U.S. patent application number 11/030045 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-13 for camping tube grill.
Invention is credited to Kenneth L. Barron.
Application Number | 20060150963 11/030045 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36651992 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060150963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barron; Kenneth L. |
July 13, 2006 |
Camping tube grill
Abstract
The camping tube grill is a grill that is quickly assembled to
create a grilling surface over a fire pit and may be collapsed into
a compact carrying case. The camping tube grill includes two
tubular rails, several grill rods, a pair of U-shaped spacing bars,
and a storage case into which the rails, rods and bars are placed
for storage and transport. The grill rods and spacing bars are
inserted within holes defined in the rails, forming a grilling
surface. One rail has a greater diameter than the other rail so
that when the camping tube grill is disassembled, the smaller rail
is able to fit within the larger rail. The spacing bars and grill
rods are then inserted within the smaller rail, and the assembly is
packed together into the compact carrying case.
Inventors: |
Barron; Kenneth L.; (Cedar
Lake, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD
PO BOX 15035
CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
36651992 |
Appl. No.: |
11/030045 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/9R ;
126/25R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 2037/0777 20130101;
A47J 33/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/009.00R ;
126/025.00R |
International
Class: |
F24C 1/16 20060101
F24C001/16; F24B 3/00 20060101 F24B003/00 |
Claims
1. A camping tube grill, comprising: a first and a second elongated
tubular rail, each of the rails having a plurality of rod holes
longitudinally spaced along the length of each of the rails and a
spacing hole defined in opposite ends of each of the rails, the
spacing holes being aligned substantially normal to the rod holes;
a plurality of grill rods removably and slidably disposed in the
rod holes, forming a grid having the rails parallel to each other
and the rods normal to the rails and parallel to each other; and a
pair of spacing bars removably and slidably disposed in the spacing
holes in order to temporarily lock the rails together in parallel
relation and to stably retain the rods between the rails.
2. The camping tube grill according to claim 1, further comprising
a carrying case having a pair of telescoping tubular
containers.
3. The camping tube grill according to claim 2, wherein the
carrying case is made from plastic.
4. The camping tube grill according to claim 2, wherein the
carrying case is made from aluminum.
5. The camping tube grill according to claim 1, wherein the rod
holes are blind rod holes.
6. The camping tube grill according to claim 1, wherein the spacing
bars are U-shaped bars.
7. The camping tube grill according to claim 1, wherein the tubular
rails, grill rods and spacing bars are made from metal.
8. The camping tube grill according to claim 7, wherein the metal
is stainless steel.
9. A camping tube grill, comprising: a first and a second elongated
tubular rail, each of the rails having a plurality of blind rod
holes longitudinally spaced along the length of each of the rails
and a spacing hole defined in opposite ends of each of the rails,
the spacing holes being aligned substantially normal to the blind
rod holes; a plurality of grill rods removably and slidably
disposed in the rod holes, forming a grid having the rails parallel
to each other and the rods normal to the rails and parallel to each
other; and a pair of spacing bars removably and slidably disposed
in the spacing holes in order to temporarily lock the rails
together in parallel relation and to stably retain the rods between
the rails.
10. The camping tube grill according to claim 9, further comprising
a carrying case having a pair of telescoping tubular
containers.
11. The camping tube grill according to claim 10, wherein the
carrying case is made from plastic.
12. The camping tube grill according to claim 10, wherein the
carrying case is made from aluminum.
13. The camping tube grill according to claim 9, wherein the
spacing bars are U-shaped bars.
14. The camping tube grill according to claim 9, wherein the
tubular rails, grill rods and spacing bars are made from stainless
steel.
15. A camping tube grill, comprising: a first and a second
elongated tubular rail, each of the rails having a plurality of rod
holes longitudinally spaced along the length of each of the rails
and a spacing hole defined in opposite ends of each of the rails,
the spacing holes being aligned substantially normal to the rod
holes; a plurality of grill rods removably and slidably disposed in
the rod holes, forming a grid having the rails parallel to each
other and the rods normal to the rails and parallel to each other;
and a pair of U-shaped spacing bars removably and slidably disposed
in the spacing holes in order to temporarily lock the rails
together in parallel relation and to stably retain the rods between
the rails.
16. The camping tube grill according to claim 15, further
comprising a carrying case having a pair of telescoping tubular
containers.
17. The camping tube grill according to claim 16, wherein the
carrying case is made from plastic.
18. The camping tube grill according to claim 16, wherein the
carrying case is made from aluminum.
19. The camping tube grill according to claim 15, wherein the rod
holes are blind rod holes.
20. The camping tube grill according to claim 15, wherein the
tubular rails, grill rods and spacing bars are made from stainless
steel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to camping grills, and
particularly to a compactable camping tube grill.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Campers, hikers and other individuals that go on outdoor
recreational excursions will necessarily need to cook meals for
themselves. Such meals are often cooked over a pit fire or campfire
set up near the individual's campsite or break site. These campers
generally carry the necessary cooking equipment and utensils in
their backpacks. The minimization of weight in the packs is of high
concern to these individuals, especially when they are hiking or
traveling for long periods of time. Backpacks also are not
particularly spacious, and therefore large or rigid items take up
space that may be used to hold other, more essential items.
[0005] Many outdoor enthusiasts carry portable grills that may be
used when permanent grills are not easily accessible. A portable
grill needs to fit within the individual's backpack, and
conventional portable grills tend to take up a great amount of
space within the pack. As campers are often facing decreased
natural light when setting up for their dinner meals, it is
desirable that a portable grill requires a minimum setup time.
