WO2025106333A1

WO2025106333A1 - Smokeless fire pit

Info

Publication number: WO2025106333A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/054959
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Mercer
Original assignee: Premier Specialty Brands LLC
Current assignee: Premier Specialty Brands LLC
Priority date: 2023-11-14
Filing date: 2024-11-07
Publication date: 2025-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-14

Abstract

A smokeless fire pit may include a fire pit base, a top rim, an ash tray assembly, and a cylindrical chamber wall. The fire pit base defines an interior region and defines a plurality of apertures that provide air passageways for air to flow from outside of the fire pit base and into the interior region defined by the fire pit base. The fire pit is configured to provide a primary air flow from the plurality of apertures at the fire pit base, into the interior region, and through the ash tray assembly into a bum chamber defined by the cylindrical chamber wall. Further, the fire pit is configured to provide a secondary air flow from the plurality of apertures at the fire pit base, into the interior region, and through a plurality of holes defined by the cylindrical chamber wall into the bum chamber near the top rim.

Description

SMOKELESS FIRE PIT

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/598,596 (still pending), filed November 14, 2023, and to U.S. Patent Application No. 18/938,646 (still pending), filed November 6, 2024, the entirety of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Smokeless fire pits provide the ability to bum fuel such as firewood, charcoal, or other chemicals without the production of smoke. Conventional smokeless fire pits are typically raised off the ground and/or have a tall structure that provides a heating zone raised off the ground. This raised heating zone is undesirable to consumers that would prefer the heating zone to be closer to the ground similar to a traditional fie pit or a camp fire.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure addresses this problem by providing smokeless fire pits that utilize multiple air flows to generate multiple burns areas within the fire pit. A primary air flow provides air to a primary burn within the fire pit that burns fuel within the fire pit such as wood. A second air flow provides warm air above the primary burn that results in a secondary burn that provides a smokeless fire feature. The air intakes for the primary and secondary air flows are positioned near a top of the smokeless fire pit. This placement provides a smokeless fire pit that may be positioned at least partially in the ground, thereby lowering the heating zone of the smokeless fire pit. [0004] In one form, the present disclosure provides a smokeless fire pit comprising a fire pit base, a top rim, an ash tray assembly, and a cylindrical chamber wall.

[0005] The fire pit base defines an interior region and the top rim is positioned on a top of the fire pit base, wherein the top rim and the fire pit base together form a first plurality of apertures configured to provide air passageways that allow air to flow from outside of the fire pit base and into the interior region defined by the fire pit base.

[0006] The ash tray assembly is positioned at a bottom of the interior region defined by the fire pit base and comprises an ash tray, a fire grate, and an ash tray base. The ash tray defines a plurality of holes along a side of the ash tray; the fire grate defines a plurality of apertures, where the fire grate is configured to cover the ash tray; and the ash tray base is positioned at the bottom of the interior region of the fire pit base and configured to position the ash tray and the fire grate above the bottom of the interior region.

[0007] The ash tray base and the bottom of the interior region of the fire pit base together form a second plurality of apertures configured to provide air passageways that allow air to flow from the interior region of the fire pit base, through the plurality of holes of the ash tray and through the plurality of apertures of the fire grate.

[0008] The cylinder chamber wall is positioned in the interior region of the fire pit, where the cylinder chamber wall at least partially defines a bum chamber. The cylindrical chamber wall engages the ash tray base at a first end and engages the top rim at a second end. The cylinder chamber wall defines a plurality of holes at the second end of the cylinder configured to provide air passageways for air to flow into the burn chamber.

[0009] In another form, the disclosure provides a smokeless fire pit comprising a fire pit base, a top rim, an ash tray assembly, and a cylindrical chamber wall. [0010] The fire pit base defines an interior region and at least partially defines a plurality of apertures configured to provide air passageways that allow air to flow from outside of the fire pit base and into the interior region defined by the fire pit base.

