US2627263A - Foldable ration heater - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 3, 1 953 2 G. L. ANDERSON 2,627,263

FOLDABLE RATION HEATER Filed April 14. 1952 2 SHEETSSHEET l 23 II 20 25 24 I9 '25 INVENTOR. GEORGE LANDERSON BY @wW ATTORNEY Feb. 3, 1953 G. 1.. ANDERSON FOLDABLE RATION HEATER 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed April 14. 1952 INVENTOR. GEORGE LANDERS 0N BY W A TTORNEY Patented Feb. 3, 1953 FOLDABLE RATION HEATER,

George L. Anderson, Alexandria, Va., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Application April 14, 1952, Serial No. 282,256

(Granted under Title 35, U. 8. Code (1952),

sec. 266) 6 Claims.

an extremely compact condition when not in use, so that it may readily be carried in a soldiers pack, coat pocket, or the like.

A further object is to provide a heater of the above-mentioned type having built-in ration can supporting and heating means which are shiftable to enclosed positions within the body portion of the heater, when the same is collapsed or folded. A further object is to provide in a heater of the above-mentioned character, a can support or bafile which prevents the flame from directly contacting the ration can and burning or scorching the rations.

Still further objects are to provide a ration heater which is highly simplified in construction, compact, sturdy and durable, reliable in operation and quite inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible heater embodying my invention, and showing the same in use for heating a can of rations,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the heater in the collapsed or folded condition,

Figure 3 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the folded heater,

Figure 4 is a plan view on a somewhat reduced scale of the heater in the extended or open position,

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a similar section taken on line 6-4 of Figure 4, and,

Figure 7 is a vertical section on line of Figure 3, and drawn on a reduced scale. 7

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numerals I 0, II and I2 designate three side walls or panels which form the body portion of my heater. These side walls I 0, II

and [2 are similar in construction, and each side wall is rectangular, and flat over the major portion of its area. The side walls Ni, ii and I2 are preferably formed of'sheet metal of sufliciently heagy gauge to render the heater substantially r1g1 Each of the side walls [0, l l and I2 has its opposite ends bent to provide relatively short inclined integral extensions 13; extending for the entire height of the side wall and projecting laterally inwardly thereof. The extensions 13 of the intermediate side wall II are hingedly connected near their top and bottom ends to the inner extensions 13 of side walls I!) and I12 by hinges 14, preferably formed from the material of the side walls It, II and I2. Thearrange-ment is such that the three hingedly connected side walls or panels of the heater may be arranged to form a generally triangular upright body portion or housing as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The hinged side walls are also swingable to the collapsed or folded positions shown clearly in Figures 2 and 3. The ends of the side walls l0 and I2 remote from the intermediate side wall II are not hingedly connected, but freely disposed, so that the heater may be folded and unfolded, as shown. When in the collapsed condition, the side walls H), II and I2 assume the relative positions shown in Figure 3 and are substantially parallel. The lateral extensions l3 maintain the side walls l0 and I I spaced apart somewhat, and the side wall l2 lies closely adjacent to the outer surface ofthe side wall I 0, Figure 3. When in the collapsed condition, the side walls in, II and i2 form a narrow flat housing or enclosure, and the entire assembly may be conveniently carried in a coat pocket, soldier's pack, or the like.

A shallow circular holder or pan l 5 is provided for holding a small quantity of liquid fuel such as gasoline or, a suitable tablet saturated with liquid fuel. The pan I5 is rigidly secured to and carried by a short radial arm 16, hingedly secured at I! to the side wall It). At its outer end,

. the arm I6 is bent downwardly 90 degrees to form an integral depending tab or stop l8, adapted to engage the side wall 10 below the hinge I1 and prevent the pan l5 from swinging below horizontal, Figure 5. The pan I5 is freely swingable upwardly to the position shown in Fig ures 3 and 7, when the heater is collapsed. When the pan i5 is in the operative horizontal position as shown in Figures 4 and 5, it is spaced slightly above the lower ends of the side Walls, and the hinge I1 is disposed at the longitudinal center of the side Wall II]. The pan is spaced equidistantly from the three side walls I0, II and I2 when the heater is in the operative position, Figure 4.

A substantially flat support plate or bafile I9 is rigidly secured to and carried by an L-shaped arm 20, hingedly secured at 2| to the side wall I I, Figures 4 and 6. The outer depending extension 22 of the L-shaped arm 29 constitutes a stop for engagement with the side wall II, below the hinge 2|, and prevents the support plate I9 from 2 swinging below the horizontal, while permitting the same to swing freely upwardly to the inoperative or stowed position. The support plate I9 when in the operative horizontal position is spaced a slight distance above the pan I5 in parallel superposed relation therewith. The support plate is provided near one corner thereof with a depending tab or leg 23, rigidly secured thereto, which rests upon the hinge Il, close to the side wall It, to further firmly support the 3 plate I9, which bears the weight of the ration circular =fuel pan I5, which is smaller in diameter than the support plate I9, as shown. The

support plate I9 is provided with three equidistantly spaced upstanding projections or lugs 25, preferably stamped out of the material of the support plate. These lugs 25 engage the bottom of the ration can to hold the same spaced slightly above the top surface of the support plate, and the lugs also aid in positioning the can centrally upon the support plate. In addition to its function as a support for the ration can, the plate I9 constitutes a flame baffle which prevents the flame from the fuel pan I5 from impinging directly upon the bottom of the ration can, which might result in the burning of contents.

