Collapsible firepit

Abstract

The present invention is a collapsible firepit that has a plurality of side wall panels, wherein adjacent side wall panels are rotatably hinged together by a rotatable hinge means; and a fire pit base. The collapsible firepit may be changed between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The collapsable firepit in the closed configuration has each of the plurality of side wall panels oriented coplanar with and are adjacent to each other. The collapsable firepit in the open configuration has each of the plurality of side wall panels arranged in a serial manner to define a perimeter of the collapsable firepit. The fire pit base resides within the inside of the perimeter of the collapsible firepit in the open configuration. A burn region is cooperatively defined by the fire pit base and the plurality of side wall panels when the collapsible firepit is in the open configuration.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE FIREPITFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to fire pits and, more particularly, to portable fire pits.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Fires must be safely contained in a selected location to prevent escape of flammable burning material. Escape of any flammable burning material from the selected burn location may result in undesirable and uncontrolled fires. This problem is particularly acute in wilderness areas, such as forests or the like, where users may be using a fire to cook meals, provide warmth, and / or provide nighttime light. Accordingly, good fire burning practices and / or regulations dictate the use of open fire pits or enclosures that are configured to contain a burning fire.

[0003] However, some locations prohibit the use of open fire pits under fire burn regulations. In such locations, a fire burning enclosure is required. Such portable enclosures (interchangeably referred to herein as a portable fire pit) may be difficult to move, such as when a user is travelling to a campsite or the like. Further, such portable fire pits may be relatively difficult to set up for use, and may not be structurally stable during use for cooking, heating, or other needs.

[0004] For these reasons, there is a need for improved portable fire pits for burning fires in a controllable manner.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable fire pit system that is easily transported to the use site and that is conveniently set up by a user. The invention achieves the above objectives, as well as other objects and advantages that will become apparent from the description that follows, by providing disclosure of a novel collapsable firepit and collapsable firepit system.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

[0007] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views that show an embodiment of the collapsable firepit in an opened configuration.

[0008] Figure 3 is a top view of the collapsable firepit.

[0009] Figure 4A is a bottom view of an example fire pit base panel.

[0010] Figure 4B is a perspective bottom view of the example fire pit base panel.

[0011] Figure 4C is a perspective view of an example fire pit base panel secured to a side wall panel.

[0012] Figure 4D is a front view of a side wall panel.

[0013] Figure 5A is a perspective view that show an embodiment of the collapsable firepit in a closed configuration.

[0014] Figure 5B illustrates a hinge pin.

[0015] Figure 5C illustrates a removeable hinge pin.

[0016] Figure 5D illustrates use of the removeable hinge pin to secure two side wall panels when the collapsable firepit is in its closed configuration.

[0017] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the collapsable firepit with a plurality of cooking members secured to the top of the collapsable firepit.

[0018] Figure 7 is a top view of the griddle.

[0019] Figure 8 is a top view of the grill.

[0020] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the pot holder.

[0021] Figure 10 is a perspective view on an example handle.

[0022] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the collapsable firepit employing two pot holders that are being used to hold a rotisserie spit.

[0023] Figure 12 is a side view of an example attachment post.

[0024] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a locking ring.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] A collapsable firepit 100 in accordance with the principles of the invention is generally indicated at reference number 100 in the Figures of the attached drawings, wherein numbered elements in the Figures correspond to like numbered elements herein.

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views that show a nonlimiting example embodiment of the collapsable firepit 100 in an opened configuration. When in the open configuration, the collapsable firepit 100 is configured to retain a bum material such as, but not limited to, fire wood, charcoal briquettes, or flammable materials. During burning, the burning material is retained within the collapsable firepit 100 to control the location of the burning materialfor viewing, warmth, cooking, or the like. Further, the burning material is retained so that the likelihood of an uncontrolled fire is minimized and / or burning regulations are complied with.

[0027] The illustrated nonlimiting example embodiment of the collapsable firepit 100 comprises a plurality of side wall panels 102a-102f (generically referenced as a side wall panel 102). A vertically oriented side edge of each side wall panel 102 is coupled (hinged) together in a serial manner with a corresponding vertically oriented side edge of an adjacent side wall panel 102, preferably using a rotatable hinge means 104. When in the opened configuration, the plurality of upright standing (vertically oriented) side wall panels 102 are arranged in a serial manner to cooperatively define a perimeter of the opened collapsable firepit 100.

[0028] A fire pit base 106 is sized to fit within the interior perimeter of the collapsable firepit 100 that is defined by the plurality of side wall panels 102 when in the opened configuration. Figure 1 shows the fire pit base 106 residing within the perimeter and located at a first fire pit base height (BH 1) near the bottom of the collapsable firepit 100 in a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, orientation. Figure 2 shows the fire pit base 106 located at a second fire pit base height (BH 2) that is above the first fire pit base height (BH 1) shown in Figure 1. In some instances, fire regulations or other burning regulations may dictate a minimum height of the fire pit base 106 above the ground level, such as at least six inches above the ground. If the regulations require that the fire pit base 106 be at a higher level, then the user can reconfigure the fire pit base 106 of the collapsable firepit 100 to be at the higher mandated height. This height adjustment also allows burning material, such as coals or firewood, to be closer to or further away from the cooking members 602 (Figure 6) for a “low and slow” style cooking or a “fast and hot” style cooking.

[0029] As noted above, the example embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the collapsable firepit 100 that provides for two fire pit base heights. Alternative embodiments may be limited to a single fire pit base height. Other embodiments may provide for more than two fire pit base heights. When in the opened configuration, the distal edges 302 (Figure 3) of each fire pit base 106 is secured to the interior surface of the corresponding side wall panel 102.

[0030] The preferred example embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 comprises six side wall panels 102a-102f. The side wall panels 102a-102f are generally rectangular in shape. Alternative embodiments of the collapsable firepit 100 may employ other numbers of side wall panels 102. The size and dimensions of each side wall panel 102 may be based on the intended use of the collapsable firepit 100. The length (L) of each side wall panel 102 and the height (H) of each side wall panel 102 may be selected based on the intended use of the collapsable firepit 100. For example, a larger collapsable firepit 100 may be desirable for burning larger logs while outdoors. A smaller light weight collapsable firepit 100 may be desirable for backpacking or other outdoor activities where the size and weight of the collapsable firepit 100 is a factor. An increasing height (H) will create a higher walled collapsable firepit 100. An increasing length (L) will create a larger perimeter of the collapsable firepit 100. By defining the height (H) and length (L) of each panel 102, the volume of the bum region 108 is cooperatively defined by the plurality of panels 102 and the fire pit base 106. Preferably, each side wall panel 102 is made of a non-flammable material that is rigid or substantially rigid. Panel materials may be fabricated from any suitable fire resistant material, such as, but not limited to a metal, such as steel, iron, aluminum, titanium, or any otherfire-resistant material now known or later developed. For example, a less fire resistant lightweight panel may employ a fire resistant coating, such as, but not limited to, a spray type fire resistant coating.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, each of the side wall panels 102 include an air intake cut out 110 at the bottom to facilitate flow of air from the bottom of the collapsable firepit 100, up through the fire pit base 106, and into the burn region 108 so as to provide oxygen that is necessary for combustion of the bum material residing in the collapsable firepit 100. Any number of air intake cut outs 110 of any desired size, shape and / or location may be used in the various embodiments.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, each of the side wall panels 102 include a pair of cut out handle regions 112 proximate to the top of the side wall panel 102 to facilitate grasping of the collapsable firepit 100 by the user. When the collapsable firepit 100 is in the closed configuration, these cut out handle regions 112 align with each other to provide convenient grasping by the user (see also Figure 5A). Any number of cut out handle regions 112 of any desired size, shape and / or location may be used in the various embodiments.

[0033] Figure 3 is a top view of the collapsable firepit 100. In this preferred example embodiment, the fire pit base 106 comprises six fire pit base panels 106a-106f (generically referred to herein as a fire pit base panel 106). The shape of each of the fire pit base panels 106a-106f are generally triangular (or trapezoidal) in shape. The number of fire pit base panels 106 corresponds to the number of side wall panels 102. When the collapsable firepit 100 is in the opened configuration, the fire pit base panels 106a-106f are horizontally oriented to cooperatively definea surface of the fire pit base 106 which is configured to fit within the interior of the perimeter formed by the side wall panels 102a.l02f when the fire pit base panels 106 are horizontally oriented and located within the perimeter of the collapsible firepit 100.

[0034] A distal edge 302 of each of the fire pit base panels 106a-106f is defined by a proximal side having a length substantially corresponding to a width of its corresponding side wall panel 102. The distal edge 302 is configured to be secured to, and preferably rotatably coupled to, an inside surface of a corresponding panel 102 using a suitable securing means such that each of the fire pit base panels 106a-106f are secured in a horizontal orientation to its corresponding vertical oriented side wall panel 102. Further, when the fire pit base panels 106a-106f are secured to their corresponding side wall panel 102, the shape of the perimeter of the collapsable firepit 100 as defined by the plurality of side wall panels 102 is more rigidly fixed in place by the fire pit base panels 106a-106f.

[0035] When in the opened configuration, as illustrated in Figures 1-3, the proximal tips 304 of each of the fire pit base panels 106a-106f are substantially co-located and adjacent with each other. In this embodiment, the side edges 306 of each fire pit base panel 106 are aligned with and are adjacent (or are substantially adjacent) to a corresponding side edge 306 of the adjacent fire pit base panel 106 to define a surface of the fire pit base 106. An unexpected advantage of using triangular (or trapezoidal) shaped fire pit base panels 106a-106f is that, when the collapsable firepit 100 is in its opened configuration during use, the fire pit base panels 106a-106f cooperatively define a substantially continuous fire pit base 106 surface that retain the burning material within the burn region 108 of the collapsable firepit 100. That is, burning particles of theburn material are not likely to fall out from or escape from the bottom of the collapsable firepit 100 onto the surface of use, thereby mitigating potential fire hazard issues during use.

[0036] In a nonlimiting example embodiment, a locking means 308, inserted by the user during the set-up process, rigidly secures the proximal ends 304 of the fire pit base panels 106a-106f together to further reinforce the rigidity of the fire pit base 106 and the collapsable firepit 100 during use. In the example embodiment of Figures 1-3, the locking means 308 is a rigid metal locking ring 308 with downwardly protruding feet that interlock with and frictionally engage with corresponding locking means slot 404 disposed near the tips 304 of each fire pit base panel 106a-106f (see Figure 4A for greater detail).

[0037] In other embodiments, the adjacent edges 306 of the fire pit base panels 106a- 106f may be secured together using alternative and / or additional retaining means. For example, one or more locking tabs proximate to the edges 306 may engage corresponding apertures on the fire pit base panels 106a-106f. Alternatively, or additionally, support ledges or the like near or at the edges 306 may engage each other. Fasteners, such as screws, bolts, clamps, pins, or the like may be used to secure the adjacent edges 306. In some embodiments, the fire pit base 106 may be a single unibody piece that is inserted into the inside of the collapsable firepit 100 after the side wall panels 102 are arranged in the opened configuration.

[0038] Figure 4A is a bottom view of an example fire pit base panel 106. Figure 4B is a perspective bottom view of the example fire pit base panel 106. Figure 4C is a perspective view of an example fire pit base panel 106 secured to a side wall panel 102. Figure 4D is a front view of a side wall panel 102.

[0039] The example fire pit base panel 106 includes a plurality of apertures 402 to facilitate flow of air from the bottom of the collapsable firepit 100, up through the fire pit base panel 106, and into the burn region 108 so as to provide oxygen that is necessary for combustion of the burn material residing in the burn region 108 of the collapsable firepit 100. Any number of apertures 402 of any desired size, shape and / or location may be used in the various embodiments. An unexpected advantage of the upward direction of airflow through the apertures 402 of the fire pit base panel 106 is to control the flow of air from the bottom of the collapsable firepit 100 during use and to reduce the likelihood of any burning particles of the burn material falling out from or escaping from the bottom of the collapsable firepit 100 onto the surface of use. Preferably, the size and shape of the apertures 402 is defined to reduce the likelihood of any burning particles of the burn material falling out from or escaping from the bottom of the collapsable firepit 100.

[0040] In an example embodiment, a semicircular locking means slot 404 is disposed in the fire pit base panel 106 proximate to the tip 304. The locking means slot 404 is configured to receive and frictionally engage the locking means 308 (Figure 3). For example, the locking means slot 404 may be configured to receive a downward protruding foot of a rigid metal locking ring 308. During set up, the user would insert the foot 1302 (Figure 13) of an example locking ring 404 through the locking means slot 404, and then rotate the locking ring 308 to frictionally engage the foot 1302 with the locking means slot 404.

