Patent Publication Number: US-2023151967-A1

Title: Heat deflector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/815,373, filed Nov. 12, 2021, titled DEVICE FOR FIRE PIT, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter described herein relates to a combustible fuel burning fire pit and a removable heat deflector. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable wood burning fire pits may be used in camping, in residential back yards for recreation, or in other applications. The fire pits may provide outdoor heat and may support cooking, creating an ambiance, and may be used for any desirable purpose. 
     Large fire pits are generally fueled by piles of logs or combustible materials. Heat from the fire pit rises mostly upward with some lateral radiation of heat. A heat deflector may therefore be place over the fire pit to increase the lateral radiation of heat from the fire pit so that people sitting around the firepit can receive some of the heat. Current heat deflector designs may be large and heavy, making them challenging to move. Furthermore, current designs may not effectively redirect the heat of the fire pit. Additionally, current designs may reduce the efficiency of the fire pit. 
     It is therefore to be appreciated that such commonly used heat deflectors could be improved. Accordingly, a need exists for heat deflectors that improve the performance and efficiency of deflecting the heat generated by the fire pit that address the forgoing and other concerns. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is a heat deflector for a fire pit. In some implementations, the heat deflector includes removable legs. 
     One general aspect includes heat deflector including a first portion having a first outer edge and a center, and having a first surface extending from the first outer edge to the center of the first portion. The first surface may slope downward from the first outer edge toward the center of the first portion. A second portion may have a second inner edge and a second outer edge. The second inner edge of the second portion may be adjacent to the first outer edge of the first portion. A third portion may have a third outer edge and a third inner edge. The heat deflector may have a second surface extending from the third outer edge of the third portion to the third inner edge of the third portion. The second surface may slope downward from the third outer edge of the third portion to the third inner edge of the third portion. 
     Some example implementations may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes a plurality of holes formed in the second portion, the plurality of holes sized to permit passage of air through the second portion. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes one or more ribbed features formed in the third portion, the one or more ribbed being configured to improve resistance of the heat deflector to deformation. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes one or more legs, a top portion of each of the one or more legs being shaped to pass through the second portion and secure to the heat deflector, each of the legs being removable from the heat deflector. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes a hole formed in the center of the first portion. In some embodiments, the slope of the first portion has a first angle, and the slope of the third portion has a second angle that is smaller than the first angle. In some embodiments, the first portion has a generally circular shape. 
     Another general aspect may include a heat deflector including a cone having a base perimeter, a vertex, and a first surface extending from the vertex to the base perimeter, wherein the vertex is below the base perimeter. The heat deflector also may include a first ring extending around the base perimeter, with the first ring having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. A plurality of holes may be formed in the first ring. A second ring may extend around the first ring. The second ring may have a second surface that has a first slope extending from an interior edge of the second ring to an exterior edge of the second ring. 
     Some example implementations may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the first surface has a second slope that is greater than the first slope of the second ring. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes a third ring extending from the first ring to the second ring, the third ring including a raised surface; an opening in the third ring; and a leg having an upper portion, the upper portion of the leg extending through the opening in the third ring. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes one or more structural support features formed in the second surface of the second ring. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes a hole formed in vertex of the cone. In some embodiments, the heat deflector is formed of a single stamped piece of metal. In some embodiments, the cone and the second ring are operable to laterally deflect upward radiating heat. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes a third ring extending from the first ring to the second ring, the third ring including a raised surface, wherein the raised surface of the third ring receives a support post for installing the heat deflector. 
     Yet another general aspect includes a heat deflector including a plurality of concentric rings and a cone located within an inner ring of the plurality of concentric rings. The cone may have a first surface with a first slope from the inner ring to a vertex of the cone. An outermost ring of the plurality of concentric rings may have a second surface. The second surface may have a second slope from an outer edge of the outermost ring to toward the center of the outermost ring. The first slope may be greater than the second slope. A a leg may removably attach to one of the inner ring and the outermost ring. 
