U.S. patent application number 16/437384 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-17 for fire pit systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is Merkur Holdings Limited. Invention is credited to Todd Johnston.
Application Number | 20200393136 16/437384 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004143120 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200393136 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnston; Todd |
December 17, 2020 |
FIRE PIT SYSTEMS
Abstract
A representative fire pit system incorporates: a base having an
upper surface and defining an outer perimeter; a housing defining
an interior, a bottom opening and a top opening, the bottom opening
communicating with the interior and the top opening communicating
with the interior, the housing having legs spaced from each other,
the legs being attached to the base and configured such that the
bottom opening is displaced from the upper surface of the base and
the housing extends upwardly from the upper surface; a fire
platform disposed within the interior of the housing between the
bottom opening and the top opening, the fire platform extending
across the interior and being configured to support combustible
materials placed thereon, the fire platform defining openings
therethrough; and support legs extending downwardly from the base,
the support legs being configured to raise the base from surface
upon which the base is positioned.
Inventors: |
Johnston; Todd; (Fairburn,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Merkur Holdings Limited |
Ngau Tau Kok |
|
HK |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004143120 |
Appl. No.: |
16/437384 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24B 1/198 20130101;
F24B 1/181 20130101; F24C 1/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24C 1/16 20060101
F24C001/16; F24B 1/181 20060101 F24B001/181; F24B 1/198 20060101
F24B001/198 |
Claims
1. A fire pit system comprising: a base having an upper surface and
defining an outer perimeter; a housing defining an interior, a
bottom opening and a top opening, the bottom opening communicating
with the interior and the top opening communicating with the
interior, the housing having legs spaced from each other, the legs
being attached to the base and configured such that the bottom
opening is displaced from the upper surface of the base and the
housing extends upwardly from the upper surface; a fire platform
disposed within the interior of the housing between the bottom
opening and the top opening, the fire platform extending across the
interior and being configured to support combustible materials
placed thereon, the fire platform defining openings therethrough;
and support legs extending downwardly from the base, the support
legs being configured to raise the base from surface upon which the
base is positioned.
2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing exhibits a
rectangular cross-section.
3. A system as defined in claim 2, wherein the housing is formed of
four interconnected panels.
4. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein the first of the panels
defines a carry opening disposed between the top and the fire
platform.
5. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein: a first of the panels
has a body portion, a first flange, a second flange, a first leg
portion and a second leg portion; the body portion defines a first
side edge and an opposing second side edge; the first flange
extends outwardly from the body portion along the first side edge;
and the second flange extends outwardly from the body portion along
the second side edge.
6. A system as defined in claim 5, wherein: the first flange of the
first of the panels defines a first slot; and a second of the
panels has a pin configured to engage within the first slot to
secure the second of the panels to the first of the panels.
7. A system as defined in claim 5, wherein: the first leg portion
has a first side edge aligned with the first side edge of the body
portion, and the first flange further extends along the first side
edge of the first leg portion; and the second leg portion has a
second side edge aligned with the second side edge of the body
portion, and the second flange further extends along the second
side edge of the second leg portion.
8. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein the first leg portion
and the second leg portion define, at least in part, an air flow
path between the housing and the base.
9. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein: the first leg portion
defines a bottom edge and has a first mounting flange extending
outwardly therefrom; the second leg portion defines a bottom edge
and has a second mounting flange extending outwardly therefrom; and
the first mounting flange and the second mounting flange are
configured to mount the first of the panels to the base.
Description
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to fire pits for burning
combustible materials.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Conventional fire pits are metal structures used for
providing platforms, raised above ground level, upon which fires
may be formed. Many of these structures are intended to be portable
for convenience of use during camping, for example. Unfortunately,
these fire pits tend to suffer from complicated
disassembly/assembly procedures and/or other shortcomings, such as
limited airflow paths for sustaining the fires. Therefore, it is
desirable to provide fire pit systems that address these and/or
other perceived deficiencies.
SUMMARY
[0003] Fire pit systems are provided. An embodiment of a fire pit
system comprises: a base having an upper surface and defining an
outer perimeter; a housing defining an interior, a bottom opening
and a top opening, the bottom opening communicating with the
interior and the top opening communicating with the interior, the
housing having legs spaced from each other, the legs being attached
to the base and configured such that the bottom opening is
displaced from the upper surface of the base and the housing
extends upwardly from the upper surface; a fire platform disposed
within the interior of the housing between the bottom opening and
the top opening, the fire platform extending across the interior
and being configured to support combustible materials placed
thereon, the fire platform defining openings therethrough; and
support legs extending downwardly from the base, the support legs
being configured to raise the base from surface upon which the base
is positioned.
[0004] In some embodiments, the housing exhibits a rectangular
cross-section.
[0005] In some embodiments, the housing is formed of four
interconnected panels.
[0006] In some embodiments, the first of the panels defines a carry
opening disposed between the top and the fire platform.
[0007] In some embodiments, a first of the panels has a body
portion, a first flange, a second flange, a first leg portion and a
second leg portion; the body portion defines a first side edge and
an opposing second side edge; the first flange extends outwardly
from the body portion along the first side edge; and the second
flange extends outwardly from the body portion along the second
side edge.
[0008] In some embodiments, the first flange of the first of the
panels defines a first slot; and a second of the panels has a pin
configured to engage within the first slot to secure the second of
the panels to the first of the panels.
[0009] In some embodiments, the first leg portion has a first side
edge aligned with the first side edge of the body portion, and the
first flange further extends along the first side edge of the first
leg portion; and the second leg portion has a second side edge
aligned with the second side edge of the body portion, and the
second flange further extends along the second side edge of the
second leg portion.
[0010] In some embodiments, the first leg portion and the second
leg portion define, at least in part, an air flow path between the
housing and the base.
[0011] In some embodiments, the first leg portion defines a bottom
edge and has a first mounting flange extending outwardly therefrom;
the second leg portion defines a bottom edge and has a second
mounting flange extending outwardly therefrom; and the first
mounting flange and the second mounting flange are configured to
mount the first of the panels to the base.
[0012] Other features and/or advantages will become apparent from
the following detailed description of the preferred but
non-limiting embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a
fire pit system.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic, assembly diagram depicting various
components of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic, assembly diagram of the embodiment of
FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 showing attachment of adjacent panels in greater
detail.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the embodiment of FIGS.
1A-3 showing detail of the bottom plate.
[0017] FIGS. 5-9 are top, front, left side, bottom and
top-perspective views, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS.
1A-4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] For ease in explanation, the following describes several
embodiments of fire pit systems. It is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of the
particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of
other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the
purpose of description and not of limitation.
[0019] In this regard, various embodiments may provide alternatives
to conventional fire pit systems. This may be accomplished by a
fire pit system that incorporates interlocking panels that may be
conveniently assembled. Preferred embodiments will now be described
with reference to the drawings.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, an embodiment of a fire pit
system 100 is provided that includes a base 102, a housing 104 and
a fire platform 106. Base 102 includes an upper surface 108 and
defines an outer perimeter 110. In this embodiment, outer perimeter
110 is rectangular in shape. Barrier walls 111-114 extend upwardly
from upper surface 108 along outer perimeter 110 to prevent
combustible materials and/or ash from spilling off the base.
[0021] Housing 104 defines an interior 116 within which a fire is
intended to burn. Housing 104 also defines a bottom opening 118 and
a top opening 120, both of which communicate with interior 106. In
this embodiment, housing 104 exhibits a rectangular cross-section
and is formed of four interlocking panels (e.g., panel 122) that
will be described in greater detail later.
[0022] Housing also incorporates legs (e.g., legs 131 and 132) that
are spaced from each other and used to attach the housing to base
102 so that housing 104 extends upwardly from upper surface 108. In
particular, the legs are configured to displace bottom opening 118
from upper surface 108 of base 102.
[0023] Fire platform 106 is disposed within interior 116 between
bottom opening 118 and top opening 120. Fire platform 106 extends
across interior 116 and is configured to support combustible
materials placed thereon. In some embodiments, fire platform 106
extends across the entirety of the width and length of the
interior. Fire platform 106 also defines openings (e.g., opening
136) that are configured to permit flows of air therethrough.
[0024] Additionally, support legs (141-144) extend downwardly from
base 102 and are configured to elevate base 102 from a surface
(e.g., the ground) upon which base 102 is positioned. Positioning
may be accomplished by a user lifting fire pit system 100 by carry
openings 146 and 148, which are defined by housing 104 and
positioned between platform 106 and top opening 120. In this
embodiment, the carry opening are formed by cut-out portions (e.g.,
cut-out portion 124) of the metal panels that are bent along a fold
line. This configuration, being spaced from the fire, enables the
metal in the vicinity of the carry openings to cool more quickly
which facilitates convenience of movement. This position may also
result in reduced soot accumulation about the carry openings.
