Abstract:
An outdoor feature combines a fire feature producing a visual effect with infrared heaters providing heat. The fire feature resides centrally in a framework and at a height providing visual attraction. The infrared heaters are attached to the framework and provide an efficient heat source for comfort of visitors. The infrared heaters may be positioned below the fire pit to direct heat towards the feet of the visitors, and/or may be positioned above the fire pit to provide a more general heat coverage. The framework is constructed of a weather and corrosion resistant material to maintain appearance and to reduce maintenance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to fire pits and in particular an outdoor fire pit having a visual effect provided by fire and heating provided by infrared heaters.  
         [0002]     Outdoor features are often provided at vacation and recreation areas to create a congenial atmosphere for guests, vacationers, and visitors to relax together. A fire pit is a particular attractive outdoor feature at winter vacation areas and resorts because the fire provides a visually inviting ambience and the heat given off by the fire provides welcome warmth in a cold climate. Fire pits are also enjoyed in costal areas where cool breezes are common. Unfortunately with increasing energy costs, it is very expensive to use an open fire as a heat source.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing an outdoor feature which combines a fire feature producing a visual effect with infrared heaters providing heat. The fire feature resides centrally in a framework and at a height providing a visual attraction. The infrared heaters are attached to the framework and provide an efficient heat source for comfort for visitors. The infrared heaters may be positioned below the fire pit to warm the, feet of the visitors, and/or may be positioned above the fire pit to provide a more general coverage. The framework is constructed of a weather and corrosion resistant material to maintain appearance and to reduce maintenance.  
         [0004]     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an outdoor feature including vertical supports, a hearth supported by the vertical supports, and a fire feature approximately centered on the hearth. Lower infrared (IR) heaters reside under the hearth and directing heat downward to warm a visitor&#39;s feet.  
         [0005]     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an outdoor feature including vertical supports, a hearth supported by the vertical supports, and a fire feature approximately centered on the hearth. Upper infrared (IR) heaters reside above the hearth and directing heat downward to warm a visitor&#39;s feet. A roof may attached to the vertical supports, and the upper IR heaters may be attached to the roof or to the vertical supports. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0006]     The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of an outdoor feature according to the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1B  is a front view of the outdoor feature according to the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top view of structure supporting a roof of the outdoor feature.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  shows upper Infrared (IR) heaters attached to vertical supports supporting the roof.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4A  shows a side view of radiant heat from the upper IR heaters mounted proximal to the roof.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4B  shows a top view of the radiant heat from the upper IR heaters mounted proximal to the roof.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4C  shows a side view of radiant heat from the upper IR heaters mounted to the vertical supports.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4D  shows a top view of radiant heat from the upper IR heaters mounted to the vertical supports.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a first heath of the outdoor feature.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the first hearth of the outdoor feature.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of the first hearth taken along line  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a second hearth of the outdoor feature.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of the second hearth taken along line  7 A- 7 A of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
       [0020]     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.  
         [0022]     A top view of an outdoor feature  10  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1A , and a front view of the outdoor feature  10  is shown in  FIG. 1B . The outdoor feature  10  includes vertical supports  12 , a hearth  24  supported by the vertical supports  12 , and a roof  20  supported by the vertical supports  12 . The outdoor feature  10  resides on a surface  28 . The vertical supports  12  preferably comprise a pair of spaced apart metal plates, and more preferably a pair of corrosive resistant spaced apart metal plates, or may be concrete columns, however, local construction codes and environmental considerations generally dictate size and material used for structures. The vertical supports  12  may be constructed from any material suitable for outdoor use, and may be columns, or any structure with sufficient strength to safely support the hearth  24  and the roof  20 . Vertical support fill  22  comprising an architecturally suitable material may be used to fills the gap between the spaced apart vertical supports  12 , and/or IR heaters  30   b  (see  FIG. 3 ) may reside between the spaced apart vertical supports  12 .  
         [0023]     The roof  20  preferably resides on beams  14  attached to the vertical supports  12 , and preferably has a central opening  24 . The roof  20  and opening  24  may be round, hexagonal, octagonal, or of any shape suitable for covering an outdoor feature. The roof  20  is preferably made from corrosion resistant material which are consistent with local building codes.  
