Camping grill apparatus and method

Abstract

An improved camping grill apparatus and method, which permits the position of a food holding member at one of a plurality of heights over a camp fire. A stake having a plurality of ribs is positioned proximate an existing or planned fire. A food holding member has a rib receiver thereon. The rib receiver is positioned over the stake in a first configuration, wherein the ribs may freely pass through the rib receiver. At the desired height, the food holding member and thus also the rib receiver is turned to a second orientation, wherein the ribs may no longer pass through the rib receiver, and thus where the food holding member is secured in position proximate one of the ribs and the stake.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to camping grills and, more particularly, to an improved, height adjustable, camping grill apparatus and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common feature of the outdoor camping experience is that of cooking over a camp fire. Frequently, this involves the burning of wood, charcoal or the like, and the positioning of a grill over the fire. Where the fire occurs in a concrete, dedicated, camp fire structure, there may be a grill already in position for use.

Where the fire is made on the ground, and not within a dedicated fire structure, a grill would not typically be present. A person desiring to utilize such a grill in this kind of setting must find a grill capable of being positioned over such a fire. This may involve the use of a grill with leg-type of supports.

However, there are several drawbacks with prior art grills of this type. The legs may be unstable, making the grilling surface inconvenient for use and perhaps incapable of supporting heavier cooking objects. In addition, the height of such a grill is not readily adjustable. As a consequence, the grill may be positioned to high or too low, taking into account the height of the fire, the cooking implements used, and the type of food being prepared.

A need therefore exists for an improved camping grill apparatus and method, which may permit the use of a relatively stable, height adjustable grill over an outdoor camp fire located on the ground. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related, advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an improved camping grill apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, in combination: a food holding member; a stake having a plurality of ribs thereon; and a rib receiver coupled to the food holding member; wherein, in a first orientation, one of the plurality of ribs may pass through the rib receiver and, in a second orientation, one of the plurality of ribs may not pass through the rib receiver.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for cooking over a camp fire is disclosed. The method comprises, in combination: providing a food holding member; providing a stake having a plurality of ribs thereon; providing a rib receiver coupled to the food holding member; wherein, in a first orientation, one of the plurality of ribs may pass through the rib receiver and, in a second orientation, one of the plurality of ribs may not pass through the rib receiver; positioning the stake in the ground proximate one of an existing and planned fire; positioning the rib receiver over the stake in the first orientation, and moving the food holding member until it is located at the desired height; and moving the rib receiver to the second orientation, so as to secure the food holding member in position relative to a particular one of the ribs and to the stake.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grill apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, shown in position over a fire.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, showing positioning of the rib receiver over the stake.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the stake component of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side, cross-sectional view of the food holding member of the apparatus of FIG. 1, particularly illustrating the rib receiver.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a grill apparatus consistent with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side, cross-sectional view of the food holding member of the apparatus of FIG. 5, particularly illustrating the rib receiver.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the rib receiver component of the apparatus of FIG. 5, within the lower plate of rib receiver being shown in dashed lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of an adjustable height grill apparatus 10 (“grill apparatus 10”) consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. In this embodiment, the grill apparatus 10 comprises a food holding member 12, a stake 14, and a plurality of ribs 16 located on the stake 14. With respect to the food holding member 12, it has, on at least one side thereof, a rib receiver 18 that is configured to mate with a rib 16 as herein described.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4, the food holding member 12 may be a cooking pan type of structure having a solid bottom and walls. Alternatively, as shown for example in FIG. 5, the food holding member 12 may have a lattice base or, alternatively, it may have a grill style of base. As further shown in FIG. 5, the food holding member 12 may be provided without walls.

The stake 14 preferably has a sharpened end 20 located at a bottom end thereof, to facilitate securing of the stake 14 in firm position in the ground. The stake 14 is preferably comprised of a heavy duty material of a type that will be capable of receiving blows from a hammer or the like to position the stake 14 within the ground, and that will not be harmed by heat from a fire 22. The ribs 16 may be attached to the stake 14 via welding or the like, or the stake 14 and ribs 16 may for formed as a one-piece assembly.

The rib receiver 18, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, comprises an upper plate 24 and an opposing lower plate 26. An aperture 28 is provided in each of the upper plate 24 and the lower plate 26. The apertures 28 are configured so as to permit a rib 16 to pass therethrough when the food holding member 12 is in a first orientation, and to preclude passage of a rib 16 when the food holding member 12 is in a second orientation. As hereinafter described in greater detail, this permits adjustment of a height of the food holding member 12 relative to the stake 14, and its securing in position at a desired height. The rib receiver 18 may be welded to the food holding member 12 or, alternatively, the two may be formed as a one-piece assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, another embodiment of an adjustable height grill apparatus 100 (“grill apparatus 100”) consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. In this embodiment, the grill apparatus 100 comprises a food holding member 112, a stake 114, and a plurality of ribs 116 located on the stake 114. With respect to the food holding member 112, it has, on at least one side thereof, a rib receiver 118 that is configured to mate with a rib 116 as herein described.