The support plate I9 is cut off for forming a forward straight edge 26 which lies adjacent to the top edge of the side wall II, Figure 7, when the heater is in the folded condition. When the heater is folded, no parts of the pan I5 or support plate I9 project outside of the narrow housing formed by the side Walls I9, I I and I2.

The side walls I9, II and I2 are provided near and above their lower ends and adjacent to the fuel pan I5 with horizontal rows of spaced airinlet openings 21' which permit air to enter the lower end of the triangular housing, and circulate upwardly through the triangular housing for forming a natural updraft to support combustion. The side walls Ill, II and I2 extend a substantial distance above the support plate I9, when the same is disposed horizontally so that the ration can resting upon the support plate is substantially enclosed by the three side Walls as shown in'Figure l. The top end of the triangular housing is open, so that the ration can can be readily placed in and removed from the 'heater.

Means are provided to releasably lock the side walls Ill, II and I2 in their extended and folded positions. Such means comprises a spring tab or latch element 21, rigidly secured in any prefer-red manner to the free extension I3 of the side wall I2, and disposed at the vertical center of the side wall I2. The side wall I is provided in its free extension I3 with an aperture 28, adapted to receive an inwardly offset projection or detent '29 of the latch element 21. The arrangement is such that when the side walls I9 and I2 are swung to their positions shown in Figures 1 and 4, wherein they contact the curved edges 24 of support plate I9, the detent 29 snaps into the aperture 28 and releasably secures the side walls in their triangular relationship, forming the housing or body portion of the heater.

When the heater is collapsed or folded for storage in a pocket, soldiers pack or the like, the support plate I9 is first swung upwardly against the inner surface of the side wall I I, and the fuel pan I is likewise swung upwardly against the side wall ID. The side wall I9 is then swung toward the side wall II, until it assumes substantially the position shown in Figure 3, and

finally the side wall I2 is folded over the side Wall I0 and disposed exteriorly thereof. When this is done, the detent 29 will snap into the narrow space 30 between the hinged extensions I3 of the side walls I0 and II, and the latch element 2'! now serves to releasably secure the three side walls in their folded substantially parallel positions.

The lateral extensions I3 of the three side walls serve to maintain the side walls It and I I spaced apart suificiently to accommodate the fuel pan I5 and support plate I9, when these elements are swung to their positions between the side Walls as shown in Figures 2 and 3. However, the space between the folded side walls In and II is relatively narrow so that when the support plate I9 and pan I5 have assumed their positions shown in Figures 2 and 3, they cannot again swing downwardly to their horizontal positions, until the side walls have been opened and assume the triangular relationship shown in Figures 1 and 4. 7

As previously stated, the side walls II], II and I2 are preferably formed of sheet metal, and the other components of the heater, namely the fuel pan I5 and support plate I9 may likewise be formed of sheet metal of a suitable thickness to provide the desired rigidity and strength to the heater.

The heater is highly compact and simplified in construction, extremely easy to operate and occupies a minimum space Within 'a soldiers pack or the like. When in the collapsed position shown in Figure 2, the heater may be conveniently placed in a coat pocket or the like.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A collapsible heater comprising three hingedly connected side walls adapted to be positioned to form an upstanding generally triangular housing, the side walls having relatively short lateral extensions at their ends, a fuel pan hingedly secured to one side wall and adapted to extend substantially horizontally while enclosed by the three side walls and swingable upwardly to lie next to the side wall to which it is secured, and a support plate hingedly secured to another of said side walls above said fuel pan and adapted. to extend substantially horizontally above the :fuel .pan while. enclosed by the side Walls and swingable upwardly to lie next to the side wall to tion including aplurality of hingedly connected panels provided at opposite ends with relatively short lateral extensions, the outer ends of the endmost pair of the panels being free from permanent connection and adapted to be brought together for forming an upright enclosure open at the top, a fuel pan hingedly secured to one panel near the lowerend of the same, sto means connected with the fuel pan to prevent the same from moving below a substantially horizontal position when the panels are upright, the fuel pan being foldable upon the panel carrying it, a support plate hingedly secured to a second of said panels at an elevation above the fuel pan and spaced a substantial distance below the tops of the panels, stop means connected with the support plate to prevent the same from moving below a substantially horizontal position when the panels are upright, the support plate being foldable upon the panel carrying it, the panels being folda-ble to substantially parallel superposed positions wherein they are spaced apart laterally by the relatively short extensions of a pair of the panels and form a narrow substantially flat housing for the fuel pan and support plate, and releasable means for securing the panels in their upright or folded positions,

