Field of the Invention

[1] This invention relates generally to smokers and, more particularly, this invention relates to a portable smoker kit.

Summary of the Disclosure

[2] There is provided herein a portable smoker kit comprising a versatile configuration of componentry aiding the collapsibility and use thereof.

[3] The smoker kit may comprise a collapsible hood which may comprise a rectangular lid and a quadrant of panels hingedly coupled thereto. The panels may fold outwardly and stand atop feet atop a base tray in an assembled configuration.

[4] A firebox may locate within the hood. The firebox may comprise a base tray comprising a pair of opposing panels engaged to the base tray. Each panel may comprise side channel through which a corresponding base tray fastener is engaged such that each panel is slidably and pivotally coupled to the base tray.

[5] As such, the firebox is configurable in a closed configuration wherein the panels meet across the base tray to enclose the base tray. Furthermore, firebox may be configurable in an outwardly slid configuration wherein the panels slide outwardly to expose the base tray therebetween such that, for example, a burner may be located between the panels.

[6] Yet further, the firebox may be configurable in an outwardly pivoted configuration wherein the panels are upwardly and outwardly pivoted from the base tray such that, for example, heat beads may be placed within the base. Furthermore, skewers or other accessories may be supported across the upper edges of the outwardly pivoted panels for heating atop the heat beads. The edges of the panels may comprise indentations for locating the skewers.

[7] The smoker kit preferably comprises a stacking system comprising spaced apart pairs of racks each having an upright wherein each upright has an aperture at a lower end thereof for engaging upwardly extending location protrusions therethrough for standing upright.

[8] The floor of the base of the firebox may comprise a quadrant of location protrusions from which the pair of racks may stand on in a spaced apart configuration.

[9] Each rack may comprise transverse bars for supporting accessories such as slim chip boxes, trays, baskets and the like. [10] Each accessory comprises a quadrant of apertures through which upper ends of the uprights may extend and locate and wherein each accessory may rest across the transverse bar therebetween.

[11] Racks may be stacked atop each other in embodiments for multi-layering of accessories.

[12] The panels of the firebox may comprise an outer quadrant of apertures for the location of the uprights therethrough when the firebox is in the closed configuration. Furthermore, the panels of the firebox may further comprise an inner quadrant of apertures for the location of the uprights therethrough when the firebox is in the outwardly slid configuration.

[13] According to one aspect, there is provided a portable smoker comprising a firebox, the firebox comprising a base tray and a pair of opposing panels engaged to the base tray, each panel comprising side channels through which a corresponding base tray fastener is engaged such that each panel is slidably and pivotally coupled to the base tray such that the firebox is configurable in a closed configuration wherein the panels meet across the base tray to enclose the base tray, an outwardly slid configuration wherein the panels are slide outwardly to expose the base tray therebetween and an outwardly pivoted configuration wherein the panels are upwardly and outwardly pivoted from the base tray.

[14] The smoker kit may further comprise a collapsible hood comprising a rectangular lid and end panels and side panels hingedly coupled thereto such that the hood is configurable in a collapsed configuration wherein the end panels folded inwardly and an assembled configuration wherein the end panels may be folded outwardly and uprightly to form an enclosure therebetween.

[15] The smoker kit may further comprise a quadrant of feet, each comprising orthogonal channels therethrough for engaging lower corners of the panels in the assembled configuration.

[16] The smoker kit may further comprise a rectangular base tray and wherein the base tray may comprise a width and length greater than that of the lid.

[17] The lid may have a depth and wherein the firebox may have a height in the closed configuration and wherein the height is less than the depth.

[18] Inner edges of the panels comprise skewer locating indentations.

[19] The base tray may comprise a quadrant of locating protrusions extending upwardly therefrom and wherein the smoker further may comprise a pair of racks each having a pair of uprights each having apertures at lower ends thereof so as to be configured for engaging an end pair of the protrusions for standing upright.