     Some example implementations may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes a plurality of holes formed in a middle ring of the plurality of rings, the middle ring being between the inner ring and the outermost ring. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes a cap to secure the leg to the heat deflector. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes a raised ring of the plurality of concentric rings, the raised ring being between the inner ring and the outermost ring; and an opening in a sidewall of the raised ring through which the leg is attachable to the heat deflector. In some embodiments, the heat deflector further includes one or more structural features formed in the outermost ring to resist warping the heat deflector during heating and cooling cycles. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A more extensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of the heat deflector, as defined in the claims, is provided in the following written description of various embodiments of the disclosure and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are side and perspective views respectively of an example heat deflector disposed on a combustion fire pit using removable legs, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  are side, perspective, and exploded illustrative views respectively of an example heat deflector disposed on a combustion fire pit using a hub, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of an example radiant energy from the heat deflector connected to the combustion fire pit, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 E  are illustrative views of an example heat deflector and removable leg components, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  are illustrative side views of attaching a removable leg to a heat deflector, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  are illustrative perspective views of securing a removable leg to a heat deflector, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is an illustrative bottom view of an example heat deflector, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a heat deflector is provided which includes novel structural features to laterally redirect upward moving radiant energy and improve the strength of the heat deflector. The disclosed heat deflector also includes air flow features conducive to reducing back pressure on the fire pit caused by the presence of the heat deflector. The air flow features allow smoke and some heated air to pass upwardly through the heat deflector, which may reduce back pressure and increase the air-flow and therefore increase the heat and energy output from the first pit. Further features provide for portability and modular installation of the heat deflector. In some examples, the heat deflector may be installed on the fire pit through the use of removable legs, a hub, or other components. 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, systems, and methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated and included within the present disclosure as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, however, the numerous iterations of these combinations will not be described separately. 
     These descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes only, and should not be considered to limit the scope of the heat deflector, removable legs, hub, or fire pit. Certain features may be added, removed, or modified without departing from the spirit of the claimed subject matter. 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of an exemplary heat deflector  102  disposed on an exemplary fire pit using removable legs in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG.  4 D  shows a cross-sectional view of the main body of the heat deflector  102 . The heat deflector  102  may include removable legs  104 , and is shown on a fire pit  106 . The fire pit  106  may be an example of the fire pit described in U.S. application Ser. No. 17/169,269 entitled “Combustible Fuel Burning Fire Pit with Removable Fire Grate and Ash Pan” filed on Feb. 5, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The fire pit  106  includes an interior wall and an exterior wall with an air gap between the interior wall and the exterior wall. With reference to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the fire pit  106  includes a combustion chamber  120  and is divided into a top portion  108 , a middle portion  110 , and a bottom portion  112 . In some example implementations, the fire pit  106  is round or has a cylindrical shape with a diameter or width D 1  that may be about 250 mm to about 800 mm. In some examples, width D 1  may be about 350 mm to about 700 mm. In such implementations, the heat deflector  102  also may be round and may have a diameter or width D 2  that is greater than D 1 . Depending on the implementation, the width D 2  may be about 400 mm to about 900 mm. In some examples, the width D 2  may be about 500 mm to about 800 mm Although larger and smaller sizes of the fire pit  106  and the heat deflector  102  are also contemplated. Also depending on the implementation, the ratio of the width of the heat deflector to the diameter or width of the firepit may be within a range of about 1:1 to 1.3:1. Although larger and smaller ratios are also contemplated. 
     The top surface  102   t  of the heat deflector  102  may be at height H 1  above a top surface  106   t  of the fire pit  106  to maximize the deflection of the radiant energy from the combustion chamber  120  of the fire pit  106 . The height H 1  may be about 150 mm to about 915 mm. In some examples, the height H 1  may be about 225 mm to about 750 mm. In some embodiments, the ratio of the of the height H 1  to the width D 2  is in the range of about 2.5:1 to 5:1. Yet other ratios are contemplated. 
