Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to system comprising a portable or stationary fire place such as a portable or stationary grill, the system comprising the portable or stationary fire place or a portable device carried by a carrier frame, attachment or holder, said carrier frame, attachment of or holder comprising means for being secured to an essentially vertical stationary object, said essentially vertical stationary object comprising an essentially circular cross section where the carrier frame, attachment or holder device for the stationary or portable grill is secured. The carrier frame, attachment or holder is also compatible for securing devices associated with outdoor activities other than grilling, such as a suitcase or enclosure for weapons, e.g. for hunting or target practice, fishing, a toilet seat, a table, a chair, a parasol or umbrella, orientation device such as a map and a compass as well as general utensils for other activities such as cooking, barbequeing or grilling, e.g. forks, knives, seasoning and spices, alone or in combination.

Background of the Invention

Grilling food is a cuisine and a pastime performed in food context, party context and for recreational purposes. Means for grilling food comes in different shapes such as in the variant stationary grill that is not suitable for transport since it is normally too heavy, too bulky and has to be connected to stationary equipment for fuel such as gas or electrical connections for supplying electrical energy to grill.

Alternatively, barbecue facilities can be designed as portable devices, both reusable and disposable. Such portable grill units are usually heated with coal or coal briquettes or may also be heated by means of gas such as portable gas cylinders. More uncommon are portable grill items with flammable liquids for heat, such as kerosene or methylated spirits, although such heating is also possible.

Common to the previously known portable grill units is that they must be ignited and operated on the ground. This makes it necessary for those who use the previously known portable barbecue facilities, to find a surface that is suitable for grilling as the portable grill items get hot and could destroy the substrate or surface onto which they are placed or could, even worse, start a fire. When it comes to so-called disposable barbecues the situation becomes further complicated by many of the people that use them, do not remove or take back with them the portable disposable grills after use. Some of the reasons for this is that it is too much work or too inconvenient to bring back or home a used disposable ele- ment, thinking that such an item can no longer be used, or additionally or alternatively that it takes too long to wait for the item to become sufficiently cold, so that it can be handled (a manageable grill element will normally have a temperature up to 50 °C, whereas an ignited disposable grill element may have a temperature exceeding this and may b heated up to several hundred degrees centigrade depending on the heating system). Disposable grills also have the above mentioned drawbacks that they can be dangerous and unwieldy to operate. The fact that disposable barbecues are not removed after use represents both an aesthetic disadvantage as well as an environmental drawback or hazard since aluminium foil that many disposable barbecues are made of, is left in the wild and may cause inconveniences or dangers to for example wildlife.

Also the working position for those who do the grilling is inconvenient using prior portable grill types such as disposable barbecues. Work on the ground or floor can be detrimental to the back, neck and/or knees of the practitioner, and can also lead to illness if the ground where the grilling is conducted is wet or damp and / or cold. Grilling performed in winter such as in ice fishing, in ski hiking or the like, will in many cases be conducted on snow or on rocky ground which has an ambient temperature (down to -40 °C, often at 0 to -10 °C). In spring or autumn in temperate zones such as Scandinavia, Russia, Canada or the US, the temperature is higher than in the wintertime, but during these seasons, the weather is often damp or snow from the winter is starting to melt, making the substrate or ground when grilling out, wet or moist. Distinction between the terms wet/damp/moist in this context is unimportant, since porous substrates such as moss or sand may retain more water than hard surfaces (such as stone) so that the experience of dampness or moisture is relative. The term "wet", in many cases refer to open running water such as brooks or rivers or stationary water such as puddles or lakes or even the sea, while "damp" relates to a porous surface where the capacity for water absorption is saturated or substantially saturated, but where the water can be caused to penetrate the pores of the porous material, for example by compressing the pores of the porous material completely or partially. A sponge or a porous compressible material is a typical example of this situation. Because of some or many of the above conditions, portable grills are often not brought on, for example, forest walks, hiking, hunting trips, camping or other undertakings or activities, even though there may exist a desire for this on the participants' side. Also temporal and/or season-related events such as garden parties, national days, holidays, etc. where outdoor or indoor barbecues are hosted, and where there is a need to dismantle the barbecue facilities after the event has ended or where there is a need to dismantle and store the barbecue facilities at the end of the year (for example in the autumn), has made it unfeasible to use previously known portable or removable grill facilities. For these and other reasons there exists a need for an alternative grill type wherein the securing system for the grill element is optionally intended for multiple other uses as well. In addition, there is a need for a barbecue system which can bring the grill element (be it of the disposable or reusable type) from the ground and preferably up to a level where it is possible to work without residing or operating on the ground level, for example to work from a kneeling, sitting or standing position, and optionally with grilling equipment or utensils within easy reach.

