MYFIRESIDE

Abstract

A fire pit is disclosed that has openings in its side walls which are covered by replaceable panels that contain decorative designs and phrases and which are made visible when there is a fire or other source of radiant energy in the pit. The designs and phrases provide a view of the radiation which may be provided by combustion taking place in the pit. A metal screen mesh can be fastened to the openings to prevent the escape of embers when the radiation source is combustion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overhauls the fireside experience by allowing the user to change the visual experience for any special occasion, for any holiday, or as they please. Currently, there are many fire enclosures that have shapes, designs, drawings, logos, etc. cut out of them allowing the fire to be seen through; however, they cannot be changed as they are a permanent part of the enclosure. The present invention allows the user to change the visual experience using the same enclosure as removeable/replaceable panels are provided with unique and desirable openings through which the fire can be viewed.

The invention can be applied to any fire enclosure (i.e. mobile fire pit, permanent fire pit, fire ring, fireplace, fireplace screen, etc.); however, to explain we focus on the mobile fire pit. The term “fire pit” will be used when referring to all such structures. During moderate weather conditions, the structure may be illuminated by sources other than fire and can still serve as an outdoor place for a group gathering.

In a preferred embodiment, the fire pit circumference consists of at least one window and interior mesh screen (for safety purposes) allowing the fire to be seen through it. In addition, there are anchors allowing solid panels with cutouts to be secured around the circumference of the fire pit changing the visual experience of the fire through these side panels. The user can remove the panels and replace with different ones, those having different viewing portals. Additionally, this invention can be applied to the enclosure's top or lid.

The fire pit can be any shape from the popular cylindrical or round shape to any geometric shape such as triangular, square, or any other multi-faceted geometric configuration. Variations on the curved shape are also possible, such as oval shaped. Even fire pits that are not constructed of metal can be provided with a “window” which can accept panels with desired openings.

Fire pit suppliers can include, incorporate, or add our invention into their products. First, the fire pit needs to have a window in a side wall, a top or lid window, or one will need to be built into the design. Of course, there can be multiple windows. The window size and distance around the pit can vary. It is recommended that attaching an inner mesh screen is desirable for safety purposes; however, this is not necessary to achieve the desired visual effect.

Second, a method for temporarily attaching or anchoring a panel over the window must be selected. Some examples include installing or incorporating a keyhole post, latch, screw/nut, wing nut, track, channel, hook, clip, slot, connecting bracket, etc. into various points around the fire pit. In fact, the panel can even secure over the top edge of the fire pit. The quantity and location of the attaching points will be dependent on the enclosure.

Third, panels with viewing portals need to be attached over the windows. The viewing portals can be jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, trees for Christmas, fireworks for Jul. 4^th, turkeys for Thanksgiving, rabbits for Easter, birthday balloons, different names of people for various events, etc. The list is endless from seasonal celebrations to life celebrations to cool art, etc.

The novel features which are characteristic of the invention, both as to structure and method of operation thereof, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be understood from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and they are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fire pit according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fire pit of FIG. 1.

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown, in perspective view, a first embodiment of a fire pit 10 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the fire pit 10 is cylindrical and rests on supporting legs 12. A top cover 14 is provided to help prevent the escape of embers from a fire. The fire pit 10 has side walls 16 with window openings (best seen in FIG. 2) onto which are fitted decorative panels 18 which include decorative designs 20 which are openings in the panel 18 through which a fire can be viewed.

As shown, some designs 20 are representational such as the flag pattern 22 and others may be slogans or other alphanumeric designs, as the catch phrases 24. The panels are attached to the window openings by various means, here a keyhole slot 26 in the panel 18 which fits over the head of a bolt 28

Turning next to FIG. 2, there is shown, in exploded perspective, the fire pit 10 of FIG. 1. With the panels 18 removed, the windows 30 in the side walls 16 can easily be seen. For safety reasons, it has been deemed as desirable to have a metal mesh screen 32 in each window 30. The keyhole opening 26 and bolt heads 28 are also more clearly shown. A bottom plate 34 is provided to hold whatever combustibles will be used and to retain any ash or other residue when combustion is complete.

Others skilled in the art may devise other shapes of the fire pit and other decorative designs and patterns which can be illuminated by a fire in the pit or, in moderate weather, some illumination source other than fire. Accordingly, the scope of the invention need only be limited by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. In a container for combustibles having vertical walls;

At least one opening in said walls for viewing the combustibles and

At least one decorative panel including design patterns which are visible when combustion is occurring, said panel being adapted to be mounted over said opening.

2. The container of claim 1 further including a mesh panel adapted to be mounted adjacent said opening.

3. The container of claim 1 having at least two sidewall openings and at least two decorative panels, each adapted to be mounted over an opening.

4. The container of claim 1 having at least three sidewall openings and at least three decorative panels, each adapted to be mounted over an opening.

5. A container for combustibles comprising:

a. A base member,

b. a cylindrical side wall having at least one window opening in said side wall through which radiant energy can be viewed;

c. a metallic screen mesh adjacent said window opening to reduce the hazard of escaping embers during combustion; and

d. at least one decorative panel adapted to cover each said window opening, said decorative panel including graphic designs and alpha numeric phrases cut through said panel so that a radiation source in the container can be viewed through said designs and phrases.

6. The container of claim 5 having at least two window openings and two decorative panels.

7. The container of claim 5 having at least three window openings and three decorative panels.