[0041] The example embodiment of the fire pit base panel 106 includes two support members 406. In the nonlimiting example embodiment the support members 406 are secured to the bottom surface of the fire pit base panel 106 to increase the rigidity and strength of the fire pitbase panel 106. The support members 406 may be secured to the fire pit base panel 106 using any suitable securing means, such as welding, clamps, bolts, screws, adhesive or the like. In some embodiments, the one or more support members 406 and the fire pit base panel 106 are fabricated together as a unibody piece. Various embodiments may employ any suitable number of support members 406. The shape and dimensions of the support member 406 may be defined based on the intended characteristics of the fire pit base panel 106.

[0042] Additionally, the proximal end portion of one or more of the support members 406 includes a securing tab 408 that extends outwardly beyond the edge 302 of the fire pit base panel 106. The securing tab 408 provides a securing means to secure the edge 302 of the fire pit base panels 106a-106f to the inside surface of the corresponding side wall panel 102. The illustrated embodiment employs two support members 406 each with a securing tab 408.

[0043] The example securing tab 408 is fashioned as an outwardly protruding foot member that has a downward extending portion. A proximal edge 410 of the outwardly protruding foot member 408 is configured to engage the outside surface of the side wall panel 102 when the securing tab 408 is extended through corresponding securing slot 412 and when the fire pit base panel 106 is moved into a horizontal orientation. The support members 406 then act as a cantilever, secured by the securing tabs 408, that retains the fire pit base panel 106 in its horizontal orientation as illustrated in Figure 4C.

[0044] In the nonlimiting example embodiments described herein, a first pair of securing slots 412 are disposed through and are oriented at the same height on the side wall panel102 so that the fire pit base panel 106 may be secured at the first base height (BH 1). A secondpair of securing slots 412 are disposed through and are oriented at the same height on the side wall panel 102 so that the fire pit base panel 106 may be alternatively secured at the second base height (BH 2). In alternative embodiment, a single securing slot 412 (with a corresponding single securing tab 408), or more than two securing slots 412 (with a corresponding number of securing tabs 408) may be used along a selected base height. Additionally, or alternatively, a single base height or more than two base heights (with corresponding securing slots 412 and securing tabs 408) may be used to define the height of the fire pit base panel 106 above, or at, the ground level.

[0045] Additionally, or alternatively, one or more securing tabs (configured like, or substantially like, the securing tab 408) may be separately secured to the edge 302 of the fire pit base panel 106 in an outwardly extending manner. In other embodiments, a support member 406 may employ more than one securing tab 408. Any suitable securing means may be used in the various embodiments, and are intended to be protected by the accompanying claims.

[0046] The fire pit base panel 106 is preferably made of a non-flammable material that is rigid or substantially rigid. The fire pit base panel 106 may be fabricated from any suitable metal, such as steel, iron, aluminum, titanium, or the like. For example, a less fire resistant lightweight fire pit base panel 106 may employ a fire resistant coating, such as, but not limited to, a spray type fire resistant coating. The thickness of the fire pit base panel 106 may be defined based on an anticipated weight of the burn material that is to be held within the bum region 108 of the collapsable firepit 100 during use.

[0047] In the example embodiments described herein, a side wall panel 102 may optionally include a retaining means to hold a fire pit base panel 106 to the inside surface (oroutside surface) of the side wall panel 102 when the collapsable firepit 100 is not in use and / or is in a collapsed configuration (see Figure 5A), interchangeably referred to herein as a closed configuration. In such embodiments where two support members 406 are secured to the fire pit base panel 106, two retaining slots 414 may be disposed in the side wall panel 102 proximate to the air intake cut out 110. A retaining hook 416 may be disposed proximate to the top of the side wall panel 102. The separation distance between the retaining slot 414 and the retaining hook 416 corresponds to the distance between the edge 302 and a retaining means slot 422 that is disposed in the fire pit base panel 106 (Figure 4A). When the collapsable firepit 100 is dissembled after use, the user may push the outwardly protruding foot member of the securing tab 408 through the corresponding retaining slots 414. Then, by urging the fire pit base panel 106 downward, a portion 418 (Figure 4B) of the outwardly protruding foot member guides into the corresponding retaining slot 414. The retaining hook 416 concurrently is guided into the retaining means slot 422. Accordingly, the fire pit base panel 106 is secured in a vertical orientation that is parallel with its corresponding side wall panel 102. In some embodiments, the user may rotate the fire pit base 106 upwardly from its horizontal orientation into a vertical orientation to engage the retaining means slot 422 with the retaining hook 416. Alternative embodiments may include a flange, a bend, a lodge, or the like to secure the fire pit base panel 106 in a vertical orientation.

[0048] The various embodiments of the collapsable firepit 100 are configured to be assembled from the closed configuration into the opened configuration as described hereinbelow. To facilitate the opening and closing of the collapsable firepit 100, the side edges of the side wall panels 102a- 102b, 102b- 102c, 102c-102d, 102d-102e, and 102e-102f are joined using a rotatablehinge means 104 (Figures 1 and 2). In a preferred embodiments, the rotatable hinge means 104 is a butt type hinge 104 that includes a plurality of interleaving knuckles 420 define a cylindrical hole. When the cylindrical holes of the knuckles 420 are aligned when the side wall panels 102a- 102f are joined, the interleaved hollow tube portions of the knuckles 420 form a cylindrical hollow tube. A pin, post or rod (denoted as a hinge pin 502 and / or a removable hinge pin 504, Figure 5B) is inserted through the cylindrical hollow tube to secure the rotatable hinge means 104 together as described in greater detail hereinbelow.

[0049] Figure 5A is a perspective view that show an embodiment of the collapsable firepit 100 in a closed configuration. Figure 5B illustrates a hinge pin 502. Figure 5C illustrates a removeable hinge pin 504. Figure 5D illustrates use of the removeable hinge pin 504 to secure the side wall panel 102a with the side wall panel 102f when the collapsable firepit 100 is in its closed configuration. The configuration of the collapsible firepit 100 may be changed between a closed configuration (interchangeably referred to herein as a folded up configuration) and an open configuration.