     The top portion  108  of the fire pit  106  includes a connecting ring  114 , a top lip  116 , and a plurality of top ventilation holes (not shown) inside the combustion chamber  120 , along the interior wall of the fire pit  106 . The connecting ring  114  is a horizontal surface extending from the interior wall to the exterior wall of fire pit  106 . The connecting ring  114  may be used to interface with the removable legs of the heat deflector  102  to the fire pit  106 . The top lip  116  is located along the inner surface of connecting ring  114  and adjacent the combustion chamber  120 . The top lip  116  may be a guide to properly place the removable legs  104  of the heat deflector  102 . Additionally, the top lip  116  may protect the heat deflector  102  from falling off the fire pit  106  by preventing the legs  104  from sliding into the combustion chamber  120 . The plurality of top ventilation holes provides air flow for the fire pit and improves the burning of combustible material in the combustion chamber  120  while reducing smoke as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 17/169,269. The plurality of top ventilation holes may be round and punched through the interior sidewall of the fire pit  106 . In some embodiments, the plurality of top ventilation holes may be square, rectangular, oval, or another shape. The plurality of top ventilation holes are connected to a plurality of bottom ventilation holes  115  located in the bottom portion  112  of the fire pit  106 . 
     The middle portion  110  of the fire pit  106  includes interior and exterior sidewalls of the fire pit  106 . In some implementations, the sidewalls of the fire pit  106  may each be formed of a single sheet of metal. In some embodiments, the sidewalls of the fire pit  106  may be formed of another material. In some embodiments, an air gap exists between the interior sidewall and the exterior sidewall to allow for air to flow from the plurality of bottom ventilation holes  115  to the plurality of top ventilation holes. 
     The bottom portion  112  of the fire pit  106  includes the plurality of bottom ventilation holes  115 . The plurality of bottom ventilation holes  115  may be round and punched through the exterior sidewall of the fire pit  106 . In some embodiments, the plurality of bottom ventilation holes  115  may be square, rectangular, oval, or another shape. 
     The heat deflector  102  includes an outer portion  130 , a middle portion  132 , and an inner portion  134 , that together form a main body. In some implementations, the heat deflector  102 &#39;s main body (absent the legs) may be formed from a single stamped sheet of metal, such as for example, a stainless steel sheet. In some embodiments, the main body of the heat deflector  102  may be formed by joining two or more pieces together, such as by the use of welds, rivets, bolts, or other means of joining two metal pieces. 
     The outer portion  130  extends from an outer edge  131  to an inner edge  133 . A bottom surface of the outer portion  130  slopes downward from the outer edge  131  toward the inner edge  133  at an angle α 1 , visible in  FIG.  1 A . In some embodiments, such as when the main body of the heat deflector  102  is formed of a single sheet, the top surface of the outer portion  130  has the same slope of angle α 1 . The angle α 1  may be about 3° to about 12°. In some examples, the angle α 1  may be about 5° to about 10°. Although larger and smaller angles are contemplated. In some implementations, the angle α 1  of the outer portion  130  may maximize the angle of incidence of the strongest source of radiant energy in relation to a location on the outer portion  130  of the heat deflector  102 , as seen in  FIG.  3   . For example, fuel burning in the combustion chamber  120  causes radiant energy (e.g., heat) to move upward from the fire pit  106 . The heat deflector  102 , specifically the outer portion  130 , laterally deflects the upward moving radiant energy away from the fire pit  106 . The angle α 1  of the outer portion  130  may be selected to maximize or provide high lateral deflection of the radiant energy for each location along the outer portion  130  of the heat deflector  102 . 
     In the implementation shown, the outer portion  130  of the heat deflector  102  includes one or more ribs or ribbed features  136 . Each rib or ribbed feature  136  may be stamped into the outer portion  130  of the heat deflector. In some embodiments, each ribbed feature  136  may be a separate piece that is joined to the heat deflector through the use of welds, rivets, bolts, or other fastening means. As illustrated, the ribbed feature  136  includes sidewalls  137  and a downward sloping surface having an angle α 2  that may be greater than the angle α 1  of the outer portion  130  of the heat deflector  102 . The angle α 2  may be about 5° to about 15°. In some examples, the angle α 2  may be about 7° to about 12°. Although larger and smaller angles are contemplated. In some embodiments, the ribbed features  136  are evenly, or equidistantly, spaced around the heat deflector  102 . In some other embodiments, the ribbed features  136  are unevenly spaced around the heat deflector  102 . In the illustrated embodiments, there are three ribbed features  136  spaced equidistant from each other around the outer portion  130  of the heat deflector  102 . The ribbed features  136  may be structural support features that improve the strength and stability of the heat deflector  102 . The improved strength may increase resistance to warping, deforming, cracking, and/or breaking that may otherwise be caused by the heating and cooling cycles during use of the heat deflector  102 . 
