Abstract:
The present invention relates to a compact barbecue, which can be connected to a cylinder or cartridge ( 2 ) of gas for cooking food, comprising a base ( 10 ), a combustion chamber ( 20 ) connected to the base ( 10 ) and including a front opening ( 23 ), a radiating gas burner ( 3 ) arranged inside the combustion chamber ( 20 ) opposite the front opening ( 23 ) thereof, characterized in that the barbecue ( 1 ) is foldable, the base ( 10 ) being movable relative to the combustion chamber ( 20 ), from a first so-called functional position (P 1 ), in which the base ( 10 ) is arranged substantially transversely in relation to the combustion chamber ( 20 ) and ensures the stability of the barbecue ( 1 ) on the ground, and the front opening ( 23 ) of the combustion chamber ( 20 ) is cleared towards the outside, to a second so-called transport position (P 2 ), in which the base ( 10 ) is arranged substantially longitudinally relative to the combustion chamber ( 20 ) and closes the opening ( 23 ) of the combustion chamber ( 20 ), wherein the combustion chamber ( 20 ) includes holding means ( 24 ) located near the front opening ( 23 ) and arranged to hold movable means ( 40 ) for supporting foods to be cooked opposite the radiating gas burner ( 3 ) when the barbecue( 1 ) is in the functional position (P 1 ) thereof.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a compact barbecue that can be connected to a gas cylinder or cartridge designed for cooking foods and having a combustion chamber with a radiant gas burner. 
       BRIEF DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    In a known manner, arranging a radiant burner has solved the problem that consisted of preventing grease from reaching the heating elements, which created toxic matter and smoke and caused flames to form that carbonized the food and altered its taste. 
         [0003]    Nevertheless, this type of barbecue remains bulky and difficult to transport for people who are camping and wish to benefit from the advantages of cooking with a radiating burner. 
         [0004]    This drawback is due on the one hand to the ergonomics, and primarily the dimensions and weight, of barbecues implementing this technology, and on the other hand the grease and smoke generated during cooking, which get the outside parts of the barbecue dirty, which can stain the user&#39;s clothing. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention aims to resolve all or some of the aforementioned drawbacks. 
         [0006]    To that end, the present invention relates to a compact barbecue, which can be connected to a cylinder or cartridge of gas for cooking food, comprising a base, a combustion chamber connected to the base and including a front opening, a radiating gas burner arranged inside the combustion chamber opposite the front opening thereof, characterized in that the barbecue is foldable, the base being movable relative to the combustion chamber from a first so-called functional position, in which the base is arranged substantially transversely in relation to the combustion chamber and ensures the stability of the barbecue on the ground, and the front opening of the combustion chamber is cleared towards the outside, to a second so-called transport position, in which the base is arranged substantially longitudinally relative to the combustion chamber and closes the opening of the combustion chamber, wherein the combustion chamber includes holding means located near the front opening and arranged to hold movable means for supporting foods to be cooked opposite the radiating gas burner when the barbecue is in the functional position thereof. 
         [0007]    This arrangement makes it possible to transport the barbecue easily so that it may be used anywhere. Furthermore, in its transport position, the outer portions remain relatively clean, which allows the barbecue to be transported while reducing the risks of dirtying the user&#39;s clothing. 
         [0008]    According to one embodiment, the combustion chamber comprises a removable portion. 
         [0009]    This arrangement allows easy cleaning of this part of the barbecue. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment, the removable portion includes a device for locking maintaining means. 
         [0011]    This arrangement makes it possible to move the removable portion without risking the maintaining means falling and makes it possible to prevent the pins from coming out of their holding means when they are rotated. 
         [0012]    According to one embodiment, the device for locking the maintaining means comprises an elongated member that can be moved from a first position prohibiting the maintaining means from coming out of their holding means to a second position allowing the maintaining means to come out of their holding means. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment, the device for locking the maintaining means comprises a device supported by the maintaining means having a shoulder translatable from a first position, in which the shoulder prevents the maintaining means from coming out of their holding means by cooperating with stop means, to a second position, in which the shoulder is released from the stop means, allowing the maintaining means to come out of their holding means. 
         [0014]    According to one embodiment, the stop means include a stop positioned on a wall of the removable portion. 
         [0015]    According to one embodiment, the stop means include a circular hole with a shape complementary to a circular portion of the shoulder. 
         [0016]    Advantageously, the locking means assume the form of a rotatable lever relative to a wall of the removable portion, such as a flat bar. 
         [0017]    Advantageously, the locking means assume the form of a translatable member relative to a wall of the removable portion, such as a flat bar. 
         [0018]    According to the same embodiment, the position of the removable portion, once it is mounted on the barbecue, is chosen from among a first predetermined so-called close position, in which the removable portion is relatively close to the gas burner, and at least one second predetermined so-called remote position, in which the removable portion is relatively distant from the gas burner in relation to the closed position. 
         [0019]    This arrangement makes it possible to have an additional means for regulating the cooking temperature of the food in addition to the typical regulation means consisting of regulating the gas flow supplying the burner. 
