Patent Application
20170114996
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a combination fuel fire pit, such as gas and wood.
Related Art
Portable fire pits often allow users to enjoy fires in any location. Such fire pits can be configured for use with wood or propane. Wood can provide a more natural fire, while propane can be more convenient and easier to control.
It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a portable fire pit that can utilize a combination of different fuels, such as both wood (or briquettes or the like) and gas (such as propane or natural gas). In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a fire pit that can provide a unique visual aspect.
The invention provides a portable combination gas and wood fire pit device comprising a fire bowl elevated on a pedestal and having an open top. A spark screen is disposed over the fire bowl and encloses the open top of the fire bowl. A grating is disposed across the open top of the fire bowl, between the fire bowl and the spark screen. A gas burner is disposed in the fire bowl and below the grating. The gas burner has an open cup facing upwardly and a neck extending laterally from the open cup. A cover plate is disposed over the gas burner and spaced above the gas burner. The cover plate is sized and positioned to cover the open cup and neck of the gas burner from above.
In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the spark screen can have a cylindrical shape with a vertical side wall and an enclosed top. The vertical side wall of the spark screen extends above the fire bowl. The vertical side wall of the spark screen comprises at least two sections including: a solid section and a mesh section. The solid and mesh sections together form the vertical side wall and enclose a lateral side of the spark screen. The solid section has interior and exterior perimeters forming a silhouette or stencil defining an object comprising at least: an animal, a person, a landscape, or combinations thereof. The vertical side wall of the spark screen can comprise at least an interior mesh layer and an exterior graphic layer.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
The term “portable” is used herein to refer to a fire pit that is not permanently installed, and that can be readily transported as a single unit to another location by one or two persons, as opposed to a permanent installation or formed of materials and in such a way that it cannot be moved by one or two persons or without damaging it.
As illustrated in
The fire pit 10 comprises a fire bowl 14 elevated on a pedestal 18 and having an open top 22. The fire bowl 14 can have a concave indentation, and the open top 22 can face upwardly. The fire bowl can receive fuel on or in the fire bowl. In one aspect, the fire bowl 14 can be formed of metal, and can have a rectilinear (square or rectangular) shape with four perimeter side walls 26. In addition, the fire bowl can have a bottom wall 30 formed by two angled halves, that can be flat, meeting at a valley (or lowest point in a middle thereof). An opening 34 can be formed in the bottom wall through which ash can pass. Furthermore, the fire bowl can have an annular flange 38 oriented horizontally and circumscribing the side walls 26 at or near an upper end of the side walls. In one aspect, the annular flange 38 can be flush with an upper end of the side walls. Thus, ash can be conveniently swept from the annular flange into the bowl and out the opening. In one aspect, the upper end of the side walls and the annular flange 38 can define a top of the fire bowl, and the open top 22 of the fire bowl. In another aspect, the annular flange 38 can extend radially outwardly beyond a spark screen (described below) to form a guard 40 around the fire bowl, and/or to define or receive handles. The pedestal 18 can also be formed of metal. In one aspect, the pedestal 18 can comprise a plurality of legs or feet to support the fire bowl above a support surface (i.e. the ground, a floor, etc.). The pedestal can be formed of separate legs, or can have a single continuous leg. One or more openings can be formed in the pedestal for air circulation, cooling, an ash tray, etc.
A spark screen 42 is disposed over the fire bowl 14, and encloses the open top 22 of the fire bowl. In one aspect, the spark screen 42 can be disposed on and/or carried by the annular flange 38 of the fire bowl. In one aspect, the spark screen 42 can have a cylindrical shape with a vertical side wall(s) 46 and an enclosed top 50. In one aspect, the cylindrical shape of the spark screen can be circular, as shown. In one aspect, the spark screen can be affixed to the fire bowl, such as by welding so that the spark screen, fire bowl and pedestal for a single integral unit. In another aspect, the spark screen can be separable from the fire bowl. The spark screen and vertical side wall can define a fuel receiving area and/or flame area. A majority of the flame from the burning fuel can be located in the spark screen, and above the fire bowl. The vertical side wall(s) 46 of the spark screen can extend above, and can be located above, the fire bowl 14. Thus, the flames can be visible through the spark screen.