[0050] As illustrated in Figure 5A, when in the folded up configuration, the collapsable firepit 100 is easily transportable to a use location. Here, when in the closed configuration, the side wall panels 102a-102f are aligned coplanar with and adjacent to each other. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the fire pit base panels 106a-106f are secured to their respective side wall panel 102. Since the side wall panels 102a-102f are joined together at the rotatable hinge means 104, the side wall panels 102a-102f and the fire pit base panels 106a-106f are held together as a single unit in an accordion-like fashion. Accordingly, the collapsable firepit 100 in the closedconfiguration minimizes the storage volume of the collapsable firepit 100. The aligned cut out handle regions 112 of each of the side wall panels 102a-102f facilitate grasping by the user so that they can move the closed collapsable firepit 100.

[0051] In a preferred illustrated embodiment, five of the rotatable hinge means 104 (coupling the side wall panels 102a-102b, 102b-102c, 102c-102d, 102d-102e, and 102e-102f) are secured using a hinge pin 502. A sixth one of the rotatable hinge means 104 is secured using a removeable hinge pin 504 to secure side wall panel 102a with the side wall panel 102f Preferably, the hinge pins 502 remain in the hollow tube formed by the knuckles 420 of adjacent side wall panels 102 so that the collapsable firepit 100 can be opened or closed without separation of the side wall panels 102a-102b, 102b-102c, 102c-102d, 102d-102e, and 102e-102f from each other. However, in some embodiments, these hinge pins 502 may be optionally removeable to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of the collapsable firepit 100.

[0052] The hinge pin 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504 are defined by a distal end 506, a shaft 508, and a proximal end 510. A plurality of through holes (apertures) are disposed in the distal end 506 of the hinge pin 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504. In some embodiments, a screw or the like disposed through the holes may be used to secure the pins 502, 504. Further, such screws may be used to control the angle of the side wall panels 102 when the collapsable firepit 100 is in the open configuration. Preferably, the screws limit the angle to one hundred twenty degrees (120°) in an embodiment with six side wall panels 102.

[0053] The diameter of the shaft 508 is sized to allow the hinge pin 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504 to be slidably and rotatably inserted through the knuckles 420 of theside wall panels 102a-102f. In a nonlimiting example embodiment, the length of the shaft 508 is approximately the same as the height of the side wall panels 102a-102f such that the proximal end 510 is proximal to the top edge of the fire pit base panels 106a-106f when fully inserted into the knuckles 420. Any suitable shaft length may be used in the various embodiments.

[0054] The removeable hinge pin 504 further includes a laterally extending hook member 512. The length (L) of the hook member 512 corresponds to the thickness of the folded up collapsable firepit 100 when in the closed configuration.

[0055] When the collapsable firepit 100 is in the closed configuration (Figure 5 A), a downward producing portion 514 of the laterally extending hook member 512, acting as an arm or a handle, engages the corresponding upper hinge knuckle 420a of the side wall panel 102f. When the removeable hinge pin 504 is engaged with the side wall panel 102a and the upper knuckle 420a of the side wall panel 102f, one skilled in the art appreciates that the collapsable firepit 100 is secured in its closed configuration.

[0056] When the user changes the collapsable firepit 100 from the closed configuration (Figure 5 A) to the opened configuration (Figures 1-3), the user urges the removeable hinge pin 504 upwardly to remove the removeable hinge pin 504 from the side wall panel 102a. The user then arranges the side wall panels 102a-102f in a vertical orientation forming the perimeter of the opened collapsable firepit 100. The user can then align the knuckles 420 of the side wall panel 102a and the side wall panel 102f to form a hollow tube. The user then inserts the removeable hinge pin 504 downwardly through the aligned knuckles 420 of the side wall panel 102a and side wall panel 102f (that are not already joined by one of the hinge pins 502) to secure the collapsablefirepit 100 in its opened configuration. Then, the user may place the fire pit base panels 106a-106f in position to further secure the collapsable firepit 100 in the opened configuration.

[0057] When the user changes the collapsable firepit 100 from the opened configuration (Figures 1-3) to the closed configuration (Figure 5A), the user first removes the fire pit base panels 106a-106f. In a nonlimiting preferred embodiment, the user secures the fire pit base panels 106a-106f to the corresponding side wall panels 102a-102f. Next, the user removes the removeable hinge pin 504 and folds up the side wall panels 102a-102f in an accordion like fashion. The user then inserts the removeable hinge pin 504 downwardly through the knuckles 420 of the side wall panel 102a. The user aligns the downward protruding portion 514 of the hook member 512 with the top knuckle 420a of the side wall panel 102f. As the user urges the removeable hinge pin 504 downward, the distal end 514 of the hook member 512 passes into the knuckle 420a of the side wall panel 102f. In this position, the proximal end of the removeable hinge pin 504 is proximate to an upper edge of the side wall panel 102. When the removeable hinge pin 504 has been completely urged downward into the knuckles 420 of the side wall panel 102a, the distal end 514 of the hook member 512 is extended into the knuckle 420a of the side wall panel 102f, thereby securing the collapsable firepit 100 in the closed configuration.

[0058] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the collapsable firepit 100 with a plurality of cooking members 602 secured to the top of the collapsable firepit 100. The nonlimiting example cooking members 602 include a griddle 602a, a grill 602b, a pot holder 602c, and a table 602d. Two pot holders 602c may be configured to cooperatively secure a rotisserie system 1102 (Figure11). Each one of the cooking members 602 are rotatably and slidably secured to an attachmentpost 604. Alternative types of cooking members 602 are contemplated. Any such cooking members 602 now known or later developed are intended to be protected by the accompanying claims.

[0059] When the collapsable firepit 100 is used for cooking food, food may be placed on the upper surface of the griddle 602a and / or the grill 602b. A pot or the like (not shown) may be suspended from the distal end of the pot holder 602c when cooking food in the pot and / or when heating liquids in the pot.

[0060] Since the cooking members 602 are rotatably secured to its corresponding attachment post 604, the user may rotate the cooking member 602 over or away from the burn region 108 that has burning material retained therein. Since the cooking members 602 are slidably secured to its corresponding attachment post 604, the user may adjust the height of the cooking member 602 over the bum region 108 to control the amount of heat applied to the food or liquid.

[0061] Optional handles 606 may be releasably secured to the cooking members 602. Preferably, the handles 606 may be removable from the cooking members 602. An example embodiment uses a heat insulated grasping member 608 made of a type of heat insulative material, such as wood, plastic or the like, for grasping by the user. Here, the user may use the handles 606 to engage the cooking members 602 with the attachment post 604 and / or to adjust the position of the cooking members 602 over the burn region 108. Further, the user may use the handles 606 to disengage the cooking members 602 from the attachment post 604 so that the cooking members 602 may be moved away from the collapsable firepit 100.

