Collapsible multi-level barbeque grill, oven and smoker system

Abstract

A cooking system for outdoor cooking has a body for enclosing items to be cooked, and one or both of a charcoal pan and a gas burner for providing heat for cooking. The system is characterized in that the body is formed of a plurality of ring segments of sequentially smaller size, arranged such that the body may be collapsed telescopically to form a cooking chamber of a first height, or extended from the collapsed state to form a cooking chamber of a second, substantially greater height.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cooking system for outdoor cooking comprising; 
 a body for enclosing items to be cooked; and    one or both of a charcoal pan and a gas burner for providing heat for cooking;    characterized in that the body is formed of a plurality of ring segments of sequentially smaller size, arranged such that the body may be collapsed telescopically to form a cooking chamber of a first height, or extended from the collapsed state to form a cooking chamber of a second, substantially greater height.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a gas burner unit having two or more separate manifolds and burners, and a valved control system for feeding gas selectively to one or more of the manifolds and burners.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising an automatic spark lighting system operable in conjunction with the valved control system.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein, in the valved control system, a single knob feeds gas to the burners selectively, depending on the rotary positions of the knob.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  having both a charcoal pan and a gas burner system.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein an upper ring segment has pins and a lower ring segment has slots, one or more of the slots having a horizontal as well as a vertical component, such that the lower segment may be raised, collapsing intervening segments telescopically, and the slots may be engaged on the pins to hold the unit collapsed.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a domed lid for covering the body in use.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a wheeled carriage assembly for supporting the system in use and/or for portability.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the body mounts to the carriage assembly by two or more downward-facing brackets, fitting over a cross-member of the carriage.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein a portion of the wheeled carriage assembly is foldable upon itself to facilitate convenience in storage.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of grill racks and supports for the racks at various heights within the extended body.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising one or more of grill racks and a cover and a lift handle assembly for attaching to and elevating a grill rack or cover above the body and moving the rack or cover to one side of the system.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one suspension hook for suspending food items from a grill rack down into the body.  
     
     
         14 . A method for enhancing functionality of an outdoor cooking system having a body for enclosing items to be cooked, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) forming the body in a plurality of ring segments of sequentially smaller size;    (b) arranging the segments such that the body may be collapsed telescopically to form a cooking chamber of a first height, or extended from the collapsed state to form a cooking chamber of a second, substantially greater height.