Portable Camping and Survival Stove
A portable camping and survival stove includes a stand comprising a pair of flat stock lower cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each lower cross-member having a lower edge and a pair of double tabs spaced apart on an upper edge configured to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of a rigid container. The disclosed stove also includes a cook top comprising a pair of flat stock upper cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each upper cross-member having an upper cooking edge and a pair of double tabs spaced apart on a lower edge configured to secure on a shelf there between an upper edge of the rigid container. Furthermore, the rigid container may be a discarded can or a collapsible four-sided container for flammable material and include holes for air flow in a bottom and at least one side thereof.
This application claims the benefit of the priority date of earlier filed U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/872,019, U.S. Pat. No. 9,854,936 titled ‘Portable Camping and Survival Stove’ filed Apr. 26, 2013 for Clifford Kenneth Young and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/687,629, titled ‘Portable Camping and Survival Stove’ filed Apr. 26, 2012 for Clifford Kenneth Young, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe disclosure is in the field of portable outdoor camping and survival stoves. Camping and survival stoves are available in a wide variety of different configurations. Many of these require pre-packaged flammable fuels to operate liquid fuels like kerosene or solid fuel. These types of stoves require their users to carry or keep a sufficient quantity of fuel with them in order to provide for the duration of their trip or disaster survival. This is impractical for extended camping or backpacking trips because of the amount of fuel that needs to be packed. It is also an impractical solution for extended survival situations because of the difficulty that is likely to be associated with finding the necessary fuel.
Backpackers and people on the move during a disaster are particularly sensitive to the weight and space requirements of their gear. The fuel costs also add up and for extended durations can be substantial. There are also many other camping stoves designed to burn wood or collected scraps of wood, bark, pinecones, etc. which, in most locations are usually a relatively abundant resource that can be collected as needed.
In order to be lightweight and portable enough for backpacking, some of these products may be compactable. In some cases they may also be impractically small and flimsy. The better products tend to be expensive however. Some incorporate battery-dependent motors to power integrated fans to aid air flow into the fire, which also add to the cost and complexity of the product. Electronics also have greater potential for breakdown and should not be depended on for a fail-safe long-term survival stove solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA portable camping and survival stove as disclosed herein, includes a stand comprising a pair of flat stock lower cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each lower cross-member having a lower edge and a pair of tabs spaced apart on an upper edge configured to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of a rigid container. The disclosed stove also includes a cook top comprising a pair of flat stock upper cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each upper cross-member having an upper cooking edge and a pair of double tabs spaced apart on a lower edge configured to secure on a shelf there between an upper edge of the rigid container. Furthermore, the rigid container may comprise holes for air flow in a bottom and at least one side thereof, the container configured to contain flammable material and have a lower edge and an upper edge thereof.
A method of making a portable camping and survival stove is also disclosed. The method comprising providing the stand and the cook top and securing the lower container edge onto the upper edge of the lower cross-members and securing the upper container edge onto the lower edge of the upper cross-members. An embodiment of the disclosure further includes securing the lower container edge onto the shelf between the lower cross-member double tabs and securing the upper container edge onto the shelf between the upper cross-member double tabs.
Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the disclosure.
Throughout the description, similar or same reference numbers may be used to identify similar or same elements in the several embodiments and drawings. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReference will now be made to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
The age-old “hobo stove” made from a large discarded food or beverage can continues to be a widely used means of containing a fire and its fuel because it easily provides a supporting structure for cookware such as a pan or pot. These impromptu stoves can be partially filled with scraps of wood fuel which, as mentioned, is in most situations a fairly abundant resource that can be gathered from one's surroundings. Such stoves therefore do not necessitate carrying the extra weight or dependency associated with petroleum derived fuels.
These ‘can stoves’ are typically constructed by removing the lid of a large can, emptying any contents and then punching or cutting an array of vent holes in the can wall and floor to provide adequate ventilation for the fire. The can generally needs to be propped up by some means in order to elevate it above the ground to allow for airflow through holes in the underside. Holes and support tabs fabricated in this manner are inherently flimsy, and do not provide for a stable base, or a stable pot/pan support.
