U.S. patent number 3,814,035 [Application Number 05/258,051] was granted by the patent office on 1974-06-04 for portable fuel igniter.
Invention is credited to Glenn A. Miller.
United States Patent |
3,814,035 |
Miller |
June 4, 1974 |
PORTABLE FUEL IGNITER
Abstract
A solid fuel igniter has a fuel container shaped for a chimney
effect, a fuel supporting grate and an ignition arrangement mounted
in a lower end portion of the container. The container end portion
is provided with combustion air access. A handle support is coupled
to the container end portion and extends outwardly and laterally
thereof, and a heat insulating handle is secured to an outer end
portion of the handle support and extends upwardly therefrom. The
handle is thereby spaced from the container to facilitate grasping
thereof.
Inventors: |
Miller; Glenn A. (Greensburg,
PA) |
Family
ID: |
22978893 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/258,051 |
Filed: |
May 30, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/25B |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23Q
13/04 (20130101); A47J 37/079 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F23Q
13/04 (20060101); F23Q 13/00 (20060101); F23q
013/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;126/25 ;110/1F |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Favors; Edward G.
Claims
I claim:
1. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a
chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition means mounted
in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled
to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said
container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally
thereof, a heat insulating handle secured to an outer end portion
of said handle support and extending upwardly therefrom, said
handle being thereby spaced from said container to facilitate
grasping thereof, said ignition means including a number of wick
bars, and means for spacing said wick bars beneath said grate and
laterally of one another.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said wick bars are
separated and positioned by lug members secured to interior
surfaces of said container end portion and to undersurfaces of said
grate respectively.
3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein means are provided
for supporting said wick bars within said container end portion,
and said grate includes depending end portions resting upon
respective end portions of said wick bars.
4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein each of said wick
bars is wrapped with a length of wicking material, the wraps of
said material being closely spaced along the length of said wick
bars.
5. The combination according to claim 3 wherein fastening means are
mounted on said container and include a projection extending
loosely into an aperture therefor in said grate for retaining said
grate and said wick bars within said container upon inversion of
said container.
6. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a
chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition means mounted
in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled
to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said
container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally
thereof, and a heat insulating handle secured to an outer end
portion or said handle support and extending upwardly therefrom,
said handle being thereby spaced from said container to facilitate
grasping thereof, said air access means including a number of leg
members spacedly joined to a lower edge portion of said container,
said ignition means including wick bars spaced laterally beneath
said grate, each of said wick bars having a wick portion dangling
into the space beneath said container and between said legs.
7. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a
chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and ignition means mounted
in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled
to said container end portion, a handle support coupled to said
container end portion and extending outwardly and laterally
thereof, said ignition means being supported spacedly below said
grate and including a quantity of wicking material, said grate
being shaped to prevent contacting of said wicking material by said
fuel, said ignition means including a plurality of discrete wick
bars, each of said bars being wrapped with a quantity of said
wicking material, said bars in addition being spaced laterally of
one another and of adjacent wall surfaces of said container in
partial provision of said air access means.
8. A solid fuel igniter having a fuel container shaped for a
chimney effect, a fuel-supporting grate and ignition means mounted
in a lower end portion of said container, air access means coupled
to said container end portion, said ignition means including at
least one wick bar suspended at its ends below said grate and
having a length of wicking material wound closely thereabout, said
wicking material being capable of retaining a quantity of liquid
igniter, said grate being shaped to prevent contacting of said
wicking material by said fuel, and said access means including
means for spacing said container end portion above an external
support therefor and for spacing an intermediate length of said
wick bar from said grate and from adjacent wall surfaces of said
container.
9. The combination according to claim 8 including a handle support
coupled to said container end portion in cantilevered fashion, and
a handle secured to an outer end portion of said support and
extending in cantilevered fashion therefrom.
10. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said container is
a hollow cylinder, said cylinder having a height to diameter ratio
in the range of about 0.8:1 to about 1.2:1.
11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein said ratio is
about 1:1.
12. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said air access
means include a number of leg members spacedly joined to a lower
edge portion of said container, the length of said legs being equal
to about 20 to 40 percent of the height of said container.
Description
The present invention relates to a portable fuel igniter and more
particularly to an igniter of the character described which is
capable of bringing a solid, difficult to ignite fuel, such as
charcoal or coal to red or orange heat within a very few minutes.
The igniter is particularly useful for igniting charcoal briquets
for subsequent use either within the igniter or in a barbecue type
charcoal burner or other brazier.
Although the invention is described with particular reference to
the ignition of charcoal briquets used in an outdoor grill or
brazier, usually for barbecue type cooking, it will be understood
that the invention can be utilized for igniting other types of
fuels such as anthracite or bituminous coal for starting fireplaces
for example.
Outdoor cooking, in connection either with back yard or camping
activities has been in vogue for a number of years. Charcoal grills
or braziers are commonly used for such activities. The time
consuming difficulties of igniting the charcoal briquets has long
been a major problem in this type of cooling. Ignition difficulties
arise from the fact that the grill or brazier invariably is shaped
for a maximum cooking surface or area rather than for optimum
ignition of the charcoal.
Various methods are employed for starting the charcoal fire, but
the use of a combustible igniter fluid applied directly to the
charcoal briquets is most common. This is a most inefficient manner
of igniting the charcoal, as only the relatively cool portions of
the burning fluid is in contact with the charcoal briquets.
Consequently the charcoal briquets are ignited very slowly with
much exasperation to the would-be cook. The charcoal lighter
moreover is usually lighted with a match, and this involves
considerable hazard to the operator. Quite often, the charcoal
fails to ignite properly and additional lighter fluid is applied
with even greater hazard. In addition to the normal hazards
inherent in the use or misuse of a combustible igniter fluid, an
undesirably odor is imparted to the food, when the briquets must be
initially soaked or otherwise liberally sprinkled with igniter
fluid. This situation is aggravated by the slowness with which the
briquets are ignited in this fashion, and cooking is commenced
prematurely before the igniter fluid is completely burned off.
Quite often cooking is well underway or virtually completed before
the charcoal briquets even approach their maximum heat output.
In accordance with my invention, a portable fuel igniter is
provided which is capable of bringing the number of charcoal
briquets needed for the average grill or brazier to their maximum
heat output capability within a very few minutes. The igniter is
arranged for ready portability without personnel hazard and is
quickly and easily handled. In further accordance with the
invention the igniter is configured unexpectedly for maximum draft
and ignition efficiency. The charcoal briquets are ignited
conveniently with a starter fluid which, however, is prevented from
actual contact with the briquets. The igniter is further arranged
in an inobvious manner such that only one application of lighter
fluid is required throughout the ignition process. The burning
igniter fluid is applied, in accordance with another feature of the
invention, such that the briquets are exposed to the maximum flame
temperatures of the burning fluid. Provision is made for both
retaining and igniting the lighter fluid within the igniter without
hazard to the operator. My igniter is configured essentially as a
unitary structure having a minimum of component parts. It can be
constructed readily for withstanding the maximum heat of the
burning charcoal during repeated use of the igniter over extended
periods of time. After ignition, the briquets can be dumped
conveniently into an external grill or brazier, or the igniter
itself can be employed as a grill. I am aware of a number of known
arrangements for igniting solid fuels typified for example by the
patents to Hereon, U.S. Pat. No. 1,959,473; Curtis, U.S. Pat. No.
3,018,771; Arena, U.S. Pat. No. 3,209,712; Durfee, U.S. Pat. No.
3,216,379; Kaufmann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,399; and Byars, Sr. et al.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,116,704 and 3,167,040. Heron, U.S. Pat. No.
1,959,473 is a burnable container of easily ignited fuel for
initiating ignition of heavier fuel. As the container itself is
combustible, provisions for draft, containment of high
temperatures, and placement of igniter fluid obviously are not
pertinent problems. The igniter disclosed in Arena, U.S. Pat. No.
3,209,712 requires a power driven fan to provide adequate draft.
Moreover, the charcoal is started with burning paper placed in the
fuel chamber. Burning paper, of course, creates a quantity of fly
ash which can contaminate food or the environment, particularly if
there is a slight breeze. Transportation of bulky paper for this
purpose is cumbersome, which moreover is subject to dampness during
inclement weather.
Durfee, U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,379; Kaufmann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,399
and Byars, Sr. et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,116,704 and 3,167,040
likewise require the use of newspaper or the like for starting a
charcoal fuel. There is no provision for maintaining a burning
lighter fluid separately of the charcoal briquets. Moreover, if too
much paper is utilized, the draft openings can be blocked.
Curtis, U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,771 discloses a charcoal grill of
complex construction including a fire box and draft regulator.
Although a discrete wick assembly is employed there are no means
for prepositioning the wick structure or for relating the wick to
proper draft induction and application of maximum flame
temperatures.
None of the igniters among the aforementioned patents utilize a leg
arrangement on the igniter container itself for reliable and
reproducible draft induction. The legs of the Durfee igniter are
merely extensions of a specialized form supporting grate.
I accomplish the aforementioned objectives and overcome the
disadvantages of the prior art by providing a solid fuel igniter
having a fuel container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel
supporting grate and ignition means mounted in a lower end portion
of said container, air access means coupled to said container end
portion, a handle support coupled to said container end portion and
extending outwardly and laterally thereof, said ignition means
being supported spacedly below said grate and including a quantity
of wicking material, said grate being shaped to prevent contacting
of said wicking material by said fuel.
I also provide a similar fuel igniter wherein said ignition means
include a plurality of discrete wick bars, each wrapped with a
quantity of said wicking material, said bars in addition being
spaced laterally of one another and of adjacent wall surfaces of
said container in partial provision of said air access means.
I also desirably provide a solid fuel igniter having a fuel
container shaped for a chimney effect, a fuel supporting grate and
ignition means mounted in a lower end portion of said container,
air access means coupled to said container end portion, a handle
support coupled to said container end portion and extending
outwardly and laterally thereof, and a heat insulating handle
secured to an outer end portion of said handle support and
extending upwardly therefrom, said handle being thereby spaced from
said container to facilitate grasping thereof.
I also provide a similar fuel igniter wherein said air access means
include a number of leg members spacedly joined to a lower edge
portion of said container.
I also provide a similar fuel igniter wherein said ignition means
are wick bars spaced laterally beneath said grate, each of said
wick bars having a wick portion dangling into the space beneath
said container and between said legs.
I also provide a similar fuel igniter including a cooking grid
detachably engageable with upper end portion of said container,
said grid being substantially coextensive with an upper opening of
said container.
During the foregoing discussion, various objects, features and
advantages of the invention have been set forth. These and other
objects, features and advantages of the invention together with
structural details thereof will be elaborated upon during the
forthcoming description of certain presently preferred embodiments
of the invention and presently preferred methods of practicing the
same.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain presently
preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain
presently preferred methods of practicing the same, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one form of fuel igniter arranged in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 1A is a partial reduced elevational view of a modification of
my novel igniter shown in the preceding figure;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,
partially broken away for purposes of clarity;
FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the grate illustrated in FIG.
2;
FIG. 3 is a vertically sectioned view of the apparatus as shown in
FIG. 2 and taken along reference line III--III thereof;
FIG. 3A is a partial isometric view of a bottom portion of the
apparatus as shown in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 3B is an enlarged isometric view of one of the wick bars
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, with parts broken away and other
parts removed for purposes of clarity.
With detailed reference now initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings a
fuel igniter 10 arranged in accordance with the invention includes
a fuel holder or container 12 of suitable configuration and size,
in this arrangement of hollow, cylindrical shape. The container 12
is provided with a number of supporting legs 14 of sufficient
length to afford adequate air supply as required by the very
considerably and unexpected draft developed by the chimney effect
of the container 12 and the elevated temperatures of the fuel when
ignited therein. The height of the legs 14, therefore, bears a
critical relationship to the overall proportioning of the igniter
10. Although the number of legs can be varied in excess of the
three illustrated legs, the use of three legs is desirable to
provide a stabilizing, tripod effect and to minimize interference
with air supply. For ease in molding the container 12, including
the legs 14, the legs can be tapered downwardly as shown.
From a position adjacent the lower edge 16 of the container 12 in
handle support 18 is protruded in cantilevered fashion and is
strengthened in this example by one or more ribs, such as central
rib 20. A handle 22 fabricated from wood or other suitable
insulating material is secured in cantilevered upstanding relation
to the outer end portion of the handle support 18 as by mounting
bolt 24 extending longitudinally through the handle 22 and the
adjacent portion of the handle support 18. Desirably one or more
asbestos washers 26 are inserted between the lower end of the
handle 22 and the support 18 to prevent burning or blistering of
the handle 22. Desirably the washer or washers 26 can project
outwardly of the handle 22 to advise the user of the igniter 10
almost instinctively through his sense of touch that he may be
placing his hand too close to the handle support 18 in the event
that the handle support is fabricated from a metallic structural
material such as that employed for the container 12.
The handle support 18 can be joined to the fuel container 12 by
molding or otherwise forming integrally therewith, or by welding,
brazing or bolting, for example, a discrete metal support thereto.
Where the handle support 18 is fabricated from a conductive
material, it can be slotted or otherwise perforated (not shown) to
promote heat transfer therefrom by convection where it is necessary
to further reduce transfer of heat from the fuel container 12 to
the handle 22.
An important feature of the invention is the spatial relationship
of the handle 22, the handle support 18 and the fuel container 12.
Desirably the handle support 18 is secured to the container 12
adjacent its lower extremity of the handle 22. Thus, when the
handle 22 is grasped and lifter by the user of the igniter 10, the
weight thereof tends to displace the handle support 18 farther from
the user's hand to avoid any possibility of accidental contact
therewith. This is in marked and unexpected contrast to the
situation where the handle support might be joined to the upper end
of the handle or to both ends of the handle, as taught previously
in the art of fuel igniters. In such cases the weight of the
igniter would tend to force the hot handle support into contact
with the user hand when transporting the igniter. To further
protect the users little finger when grasping the handle 22 for
lifting purposes, one or both of the asbestos washers 26 can be
extended or protruded inwardly a short distance as denoted by
reference numeral 28 to cover the adjacent portions of the handle
support 18 including the rib 20 if used.
The fuel container 12 proper is designed to contain enough solid
fuel, for example charcoal briquets, for the average sized grill in
cooking an average supply of food. For example, the container 12
can be sized to contain 36 or more such briquets after allowing the
necessary space for grate 30 and wick bars 32, 34 described below
in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 and related Figures. For each
capacity the configuration of the container desirably is about 6
inches in height and in diameter. Desirably also the height of the
container 12 is about equal to the diameter thereof to provide
optimum draft and ignition conditions for igniting about three
dozen briquets to red-orange heat within about 15 minutes or less.
In actual tests I have found that the flame from the burning
charcoal as the briquets approach the red heat will rise 5 to 6
inches off the upper edge of the fuel container 12. A lesser number
of briquets, as required, can be ignited to a red-orange heat in
corresponding lesser time for example I have found that a quantity
of 24 briquets in the aforementioned exemplary size of the
container 12 will reach red-orange heat within about 10 minutes of
ignition of the lighter or starter fluid. Obviously, the container
can be made correspondingly larger or smaller than indicated above
in dependence upon the desired quantity of fuel to be ignited.
Moreover the ratio of container height to diameter can be varied
within the range of about 0.8:1 to about 1.2:1 while affording
adequate draft and ignition conditions in most, if not all,
applications.
After a suitable quantity of the charcoal briquets or other solid
fuel is thus ignited, it is contemplated that the portable igniter
can be carried to a suitable brazier or charcoal grill so that the
thoroughly ignited briquets or other solid fuel can be dumped
therein for conventional operation of the grill or brazier.
Alternatively, and in accordance with another feature of my
invention, the igniter 10 itself can be employed as a charcoal
grill or brazier. In such cases a corresponding lesser number of
briquets or other quantity of fuel can be utilized. For example the
aforementioned grate 30 can be covered with one or two layers of
briquets, and cooking can proceed on a suitable grid or the like
held or otherwise supported over the top of the container 12.
In accordance with the invention, however, I provide a uniquely
shaped cooking grid 36 which can be fabricated exemplarily and
readily from a suitable, structural wire, and upon which food can
be placed directly or in a frying pan or the like for cooking
purposes. Desirably the grid 36 includes a circular wire or band or
other outer support 38 having about the same configuration of the
container 12 in plan. A number of straight wires 40 or other
suitable grid type supports can be welded or brazed to the circular
support 38 to which a re-enterant wire or other appropriate handle
42 is similarly secured. Likewise secured to the circular support
32 are a number of supporting legs 44 shich can be bent from
similar wire as shown to support the circular frame 38 spacedly but
directly from the upper edge portions of the fuel container 20.
Spacing the grid 36 in some such fashion permits use of a frying
pan or other solid bottomed cooking utensil, without interferring
with draft. The combination of the especially and uniquely shaped
grid 36 and the novel igniter 10 provides a unique self-contained
charcoal grill or brazier as an alternative feature of the
invention in addition to the unexpected ignition capabilities of
the igniter 10 per se. The grid and igniter combination 10, 36 is
particularly advantageous for fast cooking or individual portions
or for boiling water or the like in a suitable container, owing to
the unique draft and ignition capabilities of the igniter 10, which
have been developed primarily for solid fuel ignition.
When the igniter 10 is employed for its primary or fuel-igniting
function, it is contemplated that the container 12 can be
substantially filled with charcoal briquettes or other solid fuel,
owing again to the unique draft and ignition capabilities of the
igniter 10. I have found for example in other tests that when a
maximum quantity of briquettes are ignited in the container 12 that
the outer surface of the container may reach a temperature of
700.degree. F. or higher. To afford the necessary air access for
the draft developed by the chimney effect of the container 12 at
these temperatures, the length of the legs 14 of the container 12
are about minimal in the illustrated embodiment, i.e. when the
length of the legs 14 are about equal to about 20 to 40 percent and
preferably to about 33 percent of the vertical dimension of the
container 12 or cylindrical portion of the igniter 10. Similarly
the spacing of the grate 30 above the lower edge of the container
12 and length of supporting lugs 60 are about minimal (for the
illustrated container configuration) for adequate draft and to
avoid flame at the lower container opening. Of course, these
relationships will vary somewhat in dependence of the number and
horizontal dimension of the legs 14.
For preheating charcoal or the like for larger external grills or
braziers (not shown) the capacity of container 12' of the igniter
10' can be increased in accordance with that feature of the
invention shown in FIG. 1A. A containment section 43 is provided
with generally the same cross-sectional configuration as that of
the main igniter container 12' and is arranged for detachable
connection to the upper end of the container 12'. The section 43
can be molded or cast from a suitable structural material such as
steel or aluminum or alloys thereof. Alternatively the section 43
(and also the main container 12 or 12' of the igniter 10 or 10')
can be fabricated from a band of sheet steel or the like bent to
cylindrical or other suitable configuration (depending again upon
the cross-sectional configuration of the container 12'). When thus
bent the ends of the band can be overlapped and spot welded or
provided with a longitudinal folded seam or the like. In the
illustrated example the height of the container section 43 is about
half that of the main container 12', although other spatial
relationships can be employed depending upon the application of the
invention and desired capacity.
Desirably the container section 43 is detachably joined to the
container 12' to permit dumping of the ignited fuel content into an
external grill or brazier for subsequent cooking or other use. Such
joining can be accomplished by a number of depending tabs 42 spot
welded or otherwise secured to the container section 43. Each of
the tabs 45 can be provided with a threadedly engaged thumb screw
47 or the like for frictional engagement with the adjacent outer
surfaces of the container 12'. Alternatively, the container 12' can
be apertured or recessed as denoted by reference numerals 49 to
receive the inward ends of the thumb screws 47 or other
fasteners.
Within practical limitations the added obstruction to upward flow
of the combusting gases within the container assembly 12', 43
caused by the added fuel is compensated by the enhanced chimney
effect and draft of the container arrangement 12', 43.