     The middle portion  132  of the heat deflector  102  extends from the inner edge  133  to an inner edge  135  and includes a raised ring  138  and a plurality of holes  140 . The raised ring  138  is located around the outer periphery of the middle portion  132  along the inner edge  133 . In some embodiments, the raised ring  138  is about halfway between the outer edge  131  and the center of the heat deflector  102 . Here, a top surface  139  of the raised ring  138  is higher than the inner edge  133  of the outer portion  130  of the heat deflector  102 . The raised ring  138  includes connection points  122  for attaching the removable legs  104  to the heat deflector  102 . The connection points  122  may be slots, apertures, openings, or other engagement features that may enable the removeable legs  104  to engage and attach to the raised ring  138 . An upper portion  105  of the removable legs  104  attaches to the heat deflector  102  at connection points  122 . A bottom portion  107  of the removable legs  104  attach to the connecting ring  114  of the fire pit  106 . In some embodiments, the removable legs  104  rest on the connecting ring  114  and are held in place by the top lip  116  and the weight of the heat deflector. In other embodiments, the removable legs  104  are attached to the connecting ring  114  through the use of a fastener. 
     Adjacent to and disposed radially inward from the raised ring  138 , is a surface comprising the plurality of holes  140 . The plurality of holes  140  create an array of passages through the main body of the heat deflector that serves multiple functions. The plurality of holes  140  allow smoke to rise through the heat deflector  102  so that all of the smoke does not have to work its way around the outer edges of the heat deflector  102 . Further, the plurality of holes  140  reduces downward pressure on the convective upward air movement from the combustion chamber  120  that is caused by the heat deflector  102 . The downward pressure, or back pressure effect, reduces the efficiency of the fire pit  106 , and specifically, the combustion chamber  120 . Accordingly, the plurality of holes  140  improves the efficiency of the fire pit  106 . The improved efficiency may be measured in heat produced, fuel consumption rate, smoke produced, etc. Furthermore, the plurality of holes  140  allow liquid (e.g., rain) to drain from the heat deflector  102 . As depicted, the plurality of holes  140  are round in shape. In some embodiments, the plurality of holes  140  may have other shapes. They may be square in shape. In some embodiments, the plurality of holes  140  may be elongated slots. In some embodiments, the plurality of holes  140  may be replaced with a screen that performs the same function. There may be more or fewer holes among the plurality of holes  140  than depicted in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B, and  4 D . 
     The inner portion  134  of the heat deflector extends from the inner edge  135  to the center of the heat deflector  102 . The inner portion  134  has a cone shape with a base downward extending vertex  141  ( FIG.  4 D ). The vertex  141  of the cone within the inner portion  134  may include one or more holes  142 . The depicted embodiment includes a single hole  142 . The holes  142  allow liquid (e.g., rain) to drain from the inner portion  134  of the heat deflector  102 . The hole  142  may also relieve downward pressure on the convective upward air movement that is caused by the heat deflector  102 . A bottom surface of the inner portion  134  has an angle α 3  that is greater than the angle α 1  of the outer portion  130 . The angel α 3  may be about 20° to about 40°. In some examples, the angle α 3  may be about 25° to about 35°. Although larger and smaller angles are contemplated. The angle α 3  of the inner portion  134  maximizes the angle of incidence of the strongest source of radiant energy in relation to a location on the inner portion  134  of the heat deflector  102 , as seen in  FIG.  3   . For example, fuel burning in the combustion chamber  120  causes radiant energy (e.g., heat) to move upward from the fire pit  106 . The heat deflector  102 , specifically the inner portion  134 , laterally deflects the upward moving radiant energy away from the fire pit  106 . The angle α 3  of the inner portion  134  maximizes the lateral deflection of the radiant energy for each location along the inner portion  134  of the heat deflector  102 . 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  are a side view, a perspective view, and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of an exemplary heat deflector installed on an exemplary fire pit using a central hub in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate the heat deflector  102  installed on the fire pit  106  using a hub  150  instead of the removable legs  104 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . The fire pit  106  has been described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . The hub  150  includes a bottom portion  152  and a top portion  154  and supports  156  connecting the bottom portion  152  and the top portion  154 . The bottom portion  152  of the hub  150  has a diameter or width D 3  that may be about 250 mm to about 750 mm. In some examples, the width D 3  may be about 350 mm to about 675 mm. The top portion  154  of the hub  150  has a diameter or width D 4  that may be smaller than the diameter or width D 3  of the bottom portion  152 . The diameter or width D 4  may be about 200 mm to about 600 mm. In some examples, the width D 4  may be about 275 mm to about 475 mm Larger and smaller dimensions are contemplated. In the depicted embodiment, there are three supports  156  connecting the bottom portion  152  to, and supporting, the top portion  154 . In some embodiments, there may be more or fewer than three supports  156 . 