         [0020]    It also makes it possible to predefine the cooking position as a function of the type of food to be cooked. 
         [0021]    According to one embodiment, the removable maintaining means are pins rotatable inside the holding means and each include a driving means, such as a pinion, producing a meshing with the adjacent pin(s) so as to transmit a rotational movement. 
         [0022]    This arrangement makes it possible to rotate all of the pins by rotating a single pin. 
         [0023]    According to the same embodiment, the means for driving the pins producing the meshing are kept outside the front opening of the combustion chamber. 
         [0024]    This arrangement makes it possible to preserve the pinions from deposits of grease and the majority of the heat produced by the burner, that heat being able to cause expansion phenomena of the pinion that could result in locking the rotational movement. 
         [0025]    According to one embodiment, one of the pins is driven by an electric motor. 
         [0026]    This arrangement makes it possible to obtain uniform cooking of the skewered foods without it being necessary to remain near the barbecue, for example to actuate a handle. 
         [0027]    According to the same embodiment, the electric motor drives the pin including the driving means located closest to the center of the meshing. 
         [0028]    This arrangement makes it possible to remove the end pins without the pins near the center ceasing the rotational movement. 
         [0029]    According to one embodiment, the electric motor is placed outside the front opening of the combustion chamber on the side opposite the side on which the driving means of each of the pins are placed. 
         [0030]    According to one embodiment, the removable maintaining means are formed by a double grate that can be used to cook foods such as meat, fish or bread. 
         [0031]    According to one embodiment, the barbecue includes a profiled surface at the contour of the gas cartridge situated on the rear surface of its combustion chamber situated in a direction opposite its front opening. 
         [0032]    This arrangement makes it possible to reduce cooling of the gas cartridge when the gas it contains is released into the expander or when there are low outside temperatures by better heating the gas cartridge, through radiation, conduction, and also convection, by means of the radiating burner located nearby. 
         [0033]    According to one embodiment, the combustion chamber includes, on its rear surface, situated in the direction opposite its front opening, a compartment for storing a gas expander designed to store the gas expander when the latter is not connected to the gas cylinder or cartridge. 
         [0034]    This arrangement makes it possible to improve the ergonomics of the barbecue during the transport thereof. 
         [0035]    According to one embodiment, the barbecue includes catching means arranged to retain a gas expander on the rear surface of the combustion chamber, situated in a direction opposite its front opening. 
         [0036]    This arrangement makes it possible to secure the gas cylinder or cartridge to the barbecue and makes it possible to heat the cold gas flowing under pressure in the expander. 
         [0037]    According to one embodiment, the barbecue includes a locking means making it possible to keep the barbecue in its functional position. 
         [0038]    This arrangement makes it possible to prevent untimely folding of the barbecue  1  into its transport position. 
         [0039]    According to one embodiment, the barbecue includes locking means making it possible to keep the barbecue in its transport position. 
         [0040]    This arrangement allows the barbecue to be transported completely safely by preventing untimely deployment of the barbecue toward its operational position. 
         [0041]    According to one embodiment, the base includes a preparation and/or storage area when the barbecue is in its functional position. 
         [0042]    This arrangement offers users a practical solution that keeps them from having to seek another preparation and/or storage area near the barbecue. 
         [0043]    According to one embodiment, the combustion chamber includes, on the rear surface thereof, situated in a direction opposite its front opening, a transport handle making it possible to move the barbecue into its transport position, but also into its functional position. 
         [0044]    This arrangement makes it possible to move the barbecue easily by minimizing the risks of burns and of tipping of the barbecue. 
         [0045]    According to one embodiment, the barbecue includes a removable oil pan positioned substantially transversely in the bottom of the front opening of the combustion chamber when the barbecue is in its functional position, but also in its transport position. 
         [0046]    This arrangement allows this element of the barbecue to be washed easily. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0047]    In any case, the invention will be well understood using the following description, in reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing showing, as a non-limiting example, a compact barbecue according to the invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view on the front surface of the barbecue in its functional position. 
           [0049]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view on the front surface of the barbecue of  FIG. 1  in its transport position. 
           [0050]      FIG. 3  shows a view on the rear surface of the barbecue in its functional position. 
           [0051]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the barbecue in its functional position for a first application. 
           [0052]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of the barbecue of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view on the front surface of the barbecue in its functional position for a second application. 
           [0054]      FIG. 7  shows a view on the front surface of the barbecue of  FIG. 1  in its transport position. 
           [0055]      FIG. 8  shows a detailed view of the first embodiment of a part of the barbecue. 
           [0056]      FIG. 9  shows a detailed view of a second embodiment of the same part of the barbecue illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0057]      FIG. 10  shows a detailed view of a third embodiment of the same part of the barbecue illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0058]      FIG. 11  shows another view of the third embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0059]      FIG. 12  shows a detailed view of a fourth embodiment of the same part of the barbecue illustrated in  FIG. 8  in the locking position. 
           [0060]      FIG. 13  shows a detailed view of the fourth embodiment of the same part of the barbecue illustrated in  FIG. 8  in the unlocked position. 
