Portable wind barrier for a field stove

Abstract

A portable wind barrier for a field stove comprised of a plurality of interconnected panels. The interconnected panels are typically rectangular and planar. The interconnected panels are interconnected, with hinges on the long edge of the panel. The portable wind barrier for a field stove can be configured into a closed surface, surrounding and encircling the fire. The present invention is fabricated from environmentally durable, heat resistant material.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A portable wind barrier for a field stove comprising;
 a plurality of planar, rectangular interconnected panels, fabricated from an environmentally durable, heat-resistant material, each panel having two long edges, two short edges, a planar surface, and a functional image pressed into the planar surface;   a plurality of hinges, connecting the interconnected panels together on the long edges; and   a two-piece connector, having two pieces that can be temporarily attached to one another;   wherein two of the interconnected panels, called the end panels, are hinged on only one long edge;   wherein the long edge of the end panels that is not hinged is called the free edge;   wherein one piece of the two-piece connector is on the free edge of one end panel, and wherein the other piece of the two-piece connector on the free edge of the other end panel;   wherein the interconnected panels can be configured to surround a fire for a field stove by arranging the interconnected panels to create an enclosed surface with the fire on the interior.   
     
     
         2 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 1 , wherein the interconnected panels are fabricated from sheet steel. 
     
     
         3 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 2 , wherein the interconnected panels are fabricated from steel between 20 gauge (U.S. Standard Gauge 0.0375″) and 30 gauge (U.S. Standard Gauge 0.0125″). 
     
     
         4 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 3 , wherein the long edge of the interconnected panels is between 1.5 ft (457.2 mm) and 3.0 ft (914.4 mm). 
     
     
         5 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 4 , wherein the length of the portable wind barrier for a field stove is between 4 ft. (1.219 mm) and 10 (2.54 m) ft, and wherein the length of the portable wind barrier for a field stove is calculated by multiplying the length of a short edge by the number of interconnected panels. 
     
     
         6 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 5 , wherein the interconnected panels are fabricated from galvanized sheet steel. 
     
     
         7 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 5 , wherein the interconnected panels are fabricated from stainless (chromium) sheet steel. 
     
     
         8 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 1 , wherein the hinges are continuous (also known as piano) hinges. 
     
     
         9 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 1 , wherein there are at least three (3) interconnected panels. 
     
     
         10 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 1 , wherein there are at least six (6) interconnected panels. 
     
     
         11 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 1 , wherein there are at least eight (8) interconnected panels. 
     
     
         12 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 1 , wherein the functional image is pressed into the planar surface of each interconnected panel so that the functional image is no longer coplanar with the rest of the planar surface of the interconnected panel. 
     
     
         13 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 12 , wherein the functional image is decorative. 
     
     
         14 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 13 , wherein the functional image is of a fish. 
     
     
         15 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 13 , wherein the functional image is of chicken. 
     
     
         16 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 13 , wherein the functional image is of a lobster. 
     
     
         17 . The portable wind barrier for a field stove in  claim 12 , wherein the functional images on adjacent interconnected panels are oriented so that when the portable wind barrier for a field stove is folded for transport, the functional images nest into one another, allowing the dimensions of the folded portable wind barrier for a field stove to be minimized.