Further, unlike a conventional fire pit, which incorporates handles
near the base, the position of the carry opening towards the top of
the fire pit system eases movement by making it unnecessary for the
user to bend over as is typically done when attempting to grasp
base-level handles.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, panel 122 incorporates a body portion
150 which, in this embodiment, is generally elongate and
rectangular. Body portion 150 includes opposing side edges 152 and
154, a top edge 156 (which assists in defining top opening 120) and
a bottom edge 158 (which assists in defining bottom opening 118). A
flange 153 extends outwardly (e.g., perpendicularly) from body
portion 150 along side edge 152, while a flange 155 extends
outwardly from body portion 150 along side edge 155.
[0026] Panel 122 also incorporates a set of openings (e.g., opening
126) that are disposed above the mounting position of fire platform
106 in order to facilitate air flow into the interior of housing
104. In this embodiment, the openings positioned closer to fire
platform 106 are generally of a larger area than those positioned
farther from the fire platform to accommodate larger inflows of air
closer to fire platform 106.
[0027] Also shown in FIG. 3 is a panel 160, which is configured to
interconnect with panel 122 in order to partially form housing 104.
Panel 160 also incorporates a set of openings (e.g., opening 166)
that are disposed above the mounting position of fire platform 106
in order to facilitate air flow into the interior of housing 104.
Unlike panel 122, panel 160 also incorporates elongated slots
(e.g., slot 168) that are disposed between the set of openings and
the side edges of panel 160. The elongated slots extend along the
length of the panel and, in this embodiment, are arranged in
opposing pairs.
[0028] In this embodiment, four panels are used to form the
housing, with panels 122 and 162 being similarly configured and
panels 160 and 164 being similarly configured (FIG. 2). Note that
panels positioned adjacent to each other interconnect with each
other. In particular, with continued reference to panels 122 and
160 of FIG. 3, flange 155 defines a slot 170 (e.g., a key-hole slot
with an enlarged end 172) that is configured to receive
therethrough a pin 174 that extends from panel 160. In this
embodiment, pin 174 incorporates a head 176 that is wider than its
shaft 178 and wider than a narrowed portion 179 of slot 170. So
configured, panels 122 and 160 may be moved relative to each other
(as depicted by the arrowed lines) to insert pin 174 into slot 170
until head 176 penetrates to the far side of flange 155. Continued
movement of the panels relative to reach other causes head 176 to
form an interference fit with flange 155, thus interlocking panels
122 and 160 together. Notably, any slots and corresponding pins of
the panels may be simultaneously engaged to interlock the
panels.
[0029] Additionally, leg portions 182 and 184 extend downwardly
from a bottom of panel 122. Leg portion 182 includes an outer side
edge 183 that is aligned with side edge 152, and leg portion 184
includes an outer side edge 185 that is aligned with side edge 154.
In this embodiment, flange 153 extends downwardly along outer side
edge 183, and flange 155 extends downwardly along outer side edge
185.
[0030] Mounting flanges are used to attach panel 122 to base 102.
Specifically, mounting flange 193 extends outwardly from a bottom
edge 192 of leg portion 182, and mounting flange 195 extends
outwardly from a bottom edge 194 of leg portion 184. In this
embodiment, the mounting flanges define through-holes through which
mechanical fasteners (e.g., bolt and nut assemblies) are attached.
The leg portions of each panel assist in defining an airflow path
located adjacent to base 102. The airflow path communicates with
interior 116 to provide an upwardly directed flow of air toward and
through fire platform 106. By way of example, leg portions 182 and
184 of panel 122 assist in defining an airflow path 200.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, fire platform 106 extends across
interior 116 and generally conforms to a shape of the inner
surfaces of housing 104. Brackets (e.g., bracket 210) are mounted
to the panels to set a height of fire platform 116 within housing
104. In this embodiment, brackets are only affixed to opposing
panels 122 and 162. Mechanical fasteners may be used to attach fire
platform 116 to the brackets.
[0032] FIGS. 5-9 are top, front, left side, bottom, and top
(perspective) views, respectively, of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-4.
In this embodiment, please note that the rear view (not shown) is
identical to the front view and the right side view (not shown) is
identical to the left side view.
[0033] The embodiments described above are illustrative of the
invention and it will be appreciated that various permutations of
these embodiments may be implemented consistent with the scope and
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *