Abstract:
A light, foldable food cooker that will move from an expanded position to a collapsed position which can be used as a barbeque, stove, oven and smoker, and still fit into a confined area is very desirable. The device has a folding center section assembly made up of side walls, back walls, front doors and support plates pivotally mounted to fold out quickly, with a cover on top. A firebox provides both a spark and ashtray which is easily inserted in the expanded device. With food racks, water tray and fire box, this device can be assembled and disassembled in minutes. The incorporation of the water tray in the smoking process makes a tremendous difference in the quality of smoked meat, especially with fresh fish where the product is tender and moist.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of portable cooking devices. More particularly it relates to a device which is collapsible and operates as a smoker and oven or a barbeque for use in cooking food. 
     In the field of camping and river rafting, portability and convenient storage of equipment is essential, especially going into remote wilderness areas where dimensional limitations of the boats limit the size of equipment which may be taken upon the trip. In order to be considered for use on camping and river expeditions, equipment must be either miniature in size or such equipment must be collapsible so that it can be compressed into small available storage areas. Smoked food on these outings has become a highlight of the camping activities, with smoked fish on a river rafting trips being something all those participating will enjoy and remember. Problems arise, however, with existing food smokers due to their large and bulky size and prohibitive weight. Smokers that do collapse are generally small devices fit only to cook for one or two persons and lack the convenience of a water tray to maintain humidity of the food during the cooking process. This is especially important to keep the smoked meats, especially fish, moist during and after cooking, and without the provision of a water tray food being smoked rapidly becomes hard and dry. The adaptation of the water tray to the collapsible smoker allows the food cooked to have the humidity required, especially with fish, to remain soft and moist and further allows the smoker to be stored in the limited confines of a raft or boat. Additionally important, especially on river or camping trips to the pristine wilderness, is the provision of a means to collect ashes from the spent charcoal or wood fuel so that it may be easily carried out of the back country. Such debris removal is required in many wilderness areas as a prerequisite to admission. 
     Additionally, since space is limited on camping and rafting trips, cooking devices are especially utilitarian if they can provide a plurality of uses. In addition to its collapsible nature, the device herein disclosed converts easily to a barbeque or baking oven to allow users multiple options when cooking on trips. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As noted, in the field of camping where the inventor specializes in river rafting, in particular taking large groups of people on river rafting trips into remote wilderness areas, it has become apparent there is a need for a light-weight portable smoker, barbecue and oven combination that will fold together and be easily transported. When packing for camping or rafting trips, space is at a premium and single purpose devices that take up a lot of room are generally not used, whereas a device that is easily stored and has a number of applications is an asset to any camping trip. At some camping locations it is mandatory when vacating a campsite that nothing be left at the campsite including ashes from campfires on the ground, or the ashes must be deposited into a proper receptacle. The device herein disclosed provides a cooking apparatus that will be easily assembled by folding together the major components with two brackets inserted to restrain the devices&#39; configuration, not requiring any tools for assembly. The cover is simply placed on top of the unit, and the spark and ashtray is slid into position at the bottom with the racks, water tray and firebox sliding within the central chamber on common rails attached to the side walls. 
     Additionally, it is essential for cooking devices that are routinely moved and assembled to maintain all of the components holding them together in one place. To that end, the disclosed device has been designed with most of the parts required of it being attached together. The attached components are easily folded into position for a quick assembly and disassembly, and all additional parts are large enough that they easily slide into position. The device can be constructed in one preferred embodiment in a large configuration to allow cooking for larger parties and in another preferred configuration in a smaller version of the large group smoker with the same convenience and capabilities for single family outings. 
