GAS ADAPTER FOR WOOD FIRE PIT

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing a gas burner adapter in a wood fire pit, comprising: a burner; a connector removably connected to a bummer configured to transit through a narrow opening at the bottom of a wood fire pit; and a connection to a gas source.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present concept relates to a gas adapter that fits inside a wood fire pit, converting the wood fire pit to burn gas.

Prior art patent literature describes various convertible fire pits. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,038,620 discloses a multi-sided, portable outdoor fireplace convertible to an open grill, a rotisserie assembly, and a smoker assembly, the fireplace including a carriage assembly with a pair of rotatable wheels and at least one leg member; a base pan assembly for containing a solid fuel heat source affixed to the carriage assembly; and a removable screen assembly residing on top of the base pan assembly. When converted to an open grill, the fireplace further includes a grill bracket removably attachable to the screen assembly. When converted to a smoker, the fireplace, in one embodiment, further includes at least one heat/wind shield attachable to the screen assembly; a smoker adaptor body residing on the screen assembly; an adjustable grate support bracket affixed to the interior of the smoker body and a cover.

Nonetheless, prior art convertible fire pits do not provide a convenient means to alternate between wood as a fuel source and a gas fuel source such as propane or natural gas.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention provides a way to use gas for combustion instead of wood in a wood fire pit, which results in a safer fire that can be utilized where wood fire ban restrictions are in effect or in any other situation where gas is more convenient than wood.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing a gas burner adapter in a wood fire pit, comprising: a burner; a connector removably connected to a burner configured to transit through a narrow opening at the bottom of a wood fire pit; and a connection to a gas source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded top perspective view of an embodiment of a gas adapter for wood fire pit according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the assembled adapter shown in FIG. 1 connected to a connection to a gas source;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the assembled adapter shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the adapter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the assembled adapter shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded top perspective view of the adapter shown in FIG. 1 as it would line up with a wood fire pit;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the assembled adapter shown in FIG. 1 as it would be inserted into a wood fire pit and then connected to a connection to a gas source;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the assembled adapter shown in FIG. 1 installed a wood fire pit and connected to a connection to a gas source;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the assembled adapter shown in FIG. 1 installed in a wood fire pit;

FIG. 10 is a bottom angled perspective view of the assembled adapter shown in FIG. 1, inserted into a wood fire pit and disconnected from a connection to a gas source;

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of FIG. 10 highlighting the fitting at the end of the connector of the assembled adapter inserted through a wood fire pit;

FIG. 12 is an exploded side elevation view of all the components of a version of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the connector from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 that connects a burner to a connection to a gas source;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the connector taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of the present concept includes a burner, a plate, a connector and a connection to a gas source. The burner and connector are assembled and fitted into a plate. These parts are then inserted into a wood fire pit. The assembly is then connected to a connection to a gas source, underneath the wood fire pit.

Another embodiment of the present concept includes a connection to a gas source connected to a hose, which is then connected to a gas source (with or without a regulator or valve).

(new paragraph) Another embodiment of the present concept includes an air mixer, assembled within the connector, for better gas combustion.

Another embodiment of the present concept excludes a plate.

Another embodiment of the present concept includes a set of lava rocks to improve flame dispersion, heat retention, heat radiation and overall campfire appeal.

Another embodiment of the present concept includes a burner of different shape, such as circular, octagonal, rectangular, triangular and so forth.

(new paragraph) Another embodiment of the present concept includes a quick release socket (available in locking and non-locking options) as a connection to a gas source.

The embodiment disclosed herein provides several advantages, the main advantage being to use gas for combustion instead of wood, which results in a safer fire that can be utilized where wood fire ban restrictions are in effect or any other situation where gas is more convenient than wood.

Additional advances include:

• • no smoke;
  • instantaneous on and off capability, along with fine control of flame size;
  • in the current embodiment, the adapter does not require any modification to a wood fire pit, which can still be used for burning wood (other wood fire pits could require the drilling of a hole large enough to fit the connector without compromising the wood burning capability of the wood fire pit);
  • the adapter can be disassembled, with or without tools, and pack flat;
  • the adapter cools quickly;
  • the adapter can be adapted to both propane and natural gases, with or without an air mixer or valve;
  • the adapter can be used with or without a plate, with or without lava rocks (or other gas fire enhancing accessories);
  • the adapter retains the ability to cook for fire pits that include such feature; and
  • the adapter includes a locking quick-connect socket as a connection to a gas source.

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

In the embodiment of a gas adapter 1 depicted in FIG. 1, a burner 2 is threaded onto a connector 4, which is then inserted through a plate 3. The assembly is then inserted into a wood fire pit 6, such as the one depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The connector 4 fits through an opening at the bottom of the wood fire pit 6 as seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. The connector 4 is then connected to a connection to a gas source 5 as depicted in FIG. 7. The connection to a gas source 5 is itself connected to a gas source by any means necessary.

Although shown as three parts that are assembled to form the adapter 1 in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the functional elements of the adapter 1 may be constructed out of more or less assembled parts of different shapes, and maybe be integrally formed in a single piece, if desired. In the embodiment depicted, the adapter 1 is composed of a burner 2, a plate 3 and a connector 4. A different embodiment could omit the plate 3 for use with natural gas or for use without gas fire enhancing accessories. Plate 3 can also be of a different shape and serve the same purpose.

A different embodiment could use a quick release connection to attach the connector 4 to the burner 2 instead of a threaded connection.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate one embodiment of the gas adapter 1 assembled and connected to a connection to a gas source 5 (in FIG. 4, the connection to a gas source 5 cannot be seen).

A different embodiment of the connection to a gas source 5 could be a threaded connection or a connection or any connection designed for use with gas.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the gas adapter 1 assembled and lined up to be inserted into a wood fire pit 6, then connected to a connection to a gas source 5.

FIGS. 8-11 illustrate one embodiment of the gas adapter 1 assembled and installed into a wood fire pit 6, with a connection to a gas source 5 connected (only visible in FIG. 8).

A different embodiment of the wood fire pit 6 could be any wood fire pit which has a hole at its bottom that can be utilized for the passage of gas.

A different embodiment of the wood fire pit 6 could be any wood fire pit that would require a modification to create an opening small enough for a connector 4 to fit without compromising the original ability of the fire pit to use wood.

FIG. 12 illustrates all the components of an embodiment of the gas adapter 1 along with a connection to a gas source 5.

Although shown as two parts that are assembled to form a burner 2 in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the functional elements of the burner 2 may be constructed out of more or less assembled parts of different shapes, and may be integrally formed in a single piece, if desired. In the embodiment depicted, the burner 2 is composed of a square burner 7 and a plug 8.

A different embodiment could use a round burner 2 or a burner of any shape. A different embodiment could combine the burner 2 and the plate 3 into one piece.

Although shown as four parts that are assembled to form the connector 4 in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the functional elements of the connector 4 may be constructed out of more or less assembled parts, and may be integrally formed in a single piece, if desired. In the embodiment depicted, the connector 4 is composed of a quick release fitting 12, a reducer fitting 11, an air mixer 10, and a extender fitting 9. This configuration is designed to enhance combustion of propane gases.

A different embodiment could omit the air mixer 10 both for propane combustion and natural gas combustion.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the details and cross-section of an embodiment of the connector 4.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A system for use in a wood fire pit, comprising: a burner for use with fuel gas;a plate configured to fit tightly in said fire pit, said plate incorporating an opening for allowing the passage of a connector for supplying gas to said burner,a connector removably coupled to said burner configured to transit through an opening in said plate and through an opening said fire pit; anda quick-connection removably coupled to said connector configured to connect said gas insert system to a fuel gas source,wherein the system is removable allowing the wood fire pit to interchange between fuel gas or wood fuel.

22. The system for use in a wood fire pit of claim 21, wherein said connector is manually attachable and manually detachable from said burner.

23. The system for use in a wood fire pit of claim 21, wherein the quick-connection is manually attachable and manually detachable from said connector.

24. The system for use in a wood fire pit of claim 21 configured for use with a propane type gas source comprising a propane air mixer incorporated in said connector.

25. The system for use in a wood fire pit of claim 24, wherein said quick-connection is connected to said propane gas source.

26. The system for use in a wood fire pit of claim 21 configured for use with a natural type gas source wherein said connector omits an air mixer.

27. The system for use in a wood fire pit of claim 26, wherein said quick-connection is connected to said natural gas source.

28. A method of assembling and inserting a system of claim 21 in a wood fire pit while retaining the ability of said wood fire pit to revert to wood fuels, wherein the components of the system are a burner, a plate, a connector and a quick-connection, the method comprising: coupling said connector to said burner;inserting said connector through an opening in said plate;inserting said connector through a small opening in said fire pit; andcoupling said connector to said quick-connection to a gas source.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said fire pit is modified to add an opening for the transit of said connector, said opening retaining the ability of said fire pit to revert using wood fuel.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the installation and removal of the system is performed manually.