[20] Upper ends of each upright further comprise a location protrusion. [21] The smoker kit may further comprise a further pair of racks and wherein the further pair of racks can stacked atop the pair of racks using the protrusions and the apertures of the uprights.

[22] Each rack may comprise a pair of transverse bars extending between the pair of uprights.

[23] The rack may comprise a transverse bar and a central upright therefrom and an upper transverse bar engaged across from an upper end of the central upright.

[24] The upper transverse bar may comprise an aperture for the engagement of an orthogonal protrusion of a lengthwise stabilisation bar.

[25] The panels comprise an outer quadrant of apertures for engaging the uprights of the pair of racks therethrough in the closed configuration and an inner quadrant of apertures for the uprights of the pair of racks therethrough in the outwardly slid configuration.

[26] The smoker kit may further comprise a basket having a tray having a quadrant of apertures therethrough for the engagement of upper ends of the uprights of the pair of racks.

[27] The basket may comprise end panels and side panels hingedly coupled to the base and wherein the basket is configurable in a collapsed configuration wherein the panels may be folded down and an assembled configuration is wherein the panels may be folded outwardly and substantially upright.

[28] At least one of the end panels and side panels may be trapezoidal and narrow towards the base.

[29] The panels comprise locking tabs and corresponding apertures which interlock together in the assembled configuration.

[30] The smoker kit may further comprise an elongate handle and wherein the end panels comprise apertures through which opposing distal ends of the elongate handle can engage.

[31] The smoker kit may further comprise a stand comprising a pair of U-bars supported by a pair of transverse bars therebetween and wherein upper distal ends of each U-bar defines a locating protrusion and wherein the locating protrusions of the U-bars have the same spacing as the locating protrusions of the base tray.

[32] The smoker kit may further comprise at least one tray and wherein the at least one tray may comprise a quadrant of apertures for receipt of upper ends of the uprights of the pair of racks therethrough.

[33] Ends of the at least one tray may comprise apertures through which distal and opposing ends of a lifting handle may be selectively engaged.

[34] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[35] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[36] Figure 1 shows a collapsible hood and base tray in a collapsed configuration in accordance with an embodiment;

[37] Figure 2 illustrates the unfolding of the collapsible hood;

[38] Figure 3 illustrates the collapsible hood in an assembled configuration and standing atop feet atop the base tray;

[39] Figure 4 illustrates a firebox in a closed configuration in accordance an embodiment;

[40] Figure 5 illustrates a firebox in an outwardly slid configuration in an embodiment;

[41] Figure 6 illustrates the stacking of accessories atop the firebox in an embodiment;

[42] Figure 7 illustrates the firebox in an outwardly pivoted configuration in an embodiment;

[43] Figure 8 illustrates a rack in accordance with an embodiment.

[44] Figure 9 illustrates the stacking of accessories atop the firebox when the firebox is in the outwardly pivoted configuration in accordance with an embodiment;

[45] Figure 10 illustrates a pair of shish kebabs racks engaging a firebox in accordance with an embodiment;

[46] Figure 11 illustrates a slim chip box in an embodiment;

[47] Figure 12 illustrates a collapsible basket in a collapsed configuration in accordance with an embodiment;

[48] Figure 13 illustrates the collapsible basket in an assembled configuration and located atop the firebox;

[49] Figure 14 illustrates a tray stand in accordance with an embodiment;

[50] Figure 15 illustrates the engagement of a trade to the tray stand and further racks there are top for the stacking of further trays there are top in accordance with an embodiment; and

[51] Figure 16 illustrates a lifting handle for the tray in accordance with an embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[52] Figure 1 shows a collapsible hood 101 in a collapsed configuration standing within a base tray 103. The collapsible hood 101 comprises a rectangular lid 106 and a pair of end panels 104 hingedly coupled thereto which unfold in the manner shown in Figure 2 to reveal a further opposing pair of side panels 105 similarly hingedly coupled to the lid 106. [53] Figure 3 shows the hood 101 in a constructed configuration wherein the side panels 104, 105 are unfolded and cooperate to form a hood enclosure therebetween. The end panels 104 may comprise orthogonal flanges 107 which engage around the end edges of the adjacent side panels 105 for securement.

