Patent Application
20150144124
Various outdoor and indoor activities incorporate and are centered around an open source of fire, from log bonfires to wood burning stoves. As the popularity of hiking and camping and other recreational activities increase, more individuals will be utilizing open fires, like log fueled fires, to provide heat for cooking and warmth, among other things. Outdoor tailgates at football and other sporting events often include charcoal barbeque grills. Indoor fireplaces that are fueled, at least in part, by wooden logs or the equivalent, as well as the types of outdoor fires mentioned, require to be properly ignited and maintained.
Proper ignition and maintenance of a log or charcoal fire, or the equivalent, can include providing enough air to circulate oxygen and fuel areas of the fire while it kindles. Other ways to maintain a camp or cook fire include rearranging the material fueling the combustion so that air can be more evenly and efficiently circulated around the burning matter.
Various features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
An example of the current techniques includes a system for stoking a fire with air and arranging materials in a fire. The stoking and poking system includes an air flow generator connected to a power source. The system also includes a hollow rod connected to the air flow generator, wherein the hollow rod is configured to conduct air sent from the air flow generator at an outlet or number of outlets of the hollow rod.
Another example includes a method for stoking a fire and rearranging combustible matter in a fire. The method includes generating a flow of air at an air flow generator, and flowing the flow of air from the air flow generator through a hollow rod that is connected to the air flow generator at a near end of the hollow rod. The method also includes stoking a fire with a far end of the hollow rod, wherein the far end of the hollow rod is configured to outlet the flow of air generated by the air flow generator. The method discloses altering a position of combustible matter in the fire with the far end of the hollow rod while the flow of air is conducted through an outlet of the hollow rod.
The present disclosure provides systems and techniques for stoking and poking combustible material in a fire. Exemplary embodiments of the current system include providing air and oxygen to select areas of a fire while simultaneously rearranging the combustible particles into preferred positions. Through the system disclosed herein, a user is able to prod the constituent matter of the fire and reposition material for desired burning, while air is being conducted at certain areas of the fire. The system can be made from a hollow metal rod or a similar structure that is configured to be resistant, at least in part, to damage from fire and excessive heat.
The air flow generator 102 can be housed by a housing. The housing of the air flow generator 102 can include a handle 112, as the hollow rod 104 can include a handle 108, for safer and easier use of the system 100. The hollow rod 104 can include a hook 114 as shown in the exemplary embodiment in
The hollow telescoping rod 204 can be made of a series of hollow rods of progressively smaller diameters. The hollow rods of various diameter are coupled at various diameter sleeves 208 along the hollow telescoping rod 204. The hollow rods of various diameter can extend and retract and the orientation of the diameter sleeves 208 will dictate where the various points of expansion and retraction may occur. When fully extended, the hollow telescoping rod 204 can optionally be configured to lock in the extended position, adding to the durability and ensuring the desired repositioning functionality.
The hollow telescoping rod 204 can be lightweight, and can be configured to include a handle 210. The air flow generator 202 can be a fan system including an electric motor and a fan connected to a rotatable shaft of the electric motor (not shown). The air flow generator 202 can be powered from a variety of sources, including a standard lithium or alkaline battery, or other types of batteries, an electrical connection via a power cord and energized electrical outlet, or even a battery configured to store energy generated by solar or wind power. The air flow generator 202 can include an “On/Off” switch 210. The switch 210 can be toggled by a user to start or stop generating a flow of air. The fan of the air flow generator 202 can optionally be a variable speed fan, and an additional switch (not shown) for controlling the speed of the fan can also be implemented.
The air flow generator 202 can be housed by a housing. The housing of the air flow generator 202 can optionally include a handle 212, and the hollow rod 204 can include a handle 210, for more safe and easy use of the poking and stoking system 200. The hollow telescoping rod 204 can include a hook 216 as shown in the exemplary embodiment in
The air flow generator 202, together with the hook 214 and durable telescoping hollow rod 204, create an effective tool for a user to stoke a flame with oxygen provided by air generated at the air flow generator 202. Air that is generated is configured to be conducted through an outlet 218 at the end of the hollow telescoping rod 204. There can be one or more than one outlet 218 at the end of the hollow telescoping rod 204 where the generated air is directed to flow out. The generated air may fuel the flames of a fire while the hook 214 or prong at the end of the hollow telescoping rod 204 can prod material into desired positions. Furthermore, the telescoping design of the hollow rod 204, in addition to the attachment/detachment interface 206, allows users to conveniently break down, and more easily store and carry the poking and stoking system 200. The end of the hollow rod can be pointed as indicated for more effective poking and moving of materials. The air from the air flow generator 202 can still flow out of the far end of the hollow rod 204, but will exit through an outlet 218 upstream of the pointed end.
The system described herein is useful for individuals on the move, and with limited space for packing a conventional device for fire maintenance. The system is configured to advantageously maintain a non-gas lit fire, whether burning indoors outdoors, by stoking some areas and materials while simultaneously pulling and prodding around other areas and materials of the fire.
The schematic of
The method 300 continues at block 304, when air from the air flow generator is flowed through a hollow rod that is connected to the air flow generator at a near end of the hollow rod. The near end of the hollow rod is configured to readily attach and detach from a point of attachment found on the housing of the air flow generator. The fan or blower connected to the electric motor is configured to pump air from the near end of the hollow rod to an outlet at the far end of the hollow rod.
At block 306, a fire is stoked with the far end of the hollow rod, wherein the far end of the hollow rod is configured to outlet the flow of air generated by the air flow generator. There can be a single outlet or there can be multiple outlets at the end of the hollow rod. An outlet at the far end of the hollow rod is configured to conduct a concentrated stream of air and oxygen pumped from the near end of the hollow rod to fuel a particular area of a fire.
At block 308, the position or placement of combustible matter in the fire is altered by using the far end of the hollow rod while the flow of air is conducted through an outlet of the hollow rod. The hollow rod should be structurally configured to endure, without significant bending, the force and stress associated with altering, prodding, or repositioning heavy combustible matter in a fire, such as a wooden log. The hollow rod can optionally be aligned telescopically, wherein the hollow rod is configured to extend and collapse on itself, thereby saving space while maintaining functionality. The hollow rod can also be configured to include a hook or a prong mechanism at the far end of the hollow rod, making the task of arranging the combustible material in a fire more simple and effective.
The process flow diagram of
While the present techniques may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, the embodiments discussed above have been shown only by way of example. However, it should again be understood that the techniques are not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein. Indeed, the present techniques include all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents falling within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.
