Portable barbeque

• US 5,333,540 A
• Filed: 02/02/1993
• Issued: 08/02/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carlos Mazzocchi
• Original Assignee: Carlos Mazzocchi
• Inventors: Mazzocchi, Carlos
• Primary Examiner(s): Simone, Timothy F.
• Application Number:
  US07/960,443
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 99/419, 99/421 A, 99/421 H, 99/421 HH, 99/421 R, 99/339, 99/340, 99/449, 99/450, 99/480, 99/400, 99/482, 99/481, 99/444-446, 126/25 R, 126/9 R, 126/25 M, 220/6, 220/7
• US Class Current: 99/421.00H
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0763 Small-size, portable barbecues

Abstract

A free standing collapsible, portable barbeque (1) adapted to be moved between a closed/folded configuration and an open/assembled configuration and from an open/assembled configuration to a closed/folded configuration thereby assuming the character of a portable suitcase; the barbeque comprising a substantially cubic receptacle (2) supported by legs (5, 6, 7 and 8) pivotally attached to the underside of the receptacle so that they fold inwardly to a plane parallel with the base of the receptacle.

A lid (15) is pivotally connected to the receptacle which when open acts as a rear baffle and when closed as a cover for the receptacle.

The barbeque has first and second side baffles (11 and 12) which are adapted to move independently of the lid (15) each pivotally connected to the base of the the receptacle and between a sidewall of the receptacle; and a well (37) formed within said receptacle which acts as a cooking waste trap.

Supporting means (14) on the first and second side baffles to enable adjustable support of one or more cooking trays and/or a rotisserie.

There are ports to enable the injection of gas to a gas operated heat source or an area to receive dry combustibles as a heat source within the receptacle.

There are fastener means on the lid or receptacle to enable the lid to be fastened to the receptacle when the barbeque is in the folded configuration.

Claims

1. A free standing collapsible, portable barbeque which is moved between a folded configuration, thereby assuming the character of a portable suitcase, and an assembled configuration;

said barbeque comprising;

a substantially cubic receptacle including a base supported by legs pivotally attached to an underside of said base of said receptacle so that said legs fold inwardly to a plane parallel with the underside of said base of said receptacle,

a lid pivotally connected to said receptacle which when open is a rear baffle and when closed is a cover for said receptacle,

first and second side baffles which move independently of said lid, each of said side baffles being pivotally connected to said base of said receptacle adjacent a sidewall of the receptacle,

a well formed within said receptacle defining a cooking waste trap, said well including a releasable drawer which forms a base in said well and when released, facilitates removal of cooking waste,

supporting means on said first and second side baffles to provide adjustable support of one or more cooking trays or a rotisserie,

means to enable an injection of a gas operated heat source or means to receive dry combustibles as a heat source within said receptacle,

fastening means on said lid or receptacle to secure said receptacle when said barbeque is in the folded configuration.

2. A barbeque according to claim 1 wherein said first and second baffles have restraining supports to prevent rotation from a vertical disposition to a folded recumbent position when said baffles are positively placed in the assembled configuration.

3. A barbeque according to claim 2, including a restraining support on said first baffle comprising an angular plate having one leg connected to said first baffle and another leg engaging said base of the receptacle to provide restraint to maintain the vertical disposition.

4. A barbeque according to claim 3 wherein a restraining support on said second baffle comprises a bias actuated by manual movement of said second baffle.

5. A barbeque according to claim 4 wherein the first baffle when in the vertical disposition abuts the sidewall of said receptacle thereby providing restraint against rotation outward of the sidewall of the receptacle.

6. A barbeque according to claim 5 wherein the second baffle when in the vertical disposition is substantially in planar alignment with a sidewall of said well.

7. A barbeque according to claim 6 wherein the second baffle is restrained from rotation outward of the receptacle by a return at a base of said second baffle.

8. A barbeque according to claim 7 wherein the second baffle has a pivotally attached support for supporting a tray which spans between said first and second baffles.

9. A barbeque according to claim 8 wherein the said first and second baffles move between 0°

and 90°

from a recumbent to an upright position.

10. A barbeque according to claim 9 wherein said supporting means on the first and second baffles comprise angle brackets press formed from a material for said brackets.

11. A barbeque according to claim 10 wherein said legs further comprise two inverted U shaped sections;

each said U shaped section having two legs, has an adjustable gusset brace on at least one of said legs of said U shaped sections which enables the legs to move between a folded and an unfolded configuration.

12. A barbeque according to claim 11 wherein said lid is pivotally attached to sidewalls of said receptacle via pivot pins.

13. A barbeque according to claim 11 wherein said receptacle includes a gas inlet port or ports for delivery of gas to said gas operated heat source within said receptacle.

14. A barbeque according to claim 13 wherein the said ports are operably controlled by control knobs fitted to a sidewall of said receptacle.

15. A barbeque according to claim 14 further comprising a tray fitted into said well and spanning thereacross, said try forming a second well via an insert tray to facilitate collection of cooking waste.

16. A barbeque according to claim 15 wherein the said bias comprises a leaf spring.

17. A barbeque according to claim 16 wherein the first and second baffles each comprise a slot at or near the top of each baffle to hold a motor operated rotisserie.

18. A barbeque according to claim 17 wherein said receptacle includes a carry handle and at least one clip on a front wall cooperating with said fastening means on said lid.

19. A barbeque according to claim 18 wherein said angle brackets are vertically spaced so as to allow cooking trays to be placed at selected elevations.

20. A barbeque according to claim 19 wherein said adjustable gusset brace is snap fit lockable via a sleeve.

21. A barbeque according to claim 20 wherein said legs have slots to facilitate sliding therewithin one end of said adjustable gusset brace and the other end of said adjustable gusset brace is connected to a wall of said well.

22. A barbeque according to claim 21 wherein the drawer in said well pulls out to the front.

23. A barbeque according to claim 22 wherein said lid has a board on an outer surface to enable playing a game of chess or draughts.