Portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil

Abstract

A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil that is easy to use and that can be easily transported, disassembled and assembled and comprises a slotted cooking member with side walls, bottom wall and a rim around the upper periphery of the cooking member with at least one slot in the rim, a bottom housing unit for charcoal or wood pieces that fits beneath the cooking member, a metal frame with hinged legs with an opening large enough for the cooking member and bottom housing unit to be suspended within, and a utensil having connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil which corresponds in size to the slots in the rim of the cooking member. The connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil allows the user to lift the cooking member out of the metal frame by connecting the connecting means of the utensil into the slots in the rim of the cooking member and lifting the cooking member vertically out of the metal frame. The portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil allows the user to quickly and easily manipulate the cooking member with the same utensil that is used for cooking thereby limiting the amount of utensils that are needed. The portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil allows the user to use interchangeable fuel sources and interchangeable cooking members with any type of cooking surface that can be interchanged using the utensil with connecting means.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to portable cooking units and utensils.

2. Description of the Related Art

A drawback to current portable cooking units is that when the cooking unit is in use maneuvering the grilling unit is extremely difficult given its high temperature and may only be moved using either protective gear such as an oven mitt or other utensil not specifically equipped to handle the weight and shape of the grilling unit.

It would be desirable to enable the user of such a cooking unit to handle the grilling unit without endangering himself or herself by permitting the grilling unit to be handled at a safe distance from the user. The user should also be able to quickly, easily and safely dispose of any burning elements, such as the charcoal or wood pieces, after grilling has ceased. And the entire cooking unit should preferably be portable and collapsible, allowing the user to transport the cooking unit with ease. And the cooking unit should also be simple to set up. Ideally, the individual components of a portable cooking unit should also be usable in conjunction with a conventional oven, either alone or in conjunction with other conventional oven components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, the present invention, in one embodiment, may be a portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil comprising a slotted cooking member with a bottom wall, side walls and a rim with at least one slot in the rim with a bottom housing unit that fits beneath the cooking member. It may further comprise a metal frame with hinged legs with an opening large enough for the cooking member and bottom housing unit to be suspended within; and a utensil having connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil to be used to remove said cooking member from said metal frame.

In another embodiment, the invention may be a portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil comprising a slotted cooking member with side walls and a rim with at least one slot in the rim having a bottom housing unit that fits beneath the cooking member and also having a larger bottom housing unit enclosing said bottom housing unit. It further comprises a metal frame with hinged legs with an opening large enough for the cooking member and larger bottom housing unit to be suspended within, and a utensil having connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil to be used to remove said cooking member from said metal frame.

According to the present invention there is a portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil that comprises a slotted cooking member with a bottom wall, side walls and a rim around the upper periphery of the cooking member with at least one slot in the rim, a bottom housing unit for charcoal or wood pieces that fits beneath the cooking member with a rim around the upper periphery of the bottom housing unit, a metal frame with hinged legs for the cooking member and bottom housing unit with an opening large enough for the cooking member and bottom housing unit to be suspended within, and a utensil having connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil which corresponds in size to the slots in the rim of the cooking member.

The connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil allows the user to lift the cooking member out of the metal frame by connecting the connecting means of the utensil with the slots in the rim of the cooking member and lifting the cooking member vertically out of the metal frame. The top surface of the metal frame likewise has at least one notch in it that gives the connecting means of the utensil clearance as it connects with the rim of the cooking member thereby allowing the cooking member to be lifted out of the metal frame.

The portable, collapsible cooking unit may also contain a cover that comprises a top wall, side walls, a rim around the upper periphery of the cover with at least one embossment in the rim and a handle on the surface of the top wall of the cover. When the cover is in use, the rim of the cover lines up squarely with the rim of the cooking member allowing the embossment in the rim of the cover to pass through the slots in the rim of the cooking member causing the cover to be secured in place. The handle of the cover may be a simple U-shaped handle comprised of a strip of material with each end of the strip attached to the top surface of the top wall of the cover and the center of the strip parallel to the top surface of the cover. In order to remove the cover from the cooking unit, the user may use the utensil and connect the connecting means of the utensil to the handle and lift the cover vertically from the cooking unit.