The vertical side wall(s) 46 of the spark screen 42 can have at least two sections (or different types of sections), including: a solid section(s) 54 and a mesh section(s) 58. The mesh section(s) 58 can be formed of or can comprise mesh to allow heat and smoke to escape, while resisting sparks and or embers from escaping. The solid section(s) 54 can be more solid with respect to the mesh section, as described below. In addition, the vertical side wall(s) 46 of the spark screen 42 can comprising at least a mesh layer 62, and a graphic layer 66, with one inside the other, and with one overlapping the other. The mesh layer 62 can form the mesh section(s) 58, while the graphic layer 66 can form the solid section(s) 54. Both the mesh layer and the graphic layer can be cylindrical. The mesh layer can be a continuous cylinder of mesh, while the graphic layer can be a discontinuous cylinder of solid sections. In one aspect, the mesh layer can be an interior layer while the graphic layer can be an exterior layer. Thus, the graphic layer, which can be more rigid, can provide form to the mesh layer. In another aspect, graphic layer can be interior while the mesh layer can be exterior. Thus, the mesh layer, which can have greater heat dissipation, can act as an exterior guard to the graphic layer. The graphic and mesh layers 66 and 62 together form the vertical side wall(s), and enclose a lateral side of the spark screen. In addition, the solid and mesh sections 54 and 58 together form the vertical side wall and enclose a lateral side of the spark screen. The graphic and mesh layers 66 and 62 together can have or can form the solid and mesh sections 54 and 58.
A grating 70 is disposed across the open top 22 of the fire bowl 14, and between the fire bowl and the spark screen 42. The grating 70 can be disposed on and carried by the annular flange 38 and/or the upper end of the side walls 26. The fuel, such as the wood 106 and/or the briquettes 110, can be disposed on the grating, and inside the spark screen. The wood and/or briquettes can burn on top of the grating, while ash 114 from the burning wood and/or briquettes can fall through the grating and into the fire bowl, and then through the opening. The grating can be formed of metal and can be rigid.
A gas burner 74 is disposed in the fire bowl 14 and below the grating 70 and over the opening 34. The gas burner 74 can have an open cup 78 facing upwardly and a neck 82 extending laterally from the open cup. The gas burner can be formed of cast iron. The open cup 78 of the gas burner can have a cup wall 86 with an upper edge that is open around an entire perimeter of the open cup. An insert 90 can be disposed in the open cup 78 below the upper edge. The insert can have a saw-tooth perimeter defining a plurality of gas ports between the saw-tooth perimeter of the insert and an interior of the cup. The base burner 74 or neck thereof can be coupled to a gas line 94 (that can extend into the fire bowl) to supply the base burner with fuel, such as propane or natural gas. The gas line can extend to a gas port 118 carried by the pedestal, and which can be coupled to a propane tank, or other gas source, such as a natural gas line.
