Convertible mobile fire pit and cooker assembly

• US 9,038,620 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2012
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Stephen Brown
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Stephen Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Lawrence Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Laux, David J
• Application Number:
  US13/507,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20120318255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 110/241
• US Class Current: 126/25.R
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 2037/0795 Adjustable food supports, e.g. for height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0704 with horizontal fire box
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0763 Small-size, portable barbecues
• CPC Class Codes: F23B 20/00 Combustion apparatus specially adapted for portability or transportability
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 5/40 Portable or mobile incinerators
• CPC Class Codes: F24B 1/022 easily collapsible or easily removable

Abstract

A multi-sided, portable outdoor fireplace convertible to an open grill, a rotisserie assembly, and a smoker assembly, the fireplace includes a carriage assembly with a pair of rotatable wheels and at least one leg member; a base pan assembly for containing a solid fuel heat source affixed to the carriage assembly; and a removable screen assembly residing on top of the base pan assembly. When converted to an open grill, the fireplace further includes a grill bracket removably attachable to the screen assembly. When converted to a smoker, the fireplace, in one embodiment, further includes at least one heat/wind shield attachable to the screen assembly; a smoker adaptor body residing on the screen assembly; an adjustable grate support bracket affixed to the interior of the smoker body and a cover.

Claims

1. A portable outdoor fire-containment assembly comprising:

a. a carriage assembly having a pair of rotatable wheels and at least one leg member;

b. a base pan assembly comprising a bottom affixed to said carriage assembly;

side members projecting upward from said bottom to define a space for supporting and burning a solid combustible fuel source, and a first mating flange attached to an upper portion of said side members, said first mating flange having a first slot; and

c. a screen assembly removably positioned onto and supported by said base pan assembly, said screen assembly comprising;

i) a plurality of screen panel members, said screen panel members having at least one bottom tab means for engaging said first slot in said first mating flange;

ii) at least one door panel member having a first portion of a hinge means affixed to an adjacent screen panel member and a second portion affixed to said door panel member, and a latching means oppositely disposed from said hinge means;

iii) a plurality of vertically-oriented exterior panel connectors affixed to and joining adjacent screen panel members together and holding said screen assembly in an upright position; and

iv) a plurality vertically-oriented interior panel connector affixed to and joining adjacent screen panel members together, wherein said interior panel connector includes a plurality of first pin means and first elevation adjustment slots.

2. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 1 wherein said carriage assembly includes a pair of leg members, said leg members being affixed to said base pan assembly.

3. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 2 wherein said leg members each comprise a sole plate for contacting the ground, a top plate affixed to said base pan assembly and a plurality of vertical support members between and affixed to said sole plate and said top plate.

4. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 1 wherein said base pan assembly has from 3 to 20 side members.

5. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 1 wherein said base pan assembly has six sides.

6. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 1 wherein said first mating flange further comprises at least one vertical alignment member for securing said screen panel assembly in a removably fixed relation to said base pan assembly.

7. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 1 wherein at least two of said screen panel members include a handle means fixedly attached for lifting and adjusting said screen assembly on said base pan assembly.

8. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 1 wherein said door panel member latching means comprises a latching plate movably affixed to said door panel member, said latching plate having at least one inverted “

T”

slot for removably engaging a latch pin affixed to an adjacent screen panel member.

9. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 1 further comprising:

d. a grill bracket assembly comprising;

i) a pair of spaced-apart grill height adjustment members each having second elevation adjustment slots and second pin means;

ii) at least one grill shelf disposed between and joining said pair of spaced-apart grill height adjustment members; and

iii) a handle means connected to an upper portion of said spaced-apart grill height adjustment members,

wherein said second pin means removably engage said first elevation adjustment slots and said first pin means removably engages said second elevation adjustment slots to secure said grill bracket assembly to said screen assembly and define a shelf for supporting a cooking grate.

10. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 9 including at least three grill bracket assemblies.

11. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 1 further comprising:

d. a rotisserie bracket assembly comprising;

i) a vertically-oriented height adjustment member having a plurality of second elevation adjustment slots arranged in a columnar format and adapted to engage said first pin means, and a second pin means located in a bottom portion of said height adjustment member;

ii) a rotisserie mounting plate connected to said height adjustment member, wherein said rotisserie mounting plate includes a means for mounting a rotisserie device to said rotisserie bracket assembly; and

iii) a handle means connected to said rotisserie mounting plate for mounting and removing the rotisserie bracket assembly from said screen assembly,

wherein said second pin means removably engage said first elevation adjustment slots and said first pin means removably engages said second elevation adjustment slots for securing said rotisserie bracket assembly to said screen assembly to support and secure the rotisserie assembly to said screen assembly.

12. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 11 including at least two rotisserie bracket assemblies.

13. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 1 further comprising a grill support assembly, said grill support assembly comprising:

a) a pair of spaced-apart, vertically-oriented grill height adjustment members having a top portion and a bottom portion, each member having a plurality of elevation adjustment slots and pin means positioned on said bottom portion;

b) at least one grill shelf disposed between and joining said pair of spaced-apart grill height adjustment members; and

c) an arm member extending from said top portion; and

d) a handle bracket assembly attached to said arm member, wherein said handle bracket assembly includes a bracket member affixed to said arm member and a handle member attached to said bracket member.

14. The portable outdoor fire-containment device of claim 1 further comprising a rotisserie bracket assembly, said rotisserie bracket assembly comprising:

a) a vertically-oriented height adjustment member having a plurality of elevation adjustment slots arranged in a columnar format and a pin means extending from said height adjustment member and located in a bottom portion of said height adjustment member;

b) a rotisserie mounting plate connected to said height adjustment member, wherein said rotisserie mounting plate includes a means for mounting a rotisserie device to said rotisserie bracket assembly; and

c) a handle means connected to said rotisserie mounting plate for mounting and removing the rotisserie bracket assembly from said screen assembly.

15. The rotisserie bracket assembly of claim 14 further comprising an ear portion extending laterally from a top portion of said height adjustment member;

a pair of upper and lower extension members positioned between said ear portion and said rotisserie mounting plate and having a first end affixed to said ear portion and a second end affixed to said rotisserie mounting plate.

16. The rotisserie bracket assembly of claim 14 wherein said rotisserie mounting plate includes a plurality of vertically-oriented elongated slots for mounting a rotisserie device.

17. A portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly having from 3 to 20 sides comprising:

a. a carriage assembly having a pair of rotatable wheels and at least one leg member;

b. a base pan assembly comprising;

a bottom affixed to said carriage assembly;

side members projecting upward from said bottom to define a space for supporting and burning a solid combustible fuel source; and

a first mating flange affixed to a top portion of said side members, said first mating flange having on at least one side a first slot and a vertical alignment member extending upwardly;

c. a screen assembly removably positioned on said base pan assembly, said screen assembly comprising;

i) a plurality of screen panel members, said screen panel members comprising a screen member attached to a frame member and wherein at least one screen frame member has at least one bottom tab means for engaging said first slot in said first mating flange;

ii) at least one door panel member having a hinge means affixed to an adjacent screen panel member and a latching means oppositely disposed from said hinge means;

iii) a plurality of vertically-oriented first exterior panel connector affixed to and joining adjacent screen panel members together and holding said screen assembly in an upright position; and

iv) a plurality of vertically-oriented first interior panel connectors affixed to and joining adjacent screen panel members together, wherein said interior panel connector includes a pair of first pin means and a plurality of vertically-oriented first elevation adjustment slots; and

d. a top or cover adapted to be removably affixed to said screen assembly.

18. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 17 wherein said fire-containment and cooking assembly has six sides, wherein said carriage assembly includes a pair of leg members, said leg members each comprise a sole plate for contacting the ground, a top plate affixed to said base pan assembly and a plurality of vertical support members between and affixed to said sole plate and said top plate, said rotatable wheels being affixed to an axle member, wherein said axle member rotatably affixed to a wheel connecting bracket, wherein said wheel connecting bracket is affixed to a rear leg weldment, said rear leg weldment comprising a top flat bar affixed to said bottom of said pan member, a bottom flat bar affixed to said wheel connecting bracket, and a pair of short leg members positioned between and affixed to said bottom flat bar and said top flat bar.

19. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 18 wherein said base pan assembly includes at least one handle means affixed to two adjoining side members, said handle means having a pair of spaced-apart outwardly extending arms relative to said side members and a handle between and affixed to said pair of spaced-apart outwardly extending arms.

20. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 19 wherein said handle means is affixed to said pan side members on a side opposite said rear leg weldment.

21. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 19 wherein said first mating flange includes at least two first slots on each side and at least one vertical alignment member is positioned between said first slots, wherein at least four of said screen frame members have a handle means attached thereto for lifting and adjusting said screen assembly on said base pan assembly, and wherein said door panel member includes a latching means for opening and securing said door panel member in a closed position, wherein said latching means comprises a latching plate movably affixed to said door panel member, said latching plate having at least one inverted “

T”

slot for removably engaging a latch pin affixed to an adjacent screen panel member.

22. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 18 wherein said a screen member is circumscribed by said screen frame member, said screen member being affixed to said screen frame member by a screen holding means affixed to said screen frame member, said screen frame member having a top portion and a bottom portion, each portion having a substantially centrally positioned opening, said screen holding means further comprising a second tab member extending through said central opening and projecting horizontally from said screen frame member, said second tab member including a second slot.

23. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 22 further comprising:

e. a grill bracket assembly comprising;

i) a pair of vertically-oriented, spaced-apart grill height adjustment members each grill height adjustment member having second elevation adjustment slots and second pin means, wherein at least one grill shelf is disposed between and connected to said pair of spaced-apart grill height adjustment members; and

ii) a handle means connected to an upper portion of said spaced-apart grill height adjustment members, wherein said second pin means removably engage said first elevation adjustment slots and said first pin means removably engages said second elevation adjustment slots for securing said grill bracket assembly to said screen assembly to define a shelf for supporting a grilling screen or grate.

24. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 22 further comprising:

e. a heat/wind shield assembly comprising;

i) a cover plate member adapted to cover said screen member and reside inside an inner border of said screen frame member, said cover plate member having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface;

ii) a handle means for grasping said heat/wind shield assembly, said handle means having a flat portion attached to said exterior facing surface of said cover plate and a pair of spaced-apart arm members extending outwardly relative to said exterior facing surface, and a handle attached to and connecting said spaced-apart arm members; and

iii) means for securing said heat/wind shield means to said screen frame member comprising first and second vertical latch members movably retained by a latch and vent retaining means fastened to said handle flat portion, wherein said first and second latch members engage said second slots on said screen holding means thereby removably affixing said heat/wind shield to said frame member.

25. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 24 wherein said heat/wind shield means further comprises:

iv) an air controlling means for controlling air into said fire chamber comprising a hole in said cover plate of sufficient dimension for promoting combustion of said fuel source and a vent cover member movably retained by said latch and vent retaining means, wherein said vent cover member is adapted to adjust air into the fire chamber by exposing or occluding said cover plate hole by a predetermined amount.

26. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 25 wherein said latch and vent retaining means comprises an upper portion, a lower portion and two spaced-apart lateral side portions, wherein said upper and lower portions each include a first opening, said first and second latch members each having a first gripping member extending through said first openings, and wherein said lateral side portions each include a second opening, said vent cover having a flat portion and a second gripping member attached to said vent cover flat portion, said second gripping member extending through said second opening, and wherein said latch and vent retaining means retains said first and second gripping means in a moveable relation to said cover plate.

27. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 26 wherein said cover includes a plurality of angled side members and a substantially flat top joined to said side members, at least one of said side members having a vent portal and wherein said top includes a means for grasping and lifting said top or cover from said panel assembly, and wherein said pan assembly and said screen assembly defining a fire chamber for holding and combustion of a solid fuel heat source.

28. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 25 further comprising:

f. a smoker adaptor assembly wherein said smoker adaptor assembly removably engages said top portion of said screen frame members, said smoker adaptor assembly comprising;

i) a plurality of smoker panel members, each smoker panel member having a surface area wherein less than about 20 percent of said surface is open, each smoker panel member having a top portion, a bottom portion, and spaced apart lateral side portions, wherein at least one smoker panel member includes a tab means on said bottom portion;

ii) a plurality of vertically-oriented second exterior panel connectors affixed to and joining adjacent smoker panel members together and holding said smoker adaptor assembly in an upright position;

iii) a plurality of vertically-oriented second interior panel connectors affixed to and joining adjacent screen panel members together, wherein said interior panel connector includes a plurality of vertically-oriented second elevation adjustment slots;

iv) a second mating flange having on at least one side a slot for engaging said smoker panel tab mean and a second vertical alignment member extending downwardly, wherein said smoker panel and said second mating flange are fixedly joined together; and

v) a handle means affixed to at least one of said smoker panel members for lifting and adjusting said smoker adaptor assembly on said screen panel assembly.

29. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 28 further comprising a cooking grate adaptor bracket, wherein said cooking grate adaptor bracket adjustably and removably engages said vertically-oriented second elevation adjustment slots in said second interior panel connectors.

30. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 29 wherein said cooking grate adaptor bracket includes:

a pair of spaced-apart end portions;

a third pin means for removably engaging said second elevation adjustment slots affixed to each end portion; and

a grate support shelf positioned between and fastened to said spaced-apart ends of the cooking grate adaptor bracket.

31. The portable outdoor fire-containment and cooking assembly of claim 30 wherein said smoker adaptor assembly includes three cooking grate adaptor brackets.

32. A portable outdoor smoker assembly having from 3 to 20 vertically-oriented sides comprising:

a. a carriage assembly having a pair of rotatable wheels and at least one leg member;

b. a base pan assembly having a bottom affixed to said carriage assembly and side members projecting upward from said bottom to define a space for supporting and burning a solid combustible fuel source, and a first mating flange affixed to said side members, said first mating flange having a first slot;

c. a smoker body assembly removably engaging said first mating flange, said smoker body comprising;

i) a plurality of smoker panel members, each smoker panel member having a surface area wherein less than about 20 percent of said surface is open, each smoker panel member having a top portion, a bottom portion, and spaced apart lateral side portions, wherein at least one smoker panel member includes a tab means on said bottom portion;

ii) a plurality of vertically-oriented exterior panel connectors affixed to and joining adjacent smoker panel members together and holding said smoker body assembly in an upright position;

iii) a plurality of vertically-oriented interior panel connectors affixed to and joining adjacent screen panel members together, wherein said interior panel connector includes a plurality of vertically-oriented elevation adjustment slots;

iv) at least one door panel assembly comprising;

a door panel member;

a door frame member affixed to at least one of said interior and said exterior panel connectors adjoining an adjacent smoker panel member, said door frame member having spaced-apart first and second lateral side portions, said door frame member circumferentially surrounding said door member;

a hinge means having a first portion affixed to a first side portion of said door panel member and a second portion affixed to a first lateral side portion of said door frame member, said hinge means allowing said door panel member to swing outwardly; and

a latching means disposed on said second lateral side of said door frame member and movably affixed to said door panel member; and

v) a handle means affixed to at least one of said smoker panel members for lifting and adjusting said smoker body assembly on said screen panel assembly;

d. a plurality of a cooking grate adaptor brackets, wherein each cooking grate adaptor bracket adjustably and removably engages said vertically-oriented elevation adjustment slots in said interior panel connectors; and

e. a top or cover adapted to be removably affixed to said smoker body assembly.

33. The portable outdoor smoker assembly of claim 32 wherein said carriage assembly includes a pair of leg members, said leg members being affixed to said base pan assembly.

34. The portable outdoor smoker assembly of claim 33 wherein said leg members each comprise a sole plate for contacting the ground, a top plate affixed to said base pan assembly and a plurality of vertical support members between and affixed to said sole plate and said top plate.

35. The portable outdoor smoker assembly of claim 32 wherein said rotatable wheels being affixed to an axle member, wherein said axle member rotatably affixed to a wheel connecting bracket, wherein said wheel connecting bracket is affixed to a rear leg weldment, said rear leg weldment comprising a top flat bar affixed to said bottom of said pan member, a bottom flat bar affixed to said wheel connecting bracket, and a pair of short leg members positioned between and affixed to said bottom flat bar and said top flat bar.

36. The portable outdoor smoker assembly of claim 35 wherein said base pan assembly has six sides and said base pan assembly includes at least one handle means affixed to two adjoining side members, said handle means having a pair of spaced-apart outwardly extending arms relative to said side members and a handle between and affixed to said pair of spaced-apart outwardly extending arms, and wherein said handle means is affixed to said pan side members on a side opposite said rear leg weldment.

37. The portable outdoor smoker assembly of claim 32 wherein said first mating flange further comprises at least one vertical alignment member for securing said smoker body assembly in a removably fixed relation to said base pan assembly.

38. The portable outdoor smoker assembly of claim 32 wherein said latching means comprises a latching plate movably affixed to said door panel member, said latching plate having at least one inverted “

T”

slot for removably engaging a latch pin affixed to an adjacent interior panel connector.

39. The portable outdoor smoker assembly of claim 32 wherein said smoker body assembly comprises two handle means affixed to at least one of said smoker panel members for lifting and adjusting said smoker body assembly on said base pan assembly.