[54] Bottom edges at the corners of the panels 104, 105 may engage within orthogonal channels 108 of corner feet 109 so as to secure the panels 104, 105 in place in the manner shown in Figure 3 and provide a gap there underneath for ventilation. The base tray 103 may comprise a greater length and width than that of the lid 106 is shown in Figure 3.

[55] The lid may comprise a handle 110 thereatop.

[56] Figure 4 shows a firebox 111 which may comprise a rectangular firebox base tray 112 having upwardly edge walls 113.

[57] A pair of opposing firebox panels 114 may enclose the firebox base tray 112 in the manner shown in Figure 4.

[58] The firebox panels 114 may extend over at sides 115 and ends 116 so as to close around the walls 113 of the firebox base tray 112.

[59] The side edges 115 of each panel 114 may have an elongated channel 117 therealong within which a base tray fastener 118 is located such that each panel 114 is slidably and pivotally engaged to the base tray 112.

[60] As such, the firebox 111 is able to assume the closed configuration shown in Figure 4 wherein the panels 114 meet so as to enclose the tray 112.

[61] Furthermore, the firebox 111 is able to assume the outwardly slid configuration shown in Figure 5 wherein the panels 114 slide outwardly to expose the centre of the firebox base tray 112 for the accommodation of a burner 171 therein.

[62] Furthermore, the firebox 111 is able to assume an outwardly pivoted configuration shown in Figure 7 wherein the panels 114 are outwardly an upwardly pivoted from the tray 112 such that a plurality of skewers 119 or other accessories can be laid across the upper edges of the panels 114. The edges of the panels 114 may comprise slight indentations to locate the skewers 119.

[63] The ends 116 of each panel 114 may be configured with respect to the side channels 117 such that edges of the ends 116 jam against corresponding ends of the tray 112 such that the panels 114 stand upright just beyond 90° in the manner shown in Figure 7.

[64] The end walls 116 of the firebox base tray 112 may comprise a plurality of ventilation apertures 120 therethrough. [65] The present smoker may utilise a stacking system comprising a pairs of spaced apart racks for stacking accessories atop the firebox 111.

[66] Specifically, with reference to Figure 7, the firebox base tray 112 may comprise a quadrant of upwardly extending location protrusions 121.

[67] Furthermore, Figure 8 illustrates a rack 122 comprising a pair of uprights 123. The lower ends of each upright 123 comprises an aperture 124 therein and the uprights 123 are spaced apart such that the protrusions 121 can be received within the corresponding apertures 124 of the rack 122 in the manner shown in Figure 9.

[68] The upper end of each upright 123 may further comprise a pair of protrusions 125 for the engagement and stacking of further racks 122 thereatop in the manner shown in Figure 9.

[69] The stand 122 shown in Figure 8 may comprise a lower transverse bar 127 and an upper transverse bar 128 for the support of two accessories in use. For example, with reference to Figure 5, the lower transverse bar 127 may support a slim chip box 129 and a tray 126 thereatop.

[70] Each tray 126 may comprise a quadrant of apertures 130 which correspond to the locations of the respective uprights 123 such that the upper end thereof may protrude therethrough and wherein the tray may rest atop the upper transverse bar 128 therebetween.

[71] Figure 9 shows the engagement of various types of trays 126 by the stand 122 atop the firebox 112 including an upper oyster tray and a lower conventional tray.

[72] With reference to Figure 4, the panels 114 may comprise an outer quadrant of apertures 131 through which the uprights 123 of the opposing pair of stands 122 may extend when the panels 114 are closed. Furthermore, the panels 114 may further comprise an inner quadrant 132 of apertures through which the uprights 123 of the pair of opposing stands 122 may extend when the panels 114 are in the slid out configuration.

