[0002] Camping and outdoor enthusiasts often require a barbeque which is easy to transport, use and clean and which does not require excess space during the transportation thereof.

[0003] A large number of people also prefer food to be prepared on a rotisserie barbeque as food prepared in this manner is generally more succulent and tastier than food prepared on a normal grill barbeque.

[0004] Known rotisserie barbeques are relatively large and require substantial space during transportation. These known rotisserie barbeques are also heavy and cumbersome to transport and clean.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The invention aims to provide alternative and collapsible barbeque, and rotisserie barbeque, devices.

[0006] The invention provides a barbeque device which is collapsible and includes a body which has a plurality of wall sections which are movable relatively to one another and a base formation which is locatable between the wall sections to stabilise the body.

[0007] Preferably the body is collapsible from an operable position wherein the wall sections are spaced apart and the base formation is engaged with the wall sections to a collapsed position wherein the base formation is disengaged from the wall sections.

[0008] In one form of the invention the wall sections are disengageable from one another. When the body is in the collapsed position the wall sections may be disengaged from one another and the base formation.

[0009] The body may be square shaped in cross-section when in the operable position.

[0010] The wall sections may include opposed first and second end walls and opposed first and second side walls.

[0011] Each of the end walls may include a lower lip to support the base formation and a reinforcing upper lip. Each of the end walls may include a plurality of apertures.

Each aperture may be in the form of a hole or a slot.

[0012] The body may include engagement means between adjacent wall sections.

Each engagement means may be in the form of a hook and eye combination.

Alternatively the engagement means may be in the form of a hinge.

[0013] The base formation may include first and second tray members. Each of the tray members may be recessed. Preferably the base formation is square shaped and fits snugly between the wall sections when the body is in the operable position.

[0014] In another form of the invention the wall sections are hinged to one another and when the body is in the collapsed position the wall sections may be foldable relatively to one another.

[0015] The barbeque device may include a plurality of supports which are engageable with the body. Each of the supports may be elongate and V-shaped in cross-section. Preferably each of the supports is L-shaped in cross-section and abuts at least two wall sections. Each support may include at least one reinforcing flange.

[0016] The barbeque device may include attachment means between each of the supports and the body. Preferably the attachment means is in the form of a hook and eye combination.

[0017] The barbeque device may include an actuator which is removably attachable to at least one of the wall sections. The actuator may include a support bracket which supports a drive means and at least two spaced rotatable sprockets.

The drive means may include an electric motor engaged with one of the sprockets and an endless chain may be fitted over the sprockets.

[0018] The barbeque device may include attachment formations between the support bracket and at least one of the wall sections. The attachment formations may include a plurality of spigots extending from the support bracket and a plurality of corresponding keyholes in the wall section with which the spigots are slidingly engageable.

[0019] The barbeque device may include a plurality of elongate skewer members which are rotatably engageable with the body. Each of the skewer members may include a handle and a blade formation extending from the handle. The handle may include a grip and a circular rotation means in the form of a third sprocket. The blade formation may be V-shaped in cross-section, alternatively the blade formation may be W-shaped in cross-section. Preferably each skewer member includes a pointed and circular end extending from the blade formation.

[0020] The barbeque device may include a holder wherein the body is locatable in its collapsed position. The holder is preferably in the form of a bag and may include handles, pockets wherein the wall sections and base formation are locatable and a closing means. Preferably the closing means is in the form of a zipper.

[0021] The invention also provides a collapsible, rotisserie barbeque device which includes a body which is collapsible from an operable position to a collapsed position, which has a plurality of wall sections which are movable relatively to one another, engagement means between each pair of adjacent wall sections and a base formation which is locatable between the wall sections when the body is in the operable position in order to stabilise the body, an actuator which is removably attachable to at least one of the wall sections and at least one skewer member which is rotatably engageable with the body and the actuator.

[0022] The invention further extends to a skewer for use with a barbeque device of the aforementioned kind which includes a handle and a blade formation extending from the handle which is either V or W-shaped in cross-section.

[0023] The handle may include a grip and a circular rotation means in the form of a third sprocket.

[0024] The skewer may include a circular and pointed end extending from the blade formation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a rotisserie barbeque of the invention in an operable position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the components of the barbeque of Figure 1 in a collapsed position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the barbeque of Figure 1 packed in a bag and ready for transport; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of a body of the barbeque of Figure 1 in an operable position; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the body of Figure 4 in a collapsed position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0026] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the various components of a collapsible, rotisserie barbeque 10. In Figure 1 the barbeque 10 is shown in an erected or operable position and in Figure 2 the barbeque 10 is shown in a collapsed position.