Also, minimum breakdown time is preferred by campers or hikers
eager to get moving. Conventional portable grills, once used, are
dirty and require substantial cleanup time to avoid soiling the
camper's backpack when stored.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a compact portable camping
grill that uses minimal storage space, assembles quickly,
eliminates substantial cleanup after cooking and includes a clean
storage container for transport. Thus, a camping tube grill solving
the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The camping tube grill is a tubular grill that may be
quickly set up in a fire pit at a campsite. After use, the grill
may be collapsed into a compact carrying case small enough to fit
in a backpack. The camping tube grill includes two tubular rails,
several grill rods, a pair of U-shaped spacing bars, and a storage
case into which the rails, rods and bars are placed for storage and
transport.
[0008] The grill rods are inserted within blind rod holes spaced
along the length of both of the tubular rails. The grill rods are
removably and slidably disposed in the rod holes to form a grid in
which the rails are parallel to each other and the rods are normal
to the rails and parallel to each other. The spacing bars are
inserted within spacing holes that are defined in the opposite ends
of each of the rails and aligned substantially normal to the rod
holes. The spacing bars lock the rails together and retain the
grill rods between the rails. Once the grill rods and spacing bars
are put into place, the assembly may be placed over a pit fire to
be used as a grilling surface.
[0009] One tubular rail has a greater diameter than the diameter of
the other rail. When the camping tube grill is disassembled, the
smaller rail slides within the larger tubular rail. The spacing
bars and grill rods are then inserted within the smaller rail, and
the assembled combination is packed together into the compact
carrying case, which may be easily placed into a backpack. Thus,
the required storage space is minimized, as the grill is entriely
held within the single rail.
[0010] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a camping
tube grill according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the camping tube grill
according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an elevational side view of the camping tube grill
according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the camping tube grill
disassembled and packed together for storage according to the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the carrying case
open at the middle with the rails, rods and bars exposed.
[0016] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The present invention is a camping tube grill that may be
assembled to create a grilling surface to be set up in a fire pit
at a campsite. The camping tube grill, designated generally as 10
in the drawings, may be collapsed into a compact carrying case
small enough to fit in a backpack for storage and transport after
use.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an environmental, perspective
view and an exploded view of the camping tube grill 10 are shown.
The camping tube grill 10 includes a first 12 and a second 14
elongated tubular rail, a plurality of grill rods 16 and a pair of
spacing bars 18. Additionally, the camping tube grill 10 may
include a storage case 50, shown in FIG. 5 and discussed below.
[0019] One end of each of the grill rods 16 is inserted within
blind rod holes 20 that are longitudinally spaced along the length
of the first tubular rail 12. The other end of each of the grill
rods 16 is inserted within blind rod holes 20 (the holes are
"blind" since they are formed through one wall of the tube, but not
through the opposite wall of the tube) longitudinally spaced along
the length of the tubular rails 12 and 14. The grill rods 16 are
removably and slidably disposed in the rod holes 20, forming a
grid. The rails 12 and 14 are parallel to each other, and the rods
16 are normal to the rails 12 and 14 and parallel to each
other.
[0020] A spacing hole 22 is defined in the opposite ends of each of
the rails 12 and 14. The spacing holes 22 defined in the rails 12
and 14 are aligned substantially normal to the rod holes 20. When
the camping tube grill 10 is assembled and placed over a pit fire,
the rod holes 20 are defined in the interior lateral surface of the
rails 12 and 14, and the spacing holes 22 are defined in the top
surface of the rails 12 and 14.
[0021] The spacing bars 18 are U-shaped and are removably and
slidably disposed in the spacing holes 22. Once the spacing bars 18
are put in place, the spacing bars 18 temporarily lock the rails 12
and 14 together in parallel relation. Additionally, the spacing
bars 18 stably retain the grill rods 16 between the tubular rails
12 and 14 until the grill 10 is ready to be broken down. By
applying the use of the spacing bars 18, the need for drilling rod
holes in both walls of each of the tubular rails 12 and 14 is
eliminated, as the spacing bars 18 provide the necessary stability
for the grill 10.
[0022] The tubular rails 12 and 14, the grill rods 16, and the
spacing bars 18 are made from a metal, for example, steel or
stainless steel. Although stainless steel may be more expensive, it
does have the advantage of permitting a smaller gauge steel to be
used, thereby making the grill 10 more lightweight, in addition to
resisting corrosion and being easier to clean.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, an elevational side view of the
camping tube grill 10 is shown. The first tubular rail 12 has a
diameter that is greater than the diameter of the second tubular
rail 14, allowing the second rail 14 to fit within the first rail
12 when the camping grill 10 is packed together into the case 50.
When the grill 10 is assembled for use, the ends of the spacing
bars 18 are inserted within the spacing holes 22. The grill rods 16
are inserted within the blind rod holes 20 in the first 12 and the
second 14 tubular rails.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows the camping tube grill 10 disassembled and
packed together for storage and transport. Once the user is
finished with the grill 10, the grill 10 is disassembled so that
the grill 10 may be packed away. The second tubular rail 14 is
first inserted into the hollow first tubular rail 12. The grill
rods 16 and the spacing bars 18 are then placed inside the hollow
second rail 14, providing a compact assembly. After the rods 16,
spacing bars 18 and rails 12 and 14 are assembled together, the
combination is placed inside a carrying case 50, shown in FIG. 5,
formed from a pair of telescoping tubular containers. The carrying
case 50 is slidable and has an adjustable length. The carrying case
50 may be made from a plastic or a metal, for example, aluminum,
and instead of telescoping members, may be formed from two halves
joined by a twist lock.
[0025] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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