[0011] The top rim is positioned on a top of the fire pit base; the ash tray assembly is positioned at a bottom of the interior region; and the cylindrical chamber wall is positioned in the interior region of the fire pit base, where a first end of the cylindrical chamber wall engages the ash tray assembly and the second end of the cylindrical chamber wall engages the top rim. The cylindrical chamber wall at least partially defines a burn chamber and defines a plurality of holes at the second end of the cylindrical chamber wall.

[0012] The smokeless fire pit is configured to provide a primary air flow from the plurality of apertures at the fire pit base, into the interior region, and through the ash tray assembly into a bottom of the bum chamber at least partially defined by the cylindrical chamber wall.

[0013] Further, the smokeless fire pit is configured to provide a secondary air flow from the plurality of apertures at the fire pit base, into the interior region, and through the plurality of holes defined by the cylindrical chamber wall into the bum chamber at the second end of the cylindrical chamber wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a peripheral view of one implementation of a smokeless fire pit.

[0015] Figure 2 is a side view of one implementation of a smokeless fire pit.

[0016] Figure 3 is a top view of one implementation of a smokeless fire pit.

[0017] Figure 4 is a bottom view of one implementation of a smokeless fire pit.

[0018] Figure 5 is a partially exploded view of one implementation of a smokeless fire pit.

[0019] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of one implementation of a smokeless fire pit. [0020] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of one implementation of a smokeless fire pit showing a primary air flow through the smokeless fire pit.

[0021] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of one implementation of a smokeless fire pit illustrating a secondary air flow though the smokeless fire pit.

[0022] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of one implementation of a smokeless fire pit illustrating a primary and secondary air flow through the smokeless fire pit causing a primary and secondary combustion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] As described below, implementations of the present disclosure provide a fire pit that utilizes multiple air flows to generate multiple bums areas within the fire pit. A primary air flow provides air to a primary burn within the fire pit that burns fuel within the fire pit such as wood. A second air flow provides warm air above the primary burn that results in a secondary burn that provides a smokeless fire feature. The air intakes for the primary and secondary air flows are positioned near a top of the smokeless fire pit. This placement provides a smokeless fire pit that may be positioned at least partially in the ground, thereby lowering a heating zone of the smokeless fire pit.

[0024] One implementation of a smokeless fire pit is shown in Figures 1-6. Figure 1 is a peripheral view of one implementation of a smokeless fire pit; Figure 2 is a side view of the implementation of a smokeless fire pit; Figure 3 is a top view of the implementation of a smokeless fire pit; Figure 4 is a bottom view of the implementation of the smokeless fire pit; Figure 5 is an exploded view of the implementation of the smokeless fire pit; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the implementation of a smokeless fire pit.

[0025] In some implementations, a smokeless fire pit 100 may include a fire pit base 102; a top rim 104; an ash tray assembly 106 that includes an ash tray base 108, a removable ash tray 110, and a removable fire grate 112; a cylindrical chamber wall 114 at least partially defining a burn chamber; and a cylindrical ring 116.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, the fire pit base 102 defines an interior region 103 in which the ash tray assembly 106, cylindrical chamber wall 114, and cylindrical ring 116 are positioned. The top rim 104 is positioned on top of the fire pit base 103 and rests on both a top of the fire pit base 103 and a top of the cylindrical chamber wall 114. The cylindrical chamber wall 114 engages the ash try assembly 106 at a first end and engages the top rim 104 at a second end.

[0027] It will be appreciated that because in some implementations the fire pit base 102 does not include tall legs or an additional base positioned at the bottom of the first pit base 102, the smokeless fire pit 100 provides a lower heating zone in comparison to other fire pits. Moreover, because, as explained in more detail below, the air intakes for the primary and the secondary air flows of the smokeless fire pit 100 are positioned near a top of the fire pit base 102 near the top rim 104, implementations of the smokeless fire pit 100 may be positioned in the ground up to the air intakes for the primary and secondary air flows. Further, due to the design of the smokeless fire pit 102, embers from the primary burn do not exit the smokeless fire pit 102 at the air intakes for the primary and secondary air flows.