           [0061]      FIG. 14  shows another view of the fourth embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
           [0062]      FIG. 15  shows a detailed view of another part of the barbecue. 
           [0063]      FIG. 16  shows another detailed view of part of the barbecue illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0064]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a barbecue  1  according to the invention comprises a base  10  connected to a combustion chamber  20  comprising a front opening  23 . 
         [0065]    In the rest of the description, the references to a spatial orientation are considered relative to the front opening  23  of the combustion chamber  20 . 
         [0066]    The base  10  has a substantially rectangular shape with a circumferential edge  19  substantially transverse to the main plane of the base  10 . 
         [0067]    The base  10  comprises four feet  11  ensuring the stability of the barbecue  1  on the ground. These four feet  11  are formed by two sintered round bars  18 , preferably made from aluminum, each rotatable around an axle passing through the lateral flanks of the circumferential edge  19  of the base  10  from an unfolded position illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in which the feet ensure the stability of the barbecue  1  on the ground, to a folded position illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in which the two sintered round bars  18  are each kept in locations  12  formed in the thickness of the base  10  and with shapes complementary to the centering of the sintered round bars  18 . 
         [0068]    The base  10  is connected to the combustion chamber  20  by means of an axle  17  situated at the end of two portions  16  protruding from the circumferential edge  19  of the base  10  and situated near the bottom and back of the combustion chamber  20 . 
         [0069]    In this way, this axle  17  allows the rotation of the base  10  relative to the combustion chamber  20  from a first so-called functional position P 1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  to a second so-called transport position P 2  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0070]    The combustion chamber  20  comprises two pullout portions, a main portion  21  connected by the axle  17  to the base  10  and a removable portion  22 , the size of which allows it to be inserted in the main portion  21 . 
         [0071]    A radiating gas burner  3  is positioned on the back wall of the main portion  21  of the combustion chamber  20  across from the front opening  23 . 
         [0072]    In this functional position P 1  of the barbecue  1 , the removable portion  22  is maintained against the primary portion  21  on the one hand over its lower area by a blade  25 , positioned substantially transversely from the outside of the lower contour of the removable portion  22 , being inserted into a series of slots  15   a,    15   b  of predetermined position arranged on a support block  14  fastened near the center of the base  10 , and on the other hand on its upper area by a removable sintered round bar  26  maintained by clipping in a slot among two slots  28   a,    28   b  formed over a first portion  37   a  of the multifunction block  37  arranged on the outer edge of the upper contour of the main portion  21  of the combustion chamber  20 . 
         [0073]    The multifunction block  37  with all of its functions is described in more detail a little later in the text. 
         [0074]    The two ends of the sintered round bar  26  each pass through a slit  27  formed on the outer edge of the upper contour of the removable portion  22  of the combustion chamber  20  and form a pivot link while being partially inserted into an orifice formed on a portion  29  protruding from the inner edge of the upper contour of the removable portion  22  of the combustion chamber  20 . 
         [0075]    These two pivot links allow a rotation of the sintered round bar  26 , and therefore heightwise travel of the median part of the sintered round bar  26  so as to position the removable portion in one or the other of the predetermined positions defined on the one hand by the position of the slots  15   a  and  15   b  arranged on the support block  14  fastened near the center of the base  10 , and on the other hand by the slots  28   a  and  28   b  formed on the first portion  37   a  of the multifunction block  37 . 
         [0076]    The removable portion  22  of the combustion chamber  20  comprises, on its lateral walls, holding means  24  for means for maintaining foods  40  such as pins  40   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  or a grate  40   b  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0077]    In the rest of the description, it will be considered that the pins  40   a  have a square profile, but they may have another profile, such as triangular, to improve the rotational driving of the foods on the pins  40   a.    
         [0078]    Furthermore, it is completely possible to consider mechanically rotating pins  40   a  having a triangular profile using driving means with a square profile, by putting two of the corners of the triangular profile in contact with two adjacent corners of the square profile and the third corner of the triangular profile with the middle of the side opposite the two sides of the square profile previously mentioned. 
         [0079]    To that end, these holding means  24  are made up on a first of the two side walls of the removable part  22  by holes  24   a  for the passage of the end of the pins  40   a  or slits  24   b  for the passage of maintaining tabs  44  of the grate  40   b,  and on the second of the two walls by slits  24   b  for passage of the body of the pins  40   a  or maintaining tabs  44  for the grate  40   b.    
         [0080]    For usage comfort, certain maintaining tabs  44  of the grate  40   b  have a protective sheath  45  to prevent burns. 
         [0081]    The holding means  24  also comprise a device  50  for locking the pins in their slits  24   b.    
         [0082]    According to a first embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , this locking device  50  comprises a flat bar  51  with a length greater than the distance separating the lowermost slit  24   b  from the uppermost slit  24   b  on the second of the two side walls of the removable part  22 . 
         [0083]    Each flat bar  51  is connected by a pivot link  52  situated below the lowermost slit  24   b  on the side wall of the removable portion  22  and slightly in front of the plane in which the pins  40   a  are aligned when they are placed in their respective holes  24   a  and slits  24   b.    