A number of survival resources and online videos demonstrate the process of making these ‘hobo’ can stoves by cutting or punching said vent holes in a can, as well as modifying the bottom and top of the can to act respectively as a stand and pot/pan support. However, the process of making all of the necessary cuts and folds in the can metal is potentially dangerous and difficult, and results in a stove with exposed jagged edges. Even with the appropriate tool such as tin snips, one is at risk of slicing one's hand open. In a backpacking or survival situation where medical assistance may be unreachable, any attempt to create such a can is particularly unwise.
In addition, the resulting impromptu can stove is sub-optimal, with very flimsy and unstable legs and a weak and narrow upper surface upon which one can place a pan or pot or grille. Because of the narrow set of the legs and the narrow surface for supporting the pan or pot, the stove and the pan/pot are very prone to tipping over. This can waste valuable food and can scald the cook. In addition, the resulting can stove with its various jagged protrusions and leg flaps is not suitable for transport in one's gear because it is likely to damage fabrics and items around it or cut the user.
The disclosed portable camping and survival stove is able to leverage the benefits of using a can (cans are inexpensive and discarded ones can be found for free, are relatively easy to find and provide a good strong container for holding a fire and its fuel), while eliminating or minimizing the problems traditionally associated with creating and using a home-made can stove.
Embodiments of the disclosed stove is composed of a durable high-temperature-resistant material such as stainless steel or titanium and may comprise two pairs of cross-members that can be inter-connected just prior to each use to create both a stand to go underneath the can as well as a pot or pan support that is inserted into the top of the can. When not in use, the flat-sided cross-members can be detached from each other and stacked side-by-side and stored within the can, or in a very compact space. Users can take a can with them or use cans that they find as they travel. For efficient use of space during storage and transport, the can may be filled with firewood and other items such as matches or a magnesium fire starter.
In order to make a can suitable for use as a stove, one need only punch an array of small ventilation holes through the sides and floor of the can, which can be done with a tool such as an ice pick or pocket knife. These can be punched from the outside in, so that there are no rough or sharp spurs sticking out of the can. Pre-punched cans optionally can be provided or sold with the stove cross-members for added convenience. These pre-punched cans can also have an array of longer slots punched through or cut into the floor of the can to more readily accommodate pointed tabs on the lower cross-members. Said tabs on the cross-members help to hold the can securely to the cross-members. Since the upper cross-members that fit on top of the can provide plenty of space between the pot and the fire source for air and smoke to flow out of the can, there is no need to cut and bend out a vent near the top of the can. Also, since the lower cross-members provide a strong, stable stand for the can, there is no need to cut and bend out tabs in the floor of the can.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the cross-members may be provided in more than one size to accommodate a wide range of can sizes. Two sizes of cross-members provide a good selection, with the smaller set ideal for individuals or two or three people and the larger set ideal for families and groups of three or more people, according to some embodiments. These two sizes will work with a wide variety of can sizes with some overlap in terms of the can sizes which can be used with either of them.
The cross-members may be constructed relatively inexpensively from sheet or plate metal by stamping out, die-cutting, laser cutting or water cutting the cross-member shapes. To set up the cross-members, simply orient each cross-member at ninety degrees to its complimentary cross-member and interconnect the slots. The can may then be pressed down onto the assembled stand to force the upward-facing points of the cross-members into their facing slots in the underside of the can and to snap the lower lip of can down such that it is gripped either on its inside or outside surfaces or both sides by the upward-pointing tabs or protrusions of the cross-members. The tabs and protrusions can be positioned and scaled so that they are compatible with different sized cans, with tabs optionally gripping the lower rim of the can either by the outside or inside perimeter surface of the rim, depending on the diameter of the rim, according to some embodiments. Similarly, the upper cross-members incorporate downward-pointing tabs that grip the upper lip of the can, either by the can's inside or outside surface. In this manner, the upper and lower rims of the can may optionally be gripped by the inward-facing or outward-facing edges of the tabs of the top and bottom cross-members. Once the can has been snapped down onto the lower cross-members, the upper cross-members can be slotted together at right-angles to each other and then the assembled pair snapped down onto the upper rim of the can.