In further accordance with the invention, an unexpected grate and
wick bar assembly 30, 32, 34 is supported for unexpectedly facile
removal in the lower portion of the fuel container 12 (FIGS. 2 and
3). The wick bars 32, 34 are designed to hold an adequate quantity
of charcoal lighter or other combustible starting fluid which
obviates the necessity for applying the fluid directly to the
charcoal or other solid fuel. Eliminated also are the difficulties
of after taste and potential health hazard associated with direct
application of starter liquid to the solid fuel briquettes. The
wick bars accordingly are supported a short distance beneath the
grate 30 such that the grate retains the wick bars in place with a
minimum of fastening hardware as described in detail below and such
that the starter fluid can be applied directly to the wick bars
through the otherwise open bottom of the fuel igniter 10, before
the fuel is dumped into the container 12, of course. The fluid
desirably is applied from a container having a single-stream
applicator. The otherwise open bottom of the container 12 permits
an essentially unobstructed flow of combustion air to the
interstices of the grate and wick bar assembly, which are further
configured to afford a minimum of flow resistance therethrough, as
described below.
A grate 30 is cast or molded or otherwise formed to provide a
"loose" grill configuration such that a relatively narrow
supporting strip substantially centrally overlies associated one of
the wick bars 32 or 34 (FIG. 2). These strips 46, 48 (FIG. 2A) are
interconnected by cross strips 50 and by supportive end portions 52
of the grate 30. A pair of lateral projections 54 extend outwardly
and respectively from the grill strips 48 to prevent briquets or
other lumps of solid fuel from wedging between the grate 30 and the
inner surfaces of the container 12.
The relationship of the long grill strips 46, 48 to the wick bars
32, 34 provides a minimum of interferance with the ignition flames
projecting upwardly from the wick bars 32, 34 when the lighter
fluid applied thereto is ignited. A minimum of inner connecting
grill strips 50 likewise minimizes flame interference and
resistance to combustion air flowing through the spaces between the
wick bars 32, 34 and the adjacent surfaces of the container 12.
Desirably, the wick bars are constructed so as to contain a maximum
of wicking material, as described below, while still affording
adequate flow of combustion air through spaces 56 therebetween and
spaces 58 between the outer wick bars 34 and the inner wall
surfaces of the container 12. As evident from FIG. 2 the outer wick
bars 34 can be identically constructed for interchangability. In
the illustrated example the sizes of the spaces 56, 58 are
approximately minimal for an adequate flow of combustion air for
any quantity of briquetted fuel which can be contained within the
container 12.
The grate 30 and the wick bars 32, 34 are further configured and
positioned such that when assembled in the container as
aforedescribed the grill projections 54 of the grate and its end
pieces 52 terminate at or closely adjacent the outer lateral
surfaces 76 of the outermost wick bars 34 further to minimize
resistance to flow of combustion air through the flow passages
58.
The wick bars 32, 34 are supported at their ends by respective
arrays of supporting lugs 60 (FIGS. 3, 3A), with the arrays of lugs
60 being disposed diametrically on the inner and desirably
lowermost wall surfaces of the container 12. The individual lugs 60
can be secured to the container 12 for example by molding or
casting integrally. As best shown in FIGS. 3, 3B each of the wick
bars 32, 34 can be T-shaped in cross section, which in accordance
with another feature of the invention aids in supporting the wick
bars and also in the application of a miximum quantity of wicking
material thereto. In supporting the wick bars 32, 34 from the lugs
60 the leg portion of the T-shaped end portions of the outer bars
34 is contained between the respective outer lugs 60a and the
adjacent curvature of the container 12. One end of the arm position
of the T-shaped end portions of the outer wick bars 34 rests upon
the upper ends of the associated supporting lugs 60a, all of which
is denoted by chain outline 62 of such end portions in FIG. 3A.
On the other hand the central wick bar 32 has the leg portion of
its T-shaped end section 64 (FIG. 3A) trapped between a pair 60b of
the supporting lugs 60. The arm section of its end portion rests
upon the upper ends of the supporting lugs 60b. Thus, downward
movement of the wick bars is prevented by their engagement with the
upper ends of the supporting lugs 60, while sidewise movement of
the central wick 32 bar is prevented by engagement between the
central supporting lugs 60b and of the outer wick bars 34 by their
engagement between the outer supporting lugs 60a and the adjacent
curved surfaces of the container 12.
The wick bars 32, 34 are further stabilized relative to sidewise
movement of pairs of depending lugs 66 secured to the supportive
ends 52 of the grate 30 (FIGS. 2A, 3). When the grate 30 in in its
operating position (FIGS. 2 and 3) the lugs 66 are inserted
respectively between the adjacent end portions of the wick bars 32,
34. When thus positioned, the grate 30 also limits upward movement
of the wick bars 32, 34 as the lower edge portions 68 of the
supportive grate ends 52 rest thereon, in accordance with other
features of the invention.
When thus positioned and in further accordance with the invention
the grate 30 can be secured in place by a minimum of fastening
hardware for example a pair of screws 70 which are insertable
respectively into apertures 72 (FIGS. 2, 2A) in each end portion 52
of the grate 30. Desirably the screws 70 are threadedly engaged
with tapped apertures 74 in the container 12 but are freely
insertable into the aforesaid grate apertures 72. Accordingly the
grate 30 can be removed, along with the wick bars 32, 34 if
desired, from the container 12 by merely backing off the retaining
screws 70 without completely removing the screws from the container
12. This minimizes possibilities of loss of the screws 70 when the
grate 30 and/or the wick bars 32, 34 must be removed from the
container 12 for cleaning, rewicking or replacement.
Owing to the structure and configuration of the grate 30 and the
wick bars 32, 34 the upper surfaces of the wick bars can be
disposed closely to the underside of the grate 30 and thus closely
to the solid fuel briquets supported on the grate 30 for
application for maximum ignition heat to the fuel. At the same time
the configuration of the grate 30 prevents contact between the fuel
and the wick bars to avoid transfer of combustible starter liquid
to the solid fuel.
To ensure ignition of the solid fuel supported within the container
12 and on the grate 30, each of the wick bars 32, 34 desirably is
provided with a more than adequate supply of wicking material 78.
The wicking material 78 can be exemplarily a length of 1/4-inch
asbestos braided rope, which is commonly available. The wicking 78
can be folded and run a number of times longitudinally of the
associated wick bar 32 or 34, as denoted by reference numerals 80
in FIG. 3B. The folds 80 thus are more or less cradled between the
leg portion and the adjacent arm section of the cross-sectional
configuration of the wick bar. In assembling each wick bar 32 or 34
a longitudinal folds or lengths 80 of the wicking material can be
temporarily positioned by a string or thin wire (not shown).
Thereafter additional lengths of the wicking material 78 can be
wrapped along the length of the wick bar such that the individual
wraps 82 thereof are closely spaced and operate to permanently
retain the longitudinal lengths of folds 80 in place. At one end of
each of the wick bars 32, 34 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3B) a free end portion 84
is dangled downwardly into the space below and generally at the
same side of the container 12 so that the wick bars 32, 34 can be
readily ignited from a single match.
The lateral dimension of each wick bar 32, 34 is made as wide as
possible (FIG. 3) to present a maximum flame front to the solid
fuel briquets or the like supported on the grate 30. A uniform
flame front is afforded by the upper, flat surfaces 84, 86 (FIG. 2)
of the wick bars 32, 34. The air flow passages 56 and 58 adjacent
the wick bars 32, 34 are substantially at the minimum areas for
adequate flow of combustion air.
From the foregoing it will be seen that a novel and efficient
portable fuel igniter has been disclosed herein. The apparatus is
capable of primarily an ignition of the solid fuel, or for ignition
plus subsequent use as a self-contained grill. The descriptive and
illustrative materials employed herein, therefore, are utilized for
purposes of exemplifying the invention and not in limitation
thereof. Accordingly, numerous modifications of the invention will
occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that
certain features of the invention can be used to advantage without
a corresponding use of other features thereof.
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