Torch Heat Shield

Abstract

A torch heat shield attachment for a butane torch or similar device includes an outer mesh material that is wrapper around an inner aluminum cylinder. The outer mesh material forms an outer mesh cylinder spaced around an inner mesh cylinder via a plurality of fasteners that secure the mesh in its cylindrical shape while spacing the formed inner and outer mesh cylinders to form a gap therebetween. The fasteners are removable and rearrangeable to customize the appearance of the torch heat shield. The aluminum plate, the two mesh cylinders formed by the mesh material, and the gap formed between the two mesh cylinders help to shield a user of the torch from excess heat by dissipating the heat from the torch tip.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to attachments for butane torches and similar devices. More particularly, the present invention provides a torch heat shield that helps to dissipate heat and shield the torch user from excess heat.

Handheld torches, such as butane torches for example, are often used to ignite combustible material for smoking devices. Butane torches have other uses that require a high-output flame for an extended period of time. While butane torches are useful, their exposed high-output flame can be dangerous. If not careful, the torch user can accidentally contact the edges of the flame and be burned. Further, the tip of the torch becomes very hot after using the torch. Without a proper shield or cover overtop the tip, the user may accidentally contact the tip of the torch and burn themselves. In order to address these concerns, the present invention provides a torch heat shield that can be attached to a butane torch or similar device, in order to dissipate heat and prevent excess heat from harming the user of the torch.

Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to heat shields for torches. These include devices that have been patented and disclosed in patent application publications. However, the devices in the known art have several drawbacks. These devices are typically meant for welding torches and are unable to removably secure to butane torches and similar handheld torches. Further, these devices are typically a one-piece construction and unable to be customized in any way by the user. The devices in the known art also lack the adjustability provided by the torch heat shield of the present invention, which can adapt to fit different sizes of torch tips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a torch heat shield wherein the same can be utilized for providing a heat shielding and dissipating accessory for a butane torch or similar device. The torch heat shield includes an inner plate rolled in a cylindrical configuration that removable secures to a torch tip. An outer mesh material is wrapped around the cylindrical inner plate. A plurality of fasteners secure the outer mesh material in a cylindrical configuration. The outer mesh material can be wrapped multiple times around the inner plate to form outer and inner mesh cylinders. The plurality of fasteners are adapted to space the inner and outer mesh cylinders apart from one another, defining a gap that helps to further dissipate heat and shield the user from burns.

One object of the present invention is to provide a torch heat shield having removable and rearrangeable fasteners that allow users to customize the fit and appearance of the torch heat shield.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a torch heat shield that can be adapted for use with different types and sizes of torches.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view embodiment of the torch heat shield.

FIG. 2 shows a front end elevation view of an embodiment of the torch heat shield.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the inner aluminum plate and outer mesh components of an embodiment of the torch heat shield.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the torch heat shield secured to a torch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the torch heat shield. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a heat dissipating shield that prevents users of a torch from accidentally contacting hot surfaces or otherwise burning themselves with the torch. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a side elevation view embodiment of the torch heat shield. The torch heat shield 10 generally includes an inner plate rolled in a cylindrical configuration and configured to removable secure to a torch tip. The inner plate 11 can be composed of aluminum or other materials that have a high heat conductivity for dissipating the heat into the surroundings. An outer mesh material wrapped around the cylindrical inner plate. In the shown embodiment, the outer mesh material is a sheet of mesh material that is long enough to wrap around the inner plate 11 forming an inner mesh cylinder 12, and to continue to wrap around to form an outer mesh cylinder 13 around the inner mesh cylinder 12. A plurality of fasteners 14 are configured to secure the outer and inner mesh cylinders 12, 13 formed mesh material in their cylindrical configurations. In the shown embodiment, each fastener 14 is a flexible wire fastener that wraps through individual openings on the mesh material. The fasteners 14 are removable and rearrangeable so as to customize the appearance of the torch heat shield 10 with different colors and patterns of fasteners.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a front end elevation view of an embodiment of the torch heat shield. The inner plate 11 wraps around the torch tip 21 in a cylindrical configuration and can be secured via fasteners or a friction fit. The inner and outer cylinders 12, 13 of mesh material are shown formed from two sheets of mesh material in this embodiment, with individual fasteners 14 securing them in place. The fasteners 14 secure the opposing ends 22, 23 of the mesh material in cylindrical configurations and help to define the space or gap 15 between the cylinders 12, 13 that further dissipates heat. In other embodiments, the cylinders 12, 13 are formed from a continuous length of mesh sheet and overlap one another, such that shown in FIG. 1, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a top plan view of the inner plate and outer mesh components of an embodiment of the torch heat shield. The inner plate 11 includes a plurality of apertures that increase the overall surface area of the inner plate 11 and help to further dissipate heat. In the shown embodiment, the inner plate 11 includes a plurality of small apertures 31 each having a diameter less than a diameter of larger apertures 32. Further, the small apertures 31 and the large apertures 32 are positioned in an alternating pattern across a surface of the inner plate 11. This arrangement further helps with dissipating heat. As shown, the mesh material 12 includes a first end 33 opposing a second end 34 that can be wrapped to connect in the cylindrical configuration. Further, the mesh material 12 includes diamond shaped openings 35. In other embodiments, other shapes and sizes of openings in the mesh material 12 may be utilized.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the torch heat shield secured to a torch. The torch 41 includes a nozzle 42 that emits the flame. The inner plate 11 secures around the main nozzle of the torch. The mesh material wraps around the inner plate 11, forming an inner mesh cylinder 12 surrounded by an outer mesh cylinder 13. The fasteners 14 secure the mesh material in its cylindrical configuration around the inner plate 11. The two mesh material cylinders 12, 13 and the inner plate 11 work together to dissipate heat and shield the user of the torch from the heat generated by the torch nozzle 42. The gap between the two mesh cylinders 12, 13 helps to provide additional heat dissipation.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A torch heat shield comprising: an inner plate rolled in a cylindrical configuration and configured to removable secure to a torch tip;an outer mesh material wrapped around the cylindrical inner plate;a plurality of fasteners configured to secure the outer mesh material in a cylindrical configuration;wherein the plurality of fasteners are removable and rearrangeable so as to customize the appearance of the torch heat shield.

2) The torch heat shield of claim 1, wherein the outer mesh material is continuous and forms a first mesh cylinder wrapping around the cylindrical inner plate and a second mesh cylinder wrapping around the first mesh cylinder.

3) The torch heat shield of claim 2, further comprising a gap between the first mesh cylinder and the second mesh cylinder.

4) The torch heat shield of claim 3, wherein the gap is at least partially defined by the plurality of fasteners spacing the first mesh cylinder apart from the second mesh cylinder.

5) The torch heat shield of claim 1, wherein the inner plate is composed of aluminum.

6) The torch heat shield of claim 1, wherein each fastener of the plurality of fasteners comprises a flexible wire fastener.

7) The torch heat shield of claim 1, wherein the inner plate comprises a plurality of apertures thereon.

8) The torch heat shield of claim 7, wherein the plurality of apertures includes a plurality of small apertures each having a diameter less than a diameter of a larger aperture of a plurality of large apertures.

9) The torch heat shield of claim 8, wherein the small apertures and the large apertures are positioned in an alternating pattern across a surface of the inner plate.

10) The torch heat shield of claim 1, wherein the mesh material includes a plurality of diamond shaped openings.