Gas adapter for wood burning fire pit

Abstract

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for providing a gas burner adapter in a wood burning fire pit, the system comprising: a burner; a connector detachably connected with the burner, the connector being configured to pass through the narrow opening at the bottom of the wood burning fire pit; and the connecting piece is connected to the air source.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 384,571, entitled “Gas Adapter for a Wood - Burning Fire Pit,” filed on November 21, 2022. Background Art

[0003] This application relates to a gas adapter that is installed inside a wood - burning fire pit to convert the wood - burning fire pit into burning gas.

[0004] Various convertible fire pits are described in the prior - art patent literature. For example, US9038620 discloses a multi - faceted portable outdoor fireplace that can be converted into an open - air grill, a rotisserie grill assembly, and a smoker assembly. The fireplace includes a carriage assembly having a pair of rotatable wheels and at least one leg member; a chassis assembly for accommodating a solid - fuel heat source fixed to the carriage assembly; and a removable filter assembly located on top of the chassis assembly. When converted into an open - air grill, the fireplace further includes a grill bracket detachably attached to the filter assembly. In one embodiment, when converted into a smoker, the fireplace further includes at least one heat - insulating / wind - blocking panel that can be attached to the filter assembly; a smoker adapter body located on the filter assembly; an adjustable grate support frame and a lid fixed inside the smoker body.

[0005] However, the prior - art convertible fire pits do not provide a convenient means to alternately use wood as a fuel source and a gaseous fuel source such as propane or natural gas. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a way to use gas instead of wood for combustion in a wood - burning fire pit, so that a safer fire can be used when a wood - burning ban is in effect or in any other situation where gas is more convenient than wood.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for providing a gas burner adapter in a wood - burning fire pit is provided, including: a connector detachably connected to a burner, the connector being configured to pass through a narrow opening at the bottom of the wood - burning fire pit; and a connection member connected to a gas source. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 is a top - down exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a gas adapter for a wood - burning fire pit according to the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 is a top - down perspective view of the assembled adapter as shown in Figure 1 connected to a connection member connected to a gas source;

[0010] Figure 3 is the bottom perspective view of the assembled adapter as Figure 2 shown;

[0011] Figure 4 is as Figure 1 shown, the top view of the adapter;

[0012] Figure 5 is the side view of the assembled adapter as Figure 2 shown;

[0013] Figure 6 is the exploded bottom perspective view of the adapter as Figure 1 shown, aligned with the wood burning fire pit;

[0014] Figure 7 is the side view of the assembled adapter that will be inserted into the wood burning fire pit and then connected to the connecting piece connected to the gas source, as Figure 1 shown;

[0015] Figure 8 is the bottom perspective view of the assembled adapter installed in the wood burning fire pit and connected to the connecting piece connected to the gas source, as Figure 1 shown;

[0016] Figure 9 is the top view of the assembled adapter installed in the wood burning fire pit, as Figure 1 shown;

[0017] Figure 10 is the inclined bottom perspective view of the assembled adapter inserted into the wood burning fire pit and disconnected from the connecting piece connected to the gas source, as Figure 1 shown;

[0018] Figure 11 is Figure 10 an enlarged view highlighting the fitting at the connector end of the assembled adapter inserted through and into the wood burning fire pit;

[0019] Figure 12 is Figure 1 the exploded side view of all components of a form of the illustrated embodiment;

[0020] Figure 13 is Figure 1 the side view of the connector connecting the burner to the connecting piece connected to the gas source of the illustrated embodiment;

[0021] Figure 14 is Figure 13 the cross-sectional view of the illustrated connector taken along the line A - A. Detailed Description

[0022] The first embodiment of the present application includes a burner, a plate, a connector, and a connecting member connected to a gas source. The burner and the connector are assembled and fitted onto the plate. Then these components are inserted into a wood-burning fire pit. Subsequently, the assembly is connected to the gas source below the wood-burning fire pit.

[0023] In another embodiment of the present application, it includes: a connecting member connected to a gas source is connected to a hose, and then the hose is connected to the gas source (with or without a regulator or valve).

