U.S. patent application number 13/030329 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for finial with concealed torch for hollow post.
Invention is credited to Keith Howard.
Application Number | 20110198550 13/030329 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44368998 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110198550 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Howard; Keith |
August 18, 2011 |
FINIAL WITH CONCEALED TORCH FOR HOLLOW POST
Abstract
A finial/torch assembly for mounting atop a hollow post portion
of a fence or railing and a fence/railing assembly including the
same includes a base adapted to be fitted securely atop the post, a
burner including a fuel reservoir and a wick extending into the
fuel reservoir, and a removable cover adapted to be fitted over the
base to at least partially conceal the burner and to protect the
burner from weather. The burner is secured to the base and the fuel
reservoir extends from beneath the base and is adapted to be fitted
substantially within an upper portion of the hollow post.
Inventors: |
Howard; Keith; (Limestone,
TN) |
Family ID: |
44368998 |
Appl. No.: |
13/030329 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61305753 |
Feb 18, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
256/59 ;
431/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 37/0008 20130101;
F23D 3/18 20130101; E04H 17/006 20210101; F23D 2700/003 20130101;
F21S 13/10 20130101; F21V 37/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/59 ;
431/328 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/14 20060101
E04H017/14; F23D 3/02 20060101 F23D003/02 |
Claims
1. A combined finial and torch for mounting atop a hollow post
portion of a fence or railing, the combined finial and torch
comprising: a base adapted to be fitted securely atop the post; a
burner including a fuel reservoir and a wick extending into the
fuel reservoir, the burner being secured to the base and the fuel
reservoir extending from beneath the base and adapted to be fitted
substantially within an upper portion of the hollow post; and a
removable cover adapted to be fitted over the base to at least
partially conceal the burner and to protect the burner from
weather.
2. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
fuel reservoir is rectangular and when the combined finial and
torch is positioned atop the hollow post the fuel reservoir is
substantially completely positioned within the post.
3. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
removable cover is secured to the base by a twist-lock
connection.
4. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
removable cover is secured to the base by a threaded
connection.
5. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
removable cover is secured to the base by a magnet.
6. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
removable cover partly nests over the base and is removably, but
firmly, held in place by a slight interference fit between the
two.
7. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a tether attached to both the removable cover and the
base for securing the removable cover to the base when the
removable cover is not positioned atop the base.
8. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
removable cover has a substantially spherical dome-shaped upper
portion.
9. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
removable cover has a substantially Gothic-shaped upper
portion.
10. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
removable cover has a substantially bell-shaped upper portion.
11. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
base is snugly fitted to the top of the post and is held in place
by an interference fit between the base and the top of the
post.
12. A combined finial and torch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
post is solid and the base is snugly fitted to the top of the solid
post and is held in place by one or more fasteners extending from
the base into the top of the solid post.
13. A fence or rail assembly comprising: a plurality of hollow
posts; rails extending between the posts; combined finials/torches
mounted atop some of the hollow posts, each combined finial and
torch comprising a base adapted to be fitted securely atop the
solid post, a burner including a fuel reservoir and a wick
extending into the fuel reservoir, the burner being secured to the
base and the fuel reservoir fitting substantially within the hollow
post, and a removable cover adapted to be fitted over the base to
at least partially conceal the burner and to protect the burner
from weather; and torchless finials mounted atop others of the
posts, the torchless finials having substantially the same outward
appearance as that of the combined finials/torches.
14. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the
fuel reservoir is rectangular and when the combined finial and
torch is positioned atop the hollow post the fuel reservoir is
substantially completely positioned within the post.
15. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the
removable cover is secured to the base by a twist-lock
connection.
16. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the
removable cover is secured to the base by a threaded
connection.
17. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the
removable cover is secured to the base by a magnet.
18. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the
removable cover partly nests over the base and is removably, but
firmly, held in place by a slight interference fit between the
two.
19. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 further
comprising a tether attached to both the removable cover and the
base for securing the removable cover to the base when the
removable cover is not positioned atop the base.
20. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the
removable cover has a substantially spherical dome-shaped upper
portion.
21. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the
removable cover has a substantially Gothic-shaped upper
portion.
22. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the
removable cover has a substantially bell-shaped upper portion.
23. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the
base is snugly fitted to the top of the post and is held in place
by an interference fit between the base and the top of the
post.
24. A fence or rail assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the
post is solid and the base is snugly fitted to the top of the solid
post and is held in place by one or more fasteners extending from
the base into the top of the solid post.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/305,753, filed Feb. 18,
2010, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to torches and
burners for outdoor use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many people use outdoor candles or oil burners to provide a
pleasant scent outdoors, for illumination, or to ward off pesky
insects during an outdoor function. Outdoor illuminating torches,
for example, TIKI TORCHES.RTM. (sold by Lamplight Farms, Inc.), are
among the most popular means of providing an outdoor candle or oil
burner to accomplish one or more of these tasks. Outdoor torches
are, however, cumbersome in that they must first be set up, used,
uninstalled, and placed back in storage if they are not to be used
for extended periods of time. Outdoor torches can also be an
aesthetic eyesore, as they may not fit well with the overall
appearance of a user's backyard or home.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In a first preferred form, the present invention relates to
a combined finial and torch for mounting atop a hollow post portion
of a fence or railing. The combined finial and torch comprises a
base adapted to be fitted securely atop the post, a burner
including a fuel reservoir and a wick extending into the fuel
reservoir, and a removable cover adapted to be fitted over the base
to at least partially conceal the burner and to protect the burner
from weather. The burner is secured to the base and the fuel
reservoir extends from beneath the base and is adapted to be fitted
substantially within an upper portion of the hollow post.
