Portable camp stove

Abstract

A portable camp stove is provided that is easy to disassemble and collapses to a reduced size for transport, utilizes a recycled wash tube for the stove body, includes a detachable, weighted pedestal base that allows the stove to be free standing and balanced, even when an elongate chimney is attached to an upper region of the stove, and allows heat dissipation through a bottom region of the stove for warming shoes and feet.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/620,517, having the same title as the present application, and filed on Nov. 20, 2000 in the name of the same inventor herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a portable camp stove and, more particularly, to a portable camp stove that is easy to disassemble and collapses to a reduced size for transport, utilizes a recycled wash tube for the stove body, and which includes a detachable, weighted pedestal base that allows the stove to be free standing and balanced, even when an elongate chimney is attached to an upper region of the stove, and which facilitates heat dissipation through a bottom region of the stove for warming shoes and feet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Outdoor recreation often involves overnight camping where temperatures may drop as much as thirty degrees Fahrenheit or more from midday temperatures. This drastic drop in temperature typically makes nighttime activity at the campsite cold and unpleasant. In order to warm up the campsite, and in some cases to provide heat for cooking, campers have utilized open campfires. These open campfires typically are made within a fire ring of low rocks or bricks and involves stacking wood in the fire ring. The disadvantage of these open campfires is that smoke from the campfire is uncontrolled and typically blows onto the campers, causing an unpleasant, residual smoke odor on the campers skin, clothes, and hair. The smoke may also cause dryness and irritation to the campers eyes. Additionally, open campfires receive an unregulated amount of oxygen, generally resulting in a large amount of wood being burned by the campfire over the course of an evening. Open campfires are also generally difficult to cook over in that the flame height and location typically varies with wind and fuel conditions. Moreover, open campfires emit uncontrolled sparks that may ignite surrounding growth or vegetation. For this reason, campfires typically are banned during dry seasons, leaving campers with a cold campsite at night. Some national parks and private camping facilities have even banned open fires all together.

[0004] In light of the many disadvantages of open campfires, several enclosed camp stoves have been designed. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 358,204 to Ferrier discloses an outdoor fire holder. The fire holder is generally top heavy and unstable, and requires long stakes to be used to secure the unbalanced fire holder to the ground. Accordingly, the stove is not easily portable in that the stakes must be removed from the ground with each move of the stove. The stove, therefore, generally cannot be used on hard surfaces such as rocks, cement pads, brick patios and wooden decks. Moreover, the Ferrier fire holder does not include a lid or a chimney so that the input of oxygen to the fire, and the output of heat, smoke and sparks from the fire is uncontrolled.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,950 to Hait discloses an outdoor cooking unit with foldable components. The cooking unit is foldable in that the lower portion of the cooking unit appears to be removable from the upper portion of the cooking unit. The lower portion, however, is rather large and bulky, even when detached, so that the lower portion does not appear to be able to fit within the upper portion of the cooking unit during transport. Moreover, the lower portion of the cooking unit defines a generally enclosed space such that heat from the cooking unit is directly upwardly toward the cooking space. Accordingly, the Hait stove does not appear to disclose a cooking unit that is reduced in size for transport, or that provides for a space under the heater for warming of shoes or feet.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,956 to Webber discloses a heater closure attachment for drums. The closure comprises a lid with a chimney that is placed on the upper end of a standard fifty five gallon metal drum which rests on the ground. The Webber device does not appear to disclose a heater that may be collapsed for transport or a heater having an open, pedestal stand that allows one to warm their shoes or feet underneath the heater.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,290 to Gleichman discloses a detachable drum cover similar to that of Webber.

[0008] There is a need, therefore, for a portable camp stove that may be manufactured of recycled metal components, that allows for collapse and reduction in size of the camp stove for transport to and from a campsite, and that includes a pedestal stand which facilitates heat to be directed downwardly from the body of the stove so that campers may warm their shoes and feet underneath the stove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a portable camp stove that is easy to disassemble and collapses to a reduced size for transport, utilizes a recycled wash tube for the stove body, includes a detachable, weighted pedestal base that allows the stove to be free standing and balanced, even when an elongate chimney is attached to an upper region of the stove, and allows heat dissipation through a bottom region of the stove for warming shoes and feet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the portable camp stove;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the portable camp stove;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a top view of the portable camp stove showing internal components of the stove;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the portable camp stove; and

