GB2483516A

GB2483516A - Portable outdoor combustion apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2483516A
Application number: GB1015213.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Stapleton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-13
Filing date: 2010-09-13
Publication date: 2012-03-14
Also published as: GB201015213D0

Abstract

A portable outdoor combustion apparatus 10 comprising a combustion pan 16 for burning combustible material, handle members 12 movable between a splayed position (Fig 7) where they are spaced away from the combustion pan, and a closed position (Fig 1) where they are positioned above the combustion pan. The handle members may rest against each other and/or interlock in their closed position. The apparatus may also comprise means to cover the combustion pan; the means to cover the combustion pan may be formed from at least the handle members when in their closed position. The handle members may comprise gripping portions. The handle members may define a pair of work surfaces adjacent the combustion pan when in their splayed position. The work surfaces may be supported by the handle members engaging a surface on which the apparatus is placed. The handle members may be hingedly connected to the apparatus. The pan may be a split level pan with a pair of grills located at different levels within the pan, preferably the lower level is dimensioned to receive a disposable barbeque and the upper level is adapted to receive solid fuel. The pan may be dimensioned to receive a disposable barbeque.

Description

Combustion apparatus The present invention relates to a portable outdoor combustion apparatus. The invention also relates to a kit of pads.

Existing portable outdoor combustion appliances, such as barbeques or fire pans, are usually difficult to relocate safely before they are complete extinguished. They also usually leave behind ash and other debris.

The present invention aims to alleviate at least some of these problems.

According to a one aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable outdoor combustion apparatus, which comprises a combustion pan for burning combustible material, and a pair of handle members movable between a splayed position in which they are spaced away from the combustion pan, and a closed position in which they are positioned above the combustion pan.

In this way it is easier to close securely the apparatus so that it can be safely moved for safety and/or other reasons. In a campsite setting, for example, it would be beneficial to close and relocate a campfire or barbeque to a safe location before going to sleep, but prior to it having completely burned out or cooled down, so that it is not disturbed by animals or other campers, which might otherwise come to harm.

Further features are characterised by the dependent claims.

The invention extends to methods and/or apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa.

The invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:-

I

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portable outdoor combustion apparatus in a closed position; Figure 2 shows a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view along the line A-A of the apparatus shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a further perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, with the legs extended and a grill lid removed; Figure 6 shows a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 in an open position, with the grill lid removed; Figure 8 shows a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a front view of the apparatus shown in Figure 7; Figure 10 shows a further perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 7, indicating the lid turned over and opened out to form a preparation table; Figure 11 shows a side view of the apparatus and table shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 shows a further perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 7, but with the combustion pan removed; Figure 13 shows a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 12; and Figure 14 shows the apparatus enclosed in a cover.

With reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts, Figure 1 shows a portable outdoor combustion apparatus, generally designated by reference numeral 10. The apparatus 10 includes a pair of handle members 12 which are movable between a splayed open position, shown for example in Figure 7, and a closed position, as shown in Figure 1.

Each handle member 12 includes a gripping portion 14, and when the handle members 12 are in their closed position, the gripping portions rest against one another.

In an example, the gripping portions interlock or mate with one anther, thereby to secure the handle members 12 together.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the handle members form a dome-shaped cover over a combustion pan 16 of the apparatus 10. The combustion pan is a split level pan, as shown in Figure 4, with a pair of grates or grills 18, 20. The lower portion of the pan 16 is suitable for receiving a disposable barbeque, and wooden logs can be stored above the grill 20. It is therefore possible for a user to transport both a disposable barbeque for cooking, as well as logs for building a campfire. Typically, the user will light a disposable barbeque in the lower pan, and then place logs on grill 20 to be used as a campfire after the user has finished cooking on the barbeque. It is also possible to burn regular lump wood charcoal in the lower pan, and then make use of the grill 18 for cooking.

