Patent Publication Number: US-2011049453-A1

Title: Fire Pit Guard

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/236,929 filed on Aug. 26, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
     The present disclosure generally relates to safety arrangements, and, more specifically to a safety barrier for a fire pit. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     The use of fire pits for the purposes of heating and cooking is well known in the art. For example, the fire pits may be used outdoor for friends and loved ones to gather around during a campfire, a reunion or a barbeque. 
     However, the use of fire pits may pose danger if not utilized in a proper manner because the flames from a fire pit may be dangerous to a person in the vicinity of the fire pit. For example, when wind is blowing at high speed the fire pit may easily throw flames and burn unsuspecting bystanders in the vicinity of the fire pit. Specially, children and pets may be prone to encounter such incidence, and may suffer severe and painful burns. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     One embodiment of a safety barrier for a fire pit may include a fence. The safety barrier may also include a plurality of support structures adapted to support the fence around the fire pit in an upright position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of a safety barrier, and 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are environments in which the safety barrier of  FIG. 1  may be utilized for surrounding a fire pit. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular safety barrier for a fire pit, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
     The present disclosure provides a safety barrier for a fire pit. The safety barrier avoids unintentional contact between the fire pit and people or pets. Specifically, the safety barrier may be used for shielding an area around the fire pit thereby avoiding the unintentional contact of the people or the pets with the fire pit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a safety barrier  10  may include a fence  100 . The fence  100  may be adapted to surround a fire pit. The fence  100  may be made of a plurality of wires  110 . Specifically, the plurality of wires  110  may be joined together at a plurality of interlocked ends  112 , thereby forming a meshwork type structure. Further, the fence  100  may be constructed to be flexible, thereby enabling the portability of the fence  100 . Moreover, it is to be understood that the fence  100  may have sufficient length to surround the fire pit. 
     The fence  100  may be made of a material having sufficient structural integrity such that the fence  100  may be capable of being erected to surround the fire pit and act as a barrier between the fire pit and people or pets. For example, the fence  100  may be made of a metal or an alloy, which may include but is not limited to steel or aluminum. In the present embodiment, the fence  100  may be a chain-link fence of 11 gauge or otherwise made as known in the fencing art. Further, the fence  100  may be coated with a high temperature paint to resist heat thrown by the fire pit. 
     The safety barrier  10  may also include a plurality of support structures  202 ,  204  and  206  adapted to support the fence  100  around the fire pit in an upright position. For example, the support structures  202  and  206 , carried by end portions of the fence  100 , and the support structure  204 , carried by an intermediate portion of the fence  100 , may be adapted to support the fence  100  around the fire pit. As shown, in the present embodiment the safety barrier  10  includes nine support structures. However, it is to be understood that the number of the support structures of the safety barrier  10  should not be considered as limitation to the present disclosure. Further, the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  may be made of a material having sufficient structural integrity such that the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  may be capable of supporting the fence  100  around the fire pit. In the present embodiment, the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  may be steel stakes. Further, the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  may be coated with a high temperature paint to resist heat thrown by the fire pit. 
     In the present embodiment, each support structure of the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  may include an elongated member. For example, the support structure  204  may include an elongated member  210  having a straight elongated configuration. The elongated member  210  may be adapted to be engaged with the fence  100 . Specifically, the elongated member  210  may be received between the interlocked ends  112  of the plurality of wires  110  of the fence  100 . As shown, the elongated member  210  may be inserted through the fence  100  such that the interlocked ends  112  may surround the elongated member  210 , thereby allowing the engagement between the support structure  204  and the fence  100 . Additionally, the elongated member  210  may be tied to the fence  100  with a rope or welded with the fence  100  for further strengthening the engagement between the elongated member  210  and the fence  100 . Similarly, other support structures, such as the support structure  202 ,  206 , may be engaged with the fence  100 . 
     The each support structure of the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  may further include a head member. For example, the support structure  204  may include a head member  220  integral with a top portion  212  of the elongated member  210 , as shown in an encircled enlarged view. In the present embodiment, the head member  220  may be welded with a top portion  212  of the elongated member  210 . The head member  220  along with top portion  212  of the elongated member  210  may configure a T-shaped head of the support structure  204 . In the present embodiment, the head member  220  may be allowed to pass through an interlocked end, such as an interlocked end  114 , for allowing the engagement between the head member  220  and the fence  100 . Similarly, other support structures, such as the support structure  202 ,  206 , may be engaged with the fence  100 . 