[0028] In some implementations, the fire pit base 102 comprises ceramic material; the ash tray assembly 106, cylindrical chamber wall 114, and cylindrical ring 116 comprise stainless steel or porcelain coated internals, and the top rim 104 comprises stone, ceramic, or metal. A ceramic fire pit base 102 protects the smokeless fire pit 100 from the weather and insulates a bum chamber 118 of the fire pit that is at least partially defined by the cylindrical chamber wall 114, as described below. The stainless steel or porcelain coated internals of the ash tray assembly 106, cylindrical chamber wall 114, and cylindrical ring 116 increase durability of components exposed to flames in the burn chamber 118. Additionally, the heat reflective properties of these materials for the ash tray assembly 106, cylindrical chamber wall 114, and cylindrical ring 116 allow the bum chamber 118 to bum more efficiently. The stone, ceramic, or metal of the top rim 104 provide the ability to withstand sharp temperature changes while the smokeless fire pit 100 is burning while located outside in inclement weather. However, other implementations of the smokeless fire pit 100 may utilize other materials.

[0029] When assembled, the fire pit base 102 and the top rim 104 together define a plurality of apertures 120 adjacent to the top rim 104 that serve as air intakes for the primary and secondary air flows of the smokeless fire pit 100. In some implementations, the top rim 104 forms a top of a rectangular aperture while the fire pit base 102 form the other sides and bottom of the rectangular aperture. It should be appreciated that in other implementations the plurality of apertures 120 may be other shapes. Further, in other implementations, the plurality of apertures 120 may be positioned at the top of the fire pit base 102, but slightly away from the top rim 104 such that the fire pit base 102 defines all sides an aperture of the plurality of apertures 120. In yet other implementations, the top rim 104 may define the plurality of apertures 120 rather than the fire pit base, 102 where the plurality of apertures 120 defined by the top rim 104 are in communication with the interior region 103 of the fire pit base 102.

[0030] Similarly, when assembled, a bottom of the interior region 103 and the ash tray base 108 together define a plurality of apertures 122 adjacent to the bottom of the interior region 103. In some implementations, the bottom of the interior region 103 forms a bottom of a rectangular aperture while the ash tray base 108 forms the other sides and a top of the rectangular aperture. It should be appreciated that in other implementations, the plurality of apertures 122 may be other shapes. Further, in other implementations, the plurality of apertures 122 may be positioned on the ash tray base 108 at the bottom of the interior region 103, but slight away from the bottom of the interior region 103 such that the ash tray base 108 defines all sides of the apertures of the plurality of apertures 122. [0031] Referring to Fig. 7, the plurality of apertures 120 near the fire pit base 102 and the top rim 104 and the plurality of apertures 122 near the bottom of the interior region 103 and the ash tray base 108 help provide a primary air flow 724 from an exterior of the smokeless fire pit 100 and into the interior region 103 of the fire pit base 102. The primary air flow 724 continues through the plurality of apertures 122 of the ash tray base 108 and up through a plurality of holes 126 on a side of the ash tray 110 and through a plurality of apertures 128 of the fire grate 112 positioned on top of the ash tray. It will be appreciated that because the primary air flow 724 is brought up through the ash tray 108 above the ash deposited in the ash tray 108, the deposited ash does not block the primary air flow 724. The primary air flow 724 exiting the apertures of the fire grate 122 continues into a primary bum area 130 of the bum chamber 118 defined in part by the cylindrical chamber wall 114, the ash tray base 108 and the fire grate 112.