The metal frame has an opening, four interior side walls, four exterior side walls, and a top surface forming the perimeter of the opening. The metal frame further comprises a shelf extending from the bottom edge of each interior side wall. The bottom housing unit is suspended within the metal frame where the shelves of the metal frame provide the bottom housing unit support by allowing the rim of the bottom housing unit to lay upon these shelves. The cooking member is likewise suspended within the metal frame by laying the rim of cooking member upon the top surface of the metal frame and aligning the slots in the rim of the cooking member with the notches in the top surface of the metal frame.

Preferably, the cooking member may be slotted or perforated where the openings are located within the bottom wall and side walls of the cooking member thereby allowing the heat from the bottom housing unit to pass through the openings and heat the food that is placed on the top surface of the cooking member. The cooking member may also be a gridiron or standard wire grate where the openings likewise allow the heat from the bottom housing unit to pass through the openings and heat the food that is placed on the top surface of the gridiron or standard wire grate. The cooking member may also be a solid pan with solid side walls and bottom wall allowing the user to use the cooking unit as a baking or roasting pan. The cooking member may also be a griddle pan. Advantageously, the cooking member may have any cooking surface and may be interchanged with cooking members containing different cooking surfaces to allow the user to cook various types of foods with the portable, collapsible cooking unit. The user may simply use the utensil to lift out one cooking member and interchange it with another cooking member with a different cooking surface.

Advantageously, the invention allows the user to use the same utensil for cooking, such as a spatula, as for lifting the cooking member out of the metal frame to allow the user to rotate the cooking member to various positions on the metal frame to take advantage of hot and cold spots created by the bottom housing unit that occur while grilling. Likewise, the user may remove the cooking member from the metal frame to prevent the food from burning. Thus, the user may use the same utensil for manipulating the food on the cooking member as for lifting the cooking member out of the metal frame, thereby limiting the amount of tools and utensils needed by the user. The utensil may be a spatula for flipping the food on the cooking member, a set of tongs for lifting the food from the cooking member, a knife for manipulating the food on the cooking member, a spoon or a brush for basting the food on the cooking member. Further, this invention allows the user to remove the cooking member when cooking has ceased for cleansing or storage of the cooking member and provides the user with a safe and easy means of handling the cooking member without the need of additional protective gear or utensils.

An objective of this invention is to allow the user to safely, quickly and easily dispose of the burning elements, such as the charcoal or wood pieces, after grilling has ceased. Preferably, the bottom housing unit may be a disposable lightweight metal container having a bottom and side walls that may be disposed of after each use. Once the user has finished grilling, the user may lift the bottom housing unit out of the metal frame and dispose of it.

Another objective of this invention is that the invention is portable and collapsible allowing the user to transport the portable, collapsible cooking unit with ease. Advantageously, the hinged legs of the metal frame fold completely under the metal frame to allow the metal frame, cooking member, and bottom housing unit to be transported with ease. Likewise, the perimeters of the cover, cooking member, bottom housing unit, and the metal frame fit concentrically within one another to allow the user to nest the cover within the cooking member and then nest the cover and cooking member and bottom housing unit into the folded metal frame thereby creating a portable unit that can be transported with ease.

Another objective of this invention is the ease and simplicity with which the cooking unit is set up. The user needs only to unfold the hinged legs out from under the metal frame to create a stand into which the bottom housing unit is suspended. The rim of the cooking member is then laid upon the top surface of the metal frame. The entire cooking unit is therefore assembled with a few easy and simplistic steps.

