US3663081A

US3663081A - Camp-stove cabinet

Info

Publication number: US3663081A
Application number: US99089A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stanley J Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-12-17
Filing date: 1970-12-17
Publication date: 1972-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 1989-05-16

Abstract

A portable, break-down storage and camp-stove supporting cabinet comprising a pair of similar storage box-units with open fronts, means releasably securing inner opposing side walls of the units together, the tops of said units having longitudinally extending, aligned channels, extension shelves slidably engaged in the channels and shiftable longitudinally outward to project from the outer oppositely disposed ends of the related units to cooperate with the channels and with each other to define an upwardly opening camp-stove receiving well or recess; doors pivotally mounted to the forward outer corners of the units to shift from overlying engagement over the open fronts of the units to supporting engagement below the forward outer corners of their related extended shelves, manually operable latch means to selectively releasably latch the doors in their related units and to their related shelves and adjustable support means comprising foldably support legs of predetermined vertical extent depending from the inner opposing end portions of the units and vertically adjustable leveling legs depending from the outer end portions of the units.

Description

United States Patent Williams [151 3,663,081 1 May 16, 1972 l CAMP-STOVE CABINET [72] Inventor:

Van Nuys, Calif. 91406 [22] Filed: Dec. 17, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 99,089

Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Att0rneyGe0rges A. Maxwell Stanley J. Williams, 7955 Haskell Ave.,

[ 57] ABSTRACT A portable, break-down storage and camp-stove supporting cabinet comprising a pair of similar storage box-units with open fronts, means releasably securing inner opposing side walls of the units together, the tops of said units having longitudinally extending, aligned channels, extension shelves slidably engaged in the channels and shiftable longitudinally outward to project from the outer oppositely disposed ends of the related units to cooperate with the channels and with each other to define an upwardly opening camp-stove receiving well or recess; doors pivotally mounted to the forward outer comers of the units to shift from overlying engagement over the open fronts of the units to supporting engagement below the forward outer corners of their related extended shelves, manually operable latch means to selectively releasably latch the doors in their related units and to their related shelves and adjustable support means comprising foldably support legs of predetermined vertical extent depending from the inner opposing end portions of the units and vertically adjustable leveling legs depending from the outer end portions of the units.

8 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY 16 I972 sum 3 BF 3 sraw/e law/46 973 4% &1 M x? ta 0/14 623 CAMP-STOVE CABINET This invention has to do with a novel portable cabinet structure and is particularly concerned with such a structure adapted to be cooperatively related with a portable camp stove.

For many years the prior art has provided portable, alcohol, gasoline and bottled gas camping stoves which are particularly suited for use by sportsmen, vacationers, campers and the like.

Portable camp stoves of the character referred to have become substantially standardized as regards size and general details of construction.

The overwhelming number of such stoves which are in use today are two-burner stoves and vary from about 25 to 29 in longitudinal extent, from 3 to 6" in vertical extent and from 11'' to 13" in fore and aft depth.

While a number of smaller simple burner and larger fourburner camp stoves are commercially available, relatively few are sold as compared with the two and three-burner stoves, as the smaller single burner stoves have limited utilitarian capabilities and the larger multiple burner stoves are too large and too heavy to be practical. If more than three burners are desired, the sportsman or camper, as a general rule, prefers to transport and manipulate two two-burner stoves rather than a large, single four-burner stove or a small single burner and a large truple-burner stove.

The ordinary portable camp stove of the character referred to includes a flat rectangular upwardly opening box-like, sheet metal pan in which the burners, grates and control valves are arranged for access at the open top thereof and is provided with a lid or cover hinged to the upper rear edge of the pan. The cover normally overlies and closes the upper open top of the pan, protecting and obscuring the burners, grates and valve means and is adapted to be pivoted to an upright or vertical position when the stove is in use, where it serves as a wind break and splash shield.

In most stoves of the character referred to, secondary, vertical, wind and splash shields are provided at one or both ends of the stoves, which shields like the covers, can be folded down when the stoves are not in use and which also serve to hold and support the cover in its up or open position when the stoves are in use.

The principle difficulty found to exist in the satisfactory use of portable camp stoves of the character referred to resides in the fact that they must be supported in as near a horizontal plane as is possible and the fact that there is seldom a sufficiently horizontal supporting surface or structure about the ordinary campsite on which such stoves can be set.

The next difficulty to be found in using such camp stoves is the fact that seldon if ever can a supporting surface or structure be found at the ordinary. campsite which supports the stove at a convenient elevation or height.

It is common practice for the users of portable camp stoves to place the stoves on uneven ground or on a rickety, out of level picnic table or the like, found at a campsite and to attempt to level the stove by placing rocks, branches or piled up dirt beneath it. Such practices seldom, if ever, position the stoves at a convenient height and are extremely hazardous, as the stoves are not securely and stably supported.