The upward-facing points of the lower cross-members may be characterized by pointed tips, according to some embodiments, so that they can be forced through the floor of a can that has yet not been “pre-punched” with slots cut into its floor (bottom). The easiest way to perform this procedure is to invert the can and the lower cross-members and to then “hammer” the lower cross-members down onto the can floor using a solid object such as a wooden board, branch, mallet or rock. Once the pointed tabs have been fully pushed into the can floor such that the cross-members are now securely gripping the can, the assembled can with stand can be flipped back over and the upper cross-members pushed down onto the top rim of the can.
Prior to the attachment of the upper cross-members to the can, the can may be partially filled with fuel for the fire such as scraps of dry wood, pinecones, wood shavings, bark, etc. The fire can be started from below or the sides by placing a lighted match below a hole under the can or through a hole in the side of the can or by dropping a match into the open top of the can, or by using other fire starters such as a magnesium striker. At any time after the fire has taken hold, the user may place a pan, pot or grill on top of the upper cross-members.
The user may prefer to wait for the flames to diminish to a point where they don't rise above the level of the can rim, in order to avoid blackening the pan or pot or burning the food. The can acts as a container for the fire and fuel as well as a wind-break and supporting structure for holding the upper-cross members. The can is relatively fuel-efficient and directs most of the heat generated upwards to the food above, and in this way a meal can be cooked with relatively little fuel.
Holes may be arrayed through the cross-members to lessen their weight without reducing the strength of the cross-members in any way relevant to their function. For example, a cross-member of approximately 2 mm thickness substantially flat stock, according to some embodiments, made from high-temperature stainless steel or titanium is virtually indestructible in normal use.
The term ‘tab’ used throughout the present disclosure, refers to a small flap or protrusion of material used to hold, secure or manipulate a larger part to which the tab is included. The term ‘locking tab’ used throughout the present disclosure therefore refers to tabs having complementary notches which are configured to slide into or fit together and therefore secure or interlock respective tabbed parts together. The term interstitial as used herein refers to an interval between closely spaced tabs. Therefore an interstitial space may refer to the shelf space between a double tab or even the space between a pair of double tabs.
An space between the interstitial shelf of each double tab pair on the lower and upper cross-members may accommodate cans from 3 and ⅛ inch (78 mm) to 4 inches (101.6 mm) and 5 and 1/16 inches (128.60 mm) and larger. Measurements for the spaces as detailed below include a plus or minus 10% manufacturing tolerance in order to accommodate the aforementioned cans and various other containers. In order to accommodate the most common can containers, a space between the shelf or interstitial space of each double tab on the lower and upper cross-members may measure approximately 78 mm to 128.60 mm and larger plus or minus a 10% manufacturing tolerance. Furthermore, in order to accommodate cans or containers of various sizes, the shelf or interstitial space itself between a double tab may measure approximately 3.12 mm to 11 mm and larger plus or minus a 10% manufacturing tolerance.
Measurements for the two sizes of cross-members, which in an embodiment of the disclosure may be referred to as “compact,” and “large” may be taken as follows for an outer tab, then a slot (shelf), then an inner tab. Measurements for the upper compact cross-members from outside the outside tab to outside of the other outside tab (outside diameter O/D) measures 127 mm (5 inches) and the interstitial gap also known as the shelf or slot measures 0.3175 mm (⅛″) wide. An outside of the inner tab to the outside of the other inner tab measures 100 mm (3 15/16 inches). NOTE: The tabs embodied in this array, will accommodate three different sized common cans, to wit: 4″ (101.6 mm), and 4¼″, and 5 1/16″ (128.60 mm) O/D cans. The 4″ can may have the tabs pressing against the inside of the can; the 4¼″ can may have the tabs pressing against the outside of the can and the 5 1/16″ can may have the outer tabs pressing against the outside of the can. The lower compact cross-members have tabs sharply pointed to enable them to be hammered into the bottom of the can. Measurements for the compact lower cross-members from outside the outside tab to outside of the other outside tab (O/D): 124 mm (4⅞″) with an interstitial gap, slot or shelf is 5 mm ( 3/16″) wide. An outside of the inner tab to the outside of the other inner tab may measure 98 mm (3⅞″).