Prior art

In addition to the above-mentioned grill element types, there is previously known a grill element type that can be used as reusable grill, where a charcoal cartridge can be inserted into a frame, and where coal and frame can be transported away after grilling. Such a reusable grill is not equipped with devices that can bring it up from the ground.

There are also known devices for carrying grill facilities on vertical walls. Examples of such devices are the ones disclosed in US 5033448, FR 2494102 and FR 3001116 showing barbeques or grill devices being secured to walls. None of these prior art devices are suitable for being carried or secured to other objects than the walls onto which they are mounted, and do not include any devices or securing elements for securing them to arbitrary objects with a substantially circular cross section such as trees, poles, posts, etc. as is one of the intentions with the carrier device according to the present invention.

With "essentially circular" cross section of the supporting object to which the carrying system/rack is secured, in the context of the present invention, is meant that the cross section of the object may deviate from a true circle, i.e. be oval or polygon e.g. square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, etc. As a guideline, as long as it is possible to inscribe one circle inside the shape of the cross section of the object, the periphery of said circle touching at least two sides of the pe- riphery of the cross section of the object, wherein the area outside of the inscribed circle in sum is less than the area of the inscribed circle, e.g. is less than 90% of the area of the inscribed circle, is less than 80% of the area of the inscribed circle, is less than 70% or the area of the inscribed circle, is less than 60% of the area of the inscribed circle or is less than half of the area of the inscribed circle, the shape of the cross section of the carrying object will be suitable for the carrying device/ rack according to the present invention. Examples of such applicable cross-sections are oval, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, polygonal or combinations thereof, as long as the above defined criteria are satisfied. Obviously, in this definition, a true circular cross section of the object will leave the above men- tioned difference in areas equal to zero. The closer the difference between the areas of the circle and the sections outside of the inscribed circle comes to zero, the closer to a true circle the cross section of the object will be.

In the present disclosure there is used arbitrary indications such as "mainly" or "substantially". Such indications should be interpreted as there being some varia- tions allowable to an exact number for the relevant term said variation including a variation up to ±10% of the actual number. For example if an object is defined to be "essentially" or "mainly" vertical, a vertical orientation being perpendicular (90°) to a horizontal orientation, the variation of a "substantially" or "mainly" vertical object will then be + 9° to the true vertical. The same considerations apply to the phrase "mainly horizontal".

General Description of the Invention

The device or system according to the present invention includes two main elements I and II as well as auxiliary elements III-VI; II, i.e. firstly a carrying device/rack II that may be secured to arbitrary or substantially or mainly vertical ob- jects with a substantially circular cross section such as a tree trunk, a pole such as a flag pole, a post such as a lamp post, etc., and secondly a portable or alternatively stationary grilling system I. The two main elements of the system according to the present invention may exist as separate entities or may be combined to form a grilling or barbeque system. The devices according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the enclosed figures wherein :

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the inventive device comprising a grill element and a support stand for this grill element.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the barbecue system according to the invention comprising two grill elements attached to a common load bearing arc.

Fig. 3 shows a further alternative embodiment comprising three grill elements attached to a common load bearing arc.

Fig. 4 shows a further alternative embodiment comprising five grill elements attached to a common load bearing arc.

Fig. 5 shows a possible location of a plurality of grill elements on a load bearing arc to the greatest extent possible to equalize the load on the support arch and equilibrating the system.

Figures 6 and 7 show an embodiment of the barbecue system of the invention (including both carrier rail II and grill element I), where t girder is loaded symmetrically (see explanation below).