[0032] Referring to Fig. 8, the plurality of apertures 120 near the fire pit base 102 and the top 104 additionally help provide a secondary air flow 732 that provides the smokeless feature of the fire pit. In the secondary air flow 732, air flows from an exterior of the smokeless fire pit 100 and into the interior region 103 of the fire pit base 102. The secondary air flow 732 continues through a plurality of holes 134 of the cylindrical ring 116 surrounding a top of the cylindrical chamber wall 114 and into a secondary air chamber 136 defined by the cylindrical ring 116 and the cylindrical chamber wall 114. The secondary air flow 732 continues from the secondary air chamber 136 through a plurality of holes 138 positioned near a top of the of the cylindrical chamber wall 114 and into a secondary bum area 140 of the bum chamber 118 defined in part by the cylindrical chamber wall 114 and the top rim 104.

[0033] Referring to Fig. 9, when in use, the primary air flow 724 provides oxygen to a primary fire burning at the primary bum area 130 defined in part by the cylindrical chamber wall 114, the ash tray base 108 and the fire grate 112. In some implementations, wood, charcoal, or other chemicals may be burned in the primary bum area 130 of the smokeless fire pit 100. As the primary fire bums existing oxygen inside the primary burn area 130, the fire grows, and hot air within the bum chamber 118 defined by the cylindrical chamber wall 114 begins to rise as the primary air flow 724 provides continuous air to the primary fire.

[0034] Additionally, as the primary fire bums, air in the interior region 103 of the fire pit base 102 between the inner wall of the fire pit base 102 and the external wall of the cylindrical chamber wall 114 that is part of the secondary air flow 732 heats as it rises and flows into the secondary air chamber 236. Following the secondary air flow 732, as the warmed air flows out from the secondary air chamber 136 and into the secondary burn area 138 via the plurality of holes 138 near the top of the cylindrical chamber wall 114, the warmed air enters the secondary bum area 140 of the bum chamber 118 above the primary burn area 130. Once the air is hot enough, a secondary combustion begins in the secondary bum area 140 that creates a smokeless fire feature of the smokeless fire pit 100. More particularly, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the primary fire in the primary bum area 130 may generate smoke due to an incomplete of the fuel such as wood. The secondary burn in the secondary bum area 138 is able ignite any remnants of unburnt fuel from the primary bum area 130 and complete the burn to provide the smokeless feature.

[0035] As described above, implementations of the present disclosure provide a smokeless fire pit that utilizes multiple air flows to generate multiple bums areas within the fire pit. A primary air flow provides air to a primary bum within the fire pit that burns fuel within the fire pit such as wood. A secondary air flow provides warm air above the primary bum that results in a secondary burn that provides a smokeless fire feature. Further, due to the positioning of the air intakes for the primary and secondary air flow, the smokeless fire pit is able to be positioned in the ground, thereby lowering a heating zone of the smokeless fire pit, as preferred by users. [0036] Although certain embodiments and implementations of the disclosure have been specifically described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains that variations and modifications of the various embodiments shown and described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the disclosure be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A smokeless fire pit comprising: a fire pit base defining an interior region; a top rim positioned on a top of the fire pit base, wherein the top rim and the fire pit base together form a first plurality of apertures configured to provide air passageways that allow air to flow from outside of the fire pit base and into the interior region defined by the fire pit base; an ash tray assembly positioned at a bottom of the interior region defined by the fire pit base, the ash tray assembly comprising: an ash tray defining a plurality of holes along a side of the ash tray; a fire grate defining a plurality of apertures, where the fire grate is configured to cover the ash tray; and an ash tray base positioned at the bottom of the interior region of the fire pit base and configured to position the ash tray and the fire grate above the bottom of the interior region; wherein the ash tray base and the bottom of the interior region of the fire pit base together form a second plurality of apertures configured to provide air passageways that allow air to flow from the interior region of the fire pit base, through the plurality of holes of the ash tray and through the plurality of apertures of the fire grate; and a cylinder chamber wall positioned in the interior region of the fire pit, the cylinder chamber at least partially defining a bum chamber and engaging the ash tray base at a first end and the top rim at a second end, the cylinder chamber wall defining a plurality of holes at the second end of the cylinder configured to provide air passageways for air to flow into the bum chamber.

