FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to fire rings and, in particular, to a hinged fire ring that can be collapsed for compact storage and convenient transportation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fire rings or campfire rings define a fire-proof perimeter for fires at campsites, in yards, at events, and in other contexts. The rings prevent fires from spreading outside of the perimeter defined by the ring so as to avoid starting wildfires. The rings also protect against undesired items (or pets or appendages) entering the fire area and provide a convenient platform for supporting cooking accessories such as grates or skewers. In an era of increasing wildfire concern, such rings are indispensable for controlling open fires.
Traditionally, fire rings were often formed from rocks or other inflammable materials that were available. However, such materials are not always conveniently available and may not form an effective ring due to gaps that remain when stacking such items. Some commercially available rings are formed from a continuous ring of metal or similar inflammable material. While these can be highly effective as fire rings, they are generally cumbersome to store and transport. This discourages use of such rings, thus inviting risky and irresponsible behavior.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a fire ring product that collapses for convenient transportation and storage and expands to provide an effective fire ring. The fire ring product may also include a connection assembly for connecting a detachable handle, storage unit, or other accessories for enhanced convenience. The ring is convenient for use in a variety of settings, thus encouraging responsible behavior.
In accordance with one aspect of present invention, a fire ring apparatus and associated functionality are provided. The fire ring apparatus includes a number of flat panels interconnected by hinges such that the panels can be arranged in a first configuration, wherein the panels form a ring, and in a second configuration, wherein the panels are stacked for compact storage or transportation. For example, one or more hinges may be provided between opposite edges of adjacent panels that define the ring. The hinges may be arranged such that the panels can be folded in an accordion fashion. In this manner, the fire ring apparatus can collapse to a height and width substantially matching those of the individual panels.
In one implementation, the apparatus is formed such that, in the first configuration, the flat panels circumscribe a circle having a diameter of between about 12-36 inches and, more preferably between about 20-30 inches. The apparatus can thereby effectively contain fires made using typical size firewood. The fire ring apparatus may be formed using at least about six of the flat panels, for example, about 9-12 flat panels. Each of the panels may have a width, measured between hinged edges of the panel, of between about 6-10 inches. The panels may have a height (that also defines the height of the fire ring) of between about 6-24 inches, for example, about 8-12 inches. One of the panels may define a spine that extends across the combined thickness of the panels in the second (collapsed) configuration like the spine of a book. In this regard, the spine may have a width at least about equal to a combined thickness of the other flat panels/hinges. A detachable or fixed handle may be provided in connection with the spine for carrying the fire ring apparatus.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a collapsible fire ring includes one or more mounting elements for mounting an accessory. For example, the mounting elements may be provided in connection with a spine as described above. In one implementation, the accessory may be a detachable handle assembly and may include a hollow tube with at least one detachable end cap. The detachable cap is removable to access an interior of the hollow tube and can be secured to an end of the hollow tube to enclose the interior. In this manner, the hollow tube can be used for storage of items such as matches, a lighter, a flashlight, or other items. Detachable caps may be provided at both ends of the hollow tube such that the caps can be removed to carry elongate items such as an axe or a shovel. The mounting elements may be used to directly attach such items or other items such as a cooking grate or other cooking accessories.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1-2 are photographs showing a collapsible fire ring in accordance with the present invention in deployed and collapsed configurations, respectively.
FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating exemplary dimensions and configurations of a fire ring in accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 4-5 show perspective views of another embodiment of a fire ring apparatus in accordance with the present invention in a collapsed configuration.
FIGS. 6-7 are perspective views of a mounting assembly of the apparatus of FIGS. 4-5.
FIG. 8 is a top view of the apparatus of FIGS. 4-5.
FIGS. 9-10 are perspective and side views, respectively, of a handle assembly of the apparatus of FIGS. 4-5.
FIGS. 11-12 are perspective views of an end cap of the apparatus of FIGS. 4-5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is directed to a collapsible fire ring product and associated methodology. In the following description, the invention is set forth in the context of specific configurations and embodiments of a fire ring formed from hinged panels with a support assembly for supporting detachable accessories such as a carry handle/storage tube and/or other accessories. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such embodiments and implementations. Accordingly, the following description should be understood as exemplary and not by way of limitation.
Referring to FIGS. 1-2, one embodiment of a fire ring product 100 in accordance with the present invention is shown. The product 100 is shown in a deployed configuration (FIG. 1) defining a fire ring and in a collapsed configuration (FIG. 2) for convenient carrying and storage. As shown, the product 100 includes a number of flat panels 102 connected by hinges 106. The panels 102 may be formed from an inflammable materials such as steel. The hinges 106 may be positioned in a space between adjacent panels or may be provided adjacent to the inner faces or outer faces of adjacent panels. In the latter case, successive hinges may alternate between the inner faces and outer faces of the panels to allow the panels to collapse in an accordion configuration. One of the panels 102 may define a spine 108 that extends across the combined thickness of the panels in the collapsed configuration. In one embodiment, a detachable or fixed handle 104 may be attached to the spine 108. The handle 104 allows for convenient carrying of the product 100.
It will be appreciated that the fire ring product may be provided in a variety of sizes depending, for example, on the size of the panels and the number of panels included in the product. It is desirable that the fire ring product is sufficiently large to form a perimeter around fires formed from firewood of typical sizes. Moreover, it is desirable that the fire ring collapse to a convenient size for carrying and storage and that the fire ring is not unduly heavy to carry. Accordingly, a steel fire ring may have dimensions as generally described herein.