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a barbecue system according to the invention where the support stand II for the grill element is mounted in a portable vertical holder which can be placed on the ground/surface.

Fig. 9 a-g shows devices other than grills or barbeques that may be secured to and associated with the carrier stand according to the invention.

An embodiment of the present invention comprises two mutually cooperating, yet independent elements or systems I and II. Additionally and optionally there may be included auxiliary systems III-VI. One of these elements or systems I comprises a grill element 13. The grill element 13 is in one embodiment carried by a supporting extension 10 for the grill element 13 such as a support plate or arm 10, preferably a supporting arm 10 carried by the second system II. The second system II is constituted by a rack 2,3,4,5 that can carry the supporting extension 10 for the grill element 13 and/or the auxiliary or additional systems III- VI.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the apparatus/ system of the invention . This system consists of a grill element I and a carrier rack II.

In one embodiment, the grill system I includes a grill box 13. The g rill box 13 is heat-resistant to the extent that it is made of a material that can hold burning coal or burning wood or briquettes and where all the burning materials may optionally be impregnated with ignition and/or burning liquid, without being destroyed, de- stroyed meaning in this context inter alia to lose its original form, the parts of the grill box 13 or constituent parts 14, 15, 16 losing their ability to interact with other parts 9, 10 of the device/system, affecting the active parts of the device/system/ carrier rack so that they lose their function or simply to burn up or melt. Loss of function by the action of heat can be, for example, two mutually cooperating parts (such as parts fitting into each other) losing their interworking function in that at least one of the parts losing its shape or losing its function by the shape or structure of the part becoming distorted or warped or expa nds due to the influence of the elevated temperature.

A possible material making up the entire or parts of the device/system according to the invention of such a grill box 13, may be a metal such as iron, steel or aluminium, metal alloy such as an iron alloy, steel, an aluminium alloy, a ceramic material or a composite material . It is preferred that the material of the grill box 13 and/or carrying frame or rack II also not too heavy. It is also possible to make all or part of the supporting system or carrying frame or rack II of a different material than the grill box 13 or auxiliary systems III-VI. Normally, the material of the parts of the device/system of the invention that are heated during cooking, are made of a heat resistant material such as a metal or metal alloy, while the parts of the device/system II-VI that is not heated by grilling will be made of a lighter material such as (hard) plastics or a composite material, although it is of course also possi- ble to make the stand II or associated parts III-VI of a metal or metal alloy as well .

The overall weight of the apparatus/system of the invention is of importance because the device/system in a preferred embodiment is to be manually portable so that a normally strong person is able to carry the apparatus/system of the inven- tion without difficulty over a walking or hiking distance up to 100 km, for example 0.5 km, 1 km, 1.5 km, 2 km, 3 km, 4 km, 5 km, 6 km, 7 km, 8 km, 9 km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 25 km, 30 km, 40, 50, 60, 70 km etc. depending on the strength and stamina of individual as well as other aspects such as the terrain where the device is carried, the state of the nature in which the device is carried (woodland, flat ground, mire terrain, trail/road, etc.). The apparatus/system of the invention is in a preferred embodiment intended to be transported in a carrying bag, a backpack or one carrier bag, a storage bag or similar equipment. A weight within the range of 0.5 to 5.0 kg is preferred, more preferred in the range from 0.5 to 4.0 kg, even more preferably from 0.5 to 3.0 kg so as 0.5 kg, 0.75 kg, 1.0 kg, 1.25 kg, 1.5 kg, 1.75 kg, 2.0 kg, 2.25 kg, 2.5 kg, 2.75 kg, 3.0, kg, 3.25 kg, 3.5 kg, 3.75 kg, 4.0 kg, 5.0 kg or any other weight within the above weight range. The indication of the total weight range of the apparatus/system of the invention must, however, be interpreted as illustrative because it will be possible to allocate portions of the de- vice/system to several assisting persons, in which case the above weight ranges may apply to each part of the device/system of the invention.