         [0084]    The locking device  50  also comprises a series of notches  53  arranged on a flank of the flat bar  51 . 
         [0085]    These notches  53  coincide with the slits  24   b  when the flat bar  51  is brought toward its vertical position using the pivot link  52 . 
         [0086]    The flat bar  51  is kept in that position using a fastener  54  embodied by a removable butterfly screw or any other locking device of the lever or bolt type. 
         [0087]    In this position, the pins  40   a  are kept in their respective slit  24   b  using the flat bar  51  nevertheless situated at a sufficient distance from the bottom of the slits  24   b  not to prevent the rotation of the pins  40   a.    
         [0088]    According to a second embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , this locking device  50  also comprises a flat bar  51  with a length longer than the distance separating the lowermost slit  24   b  from the uppermost slit  24   b  on the second of the two side walls of the removable portion  22 . 
         [0089]    This flat bar  51  is translatably slidingly mounted from a low position to a high position. 
         [0090]    It is situated slightly behind the slits  24   b  and inside the side wall of the removable portion  22  on which those same slits  24   b  are formed. 
         [0091]    The translational movement of this flat bar  51  is done by arranging, at both ends of the flat bar  51 , two oblong holes  55  oriented vertically in which an axle  56  fastened to the inner side wall of the removable part  22  in a predetermined position slides. 
         [0092]    The end of these two axles  56  is flattened so as to give them a width larger than the width of the oblong holes  55 , thereby preventing the flat bar  51  from leaving one of the axles  56 . 
         [0093]    The amplitude of the translational movement of the flat bar  51  is defined by the length of the oblong holes  55  serving as stops for the two axles  56 . 
         [0094]    Due to its own weight, the flat bar  51  is in the low position by default. 
         [0095]    To perform the translational movement, the upper end of the flat bar  51  passes through the wall of the removable part  22  through an opening  57  formed in the extension of the flat bar  51 . 
         [0096]    In order to facilitate its gripping, the flat bar  51  comprises, on its protruding portion of the removable part, a gripping means  59  for example formed by the curved end of the flat bar  51 . 
         [0097]    The locking device  50  also comprises a series of hooks  58  oriented downward and protruding from the flank of the flat bar  51  coinciding with the slits  24   b  when the flat bar  51  is in its low position and releasing the slits  24   b  when the flat bar is in its high position. 
         [0098]    In the low position, the pins  40   a  are kept in their respective slit  24   b  using the hooks  58  of the flat bar  51 , nevertheless situated at a sufficient distance from the bottom of the slits  24   b  to avoid preventing the rotation of the pins  40   a.    
         [0099]    According to a third embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , this locking device  50  is a specific pin  40   a  equipped with a retractable pinion  41  device  90 . 
         [0100]    To produce this device  90 , the handle  43  of the pins  40   a  comprises a body  91  in which an annular groove  92  is formed, being inserted into the slit  24   b  in which the pin  40   a  is inserted. 
         [0101]    This annular groove  92  comprises an inner annular shoulder  92   a  located on the inner side of the removable part  22  of the combustion chamber  20  and an annular shoulder  92   b  located on the outer side of the removable part  22  of the combustion chamber  20 . 
         [0102]    On the side of said annular groove  92  placed on the outside of the removable part  22  of the combustion chamber  20 , the body  93  of the pinion  41  is slidingly mounted while bearing on the one hand inside the annular groove  92  formed in the body  91  of the handle  43  by means of a shoulder  93   a,  and on the other hand on a guide portion  94  of the body  91  of the handle  43 . 
         [0103]    The height of the shoulder  93   a  is substantially the same as the depth of the annular groove  92 . 
         [0104]    In this way, the arrangement of the body  93  of the pinion  41  on the body  91  of the handle  43  creates a cylindrical chamber  97 . 
         [0105]    The cylindrical chamber  97  comprises a compressed helical spring  98  bearing on the one hand on the side of the shoulder  93   a  of the body  93  of the pinion  41 , and on the other hand on the outer shoulder  92   b  of the annular groove  92  formed in the body  91  of the handle  43 . 
         [0106]    The length of the spring  98  is determined so as to preserve permanent play between the wall of the removable part  22  of the combustion chamber  20  located near the slit  24   b  in which the pin  40   a  is inserted and, on the one hand, the inner shoulder  92   a  of the body  91  of the handle  43 , and on the other hand the annular shoulder  93   b  of the body  93  of the pinion  41  located between the wall of the removable part  22  and the pinion  41 . 
         [0107]    This annular shoulder  93   b  has a diameter larger than the width of the slit  24   b  and preferably smaller than the diameter of the pinion  41 . 
         [0108]    The body  93  of the pinion  41 , on its end furthest from the wall of the removable part  22  of the combustion chamber  20 , also comprises another annular shoulder  95  designed to form an annular space  96  around the body  93  of the pinion  41  for the passage of the user&#39;s fingers. 
