Collapsible Teepee Fire Tripod Support

Abstract

Disclosed is a wood fire support device comprising a plurality of hingeable members forming a tripod such that firewood can be supported in a teepee configuration. The device comprises at least three elongate members connecting to a common disk, the disk having apertures to accept the members therethrough. The disk separates the members into an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion supporting leaning firewood placed thereagainst and the lower portion positioned on a ground surface to support the assembly. Along the members and just above and below the disk connection is a larger diameter stop that prevents dislodgment of the members from the disk. The members are loosely positioned within the disk apertures to allow the members to hinge therefrom, permitting the tripod to be setup in a number of different base widths and further allowing the members to collapse against one another in a stowed state.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/536,314 filed on Sep. 19, 2011, entitled “Teepee Fire.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wood fires and camp fires. More specifically, the present invention relates to a support for firewood that allows the wood to be positioned in a teepee configuration to facilitate ready ignition and stable burning as the wood is consumed.

Outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and enjoying outdoor fire pits are enjoyable recreational activities. When setting up camp or preparing a fire pit, a plurality of logs is generally gathered within an area and ignited using an ignition source. Establishing and initiating a fire of this type requires three primary aspects: the combustible material, oxygen and an ignition source. When igniting slow burning materials such as wooden logs, a starter fire using kindling or similar starter material is required to heat and ignite the wooden logs. Direct application of an ignition source, such as a match or lighter, is generally insufficient to ignite larger logs that burn more slowly than smaller tinder, branches and kindling. In building a campfire, it is understood that these principles need to be appreciated to initiate the fire and ignite the wood for a larger, long-burning fire.

Common campfire structures include log cabin campfires, teepee style campfires and top down campfires. These structures provide a stacking of firewood in such a way that kindling material is incorporated into the structure while adequate airflow therethrough is observed. Log cabin campfires utilize a series of logs that establish a square perimeter around an open central region. Opposing logs in parallel are stacked, and then orthogonal logs are stack thereover in an upward, stacking direction. This configuration can become very tall and rather unstable, particularly as the fire burns the wood and the wood loses its structural integrity. This can lead to tipping of the cabin and danger to nearby individuals. This is similarly true to top down campfires, which are tapered in the upward direction. Teepee campfires, by contrast, provide a stable, three-legged configuration with a large open interior section to allow for starting material and air flow. This final configuration is both quickly igniting and a stable configuration as the logs burn. The only issue related to this type of campfire is its setup, which requires logs to be leaned against one another in a triangular fashion. Establishing a balanced teepee fire can therefore be difficult for some individuals

The present invention provides a tripod support device for setting up and maintaining the shape of teepee wood fires. The device comprises a plurality of elongated rod members hingeably attached to a central disk that accepts each member therethrough. Below the disk are the rod member lower portions, which extend towards the ground surface, while above the disk the rod members continue and extend laterally outward, providing upper supports for wooden logs leaned thereagainst. The rods are free to rotate about their connection through the central disk, allowing the tripod to expand outward, contract inward or condense together into a stowed state for improved transport and storage.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to fireplace and wood fire support devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications, and generally relate to static structures and supports for fireplace and wood fire configurations that do not lend themselves well to travel use or for creating a stable teepee firewood arrangement. The forgoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,295 to Gerrard is one such device that discloses a fireplace rack for use with paper-wrapped, compressed fire logs in conjunction with artificial logs in a residential fireplace. An upper frame supports the artificial logs while a lower frame supports the paper-wrapped fire logs, providing an upper portion for viewing of the artificial logs and an underlying portion for burning combustible logs for the creation of fire in the fireplace. Laterally disposed members support the wood and synthetic firewood in a horizontal and stacked configuration, where each log is placed on top of another in a stacked formation. This formation, and the structure of the Gerrard device, does not lend itself well for use in outdoor, naturally igniting fires that require larger logs to be ignited without a starter log. The present invention provides a support for a teepee firewood construction, which provides an interior region for kindling and a stable configuration for the wood as it burns. While both are log supports, the structure and intent of the present invention differ from that of the Gerrard device.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,868,849 to Endres is another such device that discloses an apparatus for use in cooking over an open fire. The device apparatus comprises a tripod having a suspended grill thereunder that is adapted to be held over an open flame. The height of the grill over the fire is adjustable within the tripod interior to account for the fire temperature and intensity with respect to burning or undercooking the food on the grill surface. The tripod comprises three leaning members that form a union at their upper ends, while the grill is adjustably supported using suspension elements attached to each tripod member. The Endres device, while disclosing a tripod related to open fires, is adapted for supporting food rather than supporting the elements making the underlying fire. Tripod firewood arrangements are very efficient for lighting and stable burning, the present invention provides a support to situation and support such an arrangement while preparing a fireplace.

