the longitudinal axis of the secondary swing arm at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm selected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of the locking holes in the top hinge plate of the secondary hinge assembly and by the location of the secondary angle securing hole in the support arm.       

     Entry 28. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in an orientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
         means for connecting the apparatus to a trailer hitch on a vehicle;   a support arm defining a support arm longitudinal axis, wherein the support arm is attached to the means for connecting the apparatus to a trailer hitch;   a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinal axis;   means for pivotally attaching the primary swing arm to the support arm;   means for locking the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm selected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of a plurality of locking holes and an angle securing hole;   means for attaching the cooking device to the primary swing arm;   means for rotating the cooking device;   means for adjusting the height of the cooking device; and   means for securing the apparatus for safe transport while driving the vehicle.       

     Entry 29. A method for using an apparatus that temporarily attaches to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in an orientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle, the method comprising:
         attaching the apparatus to a trailer hitch on a vehicle;   securing the apparatus in a closed position for safe transport for driving the vehicle;   driving the vehicle to a desired cooking location; parking the vehicle at the desired cooking location;   unsecuring the apparatus from the closed position, while leaving the apparatus connected to the trailer hitch on the vehicle;   selecting a locking hole from a plurality of locking holes, to line up with an angle securing hole, to establish a desired angle between a support arm longitudinal axis and a swing arm longitudinal axis, wherein the desired angle is selected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of the plurality of locking holes and the angle securing hole;   moving the swing arm to align the selected locking hole with the angle securing hole;   inserting an angle locking bar into the selected locking hole and into the angle securing hole, to lock the swing arm longitudinal axis at the desired angle in relation to the support arm longitudinal axis;   rotating the cooking device to a desired rotation;   securing the cooking device at the desired rotation;   igniting a heat source in the cooking device;   cooking some food;   extinguishing the heat source in the cooking device;   securing the apparatus in a closed position for safe transport for driving the vehicle;   driving the vehicle to another location;   parking the vehicle; and   removing the apparatus from the trailer hitch on the vehicle.       

     Entry 30. The method of entry 29 further comprising:
         adjusting height of cooking device to a desired height; and   securing the cooking device at the desired height.       

     Entry 31. The method of entry 29 further comprising:
         connecting a fuel line connected to a fuel source to the cooking device, before igniting the heat source in the cooking device; and
 
disconnecting the fuel line from the cooking device, after extinguishing the heat source in the cooking device.
       

     Some examples of the invention may be summarized as follows: 
     One aspect of the present invention concerns a portable apparatus that is selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in an orientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle. 
     In one example of the invention, the apparatus includes a hitch insertion member, a support arm that is attached to the hitch insertion member, a swing arm that is attached to the support arm with a hinge, a pedestal attached to the swing arm, and a cooking device that is attached to a column that is inserted into the pedestal. As an example, the cooking device may be a propane fueled barbeque. 
     The hitch insertion member is shaped for insertion into a trailer hitch attached to a vehicle. The hitch insertion member has a hole in a first side, and a hole in a second side aligned with the hole in the first side, for securing the hitch insertion member to the trailer hitch. As an example, the hitch insertion member is inserted into the trailer hitch and is secured to the trailer hitch in a user&#39;s garage prior to driving to a sporting event for a tailgate barbeque party. 
     The support arm is attached to a base of the hitch insertion member. The support arm has a support arm top hinge hole, and a support arm bottom hinge hole that is aligned with the support arm top hinge hole. The support arm top also has a support arm angle securing hole. 
     The swing arm is attached to a locking hinge assembly. The locking hinge assembly has a top hinge plate that has a central hole that is aligned with the support arm top hinge hole. The top hinge plate also has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment with the support arm angle securing hole. The locking hinge assembly also has a bottom hinge plate that has a central hole that is aligned with the support arm bottom hinge hole. The locking hinge assembly also has a stop wall attached to the bottom hinge plate to establish the maximum angle the swing arm can rotate in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm. The locking hinge assembly also includes a hinge bar that is inserted through the central hole in the top hinge plate in the locking hinge assembly, the support arm top hinge hole, the support arm bottom hinge hole, and the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the locking hinge assembly, to attach the swing arm to the support arm, and to permit the swing arm to rotate in relation to the support arm. 
     The locking hinge assembly further includes an angle locking bar, that the user inserts into one of the plurality of locking holes in the top hinge plate and into the angle securing hole in the support arm, to lock the longitudinal axis of the swing arm at a selected angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm. The selected angle is determined by the location of the locking hole in the plurality of locking holes in the top hinge plate that the user chooses to align with the angle securing hole in the support arm. 
     Prior to driving the vehicle that the apparatus is attached to, the user swings the swing arm into a closed position next to the support arm, which causes one of the locking holes in the top hinge plate to become aligned with the angle securing hole in the support arm. The user then places the angle locking bar into the aligned holes to lock the swing arm in the closed position next to the support arm. 
     After the user parks the vehicle at the desired cooking location, the user removes the angle locking bar from the angle securing hole in the support arm, and then swings the nonhinged end of the swing arm away from the support arm, to move the cooking device further behind the vehicle, or to the side of the vehicle, to generally position the cooking device in a desired location for cooking, and to permit access to the rear door(s) or hatch of the vehicle. The user can then lock the swing arm to keep the cooking device at the desired location. The swing arm is locked into position by moving the swing arm to align one of the locking holes in the top hinge plate with the angle securing hole in the support arm, and then placing the angle locking bar into the aligned holes. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the support arm and the longitudinal axis of the swing arm is determined by the location of the locking hole in the top hinge plate that is aligned with the angle securing hole. 
     The column that the cooking device is attached to is inserted into the pedestal that is attached to the swing arm. The column can rotate in the pedestal, which permits the user to rotate the cooking device to a desired rotation. The user may secure the cooking device at the desired rotation by tightening a column rotation locking bar that, when tightened, presses against the column through a hole in the pedestal. 
     One or more of the following advantages may be provided by one or more examples of the invention. Some examples of the apparatus of the present invention permit swinging the cooking device further behind the vehicle, or to the side of the vehicle, to permit complete accessibility to the vehicle cargo bay via the rear door(s) or the rear hatch of the vehicle, when loading or unloading the vehicle. Some examples of the apparatus also permit moving the cooking device before or during cooking to optimally position the cooking device, for example, with regard to safety or the wind or sun, and the cooking device can be locked at a desired position. Another advantage is that some examples of the apparatus can be quickly moved into position for cooking, and can also be quickly secured for travel. Additionally, the apparatus can easily be temporarily attached to the vehicle prior to driving to an outdoor recreational location, and then can easily be removed from the vehicle when the user returns home. Further, the apparatus need not be stored in the valuable interior cargo area of the vehicle, which leaves that space available for additional passengers or supplies. Also, with regard to fire safety, the contained cooking environment of the cooking device provides a much safer alternative to a campfire. Furthermore, the cooking device provides a clean cooking environment unlike many public barbeques. 
     IV. Other Embodiments 
     While the foregoing disclosure shows a number of illustrative embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.