U.S. patent application number 12/942436 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-10 for customizable fire pit.
Invention is credited to Greg T. Steck.
Application Number | 20120111311 12/942436 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46018430 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120111311 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steck; Greg T. |
May 10, 2012 |
CUSTOMIZABLE FIRE PIT
Abstract
A portable fire pit system is disclosed having an outer shell
that is configured for easy customization that the outer appearance
of the fire pit can be changed. The outer shell includes at least
one visible outer side wall that is substantially vertical and
substantially smooth for receiving decoration. According to one
embodiment the outer side wall is substantially cylindrical and has
a decorative wrap attached to its outer surface.
Inventors: |
Steck; Greg T.; (Ludlow
Falls, OH) |
Family ID: |
46018430 |
Appl. No.: |
12/942436 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/81 ;
126/58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 3/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/81 ;
126/58 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/06 20060101
F24C015/06; F24C 1/16 20060101 F24C001/16 |
Claims
1. A portable fire pit system comprising: a fuel source; a burner
operatively connected to the fuel source; an ignition system
operatively connected to the fuel source and the burner; and an
outer shell that defines an interior space within which the fuel
source is located; wherein the outer shell has a substantially
smooth, substantially vertical outer side wall with an outer
appearance adapted for customization by an end user.
2. The portable fire pit system of claim 1, wherein the outer side
wall of the outer shell is substantially cylindrical.
3. The portable fire pit system of claim 1, wherein the outer side
wall of the outer shell is free of outer protrusions or raised
features.
4. The portable fire pit system of claim 1, wherein the outer shell
is made of aluminum.
5. The portable fire pit system of claim 4, wherein the outer shell
is made from spun aluminum comprising a unitary outer side wall
integrally formed with a substantially horizontal top wall.
6. The portable fire pit system of claim 1 wherein the outer shell
includes a central opening that sized to receive and support the
burner.
7. The portable fire pit system of claim 1, wherein the ignition
system controls the supply fuel from the fuel source to the
burner.
8. The portable fire pit system of claim 1, wherein the outer side
wall of the outer shell defines an bottom opening near its lower
end that is sized to receive the fuel source and the ignition
system through the bottom opening.
9. The portable fire pit system of claim 1, further comprising a
decorative wrap attached to the outer side wall of the outer shell
and substantially covering the outer side wall.
10. A customizable outer shell for a portable fire pit comprising:
a substantially horizontal top wall with a central opening and an
outer perimeter; and a substantially vertical outer side wall that
extends downwardly from the outer perimeter of the top wall to
define an interior space and a bottom opening; wherein the top wall
and side wall are both metal; wherein the bottom opening and
interior space are sized to receive at least one portable fuel tank
for a fire effect system; wherein the central opening is sized to
receive a burner for a fire effect system; and wherein the outer
side wall is substantially smooth and configured to be decorated
over substantially its entire outer surface.
11. The outer shell of claim 10, wherein the top wall and the outer
side wall are integrally formed together from spun aluminum.
12. The outer shell of claim 10, wherein the outer side wall is
substantially cylindrical and substantially continuous around the
entire perimeter of the outer shell.
13. The outer shell of claim 10, wherein the outer side wall is
completely free of outwardly protruding features.
14. The outer shell of claim 10, wherein the central opening of the
top wall is specially configured to support a burner of a fire
effect system when the burner is received in the central
opening.
15. A customizable fire pit combination comprising: a substantially
cylindrical outer shell having a substantially vertical outer side
wall; and a decorative wrap attached to and substantially covering
the outer surface of the outer side wall.
16. The customizable fire pit combination of claim 15, wherein the
outer shell is formed from spun aluminum.
17. The customizable fire pit combination of claim 15, wherein the
decorative wrap is made from a substantially rectangular piece of
vinyl.
18. The customizable fire pit combination of claim 15, wherein the
decorative wrap is releaseably attached to the outer side wall.
19. The customizable fire pit combination of claim 15, wherein the
decorative wrap includes a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on
a first side.