[73] Figure 10 shows a pair of shish kebabs racks 133 engaged to the firebox 112 each of which may comprise a pair of lower uprights 134 having apertures through lower ends thereof for engagement of the protrusions 121 in the aforedescribed manner. Furthermore, each lower upright 134 may extend through the corresponding apertures 131 or 132 of the respective panel 114.

[74] The lower uprights 134 may support a lower transverse bar 135 across which a slimline chip box 129 or the like may be supported in the aforedescribed manner. Furthermore, the lower uprights 134 may further support an upper transverse bar 136 which may extend wider and the lower transverse bar 135 beyond the lower uprights 134 so as to create additional width for the support of a plurality of skewers 119 thereacross. Ends of the upper transverse bar 136 may taper upwardly so as to bias the skewers 119 inwardly. Furthermore, the upper transverse bar 136 may comprise a plurality of indentations 137 to locate the skewers 119 in the manner shown.

[75] A lower central upright 138 may extend from the centre of the upper transverse bar 136 to a minor lower transverse bar 139 which may similarly comprise a plurality of indentations 137 for the support and location of a plurality of skewers 119 thereacross. The minor lower transverse bar 139 may comprise a width less than that of the upper transverse bar 136. An upper central upright bar 140 may extend further upwardly from a centre of the minor lower transverse bar 139 so as to support a minor upper transverse bar 141 which may have the same or less length as that of the minor lower transverse bar 139.

[76] As such, a plurality of skewers 119 may be stacked across three levels using the pair of opposing shish kebabs racks 133.

[77] A lengthwise stabilising bar 142 comprising an orthogonal protrusions 143 may locate within corresponding central apertures 144 of the upper minor bar 141 so as to support the racks 133 across the top thereof.

[78] Figure 11 shows the slim chip box 129 in accordance with an embodiment. The slim chip box 129 comprises a base tray 145 and a lid 146 which may be hingedly coupled thereto. The lid 146 may comprise a plurality of ventilation apertures 147 therethrough for the release of smoke therefrom. In embodiments, upper edges of peripheral walls of the chip box base tray 145 may comprise ventilation cutouts 148.

[79] Figure 12 shows a collapsible basket 149 in a collapsed configuration and a handle 150 therefor.

[80] The basket 149 may comprise a basket base tray 151 and end panels 152 hingedly coupled thereto. A further pair of side panels 153 may be hingedly coupled to sides of the basket base tray 151 beneath the end panels 152 and the collapsed configuration of Figure 12. The panels 152, 153 may be trapezoidal and narrow towards the tray 151.

[81] The assembly of the collapsible basket 149 may comprise opening the end panels 152 and then opening the side panels 153. Sides of the end panels 153 may comprise orthogonal locking tabs 154 which engage through corresponding apertures 155 of the side panels 153.

[82] The panels 152, 153 are preferably perforated as shown.

[83] The handle 150 may comprise a handle rod 156 and a central grip 157. Ends of the rod 156 may engage through corresponding handle apertures 158 of the end panels 152 for lifting the basket 149. [84] Figure 14 shows a tray stand 158 which may comprise a pair of U-bars 159 braced apart by opposing transverse bars 160. U-bars 159 may terminate in a quadrant of protrusions 161 of the same spacing as the protrusions 121 of the firebox 112.

[85] In this way, a tray 126 or other accessory may be supported thereatop. Further trays 126 may be additionally stacked thereatop through the use of a single transverse bar stand 162 which may comprise a pair of uprights 163 having apertures through lower ends thereof for engagement to the collocating protrusions 161. A transverse bar 164 may extend therebetween. As such, the uprights 163 may extend through the corresponding apertures 130 of the tray 126 and wherein the underside of the tray 126 may rest atop the transverse bar 164.

[86] Figure 16 shows a tray handle 165 comprising a pair of members 166 pivotally coupled about a pivot 167 and defining a pair of handles 168 at a proximal end thereof. Squeezing the handles 168 together causes the distal ends of the members 166 to close together. In this regard, the distal ends of each member 166 may comprise a pair of tines 168 which locate through corresponding apertures 169 through ends 170 of the tray 126.

[87] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.