U.S. patent application number 12/466235 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-18 for portable outdoor fireplace.
Invention is credited to Leonard R. Stamper, Brian J. Sykes.
Application Number | 20100288263 12/466235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43067490 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100288263 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sykes; Brian J. ; et
al. |
November 18, 2010 |
PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACE
Abstract
A portable outdoor fireplace which can also be used as a cooking
grill. The fireplace includes a base member, a four-sided screened
enclosure, a top member and two wheels. Only a few fasteners are
needed to assemble and hold all of the components together.
Inventors: |
Sykes; Brian J.; (Mission
Viejo, CA) ; Stamper; Leonard R.; (Anaheim,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dickinson Wright PLLC;Suite 2000
38525 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills
MI
48304-5092
US
|
Family ID: |
43067490 |
Appl. No.: |
12/466235 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/519 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24B 1/181 20130101;
Y10T 29/49826 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/519 ;
29/428 |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/181 20060101
F24B001/181 |
Claims
1. A portable fireplace device comprising: a base member; a
screened enclosure having a plurality of planar screen panels; and
a top member; said screened enclosure being attached to said base
member; said top member being positioned on said screened
enclosure.
2. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein
said base member, screened enclosure and top member are
substantially square in cross-section.
3. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein
said base member, screened enclosure and top member are
substantially polygonal in cross-section.
4. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1 further
comprising at least one wheel member positioned on said base
member.
5. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 4 wherein
two wheel members are provided.
6. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 4 wherein
said at least one wheel member is rotatably positioned on al axle
member which in turn is connected to said base member.
7. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 6 wherein
said axle member is securely affixed to said base member by a pin
member.
8. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 7 wherein
said pin member is a cotter pin.
9. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 5 wherein
said two wheel members are rotatably positioned on at least one
axle member which is in turn connected to said base member.
10. The portable fireplace device as described in claim. 9 wherein
said axle member is securely affixed to said base member by a pin
member.
11. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 10 wherein
said pin member is a cotter pin.
12. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein
said screened enclosure comprises four planar screen panel
members.
13. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 12 wherein
said screen panel members are each substantially trapezoidal in
shape.
14. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 12 wherein
said screen panel members comprise a screen member inside an outer
frame member, said outer frame member comprising a lower edge
member which is positioned on said base members two angled side
edges and an upper edge member.
15. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 14 wherein
at least one of said lower edge member has fastening means thereon
for securely connecting said screen enclosure to said base
member.
16. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 15 wherein
said fastening means comprise a bolt member and wherein a nut
member is utilized to securely connect said screen enclosure to
said base member.
17. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 16 wherein
said nut member is a wing nut.
18. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 14 wherein
two of said lower edge members have fastening means thereon for
securely connecting said screen enclosure to said base member.
19. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 18 wherein
said fastening means comprise a bolt member and wherein a nut
member is utilized to securely connect said screen enclosure to
said base member.
20. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 19 wherein
said nut member is a wing nut.
21. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 12 wherein
said four screen panel members are interlocked together along their
side edges.
22. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 12 wherein
at least one of said four screen panel members has at least one
door member thereon.
23. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 23 wherein
two door members are provided in one screen panel member.
24. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 22 wherein
one door member is provided.
25. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 22 further
comprising a latch mechanism for securing said at least one door
member in a closed condition.
26. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1 further
comprising a handle member on said base member.
27. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 12 wherein
said top member has a channel thereon for holding upper edge
portions of said four screen panel members.
28. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein
said top member has a handle member thereon.
29. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein
said top member has an air cavity which contains heated air when a
fire is burning in said fireplace device.
30. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 29 further
comprising at least one opening in said top member for expelling
said heated air.
31. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1 further
comprising a grate member, said grate member adapted to be
positioned inside said screened enclosure, wherein said fireplace
device can also be used as a cooking grill.
32. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein
said base member has a recessed portion for holding fire
components.
33. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein
said screened enclosure is attached to said base member with four
fasteners.
34. A portable fireplace device comprising: a polygonal shaped base
member; a pair of wheel members and a handle member attached to
said base member; a screened enclosure positioned on said base
member and comprising four planar screen panel members; said screen
panel members being interlocked together and each having a
substantially trapezoidal shape; a door member in one of said four
screen panel members; and a top member positioned on the upper edge
portions of the secured enclosure.
35. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 34 further
comprising a handle member on said top member.
36. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 34 further
comprising fastening means for securely attaching said screened
enclosure to said base member.
37. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 34 further
comprising a cooking grill member.
38. A method of assembling a portable fireplace device, said method
comprising the steps of: providing a polygonal shaped base member;
attaching at least one wheel member to said base member;
interlocking together a plurality of planar screen panel members to
form a screened enclosure; attaching said screened enclosure to
said base member; and positioning a top member on said screened
enclosure.
39. The method of assembling a portable fireplace device as
described in claim 38 further comprising the step of providing a
door member in at least one of said plurality of screen panel
members.