[0027] The barbeque 10 has a body 12 which is collapsible from the operable position to the collapsed position, a plurality of supports 14 in the form of two left legs 14A, B and two right legs 14C, D which are engageable with the body 12, an actuator or drive 16 which is removably attachable to the body 12 and a plurality of skewers 18 which are rotatably engageable with the body 12 and the drive 16.

[0028] The barbeque 10 is made from appropriate metal materials and the body 12 and legs 14 are, for example, made from stainless steel plate which is cut, bent and punched into the respective required forms and shapes.

[0029] The body 12 has a plurality of spaced apart wall sections 20 which are movable relatively to one another and a base 22 which is locatable between the wall

sections 20. The wall sections 20 consist of opposed first and second end walls 20A, B and opposed first and second side walls 20C, D. Each end wall 20A, B is engageable with the respective side walls 20C, D by way of complementary formations or means for engagement 24 formed on the respective end and side walls 20. In this example the engagement means 24 is in the form of hook and eye formations which are slidingly engageable. At the juncture of each end wall 20A, B and each side wall 20C, D two hooks 26 are formed on the end wall 20A, B by a punching operation and two corresponding elongate eyes 28 are formed in a side bracket 30 formed on each side wall 20C, D. The hooks 26 are slidingly engageable with the eyes 28 in order to lock the end walls 20A, B to the side walls 20C, D.

[0030] In this manner the end walls and the side walls 20 are engageable with one another. It is important to note that each of the side walls 20C, D thus has two opposed side brackets 30.

[0031] Each of the end walls 20A, B has an upper reinforcing lip 32 and a lower supporting lip 34. In the operable position the base 22 rests on the respective lower lips 34.

[0032] The second end wall 20B has a number of apertures 36A in the form of circular holes adjacent to the upper lip 32 and the first end wall 20A has a number of apertures 36B in the form of slots through its upper lip 32. The first end wall 20A also has two spaced apart slots or keyholes 38.

[0033] The base 22 consists of two individual trays 40A, B. Each of the trays 40 is recessed. The base 22 fits snugly between the engaged wall sections 20 and supports and rigidifies. the body 12 in the operable position as parallelogram type movement between the wall sections 20 is restricted by the base 22.

[0034] As is evident from Figure 1 the body 12 is in the form of a container and has a square shape in cross-section when the body 12 is in the operable position.

[0035] The left legs 14A, B are identical to one another and the right legs 14C, D are identical to one another. The left and right legs 14A, B and 14C, D are mirror images and only the left leg 14A is described.

[0036] The leg 14A is elongate and consists of first and second faces 42A, B which extend at a right angle relatively to one another. In cross section the first and second faces 42A, B are thus V-shaped at their point of juncture. The first face 42A is however wider than the second face 42B and therefore, in cross-section, the leg 14A has an L- shape. A reinforcing flange 44 is formed along the length of each face 42A, B.

[0037] Each leg 14 is engageable with a respective end wall 20A, B and means for attachment 46 which is similar to the engagement means 24 is formed on each respective leg 14 and end wall 20A, B. For the attachment means 46 elongate eyes are however formed in the end walls 20A, B and complementary hooks are formed on the legs 14.

[0038] It is important to note that each of the legs 14 extends around a corner 48 formed between each adjacent end wall 20A, B and side wall 20C, D. Each corner 48 is at least partially enveloped by a leg 14 so that each leg 14 abuts one of the end walls 20A, B and one of the respective side walls 20C, D. In this manner each leg 14 provides additional stability and support to the body 12 and specifically the corners 48 of the wall sections 20.

(0039] The drive 16 has a support bracket or rail 50 which supports an electric motor 52 and two spaced and rotatable sprockets 54A, B. An endless chain 56 is fitted

to and extends between and over the sprockets 54. The motor 52 is of known construction and is engaged with one of the sprockets 54 in order for the motor 52 to rotate the sprockets 54. This results in movement of the chain 56 between the sprockets 54.

[0040] Electricity supply to the motor 52 is provided via a cable 58 which is connected to the motor 52 in a known manner. The cable 58 provides any appropriate current (AC or DC) of any appropriate voltage (e. g. 12 volt, 220 volt, 240 volt) to the motor 52. If required the cable 58 may include a transformer 60.

[0041] The drive 16 is attachable to the first end wall 28 by way of spaced attachment formations 62 on the rail 50 and the first end wall 20A. Each attachment formation 62 is in the form of a combination of a spigot 64 which extends from the rail 15 and a key hole 38 with which the spigot 64 is slidingly engageable.

[0042] Each of the skewers 18 has a handle 64 from which an elongate blade 66 extends. Each skewer 18 terminates in a pointed and circular end 68 which extends from the blade 66. The handle 64 has a grip 70 which is made from any appropriate insulation material such as, for example, plastic or wood and a circular and toothed actuation or third sprocket 72. The actuation sprocket 72 acts as a rotation means to allow rotation of the skewer 18. The blade 66 of each of the skewers 18 is either V- shaped (skewer 18A) or alternatively W-shaped (skewer 18B) in cross-section. The pointed end 68 of each skewer 18 is locatable in one of the apertures 36A and the handle 64 of the skewer 18 is eatable in a corresponding slot 36B so that the teeth of the actuation sprocket 72 interengages with the chain 56.

[0043] The cross-sectional shapes of the blades 66 are important as this restricts rotational movement of any food (not shown) through which the skewers 18 might

extend. The W-shape of the blade 66 is of specific importance where large portions of food are rotated and roasted. The V and W-shaped blades result in an interlocking action between the food and the blade 66. The pointed end 68 allows smooth rotation of the skewer 18 on the body 12 and ensures that the skewer 18 remains locked in place on the body 12.

[0044] For transportation the barbeque 10 is dismantled into its various components as is shown in Figure 2. The skewers 18 are inserted into a sheath 74.

The sheath 74 and the various other components are packed into a holder or bag 76.

The bag 76 has a pair of handles 78 with which it is carried as well as a plurality of inner pockets (not shown) wherein the various components are placed. The bag 76 is held closed by a closing means or zipper 80 of known construction.

[0045] As is evident the barbeque 10 is totally collapsible from the operable position to the collapsed position for transportation. In the collapsed position the barbeque 10 takes up limited space and is easily transportable.

[0046] In use, appropriate fuel (not shown) is used to generate fire and heat within the body 12 and on top of the base 22. The wall sections 20 confine the fire and heat.

The skewers 18, on which food is spiked, are engaged with the holes 36A, opposing slots 36B and the chain 56, and the motor 52 is activated. The motor 52 rotates the relevant sprocket 54 and the chain 56 moves around the sprockets 54. The movement of the chain 56 causes rotation of the skewers 18 by way of the actuation sprockets 72.

In this manner the food is rotated and roasted on the barbeque 10. When the food is roasted to the user's liking the skewers 18 are removed by gripping same by the grips 70 and removing them from the slots and holes 36A, B. When the fire and heat have subsided the base 22 is removed and remaining embers and ash (not shown) are

disposed of. The barbeque 10 is dissembled into its various components which are easily handled, cleaned and stored.

[0047] It is important to note that if required a grid 82 of any appropriate size or shape may be placed over the body 12 in order to grill meat in a conventional manner.

Alternatively the grill 82 can be used over a portion of the body 12 while skewers 18 are used to prepare food by way of the rotisserie method on the remaining portion of the body 12.

[0048] Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative construction of a body 12A which can be used in the barbeque 10 of Figures 1,2 and 3 together with the other components identified. Similar reference numerals are used in respect of the body 12A to indicate similar components to those described in respect of the body 12 and only the differences between the body 12 and the body 12A are described.

[0049] In the body 12A the engagement means 24 at each corner 48 is in the form of a first hinge 90. Additionally each of the first and second end walls 20A, B is divided into two wall parts 92A, B. The wall parts 92A, B of each end wall 20A, B are attached to one another by way of a second hinge 94. The construction of the body 12A is in other respects similar to the construction of the body 12. In the operable position shown in Figure 4 the base 22 supports and stabilises the wall sections 20 of the body 12A and the wall sections 20 are retained in a spaced apart configuration.

[0050] In order to move the body 12A from the operable position shown in Figure 4 to the collapsed position shown in Figure 5 the base 22 is removed from the wall sections 20. The respective end walls 20A, B, wall parts 92A, B and side walls 20C, D are foldable relatively to one another. They are moved relatively to one another and

rotate about the hinges 90 and 94 so that the wall sections 20 concertina and fold together into the position shown in Figure 5.

[0051] In Figure 5 the wall sections 20 are shown stacked on the first and second trays 40 of the base 22. The body 12A is packed, stored and transported in the bag 76 in the same manner as the body 12.

[0052] An advantage of the body 12A is that the assembly of the body 12A is simplified compared to the body 12 and the wall sections 20 are retained as an integral unit.

[0053] The hinges 90 and 94 can be of any appropriate construction and can, for example, have removable hinge pins 96 which could be removed in order to disengage the wall sections 20 from one another to assist in the cleaning thereof.