Multi-Pane Portable Glass Surround for Propane Fire Pit

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/563,046, filed on Mar. 8, 2024, and incorporates such provisional application by reference into this disclosure as if fully set out at this point.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to heat shielding in general and, more particularly, to a multi-pane glass surround for a fire pit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For performance, appearance, and other reasons, open flames from fire pits may be surrounded or shielded when the fire pit is in operation. When an opaque shield is utilized, the desired heat effects may be achieved, but at the expense of loss of desired appearance and lighting. Prior transparent or translucent shielding suffers from poor performance with respect to heat control.

What is needed is a system and method for addressing the above and related issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof, comprises a fire pit surround having an inner wall and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall. The inner wall and outer wall are spaced apart from one another and define a central opening within the inner wall for flame from a fire pit to pass into.

The inner and outer wall may be spaced apart to allow airflow therebetween. The inner and outer walls may be cylindrical and may be coaxial with respect to one another.

The inner wall and outer wall may comprise a plurality of inner and outer panes, respectively. In some cases, the plurality of inner panes are spaced apart from one another to define a plurality of inner gaps therebetween, and the outer panes are spaced apart from one another to define a plurality of outer gaps therebetween.

The plurality of inner panes and the plurality of outer panes may have a cross section defining a circle arc. At least one of the plurality of inner gaps can be circumferential aligned with at least one of the plurality of outer gaps. In some cases, each of the plurality of inner gaps is circumferentially aligned with one of the plurality of outer gaps.

The fire pit may include at least one bracket joining at least first and second inner panes of the plurality of inner panes and at least first and second outer panes of the plurality of outer panes. The bracket may define an inside vertical member having a first width separating the first and second inner pane, and an outside vertical member having a second width separating the first and second outer pane. The bracket may provide inner surfaces adjacent the inside vertical member for receiving the first and second inner pane and provides outer surfaces adjacent the outside vertical member for receiving the first and second outer panes.

The bracket may join the first inner pane and the second inner pane such that the first inner pane has a bottom edge that is below a bottom edge of the first outer pane. The bracket may provide a pair of support surfaces adjacent the outside vertical member that supports respective the first and second outer panes.

The invention of the present disclosure, in another aspect thereof, comprises a fire pit surround having a first upright inner cylindrical wall sized to circumscribe a burner of a fire pit, and a second upright outer cylindrical wall spaced apart from and surrounding the first upright inner wall. The first upright inner wall and the second upright inner wall comprise a plurality of inner and outer panes, respectively, the inner and outer panes being spaced apart to define inner and outer gaps, respectively, the inner and outer gaps being aligned circumferentially.

The fire pit may have at least one bracket joining to at least first and second inner panes of the plurality of inner panes and at least first and second outer panes of the plurality of outer panes, the bracket maintaining the first and second inner panes and the first and second outer panes in a spaced apart relationship. In some cases, the bracket defines inner and outer vertical members between the first and second inner panes and first and second outer panes, respectively. The bracket may join the first and second inner panes such that respective first and second bottom edges of the first and second inner panes have a different elevation from respective first and second bottom edges of the first and second outer panes.

In some cases, the bracket provides first and second support surfaces adjacent the outer vertical member for receiving the first and second bottom edges of the first and second outer panes, respectively. The bracket may define a first oval orifice receiving a first fastener passing through the first inner pane and the first outer pane, and may define a second oval orifice receiving second fastener passing through the second inner pane and the second outer pane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fire pit surround according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1 mounted on a propane burning fire pit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first inner pane of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first outer of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second inner pane of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second outer pane of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a bracket engaging panes of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a plan view of a bracket of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a bracket of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1 partially assembled.

FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1 showing fastener locations.

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the fire pit surround of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fire pit surround according to the present disclosure mounted on an operational gas fire pit.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fire pit surround according to the present disclosure mounted on an operational table top fire pit.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fire pit surround of the present disclosure mounted on an outdoor heater.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fire pit surround of the present disclosure mounted on an outdoor table top heater.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a single pane fire pit surround mounted on a table top fire pit for comparison testing.

FIG. 18 is a table of experimental data from the testing of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a summary table of experimental data from the testing of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a double pane fire pit surround according to the present disclosure mounted on a table top fire pit for comparison testing.

FIG. 21 is a table of experimental data from the testing of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a summary table of experimental data from the testing of FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a fire pit surround 10 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Referring also to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the fire pit surround 10 of FIG. 1 mounted on a propane burning fire pit 20 is shown. Various embodiments of the present disclosure, such as fire pit surround 10, provide a double walled barrier 12 around a heat source, such as a flame of a fire pit. The double walled barrier 12 may define an open top and bottom allowing the surround 10 to fit onto or sit on a portion of a fire pit or other flame producing device. The burner (or burners) or flames produced by such device will thus be surrounded and shielded by the surround 10 in general and the barrier 12 in particular. While embodiments of the present disclosure may be particularly suited to use with gas or propane burning devices, they may also be adapted for use with devices burning solid fuels.