[0024] (New paragraph) Another embodiment of the present application includes an air mixer assembled inside the connector for better gas combustion.

[0025] Another embodiment of the present application does not include a plate.

[0026] Another embodiment of the present application includes a set of lava for improving flame spread, heat retention, heat radiation, and the overall attractiveness of the campfire.

[0027] Another embodiment of the present application includes burners of different shapes, such as circular, octagonal, rectangular, triangular, etc.

[0028] (New paragraph) Another embodiment of the present application includes a quick-release socket (with or without locking options) for use as the connecting member connected to the gas source.

[0029] The embodiments disclosed in the present application provide multiple advantages. The main advantage is using gas instead of wood for combustion, so that a safer fire can be used when the wood-burning ban is in effect, or in any other situation where gas is more convenient than wood.

[0030] Other advantages include:

[0031] Smokeless;

[0032] Instant switching ability and fine control of the flame size;

[0033] In the current embodiment, the adapter does not require any modification to the wood-burning fire pit, and the wood-burning fire pit can still be used for burning wood (other wood-burning fire pits need to drill holes large enough to fit the connector without compromising the ability of the wood-burning fire pit to burn wood);

[0034] The adapter can be disassembled and flat-packed whether or not tools are used;

[0035] The adapter cools quickly;

[0036] The adapter is applicable to propane gas and natural gas, with or without an air mixer or valve;

[0037] The adapter can have or not have a plate, and can be used with or without lava (or other gas-enhancing accessories);

[0038] The adapter preserves the cooking ability of a fire pit that includes a cooking function; and

[0039] The adapter includes a locking quick-connect socket that is a connecting piece connected to a gas source.

[0040] For ease of description, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and their derivatives shall relate to Figure 1 the orientation of the device in [the reference]. However, it should be understood that unless explicitly specified to the contrary, the device may assume various different orientations and sequences of steps. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention application defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless the claims otherwise explicitly state, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed in this application are not considered restrictive.

[0041] In Figure 1 the illustrated embodiment of the gas adapter 1, the burner 2 is threadedly connected to the connector 4 and then inserted through the plate 3. Then the assembly is inserted into a wood-burning fire pit 6 as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 . As shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the connector 4 is fitted through an opening in the bottom of the wood-burning fire pit 6. Then, as shown in Figure 7 , the connector 4 is connected to a connecting piece connected to the gas source 5. The connecting piece connected to the gas source 5 itself can be connected to the gas source by any necessary means.

[0042] Although in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the adapter 1 is shown as being assembled from three components. However, the functional elements of the adapter 1 can be assembled from more or less differently shaped components and, if desired, can be integrally formed. In the depicted embodiment, the adapter 1 consists of a burner 2, a plate 3 and a connector 4. Different embodiments may omit the plate 3 for use with natural gas or without a gas-enhancing accessory. The plate 3 may also have different shapes but serve the same purpose.

[0043] Different embodiments may use a quick-release connecting piece instead of a threaded connecting piece to connect the connector 4 to the burner 2.

[0044] Figures 2 - 5 An embodiment of the gas adapter 1 is shown, which is assembled and connected to a connecting piece connected to the gas source 5 (the connecting piece connected to the gas source 5 is not visible in Figure 4 ).

[0045] Different embodiments of the connector connected to the gas source 5 can be a threaded connector or a connection or any connector designed to be used with gas.

[0046] Figure 7 An embodiment of the gas adapter 1 is shown, which is assembled and arranged to be inserted into the wood-burning fire pit 6 and then connected to the connector connected to the gas source 5.

[0047] Figures 8 - 11 An embodiment of the gas adapter 1 is shown, which is assembled and installed into the wood-burning fire pit 6 and connected to the connector connected to the gas source 5 (only visible in Figure 8 ).

[0048] Different embodiments of the wood-burning fire pit 6 can be any wood-burning fire pit having holes at its bottom for gas passage.