The fire pit has a cover plate 98 disposed over the gas burner 74, and spaced above the gas burner. The cover plate 98 can be sized and positioned to cover the open cup 78 and neck 82 (and gas line 94 if extending into the fire bowl) of the gas burner from above. Thus, the cover plate 98 can have an enlarged portion with a substantially circular shape to match and cover the open cup 78, and a narrower portion with an elongated shape to match and cover the neck (and gas line). The cover plate 98 can extend from a perimeter of the fire bowl 14, and can be cantilevered from the perimeter of the fire bowl and out over the open cup 78 of the gas burner 74. Thus, the cover plate can cover the entire gas burner, which is disposed over the opening. In one aspect, a support brace 100 can extend (perpendicular to the cover plate) between a bottom of the cover plate 98 and the side wall 26 of the fire bowl 14 to resist deflection of the cover plate towards the burner. The cover plate 98 can be disposed immediately below the grating 70, and can abut to the bottom of the grating 70, and the cover plate 98 (or upper surface thereof) can be flush with the open top 22 (or upper surface of the annular flange 38 or upper edge of the side wall 26) of fire bowl 14. Thus, the gas burner can be located adjacent the wood or briquettes and utilized to ignite the wood or briquettes. A gap is formed between the burner 74 (or open cup 78 thereof) and the cover plate 98, and can be defined between a portion of the open cup and a portion of a perimeter of the cover plate. In one aspect, the cap can be arc shaped, and can substantially circumscribe the open cup; and is thus substantially arcuate or a substantially arcuate gap. In one aspect, a majority of a perimeter edge of the cover plate 98 can match a shape of the open cup 78 of the gas burner 74. Thus, the cover plate or enlarged portion thereof can be circular. The cover plate 98, or enlarged portion thereof, can be sized slightly larger than the open cup 78 of the gas burner 74 to form a lip or overhang extending out over the open cup 78 of the gas burner to resist entry of soot or ash into the open cup, and thus resist fouling of the gas ports. In addition, the cover plate, or lip thereof, can direct the flame from the gas ports and open cup radially outwardly, to enlarge or expand the flame. Thus, the cover plate can have a substantially similar shape to the gas burner, but a larger size. In another aspect, a perimeter shape or lip of the cover plate 98 can be supplemented to have a wavy shape or wavy profile or wavy perimeter with alternating indentations and protrusions, as shown. Thus, the cover plate or lip thereof can direct flame from the gas ports and open cup radially outwardly different amounts, or different distances, to give the flame greater depth.
One or more support posts 102 can extend from the fire bowl 14 to the grating 70, and/or to a level substantially flush with the open top 22 of the fire bowl. The post(s) 102 can abut an intermediate portion of the grating 70 so that the grating is supported by the post(s). In one aspect, the posts 102 can be disposed around the opening 34, such as at the corners thereof, to maximize support. The posts 102 can have enlarged heads to avoid passing through opening in the grating 70.
In use, the fire pit 10 can be capable of receiving burning wood 106 or briquettes 110 on the grating 70, and the cover plate 98 can be capable of shielding the open cup 78 of the gas burner 74 from falling ash 114 or soot (or the like, such as embers, or smaller parts of burning wood or briquette) from the burning wood or briquettes. Thus, the cover plate 98 resists fouling of the gas ports in the open cup 78 of the gas burner 74. In addition, the gas burner 74 can be capable of receiving gas and burning the gas in the open cup 78, and the cover plate 98 can be capable of directing flames from the burning gas radially outwardly around a perimeter of the cover plate. Thus, the fire pit 10 can be used for both wood (or briquettes) and gas.
As indicated above, the gas line 94 can extend from the neck 82 of the gas burner 74, (through the fire bowl 14 in one aspect), out one of the perimeter side walls 26 of the fire bowl 14 (such as through an aperture in the perimeter side wall at the valley), and to a port 118 or fitting for coupling to a gas line to a gas source (such as a propane bottle or tank). The port 118 or fitting can be disposed in and carried by the pedestal 18. The gas line can include valves and/or pressure regulators. In addition, the fire pit can have a gas igniter with a switch carried by the pedestal, and a sparker disposed adjacent the outlet ports and/or open cup.
A user can select to use gas and/or wood or briquettes. The user can connect a gas source (such as a propane bottle or tank) to the gas burner 74, such as by coupling the gas line to the port 118 of the fire pit. The gas can be ignited manually, such as with a match or lighter; or the user can press the switch to activate the sparker. The cover plate 98 can direct the flame from the gas ports and open cup 78 radially outwardly, to enlarge or expand the flame. In addition, the user can place wood 106 or briquettes 110 in the spark screen 42 and on the grating 70. The wood or briquettes can be ignited manually, such as with a match or lighter; or the user can utilize the gas burner 74 to ignite the wood or briquettes. The cover plate 98 resists falling ash 114 or soot (or the like, such as embers, or smaller parts of burning wood or briquette) from the burning wood or briquettes from fouling the gas ports or the open cup 78 of the gas burner 74.