         [0109]    Lastly, the locking device  50  comprises a stop  99  protruding from the outer surface of the wall of the removable part  22  of the combustion chamber  20 . 
         [0110]    This stop  99  is placed near the slit  24   b  at a distance from the axis of rotation of the pin  40   a  slightly larger than the diameter of the shoulder  93   b  of the body  93  of the pinion  41 . 
         [0111]    The height of this stop  99  is larger than the total play created between the inner annular shoulder  92   a  and the annular shoulder  93   b  of the body  93  of the pinion  41  when the compressed helical spring  98  is in the idle position. 
         [0112]    Furthermore, this stop  99  is placed on the side of the slit  24   b  first encountering a predetermined portion of the pinion  41 . 
         [0113]    Thus, for rotation of the pinion  41  in the trigonometric direction, the stop is placed on the upper side of the slit  24   b.  It is placed on the lower side when the pinion  41  moves in the anti-trigonometric direction. To insert the pins  40   a  into a slit  24   b  with a device  90  according to this third embodiment, the user also bears with his hand on the handle  43  of the pin  40   a  and inserts his fingers into the space  96  while bearing on the shoulder  95  of the body  93  of the pinion  41 . 
         [0114]    The user then pulls the body  93  of the pinion  41  toward him, which results in compressing the spring  98  and moving the inner annular shoulder  92   a  away from the annular shoulder  93   b  of the body  93  of the pinion  41 , thereby making it possible to bring the pin  40   a  to the bottom of the slit  24   b.    
         [0115]    The user then releases the body  93  of the pinion  41 . 
         [0116]    In order to produce the meshing  42 , the user repeats these operations for each of the pins  40   a  while making sure to engage the pinion  41  correctly one in the pinion  41  of the other. 
         [0117]    During the rotational driving of one of the pins  40   a,  the latter part rotates the adjacent pin(s)  40   a,  but in the opposite direction. 
         [0118]    The pins  40   a,  which normally tend to leave their respective slits  24   b,  are then kept therein owing to the action of the stop  99  on which the annular shoulder  93   b  of the body  93  of the pinion  41  abuts and slides. 
         [0119]    According to a fourth embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 12 to 14  by a locking device  100 , the body  93  of the pinion comprises, in addition to the third embodiment presented above, an annular shoulder  101  centered on the annular shoulder  93   b.    
         [0120]    This annular shoulder  101  has a width larger than the thickness of the wall of the removable part  22 , such that in the locking position shown in  FIG. 12 , this annular shoulder  101  abuts against the annular shoulder  92   a  under the action of the spring  98 . 
         [0121]    In this locking position, and in order to center the annular shoulder  101  on the inner annular shoulder  92   a,  the latter part may include an annular slot  103  in which the end of the annular shoulder  101  is inserted. 
         [0122]    To allow this annular shoulder  101  to pass through the wall of the removable part  22  so as to abut against the inner shoulder  92   a,  the slits  24   b  comprise an end in the form of a circular hole  102  centered on the axis of rotation of the pins  40   a  and with the same diameter with slight play as the diameter of the annular shoulder  101 . 
         [0123]    This circular hole  102  replaces the stop  99  presented in the third embodiment and performing the same stop function. 
         [0124]    The sliding function of the annular shoulder  93   b,  during the rotation of the pins  40   a,  in a third embodiment is performed by the annular shoulder  101  that abuts and slides against the edges of the circular hole  102  formed in the slits  24   b  in this fourth embodiment. 
         [0125]    In this fourth embodiment, the sizing of the spring  98  is less important than in the third embodiment due to the fact that the annular shoulder  101  abuts on the annular shoulder  92   a  and due to the fact that a permanent gap is maintained between the annular shoulder  93   b  and the inner annular shoulder  92   a  defined by the width of the annular shoulder  101 . 
         [0126]    This gap is larger than the thickness of the wall of the removable part and makes it possible to impart the necessary play to the rotational movement of the pins  40   a  in the slits  24   b.    
         [0127]    To insert the pin  40   a  into its slit  24   b  with a device  100  according to this fourth embodiment, the user proceeds in the same way as in the third embodiment. 
         [0128]    The user bears with his hand on the handle  43  of the pin  40   a  and inserts his fingers into the space  96  while bearing on the shoulder  95  of the body  93  of the pinion  41 . 
         [0129]    The user then pulls the body  93  of the pinion  41  toward him, which results in compressing the spring  98  and moving the inner annular shoulder  92   a  away from the annular shoulders  101 ,  93   b  of the body  93  of the pinion  41 , thereby making it possible to bring the pins  40   a  to the bottom of the slit  24   b  aligned with the circular hole  102 . 
         [0130]    The user then releases the body  93  of the pinion  41  so as to cause the annular shoulder  101  to penetrate the circular hole  102  until it abuts on the inner annular shoulder  92   a.    
         [0131]    In order to produce the meshing  42 , the user repeats these operations for each of the pins  40   a  while making sure to engage the pinion  41  correctly with one in the pinion  41  of the other. 
         [0132]    During the rotation of one of the pins  40   a,  said pin rotates the adjacent pin(s)  40   a,  but in the opposite direction. 
