Campfire safety apparatus

Abstract

The campfire safety apparatus shields people and animals from unintentional contact with a campfire. The apparatus encloses the fire ring of a campfire to protect potential burn victims from the flames or smoldering coals. The apparatus may be a single unitary unit for permanent installations or the apparatus may be constructed of a number of rigid interlocking safety panels joined together to create an apparatus that is portable. The top edge, or upper rail, of the apparatus is above the campfire flame height such that a child or adult cannot trip over the apparatus and fall into the fire ring. The interlocking rigid safety panels incorporate cooperating pin receivers that lock the panels together when a pin is inserted. In certain embodiments the pins extend through the cooperating pin receivers and terminate into the ground to anchor the apparatus and increase its ability to resist tipping over.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to the field of campfires, in particular, to a safety apparatus for placement around a campfire so as to prevent accidental contact with the flames and high temperature embers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Campfire burns account for over 65% of all recreational burns in many areas of the country. Additionally, over 50% of such recreational burns are inflicted upon children. While many campfire burns are a result of direct contact with an open flame, an alarming number are the result of contact with smoldering embers. This is due to the fact that people are much more careful around an open flame than a pile of embers. [0003] Adults and children seem to be drawn to open campfires. They are often mesmerized by the open flames and have a tendency to want to play with the fire by poking it, or adding fuel to the flames. Some of the dangers associated with campfires have been reduced through the wide-spread use of fire rings. Toda...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The size and construction of the rails may vary with the particular application. For instance, permanent installations may utilize heavy gauge components, while portable embodiments incorporate lighter gauge components to minimize the weight of the panels. Rail spacing creating opening sizes of less than one square foot has been found to be particularly effective for portable embodiments. Such spacing allows easy access through the panels for cooking or rearranging the fuel, yet prevents adults, children, and animals from entry into the fire ring.

[0010] Portable embodiments include a plurality of portable interlocking rigid safety panels. Such interlocking rigid safety panels incorporate cooperating pin receivers that lock the panels together when a pin is inserted. In certain embodiments the pins extend through the cooperating pin receivers and terminate into the ground to anchor the apparatus and increase its ability to resist tipping over. Further embodiments incorporate ...

Problems solved by technology

They are often mesmerized by the open flames and have a tendency to want to play with the fire by poking it, or adding fuel to the flames.

Additionally, children often mistake fire rings filled with ashes for sandboxes.

This practice actually permits the coals to burn for hours, further heightening the risk to children.

Further, countless burns are the result of a camper contacting the metal structure of the...

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