Patent ID: 12188660

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1A-1Billustrate the fire pit system10including a fire pit stand12used in combination with the fire pit body14, wherein the fire pit body14sits on top of the fire pit stand12when the fire pit system10is in use. When the fire pit system10is not in use, the fire pit stand12can be stored within the fire pit body14. The fire pit body14and the fire pit stand12can independently be made of a solid metallic band or ring. In an example, the fire pit system10can be composed of durable stainless steel.

In an example, the fire pit body14can include a plurality of body openings18used to increase air flow. For example, the body openings18can be arranged in at least one row around the circumference of the fire pit body14, which allows the outside air to flow into the fire pit to maintain the fire. The air can flow up the walls of the fire pit to be heated and help fuel the secondary combustion. In an example, the row of body openings18can be positioned around a bottom portion of the fire pit body14. For example, the row of body openings18can be positioned around a bottom edge of the fire pit body14. In an example, the body openings18can have a diameter of between, and including, 0.2 to 1.0 inches (e.g., 0.51 inches).

The fire pit body14can be one piece, which gives the fire pit much greater strength and resistance from bending. The bottom of the fire pit body14can include a strength rib that is positioned around the circumference of the bottom, which can create added strength to the fire pit to prevent warping.

The fire pit stand12size can be any suitable size. In an example, the diameter of the fire pit stand12can be between, and including, 13 inches to 27 inches, or any suitable size to fit the fire pit body14. The fire pit body14can have a diameter between and including 13 inches to 32 inches. The fire pit body14can have a diameter slightly larger than that of the fire pit stand12such that the fire pit stand12can be stored inside the fire pit body14. In an example, the fire pit stand12can be stored within the fire pit body14via a pressure fit. Alternatively, or in addition to, the fire pit stand12can be stored within the fire pit body14via any appropriate mechanism including, but not limited to, clasp, screw, magnet, adhesive, among others.

FIG.3Aillustrates an example of how the fire pit system10can be assembled by placing the fire pit body14on the fire pit stand12for use.FIG.3Billustrates an example of how the fire pit body14engages with the fire pit stand12when in use. In an example, the fire pit body14sits on top of the fire pit stand12. In an example, the fire pit body14stays in place on the fire pit stand12using gravity. In other examples, the fire pit body14and fire pit stand12can engage in a threaded manner or by any other suitable connection, for example, by using clips, clasps, screws, hinges, clamps, latches, among others.

FIG.4illustrate an example wherein the fire pit stand12is angled or curved. For example, the top circumference of the fire pit stand12can be greater than the bottom circumference, creating an angled or curved fire pit stand. The fire pit stand12can include a at least one row of stand openings16. The stand openings16can be linearly aligned around the circumference of the fire pit stand12. In an example, the stand openings16can have a diameter of between, and including, 0.2 to 1.0 inches (e.g., 0.7 inches).

The disclosure provides a fire pit system10that can be designed with a double wall, wherein the fire pit system10is a natural convection inverted downgas gasifier fire pit. The air intake holes near the bottom of the fire pit system10(e.g., stand openings16and/or body openings18) channel air to the bottom of the fire. At the same time, the air intake holes (e.g., stand openings16and/or body openings18) near the bottom of the fire pit channel warm air up between the walls of the fire pit. The burst of preheated oxygen feeding back into the firebox through the smaller holes near the top of the fire pit causes a secondary combustion. The secondary combustion allows the fire to burn more complete, which is why there is very little smoke during full burn. A more efficient burn also means you will use much less wood compared to an open camp fire. The fire pit does not just burn wood, it actually cooks the smoke out of the wood and then burns the smoke not once, but twice.

The fire pit system10can feature a heat shield26between an ash pan24and a bottom of the fire pit stand12. The heat shield26can protect the ground under the fire pit system10from scorching

In an example, the system10can include a cooking ring20that includes an angled lip21that increases efficiency by directing heat towards the pot on the cooking ring, which minimizes heat loss. The cooking ring20can act as a windshield while allowing oxygen to flow inward, further increasing the fire pit's efficiency.