         [0133]    The pins  40   a,  which normally tend to leave their respective slit  24   b,  are then kept therein owing to the action of the edge of the circular hole  102  on which the annular shoulder  101  of the body  93  of the pinion  41  abuts and slides. 
         [0134]    Furthermore, being able to lock the pins  40   a  and even the double grate  40   b  for certain locking devices  50  allows the user to prepare, away from the barbecue  1 , the arrangement of the means  40  for maintaining foods on the removable part  22 , for example positioned horizontally on a flat surface, that allows the user to move the removable part  22  into a vertical position by grasping it by its sintered round bar  26  without fall risk for the food maintaining means  40 . 
         [0135]    In the first application of the barbecue  1  using pins  40   a,  the latter parts each include, on the first of their two ends, driving means embodied by a pinion  41  arranged transversely to the body of the pin  40   a  as well as a handle  43  extending that end of the pin  40   a.    
         [0136]    The second end of the pin  40   a  is inserted into a hole  24   a  or through a slit  24   b  on the first of the two side walls of the removable part  22  such that the pinion  41  of the pin  40   a  remains adjacent to the outer surface of the second of the two side walls of the removable part  22 . 
         [0137]    The diameter of the pinions, the size of the teeth of the pinions, and the spacing between the two adjacent holding means  24  is predetermined such that the arrangement of the set of pins forms a meshing  42  allowing the rotational driving of an adjacent pin. 
         [0138]    In the various presented embodiments, all of the pinions  41  are identical, but it is nevertheless possible to consider having pins  40   a  having different pinion dimensions so as to obtain different speeds of rotation, making it possible to obtain different degrees of cooking doneness. 
         [0139]    In this way, in a barbecue  1  using identical pins  40   a,  the rotational driving of the central pin  40   a  in one embodiment for example comprising five pins  40   a,  like that shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , will drive the rotation of two adjacent pins  40   a  at the same speed, which will in turn rotate two end pins  40   a.    
         [0140]    This rotation can be done manually using a commercially available removable handle (not shown) or using an electric motor  6  with removable batteries, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , attaching to the outer surface of the first of the two side walls of the removable part  22  using a removable support device  60  illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11  and outlined below. 
         [0141]    The electric motor  6  includes, in a known manner, an off-center driving axle with a square profile and an edge situated at an adjustment distance from said driving axle serving to prevent the rotation of the electric motor  6  relative to the side wall of the barbecue  1 . 
         [0142]    The support device  60  comprises two parts  61 ,  62  connected to each other. 
         [0143]    The function of the first part  61  is to position the support device  60  relative to the side wall of the removable part  22 . 
         [0144]    The purpose of the second part is to position the electric motor  6  relative to the first part  61 . 
         [0145]    The first part  61  comprises an elastic staple  63  made up of three tabs  64   a ,  64   b  and  64   c.    
         [0146]    The tabs  64   a,    64   b  and  64   c  are engaged on the flank of the side wall of the removable part  22 . 
         [0147]    The tabs  64   a  and  64   b  are then on the outer side of the side wall of the removable part  22 , while the tab  64   c  is on the inner side of that same side wall and is guided using two rails  65  securely arranged on either side of the central hole  24   a  of the holding means of the central pin  40   a.    
         [0148]    The tab  64   c  comprises an orifice  71  coinciding with the hole  24   a  of the holding means of the central pin  40   a  formed on the side wall of the removable part  22 . 
         [0149]    The end of each of the tabs  64   a,    64   b  and  64   c  is slightly curved so as to facilitate their insertion on the flank of the side wall of the removable part  22  and to position tabs  64   a,    64   b  and  64   c  having a high stiffness allowing solid maintenance of the support device  60  on the side wall of the removable part  22 . 
         [0150]    The second part  62  includes a U-shaped base  66 , whereof the ends of the branches are welded to the staples  64   a  and  64   b  so as to move the base  66  away from the side wall of the removable part  22 . 
         [0151]    On this base  66 , a hollow hub  67  is arranged freely rotating around an axle corresponding to the axle of the central pin  40   a  once the latter is positioned in its location on its holding. 
         [0152]    This hollow hub  67  is maintained using two circlips arranged on either side of the base  66  and being inserted into transverse annular grooves formed in the hollow hub  67 . 
         [0153]    The hollow hub  67  has, at the center thereof, a hollow square tube  68  protruding transversely in the direction opposite the combustion chamber  20 . 
         [0154]    The square tube  68  has dimensions slightly larger than the square profile of the end of a pin  40   a  and slightly smaller than the off-center driving axle of square profile of the electric motor  6 . 
         [0155]    On the base  66 , a platen  69  is also arranged extending upward parallel to the side wall of the removable part  22  beyond the height of the hole  24   a  formed in the side wall of the removable part  22  to maintain the pin  40   a  situated immediately above the central pin  40   a.    
         [0156]    The platen  69  comprises a passage  70  in the form of a key seat with a circular portion  70   a  having a large diameter and an oblong portion  70   b  having a width smaller than the diameter of the circular portion  70   a.    
