SUBSTANTIALLY SPHERICAL YARD WASTE CONTAINER/INCINERATOR
A yard waste incinerator device is provided. The device includes an at least partially spherical outer member which is comprised of a truncated sphere. The outer member is usually comprised of a multiplicity of frame members that are spaced apart, but intersect with one another so they look much like latitudinal and longitudinal lines of a globe. Thus, they define a fairly open structure. A partially spherical cover is provided that will moveably engage the frame of the spherical outer member. The cover may be removed to allow debris and the like to be placed in the interior of the at least partially spherical outer member. By placing the cover back in a closed position, the yard ball can be rolled from one place to another rather easily. This is the result of the cover being generally spherically shaped, similar to the outer member so that, when the cover is in place, the yard ball has a spherical or ball shape. When the cover is moved, yard debris may be placed into the device.
This patent application claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/389,945, filed Oct. 5, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONContainers, including containers capable of acting as incinerators for the burning of waste.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMost homes have a yard that requires periodic raking, especially leaves in the fall. What is needed is a practical, effective method for the collection, removal and/or incineration of leaves, twigs, and the like from the ground and especially from a lawn area.
Typically, in rural, country or farm settings, trash or other waste is burned in 55 gallon barrels. However, this usually creates heavy wet ash that is difficult to remove from the barrel. Other ways of burning small contained fires is in a store-bought fire pit or a chiminea.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONIt is the object of the invention to provide a simple device for he collection, removal, and/or incineration of waste, such as yard waste.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA yard waste incinerator device, comprising an at least partly spherical outer member defining an interior space, the outer member at least partially comprising an open frame. The open frame includes a multiplicity of rigid, curved spaced apart members, the members fixedly engaging one another. The outer member has walls defining a lid opening. An at least partially spherical cover is disposed relative to the cover opening of the outer, generally spherical member so as to move between a covered and uncovered position. The uncovered position allows access to the interior space. The cover is adapted to, in the covered position, generally conform to the shape of the outer member. The outer member may be a hemisphere and the cover may have a hemispherical outer surface. The cover may be pivotally engaged to the outer member. The cover typically has a radius of curvature about equal to the radius of curvature of the outer member and the engagement to the covered position defines a substantially spherical incinerator device. Means to selectively fix the position of cover with respect to the outer member are provided. The means to selectively fix the position of cover with respect to the outer member may include a pin for engaging the frame and the cover. The cover may be substantially solid; and include a removable lid, or it may be substantially open, like the frame.
A method of incinerating yard waste is provided. The method comprises providing a yard waste incinerator device comprising an at least partly spherical outer member defining an interior space, the outer member at least partially comprising an open frame, the open frame comprising a multiplicity of rigid, curved spaced apart members, the members engaging one another, the generally spherical outer member also including a multiplicity of wire members for engaging the frame, the outer member having walls defining a cover opening; and an at least partially spherical cover disposed relative to the cover opening of the outer, generally spherical member so as to move between a covered and uncovered position. The uncovered position allowing access to the interior space, the cover adapted to, in the covered position, generally conform to the outer member; accumulating yard waste; placing yard waste into the incinerator device; burning the incinerator device to a desired location; and burning the contents of the incinerator device.
A yard waste incinerator device is provided. The device includes an at least partially spherical outer member which is comprised of a truncated sphere. The outer member is usually comprised of a multiplicity of frame members that are spaced apart, but intersect with one another so they look much like latitudinal and longitudinal lines of a globe. Thus, they define a fairly open structure. A partially spherical cover is provided that will moveably engage the frame of the spherical outer member. The cover may be removed to allow debris and the like to be placed in the interior of the at least partially spherical outer member. By placing the cover back in a closed position, the yard ball can be rolled from one place to another rather easily. This is the result of the cover being generally spherically shaped, similar to the outer member so that, when the cover is in place, the yard ball has a spherical or ball shape. When the cover is moved, yard debris may be placed into the device.
Applicant provides a spherical, at least partially open lidded, yard waste ball. This replaces the prior art drum, chiminea, open or closed pit, wheelbarrow or other large bags required for relocation and/or permanent disposal of yard waste via burning of leaves, small twigs, and the like.
Applicant provides for a yard waste ball 10 having a generally spherical shape. Yard waste ball 10 is comprised of a frame 12. Frame 12 is at least partially spherical and may be made from a multiplicity of formed metal rod bands 20/21 welded or otherwise fixedly joined at their intersections and where the ends thereof meet. The frame 12 is typically shaped as a truncated sphere or greater than a hemisphere (see
A replaceable wire mesh fabric 18 may be stretched over the bands 20/21 of frame 12 and tied thereto by tie wires 24, such as 9 to 11 gauge steel or aluminum tie wires 18. Wire mesh fabric may be made of any suitable material that is non-permanent, sturdy enough and flexible so as to engage the spherical frame and maintain its generally hollow structure under intended use. The openings of mesh fabric 18 should be tight enough to hold small leaves inside while also allowing airflow therethrough. The mesh fabric may be chain link fence mesh fabric, such as 1″ to 2″ mesh fabric, galvanized metal 9 to 11½ gauge available from Hoover Fence Co., www.hooverfence.com.