In the open position, the handle members 12 engage the surface on which the apparatus is located and serve as a pair of working surfaces, adjacent either side of the combustion pan 16, which can be used while cooking on the grill (see for example Figure 7).

The apparatus is also provided with a lid or cover 22, which enables a user to smother the fire within the combustion pan 16. The lid is provided with a pair of foldaway legs 24 which rest against the upper surface of the lid 22 when it is positioned above the grill (see Figure 2). As an alternative, or in addition, the lid 22 is slightly dome-shaped to provide clearance between the upper grill 18 and an upper inner surface of the lid 22. In this way, it is possible to use the apparatus 10 as a smoker.

The lid 22 in this case is provided with a set of closable ventilation holes.

Storage areas and/or storage slots (not shown) are also provided on the upper surface of the lid 22 for storing cooking and/or kindling accessories and/or tools.

The lid 22 also serves as a preparation table, by turning it over and extending its foldaway legs 24. This is shown, for example, in Figure 10.

The apparatus 10 is also provided with a set of foldaway legs 32, which fold up for storage and/or transportation, and which are extended to ensure that the pan 16 does not scorch the ground beneath the pan 16 (see Figures 5 and 6). In another example, the apparatus 10 is provided with a set of removable fixed legs.

As shown in Figure 12, the apparatus includes a frame 26, into which the combustion pan 16 slots. The rim 28 of the slot is provided with a thermally insulting material to inhibit the conduction of heat from the pan 16 to the handle members 12.

The apparatus 10 is predominantly manufactured from stainless steel, with the gripping portions 14 manufactured from a thermally resistant plastics material or wood.

The pan 16 is provided with a series of ventilation holes 34. The ventilation holes 34 are mesh covered to inhibit ash from escaping during transport. The ventilation holes 34 are also provided with covers to regulate combustion in the combustion pan 16, and to assist in extinguishing the fire in the combustion pan 16 when completely closed. In an example, the covers are in the form of a pair of elongate slidable brackets positioned on either side of the combustion pan 16 over the ventilation holes 34. Each bracket is provided with a set of spaced holes so that sliding the brackets back and forth fully or partially opens and/or closes the ventilation holes 34.

The handle members 12 may also be provided with an additional clasp to secure them together for transport. The handle members 12 are connected to the frame 26 via hinges 36.

As shown in Figure 14, the apparatus 10 is provided with a cover 30 in which the apparatus 10 is enclosed for transport.

In use, a user loads the lower pan 16 of the apparatus 10 with either a disposable barbeque or charcoal, and places campfire logs in the upper portion of the pan 16. The apparatus 10 may then be carried, in its cover 30, to an outdoor location, for example, a beach or campsite.

The user then opens up the apparatus 10 by folding out or splaying the handle members 12 and removes the lid 22 and the logs from the upper portion of the pan 16.

The legs 32 are also unfolded, and the lid 22 turned over and its legs 24 unfolded to form an additional preparation table. The user is then able to cook on the barbeque in the combustion pan 16, using the work surfaces provided by the handle members 12 which are conveniently located on either side of the grill. Once the user has finished cooking the user may optionally light a campfire in pan 16 (on grill 20).

When the user is ready to leave, or wishes to go to sleep for the evening, it is possible, before the campfire and/or barbeque has died down, for the user to cover the combustion pan 16 with the lid 22, and then bring the handle members 12 together which enables the user safely to move the apparatus 10 to a more secure location, away from other members of the public and animals, which might otherwise come to harm.

Later, a user can fold up the legs 32 and place the apparatus 10 in to its cover 30.

A number of further noteworthy aspects and/or advantages of the invention are discussed below.

-The apparatus is a portable BBO/campfire with sufficient depth to enable the user to have a campfire after the BBQ. After use the unit can be placed in its bag and all ash carried away leaving no mess, that is, it will assist users in "leaving no trace".

-There is sufficient depth in the 2 level fire pan to carry and use a disposable BBQ in the lower level and Zip type fire logs in the upper level, this enables the user to carry all the fuel required within the unit / apparatus.

