GB2605857A

GB2605857A - Camping stove accessory

Info

Publication number: GB2605857A
Application number: GB2117344.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Usborne Cross Oliver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-12-01
Filing date: 2021-12-01
Publication date: 2022-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2041-12-01
Also published as: GB2605857B; GB202117344D0

Abstract

An accessory for securing a camping fuel canister comprises a plurality of arms 4 and a hollow stake 1, the accessory being configurable between a stowable configuration in which the arms are housed within the hollow stake and a deployed configuration in which the arms extend from the stake and engage a lower end of the canister such that the canister is held stably by the accessory when the stake is inserted in the ground. A cap 3 may hold the arms in place. Engaging portions such as hooks or recesses 7 are provided at the dial ends of each of the arms.

Description

Camping Stove Accessory

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus comprising an accessory for a camping stove

Background of the Invention

[0002] Camping stoves typically comprise a burner connected to a canister of gas or liquid fuel. A pan support is also provided for supporting a pan or pot above the burner so that the contents can be heated. Camping stoves are preferably portable and compact, particularly if designed to be carried in a backpack. In one type of compact stove, the burner is supported on top of the canister, for example by direct connection of the burner to the outlet of the canister. Pan supports, such as folding legs, are attached to the burner. Hence, a pan or pot is supported by the canister resting on a table or the ground.

[0003] One problem with the above type of compact stove is that the base of the canister is narrow and the centre of gravity of the pan or pot is high, so that the stove is not very stable. This is a particular problem when the canister is placed on uneven ground. There is a risk of the stove overturning, causing a burn hazard either from the hot contents of the pan or pot, or a fire hazard from the burner itself This fire hazard has led to restrictions in the use of camping stoves in some areas prone to wildfires.

[0004] Conventional fuel canister stabilisers comprise a collapsible tripod attachable to the base of a fuel canister, to increase stability for stoves that attach directly to fuel canisters. These are not suitable for use on uneven ground, because the legs of the tripod rest on the ground in order to support the stove. A variant sold under the Waewae' brand comprises separate ground pegs that are stored within the legs of the tripod when not in use; see https://churoutdoors.co. uk/products/gas-canister-waewae-folding-camping-stove-base-tripod-with-gro und-pegs as of 15 November 2021. This variant appears difficult to assemble and use, and, like other tripod stabilisers, is not suitable for use on uneven or sloping ground.

[0005] GB-A-2473560 discloses a portable stove with a ground-engaging base that can engage the bottom of a canister, and has ground-engaging teeth. One problem with this arrangement is that the base is not compact, the teeth only provide minimal engagement with the ground, and the base is not suitable for use on uneven ground.

Statement of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accessory for a camping stove including a fuel canister, the accessory comprising a plurality of arms and a stake, the accessory being configurable between a stowable, collapsed or compact configuration in which the arms are folded and held parallel to the stake, and a deployed configuration in which the arms extend perpendicularly to the stake and are arranged to engage a lower end of the canister such that the canister is held stably by the accessory when the stake is inserted in the ground.

[0007] The stake may be at least partially hollow or concave such that the folded arms may be housed within or against the stake.

[0008] The plurality of arms may be pivotably connected together at their proximal ends so as to pivot between a folded configuration, for use in the stowable configuration of the accessory, in which the arms lie parallel with each other and a deployed configuration in which the arms extend away from each other. The arms may be pivotally connected together via a hub.

[0009] The arms may be arranged to engage a bead around the lower edge of the canister. The arms may include one or more engaging portions, such as hooks, clips or recesses. Each arm may include a plurality of engaging portions at different distances along the arm, to engage canisters of different sizes.

[0010] The arms may be secured in their deployed configuration by being held between an upper end of the stake and a cap removably attachable to the upper end of the stake. The cap and/or the upper end of the stake may include slots through which the arms pass. The arms may be secured by the cap within the hollow stake in their folded configuration. [0011] An advantage of at least some embodiments of the invention is that the accessory is compact in the stowable configuration. An alternative or additional advantage is that the accessory holds a canister stably on the ground when in the deployed configuration. The stake may enable the canister to be secured on uneven or sloping ground, because the stake can be oriented vertically in the ground. In the stowable configuration, the arms may be prevented from snagging other items or breaking, for example when stowed in a backpack, by virtue of being housed in the stake. The arms may be used to displace soil from within the stake when placed within the stake in the stowable configuration.

[0012] A least some embodiments may comprise discrete components, such as the arms, the stake and the cap, which may be assembled together and disassembled. This allows each component to be selected for a specific application and/or replaced if damaged or broken.

Brief Description of the Drawings

100131 There now follows, by way of example only, a detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the figures identified below.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of an accessory in an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the components assembled together in a stowable configuration suitable for stowable.