40. The method of assembling a portable fireplace device as
described in claim 38 wherein the steps of attaching said screened
enclosure to said base member comprises securing the screened
enclosure to said base member with a plurality of fasteners.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to outdoor fireplaces and more
particularly to portable outdoor fireplaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to portable fireplaces, and
more particularly to portable outdoor fireplaces that are easy to
assemble and inexpensive and can also be used as outdoor cooking
grills.
[0003] Outdoor fireplaces in the past have typically been made of
stones, bricks, and the like and have been constructed behind many
homes for many decades. Outdoor fireplaces which are portable and
able to be moved around and are not permanently constructed on site
have more recently come into existence. Such portable fireplaces
are found, for example, in. U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,298.
[0004] Although the known portable fireplaces have performed
adequately in some respects, they are still relatively expensive
and are difficult to assemble and put into operation.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved portable outdoor fireplace which is relatively
inexpensive and also easy to assemble and construct.
[0006] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
portable outdoor fireplace which is attractive in appearance and
can also be used as an outdoor cooking grill.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention accomplishes these and other objects
and provides a portable outdoor fireplace that is relatively
inexpensive, provides an aesthetic appearance, is easy to construct
and assemble, and also can be used as a cooking grill.
[0008] The present invention includes a base member, four screened
side panel members, a top member, and a pair of wheels. A cooking
grate is also provided so that the fireplace can be used as a
barbecue or cooking grill. All of the components are designed so
that they can be easily assembled with a minimum of time or
difficulty. The components of the present invention can also be
assembled without the need for pliers, screw drivers, or other
tools.
[0009] In this regard, as few as four butterfly nuts and two pin
members (cotter pins) are all that are needed to fully assemble the
present inventive portable outdoor fireplace.
[0010] The four side screen panel members are generally trapezoidal
in shape and fit together to form a truncated pyramid-type
structure. The four screen panel members fit together along their
side edges.
[0011] A door is situated on one of the four screen panel members
in order to allow access to the inside of the fireplace. A cooking
grate can also be provided to allow use of the fireplace as a
cooking grill or barbecue.
[0012] The wheels are positioned on the fireplace by short axle
members which are positioned on openings in the sidewalls of the
base member.
[0013] Further features, benefits and advantages of the inventive
process and system will become apparent from the following
description of embodiments of the invention, particularly when
viewed in combination with the accompanying drawings and appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of
the side screen panel members in one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is another perspective view illustrating assembly of
the four screen panel members in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along lines 5-5 in FIG.
4.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along lines 6-6 in FIG.
4.
[0020] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view illustrating the front clasp or
latch mechanism of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention
when viewed from the bottom.
[0022] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the insertion and use of a cooking
grate in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates the portability of an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a portable outdoor fireplace 10 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of such embodiment illustrating its
various components.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates the construction or assembly of the
various parts and members of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention. This shows that the entire fireplace can be
assembled without any tools, such as screw drivers, pliers, and the
like and with a minimum number of fasteners. For example, as shown
in FIG. 2, only four wing nuts and two pin members (cotter pins)
are necessary in order to fully assemble the invention.
[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9, the embodiment of the
invention as shown includes a base member 15, four screen side
panel members 20, 25, 30 and 35, a top member 40, and a pair of
wheel members 50 and 52. All of the components of the portable
outdoor fireplace 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are preferably made
of a metal material except for the two wheel members 50 and 52 and
portions of the preferred type of handle members 60 and 62.
[0028] The base member 15 is preferably made from sheet metal
material, either as a one piece stamping or a series of metal
plates welded together. The base member is generally square in
shape, as shown in FIG. 2, and includes a recessed area 16 in the
center thereof. The recessed area 16 is provided for positioning of
the materials which are to be burned or ignited in the fireplace.
These materials can be any type of kindling, leaves, paper or other
combustibles when the invention is used as a fireplace, or can be
charcoal or the like when used as an outdoor cooking grill.
[0029] In this regard, although the fireplace shown and described
is substantially square in cross-section, it is to be understood
that it could also be any polygon in shape.
[0030] The side screen panel members 20, 25, 30 and 35 include
sections of a metal screen-type material inside an outer frame
member. Each of the screen panel members are trapezoidal in shape
as shown in the drawings. The two side screen panels 25 and 35 are
the same. The front screen panel member 20 has one or more door
members 70 and 72 thereon. The door members 70, 72 are hingedly
attached to the outer frame 21 of the front screen panel member 20
as shown. The hinges are identified by the reference numeral 74. As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, preferably two door members 70 and 72 are
provided in the front screen panel member 20. It is also possible
in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention to
utilize a single door member in the front panel member. This
embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 where the front screen panel member
is identified by reference numerals 20' and the single door member
is identified by reference numeral 76.
[0031] The door members 70, 72 and alternately the single door
member 76, are fastened together, or fastened to the front screen
panel member by a latch mechanism. 80. The latch mechanism 80 is
shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 7. As shown, the latch member
includes a rotating member 82 and an I,-shaped holder member 84.
The latch rotating member 82 is held in place by a screw or other
fastener member 86. In this regard, although a specific latch
mechanism 80 is shown in the drawings, it is understood that any
conventional or known type of fastening or latching mechanism can
be used to hold the door member or members in place so they cannot
be easily opened or dislodged when the fireplace is in use.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the side screen panel members 25 and 35
are slidingly interlocked with the front screen panel member 20.