[0049] Different embodiments of the wood-burning fire pit 6 can be any wood-burning fire pit that needs to be modified to form an opening small enough for the connector 4 to fit without compromising the original ability of the fire pit to use wood.

[0050] Figure 12 All components of an embodiment of the gas adapter 1 and the connector connected to the gas source 5 are shown.

[0051] Although in the Figure 1 embodiment shown, two components are assembled to obtain the burner 2, the functional elements of the burner 2 can be assembled from components of more or less different shapes and, if necessary, can be integrally formed. In the depicted embodiment, the burner 2 consists of a square burner 7 and a plug 8.

[0052] Another embodiment can use a circular burner 2 or a burner of any shape. Another embodiment can combine the burner 2 and the plate 3 into one piece.

[0053] Although in the Figure 1 embodiment shown, four components are assembled to obtain the connector 4. However, the functional elements of the connector 4 can be assembled from components of more or less different shapes and, if necessary, can be integrally formed. In the depicted embodiment, the connector 4 consists of a quick-release fitting 12, a reducer fitting 11, an air mixer 10, and an extension fitting 9. This structure is designed to enhance the combustion of propane gas.

[0054] Different embodiments can omit the air mixer 10 for propane combustion and natural gas combustion.

[0055] Figure 13 And 14 Details and cross-sections of an embodiment of the connector 4 are shown.

[0056] It should be noted that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative. Although only several embodiments of the present invention are described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who read this disclosure will readily understand that many modifications (e.g., changes in the sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of various elements, values of parameters, installation arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) can be made without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter. For example, elements shown as integrally formed can be composed of multiple components or elements shown as composed of multiple components can be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces can be reversed or otherwise changed, the structure and / or the length or width of the members or connectors or other elements of the system can be changed, the nature or quantity of the adjustment positions between the arranged elements can be changed. It should be noted that the elements and / or components of the system can be constructed of any one of a variety of materials having sufficient strength or durability in any one of a variety of colors, textures and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications should be included within the scope of this application. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions can be made to the design, operating conditions and arrangements of the required and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of this application.

[0057] It can be understood that any of the described processes or steps within the described processes can be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of this device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as restrictive.

[0058] It should also be understood that variations and modifications can be made to the above structures and methods without departing from the concept of this device; furthermore, it should also be understood that these concepts should be included in the claims unless otherwise clearly stated in the claims.

[0059] The above description is only considered as a description of the illustrated embodiments. Modifications to the device will occur to those skilled in the art as well as those who make or use the device. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the scope of this device, which is defined by the claims interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A gas adapter for a wood-burning fire pit, comprising: A burner; A connector detachably connected to the burner, the connector being configured to pass through a narrow opening at the bottom of the wood-burning fire pit; And A connecting member connected to a gas source.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that The connector includes a fitting that connects the burner to the gas source.

3. The adapter according to claim 2, wherein The connector can be integral.

4. The adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connector can be made of brass.

5. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that The adapter further includes a plate for mounting a gas enhancement accessory and improving combustion.

6. The adapter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The plate is made of a heat-resistant material.

7. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector includes an air mixer for better combustion.

8. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adapter further includes a hose connected to the gas source.

9. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein, The adapter further includes a regulator.

10. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adapter further includes a valve.

11. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein The adapter further includes gas enhancement accessories such as lava and glass.

12. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein The connecting member connected to the gas source uses an elbow fitting.

13. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein The burner is square.

14. A method of converting a wood-burning fire pit to burn gas, comprising installing a gas adapter so that it passes through an existing opening in the wood-burning fire pit.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The components of the adapter include a burner, a connector, and a connecting member connected to a gas source.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The connecting member connected to the gas source is of the quick-connect type.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein The burner and the connector are inserted through holes in the plate.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein The components of the adapter are flat-packed when disassembled.

19. A method of converting a wood-burning fire pit to burn gas, comprising installing a gas adapter so that it passes through an opening created by modifying the fire pit in the wood-burning fire pit.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the modification of the wood-burning fire pit does not impair the ability of the wood-burning fire pit to use wood.

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