Enclosure for a fire pit

The fire pit enclosure addresses heat damage and contact hazards with a support structure and fabric panel system, enhancing safety and aesthetics while allowing easy access.

JP2025520922AInactive Publication Date: 2025-07-03SOLO BRANDS LLC
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025500002
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-07-06
Filing Date
2023-06-26
Publication Date
2025-07-03
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Portable fire pits pose risks of heat damage to surfaces and direct contact hazards for humans and animals, lacking the aesthetic and practical benefits provided by traditional fireplace enclosures.

Method used

An enclosure structure for fire pits featuring support legs, a hoop, and a fabric panel with a safety gap, including a tabletop for item placement and a bezel portion for offsetting from the fire pit surface, allowing easy access by removable components.

Benefits of technology

The enclosure prevents direct contact with the fire pit, reduces heat exposure, enhances safety, and provides aesthetic and functional benefits, such as item placement and visual appeal.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A surround for a fire pit is provided. The surround includes a frame having at least three legs, with connectors at the upper portion of each leg. The surround also includes a plurality of tabletop portions, each tabletop portion being configured to connect to the connectors of at least two respective legs and being quickly removable from the connectors. The surround also includes a plurality of bezel portions, each bezel portion extending radially inward from the side facing the inside of the tabletop portion. The inner ends of the bezel portions collectively define the inner perimeter of the surround.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 810,964, titled “Enclosure for a Fire Pit,” filed on Jul. 6, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The subject matter described herein relates to an enclosure for a fire pit. The enclosure has uses specific to portable fire pits, but is not limited thereto.

Background Art

[0003] Portable fire pits are often used to provide outdoor heating in backyards, at campsites, and other locations, and to support direct - fire cooking such as roasting marshmallows.

[0004] The enclosure of a fireplace is a building part that surrounds the fireplace and provides advantages in terms of aesthetics and practicality. Such a part is common in built - in fireplaces, but does not seem to exist for portable fire pits. Further, a fire pit can generate a large amount of heat, and the outer surface of the fire pit may become hot. This poses a risk of damage to the surface (such as grass, asphalt, concrete, etc.) on which the fire pit is placed due to heat, and also poses a risk to humans and animals in direct contact with the fire pit.

[0005] Therefore, an enclosure for a fire pit can provide advantages related to practicality, aesthetics, reduction of exposure to the hot surface on which the fire pit is placed, and / or other purposes.

[0006] The information included in the background - art section of this specification (including the references cited herein and their descriptions or discussions) is included for technical reference purposes only and is not considered to be a subject that limits the scope of the disclosure.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The present disclosure provides an enclosure structure that partially surrounds a fire pit, thereby preventing the ground from coming into direct contact with the bottom surface of the fire pit structure and preventing humans and animals from coming into direct contact with the outer surface of the fire pit. The enclosure for the fire pit includes support legs, a support hoop, and a fabric panel that forms an enclosure separated from the outer surface of the fire pit by a safety gap. The enclosure for the fire pit also includes a tabletop portion on which food, beverages, tableware, and other items can be placed, as well as a bezel portion with a vent for offsetting the tabletop portion from the outer surface of the fire pit. The enclosure for the fire pit is configured such that a user can remove, for example, one fabric panel to which one tabletop portion, one bezel portion, and a support hoop segment are attached, creating an opening in the enclosure for the fire pit and facilitating access to the fire pit.

[0008] The fire pit and enclosure system disclosed herein is particularly useful for portable backyard fire pits, but is not so limited. One of the general features includes an enclosure for the fire pit. The enclosure includes a frame having at least three legs, each of the at least three legs having a connector disposed at an upper portion. The enclosure also includes a plurality of tabletop portions, each tabletop portion having a lateral end, an inward-facing side, and an outward-facing side, and being connected to and configured to be quickly removable from at least two connectors of the legs. The enclosure also includes a plurality of bezel portions, each bezel portion of the plurality of bezel portions extending radially inward from the inward-facing side of the tabletop portion of the plurality of tabletop portions, each bezel portion having a lateral end, an inner end, and an outer end, and the inner ends of the plurality of bezel portions defining the inner perimeter of the enclosure.