Another objective of this invention is the versatility of the components of the invention in that the cooking member and utensil are not limited to being only used with the bottom housing unit and metal frame. The cooking member may be used in a conventional oven as a broiler pan or baking pan and utilizing the utensil with its connecting means to remove the cooking member from the oven. The cooking member may also be used in connection with a broiler pan or baking pan and utilizing the utensil with its connecting means to remove the cooking member from such other pan. The cooking member may also be used in connection with a stove top range and a stand for the cooking member and utilizing the utensil with its connecting means to remove the cooking member from such stand. The cooking member likewise may be used in connection with any other barbeque grilling apparatus with any fuel source and utilizing the utensil with its connecting means to remove the cooking member from such grilling apparatus.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bottom housing unit is enclosed within a larger bottom housing unit comprising a bottom metal plate with two hinged metal side plates extending vertically from opposite edges of the bottom plate, and two metal side plates that fit into and extend vertically from the remaining edges of the bottom plate. The two metal side plates are perforated along the bottom edge of each side plate to aid in the ventilation of the cooking member and bottom housing unit. The edges of the two hinged metal side plates and two metal side plates attach to the bottom interior of the metal frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a portable, collapsible cooking unit designed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the figure illustrating how a cover, a cooking member, a bottom housing unit, a metal frame, and a utensil are assembled into the cooking unit;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil where the utensil is shown attached to one of several slots in the cooking member.

FIGS. 3a and 3b present a top and side view of the portable, collapsible cooking unit.

FIG. 4a is a top view of the utensil shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4b is a side view of the utensil shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a connecting means.

FIG. 5 is a perspective, assembled view of the portable, collapsible cooking unit.

FIGS. 6a and 6b present top and side views of a modified embodiment of the assembled portable, collapsible cooking unit.

FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the bottom housing unit designed in accordance with a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7b is a perspective view of the bottom housing unit designed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the cooking member and utensil designed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 and utensil 3. The unit 1 includes a cooking member 5 that has a bottom wall 10, side walls 7 extending upwards from the bottom wall 10, and a rim 9 attaching to the side walls 7 around their upper periphery, with at least one slot 11 penetrating the rim 7. The unit 1 also includes a bottom housing unit 13 for holding charcoal or wood pieces (not shown) that fits beneath the cooking member 5 and that has side walls 15 and a rim 17. This bottom housing unit 13 is suspended within a metal frame 19. The metal frame 19 has a square or rectangular opening 21 within a top surface 27 that forms the perimeter of the opening 21, and it also has interior side walls 23 and exterior side walls 25 attaching respectively to the inner and outer edges of the top surface 27. The portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 also includes a cover 2 having a U-shaped handle 8 and having rim 4 around its bottom periphery. This rim 4 has at least one embossment 6 in its bottom surface. When the cover 2 is in use, the embossment 6 in the bottom surface of the rim 4 of the cover 2 fits within the slot 11 in the rim 9 of the cooking member 5 to create a secure fit.

The metal frame 19 has shelves 29 extending from the bottom edges of each interior side wall 23. The bottom housing unit 13 is suspended within the metal frame 19 where the shelves 29 of the metal frame 19 provide the bottom housing unit 13 support by allowing its rim 17 to rest upon these shelves 29. The cooking member 5 is likewise suspended within the metal frame 19 by laying the rim 9 of cooking member upon the top surface 27 of the metal frame 19 and aligning the slots 11 in the rim 9 of the cooking member with the notches 31 in the top surface 27 of the metal frame 19. The metal frame 19 has hinged legs 33 that extend downward from the metal frame 19 to provide support for the unit 1.

The utensil 3 has connecting means 35 (shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c) on its posterior side which, when connected with one of the slots 11 of the cooking member 5, allows the cooking member 5 to be removed from the metal frame 19 by the user. The connecting means may be a protruding metal rectilinear element, as shown, or it may be a metal hook, a magnet, a claw, a prong, a clip, a wedge, a cam, a grooved rectilinear metal element, a slotted rectilinear element, or a recessed rectilinear element. The connecting means may also be made of a rigid plastic material capable of withstanding the temperature of the cooking member 5. The utensil 3 may be any cooking utensil, including but not limited to a spatula, a grilling fork, a grilling tong, a knife, a brush, or a spoon. Alternatively, the utensil 3 may be a detachable handle for maneuvering the cooking member where said handle terminates at the connecting means 35 and does not extend beyond said connecting means 35.

