U.S. patent application number 12/964756 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-14 for free-standing portable multi-function fire pit.
Invention is credited to BJ Deeds.
Application Number | 20120145139 12/964756 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46198053 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120145139 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deeds; BJ |
June 14, 2012 |
FREE-STANDING PORTABLE MULTI-FUNCTION FIRE PIT
Abstract
A free-standing, portable, multi-function fire pit/barbeque is
disclosed, adapted to transition between an enclosed fire pit
configuration and an open configuration which serves as a portable
barbeque; the invention comprising, in one embodiment, on outer
sleeve, an inner sleeve, a gridiron, and a baseplate.
Inventors: |
Deeds; BJ; (Farmington,
UT) |
Family ID: |
46198053 |
Appl. No.: |
12/964756 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24B 3/00 20130101; A47J
37/0763 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/30 |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/00 20060101
F24B001/00 |
Claims
1. A free-standing, portable, multi-function fire pit comprising:
an outer sleeve comprising an elongated generally cylindrical
metallic member, resistant to temperatures of more than 240 degrees
Fahrenheit, with an upper rim and a lower rim, with a longitudinal
axis extending through the length of the outer sleeve, the outer
sleeve comprising an engraved textual design, the outer sleeve
disposed around a baseplate such that the outer sleeve rests on
ground; the inner sleeve detachably connectable to the baseplate,
the inner sleeve comprising an elongated, grated, generally
cylindrical metallic member, comprising a top inner rim and a
bottom inner rim, the bottom inner rim comprising leaves detachably
affixed to a baseplate; a circular gridiron disposed above the
inner sleeve on the top inner rim for barbequing food; and the
baseplate comprising a metallic disk of a diameter larger than the
diameter of the inner sleeve oriented orthogonally to the
longitudinal axis, the metallic disk comprising a plurality of
aperatures for receiving the leaves of one of the inner sleeve and
the briquette collar; the baseplate comprising a plurality of inner
legs disposed below the metallic disk for engaging the ground.
2. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
further comprising a briquette collar comprising a plurality of
leaves projecting downwardly for detachable insertion into a
baseplate.
3. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 2,
where the circular gridiron is disposed above briquette collar.
4. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
wherein the inner sleeve is grated in a helical geometric
shape.
5. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
wherein the outer sleeve further comprises a plurality of legs
projecting downwardly from the lower rim for engaging the
ground.
6. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
wherein the engraved textual design protuberates from the outer
sleeve.
7. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
further comprising one or more clevis pin(s) for detachably
securing one or more of the plurality of leaves to the
baseplate.
8. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
wherein the top inner rim comprises brackets for securing the
gridiron.
9. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
wherein the outer sleeve is detachably connectable to the baseplate
using one of a clevis pin, a buckle, and a clamp.
10. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
wherein the base plate disk is octagonal in shape.
11. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
wherein the base plate comprises one or more stanchions for
internally elevating a fuel above the ground and surrounding
vegetation.
12. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
wherein the base plate comprises a metallic tubular member
surrounding the longitudinal axis for receiving fuel, the metallic
tubular member permanently affixed to the baseplate.
13. The free-standing, portable multi-function fire pit of claim 1,
wherein the metallic tubular member affixed to the base plate
comprises an upper rim for securing the gridiron in an alternative
configuration.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to fire pits, and more particularly
relates to a portable combination fire pit/barbeque.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Barbeques and fire pits are known in the art. Most are
cumbersome and fixed. None are easily disassembled to facilitate
cleaning or offered with interchangeable outer shell designs. None
of the devices taught by the prior art can be effortlessly
configured to serve a variety of functional purposes, such as
grilling, fire pit cooking, lighting, etcetera; and, most are not
portable.
[0005] The barbeques and fire pits known in art also largely
consist of functional, bulky metallic receptacles that are devoid
of decorative features and which do not appeal aesthetically to
consumers and potential buyers. Many of the barbeques known in the
industry comprise numerous components, from chains, to hinges, to
lids, to fasteners of every kind; which components are not durable
or sufficiently fire-resistant to withstand the stresses of
constant or prolonged use. The numerous components in the barbeques
and fire pits in the pior art makes assembly, use and disassembly
tedious.
[0006] It is therefore desirable that a portable, durable,
multi-functional, easily disassemblable, barbeque which is
aesthetically pleasing be provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a
need exists for free-standing portable multi-function fire pit.
Beneficially, such a fire pit would overcome many of the
difficulties with prior art by providing a means for easily
reconfiguring the fire pit to serve alternately as a barbeque or
fire pit, by providing means for ease of transportation, and by
further providing, inter alia, durability and ornamentality to
consumers.
[0008] The present invention has been developed in response to the
present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the
problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved
by currently available information management systems. Accordingly,
the present invention has been developed to provide a
free-standing, portable, multi-function fire pit comprising: an
outer sleeve comprising an elongated generally cylindrical metallic
member, resistant to temperatures of more than 240 degrees
Fahrenheit, with an upper rim and a lower rim, with a longitudinal
axis extending through the length of the outer sleeve, the outer
sleeve comprising an engraved textual design, the outer sleeve
disposed around a baseplate such that the outer sleeve rests on
ground.
[0009] The fire pit further comprises an inner sleeve detachably
connectable to the baseplate, the inner sleeve comprising an
elongated, grated, generally cylindrical metallic member,
comprising a top inner rim and a bottom inner rim, the bottom inner
rim comprising leaves detachably affixed to a baseplate.
[0010] The fire pit further comprises a circular gridiron disposed
above the inner sleeve on the top inner rim for barbequing food.
The fire also comprises said baseplate comprising a metallic disk
of a diameter larger than the diameter of the inner sleeve oriented
orthogonally to the longitudinal axis, the metallic disk comprising
a plurality of aperatures for receiving one of the legs of the
inner sleeve and leaves of a briquette collar; the baseplate
comprising a plurality of inner legs disposed below the metallic
disk for engaging the ground.
[0011] The fire pit may further comprise said briquette collar
comprising a plurality of leaves projecting downwardly for
detachable insertion into a baseplate. Additionally, the circular
gridiron may be disposed above briquette collar.
[0012] The inner sleeve may be grated in a helical geometric shape,
and the outer sleeve may further comprise a plurality of legs
projecting downwardly from the lower rim for engaging the
ground.
[0013] In some embodiments, the engraved textual design
protuberates from the outer sleeve, and in some embodiments, the
fire pit further comprises one or more clevis pin(s) for detachably
securing one or more of the plurality of leaves to the
baseplate.
[0014] The top inner rim may comprise brackets for securing the
gridiron, and the outer sleeve may be detachably connectable to the
baseplate using one of a clevis pin, a buckle, and a clamp.
[0015] The base plate disk may be octagonal in shape in some
embodiments, and may comprise one or more stanchions for internally
elevating a fuel above the ground and surrounding vegetation in
other embodiments.
[0016] In some embodiments, the base plate comprises a metallic
tubular member surrounding the longitudinal axis for receiving
fuel, the metallic tubular member permanently affixed to the
baseplate. In other embodiments, the metallic tubular member
affixed to the base plate comprises an upper rim for securing the
gridiron in an alternative configuration.
[0017] These features and advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent from the following description and
appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention
as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In order that the advantages of the invention will be
readily understood, a more particular description of the invention
briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments
of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be
limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1A is an elevational perspective view of a
free-standing, portable, multi-function fire pit in accordance with
the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 1B is a second elevational perspective view of a
free-standing, portable, multi-function fire pit in accordance with
the present invention; and
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom view of the baseplate of a
free-standing, portable, multi-function fire pit in accordance with
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one
embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout
this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the
same embodiment.
[0023] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description,
numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough
understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the
relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be
practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with
other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other
instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not
shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the
invention.
[0024] FIG. 1A is an elevational perspective view of a
free-standing, portable, multi-function fire pit 100 in accordance
with the present invention. The fire pit 100 comprises four
principal sections: an outer sleeve 102, an inner sleeve 104, a
gridiron 106, and a baseplate 108.
[0025] The outer sleeve 102, inner sleeve 104, gridiron 106,
baseplate 108, and the subparts of each, are all substantially
described below in relation to FIG. 1B-2.