     A number of devices have been manufactured or designed in the past to address the need for such portable cooking devices. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,355 (Mead) teaches a large sized smokehouse for home use that is simple and inexpensive to build. Mead is described as a freestanding smokehouse, which can be collapsed from its open or assembled configuration to a closed or disassembled compact configuration. Mead however lacks the water tray and spark protection ash collection tray and requires a size that is large and teaches a very heavy unit, even when in the compacted state. Even in its collapsed state, Mead is too big and cumbersome to take on a camping or rafting trip where weight and size are so very important. The smokehouse does not have the capability of folding into position quickly. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,096 (Slattery) teaches a cooker assembly that includes a rectangular fire pan and a cover that may enclose the other parts of the assembly when they are packed for storage. While Slattery collapses, it lacks the extended cavity needed to adequately smoke food products, and it does not have the capability of adding the water tray to provide the moisture to the process. Further, the firebox on cookers should be vented from below in order to burn properly, allowing the sparks and ash to fall under the fire pan. The Slattery unit does not have the spark and ashtray to safely and properly catch and dispose of the ash, and it does not hinge easily for assembly or disassembly. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,436 (McGowan) teaches a smoker and baking apparatus which is characterized by a cabinet having an outer shell and an inner shell that define a smoke channel therebetween. McGowan however, does not have the spark and ashtray which would be required for use on camping trips, especially to wilderness areas, nor the provided capability of retaining the ashes within for proper disposal. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,782 (Blanchard) describes a smoke generator machine to generate smoke from wood or similar organic matter. The smoke produced is intended for supply to food smoking kilns. The smoke generator could be used to generate smoke from a variety of combustible materials for other conceivable practical purposes or for research purposes. While such food smoking kilns are used in commercial preparation of large quantities of food products, they would not be practical for use in the field of outdoor camping. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,374 (Christen) discloses an electric food smoker which can be readily and quickly assembled or disassembled. However, Christen teaches an electric device and it is not reasonable to expect that it could be taken on camping trips, much less being used on river rafting trips. This device also does not incorporate a fire box, a spark or ashtray or water tray within its internal cavity. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,799 (Atanasio) describes a collapsible charcoal wire frame barbecuing grill. However, this device would not be useable as a folding smoker, barbecue, oven combination device so described in this disclosure. 
     Thus, there is a continuing need for a new lighter weight, more functional, combination smoker and cooking device with a broader range of capabilities that comply with the increasing stringent requirements to keep our campgrounds, lakes and rivers in as pristine and natural state as possible. Such a device should be easily collapsed for storage in the smallest area and easily reassembled during the short time allotted on camping trips to cook. Such a device should accommodate collapse and reassembly by attaching the majority of the components required for assembly to each other to thereby avoid loss of parts. Such a device should further provide a means for water storage during cooking to keep food moist and a means for collection of ashes and sparks to thereby avoid contamination of the wilderness and to ease the user&#39;s ability to collect disposables for removal from the area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention accomplishes its desired objectives by providing a simple, light-weight collapsible smoker, barbecue, oven combination device that can easily and quickly be assembled and disassembled. When camping in remote areas, all the equipment should compress into as tight an area as possible, especially in river rafting where all the camping gear and supplies for several days must be stowed on the rafts. Light equipment that can perform several tasks on these camping trips is especially useful. With this device in the mornings, by moving the fire box to just below the top grill and taking off the top cover, the device converts to a stove where frying pans and grills are used. The sides form a wind break. The device works in this same configuration as a barbecue in the evening meals. At noon, the device being reassembled with the top cover in place and the firebox moved to the lower most position and the water tray removed, works equally well as a warming or baking oven. But the specialty of the device is in the fully assembled configuration with the water tray in position, being used as a smoker. With the incorporation of the water tray in the application of smoking meat, especially fish, the product remains moist and soft as compared to the hard, tough products of most camping smokers. In all the configurations of the device, the spark and ashtray will be used to catch all the ash falling through the vent holes in the firebox. Then all the ash and coals in the firebox and ashtray are to be disposed of properly leaving no indication of the fire site. It has become extremely critical in fire sensitive areas that cooking be done in an approved device and the coals and ashes be disposed of properly, even in some areas where they must be taken out of the area by the campers. 
     The majority of the central components of the smoker, barbecue, oven combination device are attached to each other by the means of piano hinges, forming the folding center section assembly with the doors and support plates attached. The top cover with handles and an adjustable metering vent rests on top of the folding center section assembly, adequately sealing the chamber without using any fastening means. The spark and ashtray placed within the confines of the back and side walls seals the bottom of the device and is accessible by means of the hinged bottom support plate or firebox access door. The front of the device is comprised of a hinged top support plate, the food chamber access door, the firebox access door and the hinged bottom support plate, all commonly hinged to the right side wall. The food racks, water tray and firebox all slide within the central chamber by the common means of guide rails attached on the left and right side walls of the device. Support brackets across the front of the food chamber and the water tray are all that is required to restrain the device in the square configuration by sliding into retainer slots attached to the left and right side walls respectively. A plurality of holes on the left side wall, right side wall, and back wall, adjacent to the firebox, supply adequate ventilation to maintain the combustion process. By the means of a plurality of holes in the adjustable metering vent plate attached to the top cover, and a plurality of holes in the cover, rotating the vent plate allows the exhaust smoke and heat within the food chamber to be controlled, retarding the combustion process. A plurality of holes in the bottom of the firebox allows that the air passes through the fire for complete burning of the combustible material within. These holes in the bottom of the firebox will let some sparks and ash fall below the firebox requiring the need for the spark and ashtray below. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a collapsible lightweight, multi-purpose food cooking and smoking device for wilderness or remote camping. 
     Another object of this invention is the provision of such a device that will assemble and disassemble by folding its major components outward and simply inserting the retaining brackets, thus requiring no tools. 
     A further object of this invention is to supply a lightweight folding device, capable of smoking food with a means to control the humidity of the food being cooked such as a water tray to thereby keep food moist. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to supply a cooking device with a means to collect sparks and ashes to safely catch and retain anything falling below the firebox holding the burning fuel. 
     A additonal object of this invention is, to supply a lightweight folding device that will pass stringent fire and safety requirements for wilderness camping where fire danger is a continual concern. 
    
    
     These together with other objects and advantages, which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 depicts an exploded perspective view of the folding smoker, barbecue, oven, combination device. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a plan view of the folding center section assembly only, in the extended position. 
     FIG. 3 depicts a plan view of the folding center section assembly in a folded or collapsed position for storage and transport. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a front view of another preferred short embodiment of the disclosed device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawing FIG. 1 showing an exploded perspective view of the folding smoker, barbecue, oven combination which is provided by the disclosed device  10 . The folding center section assembly  12  is composed of a left side wall  14 , a back wall  16 , and a right side wall  18 . Back wall  16  has a long angled projection  20  on the left side, connected to the left side wall  14  by the means for hinged engagement such as piano hinge  24  that is attached by means of fastenting such as mechanical fasteners  25 . Those skilled in the art will realize that where in this disclosure a means of fastening is desigated to hold parts together, other means for fastening could be used such as rivets, or welding, or the like, and any such means of fastening which would operationally hold the described components together is anticpated. 
     Back panel  16  has a short angled projection  22  forward of the interior surface of the back panel on its right side, connected to the right side wall  18  by a similar means for fastening such as piano hinge  26  shown attached by a means for fastening such as fasteners  25 . The front of the folding center section assembly  12  features in the current preferred mode a hinged top support plate  28  with sealing plate  30 , permanently attached by means of fasteners  25 , to seal the upper portion of the central food chamber  32 . In addition, the food chamber access door  34 , firebox access door  36 , and hinged bottom support plate  38 , complete the front section. As shown, all the door and support components of the front of the device  10  are commonly hinged or otherwise rotationally engaged to the side wall  18  with the right front piano hinge  40  mounted with fasteners  25 . In a current preferred mode of the device  10  a short hingewall  19  projects at an angle substantially normal to the sidewall  18  and provides not only the mounting area for the hinge  40  or similiar rotational mount, but also provides more rigidity to the front of the device  10  at the engagement of the rotating components and the sidewall. The side of front piano hinge  40  attaching to bracket  28 , food access door  34 , firebox access door  36 , and bottom support plate  38  should be cut between each, while the side attaching to side wall  18  will be continuous. Thus the doors and brackets can open independently while all are commonly attached to side wall  18  which remains substantially rigid due to the hingewall  19  supplying support from its normal engagement or projection from the sidewall  18 . 
     The folding center section assembly  12  is held together in the extended or assembled position by a bracket means shown as central support bracket  44 , and by inserting the end tabs  42  of central support bracket  44  into mating central bracket retainer slots  46 . This slot and bracket engagement provides a means of removable engagement of the central support bracket to the two sidewalls. Additional support to the device  10  when in the extended position is accomplished by inserting tabs  48  of water tray support bracket  50  into retainer slots  52 . With the brackets  44  and  50  in place, the folding center section assembly  12  is held in a substantially rigid extended configuration allowing the doors to open freely. 
     Once in the extended position, the top cover  52  is then placed over the center section assembly  12  with the turned down edge flanges  54  forming a means for sealed engagement therebetween, and since the parts are also frictionally engaged, a fastening means is not required to hold them together. If the hingewall  19  is used as shown in FIG. 1, a notch would be placed in one of the hingewall  19  or the top cover  52  to allow the top cover  52  to sealably engage on the top end of the device  10  and allow the rotating components on the front to still open when the top cover  52  is attached. Handles  56  are especially useful as an aide in the positioning of top cover  52  over assembly  12 . A controllable means to vent the central food chamber  32  is currently provided by a plurality of different sized orifices  58  in top cover  52  to provide such adjustable venting when the adjustable metering vent plate  60 , also with a plurality of matching orifices  62 , is rotated around mounting screw  64 . The volume of heat and smoke that exit the central food chamber  32  is thereby precisely controlled. 
