US20120156627A1

US20120156627A1 - Support apparatus for camp fire or other shaped burn pile

Info

Publication number: US20120156627A1
Application number: US13/332,525
Authority: US
Inventors: Matthew B. Koch
Original assignee: Koch Industries Inc
Current assignee: Koch Industries Inc
Priority date: 2010-12-21
Filing date: 2011-12-21
Publication date: 2012-06-21

Abstract

Described in this application for patent is an improved fire support apparatus for holding wood in a preferred shape as the wood is burned in a campfire or other setting. The apparatus includes spaces in which both tinder and kindling may be stored, the spaces being defined by the structure of the fire support apparatus. Further described in this application is a method of making a fire with the use of the above described fire support apparatus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional application Ser. No. 61/425,447 filed Dec. 21, 2010, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Camping is a favorite pastime of many families, whether in a tent or in a self contained camper. One favorite event during camping is building a campfire, for either cooking, warmth, or as companionship.
There are several ways to build campfires, but a favorite is the tripod or teepee arrangement, where wood is stacked in a generally pyramid shape. This shape encourages smoke to emerge from the center of the fire, as the fire burns from the inside outwards. This shape also allows individuals to easily add wood to the fire without rearranging the burning logs.
One problem with tripod fire piles is that as the wood on the inside of the pile burns, the outer, unburned wood may collapse inwards, causing a shower of sparks and smoke. Reestablishing the pyramid requires handling or otherwise maneuvering the burning logs, or pushing them into a heap and building a new log tripod over the burning embers. The process then of reestablishing the preferred pyramid shape is both dangerous and undesirable.
Furthermore, in the process of constructing a fire using the pyramid method, it is necessary to use tinder and kindling to start the fire in the fuel wood. Tinder is light material, such as dry grass and leaves, moss, paper, wood shavings, or other products which are easy to ignite and burn long enough to ignite kindling. Kindling is larger material than tinder, most often small twigs and branches, but may also include cardboard or other man-made materials. Kindling must be easily ignited from the tinder, and burn hot enough to ignite the fuel wood to establish a sustainable fire. Fuel wood is generally logs or other large material which has a relatively (compared to the kindling) low ratio of surface area to volume. The fuel wood is ignited from the kindling to produce a lasting and sustained flame.
In preparing a fire, the kindling and tinder must be positioned so that the tinder is easy to ignite with a firestarter (typically a match or lighter), and will ignite the kindling. The kindling must then be positioned to ignite the fuel to establish the fire. This is typically done by heaping kindling about a mass of tinder, and then building the log pyramid over top of the heaped materials. This results in fire spreading from the tinder to the kindling to the logs without rearranging the burning materials.
One problem with this type of fire arrangement is that the tinder and kindling must be placed within the center of the fire. If the fire should go out for any reason, it is difficult to reinsert the kindling and tinder into the center of the fire without moving the still hot outer logs.
Therefore, there has been recognized a need in the art for a fire support apparatus which can sustain the fire fuel in a pyramid shape during the duration of the fire's burn.
There has further been recognized a need in the art for a fire support apparatus which is heat resistant and able to maintain its shape over repeated uses.
There has further been recognized a need in the art for a fire support apparatus which maintains space for the tinder and kindling for starting the fire.
There has further been recognized a need in the art for a fire support apparatus which is easily transportable to a camp site.
These and/or other objects, features and/or advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the remainder of the specification and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally consists of a fire support apparatus with first and second members separated by a plurality of legs. The legs converge inward to a meeting point, thereby defining spaces above and below the meeting point in which tinder or kindling might be placed.
The invention further includes a method of making a fire by the use of the above described apparatus. The steps include, without limitation, providing a fire support apparatus with a first space and a second space defined between the legs and a first and second base member, providing tinder, kindling, and fuel for the fire, placing the tinder in the lower space, placing the kindling in the upper space, positioning the fuel wood about the apparatus to form a pyramid shape, and igniting the tinder so that the kindling and eventually fuel wood are ignited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus being used according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the apparatus being used according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in detail according to one particular embodiment with reference to the attached figures where numerals relate to their like in the following description.
One embodiment of the invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the embodiment removed from its environment.
According to the particular embodiment shown, the apparatus is useful in supporting a tripod or pyramid shaped fire.
As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 generally consists of a top member 12, bottom member 14, and a plurality of legs 16 connecting the two pieces together. According to the embodiment shown, the top 12 and bottom 14 members are formed of steel rod shaped into a triangular shape. According to this embodiment, the steel rod is bent to form an equilateral triangle for the bottom 14 and top 12 members, with a side of the top member 12 triangle being half the length of the side of the bottom member 14 triangle.
The triangular shape of the top 12 and bottom 14 members are only according to one embodiment. Other shapes or contrasting shapes may also be selected, and the sizes of the top 12 and bottom 14 members need not be in accordance with the ratios described above. The embodiment also discloses the use of steel rod to form these members, but the invention should not be limited to the use of steel rod. The material should be durable, non-flammable, and have a melting temperature well above the typical burning temperature of wood. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations to the materials used may be substituted and still work within the context of the invention.