[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of the portable camp stove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a portable camp stove 10 of the present invention including a chimney 12 having a damper 14 therein. Damper 14 typically comprises a flat plate having an outer shape that matches the cross sectional shape of chimney 12, such as a square or a round cross sectional shape. A handle is attached to the flat plate and is pivotally secured within the chimney walls so that manipulation of the handle acts to regulate air flow through the chimney, as is known in the art. Chimney 12 is secured within a chimney support 16 which in turn is secured to a stove lid 18. The chimney typically has a height above the lid of at least four feet. Lid 18 includes a front, opening portion 20 secured to a stationary rear portion 22 by fastening means 24, which typically comprise hinges. Rear portion 22 of lid 18 may include a warming stand 26, which in the preferred embodiment includes a horseshoe 28 secured to the lid by two spacers 30. Front portion 20 of the lid may include a handle 32 for opening the front portion of the lid, wherein the handle preferably comprises a horseshoe welded to front portion 20.

[0016] Lid 18, in combination with chimney 12 and damper 14, allow one to control the flow of oxygen to the fire within the stove body so that a reduced amount of wood or pellet fuel is required to be fed to the stove during the course of an evening. Moreover, chimney 12 may be manufactured of any height so that sparks are not discharged to surrounding vegetation. Accordingly, the portable camp stove is safe for use in the outdoors, even during the dry, high-fire-danger season. Additionally, the lid and chimney direct smoke away from campers so after an evening by the stove, camper's hair and clothes do not retain the unpleasant odor of residual smoke and the camper's eyes and skin are not irritated.

[0017] Lid 18 is secured to a stove body 34 which, in a preferred embodiment, comprises recycled materials, such as a washing machine tub. Body 34 typically includes a plurality of apertures 36 around a circumference of the body so as to facilitate the dissipation of heat outwardly from the stove throughout the full 360 degree angle surrounding the stove. In this manner, the stove provides for a full circle of heat around the stove. Body 34 typically includes a flat, bottom surface 38 which is exposed, i.e., not placed on the ground or enclosed by a stand, so that the body also dissipates heat downwardly toward a shoe or foot region 40. In other words, due to the presence of exposed bottom surface 38, one may place their shoes or feet underneath the stove in foot region 40 for warmth. Accordingly, the camp stove of the present invention provides heat for cooking, outwardly radiating heat for body warmth, and downwardly radiating heat for foot warmth.

[0018] Still referring to FIG. 1, stove 10 further comprises a base 42 including a stove support plate 44 (shown in FIG. 2) secured to an underside of stove body 34, a vertical base element 46 and a base plate 48. Base plate 48 typically comprises a thick, solid steel plate having a weight sufficient to balance stove 10, even when chimney 12 is attached thereto. For example, base plate 48 typically has a weight the same as or more than a weight of tub 34. Accordingly, base plate 48 is not required to be bolted or otherwise fastened to the ground to secure the stove in a stable and balanced position. The stove, therefore, can be used on hard surfaces such as on rocks, cement pads, brick patios, wooden decks, and on hard, compacted ground. Moreover, the stove is easy to set up, disassemble and slightly adjust a position thereof, because the user need not remove long stakes from the ground in order to move the stove.

