Fire Pit Guard

Abstract

One embodiment of a safety barrier for a fire pit may include a fence. The safety barrier may also include a plurality of support structures adapted to support the fence around the fire pit in an upright position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/236,929 filed on Aug. 26, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to safety arrangements, and, more specifically to a safety barrier for a fire pit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of fire pits for the purposes of heating and cooking is well known in the art. For example, the fire pits may be used outdoor for friends and loved ones to gather around during a campfire, a reunion or a barbeque.

However, the use of fire pits may pose danger if not utilized in a proper manner because the flames from a fire pit may be dangerous to a person in the vicinity of the fire pit. For example, when wind is blowing at high speed the fire pit may easily throw flames and burn unsuspecting bystanders in the vicinity of the fire pit. Specially, children and pets may be prone to encounter such incidence, and may suffer severe and painful burns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a safety barrier for a fire pit may include a fence. The safety barrier may also include a plurality of support structures adapted to support the fence around the fire pit in an upright position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a safety barrier, and

FIGS. 2 and 3 are environments in which the safety barrier of FIG. 1 may be utilized for surrounding a fire pit.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular safety barrier for a fire pit, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The present disclosure provides a safety barrier for a fire pit. The safety barrier avoids unintentional contact between the fire pit and people or pets. Specifically, the safety barrier may be used for shielding an area around the fire pit thereby avoiding the unintentional contact of the people or the pets with the fire pit.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a safety barrier 10 may include a fence 100. The fence 100 may be adapted to surround a fire pit. The fence 100 may be made of a plurality of wires 110. Specifically, the plurality of wires 110 may be joined together at a plurality of interlocked ends 112, thereby forming a meshwork type structure. Further, the fence 100 may be constructed to be flexible, thereby enabling the portability of the fence 100. Moreover, it is to be understood that the fence 100 may have sufficient length to surround the fire pit.

The fence 100 may be made of a material having sufficient structural integrity such that the fence 100 may be capable of being erected to surround the fire pit and act as a barrier between the fire pit and people or pets. For example, the fence 100 may be made of a metal or an alloy, which may include but is not limited to steel or aluminum. In the present embodiment, the fence 100 may be a chain-link fence of 11 gauge or otherwise made as known in the fencing art. Further, the fence 100 may be coated with a high temperature paint to resist heat thrown by the fire pit.

The safety barrier 10 may also include a plurality of support structures 202, 204 and 206 adapted to support the fence 100 around the fire pit in an upright position. For example, the support structures 202 and 206, carried by end portions of the fence 100, and the support structure 204, carried by an intermediate portion of the fence 100, may be adapted to support the fence 100 around the fire pit. As shown, in the present embodiment the safety barrier 10 includes nine support structures. However, it is to be understood that the number of the support structures of the safety barrier 10 should not be considered as limitation to the present disclosure. Further, the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 may be made of a material having sufficient structural integrity such that the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 may be capable of supporting the fence 100 around the fire pit. In the present embodiment, the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 may be steel stakes. Further, the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 may be coated with a high temperature paint to resist heat thrown by the fire pit.

In the present embodiment, each support structure of the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 may include an elongated member. For example, the support structure 204 may include an elongated member 210 having a straight elongated configuration. The elongated member 210 may be adapted to be engaged with the fence 100. Specifically, the elongated member 210 may be received between the interlocked ends 112 of the plurality of wires 110 of the fence 100. As shown, the elongated member 210 may be inserted through the fence 100 such that the interlocked ends 112 may surround the elongated member 210, thereby allowing the engagement between the support structure 204 and the fence 100. Additionally, the elongated member 210 may be tied to the fence 100 with a rope or welded with the fence 100 for further strengthening the engagement between the elongated member 210 and the fence 100. Similarly, other support structures, such as the support structure 202, 206, may be engaged with the fence 100.

The each support structure of the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 may further include a head member. For example, the support structure 204 may include a head member 220 integral with a top portion 212 of the elongated member 210, as shown in an encircled enlarged view. In the present embodiment, the head member 220 may be welded with a top portion 212 of the elongated member 210. The head member 220 along with top portion 212 of the elongated member 210 may configure a T-shaped head of the support structure 204. In the present embodiment, the head member 220 may be allowed to pass through an interlocked end, such as an interlocked end 114, for allowing the engagement between the head member 220 and the fence 100. Similarly, other support structures, such as the support structure 202, 206, may be engaged with the fence 100.