     The each support structure of the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  may also include a base member. For example, the support structure  204  may include a base member  230  integral with the elongated member  210  in proximity to a bottom portion  214  of the elongated member  210 , as shown in an encircled enlarged view. In the present embodiment, the base member  230  may be welded in proximity to the bottom portion  214  of the elongated member  210 . Further, it is to be understood that the base member  230  may be welded in proximity to the bottom portion  214  after inserting the elongated member  210  through the fence  100 . 
     As shown, in the present embodiment, the base member  230  may have an L-shaped structure. Therefore, the base member  230  along with the bottom portion  214  of the elongated member  210  may configure an inverted U-shaped base of the support structure  204 . The base member  230  and the bottom portion  214  of the elongated member  210  may include a pointed tip  232  and a pointed tip  216 , respectively. The pointed tips  232 ,  216  may facilitate in removably inserting the support structure  204  into a ground surface for supporting the fence  100  in the upright position on the ground surface. Similarly, other support structures, such as the support structure  202 ,  206 , may be capable of being inserted into the ground surface for supporting the fence  100  in the upright position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in use, the safety barrier  10  may be used for surrounding a fire pit  1000 . Specifically, in use, initially the fence  100  may be allowed to surround the fire pit  1000 . As shown, the end portions of the fence  100  may be allowed to overlap for completely surrounding the fire pit  1000 . Thereafter, the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  may be inserted into a ground surface  1002  for supporting the fence  100  in the upright position on the ground surface  1002 . For example, a user may hold the head member  220  of the support structure  204 . Thereafter the user may press the base member  230  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) using a foot for allowing the tip portions  232 ,  216  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to be inserted into the ground surface  1002  for allowing the support structure  204  to support the fence  100  on the ground surface  1002 . Similarly, other support structures, such as the support structure  202 ,  206 , may be capable of supporting the fence  100  on the ground surface  1002  in the upright position. 
     Further, as shown, the safety barrier  10  may be allowed to surround the fire pit  1000  from a distance. This is to ensure the safety of the people or the pets, from the heat of the fire pit  1000 , standing in the vicinity of the safety barrier  10 . Therefore, the safety barrier  10  of the present disclosure forms a shield around the fire pit  1000  for avoiding unintentional contact between the fire pit  100  and the people or the pets. Moreover, as explained herein, the fence  100  and the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  of the safety barrier  10  may be coated with the high temperature paint so as to withstand heat of the fire pit  1000 . Therefore, the safety barrier  10  may avoid heating of the fence  100  and the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  which may cause bum injuries. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in use, the safety barrier  10  may be capable of being partially opened for allowing the user to access the fire pit  1000 . For example, the user may add woods into the fire pit  1000  by opening the safety barrier. Further, in case when there is a need to immediately extinguish the fire of the fire pit  1000  the user may access the fire pit  1000  by opening the safety barrier  10 . For example, the user may hold a head member, such as the head member  220 , of the support structure  202  for pulling out the support structure  202  from the ground surface  1002 . Thereafter, the user may insert the support structure  202  into a new location on the ground surface  1002 . Further, the support structure  206  may be similarly inserted into a new location on the ground surface  1002  for configuring a passage  1004 , which may facilitate the user to access the fire pit  1000 . Moreover, after the use of the safety barrier  10 , the user may easily remove the plurality of support structures  202 ,  204 ,  206  off the ground surface  1002  for allowing the safety barrier  10  to be folded and stored conveniently. 
     Based on the forgoing description, a safety barrier, such as the safety barrier  100 , may be used in conjunction with a fire pit during a campfire, a reunion or a barbeque. The safety barrier of the present disclosure may provide a simple and effective tool for avoiding unintentional contact with the fire pit. Specifically, the safety barrier may be adapted to be configured at a distance from the fire pit for acting as a shield around the fire pit, thereby protecting children and pets from incurring burns from the fire pit. Further, the safety barrier of the present disclosure may be made of different sizes to accommodate various types, sizes and brands of fire pits. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.