Figure 3 is a lower perspective view of an arm component of the accessory, showing arms being unfolded into a deployed configuration.

Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of the components assembled together in a deployed configuration Figures 5 and 6 are respectively upper and lower perspective views of the accessory attached to the base of a canister with a burner attached.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

100141 In the following description of the embodiments, directional references such as upper and lower are with reference to an orientation of the accessory and canister in use. 100151 An accessory in the embodiment comprises the following components: a peg, pin spike or stake 1, an arm component 2 comprising a plurality of arms 4, and a cap 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the stake I is at least partially hollow or concave and the arm component 2 fits within or against the stake I when the arms 4 thereof are folded, such that the arms 4 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the stake I. The cap 3 fits an upper end of the stake 1. In the stowable configuration shown in Figure 2, the components 1, 2 and 3 fit together in a compact unit suitable for carrying.

100161 In this specific embodiment, the cap 3 has a screw thread 3a that screws into a corresponding screw thread within the upper end la of the stake 1; the latter screw thread may be cut into the upper end I a of the stake 1, or provided by an insert fixed (e.g. by gluing) within the upper end of the stake I a. The upper end of the cap 3 is preferably knurled, to aid screwing the cap 3 on and off Alternative attachment means such as a bayonet fitting, click fitting or interference fit may be used to secure the cap 3 to the upper end of the stake L [0017] A hub 5 may be provided at the upper end of the arm component 2, which fits within the cap 3, preferably with an interference fit such that the arm component 2 is removably secured within the stake 1 in the stowable configuration. The connection between the hub 5 and the cap 3 may be keyed to ensure correct mutual orientation.

Alternatively, the hub 5 may be permanently attached to or integral with the cap 3.

[0018] The stake 1 has a generally tubular or hollow cylindrical form. The lower end lb of the stake 1 is open at one side and has a tapered or pointed end, to facilitate insertion into the ground. Any soil retained within the hollow stake 1 on removal from the ground may be pushed out by inserting the arm component 2.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the arm component 2 comprises a plurality of arms 4, in this case three arms 4. The arms 4 are preferably equally angularly spaced around a longitudinal axis A, in this case with a spacing of approximately 120°. The longitudinal axis A corresponds to the vertical axis when the accessory is in use in the deployed configuration. Each of the arms 4 is pivotally attached at a proximal end thereof to the hub 5. The proximal ends of the arms 4 are preferably profiled to allow the arms 4 to lie parallel with one another in their folded configuration. Instead of being connected together by the hub 5, the proximal ends of the arms 4 may interlock or be connected together in another way that allows the arms 4 to pivot.

[0020] The pivotal axis of each of the arms 4 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the stake 1, such that the arms 4 can pivot outwards from the longitudinal axis A into a deployed position in which the arms 4 extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, as shown in Figure 4.

[0021] The cap 3 is then fitted over the hub 5 such that the arms 4 are held within longitudinally extending slots 6. In this specific embodiment, the slots 6 are provided in the cap 3 and extend through the screw thread 3a; alternatively or additionally, the slots 6 may be provided in the upper end of the stake 1. The cap 3 is then fitted to the end of the stake 1 such that the arms 4 are held in their deployed position between the cap 3 and the stake 1 and extend outwardly from the stake 1, as shown in Figure 4.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the arms 4 are not connected together at their proximal ends but are held in position in the deployed configuration by their engagement in the slots 6, for example by a protrusion or recess in the arms which prevents the arms 4 from falling out of the slots 6. However, connecting the arms 4 together at their proximal ends advantageously holds the arms 4 together in their folded configuration.

[0023] One or more engaging portions 7, such as hooks, clips or recesses, are provided at or near the distal ends of each of the arms 4. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the engaging portions 7 fit around a bead 8 around the lower edge of a fuel canister 9, thus removably securing the arms 4 to the lower end of the canister 9, such that the stake 1 projects downwardly from the base of the canister 9. The stake I may then be inserted vertically into the ground, thus securing the canister 9 in an upright position regardless of whether the ground is uneven or sloping.

[0024] The canister 9 typically has a concave base under the centre of which the cap 3 fits. Preferably, the cap 3 abuts the concave base so that the stake I can be inserted into the ground by pushing downwards on the canister 9 with the accessory fitted thereto. This arrangement also makes the attachment of the accessory to the canister 9 more secure. Thus the accessory can be fitted to the canister 9 before the stake I is inserted into the ground, which makes it easier to fit the accessory to the canister 9.

[0025] Alternatively, the stake 1 may be inserted into the ground before attaching the accessory to the canister 9. The cap 3 may provide a hard flat surface suitable for hammering the stake 3 into the ground, thus facilitating use with hard ground.

[0026] The arms 4 may each have a plurality of engaging portions 7 at different distances along the arm 4, the distances being the same for each arm 4. This allows the arms 4 to be secured to gas or liquid fuel canisters 9 of different diameters. Alternatively, each arm 4 may have an adjustable engaging portion 7 that is movable to different positions along the arm 4 so as to accommodate canisters 9 of different diameters. Alternatively, interchangeable arms 4 or arm components 2 may be provided with different arm lengths and positions of engaging portions 7.

[0027] The dimensions of the components are dictated, at least to some extent, by the size of canister or canisters 9 which the accessory is designed to fit. In one specific embodiment, in an accessory designed to fit a canister 9 of 90 mm diameter, the arms 4 are each 60 mm long, and the arm component 2 longer by the thickness of the hub 5. The stake 1 is preferably sufficiently long that the distal ends of the arms 4 do not project beyond the lower end lb of the stake 1 in the stowable configuration and therefore do not snag other items when stored in a backpack or bag. The stake 1 should also be long enough to provide sufficient stability, but not so long as to be difficult to push into the ground, to compromise compactness of the accessory or to raise the height of the stove such as to compromise stability. In one embodiment the stake 1 is between 65 mm and 85mm long.

[0028] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the canister 9 may have a fuel burner 10 attached to an outlet at the upper end of the canister 9. For example, the burner 10 may screw onto the outlet of a screw-on type gas canister 9, or may click-fit onto the outlet of an 'Easy-Clic' (TM) type canister. The burner 10 may be attached to the canister 9 either before or after fitting the accessory to the canister 9 and/or securing the canister 9 to the ground by means of the accessory.

[0029] The fuel burner 10 may have a pan support 11 attached thereto. With this type of fuel burner, the accessory in this embodiment provides improved stability by means of the stake 1 secured to the base of the canister 9.

Construction [0030] In prototypes of the accessory in the embodiment, the components were 3D printed, with the arms 4 and hub 5 printed as separate components which were then fitted together to form the arm component 2. For mass production, the components may be moulded, for example by injection moulding, or stamped from sheet metal. The stake 1 and/or cap 3 may be turned on a lathe. The stake I may be shaped from metal tube, which may be cut at lengths along the tube alternately perpendicular to the tube, to form the upper ends la of the stakes 1, and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube, to form the lower ends lb of the stakes I. 100311 The construction of the accessory from discrete components that can be fitted together allows each of the components to be provided in different versions to suit different applications. For example, different stakes I may be provided, with different lengths and/or of different materials to suit different types of ground. As another example, different arms 4 and/or arm components 2 may be provided with different arm lengths and/or different positions or types of engaging portions 7. Different caps 3 may be provided with different dimensions, to suit the dimensions of different canisters 9. Alternatively, an additional component (e.g. a cap on a cap) may be provided for removably fitting onto the cap 3 so as to abut the bottom surface of a specific type of canister, Environmental Benefits 100321 Embodiments of the invention may be beneficial to the environment, in that they encourage outdoor pursuits such as camping which are beneficial to physical and mental health Embodiments of the invention may reduce the risk of burns or accidental fires when using a camping stove, due to the enhance stability afforded by the accessory. The construction of the accessory from discrete components also allows each component to be replaced if broken or damaged, without the need to replace the entire accessory, hence reducing the materials required to maintain the accessory.

Alternative Embodiments [0033]Alternative embodiments may be envisaged, which nevertheless fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for securing a camping stove fuel canister to the ground, the apparatus comprising a stake for insertion into the ground and a plurality of arms for engaging a lower end of the canister, the apparatus being configurable between a stowable configuration in which the arms are housed within or against the stake such that the arms extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stake, and a deployed configuration in which the arms extend from an upper end of the stake so as to engage a lower edge of the canister and hold the canister stable when the stake is inserted in the ground.
2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stake is at least partially hollow or concave such that the arms are housed therein in the stowable configuration.
3. Apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the arms are pivotally connected together at proximal ends thereof
4. Apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the arms are securable at the upper end of the stake in the deployed configuration.
5. Apparatus of claim 4, wherein the arms are securable between the upper end of the stake and a cap removably securable to the upper end of the stake.
6. Apparatus of claim 5, wherein slots are provided in at least one of the cap and the upper end of the stake, through which slots the arms pass in the deployed configuration.
7. Apparatus of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the cap is securable to the upper end of the stake so as to retain the arms within the stake in the stowable configuration.
8. Apparatus of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the cap is arranged to abut the base of the fuel canister when the apparatus is in the deployed configuration and the arms engage the lower end of the fuel canister.
9. Apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cap includes a removable component arranged to abut the base of the fuel canister.
10. Apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein each of the arms has at least one engaging portion at or near a distal end thereof, the engaging portion being arranged to engage the lower edge of the fuel canister.
11. A camping stove comprising apparatus of any preceding claim, said fuel canister, and a fuel burner attached or attachable to an upper end of the fuel canister.