Gaseous fuel powered Tiki torch
A gaseous fuel powered Tiki torch. The Tiki torch may be mounted on a shock corded pole or a table-top base. A tip switch is provided which turns off fuel flow when the Tiki torch is tilted beyond a certain angle. A cover is provided to keep the torch free of debris and moisture. A burner tip has a cross section of an X, and the burner includes a deflector mounted below the burner tip.
Latest The Coleman Company, Inc. Patents:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/678,257, filed May 6, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to combustion devices, and more specifically to torches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTiki torches are used throughout the world for night lighting or decoration. Often, the torches are mounted on the end of bamboo poles which are stuck into the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In accordance with an embodiment, a Tiki torch is provided that utilizes gaseous fuel. As an example, the Tiki torch may utilize propane, which may be provided, for example, by a one pound propane cylinder.
In accordance with an embodiment, an insect inhibitor may be provided at a top of a Tiki torch and that releases an insect repellent upon being heated.
In accordance with an embodiment, a burner is provided for a Tiki torch that has a two-dimensional, thin profile. The two-dimensional thin profile provides shape for a flame, and adds turbulence to the flame, making the flame appear to dance.
In accordance with an embodiment, a Tiki torch is mounted on top of a shock corded pole. The shock corded pole may include a ground stake that is integral with the shock corded pole or that is a piece that is separate from the shock corded pole. The ground stake may be stuck in the ground, and the shock corded pole may extend between the Tiki torch and the ground stake to support the Tiki torch.
In accordance with an embodiment, a base may be provided for the Tiki torch so that the Tiki torch may be used, for example, on a tabletop. In addition, in accordance with an embodiment, a glass or other globe may be provided as a wind screen or guard for a flame for a Tiki torch.
Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,
The Tiki torch 20 includes a disposable insect inhibitor ring 22 (
The insect inhibitor ring 22 includes an insect inhibitor in the tray, which may be, for example, citronella, linalool, or another suitable insect inhibitor. During operation of the Tiki torch 20, the flame heats the insect inhibitor ring 22, causing the insect inhibitor within the ring to evaporate. The evaporated insect inhibitor acts as a repellent to insects in the vicinity of the Tiki torch 20.
As can be seen in
As shown in
An opposite end of the shock corded pole 26 fits into an opening 33 at the top of a ground stake 34. In this manner, the Tiki torch 20 may be easily mounted on a pole 26, supported by the ground stake 34. Because the pole 26 is in segments 28, the pole 26, the ground stake 34, and the Tiki torch 20 may be efficiently stored in a small package.
An optional glass globe 38 is also shown in
Details of the Tiki torch 20 can be seen in
Details of a regulator are not given here, but are known in the combustion art. In use, the regulator 126 is designed to drop the pressure of the fuel from the propane tank 21 to a usable pressure for the Tiki torch 20. The regulator 126 is typically connected to a valve (not shown in detail) that is connected to the control knob 124. Rotation of the control knob 124 opens and closes the valve, thus increasing or decreasing the flow of fuel to the burner 128.
If desired, an igniter (not shown, but known in the combustion art) may be provided for lighting the Tiki torch 20. The use of such igniters is known, and the details of their structure and operation are not provided herein. As an alternative to an igniter, the Tiki torch 20 may be lit manually, such as by a match.
As can be seen in
In an embodiment, as shown in
Details of the shut-off switch 50 are shown in
In an embodiment, the upper surface of the check piston 58 also includes a slope that matches the slope of the internal floor 74. When the ball 60 has depressed the piston 58, gas enters past the o-ring 52 and through the gap 72 between the check piston 58 and the check body 56, and then enters the check piston through a bore hole 76. The gas exits the check piston 58 through a top opening 77, and enters the chamber of the check body 56, flowing around the ball 60 and out of the shut-off switch 50 through an opening 79 in the sealing cap 62.
When the Tiki torch 20 and the shut-off switch 50 are tilted an amount sufficient for the ball 60 to roll off the check piston 58, for example twenty five degrees (25°), in any direction, the ball 60 will roll up the internal floor 74 of the check body 56 and off the check piston 58. The check piston 58 is then pressed into position by the spring 54 and closes the o-ring 52 against the bottom of the check body 56, closing the flow of fuel through the shut-off switch 50. Thus, fuel is no longer permitted to flow through the shut-off switch 50, and the Tiki torch 20 is extinguished.
Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Claims
1. A Tiki torch, comprising:
- a burner; and
- an insect inhibitor have an insect repellent mounted therein, the insect inhibitor being arranged and configured to be heated by a flame produced by burner so that the repellent is evaporated.
2. The Tiki torch of claim 1, wherein the insect inhibitor is configured as a ring that surrounds a flame produced by the burner.
3. A Tiki torch, comprising:
- a housing;
- a burner mounted so that a flame produced by the burner extends upward from the housing;
- a fuel canister for supplying fuel to the burner and mounted in the housing; and
- a shocked cord pole for supporting the housing.
4. The Tiki torch of claim 3, further comprising a ground stake for supporting the shocked cord pole.
5. The Tiki torch of claim 3, wherein the shocked cord pole is removably mounted to the housing.
6. The Tiki torch of claim 5, further comprising a base for supporting the housing when the shocked cord pole is removed from the housing.
7. A Tiki torch, comprising:
- a housing;
- a burner mounted so that a flame produced by the burner extends upward from the housing;
- a fuel canister for supplying fuel to the burner and mounted in the housing; and
- a tilt switch for stopping a flow of fuel from the canister to the burner when the housing is tilted beyond a threshold angle from vertical.
8. The Tiki torch of claim 7, wherein the threshold angle is approximately 25 degrees.
9. The Tiki torch of claim 7, wherein the tilt switch comprises a valve that is pressed into an open position by a weight when the housing is tilted less the threshold angle, and wherein the weight does not press the valve into an open position when the housing is tilted more than the threshold angle.
10. The Tiki torch of claim 9, wherein the weight is a ball.
11. The Tiki torch of claim 10, wherein the ball presses the valve into the open position against the bias of a spring, and wherein the ball is at least partly removed from the valve when the housing is tilted, and the spring presses the valve away from the open position.
12. A Tiki torch, comprising:
- a housing;
- a burner mounted so that a flame produced by the burner extends upward from the housing, the burner comprising burner tip having two dimensional, thin profile; and
- a fuel canister for supplying fuel to the burner and mounted in the housing.
13. The Tiki torch of claim 12, wherein the burner tip comprises extensions having a thin profile and extending in two dimensions.
14. The Tiki torch of claim 13, wherein the burner tip comprises a center and extensions extending in two directions in each of two dimensions.
15. The Tiki torch of claim 12, wherein the burner tip has a cross section of an X.
16. The Tiki torch of claim 15, further comprising a deflector mounted below the burner tip and positioned to create flame turbulence within the burner.
17. The Tiki torch of claim 12, further comprising a deflector mounted below the burner tip and positioned to create flame turbulence within the burner.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 8, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 9, 2006
Applicant: The Coleman Company, Inc. (Wichita, KS)
Inventors: Clyde Schulte (Wichita, KS), Norris Long (Wichita, KS), Kyle Penner (Wichita, KS)
Application Number: 11/350,317
International Classification: F23D 14/46 (20060101); F23D 14/28 (20060101);