[0026] FIG. 1B is a second elevational perspective view of a
free-standing, portable, multi-function fire pit 100 in accordance
with the present invention. The fire pit 100 comprises five
principal modules/sections: an outer sleeve 102, an inner sleeve
104, a gridiron 106, and a baseplate 108. The outer sleeve 102
comprises an upper rim 109, engraved text 110, and outer legs
112a-c. The inner sleeve 104 comprises grating 116 and leaves
118a-c. The baseplate 108 comprises aperatures 120a-d and inner
legs 122a-b.
[0027] The present invention is adapted to be easily assembled and
disassembled.
[0028] The outer sleeve 102 comprises an elongated, tubular
metallic member formed of material capable of withstanding
temperatures of at least 240 degrees Fahrenheit, such as iron or
steel. The outer sleeve 192 comprises an upper rim 109 and a lower
rim. A longitudinal axis extends throughout the length of the outer
sleeve. When the other sleeve sits upright surrounding the
baseplate, the longitudinal axis extends from center of the
baseplate 108 in an upwardly direction through the center of the
outer sleeve 102.
[0029] The outer sleeve 102 comprises an engraved textual design
110, or engraved text 110, which in some embodiments, might include
registered trademarks (e.g. either word marks or stylized marks) of
universities, commercial enterprises, non-profit organizations,
individuals, or even flags of countries, and the like. In other
embodiments, the engraved text 110 consists of a logo. In some
embodiments, the engraved text 110 may be protuberant with respect
to the outer sleeve 102 (e.g. the text itself may be defined by
protuberances on the outer shell).
[0030] The fire pit 100 is thus "themed," in that the fire pit 100
may be exclusively associated with a particular theme, such as a
university, company, country and the like. The outer sleeve 102 may
be color coordinated with the trademark reflected in the engraved
text 110, such as color coordinated with the colors of a university
or high school.
[0031] The outer sleeve 102, in the shown embodiment, is disposed
around the baseplate 108 in its fully assembled configuration such
that the outer sleeve 102 rests on the ground. The present
invention is configured in its fire pit configuration by sliding
the outer sleeve 102 over and around the baseplate 108 when the
baseplate 108 is resting on the ground.
[0032] In some embodiments, the outer sleeve 102 and/or the inner
sleeve 104 are square across their cross-sections from a
top-perspective. In other embodiments, the outer sleeve 102 and/or
the inner sleeve 104 are triangular, rectangular, octagonal, or
polygonal (or any combination of the above) from a cross-sectioned
top-perspective view.
[0033] The inner sleeve 104 comprises a semi-enclosed receptacle
for housing burning fuel. The inner sleeve 104 is detachably
connectable at its base to the baseplate 108. Like the outer sleeve
102, the inner sleeve 104 comprises an elongated, generally
cylindrical metallic member with a top inner rim and a bottom inner
rim. The inner sleeve 104, however, is grated as shown such that
the inner sleeve 104 only partially encloses a fire lit within it.
The bottom inner rim is detachably affixed to the baseplate 108 in
the shown embodiment, but may be detachably affixed to a briquette
collar in other embodiments.
[0034] The grating of the inner sleeve 104 comprises a plurality of
horizontal and vertical bars, which cross and/or overlap and/or
interlock and/or intersect. In some embodiments of the inner sleeve
104, the grating may be helical, in that its horizontal bars circle
and define the inner sleeve 104 helically. In other embodiments,
the grating may comprise irregular or repeating patterns of various
kinds known to those of skill in the art. In still further
embodiments, the inner sleeve 104 may comprises stiff wire, bars
running vertically without horizontal counterparts, or even chicken
wire.
[0035] The inner sleeve 104 comprises, in the shown embodiment four
leaves projecting downwardly for detachable insertion into a
baseplate 108 as shown. The leaves 118a-c comprise legs, or rigidly
affixed plates, jutting downward from the inner sleeve for
insertion into the baseplate 108. The leaves 118a-c curve, in the
shown embodiment, with the curve of the inner sleeve 104 which
axially surrounds the longitudinal axis.
[0036] In some embodiments of the present invention, the diameter
of the inner sleeve 104 is predetermined to exceed the diameter of
a tank of propane or other fuel source housed within the inner
sleeve 104.