The double walled barrier 12 may comprise an inner wall 40 surrounded and spaced apart from an outer wall 90. The inner wall 40 and the outer wall 90 may be coaxially spaced apart around a common center such that a distance between the inner wall 40 and outer wall 90 remains constant or substantially so around the circumference. The barrier 12 may be generally cylindrical, or circular in horizontal cross section. In other embodiments, the barrier 12 may ascend at an angle. In some embodiments, the inner wall 40 may have a different upright angle than the outer wall 90.

The inner wall 40 may comprise a plurality of inner panes 50, 70, 80. As shown the inner wall 40 comprises three inner panes 50, 70, 80, but more or fewer could be utilized. Each pane 50, 70, 80 may be curved and may form an arc of a circle (in horizontal cross section). The panes 50, 70, 80 may be joined together by brackets 150, discussed further below.

The outer wall 90 may comprise a plurality of outer panels 100, 120, 140. As shown, the outer wall 90 comprises three outer panes 100, 120, 140 but more or fewer could be utilized. Each pane 50, 70, 80 may be curved, and may form an arc of a circle (in horizontal cross section). The panes 50, 70, 80 may be joined together by brackets 150, discussed further below.

While the inner wall 40 is spaced apart from the outer wall 90, the inner panes 50, 70, 80 of the inner wall 40 may have spaces or gaps 14 therebetween. The outer panes 100, 120, 140 of the outer wall 90 may have spaces or gaps 16 therebetween as well. Such spaces or gaps 14, 16 may extend the height of the respective wall 40, 90. The spaces or gaps 14, 16 between the inner panes 50, 70, 80 and outer panels 100, 120, 140, respectively, may be aligned. In other embodiments such spaces or gaps 14, 16 are offset circumferentially.

In some embodiments, the inner wall 40 may have a height that differs from a height of the outer wall 90. In some cases, the inner wall 40 extends below the outer wall 90. This may enable the surround 10 to fit into a wall, lip, or receptacle 18 of fire pit 20 (or other flame or heat producing device). This may serve to properly locate or secure the surround 10 into a useful operational position. In some embodiments, the brackets 150 may be at the top of the respective walls 40, 90 and the inner wall 40 and outer wall 90 may be fitted into a stationary receiving bracket 22 on the fire pit 20 (or other flame or heat producing device).

The walls 40, 90 and the respective panels 50, 70, 80 and 100, 120, 140 may comprise glass. Tempered glass or heat treated glass may be used. The glass may be made heat resistant by means known to the art.

The walls 40, 90 and associated components are illustrated as being configured in a circular or cylindrical arrangement. Such arrangement may be convenient for circular fire pits, heaters, and other devices. However, it will be appreciated that by modification of the brackets 150 and the shape of the walls 40, 90 generally, and the panes 50, 70, 80, 100, 120, 140 specifically, the surround 10 can be configured in a square shape, a rectangular shape, an oval shape, or whatever geometric configuration most appropriately fits the flame or heat producing device with which the surround is utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a first inner pane 50 of the fire pit surround 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. Inner pane 50 may have inner surface 52, outer surface 54, right edge 56, top edge 58, and bottom edge 60. First inner pane 50 may define a first inner attachment orifice 62. First inner attachment orifice 62 may be proximate to right edge 56 of first inner pane 50 and may be located at a desired distance from top edge 58 or bottom edge 60 of first inner pane 50. A second inner attachment orifice 63 may be proximate a left edge 57 of first inner pane 50 and may be located at a desired distance from top edge 58 or bottom edge 60 of inner pane 50.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a inner pane 70 of the fire pit surround 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. Inner pane 70 may have inner surface 72, outer surface 74, left edge 76, top edge 78, bottom edge 80. The inner pane 70 may define a first inner attachment orifice 82 proximate to left edge 76 of second inner pane 70. First inner attachment orifice 82 may additionally be located a desired distance from top edge 78 or bottom edge 80 of inner pane 70. The inner pane 70 may define a second inner attachment orifice 83 proximate a right edge 77 of second inner pane 70. Second inner attachment orifice 83 may additionally be located a desired distance from top edge 78 or bottom edge 80 of inner pane 70.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a outer pane 100 of the fire pit surround 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. Outer pane 100 may have an inner surface 102, outer surface 104, right edge 106, top edge 108, and bottom edge 110. Outer pane 100 may define a first outer attachment orifice 112. First curved attachment orifice 112 may be proximate to a corner defined by right edge 106 and either top edge 108 or bottom edge 110. Outer pane 100 may define a second outer attachment orifice 113. Second outer attachment orifice 113 may be proximate to a corner defined by left edge 107 and either top edge 108 or bottom edge 110.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of a outer pane 120 of the fire pit surround 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. Outer pane 120 may have inner surface 122, outer surface 124, left edge 126, top edge 128, and bottom edge 130. Outer pane 120 may define first outer attachment orifice 132. First outer attachment orifice 132 may be proximate to a corner defined by left edge 126 and either top edge 128 or bottom edge 130. The outer pane 120 may define second outer attachment orifice 133. Second outer attachment orifice 133 may be proximate to a corner defined by right edge 127 and either top edge 128 or bottom edge 130.