The large or larger upper cross-members measured from outside the outside tab to outside of the other outside tab (O/D) measure 154 mm (6⅛″) with an interstitial gap, slot or shelf of 11 mm ( 7/16″) wide. An outside of the inner tab to the outside of the other inner tab measures 106 mm (4 3/16″). The large or larger lower cross-members measured from inside of the outside cross members apart from one another measure 158 mm (6 3/16″) and the outside of inner tabs to outside of inner tabs: 104 mm (4⅛″)
A method of making a portable camping and survival stove is also disclosed. The method comprising providing the stand and the cook top and securing the lower container edge onto the upper edge of the lower cross-members and securing the upper container edge onto the lower edge of the upper cross-members. An embodiment of the disclosure further includes securing the lower container edge onto the shelf between the lower cross-member double tabs and securing the upper container edge onto the shelf between the upper cross-member double tabs.
In a further embodiment of the disclosure, compact and large cross-members are combined into one universal size that fits a full range of cans that the former cross-members fit. Also, the cross-members are designed to also fit popular IKEA® canisters. In other words, a spacing of the sharp tabs on the lower cross-members conforms to a spacing of preformed holes in a commercially available canister. For perfect alignment and easy attachment, “fangs” underneath line up with holes in the bottom of the canister and a central “bullet” shaped post centers the cross-members on the center hole of the canister.
Embodiments may include a tool for perforating cans precluding the use of an ice pick, or a pocket knife. The perforating tool has taken the form of a sharpened spike on the end of one of the lower cross-members. Also, an embodiment includes two “fangs” on one of the lower cross-members modified with pointier tips in order to provide the same function. This is a safe design because no spike is configured to point up next to the can. Other perforation tool configurations on the cross-members are included in the present disclosure. An embodied method includes using a branch or rock to tap the perforation tool into the can and then turn it to widen the hole. The disclosed cross-member embodiments are configured to fit an extended range of cans to include quart and gallon paint cans. The gallon can configuration includes notches in the inside of the upper lip.
A double-wall gasifier wood stove embodiment is also disclosed herein. The respective cross-members are designed to hold two concentric cans of differing sizes in position with even spacing all around between the two walls. There are at least three different can combinations that have successfully tested. The disclosed configurations have advantages even over other dedicated gasifier stoves. One advantage is the ability to start a fire up much faster and more easily by beginning with the standard single-can configuration because it is much better ventilated than a conventional gasifier stove. The second can may be dropped around the first can once the fire is burning hot. Other gasifiers may be slow to start because the double-wall setup is much less ventilated. In addition, because the lower cross-members elevate the cans, the disclosure gets better ventilation from below. Other gasifiers have canisters that go down to the ground and therefore have an array of large holes around the lower edge, as well as an elevated chamber underneath the inside can which adds undesirable weight.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, indentations are included in each end of the lowest cross-member on the bottom. This is a visual and tactile (in the dark) cue to let the user know this is the cross-member to pick up if he wants to lift the stove to move it. If the other undented cross-member is picked up, the bottom cross-member will drop off. Therefore, the notches are not in the cross-member with the bullet shaped central prong.
The disclosed embodiments include a proprietary and unique hole shape design that is both attractive and functional. Another embodiment may include a sheath configured to protect the owner's gear from the sharp points on the cross-members and from soot and to keep the cross members together. The sheath may also double as packaging for the disclosed product in shipping or in retail. The sheath may have holes through it that correspond to one or more holes in the cross-members, so that one or more zip ties can be threaded through both to prevent retail theft by preventing cross-members being removed from the sheath. The holes in the sheath may also accommodate a loop of some sort for hanging the product from a display rod and for also attaching any printed material either as backing or as a dangling card or leaflet of some sort.