[0062] A cooking table 602d may be secured to the collapsable firepit 100 using an attachment post 604 as described herein. Cooking table 602d provides a relatively small flatsurface that preferably faces outwardly from the burn region 108 of the collapsable firepit 100. The user may place small items, such as salt, pepper, seasoning, oil, and / or liquid containers on the cooking table 602d so that they are readily available for use during cooking of food. One or more small hooks 610 may be disposed on the edges of the cooking table 602d for suspension of objects, such as pot holders, spoons, forks, or the like. Any suitable shape and / or size of the cooking table 602d may be used in the various embodiments.

[0063] Figure 7 is a top view of the griddle 602a. Figure 8 is a top view of the grill 602b. The preferred embodiment of the griddle 602a includes a solid flat cooking surface 702. Optional apertures (not shown) may be disposed in the cooking surface 702 for fluid drainage. The preferred embodiment of the grill 602b includes a flat cooking surface 802 with a plurality of apertures 804 that may be disposed in the cooking surface 802 for fluid drainage and / or to permit flames or heat from the burning material to directly contact cooking food. An alternative embodiment of the grill 602b may employ a series of aligned bars or rods that define a grill grate.

[0064] The griddle 602a and the grill 602b are preferably generally trapezoidal in shape. This trapezoidal shape and size, as illustrated in Figure 6, permits both the griddle 602a and the grill 602b to be used for food cooking at the same time. Alternative embodiments of the griddle 602a and the grill 602b may have any desired shape and / or size. The griddle 602a and the grill 602b are preferably made of a non-flammable material that is rigid or substantially rigid. In some embodiments, a less fire resistant lightweight material may employ a fire resistant coating and / or a non-stick coating, such as, but not limited to, a spray type fire resistant and / or non-stick coating.The griddle 602a and the grill 602b may be fabricated from any suitable metal, such as steel, iron,aluminum, titanium, or the like. The thickness of the griddle 602a and the grill 602b may be defined based on an anticipated weight of the food being cooked at the collapsable firepit 100 during use.

[0065] Optionally, the griddle 602a and the grill 602b include upward slanting retaining walls 704 on one or more edges of the griddle 602a and / or the grill 602b. The retaining walls 704 help prevent slippage of the cooking food from the cooking surfaces 702, 802. The retaining walls 704 on the griddle 602a will help retain fluids, such as cooking oils and / or fluids from the cooking food.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the griddle 602a and the grill 602b include handle attachment members 706 that are configured to releasably couple to a handle 606. The example embodiment illustrates two opposing handle attachment members 706. Alternative embodiments may include any number of handle attachment members 706 at any location along the edges of the griddle 602a and the grill 602b.

[0067] The griddle 602a and the grill 602b include an attachment member 708 having an attachment post aperture 710. The attachment post aperture 710 is configured to receive the attachment post 604 (Figure 6). The diameter of the attachment post aperture 710 is slightly larger than the diameter of the attachment post 604. When the griddle 602a and the grill 602b are secured to the attachment post 604 by sliding the attachment post aperture 710 down over the attachment post 604, a torque is created at the attachment post aperture 710 from the weight of the griddle 602a or the grill 602b, and any present cooking food. This torque frictionally locks the griddle 602a and the grill 602b in place on the attachment post 604. One side edge of the attachment member 708 at the attachment post aperture 710 is rotated upward into frictional contact with acorresponding side of the attachment post 604. The opposing side edge of the attachment member 708 at the attachment post aperture 710 is rotated downward into frictional contact with a corresponding opposing side of the attachment post 604. Accordingly, the user may release their grasp on the griddle 602a or the grill 602b after moving the griddle 602a or the grill 602b to a desired orientation and height, and the frictional forces at the attachment post aperture 710 exerted onto the attachment post 604 secure the griddle 602a or the grill 602b in its position and desired orientation on the attachment post 604. To adjust the orientation and / or the height of the position of the griddle 602a or the grill 602b, the user slightly lifts the distal end of the griddle 602a or the grill 602b to release the attachment post aperture 710 from the attachment post 604. The user may then slide the griddle 602a or the grill 602b up or down along the attachment post 604, and / or rotate the griddle 602a or the grill 602b about the attachment post 604.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the attachment post aperture 710 is angled slightly upward from the cooking surface 702 of the griddle 602a and the cooking surface 802 of the grill 602b. This slight upward angle facilitates the frictional locking of the attachment member 708 at the attachment post aperture 710 to the attachment post 604 while concurrently maintaining the cooking surface 702, 802 in a horizontal orientation. The upward angle of the attachment member 708 from the surface 702, 802 may be two and one half degrees, though any suitable angle may be used in the various embodiments.

[0069] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the pot holder 602c. The pot holder 602c is defined by a proximal end 902, a pot holder member 904, and a distal end 906.

[0070] An optional handle 908 may be included at the proximal end 902, preferably made of a heat insulative material, such as wood, plastic, or the like. The user may grasp the handle 908 to adjust the height of the pot and / or the orientation of the pot over the burn region 108 of the collapsable firepit 100.

[0071] An attachment post aperture 710 is located on the pot holder member 904, preferably near the proximal end of the pot holder member 904. The attachment post aperture 710 is used to secure the pot holder 602c at a desired orientation and location on the attachment post 604 as described herein. The length of the pot holder member 904 may be defied to position the suspended pot over the bum region 108 during use. In some embodiments, the length of the pot holder member 904 may be adjustable using any suitable sliding member portions or telescoping member portions.

[0072] The distal end 906 includes a pot hook 910. An upward pointing portion of the pot hook 910 is configured to receive and retain the handle of a suspended pot or other cooking instrument. Optionally, the distal end 906 includes an optional rotisserie spit rod hook 912 configured to retain a spit rod 1104 (Figure 11) of a rotisserie system 1102 that may be used for cooking.