The each support structure of the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 may also include a base member. For example, the support structure 204 may include a base member 230 integral with the elongated member 210 in proximity to a bottom portion 214 of the elongated member 210, as shown in an encircled enlarged view. In the present embodiment, the base member 230 may be welded in proximity to the bottom portion 214 of the elongated member 210. Further, it is to be understood that the base member 230 may be welded in proximity to the bottom portion 214 after inserting the elongated member 210 through the fence 100.

As shown, in the present embodiment, the base member 230 may have an L-shaped structure. Therefore, the base member 230 along with the bottom portion 214 of the elongated member 210 may configure an inverted U-shaped base of the support structure 204. The base member 230 and the bottom portion 214 of the elongated member 210 may include a pointed tip 232 and a pointed tip 216, respectively. The pointed tips 232, 216 may facilitate in removably inserting the support structure 204 into a ground surface for supporting the fence 100 in the upright position on the ground surface. Similarly, other support structures, such as the support structure 202, 206, may be capable of being inserted into the ground surface for supporting the fence 100 in the upright position.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in use, the safety barrier 10 may be used for surrounding a fire pit 1000. Specifically, in use, initially the fence 100 may be allowed to surround the fire pit 1000. As shown, the end portions of the fence 100 may be allowed to overlap for completely surrounding the fire pit 1000. Thereafter, the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 may be inserted into a ground surface 1002 for supporting the fence 100 in the upright position on the ground surface 1002. For example, a user may hold the head member 220 of the support structure 204. Thereafter the user may press the base member 230 (shown in FIG. 1) using a foot for allowing the tip portions 232, 216 (shown in FIG. 1) to be inserted into the ground surface 1002 for allowing the support structure 204 to support the fence 100 on the ground surface 1002. Similarly, other support structures, such as the support structure 202, 206, may be capable of supporting the fence 100 on the ground surface 1002 in the upright position.

Further, as shown, the safety barrier 10 may be allowed to surround the fire pit 1000 from a distance. This is to ensure the safety of the people or the pets, from the heat of the fire pit 1000, standing in the vicinity of the safety barrier 10. Therefore, the safety barrier 10 of the present disclosure forms a shield around the fire pit 1000 for avoiding unintentional contact between the fire pit 100 and the people or the pets. Moreover, as explained herein, the fence 100 and the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 of the safety barrier 10 may be coated with the high temperature paint so as to withstand heat of the fire pit 1000. Therefore, the safety barrier 10 may avoid heating of the fence 100 and the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 which may cause bum injuries.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in use, the safety barrier 10 may be capable of being partially opened for allowing the user to access the fire pit 1000. For example, the user may add woods into the fire pit 1000 by opening the safety barrier. Further, in case when there is a need to immediately extinguish the fire of the fire pit 1000 the user may access the fire pit 1000 by opening the safety barrier 10. For example, the user may hold a head member, such as the head member 220, of the support structure 202 for pulling out the support structure 202 from the ground surface 1002. Thereafter, the user may insert the support structure 202 into a new location on the ground surface 1002. Further, the support structure 206 may be similarly inserted into a new location on the ground surface 1002 for configuring a passage 1004, which may facilitate the user to access the fire pit 1000. Moreover, after the use of the safety barrier 10, the user may easily remove the plurality of support structures 202, 204, 206 off the ground surface 1002 for allowing the safety barrier 10 to be folded and stored conveniently.

Based on the forgoing description, a safety barrier, such as the safety barrier 100, may be used in conjunction with a fire pit during a campfire, a reunion or a barbeque. The safety barrier of the present disclosure may provide a simple and effective tool for avoiding unintentional contact with the fire pit. Specifically, the safety barrier may be adapted to be configured at a distance from the fire pit for acting as a shield around the fire pit, thereby protecting children and pets from incurring burns from the fire pit. Further, the safety barrier of the present disclosure may be made of different sizes to accommodate various types, sizes and brands of fire pits.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A safety barrier for a fire pit, the safety barrier comprising:

a fence; and

a plurality of support structures adapted to support the fence around the fire pit in an upright position.

2. The safety barrier of claim 1, wherein each support structure of the plurality of support structures comprises

an elongated member adapted to be engaged with the fence,

a head member integral with a top portion of the elongated member, and

a base member integral with the elongated member in proximity to a bottom portion of the elongated member,

wherein the head member assists in removably inserting the base member and the bottom portion of the elongated member into a ground surface for allowing the elongated member to support the fence in the upright position.

3. The safety barrier of claim 1, wherein the fence is a chain-link fence.

4. The safety barrier of claim 1, wherein the fence and the plurality of support structure are coated with a high temperature paint.