This is also shown in the enlarged cross sectional view in FIG. 6,
which is a cross-section taken through the intersection of screen
panels 20 and 35 in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 6, the side screen
panel member 35 has an outer frame 36 and a central metal screen or
mesh member 37. The side screen panel member 35 is slid in place
into channel 90 that is formed on the side edges of the front
screen panel 20. This is shown in FIG. 3 relative to side screen
panel member 25. The channel 90 is formed by an edge flange 21 on
the sides of the front screen panel member 20, together with
elongated member 22, which is attached to the frame of the screen
panel member 20.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates the assembly of the four screen panel
members 20, 25, 30 and 35. As indicated and shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
the two side screen panel members 25 and 35 are first slid into the
channels in the side frame members of the front screen panel member
20 and assembled as shown. Thereafter, the rear screen panel member
30 is situated in place and rotated such that the frame edges 26
and 38 are positioned in channels 92 in the side edges of the rear
screen panel member 30.
[0034] The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5 illustrates the
assembly of the rear screen panel member 30 with side panel member
35. Similar to the structure of the edges of the front screen panel
member 20, the side edge members 31 of the rear screen member 30
have an outwardly bent flange 32 that acts together with elongated
bent member 33 to form the channel 92 in which the rear edges of
the side panel screen panel members 25 and 35 are positioned.
[0035] In order to secure the four-panel screen enclosure to the
base member 15, fastener members, such as bolts 100, are provided
on the outer corners of the front screen panel member 20 and the
rear screen panel member 30. The bolts 100 or other fasteners are
positioned to pass through openings 102 in the base member 15. This
is shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 8.
[0036] Thereafter, four nuts or other fasteners, such as wing nuts
104, are screwed onto the ends of the bolts or other fasteners 100
to secure the four-panel screen enclosure to the base member 15.
This is best shown in FIG. 8.
[0037] The two wheel members 50 and 52 are positioned on and
attached to the base member 15 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8. Short
axle members 51 and 53 are positioned through openings in the
centers of the wheels and then inserted through openings 54 and 55
in the base member.
[0038] The axle members 51, 53 are also positioned through openings
56, 57 in bracket members 58, 59 which are welded or otherwise
affixed to the inside of the base member 15.
[0039] The axle members 51, 53 are held in place by any
conventional fastener members, such as cotter pin members 110, 112.
If desired, it is also possible to position washer members (not
shown) between the wheels 50, 52 and the outer surfaces of the base
member 15.
[0040] It is also to be understood that the two wheel members could
be positioned on a single axle which traverses the width of the
base members. In this embodiment, the pin members would be
positioned on the outside surfaces of the wheel members and
preferably washers would be utilized.
[0041] Once the screen enclosure and base member are assembled
together, the top member 40 can be positioned in place. This is
shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 9-10 and 12. The top member 40 preferably has
a series of openings 120 on one or more of its side surfaces. This
helps direct air that is heated in the interior of the top member
40 towards persons sitting or standing nearby. As indicated, the
openings 120 can be positioned on one or all of the side surfaces,
as desired, although openings 120 are only shown on one surface in
the drawings. In addition, the openings 120 can have any size and
shape.
[0042] The top member 40 has an elongated groove or channel 130
positioned around its outer edges. The channel 130 is adapted to be
positioned over the four top edges of the four screen panel members
20, 25, 30 and 35. This is best shown in FIG. 9. The top member 40
holds the four screen panel members in place without the need for
fasteners.
[0043] The handle members 60, 62 have pairs of metal leg members 61
and 63, as well as central wooden handle members 64 and 65. Handle
member 60, which is attached to the base member 15, is used to lift
the front edge of the fireplace and move it to an new location. The
use of a handle to accomplish this is shown in FIG. 11. Handle
member 62 is used to lift the top member 40 on and off the portable
fireplace 10.
[0044] In this regard, in FIG. 11, an alternate type of handle
member 66 is shown. The handle member 69 comprises a bent wire
structure whose ends are positioned in sockets 67 and 68 positioned
on the front side of the base member 15. When the front edge of the
fireplace 10 is elevated, as shown in FIG. 11, the fireplace 10 can
be easily moved to any other location.
[0045] As indicated above, the portable outdoor fireplace 10 has
two principal uses. The first is building a fire in the fireplace
and using it for heat and atmosphere on a patio or other outdoor
location. The second use of the fireplace 10 is as a cooking grill
or barbecue. For this purpose, a grate member 130, as shown in
FIGS. 9-10 and 12, can be utilized. As shown, the grate member 130
includes a large wire grate 132 and a plurality of leg member 134,
but any conventional size and style of grate member can be
utilized.
[0046] The screened door or doors allow direct access to the fire
chamber in the center of the screened enclosure. The doors allow
access from the side of the fireplace 10, rather than by removing
the top cover member 40. This reduces the likelihood of occurrence
of burns to a user of the fireplace.
[0047] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described herein, numerous variations and
alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, it is intended that the invention is not limited to
the preferred embodiments described herein, but instead is limited
to the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *