AU2020100424A4 - Portable fire pit assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Afire pit assembly comprising: a fire chamber with a base and one or more upstanding and rigid walls extending therefrom, the walls having a plurality of openings and defining an enclosed internal volume to form the ventilated fire chamber; folding legs located at an in-use lower portion of the fire chamber wherein in a first deployed configuration, the folding legs extend downwardly from the fire chamber to support the fire chamber on a supporting surface in a standing position and wherein in a second folded configuration the legs are adapted to be folded and stowed. '0 Y-I

Description

PORTABLE FIRE PIT ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD [001] The present invention relates to a portable fire pit assembly that may be used for outdoor camping activities.

BACKGROUND [002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

[003] The simplest way to build a fire pit involves digging a hole in the ground or by creating a circle of rocks to surround a fire. The hole and circle of rocks serve to maintain the fire in the enclosed space, prevent the fire from spreading, and/or protect the fire from being extinguished by wind. However, digging such a hole or creating a circle of rocks can be difficult and time consuming.

[004] A variety of currently known campfire related apparatus attempt to eliminate at least some of the undesirable aspects of creating a fire pit. Such known campfire related devices include portable metal fire rings for encircling a fire. These known fire rings, however, are bulky; permanent; have limited adjustability and versatility; are complicated to assemble and disassemble; have components that are prone to damage after repeated use; and/or are complicated and expensive to manufacture.

2020100424 19 Mar 2020 [005] One of the disadvantages of currently known campfire related apparatus is that they are not portable. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a fire pit assembly that is portable, adjustable, versatile, simple to assemble and disassemble, durable, and easy to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [006] In an aspect, the invention provides a fire pit assembly comprising:

a fire chamber with a base and one or more upstanding and rigid walls extending therefrom, the walls having a plurality of openings and defining an enclosed internal volume to form the ventilated fire chamber;

folding legs located at an in-use lower portion of the fire chamber wherein in a first deployed configuration, the folding legs extend downwardly from the fire chamber to support the fire chamber on a supporting surface in a standing position and wherein in a second folded configuration the legs are adapted to be folded and stowed.

[007] In an embodiment, the fire pit assembly further comprises at least one rack extending outwardly from the wall of the fire chamber wherein a first lateral side of the rack is removably fastened to the wall of the fire chamber and a second lateral side of the rack is interconnected to the one or more legs by a support member depending downwardly from the second lateral side of the rack.

2020100424 19 Mar 2020 [008] In an embodiment, the fire pit assembly further comprises a locking arrangement to maintain the legs in the folded configuration.

[009] In an embodiment, the folding legs comprise two pairs of opposed folding legs, each pair of legs comprising spaced apart leg members adapted to pivot relative to the base of the fire chamber.

[010] In an embodiment, the leg members in each pair of legs are interconnected by a joining member, preferably a planar joining member.

[011] In an embodiment, the support member depending downwardly from the second lateral side of the rack is adapted to be fastened to the joining member.

[012] In an embodiment, the fire pit assembly further comprises a removable cooking plate adapted to be positioned upon an in-use top portion of the rigid walls of the fire chamber.

[013] In an embodiment, the cooking plate comprises a profiled lip positioned along a periphery of the cooking plate wherein during use an upper part of the lip extends upwardly from a cooking surface of the cooking plate and a lower part of the lip extends downwardly to lap over the walls of the fire chamber.

2020100424 19 Mar 2020 [014] In an embodiment, in a storing configuration, the cooking plate is adapted to be inverted for covering an opening defined by an upper portions of the upstanding walls of the fire chamber such that the profiled lip laps over the upper portions of the upstanding walls.

[015] In an embodiment, the cooking plate comprises oppositely arranged handles extending upwardly relative to the cooking surface.

[016] In an embodiment, walls of the fire chamber comprise opposed cut out portions to allow a user to pass their hands therethrough for lifting the fire chamber.

[017] In an embodiment, the fire chamber is dimensioned to accommodate a camping oven in the internal volume defined by the walls.

[018] In an embodiment, the folding legs pivot relative to the base of the fire chamber.

[019] In another aspect, there is provided a fire poking implement, the implement comprising a handle and an extendable fire poking member.

[020] Preferably, the fire poking member and/or the handle are movably mounted relative to a main body of the fire poking implement.

2020100424 19 Mar 2020 [021] In an embodiment, each of the fire poking member and the handle are slidably mounted along one or more channels of the main body and wherein one or more fastening arrangements are provided to fasten and maintain a mounting location of the fire poking member and/or handle relative to the main body.

