GB2486234A

GB2486234A - A firestaff with a supply valve which allows fuel to pass when sufficient force is applied

Info

Publication number: GB2486234A
Application number: GB1020755.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Maple
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-08
Filing date: 2010-12-08
Publication date: 2012-06-13
Also published as: GB201020755D0

Abstract

A firestaff with a fuel reservoir and at least one valve 2 wherein the valve 2 allows for the passage of fuel from the reservoir when subject to a sufficient level of force. The device may have wicks to receive the fuel or a dispersal means 3 and they may be positioned at either end of an elongate rod. Force on the fuel valve 2 may result from spinning of the staff producing a centrifugal force. Control means may be provided to alter the force required to open the vale 2 and a spring may be employed in this. The fuel reservoir may be positioned through the middle of a tube. The dispersal means 3 may act to block the flow path of the fuel to turn it into droplets. The device may be used to entertain people with flame displays.

Description

Fl RESTAFE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a firestaff, more particularly a firestaff with a fuel reservoir.

Background

Fire dancing, fire twirling, fire staff spinning, fire spinning, poi' or fire performance involves manipulation of objects on fire. At the end of the twentieth century in many cultures fire dancing became more widespread at festivals, parties, and cabarets shows.

The objects typically used for fire dancing have one or more bundles of material, or wicking, soaked in fuel and ignited. In the case of a firestaff this may be typically a long cylindrical section of either aluminium tube or wood with wicking secured at either end, usually with screws.

Prior Art

Nearly all modern fire dancing apparatus rely on a liquid fuel held in the wicking.

However a fire poofer is a propane flame effect device capable of shooting fire balls into the air, and consisting of an accumulator tank, a propane source, a gas regulator, gas valve and ignition source. Propane is fed into the accumulator tank and released by a gas solenoid valve that upon ignition may project a flame. The solenoid valve seal is remotely actuated and the gas regulator is utilised to reduce the propane pressure with the poofer capable of being turned off via a %-turn shut-off valve.

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 416 314 DERRY discloses an illuminated device for object manipulation, the output being controlled by a switching means that can be utilised whilst in use without necessarily changing the motion of the device.

United States patent application US 4 895 377 ARBOR discloses a juggling stick comprising: a rod having a rod central axis, a surface, a center and two ends wherein the surface of the rod is a striking surface; first additional striking surfaces positioned at each of the ends wherein each said first additional striking surface is symmetrical about said axis and extends beyond the surface of the rod and of sufficient size to stop the rod travelling along the axis; a pair of second additional striking surfaces positioned along the rod symmetrically about the center and spaced apart from the first additional striking surfaces wherein each said second additional striking surface is symmetrical about said axis and extends beyond the surface of the rod and of sufficient size to stop the rod travelling along the axis and further wherein each of the pair of second additional striking surfaces is comprised of a second ferrule, each said second ferrule having a second larger end, a second smaller end and a second ferrule central axis, each said second additional striking surface is coupled to the rod so that the second ferrule central axis is coincident with the rod central axis and each second smaller end is closer to the center of the rod than each second larger end.

The present invention continues to provide an improvement upon existing firestaffs by allowing a much extended life to the fuel supply as well as the potential for new visual effects.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a firestaff having a fuel reservoir and at least one fuel valve, which valve allows passage of fuel from the fuel reservoir when subjected to a predetermined level of force.

Ideally two such valves are provided, on either end of the firestaff in such a manner that when the firestaff is twirled or spun or rotated, the fuel valve(s) will be subjected to centrifugal force, said force acting on the sprung valve, and forcing it open.

With the valve(s) open fuel is permitted to pass from a fuel reservoir, situate in the firestaff. Fuel passing from said reservoir is thereby allowed to exit from the valve.

Typically this will correlate with the firestaff being alight, leading therefore to an ignition of the fuel and to combustion of the fuel. As the fuel exits the valve the force which leads to its exit prevents the ignited fuel from travelling back into the reservoir.

Ideally the reservoir is located inside the central core of the firestaff, said firestaff typically being formed of tubular material.

In use the firestaff would typically have wicking or material soaked in fuel attached or swaddling the end(s). The present invention allows for continued fuel supply to the wicking, or additional effects to be achieved such as added bursts of fuel supply under specified conditions, such as fast spinning of the staff, allowing for special effects to be created in a routine.