It is to be noted that camp stoves of the character referred to, if not carefully used, are extremely dangerous and hazardous, since they are relatively light, easily upset and if upset are subject to spilling fuel and igniting the same.

When the ordinary camper and user of portable camp stoves undertakes a camping expedition, he packs and carries cooking utensils and foodstuffs, as well as the stove. It is common practice to pack and store such utensils and foodstuffs in a number of small, boxes which are easy and convenient to handle' and manipulate and which are of such a size that they can be easily and conveniently placed and stored in the back of a station wagon or in the luggage trunk of a passenger car, for trnasport.

Many persons who camp out regularly build one, two or more transport boxes of plywood and in which their camping equipment and food can be conveniently stored.

Such boxes have little secondary or auxiliary use at a campsite, except as something to sit on or as a substitute for a table on which small objects might be set, clear of the ground.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel portable storage and camp stove supporting cabinet structure.

It is an object and feature of my invention to provide a structure of the character referred to including a pair of small, light, easy to carry and handle storage box sections with means to releasably secure the sections together to establish a single, large cabinet having a camp-stove supporting top.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a structure of thecharacter referred to wherein the box sections have novel support leg means which cooperate to effect leveling of the cabinet when the box sections are connected together.

It is a further object and feature of my invention to provide a cabinet structure of the character referred to wherein the tops of the box sections are channeled to slidably receive and normally accomodate leaf-like extensions which are adapted to project longitudinally outwardly from the opposite ends of the cabinet and provide work supporting surfaces when the box sections are connected and the cabinet is in use.

Still another object and feature of the instant invention is to provide a structure -of the character referred to wherein the channeled tops of the box sections and the leaf extensions cooperate to establish an upwardly opening well in which a camp stove is set and supported whereby the stove is prevented from shifting horizontally and becoming displaced from supported engagement on the cabinet. The foregoing materially reduces the risks and hazards normally associated with the use of camp stoves by substantially eliminating the possibility of the stoves being tipped over and/or spilled.

Another object and feature of my invention is to provide a cabinet structure of the character referred to wherein the box sections are provided with hinged doors to normally close said sections and which serve to support the leaf extensions when the cabinet is assembled and in use and a structure which includes a common latch means related to each door to normally latch the door closed and to latch thedoor to its related leaf shelf extension when the structure is in use.

The foregoing and other objects and features of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and carrying out of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my new construction, showing it in use;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a camp stove showing it in normal closed condition;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing the front, top and one end of a box section of my new construction; 7

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the other box section that I provide and showing certain parts in actuated positions;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 5-5 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 6-6 on FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 7-7 on FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing parts in another position;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of the box section related to the box section shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 10-10 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 11-11 on FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 12-12 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 13-13 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 14-14 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a view taken as indicated by line 15-15 on FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a view taken as indicated by line 16-16 on FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a view taken as indicated by line 17-17 on FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 18--18 on FIG. 4;

FIG. 19 is a view taken substantially as indicated ly line l919 on FIG. 18; and, I

FIG; 20 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 20-20 on FIG. 18.

The cabinet structure provided by the present invention includes two storage box sections, there being a left hand box section B and a right hand box section B.

The section B and B have flat vertical inner end walls 10 adapted to be arranged in juxtaposition; flat, vertical outer end walls 1 l; flat vertical rear walls 12; flat horizontal bottom walls 13; horizontal top walls 14 and a rectangular, frame-like front wall 15 with or defining a front access opening 16. The open fronts 15 are normally closed by flat vertical doors D. The door D related to the box section B is hingedly mounted at the forward, vertical, left hand corner of that section by hinge means H and the door D related to the box section B is hingedly mounted at the forward, vertical, right hand corner of that box section by hinge means H and as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

In practice, the interiors of the box section can be provided with one or more storage shelves 17, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

The box section B and B are equal in basic outside dimension, being approximately 18 inches high, 14 5% inches from end to end and 14 72 inches from front to back. The box sections B and B are therefore of a size which is ample to hold an average and reasonable supply of utensils and food; such that they can be easily and conveniently normally manipulated and handled, independently; and, such that they can be easily and conveniently stored in an average size luggage compartment of an automobile or the like, for transport.

' In practice, the end to end of longitudinal extent of each of the box sections B and B is greater than one-half the overall length or longitudinal extent of the average two burner portable camp stove, such as the stove S shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The depth or front to rear dimensions of the box sections B and B isgreater than the depth or front to rear dimensions of the stove S.

The box section B and B are established of suitably cut and formed sheet metal stock and the various parts and protions thereof are fixed together by spot welding, riveting and/or by means of screw fasteners.