When the cover 2 is in use, the rim 4 of the cover 2 lines up squarely with the rim 9 of the cooking member 5 allowing the embossment 6 in the rim 4 of the cover 2 to pass through the slot 11 in the rim 9 of the cooking member 5 causing the cover 2 to be secured in place. The handle 8 of the cover 2 may be a simple U-shaped handle comprised of a strip of material with each end of the strip attached to the top surface of the cover 2 and the center of the strip parallel to the top surface of the cover 2. In order to remove the cover 2 from the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1, the user may use the utensil 3 and connect the connecting means 35 of the utensil 3 to the handle 8 and lift the cover 2 vertically from the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1. The user may utilize the cover 2 to control the heat of the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 by removing the cover 2 to allow the food to cool and placing the cover 2 on the cooking unit 1 to create greater heat within the cooking unit 1. Alternatively, the cover 2 may have a handle that is an encased spring loaded magnet that when engaged allows the user to lift the cover 2 from the metal frame 19.

Preferably, the cooking member 5 and metal frame 19 are made of a lightweight, durable and heat resistant metal such as stainless steel or cast aluminum. The cooking member 5 and metal frame 19 may also be coated with a porcelain coating or heat resistant paint to prevent the corrosion of either the cooking member 5 or metal frame 19. Alternatively, the cooking member 5 or metal frame 19 may be cast iron or chrome plated.

Preferably, the bottom housing unit 13 may be disposable and be made of a thin aluminum that can be easily disposed of once the grilling has ceased. Alternatively, the bottom housing 13 unit may be made of stainless steel, carbon cold roll steel or other non-corrosive durable metal.

Preferably, the cooking member 5 may be slotted or perforated where the openings are located within the bottom wall 10 and side walls 7 thereby allowing the heat from the bottom housing unit 13 to pass through the openings and heat the food that is placed on the top surface of the cooking member 5. The cooking member 5 may also be a gridiron or standard wire grate where the openings likewise allow the heat from the bottom housing unit 13 to pass through the openings and heat the food that is placed on the top surface of the gridiron or standard wire grate. The cooking member 5 may also be a solid pan with solid side walls and bottom wall allowing the user to use the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 as a baking or roasting pan. The cooking member 5 may also be a griddle pan. Advantageously, the cooking member 5 may have any cooking surface and may be interchanged with cooking members containing different cooking surfaces to allow the user to cook various types of foods with the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1. The user may simply use the utensil 3 to lift out one cooking member 5 and interchange it with another cooking member 5 with a different cooking surface.

In another embodiment of the invention, the metal frame 19 may be constructed such that the opening 21 is large enough for at least two cooking members 5 to fit adjacent to one another within the opening 21 of the metal frame. This arrangement would allow the user to grill or cook larger quantities of food simultaneously. This arrangement would also allow the user to take advantage of using cooking members 5 with different cooking surfaces simultaneously, thereby allowing the user to grill foods on one cooking member, such as the member 5 while roasting foods on another cooking member having a different design (not shown). The metal frame 19 may also be constructed such that multiple cooking members may fit within the opening 21 adjacently.

The metal frame 19 may also be constructed such that it is not supported by the hinged legs 33. Alternatively, the metal frame 19 may be supported using hinged legs that are detachable from the metal frame 19. As another alternative, the metal frame 19 may be supported using a collapsible inner sleeve fitting concentrically within the side walls 23 of the metal frame 19. Likewise, the metal frame 19 may be supported using interlocking metal plates that fit within the side walls 23 of the metal frame 19. Or the metal frame 19 may be supported using a collapsible stand comprised of a pair of legs that hinge and intersect at the center of each pair of legs and lay flat when not in use.

In the design just described, the side walls 23 of the metal frame 19 end at a bottom shelf 29 upon which the bottom housing unit 13 may lay. Alternatively, there may at least one bar extending from the bottom edge of one side wall 23 of the metal frame 19 to the opposite side wall to support the bottom housing unit 13. As another alternative, there may a catch or hook on the bottom edge of each side wall 23 of the metal frame 19 upon which the bottom housing unit 13 is suspended.

FIG. 2 illustrates the attachment of the utensil 3 with connecting means 35 (shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c) to the slot 11 of the rim 9 of the cooking member 5. By connecting the connecting means 35 to the slot 11, the user may lift the cooking member 5 out of the metal frame 19.

FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the fully assembled portable, collapsible cooking unit from a top view (FIG. 3a) and a side view (FIG. 3b). FIG. 3b illustrates how the cooking member 5 and bottom housing unit 13 fit within and is suspended within the metal frame 19.

FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c illustrate the top, side and bottom view of the utensil 3 with the connecting means 35 located on the posterior side of the utensil 3. The utensil 3 can be used to cook throughout the grilling process and then, once grilling ceases, can be used to remove the cooking member 5 from the metal frame 19 by connecting the connecting means 35 to the slots 11 in the rim 9 of the cooking member 5 (as shown in FIG. 2).

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 where the bottom housing unit 13 (not shown) is enclosed within a larger bottom housing unit (shown generally at 37) comprising a bottom metal plate 39 with two hinged metal side plates 41 extending nearly vertically from opposite edges of the bottom plate 39, and two metal side plates 43 that fit into and extend vertically from the remaining edges of the bottom plate 39. The two metal side plates 43 are perforated (as shown in perforation at 45) along the bottom edge of each side plate 43 to aid in the ventilation of the cooking member 5 and bottom housing unit 13 (not shown).

FIGS. 6a and 6b present top and side views of this embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6b illustrates that the hinged metal side plates 41 of the larger bottom housing unit 37 are connected to the bottom plate 39 by hinges 47 and are nearly perpendicular to the metal side plates 43.

In another embodiment of this invention, the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 may be heated by a portable gas fuel source. In this case, the bottom housing unit 13 may be omitted. A gas burner (not shown) may be mounted within the interior of the metal frame 19 below the cooking member 5 and provided with a flow of gas, such as from a gas tank, to provide heat for cooking the food items placed upon the cooking surface. The gas burner may include a burner plate and a burner base. These may be mounted within the metal frame 19, which the burner base connecting to the metal frame 19 and with the burner plate mounted on top of the burner base. The burner plate has a plurality of apertures. Alternatively, the gas burner may include a burner tube (instead of a burner plate) containing a plurality of apertures. Alternatively, the burner plate and base may be connected to or contained within a housing that is similar in size and shape to the bottom housing unit 13 to be lifted out of the metal frame 19 using the utensil 3 with connecting means 35. Advantageously, the user may convert the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 into a cooking unit to be heated by a portable gas fuel source by easily lifting the bottom housing unit 13 out of the metal frame 19 using the utensil 3 with connecting means 35 and placing such housing with the portable gas fuel components into the metal frame 19.

As another alternative, the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 may be heated by means of a micro burner (not shown) which is placed beneath the cooking member 5, as is done with fondue sets.

As another alternative, the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 may be heated by means of an electrical power source. The electric broiling elements of the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 may be connected to or contained within a housing that is similar in size and shape to the bottom housing unit 13 to be lifted out of the metal frame 19 using the utensil 3 with connecting means 35. Such housing unit and electrical broiling elements may be connected to an electrical power source. Advantageously, the user may convert the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 into a cooking unit to be heated by an electrical power source by easily lifting the bottom housing unit 13 out of the metal frame 19 using the utensil 3 with connecting means 35 and placing such housing with the electric broiling components into the metal frame 19.

Preferably, the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 may be constructed such that without alterations to the metal frame 19 and the cooking member 5, the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 may be heated either by using the bottom housing unit 13 to contain burning elements such as charcoal pieces or wood, or in the alternative by using a gas burner or a micro burner to provide the necessary heat, or in the alternative by using an electrical power source and electrical broiling elements, as was just described above. Advantageously, the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 thus permits the user to use any fuel source for cooking he or she desires.