-The bottom section is designed for a disposable BBQ to fit under the bottom grill or grate.

-The upper pan/section is designed with sufficient depth for a small campfire.

-By using the bottom grate normal lump wood type charcoal can be used (instead of a disposable BBQ) the user may then cook on the upper grate.

-The lid has fold out legs so that it can be used as a table/working surface.

-The lid has an area for tool storage.

-The handles fold down to create a working surface either side of the fire pan.

-The unit has 2 stage folding legs, short for storage in the bag, long to raise the unit so that no scorch marks are left on the ground beneath the unit.

-The ventilation holes have mesh coverings to contain the ash whilst in transit.

-The unit has drainage holes in the base (also covered with fine mesh) to enable the fire to be extinguished with water if sufficient time isn't available to allow the unit to cool down before placing it in its carry bag.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments, which are described by way of example only, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

Claims

Claims 1. A portable outdoor combustion apparatus, which comprises a combustion pan for burning combustible material, and a pair of handle members movable between a splayed position in which they are spaced away from the combustion pan, and a closed position in which they are positioned above the combustion pan.
2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the handle members rest against one another in their closed position.
3. An apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the handle members interlock with one another in their closed position.
4. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for covering the combustion pan.
5. An apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the covering means is provided at least in part by the handle members, which cover the combustion pan when in their closed position.
6. An apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the handle members define a substantially dome-shaped cover above the combustion pan when in their closed position.
7. An apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein griping portions are provided on an end of each handle member, the gripping portions being located in register with one another when the handle members are in their closed position.
8. An apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the gripping portions are manufactured from a thermally insulating material.
9. An apparatus according to any of Claims 5 to 8, wherein the handle members define a pair of work surfaces adjacent the combustion pan when in their splayed position.
10. An apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the handle members engage a surface on which the apparatus is positioned when in their splayed position thereby to support the work surfaces.
11. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle members are hingedly connected to apparatus.
12. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein thermally insulating material is proved between the handles and the combustion pan.
13. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a frame in which the combustion pan is locatable.
14. An apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the combustion pan is removable from the frame.
15. An apparatus according to Claim 13 or 14, wherein the handle members are hingedly connected to the frame.
16. An apparatus according to any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein thermally insulating material is provided between the contact points between the pan and the frame.
17. An apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the frame defines a slot into which the pan is receivable, and wherein the rim of the slot is provided with a thermally insulating material.
18. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pan is a split level pan in which a pair of grills are locatable at different levels within the pan, and preferably wherein the lower level of the pan is shaped and dimensioned to receive a disposable barbeque, and more preferably wherein the upper level of the pan is adapted to receive solid fuel.
19. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pan is shaped and dimension to receive a disposable barbeque.
20. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pan is suitable for receiving combustible material for cooking food and/or to serve as an outdoor campfire.
21. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pair of foldable legs to raise, in use, the apparatus above a surface on which it is locatable.
22. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a lid adapted to be locatable over the combustion pan thereby to smother combustion in the combustion pan.
23. An apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein the lid includes a set of foldable legs on its upper surface thereby to enable it to serve as a preparation table.
24. An apparatus according to Claim 22 or 23, wherein the lid includes means for holding and/or storing cooking and/or campfire tools and/or accessories.
25. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the combustion pan is provided with ventilation holes.
26. An apparatus according to Claim 25, wherein the ventilation holes are provided with a mesh covering.
27. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a cover for enclosing the apparatus during transport.
28. A kit of parts which comprises an apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, at least one grill, and a lid adapted to smother combustion in the combustion pan.
29. A kit of parts according to Claim 28, further comprising a cover for said apparatus.
30. A kit of parts according to Claim 28 or 29, further comprising a set of cooking and/or kindling tools and/or accessories.
31. An apparatus substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.