[0019] For ease of transportation, chimney 12 typically is friction fit within chimney support 16 so that the chimney is easily removed from stove body 34 when desired. The chimney may also comprise several segments so that the chimney itself can be broken down and, therefore, reduced in size for transport. Moreover, vertical base element 46 and base plate 48 typically are each of a size that will fit within body 34 so that the stove may be reduced in size by approximately fifty percent for transport. In particular, stove 10 has a height 47 when assembled, and a height 49 when disassembled, wherein height 49 is at least fifty percent smaller than height 47. In the case where the base plate and the vertical base element do not fit within an interior of stove body 34, removal of the vertical base element will nevertheless result in a reduction in size of the stove by approximately fifty percent for transport. To further increase the ease of transport of the stove, body 34 typically includes handles 50 positioned on each side of the stove.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment, stove 10 typically is manufactured of the following materials, however, any materials suitable to withstand the excessive temperatures of a flame would be acceptable for use. Body 34 typically is manufactured of a recycled, i.e., used, commercially produced metal washing machine tub. The tub may have any dimensions as is suitable for the particular stove being manufactured, such as an outer diameter of approximately two to three feet and a height of approximately one to three feet. Handles 50 typically are manufactured of heavy duty metal wire and typically are welded to the sides of the wash tub. The underside of the wash tub typically is relatively flat and may be slightly concave. Support plate 44 typically comprises a one quarter inch thick steel or cast iron plate that is bolted or welded to the bottom of the tub. The outer dimension of support plate 44 typically is slightly smaller than the outer dimension of the tub but may be of any size as is suitable for a particular application. Vertical base element 46 typically comprises a steel or iron pipe having a hollow interior. The pipe may be of any outer diameter, and typically will have a diameter in a range of three to four inches. Such a diameter is sufficient to provide stability and balance to the stove but also provides for foot region 40 under the stove body. In other words, due to the relatively small outer diameter of pipe 46 compared to the outer diameter of stove body 34, i.e., typically at least fifty percent smaller (two times smaller), and preferably seventy five percent smaller, foot region 40 extends generally throughout the space under the stove body. Vertical base element 46 may be of any height as is desired, and typically will have a height ranging from six to twenty four inches. Lid portions 20 and 22 typically comprise one quarter inch thick steel or cast iron plates. Chimney support 16 typically comprises a material that matches the material of lid 18. The support typically comprises a band of material welded to lid 18. Chimney 12 typically comprises sheet metal that is bent into a tube and secured along a seam. The diameter of chimney 12 may be any size suitable for a particular application, but typically will be in a range of three to twelve inches. Chimney support 16 typically has an inner diameter approximately the same size as the outer diameter of chimney 12 so that the chimney is friction fit within the chimney support.

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the portable camp stove showing the individual elements. Damper 14 is shown comprising a flat plate 52 and a handle 54. Rear portion 22 of lid 18 is secured to stove body 34 by fasteners 56 such as rivets or bolts. Hinges 24 typically are welded to the front and rear portions of the lid but may also be fastened with fasteners such as rivets or bolts. Horseshoe 28 of warming stand 26 typically is welded to metal spacers 30 which in turn are welded to rear portion 22 of lid 18. Chimney 12 is shown above chimney support 16, which is welded to rear portion 22 of lid 18, and around an aperture 58 in lid portion 22.

[0022] Stove support plate 44 is shown having a nut 60 welded thereto, wherein a first end of an all-thread fastener 62 is secured within nut 60. The all-thread fastener 62 is placed through vertical base element 46 wherein a second end of the fastener is secured within a second nut 64 welded to a topside of base plate 48. All-thread fastener 62 typically has a length slightly less than a length of vertical base element 46 so that as base plate 48 is rotated, fastener 62 is tightened within nuts 60 and 64, thereby pulling plates 44 and 48 together against pipe element 46. In this manner, a stable and balanced base is provided, wherein the base is easily disassembled for transport by merely rotating the base plates in an opposite direction to release the all-thread fastener from the nuts. Of course, other attachment means such as wing nuts and the like may also be used.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a top view of the portable camp stove showing internal components of the stove. In this embodiment, support plate 44 comprises a round plate and base plate 48 comprises an octagon shaped plate. In this view damper 14 is not shown.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a front view of the portable camp stove. In this embodiment, support plate 44 is shown having a size similar to that of bottom surface 38 of tub 34.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view of the portable camp stove. In this embodiment, support plate 44 is shown having a size similar to that of bottom surface 38 of tub 34.

[0026] In other embodiments, base plate 48 may comprise a plurality of outwardly extending legs, rather than a single plate of material. Additionally, a grate may be provided which fits over the top opening of the stove body when front lid 20 is in a raised position. The grate allows direct flame cooking of food similar to a barbecue.

[0027] In the above description numerous details have been set forth in order to provide a more through understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced using other equivalent designs.

Claims

1. A portable camp stove comprising:

a stove body comprising a recycled, metal washing machine tub including a lower surface and an opening on a top side thereof;

a lid secured to said top side of said tub and generally enclosing said opening when said lid is in a closed position;

a chimney having a first end region secured to said lid and a second end region positioned a predetermined height above said lid, said chimney being adapted for venting smoke from said stove body through said chimney to said predetermined height above said lid;

a base secured to said lower surface of the stove body, said base comprising a vertical base element secured at a first end to said stove body and at a second end to a base plate, said vertical base element having an outer dimension at least fifty percent smaller than an outer dimension of said stove body such that said base defines a shoe warming region positioned below said stove body,

and wherein said base plate, said vertical base element, and said chimney are each removable from said stove body such that said stove is reduced in size by at least fifty percent upon such removal.

2. The stove of claim 1 wherein said machine tub includes a plurality of apertures disposed radially around a side wall of said tub wherein said apertures are adapted to disperse heat radially outwardly from said stove body through said plurality of apertures.

3. The stove of claim 1 wherein said chimney has a height above said lid of at least four feet.

4. The stove of claim 1 wherein said chimney includes a damper.

5. The stove of claim 1 further comprising a warming stand secured to and positioned above said lid.

6. The stove of claim 1 wherein said base is manufactured of a weight sufficient to balance and stabilize said stove such that said stove is free standing.

7. The stove of claim 1 wherein said lid includes a rear portion secured to said washing tub and a front portion hingedly secured to said rear portion.

8. The stove of claim 1 wherein said base further comprises a support plate secured to said lower surface of the stove body, a nut secured to said support plate, a nut secured to said base plate, and an all-thread fastener that is secured within said nut on said support plate, through a hollow interior of said vertical base element, and within said nut on said base plate when the stove is assembled.

9. The stove of claim 8 wherein said all-thread fastener includes a length less than a length of said vertical base element such that when said fastener is tightened within said nuts, said fastener pulls said support plate and said base plate into frictional engagement with said vertical base element.

10. The stove of claim 8 wherein said all-thread fasteners, said base plate, and said vertical base element are each manufactured of a size to fit within an interior of said stove body during transport thereof.

11. A heating unit comprising:

a heating unit body comprising a recycled, metal washing machine tub including a lower surface and an opening on a top side thereof;

a lid secured to said top side of said tub and generally enclosing said opening when said lid is in a closed position;

a chimney having a first end region secured to said lid and a second end region positioned a predetermined height above said lid, said chimney being adapted for venting smoke from said heating unit body through said chimney to said predetermined height above said lid;

a base secured to said lower surface of the heating unit body, said base comprising a support place secured to said lower surface of the heating unit body, a nut secured to said support plate, an all-thread fastener secured at a first end within said nut secured to said support plate, a vertical base element having a hollow interior, and a base plate having a nut secured thereto,

wherein said all-thread fastener extends through said hollow interior of said vertical base element and wherein a second end of said all-thread fastener is secured within said nut secured to said base plate when said stove is assembled.

12. The heating unit of claim 11 wherein said vertical base element has an outer dimension smaller than an outer dimension of said heating unit body such that said base defines a shoe warming region positioned below said heating unit body.

13. The heating unit of claim 11 wherein said base plate, said vertical base element, and said chimney are each removable from said heating unit body such that said heating unit is reduced in size by at least fifty percent upon such removal.

14. The heating unit of claim 11 wherein said all-thread fastener includes a length less than a length of said vertical base element such that when said fastener is tightened within said nuts, said fastener pulls said support plate and said base plate into frictional engagement with said vertical base element so as to provide a stable and balanced, free standing heating unit.

15. A method of manufacturing a portable camp stove, comprising the steps of:

providing a recycled, metal washing machine tub;

securing a lid to an upper opening of said machine tub;

securing a chimney to said lid, said chimney adapted for venting smoke from an interior of said machine tub through said chimney to a predetermined height above said lid;

securing a base to an underside of said machine tub wherein said base includes a vertical base element having an outer dimension less than an outer dimension of said machine tub such that said portable camp stove defines a shoe warming region underneath said machine tub.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of securing said base to said machine tub comprises securing a support plate to an underside of said machine tub, securing a first end of an all-thread fastener to said support plate, placing said all-thread fastener through a hollow interior of said vertical base element, securing a second end of said all-thread fastener to a weighted base plate, and tightening said all-thread fastener with respect to said support plate and said base plate such that said all-thread fastener pulls said support plate and said base plate into frictional engagement with said vertical base element.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising securing a warming stand to said lid, wherein said warming stand is positioned at least one inch above said lid.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of securing said base to said machine tub is reversible such that said heating unit is collapsible for transport.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said vertical base element has an outer dimension at least four times smaller than an outer dimension of said machine tub.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein said base plate weights at least as much as said tub.