Further, U.S. Pat. No. 366,833 to Hipwell discloses a device very similar to the Endres device, wherein a tripod having three supporting rods is engaged into a common disk at their upper end. The disk includes a plurality of slots to accept each rod and allow the rods to be situated in a traditional tripod configuration, extending outward and downward therefrom to the ground surface. The disk may include a lower attachment for supporting a cooking surface within the interior of the tripod. Similar to the Endres device, the Hipwell device discloses a cooking tool. The present invention provides a lower tripod region and an upper, outwardly extending region. The lower region includes several members extending from the ground surface and into a common upper junction, whereafter the members extend laterally outward for support of firewood thereagainst in a teepee configuration. The interior of the support creates room within the teepee firewood structure for kindling and fire-starting material.

U.S. Published Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0000476 to Kleve discloses a log supporting and guiding apparatus that is adapted to support fire logs in an open configuration to allow sufficient air flow and ignition. The device comprises a base, a plurality of upper bars and connecting members therebetween. The base includes outward projections and log retaining elements, while the upper bars for C-sections for supporting logs in an upright configuration. The device of Kleve is adapted to be placed within an indoor fireplace for supporting fire logs. Its structure is one of welded or unitary design and significant size. The present invention is adapted for travel use and for use outdoors, and specifically for use in creating a teepee configuration for rapid and stable firewood combustion.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,713 to Kleve discloses a log supporting apparatus that provides a teepee configuration for the logs. Three angular leg members span between an upper bracket and a lower bracket. The lower bracket is a continuous structure adapted to rest just above the ground surface, while the upper member joints the interior portions of each leg member. Pins connect the upper and lower bracket to the angular members, which are spaced evenly about the center of the device. Logs are rested on the lower bracket and leaned inward against the upper bracket to form a teepee configuration. While this Kleve device represents a structure for creating a teepee log fire, the elements diverge substantially from those of the present invention. The present invention allows the tripod members to be connected only at an upper portion, allowing their placement on the ground surface to dictate the base width of the teepee. Further, the present invention provides for a stowable structure and one that is readily deployable while outdoors, camping and hiking, which is prohibitive with the Kleve structure.

The present invention provides a collapsible and readily transportable firewood support that allows wood to be leaned thereagainst once deployed, establishing a stable teepee wood fire structure. The device comprises a plurality of elongated members having an upper and lower portion and connecting through a supported by a common disk member that allows the members to be positioned in a teepee configuration of varying width. It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing firewood and campfire support devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of firewood supports now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new transportable teepee wood fire support that can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when building a stable teepee wood fire with minimal setup time.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved firewood support device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a firewood support device that provides a stable structure upon which to lead firewood in a teepee style configuration, wherein the logs are angled inward toward a common apex and a space is presented thereunder for placement of fire-starting and kindling material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a firewood support that is collapsible and readily transportable, providing a means to support a fire in a teepee configuration when camping or traveling to a campground or fire pit location.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a firewood support that is of simple construction, and one that allows ready adjustment of the teepee configuration by manipulation of the structure members with respect to the ground surface.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention and a close up view of the central disk.

FIG. 2 shows the present invention in a collapsed and stowed state.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the present invention in a working state, supporting firewood in a teepee configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the teepee firewood support device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for supporting firewood in a teepee configuration and providing a collapsible, readily transportable device for use while camping or outdoors. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention in a deployed state. The device comprises a tripod support 11 having at least three elongated member 12 connecting to a common and centralized disk 14 at the apex of the tripod. The disk 14 accepts the elongated members 12 through its section via a plurality of space apertures 16 thereon, whereby the members 12 are loosely positioned within the apertures 16 and free to rotate about their connection to the disk 14. The disk separates the members 12 into a lower portion below the disk and an upper portion 13. The distal end 15 of the lower portion extends to a ground surface and supports the assembly 11, while the upper portion 13 is an angled member or nonlinear upper portion that extends outward from the disk 14 at a knee in the member. The upper portion 13 is adapted to extend outward and provide a platform to rest firewood thereagainst when building a teepee wood fire structure. The lower portion of each member is positioned against the ground and defines an open interior portion under the disk 14, whereby firewood is tilted inward and supported by the members and the interior portion makes room for fire starting material and a means to provide sufficient air flow to the fire.