A portable camping and survival stove made from a container and accessories as disclosed includes a universal stand accessory comprising a pair of flat stock lower cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each lower cross-member, each lower cross-member also having a lower edge and a pair of sharp tabs spaced apart on an upper edge configured in a plurality of descending steps from each tab to an end of each cross-member to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of at least one container. The disclosure also includes a universal cook top accessory comprising a pair of flat stock upper cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each upper cross-member having an upper cooking edge and a plurality of arcuate tabs spaced apart on a lower edge, the arcuate tabs configured to secure on a shelf there between an upper edge of the container.
An embodiment of the portable camping and survival stove comprises three steps from each tab to the end thereof, a run of each stair configured to be at least 5 times longer than a rise of each stair and elevate a smaller diameter container over a larger diameter container with respect to the lower edge of the cross-member. Also, the slot in each member is configured at a longitudinal midpoint of each cross-member and the slot in a first member of the lower cross-member pairs is defined from the lower edge of the first member and the slot in a second member of the lower cross-member pairs is defined from the upper edge of the second member of the cross-member pairs.
In another embodiment of the portable camping and survival stove, the plurality of arcuate tabs comprises three pairs of tabs spaced apart from a longitudinal midpoint of each cross-member, a first and a third arcuate tab pair configured to be substantially semicircular and a second pair configured to be bullet-shaped. The disclosure further comprises webbing in the cross-members, the webbing configured to extend from a shelf of the upper edge of the lower cross-members to the lower edge thereof and the webbing configured to extend from a shelf of the lower edge of the upper cross-members to the upper edge, the webbing configured to give structural integrity to the respective cross-members at the shelves between tabs.
A lower cross-member with respect to the container and the upper cross-members in an embodiment comprises a bullet-shaped central post. The central post extends from the upper edge of the lower cross-member. A length of the central post is greater than a thickness of a bottom of the container in order that the central post may penetrate the container sufficient to secure it thereto. A lower cross-member may also comprise at least one indentation on each end of the lower cross member, the indentation configured to indicate a cross-member for lifting the stove.
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, a cross-member comprises at least one pointed edge configured to puncture the container and therefore provide points of entry for the tabs of the cross-members. Also, the pair of tabs on each cross-member may comprise fang-like pointed edges configured to puncture the container and therefore further secure it to the cross-members in one step where appropriate. The fan-like pointed edges may also be inserted into preexisting holes in the container. A hook shape of the fang-like pointed edges may provide some catching and securing ability to the container canister for the cross-members.
A double wall portable camping and survival stove is also disclosed. The double wall configuration comprises a stand. The stand comprises a pair of flat stock lower cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member. Each lower cross-member has a lower edge and a pair of sharp tabs spaced apart on an upper edge configured to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of a first rigid container comprising a first diameter. A second rigid container defines a top and a bottom opening of a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the second rigid container disposed around the first rigid container on the stand cross-members. A cook top comprises a pair of flat stock upper cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each upper cross-member having an upper cooking edge and a plurality of arcuate tabs spaced apart on a lower edge. The arcuate tabs are configured to secure on a plurality of shelves there between an upper edge of both the first and the second rigid containers. An upper edge of the lower cross-members of an embodiment of the double wall portable camping and survival stove comprises descending steps. The steps are configured from each tab to an end of each cross-member to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of the first and the second rigid containers.
A method of making a double wall portable camping and survival stove comprises 1210 providing a stand including a pair of flat stock lower cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member. Each lower cross-member has a lower edge and a pair of sharp double tabs spaced apart on an upper edge configured in a plurality of descending steps from each tab to an end of each cross-member to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of a first rigid container of a first diameter. The method also comprises 1220 providing a cook top including a pair of flat stock upper cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member. Each upper cross-member has an upper cooking edge and a plurality of arcuate tabs spaced apart on a lower edge configured to secure on a shelf there between an upper edge of the first rigid container. The method additionally comprises 1230 dropping a second rigid container around the first rigid container onto the stand cross-members. The second rigid container defines a top and a bottom opening of a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The method further comprises 1240 securing the lower container edge of both the first and the second containers onto an interstitial shelf of the upper edge of the lower cross-members. The method yet includes 1250 securing the upper container edge of both the first and the second containers onto an interstitial shelf of the lower edge of the upper cross-members.