The grill system I comprises in one embodiment a grill box 13. The grill box 13 is in one embodiment provided as a flat-bottomed container/box where one or more of the side surfaces of the grill box 13 is provided with securing devices 16 which co- operate with a supporting arm 10 for the grill box 13 of the carrying system II, the grill box 13 having corresponding mating parts for reciprocating securing means 16 that the carrier arm 10 has. The securing devices 16 may in one embodiment be a locking mechanism such as a snap fit or a countersink in the grill box 13 or both which keep/lock grill box 13 to secure the grill boxl3 to the support arm 10 of the carrying system II or through an intermediary element (not shown). The grill box 13 is designed to accommodate heating elements/grill elements (not shown) such as those mentioned above. The grill box 13 may also be equipped with a gridiron (not shown) where the food for grilling can be grilled/manipulated. In one embodiment, the grill box 13 may be provided with a lid 14 which is hinged to the grill box 13 at the rear edge (the edge facing the carrying frame II) of the grill box 13 to act as a heat shield against the underlying structures such as a supporting or carrying element 1 (for example a tree trunk or a pole or stand) to inhibit/protect the underlying structures 1 from becoming heated to an ignition temperature or a melting temperature. In an alternative embodiment, the grill box 13 can be made as a flat plate, possibly with short (up to 1 cm) upstanding side edges. In this embodiment, it may be possible to use the apparatus/ system of the invention together with a conventional grill element such as a disposable grill, in which the disposable grill may then be put on the plate/grill box 13 and operated in a conventional manner. In such an embodiment, the carrying system II of the invention will bring the arm 10 and the grill box 13 above ground level and also to a more favourable handling height (see above).

In a further alternative embodiment, the grill box 13 will be heated from below by means of an additional or auxiliary heat element 12 such as a gas flame from a gas cylinder or an alcohol burner or a corresponding burner such as a camping stove or kerosene burner. Such heating elements are known to the persons skilled in the art.

The stand or carrying system II for supporting the grill element 13 in the grill system I of the invention comprises of at least one supportive rod 18 which can be attached to a substantially vertically extending body or a rail 1.

The term "substantially", "generally" etc. refers to a certain variation in the position or size referred to. Said variation is usually within 10% of the stated measurement. For example it may be mentioned that a specified weight of 5 kg will have a variation of 0.5 kg or a length of 0.5 will have a variation within 0.05 m. If in the de- scription specifies a "basically" vertical or horizontally extending body means for example that the vertical body can have an inclination within ± 9° relative to a horizontal plane (under the assumption that a vertically extending member having an angle of 90° relative to the horizontal plane). A body which runs "substantially" horizontally will likewise have an angle variation of ±9° relative to a corresponding vertical plane.

The substantially vertical support rod 18 may in one embodiment be comprised of a plurality of parts 4.5 that can be combined with each other or alternatively may slide telescopically into and inside one another or may be hinged to each other to form a continuous rod when assembled. To secure the individual parts of the secur- ing frame or carrying system II together, the parts 4.5 of the rod 18 may be equipped with locking means such as a snap fit, a ball catch a magnetic lock 6 or other device/lock connections for fixing the rod 18 parts 4,5 to each other. In an- other embodiment, the substantially vertically extending support rod 18 may be made as a single or solid part.

Gear or assembly portions of the apparatus/system of the invention may be hollow or solid and can have any cross sectional shape such as hexagonal, square or round. A square or round cross-section is preferred.

To attach the substantially vertically extending carrier rod 18 to a substantially vertical body or support 1 such as a tree, a pole, a rod a post or similar structure, the rod 18 may, at least at one end, preferably at both ends and optionally at several locations along its length, include fastening means 2,3 such as fixing straps, clips, rubber bands, hooks etc. for securing the rod 18 to the substantially vertical object 1. The fastening means 2,3 are in one embodiment preferably adjustable so that they can be attached to substantially vertically standing members 1 of the type mentioned above, which may have different diameters. The cross-sectional circumference of a cylindrical body is given by the formula O = d.n where O is the circum- ference of the cylinder, d is the diameter of the cylinder and Π is the constant 3.14 so that the appropriate fastening device 2,3 must have a length or circumference which is at least equal to O or can surround a body having at least the same circumference O.