The end and

rear walls

10 and 12 of each box section are flat, plane, imperforate walls. The bottom wall 13 is flat and plane and is characterized by a downwardly projecting flange 13' about its perimeter which occurs adjacent the lower edge portions of the several vertical'walls. The bottom wall 13 is therefore spaced above the lowermost edges of the vertical walls and cooperate therewith to define a downwardly opening recess.

The top wall 14 of each box section is formed to define an elongate longitudinally extending upwardly and longitudinally outwardly opening channel Y with a flat bottom 20 and vertical sides 21. The channel Y is slightly greater in lateral extent than the depth or fore and aft dimensions of the stove S and is approximately 1 inch in height or vertical extent. The channel Y extends across the major extent of the top wall and is such that the remaining portions of said top wall, extending longitudinally along the upper front and rear edges of the box section are in the nature of retaining rails and are and need be little more than 1 inch wide.

The flat bottoms 20 of the channels Y in the top walls 13 of the box sections B and B are provided with a pair of elongate laterally spaced, longitudinally extending rail members 22 with laterally outwardly projecting longitudinal flanges 23 in spaced relationship above the bottom 20 and extending Ion gitudinally thereof, in predetermined, opposing, spaced relationship with the sides 21. The rail members are simple formed sheet metal strips fixed to the bottoms 20 by screw fasteners or the like.

The bottoms 20 of the channels Y are next provided with and characterized by transversely extending cleats 24 having vertical, transversly extending stops 25 and horizontal longitudinall inwardly projecting, transversely extending keeper lips 26. The flanges 26 are spaced a limited predetermined distance above the bottoms 20.

The cleats are shown established of elongate -U-shape sheet metal strips and are suitably fixed to the bottoms 20, as by screw fasteners.

In practice, the cleats are spaced longitudinally inwardly in the channels Y about 1 or 2 inches from the outer end walls 11 of their related box sections.

Related to each box section B and B is a sheet metal extension shelf E. The shelf E corresponds in dimension with the channel Y of its related box section and has a flat horizontal top 30, depending longitudinal vertical sides 31 and inner and outer depending vertical ends 32 and 33.

The sides 31 occur adjacent to and in sliding engagement with the slide 21 of the channels Y and have laterally inwardly projecting, horizontal, longitudinally extending guide flanges 34 that extend beneath and establish guided sliding engagement with the flanges 23 of the rails.

With the above relationship of parts, it will be apparent that the extensions E are retained in the channels Y against vertical and lateral displacement and are free to shift longitudinally in the channels and relative to the box sections.

The vertical outer ends 33 of the extension shelves have longitudinally inwardly projecting stop flanges 35 that engage and stop against the stops 25 to limit longitudinal inward movement of the shelves and to stop them in their normal retracted position where they occur in register in and with the channels, as clearly illustrated at the right hand side of FIG. 7 of the drawings.

The vertical inner ends 32 of the shelf extensions Eare provided with longitudinally inwardly projecting transversely extending keeper flanges 36, which flanges slidably engage beneath the keeper lips 26 of the cleats 24 and stop against the stops 25 of said cleats when the extension shelves are shifted longitudinally outward in the channels and relative to the box sections, to the outer extended positions and as clearly illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings.

With the structure described above, it will be apparent that the cleats 24 stop and hold the extension shelves E in the extended position and establish hooked engagement with the flanges 36 whereby the inner end of the shelves, when in their extended position are held down in the outer ends of the channels and the shelves are cantilever supported on and by their related cleats and box sections. v

The structure provided next includes orienting and coupling means 0 to orient and releasably couple the box sections B and B'- together with their inner end walls in flat bearing and registered engagement with each other.

The means 0 includes a pair of laterally spaced outwardly projecting centering pins 40 in the upper portion of the inner end wall 10 of one box section; registering centering pin receiving socket fittings or openings 41 in the inner end wall of the other box section; a pair of laterally spaced upwardly opening flange engaging clips 42 at the bottom of the inner end wall of one of the sections to releasably establish hooked engagement with the lower edge of the inner end wall of the other box section; a pair of laterally spaced, headed, latch pins 43 on the bottom 20 of the channel Y of one box section, adjacent the inner end thereof; and, a pair of laterally spaced pivoted lock arms 44 carried by the bottom 20 of the other box section, adjacent the inner end thereof and adapted to be pivoted into and out of engagement with the latch pins 43.

The latch arms 44 are simple metal straps having one end pivotally secured to their related box section by screw fasteners 45 and have latch pin engaging notches 46 in their other, free ends as shown in FIG. 4. The latch pins 43 can be established with or by simple, headed screw fasteners.

