Portable cooking device

Abstract

A portable cooking device for grilling and/or smoking food products which can be attached to a trailer or cargo hitch of a vehicle, or which can be quickly and easily converted to free-standing use.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable cooking device comprising: 
 a. a cooking enclosure; and    b. means for mounting said cooking enclosure to a towing hitch of a vehicle    
     
     
         2 . The portable cooking device of    claim 1   , wherein said means for attaching said cooking enclosure to a towing hitch of a vehicle further comprises: 
 a. a roughly horizontal rigid member received within said towing hitch; and    b. a roughly vertical rigid member having an upper end and a lower end, wherein said upper end of said roughly vertical rigid member is attached to the base of said cooking enclosure, and said lower end of said roughly vertical rigid member is affixed to said roughly horizontal rigid member.    
     
     
         3 . The portable cooking device of    claim 2   , further comprising a mounting bracket attached to said cooking enclosure, wherein the upper end of said roughly vertical member is received within said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         4 . The portable cooking device of    claim 3   , wherein said roughly horizontal rigid member is of sufficient length to permit a tailgate of said vehicle to open without being obstructed by said cooking enclosure.  
     
     
         5 . The portable cooking device of    claim 3   , wherein said roughly horizontal rigid member is of sufficient length to permit a trunk lid of said vehicle to open without being obstructed by said cooking enclosure.  
     
     
         6 . The portable cooking device of    claim 3   , further comprising a cargo rack mounted to said roughly horizontal rigid member.