20. The customizable fire pit combination of claim 15, further
comprising a second decorative wrap that is interchangeable with
the decorative wrap attached to the outer side wall.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to portable fire effect
systems and, in particular, to portable tank-fueled fire pits.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Portable fire pit systems for travel usage are known. Such
systems include simple small wood-burning units and more complex
electronic ignition units that are supplied by small, refillable
fuel tanks. Because these units are portable, they can be brought
to any location such as a campsite or a sporting event for
tailgating. Depending on the location where the fire pit is used,
the user may wish to alter the appearance of the fire pit to fit in
with the environment, match the user's vehicle, or show a
particular team affiliation. For example, on Saturday, while
tailgating before a game, the user may want the fire pit unit to
bear the colors of the local college football team. The very next
day, on Sunday, the user may want the same fire pit unit to bear
the colors of the local professional football team.
[0003] Fire pit units are typically sold with a one-size-fits-all
outer appearance that is not easily altered by the user. For
example, fire pit units may be sold in several standard colors
including black, pewter, or bronze. These units may also have a
coating or protruding features on their outer surfaces that hinder
the users ability to customize or decorate them. For an additional
cost, users can purchase fire pits with specialized color schemes
or with team logos stamped in or cut out from the outer wall of the
unit. The appearance of these units, however, is not easily altered
from week to week or day to day depending on the particular
location or event. Accordingly, an improved portable fire pit
system is desired that is customizable by the user to coordinate
with a particular environment as desired.
SUMMARY
[0004] A portable fire pit system is disclosed having an outer
shell that is customizable to match or coordinate with any desired
location, environment, or event.
[0005] According to a first aspect, the portable fire pit system
comprises a fuel source, a burner operatively connected to the fuel
source, an ignition system operatively connected to the fuel source
and the burner, and an outer shell that defines an interior space
within which the fuel source is located. The outer shell has a
substantially smooth, substantially vertical outer side wall with
an outer appearance adapted for customization by an end user.
[0006] According to a second aspect a customizable outer shell for
a portable fire pit is disclosed comprising a substantially
horizontal top wall with a central opening and an outer perimeter,
and a substantially vertical outer side wall that extends
downwardly from the outer perimeter of the top wall to define an
interior space and a bottom opening. The top wall and side wall
according to this aspect are both metal. The bottom opening and
interior space are sized to receive at least one portable fuel tank
for a fire effect system and the central opening is sized to
receive a burner for a fire effect system. The outer side wall is
substantially smooth and configured to be decorated over
substantially its entire outer surface.
[0007] According to a third aspect a customizable fire pit
combination is disclosed comprising a substantially cylindrical
outer shell having a substantially vertical outer side wall and a
decorative wrap attached to and substantially covering the outer
surface of the outer side wall.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 is a top view of the outer shell of the fire pit
according to one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the outer shell of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the outer shell of FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the outer shell of FIG. 1
along line 4-4.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a burner pan sized for use
with the fire pit.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a schematic, cross-section view of a fire pit
according to one embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view of a decorative wrap according to one
embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of a fire pit to which the wrap of
FIG. 7 has been applied.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] A portable and easily customizable fire pit is disclosed.
Specifically, a new fire pit is disclosed having a specially
designed outer shell that houses and supports the working
components of the fire pit. The outer surface of the outer shell
may be large and smooth so that an outer appearance of the shell is
easily customized by a user with decals, paint, magnets, or
prefabricated wraps, for example. Alternatively, the outer
appearance may be customized by a manufacturer or other
professional according to the end user's specifications. The outer
surface is preferably not broken up by protruding features such as
latches, fasteners, ribs, or vents that might be difficult to
cover, paint, or decorate. In addition, a substantial portion of
the outer surface is oriented vertically so that it can be easily
seen by passers-by. This is in contrast to, for example, a shallow
fire bowl, which has a substantial portion of the outer surface
facing the ground, where it cannot be easily seen. In one preferred
embodiment in which the perimeter of the fire pit is circular, the
vertical orientation of the outer surface produces a substantially
cylindrical outer surface that can be easily wrapped and rewrapped
with prefabricated, rectangular decals as described in further
detail below.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of an outer shell 10
according to the invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are side and bottom
views, respectively, of the outer shell 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a
cross-section view of the outer shell 10 of FIG. 1 along line 4-4.