Considering that an object such as a tree, a pole, a rod, a post, etc. is to bear or carry the weight of the system/device of the invention, which also depends on the carrier body's 1 material stiffness, the carrier body 1 must have a minimum circumference if the grill system I is to be connected to the essentially vertically extending body 1 on only one side. Such a minimum circumference will normally be possible for a user or technician to assess/calculate, but it can also be empirically deter- mined on site by attempting to attach grill apparatus/ system of the invention to the particular supporting body 1. If the relevant bearing or supporting body 1 bends too much so that the support rod 18 can no longer remain standing substantially vertically, the bearing or supporting body 1 could be unsuitable for attaching the grill apparatus/system of the invention to if the grill device/system is attached to such a bearing body 1 on one side only. In this connection it may be mentioned that the support rod 18 can help to stiffen up the supporting body 1. A normal circumference of a tree that can carry a barbecue device/system according to the invention on only one side could for example have a diameter greater than 2 cm, but this depends also on the material that the grill device/system I, II is made of. If such carrying frame II is made of a lightweight material such as hard plastic, a smaller diameter of the bearing body 1 could be permitted. Normally, a larger diameter of the bearing body 1 will be selected. For example, trunks with a diameter greater than 15 to 20 cm are easy to find in a forest, and these trees can readily carry grill apparatus/system I, II of the invention without bending noticeably or deviate noticeably from a vertical position. A length of the fastening straps 2,3 will therefore be larger than 6.28 cm (2 cm. x 3.14). Lashing straps 2.3 will be attached in various ways to the supporting body 1. For example, the fastening straps 2,3 could be tied around the bearing body 1. Other fixing possibilities may however be present. For example, the fastening straps 2,3 may be fitted with lock/tensioning devices such as lock/tightening clamps, or the straps 2,3 can be equipped with Velcro fasteners. It is also preferred that the length of the straps 2,3 is such that they can be twisted around the support element 1 a number of times such as at least 2-8 times. The fastening means 2,3 may comprise straps, ropes, wire, chain, etc. It is also possible, in one embodiment, providing the fastening means 2,3 with means 7.8 for securing attachment between the securing means 2,3 and the carrier rod 18. Such securing means 7.8 can optionally comprise tightening devices such as a tightening jack, locking devices such as locking squares (if the fasteners 2,3 are constituted by belts or rope or wire), etc. Alternatively the bearing/fastening means 2,3 can comprise of self-gripping means. In one embodiment the securing means 2,3 comprise a fastening trapezium/parallelogram 19,20,21. Such a device works in the way that it comprises an upper roller 19, a lower roller 20 and between these rollers 19,20 a rope, belt, wire, rod, etc. 21 runs, wherein the lower roller 20 will, due to its weight, exert a clamp- ing force inwards against the bearing body 1. For better adhesion to the substantially vertical body 1, the upper roll 19 may be equipped with spikes or irregularities. Most of the lower roller 20 and the angle of the line/wire 21 will be able to optimize the clamping force of the fastening trapezium 19,20,21. In one embodiment, also the lower roll 20 may be equipped with fastening means such as spikes or ir- regularities. Also supporting rod 18 may in an alternative embodiment comprise means (not shown) cooperating with the lower roller 20, for example protruding edges or inward dents in the support rod 18.

The carrier rod 18 of the carrier system II is or can be added a substantially horizontal support arm 10. The essentially horizontal support arm 10 carries in its outer region (that is, the area farthest from the support bar or rod 18) the respective grill system I or grill box 13. The length of the substantially horizontal support arm 10 will influence how heavy load the carrying rod 18 must withstand, and the same applies to the load on the connecting point 22 between the substantially vertical support rod 18 and the substantially horizontal support arm 10 because the length of the support arm 10, together with the weight of the grill element/grill box 13 (including the weight of fuel material such as coal/briquette, gridiron, etc., or other connection devices such as hoppers, parasol/umbrella, etc. (see below)), form a force element (force x arm) which exerts a force on the interconnection point 22.