The members 12 are secured to the central disk via a bump-out or notch 17 along the members 12 above and below the disk, whereby the members 12 are prevented from being pulled through the disk apertures inadvertently. The width or diameter of the members 12 is sufficiently less than each aperture 16 diameter, allow the members to be loosely positioned therein and allow the members to be rotated inward and outward with relative freedom of movement. This allows the tripod base, the height of the tripod and the interior volume below the disk to be dictated by the spacing between the members 12 during setup of the structure 11.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a view of the tripod support device 11 of the present invention in a collapsed and stowed state. In this state, the members 12 are aligned with one another to collapse the tripod configuration and provide a structure that has improved transportability and stowability. The disk remains in connection with each member 12, while the members are collapsed together to fit into a bag, carry-all or simply stored in a more efficient configuration when not in use. The loose tolerance between the disk apertures and the width or diameter of the members 12 allows the members to freely hinge or rotated from their connection with the disk, while the notch supports 17 along each member retain the connectivity between the two elements even when collapsed.

The FIGS. 1 and 2 show the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which contemplates elongated, cylindrical members having an angled upper portion. Along with this embodiment, it is contemplated that the members may be manufactured and provided in a number of configurations, including different materials, dimensions and cross sections. The primary requirement is the ability to withstand the intense heat associated with a campfire or fireplace, while secondary considerations are the overall weight of the assembly and its manufacturing considerations. A further embodiment of the present invention is contemplated where the knee between the lateral upper portion and the linear portion of the members is adjustable using a hinge joint. The use of a hinge joint adds complexity, but allows the assembly to collapse into a completely linear configuration, facilitating storage.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown view of the present invention in a working state, supporting firewood in a teepee configuration. The teepee configuration is such that firewood is placed on the ground and angled inward against the tripod 11, providing a stable configuration and facilitates air flow therethrough into an interior space for starting material under the larger firewood. The tripod is quickly setup, whereafter logs can be gathered and placed against the members 12 and kindling or starter material can be placed under the tripod. The tripod is adapted to stay positioned within the fire as the wood burns, preventing ready collapse of the firewood as it loses its structure in the fire. After the fire has been extinguished, the tripod cools and can be stowed or reused as desired.

A teepee fire is the ideal type of fire to build for quick starting a campfire, as it allows for quick lighting of kindling material, great airflow into the fire and intense heat development. However, these fires are difficult to construct and further difficult to support as the wood deteriorates in the fire. The wood has a tendency to fall into the fire as it loses structure, creating a risk of burns, excessive smoke output and airborne burning embers. It is also difficult to reposition the wood and replenish the supply on the fire when needed. The present invention is designed to assist creating a teepee firewood structure and supporting it while it burns. The device provides a compact and readily deployable assembly that can be placed in the center of a fire ring or wood burning fireplace. The device provides a support with a tripod design for keeping the wood in an ideal and stable position. The design is collapsible for transport outdoors or for efficient storage. Ideal materials include high temperature resistant iron and other metallic materials.

It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A teepee firewood support device, comprising:

at least three elongated members connecting to a common disk;

said disk having apertures to accept each member therethrough;

said members being pivotable about said disk apertures;

said members having an upper portion above said disk and a lower portion below said disk, said upper portion angling outward.

2) The device of claim 1, wherein said member lower portions are adapted to be placed onto a ground surface in a tripod configuration, provide an open volume under said disk.

3) The device of claim 1, wherein:

said member lower portions are adapted to be placed onto a ground surface in a tripod configuration, provide an open volume under said disk;

said member upper portion extending outward from said disk;

fire log material adapted to be rested against said member lower portions and supported by said member upper portion in a teepee configuration.

4) The device of claim 1, wherein said members further comprising a first and second notch above and below said disk to prevent said members from pulling through said disk apertures.

5) The device of claim 1, wherein said member width or diameter is less than said aperture diameter, allowing a loose connection therebetween that allows pivoting of said members with respect to said disk apertures.

6) The device of claim 1, wherein member upper portions further comprise a hinge joint that permits selective angling outward.