     The raised ring  138  of the heat deflector  102  is designed to receive the hub  150  and rest on the hub  150  instead of using the removable legs  104  described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . In this configuration, the hub  150  sits on the fire pit  106  with the bottom portion  152  of the hub  150  resting on the connecting ring  114 . The top lip  116  prevents the hub  150  from sliding off the fire pit  106 . The heat deflector  102  sits on top of the hub  150  with the top portion  154  of the hub  150  fitting inside the raised ring  138  of the heat deflector. In some embodiments, the weight of the heat deflector  102  maintains the connection between the heat deflector  102  and the hub  150 . The combined weight of the heat deflector  102  and the hub  150  maintain the connection between the hub  150  and the fire pit  106 . In some other embodiments, the heat deflector  102  may be fastened to the hub  150  and the hub  150  may be fastened to the fire pit  106 , such as with bolts or clips, for example. In some other embodiments, a combination of weight and fasteners may be used to install the heat deflector  102  on the fire pit  106 . 
       FIG.  3    is a side view showing radiant energy deflected by the exemplary heat deflector  102  connected to an exemplary fire pit according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the heat deflector  102  is installed on the fire pit  106  using the removable legs  104 . In some other embodiments, the heat deflector  102  is installed on the fire pit  106  using the hub  150 . A person  320  is illustrated sitting next to the fire pit  106 . Radiant energy  304  (e.g., heat) is shown rising vertically from the fire pit  106  and being laterally deflected by the heat deflector  102  towards the person  302 . As discussed above, the angle α 1  of the outer portion  130  of the heat deflector  102  may be selected to provide a suitable angle of incidence of the strongest source of radiant energy  304 , and in some instance, maximizes the outer diameter or width of the fire pit  106  in relation to the specific location on the heat deflector  102 . Similarly, the angle α 3  of the inner portion  134  of the heat deflector  102  may be selected to provide suitable angle incidence of the strongest source of radiant energy  304 , the middle of the fire pit  106 , in relation to the specific location on the heat deflector  102 . By so doing, the heat deflector  102  efficiently, horizontally redirects the vertically moving radiant energy  304  toward the person  302 . Smoke  306  is shown passing through the plurality of holes  140  in the middle portion  134  of the heat deflector. 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 E  are views of an example heat deflector with the removable leg components, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG.  4 A illustrates a top-down view of the heat deflector  102 ;  FIG.  4 B  illustrates a perspective view of one removable leg  104 ;  FIG.  4 C  illustrates a perspective view of a cap  402  used to secure the removable leg  104  to the heat deflector  102 ;  FIG.  4 D  illustrates a perspective cross section view of the heat deflector  102  along line A-A without removable legs  104 ; and  FIG.  4 E  illustrates a perspective cross section view of the heat deflector  102  along line A-A with the removable legs  104  attached to the heat deflector  102  using caps  402 . 
     As discussed above, the heat deflector  102  includes the main body with the outer portion  130 , the middle portion  132 , and the inner portion  134 . The outer portion, including the ribbed features  136 , has diameter or width D 2 . The middle portion  132 , including the plurality of holes  140  and the raised ring  138 , has a diameter or width D 5  that may be about 200 mm to about 600 mm. In some examples, the width D 5  may be about 250 mm to about 5 500 mm. The inner portion has a diameter or width D 6  that may be about 100 mm to about 350 mm. In some examples, the width D 6  may be about 150 mm to about 225 mm Although larger and smaller widths are contemplated. The outer edge  160  of the outer portion  130 , and thus the heat deflector  102 , is folded over as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 D and  4 E  to form an edge lip. The folded structure of the outer edge  160  improves the structural and aesthetic of the heat deflector  102 . The outer edge  160  improves the structural strength of the heat deflector  102  to resist warping and bending during repeated heating and cooling cycles. The outer edge  160  further provides a clean look to the heat deflector  102  as well as protects against sharp edges. 