To lighten or ease the load on the connecting point 22, the carrying frame II may in one embodiment be provided with a supporting rod 9 which extends obliquely between the lower part 4 of the support rod 18 to a distance from the support rod 18 on the substantially horizontal support arm 10. In one embodiment, the upwardly- inclined angle a of the support bar or rod 9 lies in the range 30-60°, preferably 45°. The length of the support bar or rod 9 can be fixed or the support bar 9 may in an alternative embodiment also be formed of telescoping sections. The angle of inclination of the bearing body 1 affects the inclination angle of the support rod 18, which also influences the inclination angle of the supporting arm 10. Since changing the inclination angle of the supporting body 1 is not always possible (for example if the supporting body is a tree), and since it is preferred that the support arm 10 runs essentially horizontally, it is in one alternative embodiment possible to provide the connection point 22 between the support rod 18 and support arm 10 with a hinge (not shown). Such a hinge may include fastening means such as a tightening screw, a wing nut or the like so that it is possible to secure the supporting arm 10 in a substantially horizontal position. By including a supporting rod 9 for the sup- porting arm 10 the rack system II of the grill element I, while at the same time the stand includes a hinge between the support rod 18 and support arm 10, the attachment point 24 between the supporting strut 9 and the supporting rod 18 may be equipped with a hinge, while the connection point 25 between the supporting rod 9 and the arm 10 comprises a slider so that the angle of the support arm 10 can be adjusted to the support arm 10 so that it extends substantially vertically or vice versa. All joints 22,24,25 the angle or position of which can be adjusted, will preferably be provided with attachment means such as locking nuts or wing nuts or snap locks. Also corresponding adjustment of the angle of the alternative substantially horizontal support arm 11 for supporting the heater 12, and any other means (see below) via an adjustable hinge 26 may be included in a further alternative embodiment.

Means for simultaneous and individual adjustment of the angle of all the connection points/hinges 22,24,25,26 in the supporting stand II may also be included in other embodiments of the barbecue system according to the invention. One possibility and optional device for ensuring a horizontal extension or position of the arms 10,11 is to equip one or each of the arms 10,11 with e.g. a water nivelator (not shown) that may be consulted when assembling or mounting the stand II including the vertical rod 18 and the horizontal supporting arm 10.

Other rod contraptions may also be possible to include in the supporting stand II of the invention. It may for example be possible to suspend the support arm 10 and/or the supporting rod 9 by means of rope, wire, chain or other types of hanging rods 17.23. In those embodiments where the angle a between the vertical sup- port rod 18 and the supporting rod 9 is adjustable and/or where the connection point 22 between the vertical support rod 18 and the horizontal support arm 10 comprises a hinge, the length of the suspending rods 17.23 can in one embodiment be stepwise adjustable in length.

In the embodiment where the vertical support system II comprises an additional horizontal arm 11 for a heating device 12 for the grill box 13, the grill box 13 includes preferably an opening 15, for example in the form of a sliding hatch, a mesh or the like, to provide access to heat/flame from a heater 12 to the grill box 13.

In a further and separate embodiment, the second support arm 11 is extended beyond the edge of the grill box body or plate 13 (shown in Fig. 1 by dashed lines). The purpose of such an extension of the second horizontal support rod 11 is to use the extra extension to uphold a ceiling or an overhang V which can be carried by a vertical attachment like a substantially vertically extending rod VI. The overhang V may be comprised of a roof, an umbrella, an umbrella and the like and one of the functions of such an overhang V may be to prevent rain from coming down on the barbecue box/grill element 13 if it is performed grilling during a rainfall, forming a shelter or a shadow for a barbecue cook if grilling is performed in warm and sunny weather, etc. The use of such an overhang V will however have to be considered by the user of the device/system according to the invention because such overhang V may also act to collect smoke, fumes and soot that is formed during grilling, to accumulate under the overhang V and may be a nuisance to the grill chef or other persons who are located around the grill element I. Among other things, for this reason, this embodiment of the inventive system is optional. It may also be possible in a further alternative embodiment to provide the support bar 9 with more than one connection point 26 for additional horizontal support arms (not shown).