     Guide rails  66  are attached to side walls  14  and  18  by the aforementined means for fastening such as fasteners  25 . These guide rails provide a means for slideable engagement of one or more food racks  68  with the side walls which thereby horizontally slide within the central food chamber  32  on matching guide rails  66  attached to side walls  14  and  18 . Although three sets of rail guides  66  are shown for the food racks  68 , it is understood that the limitation of racks is determined only by the height of the device  10  and that more or less might be slidably engaged with the side walls depending on the size of the unit. The water tray  70  and the firebox  72  also will slide horizontally into the central chamber  32  similar guide rails  66  providing a means for slideable engagement with the sidewalls. Firebox  72  will be slid into guide rails  66  adjacent to the top grill if it is desired to allow the device to function as a barbecue or stove rather than a smoker. A plurality of orifices  71  are shown adjacent to firebox  70  in its first or lowermost position for smoking and are operatively positioned to provide a means for air entry to the fire box  70  during smoking and are positioned on side walls  14  and  18  and across back wall  16 . 
     All the hinged doors and braces mounted to side wall  18  by hinge  40  also will engage commonly to side wall  14  by the means of quick release clasps  74  which engage with catch mechanisms  76  on the aforementioned doors and brackets thereby providing a means to hold the doors in a closed position and in substantially sealed engagement at their distal ends with the side wall  14  through frictonal engagement of the doors to the sidewall. The engagment of the clasps  74  with the catch mechanisms  76  also allows for opening of the doors for access to the internal compartments of the device  10 . The spark and ashtray  78  sealably engages the bottom of the device  10  in the extended position, and once in this position with the top on and the doors closed, the device  10  works especially well for smoking, in that the intake through the orifices  71  provides the air to the fuel in the firebox  72  and the smoke generated thereby flows by induction to the orafices  58  in the top which can be controlled for flow in the aforementioned fashion. 
     In plan view, FIG. 2, the folding center section assembly  12  is shown in the extended position without the top plate  52 , spark and ashtray  78 , racks  68 , water tray  72  or firebox  72 , in their respective positions. This best shows the communication of the internal cavity formed between the side walls from the bottom to the top of the device and the flow that heat and smoke would make. 
     FIG. 3 also in plan view, similarly displays the folding center section assembly  12  as in FIG. 3, but in the device&#39;s unique folded or collapsed position. This view clearly illustrates the short angled projection  22  extending from the back wall  16  pivotally attached to right sidewall  18  at a back edge with back piano hinge  26  with right side wall  18  in the stored position. Notably this view shows the length of side wall  18  being shorter than back wall  16 , because of the projection  22  and allowing it to fit within the confines of the short and long angled edges  20  and  22 . Also, because the long angled projection  22  is wider than the short angled projection  20 , it forms a storage cavity for the sidewall  18  and its attached door, behind the left sidewall  14  which is attached to a longer angled edge  22 , when it is placed in the collapsed position. This use of a longer angled edge  22  and shorter angled edge  20  also makes it substantially impossible to fold up the device  10  wrong since the right sidewall  18  must be folded since folding the left sidewall  14  will place the distal edge of the left sidewall  14  adjacent to the hinge attachement of the right sidewall and prevent it from being rotated or making it obvious that it is in the wrong position to the user. Also, the formation of the cavity for the folded right sidewall  18  and attached doors makes the device  10  more compact in the collapsed postion. The front doors and brackets hinging on right side, front piano hinge  40 , shown in alignment with support plate  28 , lay flat against side wall  18 . With the added length of angled projection  20 , left side wall  14  lays flat against the front doors and brackets shown in alignment with support plate  28 . All of the major parts of the device  10  are also shown connected which eliminates losing of parts when moving to and from the collapsed position. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a front view of another preferred embodiment which is somewhat shorter in height with only two food racks  68  positioned within guide rails  66 . This embodiment would have all the attributes of the larger version with the limitation of only using a single support bracket  50  adjacent to water tray  70 . It would be especially useful when the larger capacity of the large embodiment of the device is not needed such as when cooking for smaller groups. Conversely, the larger preferred embodiment would be especially useful where large groups are being served food since it can accommodate more food to be smoked, baked, or barbequed at once. 
     While the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth.