Abstract:
The invention comprises a portable open flame fireplace. The invention has a planar base with a plurality of gas orifices. The base is of any desired shape. The gas is directed through channels in the base to the orifices, where it emerges and ignites. In an alternate embodiment, the base is enclosed with a watertight windscreen above the base. The windscreen may also contain water, which allows the illusion of flames emerging from a free water surface. The invention further comprises a detachable portable fuel source, such as a propane gas bottle. The invention also has a removable cover for storage and transport.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to fireplaces, more particularly, to portable outdoor fireplaces having a detachable gas fuel source. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gas fired fireplaces are well known in the art. The available art is generally focused on providing means for cooking, either indoors or outdoors. The prior art provides devices that a user can use to enhance or augment an existing gas barbecue or to provide a “stand alone” cooking device. Other devices provide portable wood burning firepits. 
     Representative of the art is: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,087 (1995) to Jean discloses a gas burner mounted in the base of a surrounding bowl with an encircling open wire stand for a cooking utensil. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,317 (1993) to James discloses an auxiliary burner unit for mounting on a shelf of a barbecue grill cart or the like. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,223 (1992) to Gonzalez discloses a portable wood-burning fire pit apparatus which includes a fire bowl base, a cylindrical wood receiving chamber, a pair of separately controlled gas rings encircling the chamber, a propane gas tank releasably connected to the apparatus and gas rings via a flexible hose and manual quick-release coupling. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,683 (1990) to Larsen et al. discloses a system which includes a method and apparatus which facilitates the use of Dutch ovens combined with a charcoal heating source in outdoor cooking. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,962 (1988) to Mashburn et al. discloses a barbecue apparatus having its components coaxially disposed on a flanged base supported from a cantilevered arm anchored to a support tube or the like. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,020 (1987) to Hahn discloses an improved gas cooker of the type having a housing, a burner supported in the housing, and a fixture for supplying gas to the burner. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,524 (1985) to Wheat et al. discloses a portable, compact, gas-fired cooking and barbecuing device for frying and boiling food in conventional cooking utensils or barbecuing food when a barbecuing attachment is utilized. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,142 (1978) to Barson et al. discloses a portable barbecue having demountable components including a support structure, a bas burner, a flat or domed hot plate above the burner mounted on the support structure, the hot plate having a plurality of peripheral apertures draining cooking liquids from the hot plate into an annular receptacle therebeneath. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,410,261 (1968) to Cooper et al. discloses a charcoal grilling apparatus consisting of a container for holding heated fuel with a grill supported thereover and support means extending below the container which includes an ignition device in the form of a canister of flammable gas. 
     What is needed is a portable fireplace that can be used in lieu of a natural wood fire in a firepit. What is needed is a portable fireplace having a windscreen that can be used in windy conditions. What is needed is a portable fireplace that can use a wide range of available fuel gas sources. What is needed is a portable fireplace that has a fluid containing burner to provide the visual effect of flames emerging from a fluid surface. What is needed is a portable fireplace that has a quick-connect to a fuel gas source. What is needed is a portable fireplace that provides a sparkless flame. The present invention meets these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace having a planar base. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace using gas as a fuel source. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace having a plurality of gas orifices. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace having a windscreen. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace having a safety valve. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace having a quick-connect to a fuel source. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace having a stand and carrying case. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace providing a smokeless flame. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace providing a sparkless flame. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace providing a fluid filled burner. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace providing a high flame. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace providing a large spacing between orifices. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable fireplace having a cover that is used as a stand. 
     Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
     The invention comprises a portable open flame fireplace. The invention has a planar base with a plurality of gas orifices. The base is of any desired shape. The gas is directed through gas channels in the base to each orifice, where it emerges and ignites. The base may be enclosed with a watertight windscreen. The windscreen encloses the flame. The windscreen may also contain a non-combustible fluid such as water, which allows the illusion of flames emerging from a free water surface. The invention further comprises a detachable portable fuel source, such as a propane gas bottle or a recreational vehicle fuel system. The invention also has a removable cover for storage and transport. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment along line A—A in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cover for the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the preferred system. 
     FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment. Fireplace  9  comprises planar base  10 . Base  10  comprises a plurality of gas orifices  20 . Each orifice  20  may be fabricated in base  10  or comprise any one of those threaded orifices available in the art. Orifices  20  range in size from {fraction (1/16)}″ to 1″ in diameter. Base  10  comprises any solid heat resistant material such as metal, clay, plastic, wood, concrete, stone, and ceramic. Windscreen  40  encircles a perimeter of base  10 , thereby preventing strong winds from affecting the flame. Windscreen  40  may comprise any flame resistant material identified in the list above for the base  10 . Although shown in the preferred embodiment as having a rectangular shape, base  10  may have any shape including round, oval or any other form. Base  10  comprises safety valve  80  and quick-connect  70 . Safety valve  80  is connected to base  10  by block  12 . Safety valve  80 , having probe  81 , is known in the art and will terminate the fuel gas flow in the event of loss of flame on the fireplace  9 . Gas hose  60  is connected to safety valve  80  by quick connect  70 . Quick-connect  70 , known in the art, allows gas hose  60  to be quickly attached to the invention. Hose  60  is connected to valve  90  by quick connect  71 , also known in the art. Valve  90 , used for fuel gas flow control and shut-off, is connected to fuel tank  100 . Fuel tank  100  may contain any suitable fuel gas, such as propane or butane. Fuel gas G is fed to safety valve  80  through hose  60 . It flows through a channel (shown in FIG. 2) in block  12  to enter gas channels,  11 . It flows through gas channels  11 , (not shown), to flow from gas orifices  20 . This results in a vertical flame shape as shown in FIG.  3 . Base  10  may be fabricated from one single piece of material or laminated together from a plurality of pieces. Orifices  20  may be set on a spacing, L 1 , having a range of not less than 1 inch and not greater than 2 feet. It is possible to add rocks (not shown) to the base in order to enhance the visual effect. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment along line A—A in FIG.  1 . Quick-connect  70  and safety valve  80  are connected to base  10  at block  12 . Legs  30  support base  10  to keep base  10  at some spacing, S, above the ground. Legs  30  are adjustable to allow use of the invention on uneven surfaces. The legs allow the base  10  to be clear of any combustible material that may be on the ground or surface of use. Gas channel  11  runs from block  12  to each gas orifice  20 . FIG. 2 depicts an alternate arrangement wherein the windscreen  40  described in FIG. 1 is not used. This results in the pleasing visual effect of a plurality of flames extending above a planar surface. 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment. Windscreen  40  encloses base  10  as well as the flames F. The seams between the windscreen  40  and base  10  are watertight  12  and therefore, can contain water W. In operation, the gas flows from each orifice  20  and up through the water W. The fluid W may also comprise any noncombustible fluid. Once the gas emerges above the water, the gas is ignited by match or spark igniter, each known in the art. This gives the enjoyable visual effect of a gas flame burning in a sustained manner above the surface of the fluid including the reflectance of the flames on the surface of the fluid. When used with fluid, the orifices  20  further comprise a diaphragm valve or check valve  25 , known in the art, to prevent water or fluid from entering into gas channel  11 . The gas may be further directed to the fluid surface by flowing through a pipe  13  to the proper elevation at or near the fluid surface. The diameter of pipe  13  equates to those identified for the gas orifices  20  in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cover for the preferred embodiment. Cover  50  comprises opposing sides  54  and  55 . Each opposing side  54  and  55  is attached to top  59  at right angles. Lip  56  and lip  53  are each attached respectively to side  55  and  54 . Each lip cooperates with an outer edge of base  10 . Handle  51  is used to carry the invention. Cover  50  slides over base  10  and windscreen  40  so as to enclose the invention when not in use. Strap  52  allows cover  50  be secured to the invention. Hole  57  cooperates with pin  58 . Pin  58  latches an exterior side of windscreen  40  so as to lock the cover  50  in place over the invention. Cover  50  may be used as a stand for the invention during use. Cover  50  also comprises ledges  61  and  62 , which oppose each other on the top of the cover  50 . Ledges  61  and  62  allow the cover to have a gap G between the underside of base  10  and the cover  50  when the cover  50  is being used as a stand for the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the system. Fuel tank  520  is contained within any machine or vehicle, for example, a recreational vehicle. Fuel line  510  extends from fuel tank  520  to the equipment within the recreational vehicle and as such is generally an integral part of the vehicle. Tee  500  is installed in line  510 . Tee  500  is connected to valve  540  and to quick connect  550 , known in the art. Line  560 , connected to quick connect  550 , is of sufficient length to allow the invention  9 , as described in FIG. 1, to be connected to hose  560 , and thereby fuel tank  520 , while allowing a user to position the invention in a safe place for use. Hose  560  may be of any length desired by a user. Fuel tank  520  is serviced by fuel filler  530 . Fuel tank  520  may be of any size readily available in the art. Valve  540  may be of any type appropriate for fuel gas service readily available in the art. 
     FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment. Windscreen  40  is shown about a perimeter of base  10 . Line “A” depicts an elevation of the surface of a fluid as described in FIG.  3 . In an alternate embodiment wherein fluid is used, pipe  13  extends from orifice  20 . Each orifice  20  may have a pipe  13 , or a user may use pipe  13  on less than all orifices  20 , in order to create the desired visual effect. Pipe  13  extends to approximately elevation “A”, either above or below the surface of the fluid. In the fluid filled embodiment, safety valve probe  81  extends above the surface of the fluid to detect a loss of flame condition, if such occurs. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.