[0009] The embodiments may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the frame further includes at least two support hoops removably attached to at least two of the legs, and a plurality of panels removably attached to the at least two support hoops. In some embodiments, at least one tabletop portion, at least one bezel portion, at least one leg, or at least one panel includes an additional color, pattern, image, or logo. In some embodiments, each bezel portion extends removably from at least one of the tabletop portions.

[0010] In some embodiments, it further includes a fire pit support having a plurality of support arms extending radially inward from the at least three legs to a central intersection. In some embodiments, the inner ends of the plurality of bezel portions form a completely closed inner circumference of the enclosure.

[0011] On one of the general sides, an enclosure of the fire pit is included. The enclosure includes a frame having at least three legs, each of the at least three legs including a cradle disposed at an upper portion of the leg, at least two support hoops removably attachable to at least two of the legs, and a plurality of panels removably attached to the at least two support hoops. The enclosure also includes a plurality of tabletop portions, each tabletop portion configured to removably rest on the at least two cradles of the legs, and a plurality of bezel portions removably connectable to the tabletop portions and extending radially inward from the tabletop portions, each bezel portion of the plurality of bezel portions having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end defining an inner circumference of the enclosure.

[0012] The embodiments may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the enclosure further comprises a fire pit support portion having a plurality of support arms extending radially inward from the at least three legs to a central intersection. In some embodiments, each support hoop comprises a removable hoop portion, and each hoop portion constitutes a part of the circumference of the support hoop. In some embodiments, the radial portion of the enclosure defined by the central axis of the enclosure and two of the legs is configured to be opened by removing a removable hoop portion, panel, tabletop portion, and bezel portion from this radial portion. In some embodiments, at least a part of the tabletop portion, at least a part of the bezel portion, or at least a part of the panel is held in place by one or more removable fasteners. In some embodiments, at least one tabletop portion, at least one bezel portion, at least one leg, or at least one panel includes an additional color, pattern, image, or logo.

[0013] On one of the general sides, there is included an enclosure for a fire pit. The enclosure is a frame that includes at least three legs, each of the at least three legs having a connector disposed thereon, and a fire pit support portion having a plurality of support arms extending radially inward from the at least three legs to a central intersection. The enclosure also includes a plurality of tabletop portions, each tabletop portion having a lateral end, an inward-facing side, and an outward-facing side, connecting to the connectors of at least two of the legs and configured to be quickly removable from the connectors of at least two legs to provide access to the fire pit support portion.

[0014] The embodiments may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, further, a plurality of bezel portions are provided, each bezel portion extending radially inward from the inward-facing side surface of the tabletop portion, each bezel portion of the plurality of bezel portions having a lateral end, an inner end, and an outer end, the inner ends of the plurality of bezel portions defining the inner circumference of the enclosure. In some embodiments, further, each bezel portion extends removably from at least one of the tabletop portions. In some embodiments, further, the inner ends of the plurality of bezel portions form a completely closed inner circumference of the enclosure. In some embodiments, further, the frame further has at least two support hoops removably attached to at least two of the legs, and a plurality of panels removably attached to the at least two support hoops. In some embodiments, further, at least one tabletop portion, at least one bezel portion, at least one leg, or at least one panel includes an additional color, pattern, image, or logo. In some embodiments, further, each support hoop includes a removable hoop portion, each hoop portion constituting a part of the circumference of the support hoop. In some embodiments, further, the radial portion of the enclosure defined by the central axis of the enclosure and two of the legs is configured to be opened by removing the removable hoop portion, panel, tabletop portion, and bezel portion from this radial portion.