As further shown in FIG. 1, the top 12 and bottom 14 members are connected by three legs 16. According to one embodiment, these legs extend from the midpoint of the sides of the bottom 14 triangle and terminate at the vertices of the top 12 triangle. According to this embodiment, the legs 16 are formed of steel rod similar to the top 12 and bottom 14 members. This steel rod is preferably resistant to bending or other failure when exposed to high temperatures.
It should further be noted that the arrangement of three legs 16 is according to the preferred embodiment and should not be limiting. It is contemplated that various numbers of legs 16 may be included, depending on the rigidity desired, the shape of the top 12 and bottom 14 members, and other considerations.
As shown in both FIGS. 1 and 3, according to one embodiment the legs 16 are bent at approximately a 72° angle at their center and meet at a midpoint 22. This bending and meeting of the legs achieves several important functional and aesthetic purposes. First, the constriction of the legs 16 to a midpoint 22 provides a unique and readily identifiable aesthetic feature. Second, the tapering of the legs 16 to a midpoint 22 clearly defines two spaces: a top space 26 and a bottom space 28. Third, the tapering of the legs 16 to meet at a midpoint 22 provides a structural terminus to each of the two defined spaces, allowing them to be clearly and unequivocally separated from one another. Fourth, the tapering of the legs 16 to meet at a midpoint 22 provides support for material placed in the top space 26, thereby separating it from the material stored in the lower space 28, thereby maintaining a separation between material placed in the two spaces, 26 and 28.
As shown in FIG. 3, the legs 16 are separated into lower 18 and upper 20 segments, separated by the bend 22 at their midpoint. According to one embodiment, the lower 18 and upper 20 segments are of equal length, thereby defining the relationship between the top 12 and bottom 14 members.
While the particular angle and position of the bend is shown in one embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the angle between the lower 18 and upper 20 segments may be of various lengths and arrangements. For example, one of the two segments may be longer than the other. Additionally, while the apparatus is shown with three identical legs, those skilled in the art will understand that more or fewer legs may be used, and the legs need not be identical.
The apparatus is also shown in the attached figures as having legs which meet at a point. While this is one embodiment of the present invention, other variations may be used. For example, the legs may meet at a plate or other support mechanism. Alternatively, the legs may meet at a point, continue for some distance as a unitary member, and then divide once more. Alternatively, the legs may not taper inwards at all, instead extending to a platform or other support structure which defines the upper 26 and lower 28 spaces.
One embodiment of the preferred apparatus has been shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and reference has been made to these drawings in the above description. The present disclosure also teaches a method of using the apparatus to support a fire, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus may be used to support logs for a tripod or tepee shaped campfire or burn pile. According to this embodiment of the invention, logs 24 are positioned about the apparatus with their top ends supported by the top member 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the logs 24 may be placed so that their base is outside of the area bounded by the bottom member 14. The logs 24 may also be placed within the area bounded by the bottom member 14, or may be placed on top of the bottom member 14, for example if the ground is especially unsuitable to producing a campfire or supporting the logs 24.
FIG. 3 further demonstrates the advantage of designing the apparatus 10 so that the top member 12 is smaller than the bottom member 14. With this design, the logs may be angled inward towards each other, thereby forming a stable structure. The bottom member 14 provides a guide for positioning the bottoms of the logs 24 which then have their top ends rested against the top member 12.
The triangular shape of the top 12 and bottom 14 members is selected in this embodiment for several reasons as well. First, the triangle shape provides flat ends against which logs 24 may be rested. Logs 24 used in campfires may be either whole or may be split in half, quarters, or other fractions. Whole logs have a round profile while split logs have at least one flat side. Either the flat or round side is suitable to be positioned on the straight edge of the top member 12. Additionally, the triangle shape of the top 12 and bottom 14 members are resistant to deformation or bending. As is well known, squares and other shapes are more likely to buckle or collapse, and therefore the triangular shape offers strong resistance against this. However, as previously mentioned, various shapes for the top 12 and/or bottom 14 may be selected as desired.
The top 26 and bottom 28 spaces also provide utility for one embodiment of a method for using the apparatus 10. The bottom space 28 may be used as a space in which tinder, or easily lit materials such as paper or sawdust, may be placed in order to start a fire. The top space 26 may then be used as a space in which kindling or other easily ignited materials may be stored. Once the tinder is lit, the fire will spread upwards to the kindling, causing it to ignite as well. The kindling will then ignite the logs 24 or other fuel, causing a sustained fire.
During a fire, several logs 24 may fall or otherwise become displaced from the fire. For example, if one log 24 burns through midway along its length, it may not be long enough to reach the top member 12 of the apparatus 10. However, the failure of an individual log 24 will not cause the entire fire to collapse, and the log 24 can then be replaced while maintaining the aesthetic and functional benefits of the pyramid shaped fire.
While this embodiment demonstrates that the apparatus may be designed with particular arrangements of parts and materials, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as a whole. The scope of the invention shall be limited to the claims as allowed.

Claims

1. A fire support apparatus comprising:

a first base member;

a second base member spread apart from the first base member;

a plurality of legs extending from the first base member, converging towards one another, and terminating at the second base member.

2. The fire support of apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of legs converge toward a convergence point and diverge from the conveyance point to meet the second base member.

3. The fire support apparatus of claim 2 wherein the legs comprise a lower portion extending from the first base member to the convergence point and an upper portion extending from the convergence point to the second base member.

4. The fire support apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lower portion of the legs and the first base member define a first space.

5. The fire support apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first space is generally pyramidal in shape.

6. The fire support apparatus of claim 5 wherein the upper portion of the legs and the second base member define a second space.

7. The fire support apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second space is generally pyramidal in shape.

8. The fire support apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first base member and the second base member are triangular.

9. The fire support apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second base member is smaller than the first base member.

10. The fire support apparatus of claim 9 wherein the legs attach to the sides of the first base member and the vertices of the second base member.

11. A method of starting a fire, comprising:

providing a fire support apparatus having a bottom member and a top member connected by a plurality of legs, the legs defining a first space defined by the legs and the bottom member and a second space defined by the legs and the top member;

providing kindling, tinder, and fuel wood for the fire;

placing the tinder in the first space;

placing the kindling in the second space;

placing the fuel wood about the fire support apparatus to form a pyramid shape; and

igniting the tinder.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the legs of the fire support apparatus are bent so as to meet at a junction midway between the top and bottom members.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the top and bottom members have a triangular shape.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the legs are attached to the midpoints of the bottom member.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the legs are attached to the vertices of the top member.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the fire support apparatus comprises heat resistant steel.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the first space comprises a pyramid.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the second space comprises an inverted pyramid.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the apices of the pyramids of the first and second spaces are adjacent one another.

20. A fire support apparatus for supporting a fire comprising:

a bottom triangular member;

a top triangular member;

three legs extending from the bottom member to the top member, the legs extending inwardly towards one another for a lower portion to meet at a midpoint and then extending outwardly away from one another for an upper portion to intersect the second member;

wherein a first pyramidal space is defined by the bottom member and the lower portions of the three legs and a second pyramidal space is defined by the top member and the upper portions of the three legs.