The cooking ring20can nest inside of the fire pit body14. For example, the cooking ring can be turned right side up and sit on an element to hold a pot or pan in place for cooking. The cooking ring20can have three L-shaped legs32to keep the pot or pan in place and elevated while cooking. The cooking ring20can have an opening to allow the user to feed additional fuel into the fire pit while it is burning.

The fire pit system10can include an interior wall22positioned inside the fire pit body14. The interior wall can include a plurality of interior wall holes toward the top of the interior wall22that allows the heated air to flow out the top of the fire pit system10and out the interior wall holes28where the secondary combustion takes place, creating jets of fire from each hole. In an example, the interior wall holes28can have a diameter of between, and including, 0.1 to 0.8 inches (e.g., 0.38 inches). A wire grate30can be located at the bottom of the fire pit system10that holds the fuel from touching the ashpan24and allows in the necessary airflow to keep the fuel burning. The grate30can be made from nichrome wire, which has an extremely high melting point. The cooking ring can sit atop a lip of the fire pit body14.

An ashpan24can be used to gather all the ash and debris that falls through from the wire grate30while the fire pit system10is burning. In an example, the ashpan24can be built into the fire pit body14and/or fire pit stand12, where the ashpan24does not move. Simply turning the ashpan24upside down and dumping it out can dispose of ash and debris, once the fire pit system10and debris have cooled.

The system10can include a heat shield26, the purpose of which is to prevent the bottom of the fire pit from overheating and burning the ground. The heat shield26can deflect the heat upward, keeping the bottom of the fire pit cooler and preventing the ground from being scorched. The heat shield26can be built into the fire pit body14and can be located below the ashpan24.

In an example, the fire pit system10can be made using a one-piece construction process. The manufacturing process can allow the use of state-of-the-art precision presses to form and shape solid pieces of high-grade stainless steel. The fire pit body14and/or fire pit stand12of the fire pit system10can be one piece of stainless steel with no seams or welds. The fire pit body14and the floating ashpan24can be made using one-piece construction, which eliminates the need for excessive welding and increases the overall strength and lifespan of the fire pit system10. Nichrome wire, which has a high melting point of 2552 degrees Fahrenheit, can be used for the grate30.

The fire pit system10can be assembled by placing the fire pit system10on level ground away from wind. A windscreen can be used to greatly increase the efficiency of the fire pit. For added safety, any flammable ground debris can be removed within a five foot radius of the fire pit system (e.g., twigs, leaves, grass etc.). The nested cooking ring20can be removed from inside the fire pit, and inverted with the three pot stands facing up and placing the cooking ring on top of the fire pit. The fire pit stand12can be removed from inside the fire pit body14, placed on the ground, then the fire pit body14can be placed on top of the fire pit stand.

The fuel can be prepared by gathering dry twigs and other biofuel of different sizes. The twigs can be broken into finger length pieces and separate them into piles according to their thickness (small, medium, large).

The following are two examples of methods that can be used to start the fire in the fire pit.

Method 1: A fuel-efficient way to cook on the fire pit system10is with a full load of fuel that is lit on top. Large sticks and twigs can be placed neatly on top of the nichrome wire grate up until the bottom of the top air vents of the interior wall holes. A small fire can be lit on top using your favorite tinder or fire starter. The fire can be fed with small to medium sized sticks and tinder until the fire is self-sustaining. The fire can continue to be fed until it has spread across the full width of the fire pit and the main fuel load begins to burn from the top down. After the air in the wall of the fire pit heats up, airflow will improve and a secondary combustion will be visible near some or all of the secondary air vents (e.g., interior wall holes). If the initial burn consumes the main fuel load and a flame is needed to continue cooking, additional fuel can be added through the opening in the cooking ring. For example, finger sized twigs can be added and other biofuel to maintain a flame.

Method 2: A tinder or fire starter can be used to light a small fire inside the fire pit and pile on small to medium sized twigs to stoke the fire. As the fire grows, larger sticks and twigs can be added. Larger sticks and twigs can keep the fire burning longer and will decrease the amount of times required for feeding the fire. If too much fuel is added too late, especially with thick or damp sticks, there may be a lot of smoke and the fire may be snuffed. This method of operation, although often easier for beginners, can produce more smoke than Method 1 because the wood gas rises directly to combustion with the secondary air without the cleaning effect of passage through a hot layer of charcoal.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.