Abstract:
A modular brick or block outdoor structure includes an outdoor structure that is constructed in modular sections. Each modular section is fabricated from a plurality of paving bricks or retaining wall blocks that match the brick or block used to construct the patio. The bricks or blocks are preferably assembled to each other with adhesive. Each modular section includes means for transporting thereof with some type of equipment, if necessary. It is preferable that each modular section include channels to receive lifting forks of an end loader or other suitable transport device, if necessary. However, other methods of transporting the modular section may also be used.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to patio accessories and more specifically to a modular brick or block outdoor structure, which is pre-constructed at one site and installed at a second site using laborers with minimal labor skills. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Patio installers usually employ laborers with minimal labor skills. The laborers are not capable of doing masonry work to construct fire places, fire pits and kitchens out of stone or masonry block. Further, building fire places, fire pits and kitchens on a patio from single blocks or bricks is very costly and time consuming. Finally, most outdoor structures are constructed of materials that do not match the paving brick or retaining wall block used to construct a patio. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,973 to Sigvardsson discloses a stove well as a method and a device for manufacturing and mounting fire-places. The Sigvardsson patent includes a method for manufacture and mounting of fireplaces, e.g. stoves, a lower and an upper half of the fire-place manufactured separately and transported to the mounting place. 
         [0006]    Patent application publication no. 2004/0065313 to Thompson discloses a modular outdoor kitchen. The Thompson patent application includes a modular outdoor kitchen comprising a plurality of weather-resistant outdoor kitchen modules. Each module comprises a frame having a plurality of outer faces. A plurality of weather-resistant facia panels are provided on at least a portion of the pluralities of outer faces of the frames. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,364 to Buffington discloses a prefabricated modular lightweight fireplace. The Buffington patent discloses a firebox that is pre-cast in modular sections of lightweight vermiculate concrete. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a modular brick or block outdoor structure, which is pre-constructed at one site and installed at a second site using laborers with minimal labor skills and which reduces the cost of constructing an outdoor structure at the second site from single bricks or blocks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides a modular brick or block outdoor structure, which reduces the cost of constructing an outdoor structure at a second site from single bricks or blocks. The modular brick or block outdoor structure includes an outdoor structure that is constructed in modular sections. Each modular section is fabricated from a plurality of paving bricks or retaining wall blocks that match the brick or block used to construct the patio. The plurality of bricks or blocks are preferably assembled to each other with adhesive. Each modular section includes means for transporting thereof with some type of equipment. It is preferable that each modular section include channels to receive lifting forks of an end loader or any other suitable transport device. However, other methods of transporting the modular section may also be used. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a modular brick or block outdoor structure, which is pre-constructed at one site and installed at a second site using laborers with minimal labor skills. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular brick or block outdoor structure, which reduces the cost of constructing an outdoor structure at a second site from single bricks or blocks. 
         [0012]    Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a modular brick or block outdoor structure, which includes paving brick or retaining wall block that matches the paving brick or retaining wall block of the patio that thereof is installed on. 
         [0013]    These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular brick or block outdoor fireplace in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a modular brick or block outdoor fireplace in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a modular brick or block outdoor kitchen in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a refrigerator or dishwasher retained in a base unit of a modular brick or block outdoor kitchen in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a plurality of brick or block being assembled to create an outdoor structure with a channel to receive a lifting fork in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of a base of an outdoor structure fabricated with a pallet in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view of a base of an outdoor structure fabricated with pre-cast concrete plates and brick or block in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of an outdoor fire pit in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an perspective view of an outdoor pillar in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a pair of eye bolts used to lift a modular section of a fire place in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a friction lift unit for lifting a modular section of a fire place in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a modular brick or block wall corner connector and end pillar in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a modular brick or block curved wall corner connector in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a modular brick or block wall section in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a brick or block planter in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a patio having numerous modular brick or block outdoor structures in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of a modular brick or block outdoor fireplace (outdoor fireplace)  10 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , the outdoor fireplace  10  preferably includes a base fireplace section  12 , a first wood storage box  14 , a second wood storage box  16 , a hearth section  18 , a chimney section  20 , a termination flue cap  22  and a decorative cap  24 . The base fireplace section  12  includes a plurality of brick or block  26 , a fire box  28  and a flue flange  30 . The brick or block  26  is either paving brick or retaining wall block that matches the brick or block used to construct a patio, where the fireplace  10  is placed. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the brick or block  26  is secured to each other with adhesive  32 , but other types of adhesive  32  may also be used. Other types of brick  34  may also be used to create a modular section besides the brick or block  26 . Two channels  36  are created in a bottom of the base fireplace section  12  by assembly of the brick or block  26  in a particular pattern. The channel  36  is sized to slidably receive a lift fork  100 . The lift fork  100  of an end loader or the like is used to transfer the modular section from a truck to a patio. 