3. A heater for ration cans or the like comprising three hingedly connected wall sections adapted for arrangement to form a generally triangular housing, the wall sections havin relatively short lateral end extensions forming corner portions of the generally triangular housing, a shallow fuel p an hingedly secured to one endmost wall section near the lower end of the same and adapted to extend horizontally beyond the inner side of such wall section for central arrangement within the generally triangular housing, the fuel pan being foldable upon the wall section carrying it, a substantially fiat support plate hingedly secured to the intermediate wall section at an elevation near and above the fuel pan and adapted to extend horizontally inwardly of the intermediate wall section in superposed relation to the fuel pan, the major portions of the wall sections extending above the sup-port plate, means connected with the support plate to prevent the same from moving below the horizontal position, the endmost wall sections having their outer ends free from permanent connection, whereby they are foldable upon each other in opposed substantially parallel contacting relation, the endmost wall sections being then spaced from the intermediate wall section in opposed substantially parallel relation by said lateral end extensions.

4. A foldable pocket size heater comprising three hingedly connected wall sections provided at their opposite ends with lateral extensions, corresponding ends of the endmost wall sections being freely disposed so that the endmost wall sections are foldable over the intermediate wall section to form a substantially fiat narrow enclosure, the wall sections being swingable to positions forming a substantially triangular upright enclosure, 3, fuel pan hingedly secured to one wall section near the lower end of the same and adapted to extend inwardly of said wall section for disposition centrally within the triangular enclosure, a support plate hingedly secured to another of the wall sections at an elevation near and above thefuel pan and adapted to extend inwardly of the last-named wall section for disposition centrally within the triangular enclosure, the support plate being of a larger area than the fuel pan and having marginal edges contacting said endmost wall sections and limiting their movement toward each other for posttively defining the triangular enclosure, and a latch element carried by one endmost wall section and engaging the other endmost wall section to releasably hold the three wall sections in their positions forming the substantially triangular enclosure.

5. A foldable heater for individual rations comprising three hingedly connected wall sections provided at their ends with lateral extensions, corresponding ends of the endmost wall sections being free from permanent connection and foldable over the intermediate wall section to form a substantially fiat narrow housing, the wall sec tions being shiftable to positions forming a substantially triangular upright housing, a fuel pan hingedly secured to one wall section near the lower end of the same and adapted to extend inwardly of such wall section for disposition centrally within the triangular housing, the fuel pan then being spaced from the three wall sections, a support plate hingedly secured to another of said wall sections at an elevation near and above the fuel pan and adapted to extend inwardly of the last-named wall section for disposition centrally within the triangular housing, the support plate being of a larger area than the fuel pan and having marginal edges which contact the endmost wall sections for limiting their movement toward each other, a depending leg carried by the support plate and engaging upon the fuel pan to rigidly support the support plate while the same extends over the fuel pan, and a latch element carried by one endmost wall section and extending beyond the outermost end of such wall section, the other endmost wall section being provided near its outermost end with an opening receiving the latch element for releasably securing the wall sections in their positions forming the triangular housing, the latch element engaging the inner end of the last-named endmost wall section when the endmost wall sections are folded over the intermediate wall section and thereby releasably holding the wall sections in their positions forming the flat narrow housing.

6. A foldable heater for individual ration cans comprising a body portion including a plurality of hingedly connected panels provided at opposite ends with relatively short lateral extensions, the outer ends of the endmost panels being free from permanent connection and adapted to be brought together for forming an upright enclosure having its top open, the panels being provided near their bottom ends with openings through which air enters the upright enclosure to aid combustion, a fuel pan hingedly secured to one panel at substantially the elevation of said openings, a depending stop element secured to the fuel pan and engaging the panel to which the fuel pan is secured and preventing the fuel pan from moving below a substantially horizontal position when the panels are upright, the fuel pan being foldable upon the panel to which it is secured, a support plate hingedly secured to a second of the panels at an elevation near and above the fuel pan and spaced a substantial dis- 7 8 tance below the tops of the panels, a depending REFERENCES CITED- leg secured to the support plate for engaging The following references are of record in'the the fuel pan to prevent the support plate from me of this patent: moving below a substantially horizontal position when the panels are upright, the support plate 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS being foldable upon the panel to which it is se- Number Name Date cured, the panels being foldable to substantially 274,330 Houchin Mar. 20, 1883 parallel positions wherein they are spaced apart 507,828 Montanus Oct. 31, 1893 by said short lateral extensions of a pair of the 695,979 Widmer Mar. 25, 1902 panels and forming a narrow substantially flat 10 1,262,209 King Apr. 9, 1918 housing for the fuel pan and support plate, and 1,606,197 Van Ness Nov1 9, 1926 a latch element carried by one endmost panel 2,424,665 Pope July 29, 1947 for engagement with the other endmos't panel to releasably secure the panels in their folded FOREIGN PATENTS and extended positions. 15 Number C u y Date 336,901 Germany May 14, 1921 GEORGE L. ANDERSON.

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