Controls or levels may be operable by the user to set the level at which the centrifugal or other force is capable of an effect on the valve. In this the amount or speed of the spinning of the firestaff that is required may be set to the user's preference.

Ideally the preferred embodiment has at least one means to diffuse the fuel as or after it is passed from the valve and prior or post ignition. In this way the means allows for even or controlled burning of the fuel.

The firestaff has a reservoir that is refillable, either by removal of part or whole of the valve and/or or a secondary access on the firestaff.

Further embodiments may provide for different valves, and different situations on the firestaff of those valves.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment; Figure 2 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the valve; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the means of dispersal of the fuel; Figure 4 shows two embodiments of the firestaff equipped with fuel dispersal means; Figure 5 shows an isometric exploded view of the firestaff, equipped with the fuel dispersal means; Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of a valve and dispersal means; Figure 7 shows an isometric view of a valve plunger; And Figure 8 shows a plan view of a cross section of an embodiment of a valve.

Detailed Description of Preferred Ernbocment of the Invention The embodiment of the firestaff (1) that is shown in Figure 1 has an elongate form, with a central grip portion (10), such portion typically being covered or formed from a different material to the rest of the firestaff, such as the firestaff constructed from tubular metal, with a rubber grip covering around the central portion (10) to enable more secure hold for the user.

Two valves are located at (2) each being enclosed ideally in metal covering, or in further embodiments inserted and/or attached to the firestaff 1.

These valves may be removable and/or detachable, in order that the fuel reservoir (not shown) contained within the firestaff I may be accessible for refuelling or maintenance may be attended to on the firestaff 1 or part of.

In preferred embodiments there is provided a dispersal means (3) for the fuel at either end of the firestaff 1, such that the fuel may not exit in a direct line, and is instead dispersed perpendicularly or at other angles or into fine droplets. In preferred embodiments the dispersal means 3 consists of a tripod formation dispersal block, screen or mesh, such that the fuel upon exit of the valve is blocked from a direct line of exit from the elongate firestaff.

A direct line of exit is liable to produce a thick stream of fuel, which will not ignite.

Instead the dispersal means alters the fuel to air ratio.

In the pictured embodiment at Figure 3 the dispersal means is shown at (3) and consists of a block (30) mounted on legs (31). In some embodiments the fuel passes through the block (30) at least in part. In further embodiments the fuel is dispersed at least in part through and around the legs (31).

As shown in Figure 6 and 8 the member (4 also shown in Figure 7) may blocked by the block (30) which is mounted on three legs (31) such that under centrifugal force the member (4) dislocates, allowing fuel passage from the reservoir (not shown) and comes to rest on the block (30). The tapered sides of the plug (40) of the member (4) ensure that the exit of the fuel is dispersed away from the direct line (direct line as indicated).

The legs (31) of the dispersal block (30) forming the dispersal means 3 are covered in Kevlar and joined by fine gauze or mesh (not shown). Ideally when the fuel passes through the gauze it turns into a mist and catches ignition from the Kevlar legs (31).

Ideally the valve 2 and/or firestaff I is constructed at least in part from Kevlar.

Springs may be provided to maintain or return the member when not under force. In varying embodiments the strength of the spring may be variable.

Figure 8 shows the plan view of a cross section of a preferred embodiment. By inserting a flat head screw driver into a slot (41) at the end (40) of the member 4, seated in the valve 2. By turning the slot (40) clockwise or anti-clockwise a washer ideally threads along the member (4), increasing or decreasing tension on a spring, such that a user can regulate or select how much tension is required to activate the valve and start releasing fuel.

In the preferred embodiments the valve is completely adjustable to suit the user's style. The user can therefore choose how much fuel is used by lining up two flow washers and can choose how much pressure it takes to open the valve by turning an adjustment slot on the end of the valve, hence increasing or decreasing tension on the spring.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A firestaff having a fuel reservoir and at least one fuel valve, which valve allows passage of fuel from the fuel reservoir when subjected to a predetermined level of force.
2. A firestaff according to claim I where a fuel dispersal means is provided after or at the valve(s).
3. A valve for a firestaff according to claims I or 2.