Patent Application
20240280257
The present invention belongs to the technical field of collapsible devices for containing a combustion reaction and methods for use thereof.
Portable stoves and other devices that allow the preparation and containment of a fire or other manner of combustion are often used when camping or during times of an emergency. Such devices are useful for cooking, water purification, heat, as well as other numerous uses.
Many of such devices are light weight and extremely portable, many also depend on a fuel canister in order to provide fuel for the fire. While such canisters are convenient, they typically provide only a finite and limited amount of fuel and will eventually become useless if not refilled once empty. Furthermore, such canisters present an extra object of significant size and weight that must be carried by a user.
Other portable devices which are capable of utilizing wood or other fuel sources present the advantage of being able to use a perpetual supply of fuel that can be found in nature. However, such devices are often heavy, require assembly of several pieces are bulky to store.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible combustion container comprises a first pair of vertically oriented panels are pivotally joined to one another. A second pair of vertically oriented panels are pivotally joined to one another. The first pair of vertically oriented panels comprise first and second rectangular panels of substantially the same height. The second pair of vertically oriented panels comprise third and fourth rectangular panels having a different height from each other. The third rectangular panel has the same height as the first and second rectangular panels of the first pair of vertically oriented panels. The height of the fourth rectangular panel of the second pair of panels is considerably less than that of the other panels whereby when the first and second pairs of vertically oriented panels are arranged to form a box shaped perimeter having an open space between interior facing surfaces of the pairs of the first and second pairs of vertically oriented panels for containing a combustion reaction wherein said open space is accessed below the fourth rectangular panel. A lid is mounted to upper ends of the first, second, third and fourth vertically oriented panels.
The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures (FIGs.). The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.
Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a “true” cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity.
In some cases, similar elements may be referred to by similar numbers in various figures (FIGs) of the drawing, in which case typically the last two significant digits may be the same, the most significant digit being the number of the drawing figure (FIG).
Furthermore, for clarity, some reference numbers may be omitted in certain drawings.
In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present invention.
In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The dimensions should not be interpreted as limiting. They are included to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the relationship between various elements, where they are located, their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes that is of significance.
In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, often both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) will be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative of or explaining the principles of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Therefore, any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement and the like made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Further, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope and boundaries of the appended claims or the equivalents of such scope and boundaries.
The present invention provides a collapsible combustion container 10 and the methods for the use and fabrication thereof. Turning now to
The first and second panels 20 and 22 are joined by a first binge 14 which can be disposed on the outside surface of the first and second panels. The second and third panels 22 and 24, respectively, are joined together by a third hinge 28 which can be disposed on either the inside or outside surface of the second and third panels. The third and fourth panels 24 and 26 are joined together by the second hinge 18 which is disposed between the third and fourth panels 24 and 26.
A shoulder 32 extends outward from the free side of panel 20 at an angle of about 90 degrees thereto. A plurality of holes 34 are disposed through the shoulder 32 to receive bolts with heads that can engage keyhole slots 36 in the fourth rectangular panel 26.
The first and second pairs 14 and 16 of panels form a box shaped perimeter when the third panel 24 is positioned parallel to the first panel 20 and the fourth panel 26 abuts the shoulder 38 which extends outward from the free side of panel 24 at an angle of about 90 degrees thereto. Then, the plurality of bolts disposed in the holes 34 through the shoulder 32 can engage keyhole slots 36 in the fourth panel 26 so that the panels form a box shaped perimeter. The box shaped perimeter may have an outside or exterior surface and an inside or interior surface. The open space created or defined between the interior surfaces of the panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 is suitable for containing or housing a combustion reaction, such as a fire.
Once the combustion container 10 stands fully open with the four vertically oriented panels, namely the first pair 12 coupled to the second pair 16, the first pair of panels 20 and 22 is joined by a first hinge 14 and the second pair of panels 24 and 26 is joined by a second hinge 18. A third hinge 28 join panels 22 and 24 panels together to form a box shaped perimeter. The panels 20 and 22, respectively, of the first pair 12 are essentially the same width as are the panels 24 and 26, respectively of the second pair 16. However, the height of the panel 26 is less than that of the other panels 20, 22, and 24. This creates an opening below the panel 26, as seen in
After the two pairs of panels 12 and 16 are assembled to form the box shaped perimeter, the top element 40 which is binged by a fourth hinge 41 to the upper end 20a of the first panel 20 is swung up and over top edge 20a of the first panel 20 from its most likely location, i.e., disposed against the outer side of the second panel 20. The top element 40 has three shoulders 42a, 42b and 42c which extend substantially perpendicular to the flat, inner surface 44 of the top 40 so that the shoulders 42a, 42b and 42c extend over the upper edges 22a, 24a, and 26a of the panels 22, 24 and 26, respectively.
Once the lid or top element 40 is secured in place, bolt heads 46 extending outward from the panels can be secured to openings, such as slotso 48 formed in the shoulders 42a, 42b and 42c.
As shown in
Referring to
Once the fire box 50 is constructed with the sidewalls extending perpendicular to the base 52 and bolted in place, the fire box can be placed within the open space created or defined between the interior surfaces of the panels for containing or housing a combustion reaction, such as a fire. An opening 60 in one of the side panels, such as 20, will allow smoke within the enclosed combustion container 10 to escape.
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative of or explaining the principles of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Therefore, any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement and the like made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Further, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope and boundaries of the appended claims or the equivalents of such scope and boundaries.