The use of an exterior of mesh fabric over the frame 12 is optional (see the second embodiment of
In a first embodiment (
Lid 16, typically cup shaped (consistent with the radius of curvature of the cover and frame), may be used separate and apart from the remainder of the waste ball 10 by inverting it and placing it on optional stands 40/42 (see pan 44 in
In operation, the cover 14/14a may be removed (first embodiment) or pivoted (second embodiment) with respect to frame 12 to allow the interior of frame 12 to be filled with refuse or the like. Yard ball 10/10a may then be rolled to pick up additional refuse. When at or near full capacity, it may be rolled (with the cover in a covered position) to a burn location and the contents lit (typically with the cover on). When only ashes remain, the ball is rolled back and forth until the ashes fall through the mesh or frame bottom and the process may be started over.
If one does not want to burn the contents, they may, when they reach the desired dump area, remove or pivot the cover. Then rolling the contents back and forth through the opening created by the removable cover will allow the contents to fall on the ground.
The cover may be non-removably fixed to the frame, but then would include the removable lid 16. The cover may be up to about a hemisphere in shape (see
Both embodiments include a cover that can be removed in the embodiment of
In yard ball 10a, a suitable member, such as a ball lock pin 32, is provided as seen in
Cover 14a is seen to be comprised of longitudinal member 36, which may be band shaped or cylindrical rod shaped members (or any suitable shape), and latitudinal members 38 may be constructed similar to frame 12. Both members 36/38 are curved and define a generally hemispherical shape and are substantially open. They are typically affixed to one another rigidly, but welding or any other suitable means, where they cross one another.
In the earlier embodiment, cover 14 is seen to be substantially solid and may have a lid 16 thereon. In a second embodiment, cover 14a is seen to be open and pivotally engaged to frame 12 and typically includes a locking member, such as ball lock pin 32, to position the cover in a multiplicity of positions between covered and uncovered or in stow position. For example, in the position illustrated in
The frame position illustrated in
Turning to
Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. On the contrary, various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications, alternatives, and equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A yard waste incinerator device, comprising:
- an at least partly spherical outer member defining an interior space, the outer member at least partially comprising an open frame, the open frame comprising a multiplicity of rigid, curved generally spaced apart members, the members fixedly engaging one another where they meet, the outer member having walls defining a lid opening;
- an at least partially spherical cover disposed relative to the cover opening of the outer, generally spherical member so as to move between a covered and uncovered position, the uncovered position allowing access to the interior space, the cover adapted to, in the covered position, generally conform to the outer member.
2. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 1, wherein the outer member is generally hemispherical and the cover is generally hemispherical.
3. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 2, wherein the cover is pivotally engaged to the outer member.
4. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 1, wherein the outer member is a hemisphere and the cover has a hemispherical outer surface; and wherein the cover is pivotally engaged to the outer member.
5. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 4, wherein the cover has a radius of curvature slightly less than the radius of curvature of the outer member and in the covered position, the yard waste incinerator device defines a substantially spherical incinerator device.
6. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 5, further including means to selectively fix the position of cover with respect to the outer member.
7. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 1, further including means to selectively fix the position of cover with respect to the outer member.
8. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 6, wherein the means to selectively fix the position of the cover with respect to the outer member include a pin for engaging the frame and the cover.
9. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 7, wherein the means to selectively fix the position of the cover with respect to the outer member include a pin for engaging the frame and the cover.
10. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 1, wherein the cover is partially spherical and has a radius of curvature substantially the same as the outer member.
11. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 10, wherein the cover is substantially solid.
12. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 10, wherein the cover includes a removable cover.
13. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 1, wherein the multiplicity of curved members of the frame include longitudinal members and latitudinal members.
14. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 1, further including a pan configured for receipt beneath the spherical outer member.
15. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 1, further including stands, adapted to engage the spherical outer member to maintain the spherical outer member above a support surface.
16. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 1, further including a spit, the spit for engagement with the spherical outer member.
17. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 1, further including a pan configured for receipt beneath the spherical outer member; further including stands, adapted to engage the spherical outer member to maintain the spherical outer member above a support surface; and further including a spit, the spit for engagement with the spherical outer member.
18. The yard waste incinerator device of claim 3, further including a pan configured for receipt beneath the spherical outer member; and further including stands, adapted to engage the spherical outer member to maintain the spherical outer member above a support surface.
19. A method of incinerating yard waste, the method comprising:
- providing a yard waste incinerator device comprising:
- an at least partly spherical outer member defining an interior space, the outer member at least partially comprising an open frame, the open frame comprising a multiplicity of rigid, curved spaced apart members, the members engaging one another, the generally spherical outer member also including a multiplicity of wire members for engaging the frame, the outer member having walls defining a cover opening;
- an at least partially spherical cover disposed relative to the cover opening of the outer, generally spherical member so as to move between a covered and uncovered position, the uncovered position allowing access to the interior space, the cover adapted to, in the covered position, generally conform to the outer member.
- accumulating yard waste;
- placing yard waste into the incinerator device;
- rolling the incinerator device to a desired location; and
- burning the contents of the incinerator device.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 27, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 5, 2012
Inventor: Jeffrey S. Smith (Stratford, MO)
Application Number: 13/246,289
International Classification: F23G 5/42 (20060101); F23G 7/10 (20060101);