In such embodiments where the barbecue system according to the invention is not necessarily to be transported over long distances (for example, to act as a remova- ble grill system function such as in garden parties, barbecue parties, etc.), the horizontal support arm 10 between the grill element I and the vertical support stand II may optionally be fitted with an intermediary III, wherein said intermediate III may carry two or more grill elements I, IV (see Figs. 2-5). Such an intermediate III may for example be formed as an arc the centre of which in one embodiment is located essentially in the centre of the vertically bearing or carrying body or object 1. In order to lighten or ease the load on the carrying frame II and to center the attack point of the load, the number of the grill elements 13 on each side of the connection point 27 between the support arch III and vertical carrying frame II can be an equal number (2,4,6, etc.). The number of grill elements I carried by the support- ing arc III may also be an odd number (1,3,5 etc.) in which case it is also supported by the supporting arc III a grill element I which runs mainly through the extension of the load bearing rod 10 (see FIGS. 3-5 ).

The objects carried by said arch III need not necessarily all be grill elements I. It may in one embodiment be possible to replace one or more grill elements in the support arch III or on the support rod 10 with other parts such as a barbecue gear table, chair seats, a suitcase for fishing gear, hunting gear, etc. The equipment table means devices such as plates or holders that can carry aids to grilling such as brushes, barbecue tongs, barbecue forks, spices, grill foil, lighter fluid, fire extinguishing devices (such as water), food and beverages for the chef, or holders for umbrellas etc. Alternative embodiments for such equipment are shown in Fig. 9 a- g. The auxiliary devices carried by the horizontal support rod 10 or by the supporting arc(s) III shown in Fig 9 are a smokehouse (Fig. 9a), a toilet seat (Fig. 9b), a campfire pan (Fig. 9c), a hunting suitcase (Fig. 9d), a suitcase for tools (Fig. 9e), a suitcase for fishing gear (Fig. 9f) and a table (Fig. 9g). The function of these devic- es and auxiliaries is self-evident and this example is provided for illustrating the versatility of the carrying device, rack or frame II according to the present invention.

For as far as possible to avoid an uneven loading on the supporting body 1 in those embodiments employing more than one grill element I or more than one grill arc III, there may be assembled two or more vertical carrier racks II around the circumference of the supporting body 1 so that the overall centre of load of the grill elements I runs essentially through the central axis of the vertical supporting body 1. This means that in such embodiments, the grill elements I can be placed axially symmetrical or plane symmetrical about the vertical bearing body 1.

It may also in an alternative embodiment be possible to place counterweights to the grill elements I on the opposite sides of the vertical bearing body 1. Such counterweights may be formed of any element having essentially the same weight or exerts essentially the same and opposite torque through the vertical axis of the vertical supporting body 1. The mentioned counterweights may also have additional functions such as acting as a dining table, extra chairs or sitting equipment, etc. To the extent that the carrying body or object 1 and the vertical carrying system II allow the support of portable seating devices such as folding chairs, a barbecue meal consumed around the bearing element 1 may be accomplished by adopting the devices that act as counterweights to the grill elements I by participants sitting or standing around the carrier element 1 evenly without the participants having to sit on the ground (see above).

Regarding the structural or carrying body 1, this may in an alternative embodiment of the invention, be replaced with a foundation which, if included in the barbecue system I, II of the invention is included in the support means II of the barbecue apparatus of the invention. Such a base may for example comprise a vertically standing triangle with a horizontal base located on the ground in the form of a cross or the like. Such a base may also consist of a concrete or a cement foundation similar to a foundation of, for example, a flagpole. In embodiments where the barbecue system according to the invention is not intended to be carried over long distances, but rather to act as a more stationary system, the option with a cement or concrete base for the bearing body 1 may be applicable. In one of the embodiments where the barbecue system according to the invention consists of a portable device, the stand II could be made by folding and/or telescopic parts so that all parts of the frame II that is longer than the dimensions of the grill box 13, can be joined together to be placed inside the grill box 13. For clarity, below is the specified reference number that refers to the individual details in the figures:

1. Bearing body (pole, trunk, log, rod)

2. Upper fastening means (wire, strips, clamps)

3. Lower fastening means (wire, strips, clamps)

4. Lower part of varying vertical rod 18

5. Upper part of carrying vertical rod 18

6. Locking mechanism between upper and lower sections of the vertical holding rod 18

7. Lower supportive securing means

8. Upper supportive securing means

9. Lower supporting strut

10. Horizontal carrying beam or arm

11. Auxiliary horizontal carrying beam or arm

12. Burner (gas, spirit)

13. Grill box

14. Heat shield/lid

15. Cooking grate/opening

16. Attachment mechanism/snap lock

17. Hanging upper support beam

18. Vertical support rod/beam

19. Upper securing roller

20. Lower securing roller

21. Connecting strap or wire

22. Attachment point/ hinge

23. Auxiliary upper support rod or wire

24. Hinge

25. Connection point/sliding fastener

26. Auxiliary connection point/hinge

I. Grill element/system

II. Carrying rack/system Auxiliary carrying/supportive a

Counterweight

Overhang (umbrella, roof etc.)

Vertical fastening rod. In summary, and without limitation, the present invention may in its many embodiments be summarized by the following points.

The invention relates to a rack system (II) for a grill (I) and/or hiking tools and/or devices, where the rack system comprises a rod (18) attachable by fixing means (2,3) to a substantially vertically running/extending and in cross-section mainly circular body (1), wherein said rod (18) has or may carry or be connected a mainly horizontally projecting arm (10) for carrying said grill element (I) or hiking tools and/or devices.

The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a rack according to item 1 above, wherein the rod (18) comprises a plurality of parts (4,5).

The invention further relates, in one embodiment a rack according to item 1 or 2 above, wherein the rod (18) includes a number of supports/struts (9.17) for the mainly horizontally extending rod or arm (10).

The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a rack according to item 1-3 above, wherein the rod (18), the carrier arm (10) and possibly struts (9.17) individually comprise telescoping parts or portions.

The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a rack according to item 4 above, wherein one of the struts (9.17) is a supporting (9) rod for the carrying and mainly horizontal arm (10).

The invention further relates, in one embodiment a rack according to item 5 above, wherein the supporting rod (9) comprises or can be connected a substantially horizontally extending support arm (11) for a heating/burner element (12) and/or any other devices such as parasol , umbrella, tables, racks, etc.

The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a rack of any one of paragraphs 1 to 5 above, wherein the carrier arm (10) is connected to a grill element (I).

The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a rack according to item 7 above, wherein at least one of the connection points (22,24) between the support rod or frame (18) and carrier arm (10) and/or between the support rod (18) and the supporting strut (9) comprises an adjustable hinge. 9. The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a rack according to item 6-8 above, wherein the connection point (26) between the supporting strut (9) and the additional essentially horizontal support arm (11) comprises an adjustable hinge (26).

10. The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a rack according to items 1-9 above, wherein the rack additionally comprises a base.

11. The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a barbecue system

comprising a rack according to item 1-10 above, wherein said barbecue system further comprises a grill element (I).

12. The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a barbecue system according to item 11 above, wherein the grill element (I) comprises a reusable grill (13).

13. The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a barbecue system according to item 11 above, wherein the grill element (I) comprises a plate for support for a disposable grill (13).

14. The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a barbecue system according to item 11 to 13 above, wherein barbecue system comprises means for supporting several grill elements (I) and/or at least one relief or auxiliary device.

15. The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a barbecue system according to item 14 above, wherein the relief or auxiliary means is constituted by a carrying arc (III) which is connected or can be connected to the carrier arm (10) of the support stand (II).

16. The invention further relates, in one embodiment a barbecue system accord- ing to any of paragraphs 11 to 15 above, wherein the barbecue system additionally comprises counterweight members (IV) to the grill element or grill elements (I).

17. The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a barbecue system according to item 16 above, wherein the counterweight/elements (IV) is con- stituted by a table such as hoppers and/or dining table.

18. The invention further relates, in one embodiment to a barbecue system according to item 11 to 13 above, wherein the stand (II) is formed by folding and/or telescopic sections so that the dimensions of the stand (II) in a collapsed state is less than the dimensions of the grill box (13).