Abstract:
An outdoor fireplace is disclosed, the outdoor fireplace including a housing chamber having walls formed from a natural stone material and a metal insert disposed in the housing chamber to militate against a transfer of heat to the natural stone material and further surrounding area.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to outdoor fireplaces and, more particularly, to an outdoor fireplace which preferably incorporates a unique interlocking, self-supporting, ventilating outer shell of natural stone, and an inner shell incorporating a steel firebox to reduce heat transfer, and flame contact from the interior side, top and bottom of the unit to the surrounding area. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Outdoor fireplaces are often used to provide warmth, improve the ambiance of an outdoor setting, and provide an open flame over which to cook, or burn items as a means of disposal. 
         [0003]    It is not unusual for outdoor fireplaces to be used on decks and patios, which frequently have finished surfaces, such as wood that can be readily discolored or damaged when exposed to elevated temperatures. In addition, prolonged exposure to moderate temperatures may suffice to degrade the finish as well. 
         [0004]    Typical outdoor fireplaces have a combustion chamber that utilizes a single layer of material that readily transfers heat to the surrounding areas. Further, due to safety concerns, it is desirable to maintain a low center of gravity, and thereby stability, for the outdoor fireplace and combustible materials being burned therein. 
         [0005]    Typical outdoor fireplaces are frequently designed such that the floor of the combustion chamber is supported only a short distance from the underlying support surface. This further contributes to the radiant transfer of heat to the underlying surface. Further prior art requires tools, fasteners, or adhesives for assembly, thereby relying on the assembler to posses the necessary equipment and wherewithal to complete proper assembly. 
         [0006]    Further outdoor fireplaces are susceptible to deterioration from the external elements, such as wind, rain, and freezing temperatures, and the combustion process, thereby causing failure of coatings, fasteners, supports, adhesives, and retainers of these units. 
         [0007]    Therefore there is a need for providing an improved outdoor fireplace to address these shortcomings of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Briefly described, the outdoor fireplace provides an apparatus for burning appropriate combustible materials. An embodiment includes a combustion chamber, made of a steel liner disposed in a natural stone base structure. The outdoor fireplace is made of two sides that support a base, which supports the rear of the assembly. The lower sides also support a middle base that is parallel to the bottom, which interlocks the rear piece, to provide stability. The top section of the outdoor fireplace is then interlocked to the middle section, thus providing the chimney to evacuate the combustion gases. 
         [0009]    The top section is made of two sides that interlock to the supporting middle section and then to the face piece, which in turn interlocks to the middle supporting section. The top assembly is then secured to the rear piece, which extends from the bottom section to the top of the outdoor fireplace by a stone cap, which is placed over the interlocking chimney sections. The outdoor fireplace described utilizes no fasteners, adhesives, or tools in its assembly, and the exterior structure is of a natural stone thereby mitigating the effects of natural weathering to the present invention. 
         [0010]    Other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such objects, designs, features, and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention, as described in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying figure, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the outdoor fireplace shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a right view of the outdoor fireplace shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a left view of outdoor fireplace shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the outdoor fireplace shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the outdoor fireplace shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the outdoor fireplace shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the lower section of the outdoor fireplace shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the upper section, and metal insert of the outdoor fireplace shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view illustrating use of an approved fuel system insert in lue of the metal insert. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    References will now be made in detail to the description of the outdoor fireplace as illustrated in the drawings. While the outdoor fireplace will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the outdoor fireplace as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    References will now be made in detail to the description of the invention and illustrated in the drawings with like reference numerals indicating like parts throughout the several views. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 1-10 , a preferred embodiment of the outdoor fireplace the present invention incorporates a lower base  13 , which interlocks with the bottom right side  11 , at notches  25 , and  26 , resting upon projections  21 , and  22  respectively. The lower left side  12 , accepts the lower base  13 , at notches  27 , and  28 , resting upon projections  23 , and  24 , respectively. Upon assembly of  11 ,  12 , and  13 , the back  14 , is then lowered into the notch  30 , which receives projection  34 , of back  14 . At this step of assembly lower bases  11 , and  12 , are then pivoted into final resting position abutting their adjacent edge of lower base  13 . Middle base  17 , is then nested on top of lower sides  11 ,  12 , and back  14 . Middle base  17 , utilizes notches  37 , and  38 , to lock at insets  35 , and  36 , of back  14 . Upper right side  15 , is lowered onto middle base  17 , utilizing notch  39 , which receives projection  42 , of upper right side  15 . Upper face  18 , is lowered onto middle base  17 , utilizing notch  40 , which receives projection  46 , of upper face  18 . Upper left side  16 , is lowered onto middle base  17 , utilizing notch  41 , which receives projection  44 , of upper left side  16 . At this step of assembly upper right side  15 , pivots to adjacent edge of back  14 , and upper face  18 , which then nests projection  43 , of upper right  15 , to corresponding notch  47 , of upper face  18 . Upper left side  16 , pivots to adjacent edge of back  14 , and upper face  18 , which then nests projection  45 , of upper left side  16 , to corresponding notch  48 , of upper face  18 . Upper face  18 , pivots towards back  14 , coming to final assembly position against upper sides  15 , and  16 . These pieces, when assembled, provide the chimney with which the combustion gases will exit the outdoor fireplace. Cap  19 , is then lowered onto fully assembled upper sides  15 , and  16 , and back  14 , thereby securing the assembled exterior. The metal insert  20 , comprised of two identical sides  49 , and  50 , base  51 , rear  52 , and top  53 , which having been securely assembled are inserted into the lower cavity of the exterior shell thereby providing a combustion chamber for the present invention. Metal insert  20 , rests upon lower base  13 , and is centered in the lower cavity, between notches  29 ,  31 ,  32 , and  33 . When placed in this position the metal insert  20 , is provided sufficient airflow from beneath the present invention to reduced heat transfer to the corresponding structure. 
         [0025]    Another variant of this invention, shown in  FIG. 10 , replaces metal insert  20 , with an approved fuel system  54 , to provide heat and ambiance, while present invention is located within an interior setting. 
         [0026]    The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment or embodiments discussed, however, were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.