[0005] In a second preferred form, the present invention relates to
a fence or rail assembly comprising a plurality of hollow posts,
rails extending between the posts, combined finials/torches mounted
atop some of the hollow posts, and torchless finials mounted atop
others of the posts. Each combined finial and torch comprises a
base adapted to be fitted securely atop the solid post, a burner
including a fuel reservoir and a wick extending into the fuel
reservoir, the burner being secured to the base and the fuel
reservoir fitting substantially within the hollow post, and a
removable cover adapted to be fitted over the base to at least
partially conceal the burner and to protect the burner from
weather. The torchless finials having substantially the same
outward appearance as that of the combined finials/torches when the
removable covers are covering the burners of the combined
finials/torches.
[0006] Optionally, the fuel reservoir can be rectangular and when
the combined finial and torch is positioned atop the hollow post
the fuel reservoir can be substantially completely positioned
within the post.
[0007] Optionally, the removable cover can be secured to the base
by a twist-lock connection, a threaded connection, a magnet, or the
like.
[0008] Also optionally, the removable cover can partly nest over
the base and can be removably, but firmly, held in place by a
slight interference fit between the two.
[0009] Moreover, optionally a tether can be provided and attached
to both the removable cover and the base for securing the removable
cover to the base when the removable cover is not positioned atop
the base.
[0010] In one preferred form, the removable cover can have a
substantially spherical dome-shaped upper portion. In another
preferred form the removable cover has a substantially
Gothic-shaped upper portion. In another preferred form the
removable cover has a substantially bell-shaped upper portion.
[0011] Optionally, the base can be snugly fitted to the top of the
post and can be held in place by an interference fit between the
base and the top of the post.
[0012] Optionally, the post can be solid and the base can be snugly
fitted to the top of the solid post and held in place by one or
more fasteners extending from the base into the top of the solid
post.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a combined finial/torch
according to a first example embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the combined
finial/torch of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a combined finial/torch
according to a second example embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a combined finial/torch
according to a third example embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a fence/railing assembly
according to a fourth example embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0018] Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like
reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several
views, FIGS. 1-2 show a combined finial and torch 10 comprising a
base 20, a burner 30, and a removable cover 40, according to a
first example embodiment. The finial and torch 10 rests atop a post
P. In this example embodiment, the post P is hollow and made of
aluminum and has a square shaped cross-section. The post P can
additionally be constructed out of other metals, resin, plastic,
wood, or any other suitable material. Moreover, the post P can have
a cross-section of various sizes and shapes. For example, the post
P could have a circular shape and the base 20 can have a
corresponding similar shape.
[0019] The base 20 rests on the top surface of the post P and can
be made out of metal, plastic, resin, or any other suitable
material. The base 20 comprises a base platform 22, a base
lip/skirt 24, and a cover connector 26. The base 20 preferably has
a shape to match that of the post P. In this embodiment, the
platform 22 has a square shape and an outer periphery slightly
larger than that of the cross section of the post P. The platform
22 optionally has a raised middle portion 25, having an aperture 27
formed therethrough. The inner wall of the aperture or opening 27
can optionally have an internal thread 29 formed thereon for
attaching the base 20 to the burner 30. The lip/skirt 24 optionally
extends downwardly from the outer periphery of the platform 22 and
preferably is designed to partially cover the top of the post P.
The lip/skirt 24 additionally can be designed to provide a friction
or interference fit between the base 20 and the post P, as shown in
FIGS. 1-2. Additionally, the base 20 optionally can be secured to
the post P by a plurality of fasteners 28, such as nails, screws,
or any other type of fastener. Alternatively or additionally,
adhesive can be used to help secure the base 20.
[0020] The cover connector 26 rests on the top surface of the
platform 22. The cover connector 26 is used to removably secure the
cover 40 to the base 20 and in the example form shown is
represented in this embodiment to be a plurality of rectangular
nubs, as seen in FIGS. 1-2. The nubs provide a friction fit or
interference fit between the base 20 and the cover 40. Other types
of connections, such as a twist-lock connection, a snap-fit
connection, a threaded connection, a magnetic connection, etc. or a
combination of such connections, can be employed as well.