[0015] This summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, a selection of concepts that are further described in detail in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A more extensive presentation of the features, details, utilities, and advantages of the enclosure for a fire pit defined in the claims is provided in the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Refer to the following of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 8

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

[0017] The present disclosure relates to enclosures for fire pits, and systems of fire pits and enclosures. The enclosure at least partially surrounds the fire pit. In some examples, the enclosure can lift the fire pit, prevent direct contact with the ground, and protect the sides of the fire pit from unwanted direct access. In some examples, an enclosure for a fire pit can include support legs, support hoops, and a panel that establishes an enclosure separated from the outer surface of the fire pit by a gap. The panel can also serve an aesthetic function. In some embodiments, the enclosure for a fire pit also includes a tabletop portion on which a user can place items, and a bezel portion centered on the tabletop portion and useful for offsetting from the outer surface of the fire pit.

[0018] In some embodiments, the tabletop portion, bezel portion, support hoop segments, and panel can be easily removed from other feature portions of the enclosure. Thereby, for example, a user can create an opening in the enclosure of the fire pit to facilitate access to the fire pit. Such access can be useful, for example, for loading, lighting, emptying, or cleaning the fire pit, or for other reasons.

[0019] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference is made to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described using specific language. However, it is understood that there is no intention to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Changes and further modifications to the described apparatus, systems, and methods, as well as further applications of the principles of the present disclosure, are fully contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present disclosure and are included in the present disclosure. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and / or steps described with respect to one embodiment can be combined with the features, components, and / or steps described with respect to other embodiments of the present disclosure. However, for the sake of brevity, numerous repetitions of these combinations are not individually described.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary combustion stove, such as a wood stove or a fire pit 150, that can be disposed within the enclosure of the fire pit described herein.

[0021] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the combustion stove or fire pit 150 includes an upper portion 152, a lower portion 154, and an intermediate portion 156. The fire pit 150 further includes an inner wall or inner body 110, an outer wall or outer body 120, a connection ring 125 disposed at the upper portion 152 of the stove or fire pit 150 and attached to or integrally formed with the inner body 110 and the outer body 120, and a combustion cavity 190 defined by the inner body 110 and within which a fire grate 102 is disposed. The fire grate 102 allows air to flow through the fire grate 102 and the stove or fire pit 150 while supporting the weight of the fuel 160 (e.g., logs or branches of wood), facilitating the combustion of the fuel 160.

[0022] The stove or fire pit 150 further includes an upper edge 115 that is attached to either the inner body 110 or the outer body 120, or is formed integrally therewith. The stove or fire pit 150 further includes a plurality of outer ventilation holes 122 located at the bottom 154 of the outer body 120 and a plurality of inner ventilation holes 124 located at the upper part 152 of the inner body 110. At the middle part 156 of the stove or fire pit 150, the inner body 110 ends with an upward support edge or rollover 112 where the fire grate 102 fits or rests.

[0023] The stove or fire pit 150 further includes a base plate 170 attached to the outer body 120, a support tray 175 supported by a stand protruding upward from the base plate, and a catch tray 180 supported by a stand protruding upward from the support tray 175. The support tray is separated from the outer body by an air gap 176, the catch tray 180 is separated from the outer body 120 by an air gap 178, and the inner body is separated from the outer body by an air gap 179. In one example, both air gaps 176 and 179 are about 50 mm and the air gap 178 is about 100 mm, although other air gaps having the disclosed advantageous effects may be used.

[0024] In some examples, the cavity 190 is in fluid communication with the air gap 179 via the inner ventilation holes 124 and is also in fluid communication with the air gaps 178 and 176 via the enclosure 200 for the fire pit. The air gaps 176 and 178 are in fluid communication with the ambient air via the outer ventilation holes 122. As a result, the ambient air is drawn in through the outer ventilation holes 122, heated by the combustion of the fuel 160, and discharged from the cavity 190 and the inner ventilation holes 124, resulting in an advantageous combustion of the fuel 160. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the fire pit 150 forms a circle around the central axis 195.

[0025] Figures 2 and 3 show an example of a fire pit and surrounding system 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows the fire pit and enclosure system 100, and FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the fire pit and enclosure system along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. The fire pit and enclosure system 100 includes a fire pit 150 (e.g., the fire pit 150 of FIG. 1, or another fire pit) disposed within an enclosure 200 for the fire pit.