It should be appreciated that inner pane 80 may have an identical or substantially similar construction as inner panes 50, 70 described above. It should also be appreciated that outer pane 140 may have an identical or substantially similar construction as outer panes 100, 120 described above.

Referring now to FIG. 7A a perspective view of a bracket 150 engaging panes 50, 70, 120 of the fire pit surround 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. In an embodiment, one of brackets 150 is affixed to first inner pane 50, second inner pane 70, first outer pane 100, and second outer pane 120 (for clarity, pane 100 not shown in FIG. 7A). Referring also to FIG. 7B, a plan view of a bracket 150 of the fire pit surround 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. Referring also to FIG. 8, an elevation view of a bracket 150 of the fire pit surround 10 of FIG. 1 is shown.

Brackets 150 may define right inner groove 160, left inner groove 162, right outer groove 164, and left outer groove 166. Second, third, and/or subsequent ones of brackets 150 may be constructed identically or substantially similarly to the described bracket 150.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 9, and 12, for example, in embodiments of glass surround 10 having inner wall 40 comprised of first inner pane 50, second inner pane 70, and third inner pane 80 and having an outer wall 90 comprised of first outer pane 100, second outer pane 120, and third outer pane 140, one of brackets 150 is affixed to second inner pane 70, third inner pane 80, second outer pane 120, and third outer pane 140. A second one of brackets 150 is affixed to third inner pane 80, first inner pane 50, third outer panel 140, and first outer pane 100. It should be understood that, depending on the number of panes that comprise inner wall 40 and outer wall 90, a number of brackets 150 will be provided to interconnect adjacent panes.

Still referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8, bracket 150 may have outside surface 168, inside surface 170, and body portion 172. Outside surface 168 may define horizontal member 174, which may define support surface 176 for supporting first outer pane 100 and second outer pane 120. Horizontal member 174 may have a left portion and right portion that extend from either side of outside vertical member 182, which may have left outside surface and right outside surface. Outside vertical member 182 may define a width 183.

Inside surface 170 of first bracket 150 may define inside vertical member 188 having first inside surface 190 and a second inside surface 192. Inside vertical member 188 may define a width.

Body portion 172 of bracket 150 may have an outside surface 196 and inside surface 198. Outside surface 196 of body portion 172 may have first outer surface 200 located on a first side of outside vertical member 182 and above a left portion of horizontal member 174. Outside surface 196 may have a second outer surface 202 located to a second side of outside vertical member 182 and above a right portion of horizontal member 174.

Inside surface 198 of middle portion 172 may have a first inside surface 204 located adjacent a first side of inside vertical member 188 and may have a second inside surface 206 located adjacent a second side of inside vertical member 188. Body portion 172 may define first bracket orifice 208 that passes from first outer surface 200 to first inside surface 204. Body portion 172 may define second bracket orifice 210 that passes from second outer surface 202 to second inside surface 206.

Bottom edge 110 of first outer pane 100 may be received adjacent to support surface 176 of the left portion of horizontal member 174. Right edge 106 of first outer pane 100 may be adjacent to first left outer groove 166 of bracket 150. Bottom edge 130 of second outer pane 120 may be received adjacent to support surface 176 of a right portion of horizontal member 174. Left edge 126 of second outer pane 120 may be adjacent to right outer groove 164 of bracket 150.

As best seen in FIG. 11, a first fastener 220 may be received in first outer attachment orifice 112 of outer pane 100 and pass through first bracket orifice 208 for securing pane 100 to first outer surface 200 and of first bracket 150. First fastener 220 may pass through first inner attachment orifice 62 of inner pane 50 for securing first inner pane 50 to first inside section 190 of bracket 150.

