Patent Abstract:
A stove and pot arrangement is provided that affords utility to backpackers and other users having limited space. The apparatus provides a specially configured stove frame having laterally spaced apart channels that are receptive of the pot rim and wall and wherein the pot interior is receptive of a central portion of the frame, the pot and frame having about the same overall height.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/014,900, filed Jan. 16, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,001,955, issued on Aug. 23, 2011), which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/885,063, filed Jan. 16, 2007, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/885,063, filed Jan. 16, 2007, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to portable stoves that are adapted to backpacking activities. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved stove with nested pot arrangement wherein a specially configured frame has flanged side portions that form legs and wherein recesses accept a portion of the wall of the pot, a burner element being supported upon the frame, the burner element being nested within the confines of the pot when in a storage position. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Backpacking stoves are known that occupy very little space. However, most of these stoves generate a small amount of heat so that they are restricted to light cooking activity such as boiling water, frying eggs, frying bacon, or like food items. A need exists for a more robust yet portable stove arrangement that can cook larger quantities of food in a relatively large pot having a diameter that approaches the length and/or width of the stove and which can accept optional accessories such as an oven cabinet or smoker cabinet. 
     Many stoves are powered with commercially available containers of gaseous fuel. Such stoves are typically very large and too bulky to be used for backpacking purposes. Such stoves typically are not adapted to form a nested arrangement with a very large pot wherein the diameter of the pot approaches or is larger than one of the length or width dimensions of the stove frame. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved portable stove and pot apparatus. The apparatus features a frame that has upper and lower surfaces, the frame including a pair of spaced apart channel members connected by a central plate section. 
     Each channel member includes a horizontally extending web, a long flange and a short flange. 
     Each short flange provides a connection between a web and the central plate section. 
     A pair of opposed recesses are provided on the lower surface of the frame, each recess being defined by the web and flanges of the channels. 
     A pot is provided that nests with the frame. The pot provides a sidewall and a bottom. The sidewall has a pot rim spaced away from the bottom that fits the recesses, wherein the rim engages the web and the sidewall occupies a position in between the flanges of each channel member. 
     The pot sidewall has a height that is preferably slightly larger than the length of the longer flange. 
     The pot and burner apparatus can provide one or more removable grate members that attach to the frame upper surface. 
     The grate member or members can each connect to the frame at diagonally opposing corners of the frame. 
     The apparatus of the present invention is adapted to accept optional cabinets such as a smoker cabinet or oven cabinet that fits the upper surface of the frame. 
     Each of the grate members can provide a retainer that restrains the pot from substantial lateral movement when the pot is in a cooking position upon the grate members and above the burner element. 
     The smoker cabinet has upper and lower end portions, a front door that enables access to a majority of the front area of the cabinet and a side door near the lower end of the cabinet. 
     The cabinet can provide opposed slides at the lower end portion of the cabinet that are receptive of one or more trays such as a wood chips tray and/or a water containing tray. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the pot portion of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention shown removed from the burner frame; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective front view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective front view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating an addition of the removable grate members to the burner frame; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the pot and burner frame in the stored position; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner frame and optional or auxiliary cabinet; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the optional cabinet in an operating position upon the burner frame; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the cabinet; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective rear view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the cabinet; and 
         FIG. 15  is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the cabinet with front door removed for clarity. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-3  and  9 - 10  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  10 . Stove and nested pot apparatus  10  provides a frame  11  that includes channel members  12 ,  13  and central plate  14 . During transport, pot  40  nests in provided recesses of frame  11  as will be discussed more fully hereinafter. When cooking, pot  40  rests upon grate members  29 ,  30  and is spaced above a burner element  17 . 
     Frame  11  has upper surface area  15  and lower surface area  16 . Burner element  17  is mounted to plate  14  at upper surface area  15 . A gaseous fuel inlet fitting  18  is provided on burner element  17  for enabling a connection to be made between an available gas containing cylinder or fuel canister and burner element  17 . Such cylinders are known and are commercially available, sold under the Coleman® mark, for example. 
     Each channel member  12 ,  13  includes a long flange  19 , short flange  20  and web  21 . The long flange  19  has a foot (see  FIG. 3 ) for engaging an underlying support surface such as a concrete floor or hard packed or rock earthen surface. In the drawings, the clearance arrow  23  indicates the clearance between central plate  14  and an underlying support surface  36  (e.g. concrete floor or packed earth). A recess  24  is provided in between each of the flanges  19 ,  20  (see  FIG. 3 ). Gussets  25 ,  26  can be provided for stiffening the connection between each short flange  20  and web  21 . Front wall  46  extends upwardly from central plate section  14  and is connected to (e.g. welded) short flanges  20  of channel members  12 ,  13  (see  FIGS. 1-2  and  7 - 8 ). Central plate section  14  provides one or more ventilation openings  51 . 