In this embodiment, the food holding member 112 has a lattice base. The stake 114 has the features described with respect to the stake 14.

With respect to the rib receiver 118, in this embodiment, it comprises an upper plate comprises an upper plate 124 that is continuous with the surface of the food holding member 112 and an opposing lower plate 126. An aperture 128 is provided in each of the upper plate 124 and the lower plate 126. Like the apertures 28 described above, the apertures 128 are configured so as to permit a rib 116 to pass therethrough when the food holding member 112 is in a first orientation, and to preclude passage of a rib 116 when the food holding member 112 is in a second orientation.

While the rib receivers 18 and 118 are shown as being positioned on one side of a food holding member 12/112, it should be noted that it may be desired to provide, for example, a second rib receiver on a second side. Where the food holding member 12/112 is rectangular as shown herein, the provision of two rib receivers—one along the long side and one along the short side, would permit a user to adjust the orientation of the food holding member 12/112 relative to the fire 22 so as to position a greater portion (or, if desired, a lesser portion) of the food holding member 12/112 over the fire 22.

As described herein, embodiments of a rib receiver 18/118 are shown and described. It should be apparent that these elements could be configured in other ways, while still permitting the food holding member 12/112 to move upward or downward along the stake 14/114, and to be positioned at fixed points along the stake 14/114 as desired. For example, it may be desired to provide a stake 14/114 having a plurality of apertures (not shown) therethrough, and to provide a rib receiver capable of receiving therethrough a pin passing through each of the receiver and stake aperture. Other structures may also be provided without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Statement of Operation

A user would position the stake 14/114 in position proximate an existing or planned fire 22. The stake 14/114 should be inserted so that ribs 18/118 are pointed in a direction so that, when the food holding member 12/112 is locked in position as described herein, it will be suitably positioned over the fire 22.

Once the stake 14/114 is suitably positioned, the user will position the rib receiver 18/118 over the stake 14/114. The rib receiver 18/118 should be positioned in a first, or open configuration, so that ribs 16/116 will freely pass through apertures 28/128.

When the food holding member 12/112 is proximate the rib 16/116 that is at the desired height, the user should ensure that the rib 16/116 is positioned between the lower plate 26/126 and the upper plate 24/124. The user should then rotate the food holding member to a second, closed, configuration, so that the rib 16/116 can no longer pass through aperture 28/128, and is trapped between the lower plate 26/126 and the upper plate 24/124.

It should be noted that during the cooking process, it may be desired—for example if the size of the fire 22 is dwindling—to adjust height of the food holding member 12/112 downward, in an effort to more or less maintain cooking intensity.

Claims

1. An improved camping grill apparatus comprising, in combination:

a food holding member;

a stake having a plurality of ribs thereon; and

a rib receiver coupled to the food holding member;

wherein, in a first orientation, one of the plurality of ribs may pass through the rib receiver and, in a second orientation, one of the plurality of ribs may not pass through the rib receiver.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the food holding member has a solid base.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the food holding member has walls.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the food holding member has a lattice base.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rib receiver comprising a lower plate and an opposing upper plate, wherein each of the lower plate and the upper plate having an aperture therethrough, and wherein the aperture is configured so that in a first orientation, one of the ribs can pass therethrough and, in a second orientation, one of the ribs may not pass therethrough.

6. A method for cooking over a camp fire comprising:

providing a food holding member;

providing a stake having a plurality of ribs thereon;

providing a rib receiver coupled to the food holding member;

wherein, in a first orientation, one of the plurality of ribs may pass through the rib receiver and, in a second orientation, one of the plurality of ribs may not pass through the rib receiver;

positioning the stake in the ground proximate one of an existing and planned fire;

positioning the rib receiver over the stake in the first orientation, and moving the food holding member until it is located at the desired height; and

moving the rib receiver to the second orientation, so as to secure the food holding member in position relative to a particular one of the ribs and to the stake,

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the food holding member has a solid base,

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the food holding member has walls.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the food holding member has a lattice base.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the rib receiver comprising a lower plate and an opposing upper plate, wherein each of the lower plate and the upper plate having an aperture therethrough, and wherein the aperture is configured so that in a first orientation, one of the ribs can pass therethrough and, in a second orientation, one of the ribs may not pass therethrough.