The outer shell 10 includes an annular top wall 16, an outer side
wall 12, and a short inner side wall 14 that defines a central
opening 20. The outer side wall 12 is substantially vertical and
defines an interior space 22 that is sized to house the components
of the fire pit system. The outer shell may include a bottom.
Alternatively, the outer side wall 12 may define a bottom opening
that is sized to receive the inner components of the fire pit. As
can be seen in FIG. 2, the outer side wall 12 of the preferred
embodiment presents a visible, large, continuous, smooth surface
for easy customization, including by an end user.
[0018] The outer shell 10 is preferably formed as a unitary piece
from spun aluminum but may also be made of any other material that
is suitable for fire pits including stainless steel. The outer
shell 10 may also be assembled from multiple pieces. Although the
embodiment depicted in the figures is substantially cylindrical
with a circular perimeter, thus forming a large, continuous, smooth
outer surface without corners, sharp angles, or breaks, other
shapes are possible and within the scope of the invention. Examples
of acceptable shapes include right prisms having substantially
vertical outer walls but perimeters in the shape of squares,
rectangles, triangles, hexagons, etc.
[0019] FIG. 5 depicts a burner plate 30 that may house a burner
ring 32. The burner ring 32 may included a plurality of burner
ports at which fuel is combusted to produce a fire effect 36.
Referring to FIG. 6, the central opening 20 in the top wall 16 of
the outer shell 10 may be sized to receive and support the burner
plate 30. The burner ring 32 is supplied by a fuel source, which
may be one or more refillable fuel tanks 34. An electronic ignition
system 36, which may include an ignition element and a programmable
controller, may be operatively connected to the burner ring 32 and
the fuel tanks 34 through a valve 38 to control the ignition and
shut down of the fire effect 36 as is known in the art. Preferably,
the outer shell 10 is sized so that the working components of the
fire pit system including the fuel tanks 34, the ignition system
36, support brackets, and so on, can fit within the inner space 22
defined by the outer wall 12 so as to be hidden from view.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows an example of a prefabricated decorative wrap
40 according to another aspect of the invention. The wrap 40 may be
made from a durable vinyl and can be designed to include officially
licensed trademarks, team logos, team colors, decorative patterns,
or specific colors selected by a customer to match, for example, a
recreational vehicle. Either the fire pit manufacturer or another
supplier can provide an assortment of wraps so that the owner of a
portable fire pit can easily change the appearance of the fire pit
as desired. Alternatively, a customized wrap may be applied by the
manufacturer or other professional according to the specifications
of the end user. In a preferred embodiment, the wrap 40 is
substantially rectangular with a length approximately equal to the
length of the outer perimeter of the outer shell 10 and a height
substantially equal to the height of the outer side wall 12.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 8, when the wrap 40 is applied to the
outer shell 10, the wrap 40 substantially covers the outer side
wall 12, which is the primary visible surface of the fire pit.
Consequently, the outer appearance of the fire pit can be easily
customized to produce professional looking results. According to
some embodiments, the wrap 40 is removable and reusable. According
to other embodiments, the wrap 40 may be disposable and easily
covered by another wrap. The wrap 40 may be magnetic, can be coated
with a pressure sensitive adhesive, or may attach to the outer side
wall 12 by any other suitable means. The wrap 40 may be shapes
other than rectangular but preferably is designed to lay flat and
substantially cover at least the outer side wall of the outer shell
10 of the fire pit. The wrap 40 may also come in several pieces, if
for example, the outer shell 10 is a right prism with vertical side
walls joined by sharp corners.
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