AU2020202003A1

AU2020202003A1 - Portable fire pit assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2020202003A1
Application number: AU2020202003A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Russell Kreis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-03-22
Filing date: 2020-03-19
Publication date: 2020-10-08
Also published as: AU2020100424A4

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. C T-1 co C) Q0~

Description

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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.

[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.

[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.

[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 cutout 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.

[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.

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.

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 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 belowthe base 112 of the fire chamber 110 in

a second folded configuration (best shown in Figures 3 and 9).

[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 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 flat packed. 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 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.

[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

1. A fire pit assembly comprising:

a fire chamber with a base and one or more upstanding and rigid walls

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 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.

10. A fire 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

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. A fire 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.

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.

160B 152 100

152

150 160A 166

162 166

164 162 120B 110 123 126

124 123 120A

122

FIGURE 1

A 168 152 150

C

116 A C 160B 160A 114 112

169 118 120B 110

126 D B D

120A B 128

FIGURE 2

STEP 1

128 169 120

162 STEP 2 128

164

FIGURE 2A

150

112 152

110

FIGURE 3

100

119

120A 120B

FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5

200

FIGURE 6A FIGURE 6B 200

FIGURE 6D 200

A

FIGURE 6C

300

310 310

FIGURE 7B

FIGURE 7A 300 300

FIGURE 7C FIGURE 7D

420

400 410

FIGURE 8B 410

400 400 FIGURE 8A 410

FIGURE 8C FIGURE 8D

400

500

160A 160B

150

110

FIGURE 9