         [0157]    The circular portion is aligned coaxially with the hole  24   a  formed in the side wall of the removable part  22  to keep the pins  40   a  situated immediately above the central pin  40   a.    
         [0158]    The oblong portion  70   b  is arranged below the circular portion  70   a.    
         [0159]    To use the motorized rotation of the pins  40   a,  the user begins by grasping the support device  60  of the electric motor  6 , on which he inserts the off-center driving axle of square profile of the electric motor  6  into the square tube  68  as well as its stop by the circular portion  70   a.    
         [0160]    He then slides the stop into the oblong portion  70   b,  then positions the support device  60  of the electric motor  6  on the side wall of the removable part  22 . 
         [0161]    In order to prevent a longitudinal shift of the pins  40   a,  the latter include a ring with a circular section having two lateral flanges between which the notches  53  or the hooks  58  are inserted, depending on the embodiment used. 
         [0162]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in its functional position P 1 , the barbecue  1  provides a preparation and/or storage area  13  after cooking for two additional pins  40   a.    
         [0163]    Being stored near the burner  3 , these two additional pins  40   a  remain hot for a longer period of time. 
         [0164]    In the bottom of the combustion chamber  20 , transverse to the main part  21  and removable part  22 , a removable oil pan  30  is also provided maintained by rails  31  arranged on the inner wall of the movable part  22 . 
         [0165]    These rails  31  allow horizontal translational movement of the removable pan  30  so as to allow the release thereof for possible washing, for example. 
         [0166]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , at the back of the combustion chamber  20 , the ignition and supply elements for the radiating burner  3  are provided. 
         [0167]    The multifunction block  37  is made to be unitary in a single piece, preferably made from hard molded plastic resistant to high temperatures, and comprises the first portion  37   a  arranged on the outer edge of the upper contour of the main part  21  of the combustion chamber  20  as well as a second portion  37   b  arranged substantially transverse to the first portion  37   a  and covering a whole upper part of the back of the main part  21  of the combustion chamber  20 . 
         [0168]    This multifunction block  37  is preferably maintained by clipping against the main part  21  of the combustion chamber  20  preferably made from sheet metal, but it is obvious to one skilled in the art that this can be fastened to the main part  21  of the combustion chamber  20  using any other equivalent means, for example such as screws. 
         [0169]    A piezoelectric ignition button  8  producing a spark on the outer heating surface of the radiating burner  3  protrudes from the second portion  37   b  of the multifunction block  37 . 
         [0170]    The second portion  37   b  of the multifunction block  37  also comprises a handle  9  molded in the multifunction block allowing a user to move the barbecue  1 , whether it is in the transport position P 2  or the functional position P 1 . 
         [0171]    Likewise, the second portion  37   b  of the multifunction block  37  comprises a hole for the passage of a flexible hose  7  for supplying gas connecting the radiating burner  3  to a gas expander  4  as well as a compartment  5  molded with the multifunction block  37  serving to store the gas expander  4  when the latter is not connected to a gas cylinder or cartridge  2 . 
         [0172]    The gas expander  4  includes a connecting device performing the dual function of expander and tap and easily connecting to a gas cartridge  2  in the manner described in patent EP0981005 or patent application EP1802908. 
         [0173]    When the gas expander  4  is connected to a gas cylinder or cartridge  2 , a catching means  32  is provided for the expander on the second portion  37   b  of the multifunction block  37 . 
         [0174]    This catching means  32  may for example be made by a dovetail or the arrangement of the rail positioned on the second portion  37   b  of the multifunction block  37  and a guide channel with a shape complementary to that of the rail arranged on the gas expander  4  or vice versa. 
         [0175]    This may for example also be done by one or two emerging orifices (not shown) of the key seat type formed on the second portion  37   b  of the multifunction block  37  comprising a circular upper portion with a diameter larger than that of one or two screw heads positioned on the gas expander  4  and an oblong lower portion with a width smaller than the screw head(s) so as to retain the gas expander  4  when the screw heads of the screws slide from the upper part toward the lower part of the orifice. 
         [0176]    The same catching means  32  are also present in the compartment  5  so as to maintain the gas expander  4  therein during transport when said gas expander is not connected to a gas cartridge  2 . 
         [0177]    Once attached, the gas cartridge  2  comes into contact with a profiled surface  80  situated at the back of the combustion chamber  20  shown in  FIG. 4  by view A-A on the back of the barbecue  1 . 
         [0178]    This profiled surface  80  reduces the cooling of the gas cartridge  2  during the release of the gas it contains into the expander  4  or during low outside temperatures by better heating the gas cartridge  2 , by radiation, conduction, as well as convection, by means of the radiating burner  3  located nearby. 
         [0179]    As illustrated in particular in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , on the part of the base  10  protruding on the back of the main part  21  of the combustion chamber  20  when the barbecue  1  is in its functional position P 1 , a locking means  34  is provided locking the barbecue  1  in its functional position P 1 , thereby preventing untimely folding of the barbecue  1  toward its transport position P 2 . 