[022] In another aspect, there is provided a baking implement with a baking plate having a plurality of hooks disposed along a peripheral portion of the baking plate with one or more holders being linked to the hooks for holding or suspending the baking plate relative to the fire pit during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [023] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the portable fire pit assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the portable fire pit assembly 100.

Figure 2A is an enlarged view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the locking mechanism of the legs of the rack with the joining plate in pre- (Step 1) and post- (Step 2) engagement configurations.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the portable fire pit assembly 100 with the legs shown in a stowed or folded configuration.

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Figure 4 is a top view of the portable fire pit assembly 100 with the legs shown in a stowed or folded configuration.

Figure 5 is a sectional A-A side view of the portable fire pit assembly 100 with the legs shown in a stowed or folded configuration.

Figure 6A is a perspective view of the fire poking implement shown in a fully extended configuration.

Figure 6B is a perspective view of the fire poking implement shown in a retracted configuration.

Figure 6C is a sectional view of the fire poking implement shown in a fully extended configuration.

Figure 6D is a sectional A-A side view of the fire poking implement shown in a fully extended configuration.

Figure 7A is a top view of a baking implement comprising a baking plate in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7B is a top perspective view of a baking implement comprising a baking plate in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7C is a frontal view of a baking implement comprising a baking plate in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7D is a side view of a baking implement comprising a baking plate in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8A is a top view of a removable platform in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

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Figure 8B is a top perspective view of a removable platform in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8C is a frontal view of a removable platform in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8D is a side view of a removable platform in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is an expanded frontal perspective view of a partially assembled portable fire pit assembly 100 with legs shown in a stowed or folded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [024] Figures 1 to 9 illustrate a portable fire pit assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The portable fire pit assembly 100 comprises a fire chamber 110 having a square or rectangular shaped base 112 and four upstanding rigid walls 114 extending from the base 112 that define an enclosed internal volume to form a ventilated fire chamber with an opening 116 on top. The opening 116 is adapted to receive a cooking plate 150 thereon. The details of the cooking plate 150 will be described in further detail in the foregoing sections. The walls 114 of the fire chamber 110 comprises a plurality of openings which allows ventilation within the fire chamber 110 during use. One of the key advantages provided by the fire pit assembly 100 is that the internal volume defined by the fire chamber 110 can be used for storing or transporting larger items such as a camping oven. In this regard, in at least some embodiments, the fire chamber 110 may be dimensioned for storing larger items such as camping ovens and utilize the fire chamber as a crate for carrying camping equipment in some configurations. Advantageously, the walls 114 of the fire chamber are also provided with oblong cut out sections which allows a user to pass their hands

2020100424 19 Mar 2020 through the cut-out section and lift the fire pit assembly 100. The provision of the cut out handles allows a user to conveniently lift the folded fire pit assembly 100 and makes it suitable for use as a storage crate during transportation or storage.

[025] In the preferred embodiment, the fire chamber 110 is formed from sheet metal. However, the choice of material or the method of fabrication of the fire chamber 110 including the base 112 and the walls 114 is not limiting.

[026] Furthermore, even though the fire chamber 110 in the preferred embodiment is substantially of a square cross section defining a hollow open cubical structure, the fire chamber 110 may be provided in other shapes such as a hollow cylindrical fire chamber or a hollow cuboidal fire chamber without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[027] The portable fire pit assembly 100 also comprises folding leg assemblies 120A and 120B located at an in-use lower portion of the fire chamber 110. Figures 1 and 2 show the portable fire pit assembly 100 in a full deployed configuration in which the leg assemblies 120A and 120B extend downwardly and outwardly from the fire chamber 110 to support the fire chamber 110 on a supporting surface in a standing position which allows the fire chamber 110 to be spaced away from the ground. The structure of each leg assembly 120A and 120B (denoted generally by 120) will be discussed in further detail in the foregoing sections. The leg assemblies 120A and 120B can be folded away and stowed below the base 112 of the fire chamber 110 in a second folded configuration (best shown in Figures 3 and 9).

2020100424 19 Mar 2020 [028] The fire pit assembly 100 also comprises two optional rack assemblies 160A and 160B. Each rack assembly 160A and 160B (generally denoted by 160) extends in an outward direction from a wall 114 of the fire chamber 110. The rack assemblies 160A and 160B extend in mutually opposing directions and allow a user to place food items on the rack assembly 160 to keep the food items warm. Positioning the rack assembly 160 in close proximity to the fire chamber 110 is advantageous and keeps the food positioned on the rack assembly 160 warm (due to close proximity to the fire) when a fire is burning in the fire chamber 110 during use. Turning to Figure 2 in particular, it is clear that each rack assembly 160 comprises a fastening arrangement for allowing a first lateral side of the rack assembly 160 to be removably fastened to the side wall 114 of the fire chamber 110. Figure 2 inset view B and Figure 2A shows that the lateral side of the rack assembly 160 that includes an upturned notch member 168 that is adapted to be received and retained in openings 118. Once again, the structural features of the fastening arrangement for fastening the rack assembly 160 is not limiting and other alternative methods and structures may be used for fastening the first lateral side of the rack assembly 160 to the upstanding walls 114 of the fire chamber 110. The second lateral side of the rack assembly 160 is interconnected to a pair of spaced apart legs 162 and 164 that have feet portions 169 that engage with the leg assembly 120.

[029] Each leg assembly 120 includes two spaced apart leg members 122 and 124 that are joined by a joining plate 126. A pivoting arrangement is provided for each leg assembly 120 and allows upper portions of the leg members 122 and 124 to pivot relative to an underside of the base 112. The joining plate 126 includes opening 128 to allow the feet portions of the spaced apart legs 162 and 164 of the rack 160 to be

2020100424 19 Mar 2020 engaged. The provision of the opening 128 on the joining plate 126 also makes the rack 160 fire pit assembly 100 more stable and provides additional support in the standing in-use configuration. One of the other advantages is that when the legs 162 and 164 are uncoupled form the joining plate 126, the legs 162 and 164 can be folded relative to the rack 166 thereby allowing the rack assembly 160 to be easily flatpacked. The leg assembly 120 is preferably formed from sheet metal and each leg member 122 and 124 includes a turned portion 123 which during use lies in a plane that is parallel to the plate of parallel upstanding walls of the fire chamber 110.

[030] Turning to Figures 4 and 5, the surface of the base 112 is not level. Instead the surface is undulating and comprises crests and troughs. The base 112 is slightly raised and an underside of the base 112 defines a hollow enclosure 119 defined by internal lower surfaces of the side walls 114. In the stowed or folded configuration, the leg assemblies 120A and 120B are therefore conveniently spaced away from the base surface 112.

[031] Referring at least to Figures 2 and 3, the removable cooking plate 150 is adapted to be positioned upon an in-use top portion of the rigid upstanding walls 114 of the fire chamber 110. The cooking plate 150 comprises a profiled lip positioned along a periphery of the cooking plate 150. During use an upper part of the lip extends upwardly from a cooking surface of the cooking plate 150 and prevents food items (being cooked on the top surface) from spilling or falling away from the cooking surface. A lower part of the profiled lip of the cooking plate 150 extends downwardly to lap over the walls of the fire chamber 110. Oppositely arranged handles 152 are also provided on the cooking plate 150 and extend upwardly from the cooking surface

2020100424 19 Mar 2020 of the cooking plate. During periods of use (while cooking), the handles 152 extend upwardly as shown in Figure 2 and during periods of non-use, the cooking plate 150 may be turned over with the handles 152 extending in a downwardly direction whereby in the downwardly directed position, the handles are substantially parallel to the upstanding walls 114 of the fire chamber 110 as shown in Figures 3 to 5 and the profiled lip laps over the upstanding walls of the fire chamber 110.

[032] Referring to Figures 6A to 6D, various views of a fire poking implement 200 have been shown. The fire poking implement 200 comprises a handle 210 and an extendable fire poking member 220 that are mounted relative to a main body 230 of the fire poking member 200. Each of the fire poking member 220 and the handle 210 are slidably mounted within channels of the main body 230. Fasteners 240 in the form of locking winged nuts 242 and bolts 244 may be used to change the position of the handle 210 and the fire poking member 220. Figure 6A shows the fire poking implement 200 in a fully extended configuration and Figure 6B shows the fire poking implement 200 in a retracted configuration which allows the fire poking member 200 to be stored within the fire chamber 110 during periods of storage and non-use.