As best seen in FIG. 10, a second fastener 230 may be received in second outer attachment orifice 132 of outer pane 120 and pass through bracket orifice 210 for securing outer pane 120 to second outer surface 202 of first bracket 150. Second fastener 230 may pass through second attachment orifice 82 of inner pane 70 for securing second inner pane 70 to second inner surface 192 of first bracket 150.

In some embodiments, some or all of the various orifices defined in the brackets 150, the inner panes 50, 70, 80, and the outer panes 100, 120, 140 may not be perfectly circular. Some or all of the orifices may define an oval shape for ease of assembly.

FIG. 12 provides a completed view of the surround 10 in an inverted configuration following assembly (as in FIGS. 10-11) but prior to installation on a fire pit or other device.

As best seen in FIG. 7A, right edge 56 of inner pane 50 and left edge 76 of inner pane 70 may define inside gap 240 therebetween. Inside edge gap 240 may have a width that is approximately the same dimension as width 194 of inside vertical member 188. As best seen in FIG. 9, right edge 106 of outer pane 100 and left edge 126 of outer pane 120 may define outside edge gap 250 therebetween. Outside edge gap 250 may have a width 252 that is approximately the same dimension as width 183 of outside vertical member 182.

Outer surface 54 of inner pane 50 and inner surface 102 of outer pane 100 may define an air gap 260 therebetween. Air gap 260 may have has a width 262 that is approximately the same dimension as the distance between first inside surface 190 and first outer surface 200 of first bracket 150. Outer surface 74 of inner pane 70 and inner surface 122 of outer pane 120 may also define air gap 260 therebetween.

The bottom edge 60 of inner pane 50 and bottom edge 80 of inner pane 70 may extend below bottom edge 110 of first outer pane 100 and bottom edge 130 of outer pane 120 since bottom edge 60 of first inner pane 50 and bottom edge 80 of second inner pane 70 may not engage support surfaces and are therefore able to be positioned a desired distance above or below bottom edges 110, 130 of outer panes 100, 120.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a perspective view of a fire pit surround 10 according to the present disclosure mounted on an operational gas fire pit 20 is shown. Referring to FIG. 14, a perspective view of a fire pit surround 10 according to the present disclosure mounted on an operational table top fire pit 22. FIG. 15 provides a perspective view of a fire pit surround 10 of the present disclosure mounted on an outdoor heater 23. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fire pit surround 10 of the present disclosure mounted on an outdoor table top heater 24.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a perspective view of a single pane fire pit surround 1700 mounted on a table top fire pit 22 for comparison testing. FIG. 18 is a table of experimental data from the testing of FIG. 17. FIG. 18 shows temperature probe measurement at the top and bottom of the surround 1700 as the fire pit 22 was operational. FIG. 19 is a summary table of experimental data from the testing of FIG. 17. Here it can be seen that over a one hour test, the temperature at every measured location exceeded a specification temperature of 180.68° F.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a double pane fire pit surround 10 according to the present disclosure mounted on a table top fire pit 20 for comparison testing. FIG. 21 is a table of experimental data from the testing of FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a summary table of experimental data from the testing of FIG. 20. Here it can be seen that over a one hour test, the temperature at every measured location did not exceed 156.19° F. in the worst case, which was below the 183° F. (83.9° C.) specification temperature. Thus the surround 10 of the present disclosure performs markedly better than a single pane system.

It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.

If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element.

It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks.

The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%.

When, in this document, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number)”, this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 should be interpreted to mean a range whose lower limit is 25 and whose upper limit is 100. Additionally, it should be noted that where a range is given, every possible subrange or interval within that range is also specifically intended unless the context indicates to the contrary. For example, if the specification indicates a range of 25 to 100 such range is also intended to include subranges such as 26-100, 27-100, etc., 25-99, 25-98, etc., as well as any other possible combination of lower and upper values within the stated range, e.g., 33-47, 60-97, 41-45, 28-96, etc. Note that integer range values have been used in this paragraph for purposes of illustration only and decimal and fractional values (e.g., 46.7-91.3) should also be understood to be intended as possible subrange endpoints unless specifically excluded.

It should be noted that where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where context excludes that possibility), and the method can also include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the defined steps (except where context excludes that possibility).

Further, it should be noted that terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “substantially”, “approximately”, etc.) are to be interpreted according to their ordinary and customary meanings as used in the associated art unless indicated otherwise herein. Absent a specific definition within this disclosure, and absent ordinary and customary usage in the associated art, such terms should be interpreted to be plus or minus 10% of the base value.

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While the inventive device has been described and illustrated herein by reference to certain preferred embodiments in relation to the drawings attached thereto, various changes and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made therein by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.