Abstract: A portable heater comprises a housing, a heating element, and a fuel supply. The fuel supply is preferably a liquid gas type wherein a valve assembly meters the gas to the heating element. A regulator is used to regulate flow of gas from the fuel source, and a connector assembly rotatably interconnects the regulator to the valve assembly. This rotatable connection allows the fuel source, typically in the form of a gas bottle, to be rotated away from the housing for easier removal and replacement of the gas bottle. Rotation of the regulator can be supported by use of a bracket which is attached to the regulator.

Abstract: An assembly for cooking on a campfire includes a vertical support that has an upper end and a pointed lower end. A grill support is attached to the vertical support and is selectively positionable between the upper and lower ends. The support is elongated and has a first end and a second end. A fastener selectively fastens the grill support in a fixed vertical position to the vertical support. A grill is attached to and bounded by an upwardly extending peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface is attached to the second end of the grill support. A plate has a peripheral edge and a hinge hingedly couples the peripheral edge to the inner surface of peripheral wall. The plate is selectively positionable between a horizontal position extending over the grill and a vertical orientation extending upwardly away from the grill.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reaction vessel constructed of a flexible material including at least two reactant chambers containing two isolated reactants. The reactant chambers and reactants are separated by a frangible seal which opens under pressure, allowing the reactants to mix and react. The reaction produces a desired reactive effect on the environment surrounding the reaction vessel and any articles in that environment. A package in combination with a reaction vessel can be used to cause a reactive effect on an article within the package. The reactive effect can include a temperature change of the article or foaming a material to coat the article.

Abstract: A solar radiation concentrator rotated about a straight line vertical to the reflector arrangement surfaces so that the incident solar radiation can be led onto the reflector arrangement surface along the specified direction and a method of concentrating solar radiation; the concentrator, comprising a plurality of reflectors (10) disposed on reflector arrangement surfaces, a plurality of reflector vertical bars (20) connected to the plurality of reflectors, rotating center holding members (30) for holding the center points of the rotating motions of the plurality of reflector vertical bars, motion members (40) for collectively rotating the plurality of reflector vertical bars, and guide members (50) for guiding the motions of the plurality of reflector vertical bars so that the plurality of reflector vertical bars can be rotated along specified reflector vertical bar routes, wherein the motion members perform motions along the specified motion member routes according to a variation in the incident angle of th

Abstract: A candle flame extinguisher assembly for extinguishing a flame of a candle positioned in a candleholder including a platform, wherein the platform includes a first magnet having at least a first polarity; a second magnet, the second magnet being coupleable to the wickbase and having a first polarity that is repelled by the first polarity of the first magnet; wherein the second magnet is positionable in the candleholder and intermediate the candle and a base of the candleholder, the second magnet being initially oriented such that its first polarity is in alignment with the first polarity of the first magnet; wherein upon a sufficient melting of the candle a puddling of melted wax is formed and the repelling force between the respective first polarities of the first and second magnet causes the second magnet to be urged away from the first magnet; and whereby the wick is tipped in a direction towards the melted wax and extinguished therein due in part to the wickbase being coupled to the second magnet.

Abstract: A candle structure comprises a fan, wherein the heated air generated by a candle may propel the fan. The candle is housed in a container having a bottom wall and a side wall. The side wall is formed with vents located above the candle so that adequate air needed to permit the candle to combust can be drawn through the vent, thereby to enhance propulsion of the fan. The fan serves to impart a new functional and aesthetically pleasing characteristic to the basic candle structure by distributing the heat and the scent generated by the candle, while concurrently rotating decorative elements.

Abstract: A method for a security control of a burner, provided with a body comprising a diffuser in which apertures for the flow of a mixture of air and fuel are made, comprises detecting a temperature representative of the temperature of said diffuser in at least one zone of the diffuser, generating a signal having an intensity depending on said representative temperature.

Abstract: An ultra low NOx burner for process heating is provided which includes a fluid based flame stabilizer which provides a fuel-lean flame at an equivalence ratio in the range of phi=0.05 to phi=0.3 and fuel staging lances surrounding the flame stabilizer in circular, flat, or load shaping profiles, each lance comprising a pipe having a staging nozzle at a firing end thereof, each lance having at least one hole for staging fuel injection, and each hole having a radial divergence angle and an axial divergence angle. The at least one hole and the divergence angles provide circular, flat or load shaping flame pattern. The burner provides NOx emissions of less than 9 ppmv at near stoichiometry combustion conditions.

Abstract: A child-resistant lighter is disclosed which includes an actuator and a latch member coupled thereto. The latch member includes a finger actuation portion and a body portion integrally formed therewith. The body portion has a free end. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention when in an inoperative position, the free end of the latch member is aligned with a blocking surface of the lighter body, thus, preventing inadvertent lighting of the lighter. When in an operative position, the free end of the latch member is pivoted out of alignment with the blocking surface so that the lighter can function. During pivoting, as the finger actuation portion moves in a first direction, the free end moves in an opposite, second direction. The first direction is substantially forward and the second direction is substantially rearward. In another embodiment, the latch member can be slidable coupled to the actuator.

Abstract: A range hood housing is constructed to include a top cover shell, a bottom cover plate fastened to said top cover shell, and an oil cup. The bottom cover plate is provided at a bottom side thereof with a downwardly protruded bottom protrusion such that a top recess opposite the bottom protrusion is correspondingly formed at a top side of the bottom cover plate. The top recess has a bottom portion, a sloping portion surrounding the bottom portion, a plurality of smoke inlets on the sloping portion, and at least one drip hole on the bottom portion. The oil cup is detachably mounted on the bottom side of the bottom cover plate corresponding in location to the drip hole.