FIG. 3 shows a top view of a fire ring 300 in accordance with the present invention illustrating exemplary dimensions. The illustrated ring 300 is formed from 11 flat panels 302 including 10 equally sized panels 302 and a smaller spine 304. Each of the panels 302 (other than the spine) may have a width, W, of between about 6-10 inches, for example, about 7-8 inches, and may have a height of between about 6-12 inches, for example, about 8-10 inches. The width of the spine 304 may vary depending, for example, on the thickness of the panels 302 or arrangement of the hinges when collapsed. In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the spine 304 may be about 1½-2½ inches and the height of the spine may be the same as the other panels 302 or it may be shorter. The panels may have a thickness of between about 0.02-0.06 inches. Because the panels 302 are connected by hinges, the angle subtended by adjacent panels can vary. In order for the ring 300 to enclose the largest possible area, the angles subtended by each pair of adjacent panels 302 should be substantially equal. In the illustrated embodiment, each pair of adjacent panels 302 define an angle of between about 145-155 degrees and the ring 300 circumscribes a circle having a diameter, D, of between about 20-24 inches, for example, about 22 inches.
FIGS. 4-5 show perspective views of a collapsible fire ring 400 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated ring 400 includes a number of flat panels 402, a spine 404, hinges 406 for interconnecting the panels 402, a connection assembly 408, and a detachable handle assembly 410 including end caps 412. Although the ring 400 is shown in a collapsed configuration, it will be appreciated that the ring 400 can be expanded as described above, for example, in connection with FIG. 3, to form a fire ring for enclosing a fire space. The fire ring 400 differs from the embodiments described above in that it includes the connection assembly 408 for connecting detachable accessories to the ring 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the attached accessory is a detachable handle assembly 410 that also functions as a storage unit as will be described in more detail below. However, other types of accessories such as an axe, a shovel, and the like may be provided. Such accessories may be used in combination with the detachable handle assembly 410 or used separately. In either case, such accessories may be secured to the connection assembly 408 by flanges, threaded nuts, latches, or the like.
FIGS. 6-7 show perspective views of the connection assembly 408 of the ring 400 of FIGS. 4-5. As shown, the assembly 408 generally includes a bracket 414 (which may be the spine or a separate piece connected to the spine), flanges 416 extending outwardly from the bracket 414, and hinge receptacles 418 for detachably connecting the assembly 408 to the ring 400. For example, each of the hinges of the ring may be formed by a hinge pin assembly where the pin portion is received within a hinge receptacles 418. Hinge pin assemblies of the ring may connect with the hinge receptacles 418 of the assembly 408. The illustrated flanges 416 form openings 420 for receiving a detachable accessory as will be described in more detail below. The flanges may include additional openings to allow attachment of additional items, for example, using clips, rings, carabiners, straps or the like.
FIG. 8 is a top view of the ring 400 of FIGS. 4-5 including the connection assembly 408 and the detachable handle assembly 410. The panels 402 may be substantially equal in width or may have different widths so that the hinges 406 are offset when the ring 400 is collapsed. In the illustrated embodiment, adjacent panels generally have approximately the same width such that the hinges 406 are generally in an aligned, abutting relationship when the ring 400 is collapsed. However, the hinges that connect to the spine/connection assembly 408 are slightly offset from the adjacent hinges 406. It will be appreciated that the widths of the panels 402 may alternatively be varied (together with the hinge/panel interface configuration) such that hinges that are adjacent to one another when the assembly 400 is collapsed (every other hinge when the ring is expanded) may be slightly offset for a more compact configuration when collapsed.
FIGS. 9-10 show perspective and side views, respectively, of the detachable handle assembly 410 of the ring 400 of FIGS. 4-5. The assembly 410 generally includes a hollow cylindrical body 422 and end caps 412. The body 422 is dimensioned to be received within the openings 420 (FIGS. 6-7) of the connection assembly 408. Moreover, the body 422 includes internally threaded end portions for mating with the threads of the end caps 412 as will be described in more detail below. The body 422 may be dimensioned to be comfortable for carrying while providing a useful storage compartment in the interior of the housing 422. For example, the housing 422 may have a diameter of between about 1½-3 inches, e.g., about 2 inches. The exterior of the housing 422 may be textured for improved gripping and may optionally include a coating or padded covering for comfort. As will be understood from the description below, the end caps 412 can be removed to provide access to the interior space of the body 422. For example, one end cap 412 may be removed to insert small items into the interior storage space of the housing 422 and then attached to the housing 422 to secure the items. Alternatively, both end caps 412 may be removed from the body 422 so that elongate items, such as an axe handle, a shovel handle, a fishing pole, etc., can be inserted through the body 422.
FIGS. 11-12 show perspective views of the end caps 412. The end caps 412 generally include a handle 424 and a threaded flange 426. The handle 424 can be gripped by a user to remove the end cap 412 from the body 422 (FIGS. 9-10) of the detachable handle assembly 410 and to connect the end cap 412 thereto. In this regard, the handle 424 may have a dimension (e.g., a diameter) greater than the dimension of the opening 420 of the connection assembly 408 and the threaded flange 426 may have a dimension that is less than the dimension of the opening 420. In this manner, the end caps 412 also serve to connect the body 420 to the connection assembly 408. As shown, the handle 424 may be contoured for enhanced gripping and may include graphics.
The present invention thus provides a collapsible fire ring that can be deployed to enclose a fire space and then collapsed for convenient carrying and storage. The fire ring may include fixed or detachable accessories such as a detachable handle for carrying. The detachable accessories may allow for convenient storage or interconnection of associated items such as an axe or shovel. The invention thus provides great convenience for campers and others and encourages safe and responsible behavior.
The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
Patent Application
20230313997
