Collapsible smoker and oven device

• US 6,708,604 B1
• Filed: 05/22/2003
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard A. Deichler Jr
• Original Assignee: Richard A. Deichler Jr
• Inventors: Deichler, Richard A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Simone, Timothy F.
• Application Number:
  US10/444,454
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: 993/39, 993/40, 994/19--21, 994/46--50, 994/81, 994/82, 126/9.R, 126/25.R, 126/25.AA, 126/41.R, 126/29, 126/30, 312/263, 312/264, 312/400, 211/118, 211/181.1, 110/102, 110/118
• US Class Current: 99/482
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0763 Small-size, portable barbecues

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.

Claims

1. A portable collapsible cooking apparatus comprising:

a back wall, said back wall having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and an interior surface;

a first sidewall, said first sidewall having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and an interior surface;

a second sidewall, said second sidewall having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and an interior surface;

means for rotational engagement of said first side edge of said back wall to said first side edge of said first sidewall;

means for rotational engagement of said second side edge of said back wall to said second side edge of said second sidewall;

at least one support plate having a first end, a second end, a top edge, and a bottom edge;

means for rotational engagement of said support plate at said first edge, to a first mounting point at said second side edge of said first sidewall;

means for releasable engagement of said second end of said support plate, to said first side edge of said second sidewall;

at least one door, said door having an attachment edge, a distal edge opposite said attachment edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge;

means for rotational engagement of said engagement edge of said door to a second mounting point at said second side edge of said first sidewall;

said cooking apparatus having a collapsed position and having an expended position;

a top wall, having four side edges, an interior surface and an exterior surface;

means for releasable sealed engagement of three sides of said top wall to said top edge of said first sidewall, said top edge of said second sidewall, and said top edge of said rear wall respectively, when said cooking apparatus is in said expended position;

a bottom wall, said bottom wall having four side edges, an interior surface and an exterior surface;

means for releasable sealed engagement of three sides of said bottom wall to said bottom edge of said first sidewall, said bottom edge of said second sidewall, and said bottom edge of said rear wall respectively, when said cooking apparatus is in said expended position;

at least one rack, said rack cooperatively engageable with said first sidewall and said second sidewall when said cooking apparatus is in said expanded position;

a firebox, said firebox insertable between first sidewall and said second sidewall when said cooking apparatus is in said expanded position;

an interior cavity defined by the area between said first sidewall, said second sidewall, and said back wall, top wall and said bottom wall when said cooking apparatus is in said expanded position with said top wall and said bottom wall mounted;

means for removable engagement of said distal end of said door to said second side edge of said second sidewall when said door is rotated to a closed position; and

means to control the airflow into and out of said interior cavity when said top and bottom are mounted and said door is in said closed position whereby combustible fuel may be burned in said fire box and air entering and exiting said interior cavity may be regulated to thereby control cooking of any food occupying said rack.

2. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a mounting wall projecting substantially normal from said second side edge of said first sidewall; and

said a first mounting point, said second mounting point, and said third mounting point, being located upon said mounting wall.

3. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a water tray positionable between said fire box and said top wall when said cooking apparatus is in said expanded position.

4. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a water tray positionable between said fire box and said top wall when said cooking apparatus is in said expanded position.

5. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means to control the airflow into and out of said interior cavity comprises:

apertures communicating through at least one of said first side wall or said second side wall at a position adjacent to said firebox;

exit apertures communicating through said top wall; and

means to adjust the total area of said exit apertures.

6. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means to control the airflow into and out of said interior cavity comprises:

apertures communicating through at least one of said first side wall or said second side wall at a position adjacent to said firebox;

exit apertures communicating through said top wall; and

means to adjust the total area of said exit apertures.

7. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means to control the airflow into and out of said interior cavity comprises:

apertures communicating through at least one of said first side wall or said second side wall at a position adjacent to said firebox;

exit apertures communicating through said top wall; and

means to adjust the total area of said exit apertures.

8. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means to control the airflow into and out of said interior cavity comprises:

apertures communicating through at least one of said first side wall or said second side wall at a position adjacent to said firebox;

exit apertures communicating through said top wall; and

means to adjust the total area of said exit apertures.

9. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for rotational engagement of said first side edge of said back wall to said first side edge of said first sidewall comprises:

a first mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a first distance; and

a hinge engaged with both said first mounting wall and said first sidewall.

10. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for rotational engagement of said first side edge of said back wall to said first side edge of said first sidewall comprises:

a first mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a first distance; and

a hinge engaged with both said first mounting wall and said first sidewall.

11. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for rotational engagement of said first side edge of said back wall to said first side edge of said first sidewall comprises:

a first mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a first distance; and

a hinge engaged with both said first mounting wall and said first sidewall.

12. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for rotational engagement of said first side edge of said back wall to said first side edge of said first sidewall comprises:

a first mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a first distance; and

a hinge engaged with both said first mounting wall and said first sidewall.

13. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for rotational engagement of said first side edge of said back wall to said first side edge of said first sidewall comprises:

a first mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a first distance; and

a hinge engaged with both said first mounting wall and said first sidewall.

14. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for rotational engagement of said first side edge of said back wall to said first side edge of said first sidewall comprises:

a first mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a first distance; and

a hinge engaged with both said first mounting wall and said first sidewall.

15. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising

said means for rotational engagement of said first side edge of said back wall to said first side edge of said first sidewall comprises:

a first mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a first distance; and

a hinge engaged with both said first mounting wall and said first sidewall;

said means for rotational engagement of said second side edge of said back wall to said second side edge of said second comprises;

a second mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a second distance at an edge opposite said first mounting wall; and

a second hinge engaged with both said second mounting wall and said second sidewall.

16. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising

said means for rotational engagement of said first side edge of said back wall to said first side edge of said first sidewall comprises:

a first mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a first distance; and

a hinge engaged with both said first mounting wall and said first sidewall;

said means for rotational engagement of said second side edge of said back wall to said second side edge of said second comprises;

a second mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a second distance at an edge opposite said first mounting wall; and

a second hinge engaged with both said second mounting wall and said second sidewall.

17. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising

said means for rotational engagement of said first side edge of said back wall to said first side edge of said first sidewall comprises:

a first mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a first distance; and

a hinge engaged with both said first mounting wall and said first sidewall;

said means for rotational engagement of said second side edge of said back wall to said second side edge of said second comprises;

a second mounting wall extending substantially normal from said back wall for a second distance at an edge opposite said first mounting wall; and

a second hinge engaged with both said second mounting wall and said second sidewall.

18. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 15 additionally comprising:

said second distance being larger than said first distance thereby forming a compartment between said first mounting wall and said second mounting wall and behind said second sidewall, said compartment dimensioned for containment of said first sidewall and said door and said support plate when said cooking apparatus is folded to said collapsed position.

19. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 16 additionally comprising:

said second distance being larger than said first distance thereby forming a compartment between said first mounting wall and said second mounting wall and behind said second sidewall, said compartment dimensioned for containment of said first sidewall and said door and said support plate when said cooking apparatus is folded to said collapsed position.

20. The portable collapsible cooking apparatus of claim 17 additionally comprising:

said second distance being larger than said first distance thereby forming a compartment between said first mounting wall and said second mounting wall and behind said second sidewall, said compartment dimensioned for containment of said first sidewall and said door and said support plate when said cooking apparatus is folded to said collapsed position.