[0026] The enclosure 200 for the fire pit includes a frame 210, a fire pit support 220, a tabletop portion 230, and a bevel portion 240. The frame 210 is substantially concentric with the fire pit 150 and can radially surround the fire pit 150. In one example, the frame 210 includes a plurality of support legs 250 and a plurality of support hoops 260. The plurality of leg supports 250 (e.g., two, three, four, five, or more support legs 250) can define the height of the frame 210. The plurality of support hoops 260 (e.g., two, three, or more support hoops 260) are removably attached to the support legs 250 at different heights. In this example, the support hoop 260 supports a plurality of panels 270 removably attached to the support hoop together.

[0027] The fire pit support 220 supports the fire pit 150 and can space the bottom plate or base plate 170 (see FIG. 1) of the fire pit 150 a height H1 from the ground, which can be selected, for example, to minimize the risk of heat damage to the ground or other surface.

[0028] A plurality of tabletop portions 230 are disposed on the frame 210. Spaced radially inwardly from the tabletop portion 230, the enclosure 200 for the fire pit includes a bezel portion 240. In this example, the bezel portion is a plurality of ventilation bezel portions 240. In some cases, these can be arranged such that the upper portion of the fire pit 150 is approximately at the same height (e.g., within 6 inches higher or lower) as the radially innermost end of the bezel portion 240. The bezel portion can function, for example, as a spacer to prevent the fire pit 150 from contacting the tabletop portion 230 or the panel 270.

[0029] In one example, the tabletop portion 230 and the ventilation bezel portion 240 can be formed by punching, bending, and / or perforating one or more sheet metal blanks. The legs 250 can be cut from tubing stock (circular, square, or other shapes). In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fire pit 150 and the enclosure 200 for the fire pit are circular about the central axis 195.

[0030] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the enclosure 200 includes four tabletop portions 230, four bezel portions 240, four support legs 250, two support hoops 260, and four panels 270. The panels 270 are removably attached to the support hoops 260 and at least generally conform to their shape. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support hoops 260, the tabletop formed by the tabletop portion 230, and the bezel formed by the bezel portion 240 are all circular and at least generally concentric with the fire pit 150. However, in other embodiments, these components can be other shapes including, but not limited to, oval, square, rectangular, etc. The panels are polygonal (regular or irregular) and can be either the same shape as or a different shape from the fire pit 150, whether concentric with the fire pit 150 or not.

[0031] The panel may be formed of any suitable material, including flexible or rigid materials. In one example, panel 270 may be cloth, polymer, non-woven, ceramic, composite, metal, or other materials or combinations of materials. The panel may or may not have vents. In some embodiments, panel 270 may include a heat-resistant material to minimize radially outward heat transfer from fire pit 150. In other embodiments, panel 270 may be thin, porous, conductive, or any combination thereof to maximize radially outward heat transfer from fire pit 150. In one example, panel 270 may be made of mesh or loosely woven cloth.

[0032] The radially outermost edge of table portion 230 forms an outer diameter OD, which forms a barrier for the enclosure of fire pit 150. Thus, the enclosure for the fire pit may, in some cases, help reduce the likelihood that a user, pet, or personal items such as shoes, handbags, backpacks, etc. will come into unwanted contact with fire pit 150.

[0033] In other examples, the enclosure 200 for the fire pit provides aesthetic advantages that can improve the appearance of the fire pit 150. For example, the panel 270, the tabletop portion 230, the bezel portion 240, and other components may be configured in symmetric or visually appealing shapes and may be decorated with colors, patterns, images, logos, and the like. In still other examples, the enclosure for the fire pit may be understood as a functional feature in that people sitting around the fire pit can place items on the tabletop portion 230 that is accessible to them. For example, food, drinks, and other items can be placed on the fire pit. Here, since the tabletop portion 230 is at least the width of the bezel portion 240 away from the fire pit 150, it is well protected from heat conduction and remains cool enough to be touched with bare hands. Conversely, other items such as gloves, coffee mugs, etc. may be placed on the vented bezel portion 240 to keep them warm as the bezel portion 240 is quite close to the fire pit 150.