The falling ash or soot, and embers, from the burning wood or briquettes, can accumulate in the bottom wall 30 of the fire bowl 14, and pass through the opening 34 into an ash tray 120. The ash tray 120 can be removably disposed on a shelf 124 under the fire bowl 14 and opening 34 to facilitate disposal of the ash and soot.
In one aspect, the spark screen 42 can provide unique and aesthetically appealing visual effects along with the flame produced in by the fire pit. As described above, the spark screen 42 can have a cylindrical shape with vertical side wall(s) 46 and an enclosed top 50. The vertical side wall(s) 46 of the spark screen 42 can extend above the fire bowl 14 for visibility. The vertical side wall(s) 46 of the spark screen 42 can comprise at least two sections (or at least two different sections), including: a solid section(s) 54 and a mesh section(s) 58, which together form the vertical side wall and enclosing a lateral side of the spark screen. The mesh section 58 can be formed of or can comprise mesh to allow heat and smoke to escape, while resisting sparks and or embers from escaping. In one aspect, the mesh sections can be formed of woven wire. The mesh sections 58 can have openings therein greater in size or diameter than the diameter or width of the wire or solid portions thereof. The solid sections 54 can be more solid (than the mesh sections) and can have a greater surface area with respect to the mesh section. The solid sections 54 can have solid portions with a width or size greater than the size or diameter of the openings in the mesh sections.
In addition, the vertical side wall(s) 46 of the spark screen 42 can comprising at least a mesh layer 62, and a graphic layer 66, with one inside the other, and with one overlapping the other. The graphic layer 66 can comprise solid section(s) 54 and open section(s) (filled with the mesh sections 58). In one aspect, the mesh layer 62 can be an interior layer while the graphic layer 66 can be an exterior layer. Thus, the graphic layer 66, which can be more rigid, can provide form to the mesh layer 62. In another aspect, graphic layer can be interior while the mesh layer can be exterior. Thus, the mesh layer, which can have greater heat dissipation, can act as a guard to the graphic layer. The graphic and mesh layers 66 and 62 together form the vertical side wall(s) 46, and enclose a lateral side of the spark screen 42. In addition, the solid and mesh sections 54 and 58 together form the vertical side wall(s) 46 and enclose a lateral side of the spark screen 46. The graphic and mesh layers 66 and 62 together can have or can form the solid and mesh sections 54 and 58. The solid sections 54 can have interior and exterior perimeters 126 and 128 forming a silhouette or stencil 130. In one aspect, the silhouette or stencil can have multiple mesh or open sections, and thus multiple interior perimeters. The silhouette or stencil 130 can define an object comprising at least: an animal (e.g. horse, deer, elk, or portion thereof, etc.), a person (e.g. cowboy, etc.), a landscape (e.g. mountain range, fenced range, etc.), or combinations thereof (e.g. bull rider on a bull, cowboy leaning on a fence, etc.). The silhouette or stencil can also include other thematic elements (e.g. saddle, etc.). The silhouette or stencil 130 can be back-lit by the flame. Thus, in addition to the flame, the silhouette or stencil 130 can provide a unique and aesthetically appealing visual effect.
In addition, the enclosed top 50 can include solid sections and mesh section, and a mesh layer and a graphic layer, as described above. In one aspect, the enclosed top 50 can also include a silhouette or stencil, as described above.
In one aspect, the spark screen 42 can be cylindrical or circular, as shown in
Although the fire bowl has been described above as being rectilinear (square or rectangular), the fire bowl can have any shape. The rectilinear shape can facilitate manufacture. In one aspect, the fire bowl can be circular.
In addition, the spark screen or silhouette or stencil can be formed in multiple panels that make up the spark screen or lateral wall thereof. One of the panels can be pivotally coupled to the spark screen to form an access door or panel to the spark screen, and facilitate the insertion of wood and/or briquettes.
While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