[0021] The burner 30 is secured to the base 20. The burner 30
comprises a fuel reservoir 34, a wick 36, and a burner cap 38. The
reservoir 34 extends from beneath the base 20 and is adapted to be
fitted substantially within an upper portion of the post P. The
reservoir 34 acts as a container for fuel, such as oil or any other
suitable liquid or gas fuel. Moreover, a solid or gel fuel can be
employed as well. The reservoir 34 can optionally have an external
thread 39 along its top portion for engaging the internal thread 29
of the base 20. The reservoir 34 is secured to the base 20 by the
internal thread 29 and the external thread 39; however, other
mechanisms can be employed to attach the reservoir 34 to the base
20 (e.g. a twist-lock connection, a magnetic connection, etc.).
[0022] The wick 36 extends into the reservoir 34 and has a portion
fed through the burner cap 38 extending above the burner 30. The
burner cap 38 is removable from the burner 30 to allow fuel to be
poured into and replenished in the reservoir 34. Optionally,
instead of the reservoir being threadedly secured directly to the
base, the threaded neck of the reservoir can extend through an
optionally unthreaded bore in the base to be secured thereat with a
threaded collar or nut. This later arrangement makes it easier to
assign a polygon-sided reservoir for insertion into a polygon-sided
post.
[0023] The cover 40 normally rests on the top of the base 20 and
comprises an upper portion 42 and a lower periphery 44. The cover
40 can be made of metal, plastic, resin, or any other suitable
material. The cover 40 is adapted to be fitted over the base 20 to
at least partially conceal the burner 30 and protect the burner 30
from weather. It also can act to snuff the burner. The example
cover 40 shown in FIGS. 1-2 has a substantially Gothic-shaped upper
portion 42.
[0024] In FIGS. 1-2, the lower periphery 44 is a circular ring
designed and dimensioned to have its inner surface engage the outer
sides of the rectangular nubs 26 by a friction or interference fit.
Other features and mechanisms can be added to the outer periphery
44, depending on the type of cover connector 26 used.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a finial and torch 110 in another preferred
example form, generally similar to the finial and torch 10, and
having a substantially bell-shaped upper portion 142. FIG. 4 shows
a finial and torch 210, similar to the finial and torch 10, having
a substantially spherical dome-shaped upper portion 242 according
to yet a third example embodiment. Accordingly, it can be seen that
various shapes can be employed to suit design or aesthetic
needs.
[0026] The finial and torch 10 can optionally include a tether 50
that secures the cover 40 to the base 20. In this example
embodiment, the tether 50 depicted comprises a metal chain
connected to two metal plates that are attached to both the base 20
and the cover 40. The tether 50 can be constructed of metal or
plastic chain, rope, webbing, or any other suitable material.
Further, the tether can be a bit of monofilament line, string,
leather, etc. Additionally, the tether 50 can be dimensioned to be
any desired length, depending on the size of the finial and torch
10, mounting locations of the tether 50, etc. Optionally, the
tether 50 can be removable from the base 20 and/or the cover
40.
[0027] In use, the finial and torch 10 initially rests atop the
post P. A user can remove the cover 40 and optionally let the cover
40 hang from the base 20 by the tether 50. The user can then ignite
the wick 36 with a match, lighter, or the like, burning the fuel to
create a pleasant scent, provide illumination, ward off insects,
etc., depending on the type of fuel contained inside the reservoir
34. If the fuel in the reservoir 34 runs out, the user can refill
the reservoir 34 with more fuel by removing the burner cap 38 and
pouring fuel into the reservoir 34. Additionally, the user can
refill the reservoir 34 by lifting the base 20 out from the post P,
removing the reservoir 34 from the base 20, and pouring fuel into
the reservoir 34 through its top portion. When the burner 30 is no
longer needed, the user can extinguish the flame on the wick 36,
re-cover the burner 30 with the cover 40, and re-secure the cover
40 to the base 20 by means of the cover connector 26. Optionally,
the user can simply replace the cover 40 on the base 20 to snuff
the flame.
[0028] As seen in FIG. 5, a fence or rail assembly 18 is shown
according to another example embodiment of the present invention.
The fence or rail assembly 18 comprises a plurality of posts 12, a
plurality of rails 14 extending between the posts 12, a plurality
of combined finials/torches 10 mounted atop some of the posts 12,
and a plurality of torchless finials 16 mounted atop the other
posts 12. The combined finials/torches 10 are substantially similar
to the first example embodiment finial and torch 10. The combined
finials/torches 10 can optionally be placed in sequential,
alternating, or random order amongst the fence posts 12, allowing
the user to determine the most favorable setup for his/her fence
assembly. As seen in FIG. 5, optionally the combined
finials/torches 10 are placed in alternating order with the
torchless finials 16 atop the posts 12. The torchless finials 16
have substantially the same outward appearance as that of the
combined finials/torches 10 such that the combined finials/torches
10 and the torchless finials 16 match each other aesthetically. The
fence or rail assembly 18 can be sold as a prefabricated unit, an
assembly kit, or as separate components to allow for complete
customization by the user.
[0029] While this invention has been described in detail with
particular reference to exemplary embodiments and variations
thereof, it is to be understood that other variations and
modifications can be effected within the scope and spirit of the
invention, as described above and as defined in the appended
claims.
* * * * *