STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of leveling devices and more specifically to a leveling device for portable stove.
Portable stoves are commonly used during camping activities. They are usually gas powered and may have one or more burners.
When setting up a camping stove on an irregular surface such as the natural ground or a sloped table top, it becomes necessary to level the cooking surface of the stove so that pots or pans placed upon the stove will sit in a level horizontal orientation. It would therefore be ideal to have a device that can help level the stove no matter what the angle of the surface under the stove,
Leveling devices such as threaded metal posts have been incorporated into the underside of various home or commercial appliances so that the top of the appliance is level in the horizontal plane. However, an independent adjustable leveling device that can be adjusted to the base of most common portable stoves, and can be folded for compact storage, has not been available to date.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the invention is to provide a leveling device for portable stoves that allows the stove to be placed on a non level surface and be adjusted to be level for use.
Another object of the invention is to provide a leveling device for portable stoves that can adjust to easily attach to the underside of portable stoves of various sizes and models.
Another object of the invention is to provide a leveling device for portable stoves that folds compactly for shipping and storage.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a leveling device for a portable stove comprising: a first rigid spine elongate member, a second rigid spine elongate member, four rigid elongate arms, four metal threaded posts, said first elongate spine member having a centrally located elongate slot, said second elongate spine member having an integral tab portion at one end, said tab portion having an aperture that accepts a threaded screw, said threaded screw slidably fixed to said elongate slot in said first elongate spine member, said elongate arms each having a centrally located elongate slot, said elongate arms each rotatably pinned through said elongate slots of said arms to each end of said first elongate spine member and said second elongate spine member, said four metal threaded posts each screwed into mating threaded apertures at each distal end of said elongate arms, said first and second spine elongate members capable of being extended in relation to each other via said elongate slot in said first elongate spine member, and said four rigid elongate arms capable of being rotated and extended or retracted to accommodate the size of the base of any standard portable stove so that said portable stove can be placed on top of said first and second spine members and said four arms and said threaded posts can be adjusted to accommodate any irregularities in terrain that the said stove would otherwise be resting upon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the invention in the closed position.
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the invention in the closed position.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the invention in the closed position.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention in the use position.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention with arms slightly retracted for a smaller stove.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention in use with a portable stove.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 18 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 20 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
Referring now to FIG. 1 a top view of the invention 100 is shown. The invention is made of a series of relatively flat, elongate members that are pinned together. Arms 2 and 16 include slots 4, 14 and are pinned to a central elongate spine 20, 8 via pin members 10, 22. The pin members 10, 22 are made of threaded posts which terminate is thumb screws, such as thumb screw 6 in FIG. 1 and thumb screws 40, 46 in FIG. 2, so the user can loosen the thumb screws, rotate out the arms 2, 16 and tightened the thumb screws to lock in place in the use position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Threaded apertures 18, 52 allow the user to insert a threaded post and foot 70, 74 as shown in FIG. 4. It should be noted that an alternate embodiment can use a series of evenly spaced apertures located in each elongate member in place of slots. This embodiment can be seen in the alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
FIG. 2 shows the bottom view of the invention 100 which shows arms 28, 26 which are pinned by lockable pin members or thumb screws 4640. Arm 26 includes a hinged extension price 24 and arm 28 includes a hinged extension piece 36. The extension pieces 24, 36 can be folded over to create a level surface for a portable grill to sit on as shown in FIG. 4. Threaded apertures 50 align with each other when extension piece is folded over. Threaded apertures 48 align with each other when extension piece 24 is folded over. Both apertures 48, 50 allow a person to insert [[a]] threaded posts and feet 72, 76.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the invention and shows how all pieces stack on top of each other when in the closed, storage position.
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the invention in the use position. Arms 2, 26, 16, 28 are swung out from main spine elongate members 8, 20. Threaded posts 70, 72, 74, 76 are threaded into mating apertures at the end of each arm. Integral pads 24, 36 are level with the top surface of main spine members 8, 20. Slot 60 allows thumb screw 90 to be loosened or tightened to allow spine members 8, 20 to slide out from each other and be set to the desired length depending on the size of the portable grill being leveled. The portable grill 150 as shown in FIG. 6, sits on the ends of arms 16, 26, 2, 28. The threaded posts 70, 72, 74, 76 can be turned clock-wise or counter clock-wise depending on the level of the terrain 180 directly under the grill 150.
FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the invention. In this view, spine members 8, 20 have been extended outward and arm members 2, 26, 16, 28 swing out into the use position and adjusted in length to accommodate a particular size of portable grill. Thumb screws 40, 46 are tightened at a mid point location on slot 30, 32 of arms 26, 28. The same is true for the other three arms 16, 28, 2. Spine member 20 includes an integral tab 80. An aperture in tab 80 coincides with slot 60 to allow screw 90A to be tightened by thumb screw 90 as shown in FIG. 4. In the above described way, the invention 100 can be adjusted in size to accommodate a variety of sizes of portable grills.
While FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate that arms 2 and 16 are positioned relative to a top surface of spine members 8 and 20, respectively, and that arms 26 and 28 are positioned relative to a bottom surface spine members 8 and 20, respectively, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that arms 2, 16, 26, 28 can be positioned in any arrangement with respect to spine members 8 and 20. For example, arms 2, 16, 26, 28 can be positioned relative to the same surface of spine members 8 and 20, respectively, such as the top surface (not shown) or the bottom surface (as illustrated in FIGS. 15-20) of spine members 8 and 20. Alternatively, arms 2, 16, 26, 28 can be positioned relative to different surfaces of spine members 8 and 20. For example, arms 2 and 26 can be positioned relative to a first surface of spine members 8 and 20, respectively, and arms 16 and 28 can be positioned relative to a second surface of spine members 8 and 20, respectively, where the first surface could be a top surface and the second surface could be a bottom surface of spine members 8 and 20 or vice versa. In yet another exemplary embodiment, arms 2 and 28 can be positioned relative to a first surface of spine member 8 and arms 16 and 26 can be positioned relative to the second surface of spine member 20, where the first surface could the a top surface of spine member 8 and the second surface could be a bottom surface of spine member 20 or vice versa. In addition, arms 2, 16, 26, 28 can be coupled to spine members 8 and 20, respectively, such that the fasteners are positioned on either the top surface or bottom surface of spine members 8 and 20. It is noted that while two spine elongate members 8, 20 are illustrated in FIG. 4, in an alternative embodiment, a single spine elongate member can be implemented.
In an exemplary embodiment, when a fastener, such as a thumb screw, is used to couple arms 2, 16, 26, 28 to spine members 8 and 20, each thumb screw can be orientated with respect to either the top surface or the bottom surface of spine members 8 and 20 regardless of whether arms 2, 16, 26, and 28 are positioned with respect to the top surface or the bottom surface of spine members 8 and 20. For example, when arm 2 is positioned with respect to the top surface of spine 8, the thumb screw can be orientated such that the thumb screw can be loosened from the top surface of spine 8 (as illustrated in FIG. 4) or the thumb screw can be orientated such that the thumb screw can be loosened from the bottom surface of spine 8 (not illustrated).
FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention 200. In this embodiment central spine members 210, 212 are pinned together by standard screws 218. The arms are also extendable and held together by screws 220 as shown in arm 208. The Spine members and arms can also be fixed together by the slot and thumb screw method as shown in the preferred embodiment in FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 shows a detail partial view of one end of the alternate embodiment 200. Spine piece 210 is fixed to T member 216. The notch 224 in T member 216 allows spine member 212 to slide through. Hinge members 222, 224 allow arms 204, 208 to swing out as needed. The arms can also be folded completely in towards the spine members 210, 212 for compact storage.
Obviously, either version of the above described portable stove leveling devices can be built into the underside of a stove by the manufacturer of the stove.
FIGS. 9-14 illustrate an alternative leveling device for a portable stove. As best illustrated in FIG. 9, each leveling device 300 can comprise a mounting plate 310, a leveling member 320, and fasteners 330. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of leveling devices 300 can be comprised in a kit. Leveling devices 300 can be positioned in any arrangement or configuration with respect to a portable stove 340. In addition, any number of leveling devices 300 can be coupled to stove 340 in order to level stove 340 with respect to the surface in which stove 340 is resting. For example, leveling device 300 can be coupled to a pan 350 of the portable stove 340 where a plurality of leveling devices 300 can be spaced apart around the pan of the portable stove. In an exemplary embodiment, leveling devices 300 can be arranged in each corner of pan 350. However, the plurality of leveling devices 300 can have any arrangement with respect to pan 350 such that leveling devices 300 can be positioned anywhere along the length and/or width of pan 350. For example, two leveling devices 300 can be positioned at the corners of the pan 350 at the front portion of stove 340 and a single leveling device 300 can be positioned between the corners of the pan 350 at the rear portion of stove 340. Alternatively, three leveling devices 300 can be equally spaced along the front portion and the rear portion of stove 340 such that one leveling device 300 can be disposed at each corner of the pan 350 of the stove 340 and one leveling device 300 can be disposed equidistant between the two leveling devices 300 disposed at the corners of the front portion and the rear portion of stove 340.
The mounting plate 310 can include openings to receive the leveling member 320 and fasteners 330. The mounting plate 310 can be made of any ridged material, such as metal, plastic, etc., to provide structural integrity to the leveling device when coupled to the portable stove 340. The mounting plate 310 can be mounted to the inner surface of the pan 350 of the stove 340 (as illustrated in FIG. 11 or on an outer surface of the pan 350 of the stove 340 (not shown).
The mounting plate 310 can be coupled to the stove 340 using various fasteners 330. As best illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, fasteners 330 can be used to couple leveling device 300 to stove 340. For example, fasteners 330 can be a bolt and a nut 335 can be threadedly engaged with bolt 330. However, any other type of fastener can be used such as screw, rivet, adhesive, etc.
Leveling member 320 can be any structure configured to be adjusted such that a change in height of the stove 340 can be produced. When a plurality of leveling members 320 are coupled to stove 340, each leveling member 320 can be independently adjusted such that the stove 340 can achieve a substantially level orientation with respect to the surface underlying the stove 340. In an exemplary embodiment, leveling member 320 can comprise a threaded post 360 and a foot 370. Threaded post 360 can be configured such that the height of foot 370 can be adjusted by rotating the leveling member 320 in the clock-wise and/or counter clock-wise direction. While a leveling member 320 having a threaded post 360 and foot 370 is illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, any type of leveling member 320 can be implemented. For example, leveling member 320 can comprise a device capable of raising and lowering foot 370 using a ratcheting technique, piston technique, etc. Foot 370 can have any size or shape capable of providing support to level the stove 340.
Each leveling device 300 can be coupled to a portable stove 340. In an exemplary embodiment, mounting plate 310 can be placed on an inner surface and/or an outer surface of a pan 350 of stove 340. One or more fastening members 330 can be engaged through an opening formed in the pan 350 in order to couple the mounting plate 310 to the inner surface and/or outer surface of pan 350. At least a portion of leveling member 320 can extend through another opening formed in pan 350, such as a portion of threaded post 360, where foot 370 extends from an outer surface of the pan 350. After all leveling devices 300 are coupled to the portable stove 340, each leveling member 320 can be individually adjusted in order to substantially level portable stove 340 with respect to the surface in which the stove 340 is resting upon. For example, leveling members 320 can be adjusted such that when the stove 340 is in use, any undesired migration of food being cooked can be substantially prevented. The height of the each leveling member 320 can be different and/or substantially the same depending on the underlying surface. The leveling device 300 can be coupled to the stove 340 at any time. For example, it could be coupled during manufacture of the stove 340 or after the stove 340 has been assembled.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20140326230