       FIGS.  4 D and  4 E  illustrate differences in angle α 1  of the outer portion  130 , angle α 2  of the ribbed features  136 , and angle α 3  of the inner portion  134 . As described above, the angles of the outer portion  130  and the inner portion  134  maximize the angle of incidence of the radiant energy rising from the fire pit  106 . 
       FIG.  4 B  illustrates a perspective view of a removable leg  104 . The removable leg  104  includes the upper portion  105 , the lower portion  107 , an upper support  404 , and support features  406 . The upper portion  105  may include one or more posts, or legs, that pass through the connection point  122  of the heat deflector  102 . The upper portion  105  may lock, or snap, into the heat deflector. Alternatively, the cap  402 , such as illustrated in  FIG.  4 C , may snap, or lock, onto the upper portion  105  of the removable leg  104  to secure the removable leg  104  to the heat deflector  102 . The cap  402  may be curved to match the curve of the raised ring  138  to sit flush with the raised ring  138  of the heat deflector  102 . The cap  402  snaps, or locks, onto the upper portion  105  of the removable leg  104 . The bottom portion  107  of the removable leg  104  provides a footing for the heat deflector  102  when the removable leg  104  is installed in the heat deflector  102 . The bottom portion  107  contacts the ground, the connecting ring  114 , or other flat surface supporting the heat deflector  102 . The upper support  404  interfaces with heat deflector  102  when the removable leg  104  is installed on the heat deflector  102 . 
       FIGS.  4 D and  4 E  further illustrate a cross section of the raised ring  138  having an outer vertical portion  410 , a top horizontal portion  412 , and a sloped inner portion  414 . The outer vertical portion  410  and top horizontal portion  412  allow the heat deflector  102  to rest on the top portion  154  of the hub  150 , as described above. The sloped inner portion  414  includes the connection points  122  to receive the upper portion  105  of removable leg  104 . A catch feature  416  of the ribbed feature  138  receives the upper support  404  of the removable leg  104  during installation and while installed. The catch feature  416  may be a bent portion of the ring that allows the leg to connect thereto. 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 C and  6 A- 6 C  illustrate inserting the removable leg  104  into the heat deflector  102  and using the cap  402  to secure the removable leg  104  to the heat deflector  102 . The process begins in  FIG.  5 A  with a removable leg  104  and a heat deflector  102 . The bottom portion  107  of the removable leg  104  is angled away from the center of the heat deflector  102  while the upper portion  105  of the removable leg  104  is angled toward the center of the heat deflector  102 . The removable leg  104  is moved toward the connection point  122  and the catch feature  416  located on the underside of the heat deflector  102 , specifically near the ribbed feature  138 . At  FIG.  5 B , the upper support  404  of the removable leg  104  engages the catch feature  416 , allowing the removable leg  104  to pivot about the catch feature  416 . This places the upper portion  105  of the removable leg  104  adjacent the connection point  122 . The removable leg  104  is then rotated clockwise, as indicated in  FIG.  5 B , so that the upper portion  105  of the removable leg  104  extends through the connection point  122  of the heat deflector  102 , as shown in  FIG.  6 A . The upper support  404  maintains contact with the catch feature  416  throughout the rotation of the removable leg  104  thereby securing the removable leg  104  from falling down or over rotating during installation. As illustrated in  FIG.  5 C , the removable leg  104  is now in position within the heat deflector  102 . A similar process is repeated for each of the removable legs  104  to be attached to the heat deflector  102 . At this point, the heat deflector  102  may be able to stand using the removable legs  104 . 