Another embodiment of a bottom housing unit, identified by the reference number 50, is illustrated in FIG. 7a. The bottom housing unit 50 may be provided with an upper rim 51 from which descent side walls 53 that attach to a perforated or slotted bottom wall 55. An ash catching plate 57 is connected to the bottom housing unit 50 as is shown by a pair of wire handles 59. The wire handles 59 extend from the bottom surface of the ash catching plate 57 upwards along the side walls 53 of the bottom housing unit 50 and around the rim 51 beyond which they extend vertically upwards from the rim 51 as is shown. The wire handles 57 both support and also connect the ash catching plate 57 to the bottom housing unit 50 and allow the user to lift the bottom housing unit 50 from the metal frame 19. Advantageously, a user may utilize the utensil 3 with the connecting means 35 to lift the bottom housing unit 50 from the metal frame 19 by connecting the connecting means 35 of the utensil 3 to the wire handles 57 of the bottom housing unit 50 and lifting the bottom housing unit 50 vertically out of the metal frame 19, thereby allowing the user to dispose of the bottom housing unit 50 without harm and without the need for additional tools. This embodiment of the bottom housing unit 50 provides the portable, collapsible cooking unit 1 with a greater amount of oxygen and ventilation to facilitate cooking by allowing oxygen to enter the bottom housing unit 50 between the ash catching plate 57 and bottom housing unit 50 and through the perforations in the bottom wall 55 of the bottom housing unit 50. Once the user has placed burning elements such as charcoal or wood into the bottom housing unit 50, the greater flow of oxygen in the bottom housing unit 50 will allow the burning elements to burn hotter. Advantageously, the ash catching plate 57 allows the user to prevent the ashes from falling to the ground, thereby allowing the user to simply dispose of the bottom housing unit 50 when grilling has ceased. Preferably, this embodiment of the bottom housing unit 50 may be of a thin aluminum that may be disposable.

Another embodiment of the bottom housing unit, identified by the reference number 60, is illustrated in FIG. 7b. The bottom housing unit 60 has a rim 65 in the upper periphery of the bottom housing unit 60, a bottom wall 69, and side walls 67 connecting the upper peripheral rim 65 to the bottom wall 69. It also has a curved, perforated metal insert 61 that fits within the interior of the bottom housing unit 60. The curved, perforated metal insert 61 has the same width and length dimensions as the interior of the bottom housing unit 60. The curved, perforated metal insert 61 does not lie flat on the bottom wall 69 of the bottom housing unit. Rather, the side edges 71 of the curved, perforated metal insert 61 fit into the bottom edges of the side walls 67 of the bottom housing unit 60 while the center portions of the opposite sides edges 73 lie at least 0.25 inches above the bottom edges of the side walls 67 of the bottom housing unit 60, thereby creating a bend, as is shown in FIG. 7b. When the insert 61 is seated within the bottom housing unit 60, beneath this bend of the curved, perforated metal insert 61 there is at least one vent or perforation 63 in the adjacent side walls 67 of the bottom housing unit 60 which allows oxygen and ventilation to enter the bottom housing unit 60. Advantageously, this embodiment allows the user to place burning elements upon the curved, perforated metal insert 61 which will receive oxygen flowing though the vent or perforation 63. The bottom wall 69 of the bottom housing unit 60 will also function as an ash catching plate allowing the user to prevent the ashes from falling to the ground while grilling and simply dispose of the bottom housing unit 60 when grilling has ceased and preventing the need for a messy clean up. As an alternative, the curved, perforated metal insert 61 may be replaced with a flat, perforated metal insert (not shown) having legs or side walls that project downwards from the side edges of the flat, perforated metal insert such that the flat, perforated metal insert is at least 0.25 inches above the bottom edges of the side walls 67 of the bottom housing unit 60. Preferably, the bottom housing unit may have a sliding closure for the vent or perforation 63 which allows the user to adjust the amount air that can enter the bottom housing unit 60. Preferably, this embodiment of the bottom housing unit may be of a thin aluminum that may be disposable.