[0073] Figure 10 is a perspective view on an example handle 606. The nonlimiting example handle 606 includes a heat insulated grasping member 608 and two outwardly extending handle extension members 1002 having their proximal end coupled to the corresponding end of the heat insulated grasping member 608. Some embodiments may have a single handle extension member 1002. The length of the handle extension members 1002 may be selected to define thedistance of the grasping member 608 from the cooking members 602 that the handle 606 is releasable secured to. Preferably the handle extension members 1002 are made of a flexible semirigid material. A slot 1004 is disposed at the distal end 1006 of the handle extension members 1002 that is configured to slidably and frictionally engage the handle attachment members 706 (Figure 7 and 8) of the griddle 602a or the grill 602b. To attach the handle 606 to the handle attachment members 706, the user grasps the two handle extension members 1002, and then compresses the two handle extension members 1002 towards each other. The compressed handle extension members 1002 are then placed in proximity to the handle attachment members 706. The user then releases the compressed handle extension members 1002 so that the slots 1004 frictionally engage the handle attachment members 706. Alternative embodiments may use any suitable handle attachment system now known or later devised to releasably secure a handle 606 to the griddle 602a or the grill 602b. A plurality of handles 606 may be interchangeably used with the griddle 602a, the grill 602b, and / or other cooking members 602.

[0074] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the collapsable firepit 100 employing two pot holders 602c that are being used to hold a rotisserie system 1102. The simplified rotisserie system 1102 comprises a spit rod 1104 and a spit rod handle 1106. Any suitable rotisserie system 1102, including other rotisserie components not illustrated herein, are contemplated. In the example illustrated rotisserie system 1102, a proximal end of the shaft of the spit rod 1104 is held and is rotatably retained by the rotisserie spit rod hook 912 of a first pot holder 602c. In an example embodiment, the rotisserie spit rod hook 912 is sized to receive the spit rod 1104 and retain the spit rod 1104 so that it does not rotate during use. Any suitable retaining means may be used . Adistal end of the shaft of the spit rod 1104 is held and is rotatably retained by the pot hook 910 or the rotisserie spit rod hook 912 of a second pot holder 602c. The height of the first and the second pot holder 602c on their corresponding attachment post 604 may be adjusted to hold food at a desired height from the burn region 108 of the collapsable firepit 100 when the rotisserie system 1102 is used for cooking.

[0075] Figure 12 is a side view of an example attachment post 604. The length of the attachment post 604 may be defined based on the desired height that the various cooking members 602 are to be secured in place above the burn region 108 of the collapsable firepit 100. Some embodiments may have a plurality of attachment posts 604 of different lengths. Preferably, the attachment post 604 is made of a rigid heat proof material.

[0076] The distal end of the attachment post 604 is defined by a shaft 1200 and an attachment post shank 1202. The shaft of the attachment post 604 is defined by a length that is sufficient to suspend the cooking member 602 at a maximum desire height above the bum region 108 of the collapsible firepit 100.

[0077] The attachment post shank 1202 is configured to fit into the hollow receptacle portion of the hinge pins 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504 (Figures 5B and 5C). As described above, a portion of the distal end 510 of the hinge pins 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504 are hollow so as to receive the attachment post shank 1202 located at the distal end of the attachment post 604. The outside diameter of the attachment post shank 1202 is slightly smaller than the corresponding inside diameter of the hollow distal end 510 of the hinge pins 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504 such that the attachment post shank 1202 can be slidably inserted intothe hollow distal end 510 of the hinge pins 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504. The length of the attachment post shank 1202 (and the corresponding depth of the hollow distal end 510 of the hinge pins 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504) so that when the attachment post 604 is coupled to one of the hinge pins 502 or the removeable hinge pin 504, the attachment post 604 does not wobble and is able to support the weight of the corresponding cooking member 602 and any food thereon.

[0078] An optional attachment post retainer 1204 may be used to secure the attachment post 604 to the hinge pins 502 or the removeable hinge pin 504 to prevent an unintentional separation of the attachment post 604 from the collapsable firepit 100 during use. The attachment post retainer 1204 is defined by a hook member 1206 at a proximal end of the attachment post retainer 1204 and a bend portion 1208 at the distal end of the attachment post retainer 1204. The attachment post retainer 1204 is slidably disposed through an aperture on the shaft 1200 proximate to the attachment post shank 1202.

[0079] Returning to Figure 5 A, the upper knuckle 420a of the side wall panels 102a- 102f includes a small receiver aperture 516 configured to receive and retain the end of the hook member 1206. After the user has inserted the attachment post shank 1202 into the hollow receptacle portion of the hinge pins 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504, the user may orient the attachment post 604 so that the end of the hook member 1206 can be inserted into the receiver aperture 516 of the upper knuckle 420a. When the attachment post retainer 1204 is slid over in a first direction, the hook member 1206 engages a corresponding aperture on an upper most knuckle420a. To remove the attachment post 604, the user slides the attachment post retainer 1204 in theother direction to pull the end of the hook member 1206 out of the receiver aperture 516, thereby disengaging the corresponding aperture on the upper most knuckle 420a. Then, the user urges the attachment post 604 upwardly to remove the attachment post 604 from the hinge pin 502 or the removeable hinge pin 504. The bend portion 1208 at the distal end of the attachment post retainer 1204 prevents removal of the attachment post retainer 1204 from the attachment post 604. The engaged bend portion 1208 at the distal end of the attachment post retainer 1204 may also prevent rotation of the attachment post 604 during use.

[0080] Optionally, the attachment post 604 may include a step like structure on the attachment post 604 just above the attachment post shank 1202. Similarly, the hollow distal end 510 of the hinge pins 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504 has a corresponding step that is configured to mate with the step on the attachment post 604. When the attachment post shank 1202 is fully inserted into the hollow distal end 510 of the hinge pins 502 and the removeable hinge pin 504, the steps align so as to prevent rotation of the attachment post shank 1202 during use.

[0081] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a locking ring 308. The locking ring 308 is defined by a body 1302, a plurality of locking feet 1304 each with a locking slot 1306, and at least two key lock slots 1308. The number of locking feet 1304 correspond to the number of fire pit base panels 106. The top of the locking foot 1304 is separated from a lower side of the locking ring body 1302 to define a locking slot 1306. The locking slot 1306 width size corresponds to the thickness of the material of the fire pit base panels 106a-106f.

[0082] When the proximal tips 304 of each of the horizontally oriented fire pit base panels 106a-106f are substantially co-located and adjacent with each other, the semicircularlocking means slots 404 disposed in the fire pit base panels 106a-106f form a circle that corresponds to the diameter of the locking ring 308. These locking means slots 404 are configured to receive and frictionally engage the locking feet 1304 of the locking ring 308. Each of the locking means slots 404 are configured to receive one of the downward protruding locking feet 1304 of the locking ring 308. During set up, the user would insert the locking feet 1304 through the corresponding locking means slots 404, and then rotate the locking ring 308 to frictionally engage each locking foot 1304 with the corresponding locking means slot 404. To remove the locking ring 308, the user rotates the locking ring 308 in the opposite direction and then urges the locking ring 308 upward.

[0083] Figure 14 illustrates a nonlimiting example fire poker 1402 embodiment. The distal end 1404 of the fire poker 1402 is configured to engage the two example key lock slots 1308 of the locking ring 308 to secure and / or remove the locking ring 308 from the fire pit base panels 106a-106f. The example fire poker 1402 acts as a key for the locking ring 308 in the event the locking ring 308 is too hot to remove by hand after use of the collapsable firepit 100. When cooking, the fire poker 1402 may be used to arrange the burning material within the collapsable firepit 100.

[0084] As used herein, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “front,” “forward,” “rear,” and “rearward” are defined relative to the opened collapsable firepit 100 when resting on the ground. The terms “height,” “vertical,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “top,” “bottom,” “topmost,” and “bottom-most” are defined relative to vertical axis of the opened collapsable firepit 100 whenresting on the ground. The vertical axis is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis and is defined as parallel to the direction of the earth’s gravity force on the collapsable firepit 100 when the collapsable firepit 100 is on horizontal ground. The term “lateral” is defined relative to the lateral axis of the collapsable firepit 100. The lateral axis is non-parallel to the longitudinal and vertical axes.

[0085] The term “configured” as used herein means an element being one or more of sized, dimensioned, positioned, or oriented to achieve or provide the recited function or result. The term “directly coupled” as used herein means that a component contacts (for example, when bolted) or is welded to another component. The term “indirectly coupled” as used herein means that a first component is coupled to a second component by way of one or more intervening components that are directly coupled to the first and second components. A first component that is indirectly coupled to a second component is directly coupled to a third component, which may be directly coupled to the second component or to a fourth component that is directly coupled to the second component. The term “coupled” should therefore be understood to disclose both direct and indirect coupling of components or elements that are described as being coupled to each other.

[0086] The term “or” is an inclusive grammatical conjunction to indicate that one or more of the connected terms may be employed. For example, the phrase “one or more A, B, or C” or the phrase “one or more As, Bs, or Cs” is employed to discretely disclose each of the following: i) one or more As, ii) one or more Bs, iii) one or more Cs, iv) one or more As and one or more Bs, v) one or more As and one or more Cs, vi) one or more Bs and one or more Cs, and vii) one or more As, one or more Bs, and one or more Cs. The term “based on” as used herein is not exclusiveand allows for being based on additional factors not described. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. Plural references are intended to also disclose the singular.

[0087] While the preferred embodiment of the collapsable firepit 100 has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Each disclosure of a component preferably having a feature or characteristic is intended to also disclose the component as being devoid of that feature or characteristic, unless the principles of the invention clearly dictate otherwise. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow. It should also be noted that the claim dependencies or combinations of elements recited in the claims do not reflect an intention to forgo claiming other subject matter disclosed herein. Instead, this disclosure is intended to also disclose the subject matter of any combination of any two or more of the claims, such that subsequent claim sets may recite that any one of the dependent claims depends from any other one or more claims, up to and including all other claims in the alternative (such as “The apparatus or method of any one of the preceding or subsequent claims. . ..”). This disclosure is also intended to disclose the subject matter of any one of the dependent claims, as if it was an independent claim, with or without all or a portion of the subject matter of the original independent claim(s) or any other subject matter disclosed herein.

[0088] Those of ordinary skill in the art will conceive of other alternate embodiments of the invention upon reviewing this disclosure. Thus, the invention is not to be limited to the above description but is to be determined in scope by the claims that follow.

Claims

IN THE CLAIMS:

1. A collapsible firepit comprising: a plurality of side wall panels, wherein adjacent side wall panels are rotatably hinged together by a rotatable hinge means; and a fire pit base, wherein a configuration of the collapsible firepit may be changed between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the collapsable firepit in the closed configuration has each of the plurality of side wall panels oriented coplanar with and are adjacent to each other, wherein the collapsable firepit in the open configuration has each of the plurality of side wall panels arranged in a serial manner to define a perimeter of the collapsable firepit, wherein the fire pit base resides within the inside of the perimeter of the collapsible firepit in the open configuration, and wherein a bum region is cooperatively defined by the fire pit base and the plurality of side wall panels when the collapsible firepit is in the open configuration.

2. The collapsible firepit of claim 1, wherein each side wall panel is defined by a first side edge and a second side edge that opposes the first side edge, wherein each side wall panel comprises: a first plurality of outwardly extending knuckles on the first edge of the side wall panel, wherein each of the first plurality of knuckles define a first hollow tube portion; and a second plurality of outwardly extending knuckles on the second edge of the side wall panel, wherein each of the second plurality of knuckles define a hollow tube portion,wherein the first plurality of knuckles of a first one of the plurality of side wall panels are configured to interleave with the second plurality of knuckles of a second one of the plurality of side wall panels such that the first hollow portions and the second hollow portion align to define a hollow tube, a plurality of hinge pins, wherein each one of the plurality of hinge pins is inserted through the hollow tube formed by the interleaved knuckles of adjacent side wall panels such that the adjacent side wall panels are rotatably coupled together; and a removeable hinge pin, wherein the removeable hinge pin is configured to be slidably inserted into the hollow tube formed by the interleaved knuckles of two adjacent ones of the plurality of side wall panels that are not already joined by one of the hinge pins, wherein all of the plurality of side wall panels then become rotatably joined with their respective adjacent side wall panel to place the collapsible firepit in the open configuration.

3. The collapsible firepit of claim 2, wherein the removeable hinge pin is further configured to be slidably removed so that the two respective side panels can be disengaged from each other so that the collapsible firepit can be placed in the closed position.

4. The collapsible firepit of claim 3, wherein the removeable hinge pin is defined by a distal end that is initially insertable into the hollow tube formed by the interleaved knuckles of two adj acent ones of the plurality of side wall panels that are not joined by one of the hinge pins, wherein the removeable hinge pin is defined by a shaft that has a length that corresponds to a length of the plurality of side wall panels, andwherein the removeable hinge pin is defined by a proximal end such that, when the removeable hinge pin is inserted into the hollow tube, the proximal end of the removeable hinge pin is proximate to an upper edge of the side wall panel, and wherein the removeable hinge pin further comprises: a hook member laterally extending out from the proximal end of the removeable hinge pin, wherein the hook member is configured to engage at least an upper knuckle of the other side wall panel to secure the collapsible firepit in the closed configuration.

5. The collapsible firepit of claim 1, wherein the fire pit base comprises: a plurality of fire pit base panels, wherein each fire pit base panel is substantially triangular in shape, wherein each fire pit base panel is defined by a proximal side having a length corresponding to a width of its corresponding side wall panel, wherein each fire pit base panel is defined by opposing side edges, and wherein each fire pit base panel is further defined by a tip at a distal end of the fire pit base panel, wherein the proximal end of each fire pit base panel is secured to a respective side wall panel, wherein the tips of each fire pit base panel are substantially co-located when the plurality of fire pit base panels are horizontally oriented within the perimeter of the collapsible firepit, wherein the side edges of each fire pit base panel are adjacent to each other when the plurality of fire pit base panels are horizontally oriented within the perimeter of the collapsible firepit, and wherein the horizontally oriented plurality of fire pit base panels located within the perimeter of the collapsible firepit define a surface of the fire pit base.

6. The collapsible firepit of claim 5, wherein a number of the plurality of fire pit base panels the same as a number of the plurality of side wall panels.

7. The collapsible firepit of claim 5, further comprising: at least one support member secured to the fire pit base panel, wherein the at least one support member includes a securing tab that extends outwardly beyond the proximal side of the fire pit base panel, wherein the corresponding side wall panel includes a securing slot at a first height above the bottom of the side wall panel, wherein the securing slot is configured to receive the securing tab of the support member when the fire pit base panel is horizontally oriented within the perimeter of the collapsible firepit, and wherein the securing tab engages the corresponding side wall panel to form a cantilever that supports the fire pit base panel in its horizontal orientation when the collapsible firepit is in the open configuration.

8. The collapsible firepit of claim 7, wherein a first support member and a second support member are secured to the fire pit base panel, wherein the corresponding side wall panel includes a first securing slot at the first height above the bottom of the side wall panel and a second securing slot at the first height above the bottom of the side wall panel, and wherein when the securing tab of the first support member is engaged with the corresponding side wall panel at the first securing slot, and when the securing tab of the second support member is engaged with the corresponding side wall panel at the second securing slot, the fire pit base panel is secured in its horizontal orientation at the first height.

9. The collapsible firepit of claim 8, wherein the corresponding side wall panel includes a third securing slot at a second height above the bottom of the side wall panel and a fourth securing slot at the second height above the bottom of the side wall panel, wherein the second height is different than the first height, and wherein when the securing tab of the first support member is engaged with the corresponding side wall panel at the third securing slot, and when the securing tab of the second support member is engaged with the corresponding side wall panel at the fourth securing slot, the fire pit base panel is secured in its horizontal orientation at the second height.

10. The collapsible firepit of claim 5, wherein the collapsable firepit in the closed configuration has each of the fire pit base panels oriented substantially parallel with and adjacent to its respective side wall panel.

11. The collapsible firepit of claim 5, further comprising: a locking means, wherein the locking means secures the fire pit base panels together proximate to the tip of each fire pit base panel.

12. The collapsible firepit of claim 11, wherein the locking means is a locking ring defined by a locking ring body and a plurality of protruding feet, wherein a number of the protruding feet correspond to the number of the fire pit base panels, wherein each of the fire pit base panels includes a locking means slot proximate to the tips of each fire pit base panel,wherein a user inserts the protruding feet of the locking ring into a corresponding one of the locking means slot, and wherein a rotation of the locking ring by the user frictionally engages the feet with the corresponding locking means slot so that the fire pit base panel become locked together.

13. The collapsible firepit of claim 1, wherein an upper end of at least one of the rotatable hinge means has a hollow opening, the collapsible firepit further comprising: an attachment post defined by an attachment post shank at a distal end of the attachment post and a shaft, wherein the attachment post shank is defined by a first diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the hollow opening of the rotatable hinge means such that the attachment post shank can be inserted into the hollow opening to secure the attachment post to the collapsible firepit when in the open configuration.

14. The collapsible firepit of claim 13, wherein the shaft of the attachment post is defined by a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the attachment post shank.

15. The collapsible firepit of claim 13; further comprising: a cooking member that includes an attachment post aperture, wherein third diameter of the attachment post aperture is slightly larger than the second diameter of the shaft of the attachment post, and wherein the cooking member may be releasably secured to the attachment post at a desired height and at a desired orientation when the shaft of the attachment post is placed through the attachment post aperture of the cooking member.

16. The collapsible firepit of claim 15, wherein the cooking member is one of a griddle, a grill and a pot holder.

17. The collapsible firepit of claim 13, wherein the attachment post further comprises:an attachment post retainer slidably disposed through an aperture on the shaft proximate to the attachment post shank, wherein an uppermost knuckle of the rotatable hinge means includes a receiver aperture that is configured to receive a proximal end of the attachment post retainer, wherein when the attachment post shank is inserted into the hollow opening of the rotatable hinge means and the proximal end of the attachment post retainer is engaged with the receiver aperture of the uppermost knuckle, the attachment post cannot be disengaged from the rotatable hinge means or rotated about the rotatable hinge means.

18. The collapsible firepit of claim 1, wherein the collapsible firepit has six side wall panels.

19. The collapsible firepit of claim 18, wherein the fire pit base comprises: six fire pit base panels, wherein each fire pit base panel is substantially triangular in shape, wherein each fire pit base panel is defined by a proximal side having a length corresponding to a width of its corresponding side wall panel, wherein each fire pit base panel is defined by opposing side edges, and wherein each fire pit base panel is further defined by a tip at a distal end of the fire pit base panel, wherein the proximal end of each fire pit base panel is secured to a respective side wall panel, wherein the tips of each fire pit base panel are substantially co-located when the plurality of fire pit base panels are horizontally oriented within the perimeter of the collapsible firepit, wherein the side edges of each fire pit base panel are adjacent to each other when the six fire pit base panels are horizontally oriented within the perimeter of the collapsible firepit, andwherein the horizontally oriented six fire pit base panels located within the perimeter of the collapsible firepit define a surface of the fire pit base.

20. The collapsible firepit of claim 19, wherein the collapsable firepit in the closed configuration has each of the fire pit base panels oriented substantially parallel with and adjacent to its respective side wall panel, and wherein each of the fire pit base panels are secured to its respective side wall panel.

Images