The second can with the top cross-members attached to it may be dropped around the first can once the fire is burning hot (one doesn't want to be attaching cross-members to a hot stove with fire licking up, so it is best to first attach them to the outer can before dropping it around the inner can).
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An embodiment of the portable camping and survival stove comprises three (a plurality of?) steps from each tab to the end thereof, a run of each stair 15 configured to be at least 5 times longer than a rise of each stair and elevate a smaller diameter container over a larger diameter container with respect to the lower edge of the cross-member. The steps aren't absolutely necessary, but help to compensate for the higher floor in wider cans, so that the fangs and bullet penetrate all the way.
In another embodiment of the portable camping and survival stove, the plurality of arcuate tabs comprises three pairs of tabs spaced apart. There are now 4 tabs (mirrored from one side to the other) on each cross-member. This is because I cut a notch into the outermost tab so that it will fit into the lip of a gallon paint can. The current design is compatible with a wide range of can sizes but there could conceivably be more than 4 tabs in an alternative embodiment (no plans to do this as we haven't run into other cans that are common enough to want it to fit to).
The holes, aka webbing reduce overall weight and can take any variety of different forms or patterns. Regarding a third arcuate tab pair configured to be substantially semicircular, there maybe 4 tabs, and the 4th tab is approximately “stepped” (it narrows to form a narrower tab protrusion at its lower extents), so that at its lower extents the tab will fit against can rims that are of different but close diameters to other cans that the upper extents of the stepped tab fits against. For example, the narrowed lower extent will fit into the annular trough in a quart paint can lip, while the wider upper extents fit against the most common small food can on its inside edge, and a wider coffee or bean can on its outside edge.
Note: the tabs now have tips that are more eliptical than semicircular. These can be described as tabs with tapered or semicircular or semi-eliptical ends, so that they will easily slide down against the inside or outside edge of a can lip without jamming against it. Regarding a second rigid container defining a top and a bottom opening of a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the second rigid container disposed, there are loads of two-can stoves that people make, so it is important that we do not claim that, but rather the ability of the cross-members to handle a two can (or even 3-can) configuration.
Note conventional cross-members sit on top of a small alcohol stove to provide a pot support, but none of them go underneath as the disclosed members. These have the advantage of supporting a pot on top as well as providing a wide support underneath for the alcohol or other stove/fuel source. In addition, they are a universal size—since they don't fit on top of a specific stove, they will work with a wide variety of different compact stoves/fuel sources.
Not depicted in the figures are cross-members may have hooks or tabs for suspending items, between them (inside) or outside. For example, an alcohol stove could be suspended at a desired height by supporting it on wires or a wire mesh that is suspended from the hooks.
Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In embodiments, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner. Notwithstanding specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents herein.
Claims
1. A portable camping and survival stove made from a container and accessories, comprising:
- a universal stand accessory comprising a pair of flat stock lower cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each lower cross-member, each lower cross-member also having a lower edge and a pair of sharp tabs spaced apart on an upper edge configured in a plurality of descending steps from each tab to an end of each cross-member to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of at least one container; and
- a universal cook top accessory comprising a pair of flat stock upper cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each upper cross-member having an upper cooking edge and a plurality of arcuate tabs spaced apart on a lower edge, the arcuate tabs configured to secure on a shelf there between an upper edge of the container.
2. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein the plurality of descending steps comprise three steps from each tab to the end thereof, a run of each stair configured to be at least 5 times longer than a rise of each stair and elevate a smaller diameter container over a larger diameter container with respect to the lower edge of the cross-member.
3. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein the slot in each member is configured at a longitudinal midpoint of each cross-member and the slot in a first member of the lower cross-member pairs is defined from the lower edge of the first member and the slot in a second member of the lower cross-member pairs is defined from the upper edge of the second member of the cross-member pairs.
4. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein the slot in each member is configured at a longitudinal midpoint of each cross-member and the slot in a first member of the upper cross-member pairs is defined from the lower edge of the first member and the slot in a second member of the lower cross-member pairs is defined from the upper edge of the second member of the upper cross-member pairs.
5. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein the plurality of arcuate tabs comprises three pairs of tabs spaced apart from a longitudinal midpoint of each cross-member, a first and a third arcuate tab pair configured to be substantially semicircular and a second pair configured to be bullet-shaped.
6. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, further comprising webbing in the cross-members, the webbing configured to extend from a shelf of the upper edge of the lower cross-members to the lower edge thereof and the webbing configured to extend from a shelf of the lower edge of the upper cross-members to the upper edge, the webbing configured to give structural integrity to the respective cross-members at the shelves between tabs.
7. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein each lower cross-member comprises feet configured to offset the cross-member from a lower edge thereof.
8. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein a lower cross-member with respect to the container and the upper cross-members comprises a bullet-shaped central post extending from the upper edge of the lower cross-member, a length of the central post being greater than a thickness of a bottom of the container.
9. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein a lower cross-member with respect to the container and the upper cross-members comprises at least one indentation on each end of the lower cross member, the indentation configured to indicate a cross-member for lifting the stove.
10. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein at least one cross-member comprises a pointed edge configured to puncture the container and therefore further secure it to the cross-members.
11. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein the pair of tabs on each cross-member comprises fang-like pointed edges configured to puncture the container and therefore further secure it to the cross-members.
12. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein a spacing of the sharp tabs on the lower cross-members conforms to a spacing of preformed holes in a commercially available canister.
13. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein the pair of tabs comprises two each double tabs, each double tab of the pair comprising an interstitial shelf space there between.
14. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, wherein each flat stock cross-member comprises holes therein configured to lighten a weight of the cross-members without appreciably compromising its structural integrity.
15. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, further comprising an outer shelf on the lower and upper cross-members, each outer shelf disposed adjacent the pair of tabs, each outer shelf configured to receive an edge of a plurality of container sizes.
16. The portable camping and survival stove of claim 1, further comprising a can container with holes punched in a side wall and a bottom thereof, a top thereof substantially removed.
17. A double wall portable camping and survival stove, comprising:
- a stand comprising a pair of flat stock lower cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each lower cross-member having a lower edge and a pair of sharp tabs spaced apart on an upper edge configured to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of a first rigid container comprising a first diameter;
- a second rigid container defining a top and a bottom opening of a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the second rigid container disposed around the first rigid container on the stand cross-members; and
- a cook top comprising a pair of flat stock upper cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each upper cross-member having an upper cooking edge and a plurality of arcuate tabs spaced apart on a lower edge, the arcuate tabs configured to secure on a plurality of shelves there between an upper edge of both the first and the second rigid containers.
18. The double wall portable camping and survival stove of claim 17, wherein the upper edge of the lower cross-members is configured in a plurality of descending steps from each tab to an end of each cross-member to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of the first and the second rigid containers.
19. A method of making a double wall portable camping and survival stove, comprising:
- providing a stand comprising a pair of flat stock lower cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each lower cross-member having a lower edge and a pair of sharp double tabs spaced apart on an upper edge configured in a plurality of descending steps from each tab to an end of each cross-member to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of a first rigid container of a first diameter;
- providing a cook top comprising a pair of flat stock upper cross-members adjoined via a complementary slot in each member, each upper cross-member having an upper cooking edge and a plurality of arcuate tabs spaced apart on a lower edge configured to secure on a shelf there between an upper edge of the first rigid container; and
- dropping a second rigid container around the first rigid container onto the stand cross-members, the second rigid container defining a top and a bottom opening of a second diameter larger than the first diameter; and
- securing the lower container edge of both the first and the second containers onto an interstitial shelf of the upper edge of the lower cross-members and securing the upper container edge of both the first and the second containers onto an interstitial shelf of the lower edge of the upper cross-members.
20. The double wall portable camping and survival stove of claim 19, wherein the upper edge of the lower cross-members is configured in a plurality of descending steps from each tab to an end of each cross-member to secure on a shelf there between a lower edge of the first and the second rigid containers.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 29, 2017
Publication Date: May 3, 2018
Inventors: James Fisher (Walnut Creek, CA), Clifford Kenneth Young (Sonora, CA)
Application Number: 15/859,252