     The installation process continues at  FIG.  6 A  where a cap  402  is placed over the of the upper portion  105  of the removable leg  104 . After placing the cap  402  over the upper portion  105 , the cap  402  slides toward the center of the heat deflector  102  as illustrated in  FIG.  6 B . Sliding the cap  402  over the upper portion  105  engages the cap  402  to the upper portion  105  of the removable leg  104  preventing the removable leg  104  from rotating out of the connection point  122  and falling off the heat deflector  102 .  FIG.  6 C  shows the removable leg  104  completely installed in the heat deflector  102 . The same process is repeated for each of the remaining removable legs  104 . 
       FIG.  7    shows a bottom view of an exemplary heat deflector. The heat deflector  102  includes the outer portion  130 , the middle portion  132 , and the inner portion  134 . The outer edge of the outer portion  130  includes the fold of the outer edge  160 . The ribbed features  136  are seen from beneath the heat deflector  102 . Additionally, the catch feature  416  is seen from beneath the heat deflector  102 . The middle portion  132  includes the raised ring  138  and the plurality of holes  140  as described above. The inner portion  134  includes the hole  142  at the vertex of the conical shape. 
     A number of variations are possible on the examples and embodiments described herein. For example, the fire pit, heat deflector, removable legs, hub, or other components could be made of heavier-gauge material in order to support more weight, or of lighter gauge material in order to become lighter and more portable. The heat deflector could be made in different sizes and/or with different degrees of curvature. Air gaps may be larger or smaller than shown herein, to optimize air flow through the fire pit, to minimize weight or volume of the fire pit, or for other reasons. The relative lengths, widths, and radii of different components could be different than presented herein. The fire pit, heat deflector, removable legs, hub, or other components could be made by different processes, including casting, forging, sintering, milling, or 3D printing. They could be made of different metals, or of nonmetallic materials such as ceramics. The fire pit rim could be noncircular, including such possible shapes as ovals, rectangles, triangles, and rhombuses. The technology described herein may be used to burn firewood, wood chips or pellets, scrap lumber, paper, cardboard, coal, and other combustible materials. It may be employed for example in lamps, stoves, fire pits, fireplaces, furnaces, forges, and boilers, and other combustion heaters. In some implementations, the fire pit, heat deflector, removable legs, hub, or other components may comprise several pieces that collectively form a structure like that described herein. 
     The logical operations making up the embodiments of the technology described herein are referred to variously as operations, steps, objects, elements, components, or modules. Furthermore, it should be understood that these may occur or be performed in any order, unless explicitly claimed otherwise or a specific order is inherently necessitated by the claim language. 
     Attached hereto is an Appendix that includes Figures A through K. Specifically, in several embodiments, one or more of the embodiments of the present application are provided in whole or in part as described and illustrated in the Appendix, which forms part of the present application. Moreover, Figures A through K provide additional support for any U.S. or non-U.S. design applications that are to be filed in the future claiming priority to this present U.S. utility patent application. More particularly, in the Appendix: 
     FIG. A is a top perspective view of a new, original design for a DEVICE FOR FIRE PIT according to a first embodiment; 
     FIG. B is a top view of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. C is a bottom view of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. D is a front view of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. E is a rear view of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. F is a left side view of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. G is a right side view of the first embodiment; and 
     FIG. H is a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment. 
     FIG. I is a top perspective view of the new, original design for a DEVICE FOR FIRE PIT according to a second embodiment, the second embodiment being identical to the first embodiment except that the second embodiment has an indeterminate diameter as indicated in FIG. I. 
     FIG. J is a view similar to FIG. D but with additional broken lines. 
     FIG. K is a view similar to FIG. D but with additional broken lines. 
     In several embodiments, one or more of the embodiments described and illustrated in the Appendix are combined in whole or in part with one or more of the embodiments described above, illustrated in one or more of  FIGS.  1  through  16   , one or more other embodiments described and illustrated in the Appendix, or any combination thereof. 
     All directional references e.g., upper, lower, inner, outer, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, counterclockwise, proximal, and distal are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the claimed subject matter, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the fire grate, ash pan, or fire pit. Connection references, e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. The term “or” shall be interpreted to mean “and/or” rather than “exclusive or.” Unless otherwise noted in the claims, stated values shall be interpreted as illustrative only and shall not be taken to be limiting. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the fire grate, ash pan, and fire pit as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of the claimed subject matter have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed subject matter. Still other embodiments are contemplated. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the subject matter as defined in the following claims.