Abstract: A cooking area cover panel to be applied separately for a cooking area is made of a hard material and comprises a plurality of individual partial covering panels having an underside and a top side and spacer feet provided with connecting means for selectively mounting on the cooking area cover panel. The spacer feet are mountable to the underside of the cooking area cover panel in a ready-to-use condition, wherein the spacer feet are separate from the cooking area cover panel in a disassembled condition of the cooking area cover panel.

Abstract: A cooking assembly for preparing food products having multiple cooking modalities is disclosed. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the cooking assembly can comprise a main body portion defining a cooking area and an adjustable burner assembly configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the cooking area. The adjustable burner assembly being positionable between a first cooking modality and a second cooking modality. The first cooking modality can provide a source of indirect heating to at least a portion of the cooking area. Conversely, the second cooking modality can provide a source of direct heating to at least a portion of the cooking area.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for an outdoor cooking stove includes a hollow gas distribution ring, and an attached fuel conduit for sending fuel thereto. The gas ring has a hollow plenum formed therein. In a specific embodiment, the gas ring includes a base portion and an annular cap which is attachable to the base portion, and the annular cap has a plurality of primary apertures formed therethrough, as well as a plurality of secondary apertures which are smaller than the primary apertures. The secondary apertures are located at a level below the primary apertures. The fuel conduit has a hollow passage formed therethrough, which is in fluid communication with the plenum of the gas distribution ring. An outdoor cooking stove including the burner apparatus is also described, along with a kit for constructing same.

Abstract: A balanced building ventilation system that employs a fireplace as an element of the ventilation system. The fireplace includes a firebox, and an exhaust gas flue is connected to the firebox for exhausting gas from the firebox to the outdoor ambient. A ventilation channel conveys outdoor ambient air into the building interior. A motor-driven draft inducer is connected to the exhaust gas flue for forcing exhaust gas flow out to the outdoor ambient. A motor-driven blower is provided for forcing ventilation airflow through the channel to replace building interior air lost to exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: As with most burners and combustors, they utilize fuel and air mixtures. One of the important aspects of burning an air-fuel mixture is that of mixing. Ideally, the fuel should be uniformly distributed throughout the air when ignited. This results in the most complete burn, maximizing beat generation while minimizing unburned and incomplete-combustion products. This disclosure describes an apparatus for enhancing mixing of fuel and air. Combustion air is given a prerotation by passing it through a set of fins before the fuel is injected into the air. Then the mixture is passed through another set of fins, rotating the mixture in a direction opposite that which the air experienced, first.

Abstract: A remote micro-controlled oil lamp having a base with a crystal housing for a electrically activated wick is described. Mounted within the base is a coupled photodetector and audio circuit which respectively receives and transmits signals for lighting the wick and sounding a prerecorded message to signify an on and off condition. The wick is provided in the form of a pair of electrodes which are electrically activated via the photodetector by a remote laser source and/or a manual switch mounted within the base. When the lamp is either remotely or manually activated the electrodes generate a spark across a combustible fluid filled cylindrically shape gap as a catalyst to produce a candle light or flame. A micro-pump circuit is mounted within the base of the reservoir to ensure an adequate supply of fuel for an extended source of candle light.

Abstract: A safety device for shutting off the flow of gas to a gas-fired appliance in the presence of flammable vapors. The resistance of a variable resistance flammable vapor sensor is monitored by a microprocessor that controls the operation of a gas flow valve. When the measured resistance indicates the presence of a preselected concentration of flammable vapors, the gas flow valve is shut of and the ignition system cannot be energized.

Abstract: A lid positioning device for a grill having a hinged lid comprises an upper mount for attachment to a sidewall of the grill lid, a lower mount for attachment to a corresponding sidewall of the firebox, and an elongated support member adjustably connected to the upper and lower mounts for movement in a plane substantially parallel to the sidewalls. The support member rotates about a fixed pivot connection to one of the mounts, and its active length is adjustable by engaging a selected one of a plurality of spaced detent slots of the support member with a protrusion on the other mount. Alternatively, a single longitudinal slot is provide in the support member through which the protrusion passes, and a screw clamp mating with the protrusion acts to clamp the support member in a selected adjustment position.

Abstract: A barbecue grill accessory for sustaining charcoal burning in a charcoal barbecue grill has a loop form divider wall with a top and opposite bottom edge. The loop is received into a heat chamber of a charcoal barbecue grill resting on its bottom edge and divides the interior volume of the heat chamber into an inner volume and an outer volume that surrounds the inner volume. The outer volume receives the charcoal, and the divider wall supports the charcoal as it is piled up in the outer volume. The loop also allows the charcoal to be arranged in a path around the loop with a start point and an end point. The charcoal may then be ignited in the outer volume so that the charcoal burns over time through the outer volume along the path from the start point to the end point along the outer periphery of the divider loop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved barbecue kettle leg support featuring a body that is contoured to fit the curved shape of a barbecue kettle bowl and to receive an end of a leg with a locking formation. Fastener bores are configured for mounting the leg support to the bowl. Preferably, the leg support is mounted midway between the top and bottom of the bowl for increased stability. A keyed bore enables assembly of the leg with the locking formation. The locking formation utilizes a pin which is attached to a bias spring to prevent unwanted detachment of the leg from the leg support. The locking formation is configured to allow assembly and disassembly to be performed without the use of tools.