Another embodiment of the utensil is illustrated in FIG. 8., where the utensil 3 with connecting means 35 has a locking mechanism which secures the connection when the connecting means 35 connects with one of the slots 11 of the cooking member 5. The locking mechanism may be a sliding locking arm 83 located on the posterior side of the utensil 3 which may slide forward toward the cooking member 5. When the locking mechanism is engaged, the locking arm 83 clamps the connecting means 35 to the rim 9 of the cooking member 5, thereby creating a secure fit. Advantageously, the locking mechanism may be spring loaded and have trigger 77 or plunger (not shown) which allows the user to engage or disengage the locking mechanism. Advantageously, the locking mechanism is in the disengaged position such that the user to able to connect the connecting means 35 of the utensil 3 to the rim 9 of the cooking member 5 until the locking mechanism is engaged and the locking arm 83 slides forward toward the cooking member 5. Advantageously, the locking mechanism may have a spring 79 located between the utensil 3 and the locking arm 83 that allows the user to engage or disengage the locking mechanism. Advantageously, the locking arm 83 is connected to the posterior side of the utensil 3 but is allowed to slide back and forth by use of movable rivets 81, sleeve (not shown) or a track (not shown) located on the posterior side of the utensil 3 or on the top side of the locking arm 83. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may be a locking arm that is hinged and allows that user to clamp the connecting means 35 of the utensil 3 to the rim 9 of the cooking member 5, thereby creating a secure fit. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may be a sliding locking arm that is secured by means of a movable pin. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may be a sliding locking arm that is secured by means of a recess or catch between the locking arm 83 and utensil 3. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may be a movable sleeve that slides forward to secure the connecting means 35 of the utensil 3 to the rim 9 of the cooking member 5.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil comprising:

a slotted cooking member with a bottom wall, side walls and a rim with at least one slot in the rim;

a bottom housing unit that fits beneath the cooking member;

a metal frame with hinged legs with an opening large enough for the cooking member and bottom housing unit to be suspended within; and

a utensil having connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil to be used to remove said cooking member from said metal frame.

2. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said bottom housing unit is disposable and made of aluminum.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said bottom housing unit has a perforated bottom wall, an ash catching plate, and a wire handle connecting said ash catching plate to the perforated bottom wall.

6. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said bottom housing unit has a slotted bottom wall, an ash catching plate, and a wire handle connecting said ash catching plate to the slotted bottom wall.

7. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said bottom housing has a curved, perforated metal insert that fits within the interior of the bottom housing unit.

8. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said bottom housing has a flat perforated metal insert that fits within the interior of the bottom housing unit.

9. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said bottom housing has a vent in the side walls of the bottom housing unit.

10. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said bottom housing has a perforation in the side walls of the bottom housing unit.

11. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said bottom housing unit is rectilinear in shape.

12. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said bottom housing unit is circular in shape.

13-16. (canceled)

17. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member is coated with a heat resistant paint.

18. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member is rectilinear in shape.

19. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member is circular in shape.

20. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member has a slotted bottom wall.

21. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member has slotted side walls.

22. (canceled)

23. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member has a solid bottom wall.

24. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member is a grid iron.

25. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member is a wire grate.

26. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member is a griddle pan.

27. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member is a shallow pan.

28. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said cooking member is a deep pan.

29. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said metal frame has a large enough opening for at least two cooking members to fit adjacent to one another.

30. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said metal frame may be supported using a collapsible inner sleeve fitting concentrically within the side walls of the metal frame.

31. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said hinged legs are detachable.

32. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said metal frame may be supported using interlocking metal plates that fit within the side walls of the metal frame.

33. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said metal frame may be supported using hinged pair of legs that intersect at the center of each pair of legs.

34. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said metal frame has side walls that end at a bottom shelf upon which the bottom housing unit lays.

35. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said metal frame has at least one bar extending from the bottom edge of one side wall of the metal frame to the opposite side wall to support the bottom housing unit.

36. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said metal frame has a catch or hook on the bottom edge of each side wall to support the bottom housing unit.

37-40. (canceled)

41. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said metal frame is coated with a heat resistant paint.

42. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said metal frame has a top surface that is circular in perimeter.

43. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said metal frame has a top surface that is rectangular in perimeter.

44. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein said utensil has a locking arm to secure said utensil to said cooking member.

45-62. (canceled)

63. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein there is a cover with a handle and rim around the bottom periphery of the cover with at least one embossment in the bottom surface of the rim.

64. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein there is a cover with a handle that is a spring enclosed magnet that when engaged allows the user to lift said cover out of the metal frame.

65. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein the unit may be used with a gas fuel where a gas burner may be mounted within the interior of the metal frame below the cooking member and provided with a flow of gas, such as from a gas tank, to provide heat for cooking the food items placed upon the cooking surface.

66. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein it may be used with a gas fuel where the gas burner is mounted to the metal frame and may be comprised of a burner plate and a burner base that may be mounted within the metal frame where the burner base is connected to the metal frame and the burner plate is mounted to a top of the burner base where the burner plate has a plurality of apertures.

67. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein it may be used with a gas fuel where the gas burner is mounted within a housing suspended within the metal frame and may be comprised of a burner plate and a burner base.

68. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein it may be used with a gas fuel where the gas burner is mounted to the metal frame and may be comprised of a burner base and at least one burner tube containing a plurality of apertures.

69. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein it may be used with a micro burner by placing the micro burner beneath the cooking member.

70. A process for using the portable, collapsible cooking unit as defined in claim 1 which comprises placing a fuel source beneath the bottom housing unit, igniting the fuel source and then placing the cooking member on the metal frame and allowing the generated heat to effect the desired cooking.

71. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein it may be used with an electrical power source.

72. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein the bottom housing unit may be removed while the portable, collapsible cooking unit remains intact.

73. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1, wherein the unit may be heated with any fuel source without altering the structure of said metal frame and said cooking member.

74. A portable, collapsible cooking unit and utensil according to claim 1 wherein the bottom housing unit is enclosed within a larger bottom housing unit.

75-140. (canceled)

141. A utensil having connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil to be used with lifting cookware.

142. A utensil according to claim 141, wherein said utensil has a locking arm to secure said utensil to the cookware.

143-159. (canceled)

160. A disposable charcoal tray wherein said disposable charcoal tray has a perforated bottom wall, an ash catching plate, and a wire handle connecting the ash catching plate to said perforated bottom wall.

161. (canceled)

162. A disposable charcoal tray wherein said disposable charcoal tray has a curved, perforated metal insert that fits within the interior of said disposable charcoal tray.

163. A disposable charcoal tray according to claim 162, wherein said disposable charcoal tray has a vent in the side walls of the disposable charcoal tray.

164. (canceled)

165. A disposable charcoal tray according to claim 162, wherein said curved, perforated metal insert is flat.

166. (canceled)

167. (canceled)

168. A slotted cooking member and utensil wherein said cooking member is comprised of a bottom wall, side walls and a rim with at least one slot in the rim and said utensil has connecting means on the posterior side of the utensil to lift said cooking member.

169-172. (canceled)

173. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said cooking member is coated with a heat resistant paint.

174. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said cooking member is rectilinear in shape.

175. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said cooking member is circular in shape.

176. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said cooking member has a slotted bottom wall.

177. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said cooking member has slotted side walls.

178-179. (canceled)

180. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said cooking member is a grid iron.

181. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said cooking member is a wire grate.

182. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said cooking member is a griddle pan.

183. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said cooking member is a shallow pan.

184. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said cooking member is a deep pan.

185. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said utensil has a locking arm to secure said utensil to said cooking member.

186. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said utensil is a spatula.

187. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said utensil is a grilling fork.

188. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said utensil is a set of tongs.

189. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said utensil is a knife.

190. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said utensil is a brush.

191. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said utensil is a spoon.

192. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein said utensil is a handle that terminates at said connecting means.

193. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein the connecting means of said utensil is a protruding metal rectilinear element.

194. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein the connecting means of said utensil is a metal hook.

195. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein the connecting means of said utensil is a magnet.

196. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein the connecting means of said utensil is a claw.

197. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein the connecting means of said utensil is a set of prongs.

198. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein the connecting means of said utensil is a clip.

199. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein the connecting means of said utensil is a wedge.

200. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein the connecting means of said utensil is a cam.

201. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein the connecting means of said utensil is a grooved rectilinear metal element.

202. A cooking member and utensil according to claim 168, wherein the connecting means of said utensil is a recessed rectilinear element.