The latch arms 44 and pins 43 are arranged and postioned so that the pins can be engaged in the notches 46 only when the inner ends of the box sections are in registered side by side, bearing engagement.

When the box sections are disconnected and the construction is in a disassembled and retracted position, the lock arms are pivoted to occur wholly above the bottom 20 of their related channel Y and below the extension shelf E, as shown at the right side in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

When the box sections are coupled, one section is elevated and the lower edge of its inner end wall (and the flange of the bottom wall 13 related thereto) is moved into hooked engagement with the clips 42 on the other box section. The clips 42 are shown as simple upwardly opening U-shaped metal slips having inner legs fixed, as by spot welding, to the lower ends of the box section with which they are related and outer upwardly projecting legs spaced longitudinally outwardly from their related inner end wall 10. In practice, the clips could be established in any other suitable manner; for instance, they could be substituted with a simple upwardly turned lip or flange formed integrally on the lower edge of the wall 10 or on the adjacent flange on the bottom 13 of the box section, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

When the lower edge of the one box section is engaged with the clips 42 of the other box section, the upper portion of the one box section is pivoted toward the other box section and so that the orienting pins of the means 0 carried by one box section enter the pin receiving openings 41 in the other section.

When the sections are thus orientedand arranged in end to end relationship, the latch arms 44 are pivoted and moved into latched engagement with the latch pins 43 and the box sections B and B are securely releasably coupled in aligned relationship with each other, as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings and are not subject to relative shifting and/or displacement unless and until the latch arms are manually moved from engagement with the latch pins.

When the box sections B and B are coupled together and their extension shelves E are moved out to their extended position, inner ends of the shelves cooperate with the bottom and sides 20 and 21 of the aligned and registered channels Y of the sections to define an upwardly opening stove receiving recess Z, which recess is slightly longer and deeper, fore and aft, than the plane dimensions of the stove S and of sufficient vertical extent to effectively retain the stove S from lateral shifting and displacement from within the recess and relative to the cabinet.

The doors D of the box sections, in addition to serving their normal and obvious function of closing the open fronts of their elated box sections, serve to engage beneath and to support the outer ends of the extension shelves E when the shelves are extended and the construction is in use.

The doors D are simple flat, vertical panels substantially coextensive with the front walls of the box sections and have vertical outer edges pivotally secured to the vertical outer edges of the front walls 15 of their related box sections by the referred to hinge means, which hinge means can be in the nature or form of a piano hinge, the flanges of which are fixed to the noted vertical edge portion of the doors and to the front, vertical edge portions of the adjacent outer end walls of their related box sections, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 10 of the drawings.

The doors D are provided with inwardly projecting reinforcing and stiffening

flanges

50 and 51 along their upper and lower edges, which flanges normally enter or project into the openings 16 in the front walls 15 of the box sections and have similar vertical stiffening and reinforcing flanges 52, spaced laterally inward from the vertical side edges of the doors and which also normally enter the openings in the front walls of the box sections.

In the preferred practice and as illustrated in the drawings, the openings 16 in the front walls 15 of the box sections are defined and are dressed by a rearwardly projecting horizontal flange 53 formed integrally with the upper or top edge portions of the frame like front walls, by vertical flanges 54 formed integrally with the vertical side portions of the frame like front walls and by the front edge portions of the bottom walls 13 of the box sections.

Each door D is provided with and carries a manually operably latch means L, which means includes a shaft 55 rotatably carried by the door substantially midway between its upper and lower extremities and spaced laterally inwardly from the vertical inner edge portion of the door, a limited predetermined distance. The shaft 55 is rotatably carried on an axis normal to the plane of the door. The front end of the shaft carries a manually engagable handle 56 which handle occurs within and is accessible in a forwardly opening recess 57 in the door and established by a cup-like part 58 fixed in an opening established in the door. The rear end of the shafi, at the rear side of the door, is provided with a cross arm 59. One outer free end of the cross arm 59 is pivotally connected with the lower end of an elongate substantially vertically extending upper lock strap or bar 60, the upper end of which extends through and is guided by an opening 61 in the top flange 50 of the door and is selectively shiftable into and out of engagement in an upper latch opening 62 in the top flange 53 of the access opening in the front wall 15.

The other outer free end of the cross arm 59 is pivotally connected with the upper end of an elongate substantially vertically extending lower lock strap or bar 63, the lower end of which extends through and is guided by an opening 64 in the lower flange 51 of the door and is selectively shiftable into and out of engagement in a lower latch opening 65 in the frame edge portion of the bottom 13 of the box section, within the defined access opening.

