Patent Publication Number: US-2021180792-A1

Title: Myfireside

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overhauls the fireside experience by allowing the user to change the visual experience for any special occasion, for any holiday, or as they please. Currently, there are many fire enclosures that have shapes, designs, drawings, logos, etc. cut out of them allowing the fire to be seen through; however, they cannot be changed as they are a permanent part of the enclosure. The present invention allows the user to change the visual experience using the same enclosure as removeable/replaceable panels are provided with unique and desirable openings through which the fire can be viewed. 
     The invention can be applied to any fire enclosure (i.e. mobile fire pit, permanent fire pit, fire ring, fireplace, fireplace screen, etc.); however, to explain we focus on the mobile fire pit. The term “fire pit” will be used when referring to all such structures. During moderate weather conditions, the structure may be illuminated by sources other than fire and can still serve as an outdoor place for a group gathering. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the fire pit circumference consists of at least one window and interior mesh screen (for safety purposes) allowing the fire to be seen through it. In addition, there are anchors allowing solid panels with cutouts to be secured around the circumference of the fire pit changing the visual experience of the fire through these side panels. The user can remove the panels and replace with different ones, those having different viewing portals. Additionally, this invention can be applied to the enclosure&#39;s top or lid. 
     The fire pit can be any shape from the popular cylindrical or round shape to any geometric shape such as triangular, square, or any other multi-faceted geometric configuration. Variations on the curved shape are also possible, such as oval shaped. Even fire pits that are not constructed of metal can be provided with a “window” which can accept panels with desired openings. 
     Fire pit suppliers can include, incorporate, or add our invention into their products. First, the fire pit needs to have a window in a side wall, a top or lid window, or one will need to be built into the design. Of course, there can be multiple windows. The window size and distance around the pit can vary. It is recommended that attaching an inner mesh screen is desirable for safety purposes; however, this is not necessary to achieve the desired visual effect. 
     Second, a method for temporarily attaching or anchoring a panel over the window must be selected. Some examples include installing or incorporating a keyhole post, latch, screw/nut, wing nut, track, channel, hook, clip, slot, connecting bracket, etc. into various points around the fire pit. In fact, the panel can even secure over the top edge of the fire pit. The quantity and location of the attaching points will be dependent on the enclosure. 
     Third, panels with viewing portals need to be attached over the windows. The viewing portals can be jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, trees for Christmas, fireworks for Jul. 4 th , turkeys for Thanksgiving, rabbits for Easter, birthday balloons, different names of people for various events, etc. The list is endless from seasonal celebrations to life celebrations to cool art, etc. 
     The novel features which are characteristic of the invention, both as to structure and method of operation thereof, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be understood from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and they are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fire pit according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the fire pit of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown, in perspective view, a first embodiment of a fire pit  10  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the fire pit  10  is cylindrical and rests on supporting legs  12 . A top cover  14  is provided to help prevent the escape of embers from a fire. The fire pit  10  has side walls  16  with window openings (best seen in  FIG. 2 ) onto which are fitted decorative panels  18  which include decorative designs  20  which are openings in the panel  18  through which a fire can be viewed. 
     As shown, some designs  20  are representational such as the flag pattern  22  and others may be slogans or other alphanumeric designs, as the catch phrases  24 . The panels are attached to the window openings by various means, here a keyhole slot  26  in the panel  18  which fits over the head of a bolt  28   
     Turning next to  FIG. 2 , there is shown, in exploded perspective, the fire pit  10  of  FIG. 1 . With the panels  18  removed, the windows  30  in the side walls  16  can easily be seen. For safety reasons, it has been deemed as desirable to have a metal mesh screen  32  in each window  30 . The keyhole opening  26  and bolt heads  28  are also more clearly shown. A bottom plate  34  is provided to hold whatever combustibles will be used and to retain any ash or other residue when combustion is complete. 
     Others skilled in the art may devise other shapes of the fire pit and other decorative designs and patterns which can be illuminated by a fire in the pit or, in moderate weather, some illumination source other than fire. Accordingly, the scope of the invention need only be limited by the scope of the claims appended hereto.