Abstract:
A vertical fire pit with a cap to fully enclose a vertical tube having perforations, supported by a plate and base to hold one or more logs in a vertical position. The plate may be non-perforated to allow for collection of ash and leftover unburned log pieces at the bottom of the vertical tube or the plate may be perforated so that ash may fall into an ashtray allowing for easy collection and clean-up.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/086,703 filed on Dec. 2, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains generally to fire pits. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a vertical fire pit which may support one or more fire logs which may be vertically stacked on top of each other in the vertical position as the previous log burns. The log is placed in a perforated vertical tube for optimal viewing pleasure, while the burnt ash may fall and collect at the bottom or underneath the vertical tube, providing for easy collection and removal of the ash. 
         [0003]    Fire pits in the vertical position are known in the prior art. The majority are targeted to provide a visually attractive fire pit by displaying the fire in different shaped pits or towers with different types of shapes cut out. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,690 issued Oct. 4, 2011 to Lohaus discloses a tower resting or coupled to a surface with the option of using multiple fuel sources, including coal, wood or paper. This invention contains a base assembly which allows for a fuel source to be contained within the body of the tower. The base and tower connect with a number of cut-out portions to allow for lighting of the fuel source but no containment of the burnt ash. However, unlike the present invention, Lohaus does not disclose a cap to prevent fly away ash. Additionally, the ash from burnt fuel accumulates in the bottom of the tower instead of being collected in a separate, self-contained structure for easy collection and disposal. 
         [0005]    U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0090589 by Fisher discloses a fire pit formed in the shape of a bottle which may be decorated with a branded beverage logo. This bottle shaped fire pit does not provide for logs to be used in a vertical position and fails to disclose the means by which embers and ash is collected or disposed of. 
         [0006]    One object of the present invention provides the features described herein as well as additional advantages of providing a vertical fire pit with a fully enclosed vertical tube for easy clean-up of ash and leftover unburned log pieces, providing perforations in the vertical tube for viewing pleasure, allowing the addition of full or partial length logs on top of an existing fire, taking up less space, and is portable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is a vertical fire pit which holds one or more logs in the vertical position. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a vertical fire pit wherein the viewing experience by the user is enhanced by the inclusion of vertical tubes with an assortment of perforations. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a vertical fire pit capable of receiving another log, full length or partial length, into the fire on top of ash from consumed fuel. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a vertical fire pit that takes up less space and is therefore more versatile for varied use. 
         [0011]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vertical fire pit with a fully enclosed vertical tube to prevent the falling over of logs. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vertical fire pit capable of preventing cinders from becoming airborne through the use of a cap. 
         [0013]    It is further still an object of the present invention to provide a vertical fire pit amenable to easy collection and clean-up ash. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The advantages of this invention, as well as the invention itself, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar parts, and in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a vertical fire pit tube assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a vertical fire pit with a stand; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a vertical tire pit tube with a slip cap; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a close-up side view of a vertical fire pit tube with a hinged cap; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a deconstructed view of a vertical fire pit tube as shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a deconstructed view of one side of the vertical lire pit tube as shown  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a deconstructed view of two halves of a mechanically fastened vertical fire pit tube; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded, perspective view of an alternative vertical fire pit with an ashtray stand; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the vertical fire pit disconnected from the ashtray; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of the fully assembled vertical fire pit; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of a fully assembled vertical fire pit during use, and how an additional log will be added to the existing fire. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a vertical fire pit of the present invention. The vertical fire pit  10  is comprised of a perforated vertical tube  12 , a fuel insert (i.e. log)  15 , and a cap  11 . By way of example only, the perforated vertical tube  12  may be comprised of four vertical side assemblies  13 , each side assembly containing a plurality of cut-out sections  17 . Alternatively, the perforated vertical tube  12  may be any shape desirable for a pleasing aesthetic affect. The perforated vertical tube  12  encloses a fuel source  15  such as a manufactured log or natural wood log. This vertical tube  12  holds one “log” such that its longest dimension is vertical. A cap  11  restricts the fuel source to the interior of the perforated vertical tube  12  thereby preventing partially burned fuel, such as ash, from escaping from the perforated vertical tube  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the cut-outs  17  are covered with mesh screen. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , shown is a first embodiment of the vertical fire pit  20 . The perforated vertical tube  12  is attached thereon a non-perforated plate  23  which further rests upon a stand  24 . A fuel source  15  (not shown) is placed in the perforated vertical tube  12  and is fully enclosed therein when a cap  11  is placed on top of perforated vertical tube  12  preventing fly-away embers during use. In the present embodiment, burnt ash and unburned log remnants may remnants may fall and collect in the plate  23  preventing fly-away embers during use providing easy disposal of ash by disconnecting the plate  23  from the perforated vertical tube  12 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , shown is a close-up perspective view of a perforated vertical tube  32  from  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2  with a slip cap  31  that fits over the top most end. Slip cap  31  slips onto the end of the perforated vertical tube  32  to fully enclose the fuel source (not shown). In the present embodiment, the slip cap  31  is slightly larger in dimension than the dimension of the perforated vertical tube  32  such that the slip cap  31  rests on the top of the perforated vertical tube  32  with a short lip  35  extending down to effectively seal the end closed. Optionally, the slip cap  31  may be further comprised of a perforated, mesh opening  37  to allow flame and smoke to escape through the slip  31  cap during use. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , shown is a close-up side view of a perforated vertical tube  42  with a hinged cap  41 . Hinged cap  41  is connected to a perforated vertical tube  42  via a hinge  48 , which provides for easy opening and closing top of the perforated vertical tube  42 . Similar to the slip cap (not shown), the hinged cap  41  is slightly larger in dimension than the dimension of the perforated vertical tube  42  such that the hinged cap  41  rests on the top of the perforated vertical tube  42  with a short lip  45  extending down to effectively seal the top most end closed. Optionally, the hinged cap  41  may be further comprised of a perforated, mesh opening (not shown) to allow flame and smoke to escape through the hinged cap during use. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , shown is a deconstructed perforated vertical tube of the present invention. A plurality of side assemblies  57  are attached via vertical pins  58 . Each side assembly  57  contains hinge knuckles  59  along the opposing vertical edges of each side assembly  57 . Two side assemblies  57 A and  57 B may be fit together at a 90 degree angle via the hinge knuckles  59  and placement of vertical pins  58  inserted in the hinge knuckles  59 . Alternatively the side assemblies may be any shape desired such that the perforated vertical tubes of the present invention are comprised of any number of side assemblies. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , shown is a deconstructed view of a single side assembly as shown in  FIG. 5 . Each side assembly  57  is comprised of a piece of sheet metal  60  placed over a mesh screen  61 . The sheet metal  60  may have any shape cut-outs desired for a variety of aesthetic affects during use. The screen  61  is placed in the grooves  62  of the inner side of the sheet metal  60 . 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , shown is a deconstructed view of two halves of a mechanically fastened vertical tube of the present invention. Two halves of the vertical tube  77 A and  77 B are attached via a plurality of screws  78 . Each half  77 A and  77 B contains a plurality of corresponding screw openings  79  along the edges of each half  77 A and  77 B. Each half  77 A and  77 B may be fit together at a 90 degree angle via the plurality of screw openings  79  and placement of the plurality of screws  78  inserted in the corresponding screw openings  79 . 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , shown is an exploded view of an alternative vertical fire pit with an ashtray stand. The perforated vertical tube  82  is positioned above and attached to a horizontal plate  83 . The horizontal plate  83  further includes openings  86  to allow ash to drop into the tray  84  underneath the plate  83 . Alternatively, the ashtray stand may be any shape desirable in order to achieve a variety of aesthetic effects during use. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , shown is a vertical fire pit top assembly wherein the top assembly is removed from the ashtray. Burnt ash may be collected in the tray  84  as it falls through the openings (not shown) in the perforated plate  83 . Once the tray  84  is full of ash it may easily be emptied by lifting up and removing the perforated plate  83  and vertical tube  84 . 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , shown is a fully assembled vertical fire pit shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . The perforated vertical tube  82  is positioned above and attached to a horizontal plate  83  which in turn sits upon ash tray  84 . Alternatively, the ashtray  84  may be any shape desirable in order to achieve a variety of aesthetic effects during use. 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , shown is a side view of a fully assembled vertical fire pit during use. When in use, the ash  100  from consumed log  15  falls to the bottom of the vertical tube  12  and through the plate (not shown) into the ashtray (not shown) sitting on top stand  27 . Once the fuel source diminishes or is consumed, additional fuel in the form of a full length log  15  or partial length log  16  may be placed directly on top of the existing fire or ash  100 . 
         [0037]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a vertical fire pit for use in areas of limited space such as balconies and patios. 
         [0038]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides a vertical fire pit that is aesthetically pleasing to use. 
         [0039]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a vertical fire pit wherein the fuel source is oriented vertically during use. 
         [0040]    A further embodiment of the present invention provides a vertical fire pit wherein a user may add a full or partial log to the fire pit as the previous fuel source is consumed. 
         [0041]    Additional embodiment of the present invention provided that as the vertically held fuel is burning, additional fuel, log, can will be added to the top and held vertical as well. So that both the burning log and just added log are all vertically aligned. 
         [0042]    Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a vertical fire pit wherein the fuel source is fully enclosed within the vertical tube causing ash and debris to fall and collect in a plate or ashtray for easy disposal and clean-up. 
         [0043]    A further embodiment of the present invention provides a vertical fire pit with a cap which inhibits cinders from becoming airborne. 
         [0044]    The foregoing detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Although more than one embodiment has been presented, one skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications are possible. Such variations will not materially alter the nature of the invention. Many embodiments may be conceived and may not achieve all the advantages of some embodiments, particularly preferred embodiments, yet the absence of a particular advantage shall not be construed to necessarily mean that such an embodiment is outside the scope of the present invention.