The

flanges

50 and 51 are preferably, as illustrated, provided with forwardly turned, inclined secondary flanges 50' and 51' with guide openings 61 and 64', in register with thd spaced from the

opening

61 and 64 whereby the ends of the lock bars 60 and 63 can be moved out of engagement in the

opening

61 and 64 without adverse effects.

' The cross arm 59 is provided with stop means such as turned ears 66, which ears engage the

bars

60 and 63 when the cross arm is turned in either direction and to thereby con trol and limit turning of the arm and moving of the bars within predetermined limits.

In practice, the details of construction of of the latch means L can vary widely without departing from the spirit of this invention; accordingly, further detailed consideration of the latch construction illustrated will be dispensed with.

When the structure is assembled, in its open extended position and in use, the doors D are pivoted longitudinally outwardly and slightly rearwardly to a position where their upper inner end portions occur below the outer forward corners of the extended extension shelves E and support the shelves. The flanges 50 of the doors D engage the flanges 34 of the shelves and the latch openings 61 in the door flanges 50 register with complimentary latch openings 61" in the shelves.

The upper latch bars 60 of the latch means L, by operation of siad latch means, are shifted upwardly into the openings 61 and thereby effectively latch the doors to the extended shelves to prevent accidental disengagement therebetween and resulting loss of support for the outer ends of the shelves (see FIG. 13 of the drawings).

The advantages afforded by the noted latched relationship between the doors and the extension shelves are of great significance as it not only serves to prevent disengagement of the doors and shelves, but it also maintains the doors related to the shelves at a point or location where maximum support for the shelves by the doors is assured, which point or location is such that without the latch means, the parts would be subject to becoming disengaged upon slight moving and shifting of the parts.

The structure that I provide next includes inner and outer support means for the box sections and the assembled construction which means is such that the individual box sections and the related and coupled box sections can be easily, conveniently and accurately adjusted so that the top 30 of the exv with further detailed description of the tensions E and the stove S are level when the construction is supported on unlevel ground or the like.

The support means contemplates the provision of foldable ground engaging legs support means C of predetermined vertical extent at the center of the assembled and coupled box sections to support the assembly at a desired normal height above ground level and the provision of vertically adjustable end legs A at the four end corners of the assembled and coupled box sections and such that each can be adjusted and set vertically to engage the ground therebelow and to support the end and/or corner of the assembly related to it in desired vertical and horizontal relationship to the ground.

The central support means C includes a pair of lateral spaced elongate legs 70 pivotally connected to the lower side of the recessed bottom wall 13 adjacent the inner end wall 10 and the front and

rear walls

12 and 15 and articulated brace means B between the legs 70 and the bottom wall 13 to selectively realeasably hold the legs in a down or actuated vertical, ground engaging position and/or in an up, normal, horizontal storage position where they occur within the recess at the bottom of the box section, for storage and transport purposes.

In practice, the legs 70 can be separate and a brace means M can be related to each; however, in the preferred carrying out of the invention and as illustrated in the drawings, the lower ends of the legs 70 are connected by a transversely extending beam 71 and a single brace means M is provided to extend between the center of the beam 7l and the bottom 13.

The articulated brace means includes an upper channel section 72 having an upper end pivoted to the lower side of the bottom 13 longitudinally outward of the inner end of the box section and a lower channel section 73 with a lower end pivotally connected with the beam 71 and a pivot pin 74 pivotally connecting the lower and upper ends of the

sections

72 and 73 together, as indicated in FIG. 18 of the drawings.

When the legs 70 are in the down position, the

sections

72 and 73 are in substantial alignment with each other and extend downwardly and longitudinally inwardly at about 45 between the bottom 13 and the beam 71.

When the legs 70 are in the up position, the channel sections are interengaged and lie in a horizontal plane, adjacent the bottom wall 13, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 18 of the drawings.

The

sections

72 and 73 are provided with detent means D to yieldingly retain the sections and the legs in the two noted selective positions.

The pivotal connecting means employed for the legs 70 and means M can vary widely without departing from the spirit of the invention; accordingly, I will not burden this disclosure pivotal connecting means that I have elected to show in the drawings.

The adjustable end legs A for each box section are simple, straight, vertical legs established of tubular stock; are telescopically engaged in vertical tubes 80 in the front and rear longitudinal outer end corners of the box section. The legs A and tubes 80 have special lock means N related thereto to lock the legs in the tubes and any desired vertical position.

The tubes 80 are square in crosssection and are arranged to extend vertically in the inside corners established by the outer end wall 11 and the adjacent rear and

front walls

12 and 15. The lower ends of the tubes 80 communicate with suitable registering openings 81 provided in the bottom wall 13.

The lower end portions of the tubes are preferably reduced or swagged down as at 82 to establish a stop shoulder 83 and to establish sliding engagement with the tubular, cylindrical legs A.