2. The smokeless fire pit of claim 1, further comprising: a cylindrical ring positioned in the interior region of the fire pit base at a top of an exterior wall of the cylindrical chamber wall, the cylindrical ring and the cylindrical chamber wall together defining a secondary air chamber; wherein the cylindrical ring defines a plurality of apertures configured to provide air passageways from the interior region of the fire pit base and into the secondary air chamber.

3. The smokeless fire pit of claim 1, wherein the fire grate and the ash tray are removable.

4. The smokeless fire pit of claim 1, wherein the fire pit base comprises ceramics.

5. The smokeless fire pit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the ash tray assembly or the cylindrical chamber wall comprises stainless steel.

6. The smokeless fire pit of claim 1, where at least one of the ash tray assembly or the cylindrical chamber wall comprises a porcelain coating.

7. The smokeless fire pit of claim 1, wherein the top rim comprises at least one of stone, ceramic, or metal.

8. A smokeless fire pit comprising: a fire pit base defining an interior region, the fire pit base at least partially defining a plurality of apertures configured to provide air passageways that allow air to flow from outside of the fire pit base and into the interior region defined by the fire pit base; a top rim positioned on a top of the fire pit base; an ash tray assembly positioned at a bottom of the interior region; a cylindrical chamber wall position in the interior region of the fire pit base, where a first end of the cylindrical chamber wall engages the ash tray assembly and the second end of the cylindrical chamber wall engages the top rim, wherein the cylindrical chamber wall at least partially defines a bum chamber and the cylindrical chamber wall defines a plurality of holes at an end of the cylindrical chamber wall that engages with the top rim; wherein the smokeless fire pit is configured to provide a primary air flow from the plurality of apertures at the fire pit base, into the interior region, and through the ash tray assembly into a bottom of the burn chamber at least partially defined by the cylindrical chamber wall; and wherein the smokeless fire pit is configured to provide a secondary air flow from the plurality of apertures at the fire pit base, into the interior region, and through the plurality of holes defined by the cylindrical chamber wall into the bum chamber at the second end of the cylindrical chamber wall engaging the top rim.

9. The smokeless fire pit of claim 8, wherein the fire pit base defines the plurality of apertures configured to provide air passageways that allow air to flow from outside of the fire pit base and into the interior region defined by the fire pit base.

10. The smokeless fire pit of claim 9, wherein the plurality of apertures defined by the fire pit base are adjacent to the top rim.

11. The smokeless fire pit of claim 8, wherein the fire pit base and the top rim together define the plurality of apertures configured to provide air passageways that allow air to flow from outside of the fire pit base and into the interior region defined by the fire pit base.

12. The smokeless fire pit of claim 8, wherein the ash tray assembly comprises: an ash tray defining a plurality of holes along a side of the ash tray; and a fire grate defining a plurality of apertures, where the fire grate is configured to cover the ash tray.

13. The smokeless fire pit of claim 12, wherein the ash tray and the fire grate are removeable from the smokeless fire pit.

14. The smokeless fire pit of claim 8, further comprising: a cylindrical ring positioned in the interior region of the fire pit base at an exterior wall of the second end of cylindrical chamber wall, the cylindrical ring and the cylindrical chamber wall together defining a secondary air chamber; wherein the cylindrical ring defines a plurality of apertures configured to provide air passageways from the interior region of the fire pit base and into the secondary air chamber.

15. The smokeless fire pit of claim 8, wherein the fire pit base comprises ceramics.

16. The smokeless fire pit of claim 8, wherein at least one of the ash tray assembly or the cylindrical chamber wall comprises stainless steel.

17. The smokeless fire pit of claim 8, where at least one of the ash tray assembly or the cylindrical chamber wall comprises a porcelain coating.

18. The smokeless fire pit of claim 8, wherein the top rim comprises at least one of stone, ceramic, or metal.