[0037] The height of the inner sleeve 104 may be adjustable. The
inner sleeve 104 may be telescopic. In some embodiments, the inner
shell 104 may comprise one or two flanges disposed on the top or
bottom of the inner shell 104, or disposed alongside the inner
shell 104. The flanges may serve as grips for lifting the inner
sleeve 104 or supporting the gridiron 106.
[0038] The gridiron 106 is circular in the shown embodiment, and
disposed above the inner sleeve on the top inner rim for barbequing
food. The gridiron 106, or grill, is well known to those of skill
in the art, and may comprise any number of two-dimensional
geometric shapes, including square, rectangular, triangular,
octagonal, and the like.
[0039] The baseplate 108 comprises a metallic disk of a diameter
larger than the diameter of the inner sleeve. The metallic disk
comprises a plurality of aperatures, slots, grooves, notches, ruts,
or the like, for receiving either the leaves 118a-c of the inner
sleeve 104 or substantially similar leaves of a briquette collar.
The leaves 118a-c may interlock with the baseplate 108. The
metallic disk of the baseplate 108 is oriented orthogonally to the
longitudinal axis.
[0040] In some embodiments, the baseplate 108 is manufactured from
stone, petrified wood, or heat-resistant polymers. The fire pit 100
is designed such that each of its four sections are independently
replaceable if destroyed, damaged, or worn out.
[0041] The baseplate 108 comprises a plurality of inner legs 122a-c
disposed below the metallic disk for engaging the ground.
[0042] The inner legs 122a-b comprise ground-engaging components.
In some embodiments, the inner legs 122a-b may be skirted, or may
jut outward for increased stability of the fire pit 100.
[0043] The upper rim 109 may be notched. The upper rim 109 of the
outer shell 102 may also be knurled to provide grip to a user
needing to slide the outer shell axially such that the outer shell
falls into place, or to provide grip for fire pit 100
accessories.
[0044] In some embodiments, the baseplate 108 comprises one or more
stanchions mounted to the disk for internally elevating the fuel
above ground level and flammable surrounding vegetation. In other
embodiments, the baseplate comprises
[0045] FIG. 2 is an exploded, bottom view of a free-standing,
portable, multi-function fire pit 200 in accordance with the
present invention. The fire pit 200, in the shown embodiment,
comprises a baseplate 108, leaves 118a-d, inner legs 122a-d, a
briquette collar 201, a clevis pin 202, and a cotter pin 204.
[0046] The baseplate 108, the leaves 118a-d, and inner legs 122a-d
are substantially described above in relation to FIGS. 1A-1B.
[0047] The briquette collar 201 comprises, in the shown embodiment
four leaves projecting downwardly from the briquette collar 201 for
detachable insertion into a baseplate as shown. The leaves comprise
legs, or rigidly affixed plates jutting downward for insertion into
the baseplate 108. The leaves curve, in the shown embodiment, with
the curve of the briquette collar 201 which comprises a single wall
axially surrounding the longitudinal axis. The leaves of the
briquette collar are substantially similar to the leaves 118a-c of
the inner sleeve 104.
[0048] The briquette collar 201 substantially comprises a single
tubular sleeve, surrounding the longitudinal axis, which is shorter
in height than it is in diameter. In some embodiments the briquette
collar is grated. In other embodiments, the briquette collar
comprises gaps in its perimeter to allow fuel being burned within
the briquette collar to breach.
[0049] The briquette collar 201 defines a hollow recess with an
open top. The briquette collar 201 may receive, or house, fuel such
as wood, coal, propane tanks, methane tanks, butane tanks, naphtha
tanks, alcohol, and/or other flamables.
[0050] In some embodiments, the inner sleeve 104 detachably
connects to the briquette collar 201 instead of the baseplate
108.
[0051] The leaves 118a-c in this embodiment comprise the leaves of
the briquette collar 201, and may be detachably affixed to the
baseplate 108 with a clevis pin 202 and a cotter pin 204 as shown.
In other embodiments, the clevis pin 202 may be moused instead of
cottered.
[0052] One or more of the leaves 118a-d may be detachably affixed
to the baseplate 108 using the clevis pin 202 and the cotter pin
204 as shown. The clevis pin 202 traverses the inner leg 122d
through an aperature in the leg 122d, and is secured with the
cotter pin 204. In other embodiments of the present invention, the
clevis pin 202 is moused.
[0053] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
* * * * *