     A concavity  35  is defined by the central plate  14  and the short flanges  20  of the spaced apart channel members  12 ,  13 . Concavity  35  is provided for holding burner element  17 . The burner element  17  is preferably a gaseous fuel fired burner element that is mounted to the upper surface area  15  of the central plate section  14 , within the concavity. 
     Front wall  46  has an aperture  47  for receiving gas inlet fitting  18  of burner element  17 . Front wall  46  has ventilation openings  48 . Rear wall  49  extends upwardly from central plate  14  and connects to short flanges  20  of channel members  12 ,  13 . Rear wall  49  has ventilation openings  50 . 
     The frame  11  provides a plurality of corners  27 . In the preferred embodiment, each corner  27  can be provided with an aperture  28  that is receptive of a grate member  29 ,  30  (see  FIGS. 4-5  and  8 - 10 ). In  FIGS. 4-5 , each grate member  29 ,  30  has spaced apart feet  42 ,  43  that rest upon a web  21  (outer feet  43 ) or upon burner element  17  (inner feet  42 ) as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . Concavity  44  on grate member  29  is receptive of grate member  30  at a position where the grate members  29 ,  30  intersect (see  FIG. 10 ). 
     Each grate member  29 ,  30  preferably has a projection  31 ,  32  at its opposing end portions as shown. These projections  31 ,  32  fit the apertures  28  of diagonally opposed corners  27  (see arrows  45 ,  FIG. 8 ). Each grate member  29 ,  30  has projecting portions that define pot retainers  33 ,  34 . When two of the grate members  29 ,  30  are connected to frame  11  at apertures  28 , a plurality of four pot retainers  33 ,  34  are provided for restraining pot  40  from excess lateral movement during cooking (see  FIG. 9 ), thus generally centering pot  40  over burner element  17 . 
     Pot  40  and burner frame  11  nest together for storage such as when occupying the interior of a user&#39;s backpack.  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  show the storage position of pot  40  relative to burner frame  11 . Notice in  FIG. 1  that the height of pot  40  is about equal to the clearance provided below web  21  of channel members  12 ,  13 . In  FIG. 1 , dimension arrow  52  is the height of pot  40  and also the clearance between underlying support surface  36  and the bottom of webs  21  of channel members  12 ,  13 . In  FIG. 1 , the burner element  17  thus extends into the pot interior  53  i.e., that area that is below pot rim  39  and above pot bottom  37  and surrounded by pot side wall  38 . Pot  40  may optionally have handles  41 . Similarly, burner frame central plate  16  is positioned within pot  40  interior  53  in the storage position of  FIGS. 1-3 . Additionally, at least a portion of the short flanges  20  of channel members  12 ,  13  is positioned within the interior  53  of pot  40  in the storage position.  FIG. 9  shows the cooking position with pot  40  resting upon grate members  29 ,  30 . 
     Burner frame  11  optionally accepts a cabinet (e.g. smoker or oven)  60  which can be placed upon the webs  21  of channel members  12 ,  13  as indicated schematically by arrow  54  in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 12  shows smoker or oven cabinet  60  placed in an operating, cooking position upon frame  11 . Smoker or oven cabinet  60  is designed to be completely and quickly disassembled, its parts being stacked together for easy transport such as in a flat bag or container or within the backpack of a user. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , the smoker or oven cabinet  60  includes a rear wall  55 , front wall  56  and side walls  57 ,  58 . The front wall  56  functions as a door that is removable during cooking so that a user can access the interior of the smoker or oven  60  to place or remove food items. In that regard, front wall  56  can be provided with a handle  59  that enables a user to grasp the handle  59  when manipulating front wall  56 . 
     Rear wall  55  provides opposed flanges  62 ,  63  that are provided with apertures for enabling the side walls  57 ,  58  to be bolted to the rear wall  55  at the flanges  62 ,  63 . A bolted connection  64  can employ wing nuts  65  for speed. Side walls  57 ,  58  are provided with a plurality of openings that enable a bolted connection to be formed with rear wall  55 . Apertures are also provided in side walls  57 ,  58  for enabling a bolted connection to be made with bracket  66 . 
     Bracket  66  provides flanges  67 ,  68  that are connectable to side panels  57 ,  58  using bolted connections  64  for example. Each side panel has a plurality of shelf holders  69  that enable one or more shelves  70  to be supported at intervals (see  FIG. 15 ). The shelf holders  69  are also spaced rearwardly a small distance (e.g. ¼″) from the forward edge  71  of each side wall  57 ,  58 . The shelf holders  69  thus help support front panel  56  in its operating position as shown in  FIG. 11 , wherein the front wall  56  is placed behind bracket  66  and in front of the shelf holder  69 . 
     To retain front wall  56  in the operating, cooking position of FIGS.  12  and  14 - 15 , lid  72  is placed over the combination of rear wall  56 , side walls  57 ,  58  and front wall  56  as shown in  FIG. 14 . For manipulating lid  72 , handles  73  can be provided. Lid  72  also provides a vent  74  that can be opened and closed during smoking or cooking. 
     Lower shelf holders  75  can be provided for supporting one or more pans  76 , such as a water pan or wood chips pan. Side walls  57 ,  58  can optionally be provided with vents  77 . Side walls  57 ,  58  are preferably provided with handles  78  that enable a user to place smoker or cabinet  60  upon frame  11  or to remove it. 
     Rear wall  55  can be provided with an access panel  79  that moves between open and closed positions by rotating upon hinge  80 . Access panel  79  can be provided with handle  81 . A thermometer  61  can be placed on front panel  56 . 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 stove and nested pot apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 frame 
               
               
                 12 
                 channel member 
               
               
                 13 
                 channel member 
               
               
                 14 
                 central plate section 
               
               
                 15 
                 upper surface area 
               
               
                 16 
                 lower surface area 
               
               
                 17 
                 burner element 
               
               
                 18 
                 gaseous fuel inlet fitting 
               
               
                 19 
                 long flange 
               
               
                 20 
                 short flange 
               
               
                 21 
                 web 
               
               
                 22 
                 foot 
               
               
                 23 
                 clearance arrow 
               
               
                 24 
                 recess 
               
               
                 25 
                 gusset 
               
               
                 26 
                 gusset 
               
               
                 27 
                 corner 
               
               
                 28 
                 aperture 
               
               
                 29 
                 grate member 
               
               
                 30 
                 grate member 
               
               
                 31 
                 projection 
               
               
                 32 
                 projection 
               
               
                 33 
                 pot retainer 
               
               
                 34 
                 pot retainer 
               
               
                 35 
                 concavity 
               
               
                 36 
                 underlying support surface 
               
               
                 37 
                 pot bottom 
               
               
                 38 
                 pot wall 
               
               
                 39 
                 pot rim 
               
               
                 40 
                 pot 
               
               
                 41 
                 handle 
               
               
                 42 
                 inner foot 
               
               
                 43 
                 outer foot 
               
               
                 44 
                 concavity 
               
               
                 45 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 46 
                 front wall 
               
               
                 47 
                 aperture 
               
               
                 48 
                 ventilation opening 
               
               
                 49 
                 rear wall 
               
               
                 50 
                 ventilation opening 
               
               
                 51 
                 ventilation opening 
               
               
                 52 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 53 
                 pot interior 
               
               
                 54 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 55 
                 rear wall 
               
               
                 56 
                 front wall 
               
               
                 57 
                 side wall 
               
               
                 58 
                 side wall 
               
               
                 59 
                 handle 
               
               
                 60 
                 smoker or oven cabinet 
               
               
                 61 
                 thermometer 
               
               
                 62 
                 flange 
               
               
                 63 
                 flange 
               
               
                 64 
                 bolted connection 
               
               
                 65 
                 wing nut 
               
               
                 66 
                 bracket 
               
               
                 67 
                 flange 
               
               
                 68 
                 flange 
               
               
                 69 
                 shelf holder 
               
               
                 70 
                 shelf 
               
               
                 71 
                 front edge 
               
               
                 72 
                 lid 
               
               
                 73 
                 handles 
               
               
                 74 
                 vent 
               
               
                 75 
                 shelf holder 
               
               
                 76 
                 pan 
               
               
                 77 
                 vent 
               
               
                 78 
                 handle 
               
               
                 79 
                 access panel 
               
               
                 80 
                 hinge 
               
               
                 81 
                 handle 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5