         [0032]    When the modular section is set in-place; a single brick or block  26  with adhesive  32  is applied thereto and inserted into the channel  36  to cosmetically remove the channel  36 . The brick or block  26  is assembled around the fire box  28  to create the outdoor fireplace  10  preferably by a manufacturer at a first site and shipped to a second site, such as a patio. Fire boxes are well known in the art and need not be explained in detail. The flue flange  30  extends above the fire box  28  to receive the flue pipe  38 . The flue flange  30  receives the exhaust of the fire box  28 . 
         [0033]    The first and second wood storage boxes include a plurality of brick or block  26  assembled with adhesive  32 . Two channels  36  are formed in a bottom of the first and second wood storage boxes to receive two lift forks  100 . A hearth section  18  includes a plurality of brick or block  26  assembled with adhesive  32 . Two channel projections  40  extend from a rear of the hearth section  18 . The two channel projections  40  are sized to be received by the two channels  36  in the fireplace base section  12 . The hearth section  18  may be moved by a couple of laborers. The chimney section  20  includes a plurality of brick or block  26  assembled with adhesive  32 . Two channels  36  are formed on a bottom of the chimney section  20 . The flue pipe  38  extends through a center of the chimney section  20 . A termination flue cap  22  is secured to an end of the flue pipe  38 . The decorative cap  24  includes either brick or block  26  or other types of brick  34 , which area assembled with adhesive  32 . The decorative cap  24  may be moved by one or two laborers. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a modular brick or block outdoor kitchen (outdoor kitchen)  42  includes at least one base unit  44 . A first base unit  44  would be placed adjacent to one side of a corner unit  46  and a second base unit  44  would be placed adjacent to a perpendicular side of the corner unit  46 . Essentially, each base unit  44  includes a kitchen component and a plurality of brick or block  26  built around the kitchen component. The kitchen components include a grill  48 , a refrigerator  50 , a dishwasher  52 , a cabinet  54 , a burner  56 , an audio speaker  58  and the like. A forty five degree corner unit  60  may also be used instead of the corner unit  46 . However, other angles besides  45  and  90  may also be used. 
         [0035]    A back splash  62  and/or lights  64  may be formed on a top of the base unit  44  and/or the corner unit  46 ,  60 . Alternatively, a bar top  66  may be formed on a top of the base unit  44  and/or the corner unit  46 ,  60 . The bar top  66  extends over at least one side of the base unit  44  and/or the corner unit  46 ,  60 . A foot rail  68  may be formed at a bottom of the base unit  44  and/or the corner unit  46 ,  60 . 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the base unit  44  includes the refrigerator  50  or the dishwasher  52 ; a plurality of brick or block  26 ; the bar top  66 ; and the foot rail  68 . The plurality of brick or block  26  is built around the refrigerator  50  or the dishwasher  52 . Two channels  70  are formed in a bottom of the base unit  44  to receive two lift forks  100 . A single brick  26  is inserted into each channel  70  to hide thereof for cosmetic purposes. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 6   a , a bottom of a brick or block outdoor structure  72  may be created by building thereof on top of a pallet  74 . The plurality of brick or block  26  is attached to a top of the pallet  74  with adhesive  32  or the like. A bottom perimeter of the pallet  74  is covered by attaching the plurality of brick or block  26  with adhesive  32 . With reference to  FIG. 6   b , a bottom of a brick or block outdoor structure  76  may be created using pre-cast concrete plates  78  and a plurality of brick or block  26 . A perimeter ledge  82  is cut on an inside perimeter of a first row of brick or block  26  to receive the pre-cast concrete plates  78 . The pre-cast concrete plates  78  are preferably attached to the brick or block  26  with adhesive  32 . Two channels  80  are cut through two of the plurality of brick or block  26  to receive two lift forks  100 . 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , an outdoor fire pit  84  includes a pit enclosure  86 , a fire pit liner  88  and a pit top  90 . The pit enclosure  86  includes a plurality of brick or block  26  built around the fire pit liner  88 . The fire pit liner  88  are well known in the art and may be purchased from numerous sources. Two channels  92  are formed in a bottom of the pit enclosure  86 . The two channels  92  are sized to receive two lift forks  100 . The two channels  92  are hidden by inserting two bricks or blocks  26 . The pit top  90  is fabricated by attaching a plurality of brick or block  26  together with adhesive  32  or the like. The pit top  90  is attached to a top of the pit enclosure  86  with adhesive  32 . 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , an outdoor pillar  94  includes a plurality of brick or block  26 . Two channels  96  are cut in a bottom of the plurality of brick or block  26  to receive two lift forks  100 . At least two brick or blocks  26  are inserted into the two channels  96  to hide thereof. 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , a brick or block outdoor structure  98  is lifted with a boom  102  of a crane. Two threaded taps  104  are formed in two brick or blocks  26 . Two eye bolts  106  are threaded into the two threaded taps  104 . The ends of a three wire sling  110  are attached to the two eye bolts  106  and a hook  112  extending from the boom  102 . With reference to  FIG. 10 , a friction lift unit  114  is suspended from the boom  102  of a crane with a chain  116 . The crane may be used to move a brick or block outdoor structure  98  instead of two lift forks  100 . 
         [0041]    With reference to  FIGS. 11-13 , components of a brick or block outdoor wall are shown.  FIG. 11  illustrates a modular brick or block square wall corner connector (square corner connector)  118  and an end pillar  120 . The square corner connector  118  is fabricated from a plurality of brick or block  26 . A top portion of the square corner connector  118  is preferably topped with a plurality of brick  34 . A engagement projection  122  preferably extends from one end of the square corner connector  118  and a projection notch  124  is formed in the other end thereof. The end pillar  120  includes a projection slot  125  that is sized to receive the engagement projection  122 . A pair of channels  126  are formed in a bottom of the square corner connector  118  to receive two lift forks  100 . Two bricks or blocks  26 ′ are sized to be received by the pair of channels  126 . The end pillar  120  is fabricated from a plurality of brick or block  26 . A top of the end pillar  120  is preferably topped with a plurality of brick  34 . A pair of channels  127  are formed in a bottom of the end pillar  120 . Two bricks or blocks  26 ′ are sized to be received by the pair of channels  127 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 12  illustrates a modular brick or block curved wall corner connector (curved corner connector)  128 . The curved corner connector  128  is fabricated from a plurality of brick or block  26 . A top portion of the curved corner connector  128  is preferably topped with a plurality of brick  34 . A engagement projection  130  preferably extends from one end of the curved corner connector  128  and a projection notch  135  extends from the other end thereof. A pair of channels  132  are formed in a bottom of the square corner connector  128  to receive two lift forks  100 . Two bricks or blocks  26 ′ are sized to be received by the pair of channels  132 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 13  illustrates a modular brick or block wall section (wall section)  134 . The wall section  134  is fabricated from a plurality of brick or block  26 . A top portion of the wall section  134  is preferably topped with a plurality of brick  34 . An engagement projection  136  preferably extends from one end of the wall section  134  and a projection notch  137  is formed in the other end thereof. A pair of channels  138  are formed in a bottom of the wall section  134  to receive two lift forks  100 . Two bricks or blocks  26  are sized to be received by the pair of channels  138 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 14  illustrates a brick or block wall planter (planter)  140 . The planter  140  is fabricated from a plurality of brick or block  26 . A top portion of the planter  140  is preferably topped with a plurality of brick  34 . A pair of channels  142  are formed in a bottom of the planter  140  to receive two lift forks  100 . Two bricks or blocks  26  are sized to be received by the pair of channels  142 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 15  illustrates a patio having numerous modular brick or block outdoor structures located adjacent to each other. A first pillar  94  is located adjacent one end of the wall section  134 . The other end of the first wall section  134  is located adjacent one end of the curved corner connector  128 . The other end of the curved corner connector  128  is located adjacent one end of a first square corner connector  118 . The other end of the first square corner connector  118  is located adjacent a first end of the outdoor fireplace  10 . The other end of the outdoor fireplace  10  is located adjacent to one end of a second square corner connector  118 . The other end of the square corner connector  118  is located adjacent a first base unit  44 . The first base unit  44  is located adjacent the corner unit  46 . One end of a second base unit  44  is located adjacent the corner unit  46 . The second base unit  44  includes a grill  48 . The other end of the second base unit  44  is adjacent a second pillar  94 . The planter  140  is also disclosed in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0046]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.