[033] Referring to Figures 7A to 7D illustrate views of a baking implement 300 comprising a baking plate 310 with a number of openings for improving exposure of food items placed on the baking plate 310 to heat and fire during use. The baking plate 310 also includes a plurality of hooks 320 disposed about the periphery of the baking plate 310. One or more holders may be linked with the hooks 320. The circumference of the baking implement 300 is sufficiently small to allow the baking implement to be easily stored in the fire pit chamber 110 in a stowed configuration.

2020100424 19 Mar 2020 [034] Referring to Figures 8A to 8D, a removable platform 400 may also be used for being placed along a corner portion of the fire chamber 110. The platform 400 may be provided with turned walls 410 to lap over upper portions of the upstanding walls for the fire chamber 110. The platform 400 provides a surface 420 upon which food items or drinks can be placed whilst there is a fire burning in the fire chamber 110. It would be appreciated that the cooking plate 150 will need to be removed in order to allow the removable platform to be placed upon the upper regions of two adjoining walls of the fire chamber 110.

[035] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of’ is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[036] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[037] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (19)

1. A fire pit assembly comprising:

a fire chamber with a base and one or more upstanding and rigid walls extending therefrom, the walls having a plurality of openings and defining an enclosed internal volume to form the ventilated fire chamber;

folding legs located at an in-use lower portion of the fire chamber wherein in a first deployed configuration, the folding legs extend downwardly and outwardly from the fire chamber to support the fire chamber on a supporting surface in a standing position and wherein in a second folded configuration the legs are adapted to be folded and stowed.

2. A fire pit assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one rack extending outwardly from the wall of the fire chamber wherein a first lateral side of the rack is removably fastened to the wall of the fire chamber a second lateral side of the rack is interconnected to the one or more legs by a support member depending downwardly from the second lateral side of the rack.

3. A fire pit assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising a locking arrangement to maintain the legs in the folded configuration.

4. A fire pit assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the folding legs comprise two pairs of opposed folding legs, each pair of legs

2020100424 19 Mar 2020 comprising spaced apart leg members adapted to pivot relative to the base of the fire chamber.

5. A fire pit assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein the leg members in each pair of legs are interconnected by a joining member, preferably a planar joining member.

6. A fire pit assembly in accordance with claim 5 when dependent upon claim 2 wherein the support member depending downwardly from the second lateral side of the rack is adapted to be fastened to the joining member.

7. A fire pit assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein the support member is adapted to be fastened at a plurality of fastening positions along the joining member to allow the rack to be positioned at corresponding plurality of orientations.

8. A fire pit assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower portion of the fire chamber comprises an enclosure defined by an outer wall of the base and inner walls of said one or more side walls of the fire chamber.

9. A fire pit assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising a removable cooking plate adapted to be positioned upon an in-use top portion of the rigid walls of the fire chamber.

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10. Afire pit assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein in an in-use cooking configuration, the cooking plate a profiled lip positioned along a periphery of the cooking plate wherein during use an upper part of the lip extends upwardly from a cooking surface of the cooking plate and a lower part of the lip extends downwardly to lap over the walls of the fire chamber.

11. A fire pit assembly in accordance with claim 10 wherein in a storing configuration the cooking plate is adapted to be inverted for covering an opening defined by an upper portions of the upstanding walls of the fire chamber such that the profiled lip laps over the upper portions of the upstanding walls.

12. Afire pit assembly in accordance with claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the cooking plate comprises oppositely arranged handles extending upwardly relative to the cooking surface.

13. A fire pit assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein walls of the fire chamber comprises opposed cut out portions to allow a user pass their hands therethrough for lifting the fire chamber.

14. Afire pit assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the fire chamber is dimensioned to accommodate a camping oven in the internal volume defined by the walls.

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15. A fire pit assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the folding legs pivot relative to the base of the fire chamber.

16. A fire pit assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising a fire poking implement, the implement comprising a handle and an extendable fire poking member.

17. A fire pit assembly in accordance with claim 16 wherein the fire poking member and/or the handle are movably mounted relative to a main body of the fire poking implement.

18. A fire pit assembly in accordance with claim 17 wherein each of the fire poking member and the handle are slidably mounted along one or more channels of the main body and wherein one or more fastening arrangements are provided to fasten and maintain a mounting location of the fire poking member and/or handle relative to the main body.

19. A fire pit assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising: a baking implement with a baking plate having a plurality of hooks disposed along a peripheral portion of the baking plate with one or more holders being linked to the hooks for holding or suspending the baking plate relative to the fire pit during use.