         [0180]    In a known manner, this locking means  34  may for example include a spring button connected to a blade bearing on the main part  21  of the combustion chamber  20  when the barbecue is in its functional position P 1 . 
         [0181]    Likewise, the barbecue  1  also comprises a locking means  33  locking the barbecue  1  in its transport position P 2 , thereby preventing untimely deployment of the barbecue  1  toward its functional position P 1 . 
         [0182]    These locking means  33 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , are formed here by elastic hooks connected to the front outer contour of the edge  19  of the base  10  by an end freely rotating around fastening points to the base  10 , while the other end clips in the slot  28   b  formed on the first portion  37   a  of the multifunction block  37 . 
         [0183]    For transport, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , transport rings  35  are also provided arranged on the upper area of the outside of the side walls of the main part  21  of the combustion chamber  20 , as well as a removable strap  36  attaching the two transport rings  35  in a known manner. 
         [0184]    The user of the barbecue  1  can thus transport the barbecue  1  on one of his shoulders. 
         [0185]    When the user wishes to use the barbecue  1 , he begins by choosing a location favorable for use of the barbecue  1 , preferably an uncluttered location outdoors. 
         [0186]    He then places the barbecue  1  on the ground and detaches the strap  36  from the two transport rings  35 . 
         [0187]    He then unfolds the four feet  11  by unclipping the two round bars  18  from their locations  12  formed in the base  10 , then the rotates them until they abut against the base  10 . 
         [0188]    The user then detaches the elastic hook  33  and tilts the main part of the combustion chamber  20  toward the functional position P 1  of the barbecue  1  until the locking means  34  indicate that the barbecue is in that functional position. This indication may be visual or auditory. 
         [0189]    In this step, the removable part  22  of the combustion chamber  20  is embedded inside the main part  21  and the pins  40   a  are stored diagonally in the removable part  22 . 
         [0190]    The user then begins by removing the removable part  22 , the oil tray  30 , the pins  40   a,  which may for example be positioned on the preparation and/or storage area  13 , as well as potentially the removable electric motor  6  and its support device  60 . 
         [0191]    The sintered round bar  26  of the removable part  22  is potentially retained by an elastic tab (not shown) arranged inside the main part  21  of the combustion chamber  20  to prevent the sintered round bar  26  from moving and creating noise during transport of the barbecue  1 . 
         [0192]    The removable part  22  is placed flat on a flat surface. 
         [0193]    After having prepared the pins  40   a  with a double grate  40   b  by attaching food thereto, the user positions them on the holding by first inserting the end of the pins  40   a  into the holes  24   a,  then returning the body of the pins  40   a  into the slits  24   b  while taking care to align the set of pinions  41  of the pins  40   a  so as to form the meshing  42 . 
         [0194]    The user then ensures that the slits  24   b  are closed using the locking device  50 . 
         [0195]    He then potentially installs the electric motor  6 , then installs the removable part  22  of the combustion chamber  20  on the barbecue  1 . 
         [0196]    The central pin  40   a  of square profile is then inserted into the driving axle of square profile of the electric motor  6 . 
         [0197]    In order to position the removable part  22  on the barbecue  1 , he grasps the bottom of the removable part and places the blade  25  inside one of a series of slots  15   a,    15   b  of the support block  14  and attaches the sintered round bar  26  on the appropriate slot among the slots  28   a,    28   b  formed on a first portion  37   a  of the multifunction block  37  so as to stabilize the removable part  22  of the combustion chamber  20 . 
         [0198]    The user then takes the gas expander  4  out of its compartment  5 , and connects a gas cartridge  2  to said expander. 
         [0199]    He then attaches the gas expander  2  using attaching means  32 , opens the tap situated on the gas expander  2 , then pushes on the piezoelectric button to ignite the radiating burner  3 . 
         [0200]    The user then need only start the electric battery motor  60  to rotate the set of pins  40   a.    
         [0201]    The grease from the foods is then recovered in the tray  30  provided to that end. 
         [0202]    At the end of cooking, the user turns off the gas supply using the tap situated on the gas expander  2  and stops the rotation of the pins  40   a  by stopping the electric motor  6 . 
         [0203]    After having washed all of the removable parts, such as the oil tray  30 , the removable part  32  of the combustion chamber  30 , and the pins  40   a,  the user proceeds with the same steps in the reverse order to bring the barbecue into its transport position P 2 . 
         [0204]    It should be noted that if it is not empty, the gas cartridge  2  may remain attached to the barbecue  1  without this hindering its transport. 
         [0205]    The dimensions of this compact barbecue  1  make this barbecue  1  a device that is easy to use and transport with a reduced bulk. 
         [0206]    For information regarding the bulk of a barbecue  1  according to the invention, in the functional position P 1 , the height of the feet  11  positions the base  10  at 5 cm from the ground for a total height smaller than 45 cm, a depth smaller than 43 cm, and a width smaller than 35 cm. 
         [0207]    Although the invention has been described relative to specific embodiments, it is of course in no way limited thereto and encompasses all technical equivalents of the described means as well as their combinations.