The means N related to each leg includes a plug 84 in the upper end of the leg, a square block 85 slidably engaged in the tube 80 above the legs and a vertical shaft 86 carried by the plug on an axis offset from the central axis of the plug and the leg and engaged through a vertical opening 87 in the block, which opening is offset from the central vertical axis of the block and the leg. The upper end of the shaft 86 projects above the block and carries suitable retaining means, such as a spring washer and snap ring to maintain related on and with the plug and shaft.

With the means N provided, when the leg is manually rotated relative to the block in one direction, the axial offsets of the shaft 86 and opening 87 compensate and correct each other so that'the legs A is in axial alignment with the tube and block 85. Upon rotating the leg in the other or opposite direction, the block and leg are urged out of axial alignment and the leg and the block are urged into tight binding engagement in and with the tube to effectively lock the leg in desired axial position relative to' the tube.

The upper end of the tube 80 is provided with detent-like means 90 to frictionally engage the block 85 and to releasably hold the leg A up in its fully retracted position.

In practice, the legs A can be provided with a spring catch means 91 to engage the bottoms 13 of the box sections, adjacent the openings 81 therein to hold the legs down in a partial, initial extended position. The provision of the means 91 is to facilitate manipulation and setting up of the construction and is a convenience only.

With the means set forth above, when setting the construction up for use, the legs 70 are lowered and set, thereby supporting the center of the assembled and coupled box sections in predetermined normal distance above the ground. The assembly is, in essence, pivotally supported by the legs 70 at its center. With the center of the assembly thus supported, it can be rotated or shifted about so as to adjust for any grade or unevenness of the ground and so that the top of the assembly is horizontal. When the assembly is thus adjusted, the legs A are pulled down to engage the ground and are locked in position by turning them a limited extent.

In practice, the lower ends of the legs A are provided with cane tips 95.

In practice, when the legs A are in their up or retracted position, the canetips 95 project a limited distance below the bottom planes of the box sections and provide desirable support for the sections.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the structure provided by the present invention is easy and economical to manufacture and provides an easy to use and manipulate portable camp stove support and cabinet.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications and/or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

I-Iaving described my invention, I claim:

1. A portable camp stove support and cabinet comprising two forwardly opening box sections with flat, horizontal top and bottom walls, flat, vertical inner and outer end walls, and flat vertical rear walls, said top walls having upwardly and longitudinally outwardly opening channels, orienting and coupling means securing the box sections together with their inner end walls in flat bearing engagement with each other and the inner ends of the channels in register with each other, elongate extension shelves with inner and outer ends slidably engaged in the channels and arranged with their outer end portions projecting longitudinally outwardly from the outer end walls of their respective box sections and their inner ends in and spaced longitudinally outwardly from the inner ends of their related channels and inner ends of the extension shelves define an upwardly opening camp stove receiving recess, guide and stop means between and related to the box sections and their related extension shelves to permit shifting of the shelves into the confines of the channels, flat vertical doors to close the open fronts of the box sections and having horizontal top and bottom edges and vertical inner and outer edges, hinge means mounting the outer edges of the doors adjacent the outer vertical edge of the fronts of the box sections, said doors projecting longitudinally outwardly and rearwardly from their elated box sections with the inner end portions of their top edges engaged below and supporting the center ends of the extension shelves related thereto, manually operable the block operatively latch means carried by the doors adjacent their inner vertical edges and including a bolt bar shiftable vertically from below to above the top edges of the doors and selectively into bolt receiving openings in the outer ends of the shelves and in bolt receiving openings in the open fronts of their related box sections.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 and further including support means to support the coupled box sections in vertically spaced horizontal relationship above the ground and including inner legs of fixed vertical extent adjacent the corners of the box sections established by the open front, rear and inner end walls of the box sections and elongate vertical outer legs adjacent the corners of the box sections established by the open front, rear and outer end walls of the box sections, said outer legs being slidably engaged through vertical openings in the bottom walls of the box sections and having lock means related to their upper end portions to releasably lock them in vertical position relative to their related box sections where their lower ends engage the ground when the top walls of the coupled box sections are horizontal.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said inner legs have upper ends pivotally connected to the bottom walls of their related box sections and are selectively shiftable longitudinally outwardly and upwardly from a vertical down position to a horizontal, up position adjacent to said bottom walls and have articulated, foldable brace means related thereto and the said bottom walls to releasably secure them in each of said selective positions, said lock means related to said outer legs including a vertical tube in each outer corner of each box section slidably receiving the leg related to said corner, a vertical shaft on the upper end of each leg and a block slidably engaged in each tube and having a vertical opening slidably receiving the shaft on the leg related thereto, the vertical shaft and the vertical opening being on axes offset from the central vertical axes of their related legs and blocks whereby the central axes of the legs and blocks are shiftable from axial alignment in the tubes to axial misalignment and into locked binding engagement in the tubes upon manual axial rotation of said le s.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said guide and stop means include longitudinally extending laterally spaced rails in spaced relationship above flat bottoms and spaced laterally inward of vertical sides of said channels, longitudinally extending inwardly projecting flanges carried by the extension shelves below top surfaces thereof and slidably engaged below said rails, an elongate cleats extending transverse the bottom of the channels adjacent the outer ends of said channels and defining vertical stop walls with longitudinally inwardly projecting horizontal retaining lips, stop flanges on and below the outer ends of the extension shelves engagable with the stop walls and retaining flanges on and below the inner ends of the extension shelves engagable below the retaining lips and engagable with the stop walls of the cleats related thereto.

5. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said guide and stop means include longitudinally extending laterally spaced rails in spaced relationship above flat bottoms and spaced laterally inward of vertical sides of said channels, longitu dinally extending inwardly projecting flanges carried by the extension shelves below top surfaces thereof and slidably engaged below said rails, an elongate cleats extending transverse the bottoms of the channels adjacent the outer ends of said channels and defining vertical stop walls with longitudinally inwardly projecting horizontal retaining lips, stop flanges on and below the outer ends of the extension shelves engagable with the stop walls and retaining flanges on and below the inner ends of the extension shelves engagable below the retaining lips and engagable with the stop walls of the cleats related thereto.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said inner legs have upper ends pivotally connected to the bottom walls of their related box sections and are selectively shiftable longitudinally outwardly and upwardly from a vertical down position to a horizontal, up position ad acent to said bottom walls and have articulated, foldable brace means related thereto and the said bottom walls to releasably secure them in each of said selective positions, said lock means related to said outer legs including a vertical tube in each outer corner of each box section slidably receiving the leg related to said corner, a vertical shaft on the upper end of each leg and a block slidably engaged in each tube and having a vertical opening slidably receiving the shaft on the leg related thereto, the vertical shaft and the vertical opening being on axes offset from the central vertical axes of their related legs and blocks whereby the central axes of the legs and blocks are shiftable from axial alignment in the tubes to axial misalignment and into locked binding engagement in the tubes upon manual axial rotation of said legs, said guide and stop means include longitudinally extending laterally spaced rails in spaced relationship above flat bottoms and spaced laterally inward of vertical sides of said channels, longitudinally extending inwardly projecting flanges carried by the extension shelves below top surfaces thereof and slidably engaged below said rails, an elongate cleats extending transverse the bottom of the channels adjacent the outer ends of said channels and defining vertical stop walls with longitudinally inwardly projecting horizontal retaining lips, stop flanges on and below the outer ends of the extension shelves engagable with the stop walls and retaining flanges on and below the inner ends of the extension shelves engagable below the retaining lips and engagable with the stop walls of the cleats related thereto.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said orienting and coupling means comprise a downwardly projecting flange along the lower edge of the inner end wall of one box section, upwardly opening substantially U-shaped clip means at the lower edge of the inner end wall of the other box section and engaging the flange on inner end wall of said one box section in hooked relationship, longitudinally inwardly projecting orienting pins on the upper portion of the inner end wall of one box section and engaged in longitudinally inwardly opening pin receiving openings in the upper portion of the inner end wall of the other box section, upwardly projecting latch pins on the top wall of one box section adjacent the inner end and within said channel thereof and elongate latch arms with inner ends pivotally secured to the top wall of the other section adjacent the inner end and within the channel thereof and having notched outer ends releasably engaging the latch pins related thereto.

8. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said orienting and coupling means comprise a downwardly projecting flange along the lower edge of the inner end wall of one box section,

, upwardlyopening substantially U-shaped clip means at the lower edge of the inner end wall of the other box section and engaging the flange on inner end wall of said one box section in hooked relationship, longitudinally inwardly projecting orienting pins on the upper portion of the inner end wall of one box section and engaged in longitudinally inwardly opening pin receiving openings in the upper portion of the inner end wall of the other box section, upwardly projecting latch pins on the top wall of one box section adjacent the inner end and within said channel thereof and elongate latch arms with inner ends pivotally secured to the top wall of the other section adjacent the inner end and within the channel thereof and having notched outer ends releasably engaging the latch pins related thereto.

II k l I. k

Claims

1. A portable camp stove support and cabinet comprising two forwardly opening box sections with flat, horizontal top and bottom walls, flat, vertical inner and outer end walls, and flat vertical rear walls, said top walls having upwardly and longitudinally outwardly opening channels, orienting and coupling means securing the box sections together with their inner end walls in flat bearing engagement with each other and the inner ends of the channels in register with each other, elongate extension shelves with inner and outer ends slidably engaged in the channels and arranged with their outer end portions projecting longitudinally outwardly from the outer end walls of their respective box sections and their inner ends in and spaced longitudinally outwardly from the inner ends of their related channels and inner ends of the extension shelves define an upwardly opening camp stove receiving recess, guide and stop means between and related to the box sections and their related extension shelves to permit shifting of the shelves into the confines of the channels, flat vertical doors to close the open fronts of the box sections and having horizontal top and bottom edges and vertical inner and outer edges, hinge means mounting the outer edges of the doors adjacent the outer vertical edge of the fronts of the box sections, said doors projecting longitudinally outwardly and rearwardly from their elated box sections with the inner end portions of their top edges engaged below and supporting the center ends of the extension shelves related thereto, manually operable latch means carried by the doors adjacent their inner vertical edges and including a bolt bar shiftable vertically from below to above the top edges of the doors and selectively into bolt receiving openings in the outer ends of the shelves and in bolt receiving openings in the open fronts of their related box sections.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said inner legs have upper ends pivotally connected to the bottom walls of their related box sections and are selectively shiftable longitudinally outwardly and upwardly from a vertical down position to a horizontal, up position adjacent to said bottom walls and have articulated, foldable brace means related thereto and the said bottom walls to releasably secure them in each of said selective positions, said lock means related to said outer legs including a vertical tube in each outer corner of each box section slidably receiving the leg related to said corner, a vertical shaft on the upper end of each leg and a block slidably engaged in each tube and having a vertical opening slidably receiving the shaft on the leg related thereto, the vertical shaft and the vertical opening being on axes offset from the central vertical axes of their related legs and blocks whereby the central axes of the legs and blocks are shiftable from axial alignment in the tubes to axial misalignment and into locked binding engagement in the tubes upon manual axial rotation of said legs.

5. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said guide and stop means include longitudinally extending laterally spaced rails in spaced relationship above flat bottoms and spaced laterally inward of vertical sides of said channels, longitudinally extending inwardly projecting flanges carried by the extension shelves below top surfaces thereof and slidably engaged below said rails, an elongate cleats extending transverse the bottoms of the channels adjacent the outer ends of said channels and defining vertical stop walls with longitudinally inwardly projecting horizontal retaining lips, stop flanges on and below the outer ends of the extension shelves engagable with the stop walls and retaining flanges on and below the inner ends of the extension shelves engagable below the retaining lips and engagable with the stop walls of the cleats related thereto.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said inner legs have upper ends pivotally connected to the bottom walls of their related box sections and are selectively shiftable longitudinally outwardly and upwardly from a vertical down position to a horizontal, up position adjacent to said bottom walls and have articulated, foldable brace means related thereto and the said bottom walls to releasably secure them in each of said selective positions, said lock means related to said outer legs including a vertical tube in each outer corner of each box section slidably receiving the leg related to said corner, a vertical shaft on the upper end of each leg and a block slidably Engaged in each tube and having a vertical opening slidably receiving the shaft on the leg related thereto, the vertical shaft and the vertical opening being on axes offset from the central vertical axes of their related legs and blocks whereby the central axes of the legs and blocks are shiftable from axial alignment in the tubes to axial misalignment and into locked binding engagement in the tubes upon manual axial rotation of said legs, said guide and stop means include longitudinally extending laterally spaced rails in spaced relationship above flat bottoms and spaced laterally inward of vertical sides of said channels, longitudinally extending inwardly projecting flanges carried by the extension shelves below top surfaces thereof and slidably engaged below said rails, an elongate cleats extending transverse the bottom of the channels adjacent the outer ends of said channels and defining vertical stop walls with longitudinally inwardly projecting horizontal retaining lips, stop flanges on and below the outer ends of the extension shelves engagable with the stop walls and retaining flanges on and below the inner ends of the extension shelves engagable below the retaining lips and engagable with the stop walls of the cleats related thereto.

8. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said orienting and coupling means comprise a downwardly projecting flange along the lower edge of the inner end wall of one box section, upwardly opening substantially U-shaped clip means at the lower edge of the inner end wall of the other box section and engaging the flange on inner end wall of said one box section in hooked relationship, longitudinally inwardly projecting orienting pins on the upper portion of the inner end wall of one box section and engaged in longitudinally inwardly opening pin receiving openings in the upper portion of the inner end wall of the other box section, upwardly projecting latch pins on the top wall of one box section adjacent the inner end and within said channel thereof and elongate latch arms with inner ends pivotally secured to the top wall of the other section adjacent the inner end and within the channel thereof and having notched outer ends releasably engaging the latch pins related thereto.