         [0024]     The hearth  24  has a skirt  26  for enclosing heating elements and/or fire feature elements. The hearth  24  preferably is made from stone, metal, concrete, a composite, or similar material. The top surface is preferably between two feet and 4 feet above the surface  28 , and the lowest point of the skirt is preferably between 12 inches and 36 inches above the surface  28 .  
         [0025]     A top view of a structure supporting the roof  20  of the outdoor feature  10  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The structure includes the beams  14 , inner trusses  16 , and outer trusses  18 . Any structure suitable for attaching to the vertical supports  12  (see  FIG. 1B ) and for supporting the roof  20  may be used. The IR heaters may comprise first upper infrared (IR) heaters  30   a  which are attached under the roof  20  and direct radiant head downwards towards visitors. The IR heaters  30   a  may be attached to the beams  14 , to the underside of the roof  20 , or to the trusses  16  or  18  and the IR heaters  30   a  are preferably approximately four feet long. The number IR of heaters  30   a  or the size of the heaters  30   a  may be increased or decreased as desired to provide more or less heat to visitors, and the number of IR heaters  30   a  on at a particular time may be varied as needed. The IR heaters may also comprise second upper Infrared (IR) heaters  30   b  attached to the vertical supports  12  as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0026]     A side view of radiant heat  34   a  from the Upper IR heaters  30   a  (see  FIG. 2 ) mounted under the roof  20  is shown in  FIG. 4A , and a top view of the radiant heat  34   a  is shown in  FIG. 4B . The radiant heat  34   a  is directed downward toward visitors.  
         [0027]     A side view of radiant heat  34   b  from the Upper IR heaters  30   b  mounted to the vertical supports  12  is shown in  FIG. 4C , and a top view of the radiant heat  34   b  is shown in  FIG. 4D . Each IR heater  30   b  directs heat towards visitors on a side of the outdoor feature  10  opposite the vertical support  12  which the IR heater  30   a  is mounted to.  
         [0028]     A perspective view of the hearth  24  with a first skirt  18   a  of the outdoor feature  10  is shown in  FIG. 5 , a side view of the hearth  24  of the outdoor feature  10  is shown in  FIG. 6 , and a cross-sectional view of the hearth  24  taken along line  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 6  is shown in  FIG. 6A . The skirt  18   a  is approximately cylindrical and a first lower IR heater  30   c  resided in the skirt  18   a  and directs a third radiant heat  34   c  downward and outward. The radiant heat  34   c  thus directed provides warmth to the feet of visitors. A fire pit  32  resides centrally in the hearth  24 .  
         [0029]     A side view of the hearth  24  with a second skirt  18   b  of the outdoor feature  10  is shown in  FIG. 7 , and a cross-sectional view of the hearth  24  taken along line  7 A- 7 A of  FIG. 7  is shown in  FIG. 7A . The skirt  18   b  includes angled sides  36  covering second lower IR heaters  30   d . The IR heaters  30   d  are tilted to provide a fourth radiant heat  34   d  angled downward and outward to provide warmth to the feet of visitors.  
         [0030]     The IR heaters  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c , and  30   d  are preferably electric IR heaters, or gas IR heaters, and are more preferably natural gas or propane IR heaters. The IR heater  30   a  (see  FIG. 2 ) preferably generates between approximately 60,000 BTU&#39;s and approximately 120,000 BTU&#39;s of heat each. The IR heater  30   b  (see  FIG. 3 ) preferably generates between approximately 120,000 BTU&#39;s and approximately 240,000 BTU&#39;s of heat each. The IR heaters  30   c  and  30   d  (see  FIGS. 6A and 7A ) preferably generate a total of between approximately 100,000 BTU&#39;s and approximately 130,000 BTU&#39;s of heat. The fire feature preferably generates between approximately 125,000 BTU&#39;s and approximately 150,000 BTU&#39;s of heat and preferably a solid fuel (e.g., wood) or a gas (e.g., natural gas or propane) fire.  
         [0031]     While examples IR heaters and fire features have been described above, an outdoor feature with any type of IR heater providing warmth and any visual effect providing a fire feature is intended to come within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0032]     While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.