[0034] In one example, the overall height H2 of the enclosure 200 for the fire pit when the fire pit 150 is supported by the fire pit support 220 is selected to be slightly lower than the height of the fire pit 150 (see FIG. 1), such that the upper portion of the fire pit 150 extends slightly above the radially innermost edge of the bezel portion 240, and thus the bezel portion 240 can inhibit the fire pit 150 from moving laterally or radially with respect to the enclosure 200 for the fire pit. However, the enclosure 200 can accommodate fire pits of various sizes. The inner diameter ID of the enclosure 200 for the fire pit is defined by the radially innermost end of the bezel portion 240 and is selected to be larger than the outer diameter SD of the fire pit 150, such that the fire pit 150 fits within the enclosure 200 for the fire pit. There is a gap 310 between the radially outermost end of the fire pit 150 and the radially innermost edge of the bezel portion 240, and its width is defined as 0.5*(ID - SD). If the gap 310 is small, heat transfer between the fire pit 150 and the bezel portion 240 may increase. If the gap 310 is large, heat transfer between the fire pit 150 and the bezel portion 240 may decrease.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a top front perspective view of an exemplary fire pit and enclosure system 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The fire pit 150 and the enclosure 200 for the fire pit are visible. The enclosure 200 includes a tabletop portion 230, a bezel portion 240, support legs 250, a support hoop 260, and a panel 270. The example shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the example of FIG. 3, except that the fire pit 150 is smaller and thus the gap 310 is wider. The enclosure 200 for the fire pit can be configured to accommodate fire pits of different diameters, and the size of the gap 310 varies according to the size of the fire pit.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary fire pit and enclosure system 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The fire pit 150 and the enclosure 200 for the fire pit are visible, and this includes a tabletop portion 230, support legs 250, a support hoop 260, and a panel 270. Also visible is the fire pit support portion 220 of the enclosure 200 for the fire pit. The fire pit support portion 220 includes a plurality of support arms 510 (four support arms 510 in this example), and each support arm 510 projects radially outward from a central intersection 520 toward one of the support legs 250. In one example, the support arms 510 are fixedly attached to the support legs 250 (e.g., by welding, brazing, soldering, friction fitting, tab and slot, co - molding, or other means). However, in some embodiments, the support arms 510 may be removably attached to the support legs 250 (e.g., by quick - disconnect fasteners). The support arms 510 include stand - off brackets 530 that can be positioned at a location that contacts the lower portion of the support arm 510. The stand - off brackets 530 are adjustable along the support arms 510 and lockable at at least two different positions along the support arms 510, whereby a user can adjust the radial position relative to the central intersection 520. In some implementations, the stand - off brackets can be adjusted to interact with and secure a fire pit having a particular width dimension. In other implementations, the support arms are used without stand - off brackets and directly support the lower portion of the fire pit.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of an example of the enclosure 200 without a fire pit. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface of each standoff bracket 530 includes a raised standoff 610 that prevents the fire pit from directly contacting the support arm 510. The standoff is a protrusion formed on the standoff bracket 530. As shown with reference to FIG. 4, the standoff bracket 530 can be adjusted along the support arm 510. In some embodiments, the standoff 610 is formed directly as part of the support arm 510. In some implementations, multiple standoffs are formed on each support arm so that fire pits of different sizes can be placed.

[0038] Also, feet 620 are visible at the bottom of each leg 250. In one example, the feet 620 are made of a rubber-like material that provides both traction and insulation, thereby limiting heat transfer from the legs 250 to the ground or other placement surface. However, in some embodiments, the feet may also include horizontal adjustment screws 630.

[0039] FIG. 7 is an upper front perspective view of an exemplary enclosure according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface of each standoff bracket 530 includes a raised standoff 610, which prevents the fire pit from directly contacting the support arm 510. In one example, the standoff bracket 530 including the standoff 610 may be formed by stamping, bending, and / or drilling a blank of a metal sheet.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an exemplary fire pit and enclosure system 100 with one panel 270, one tabletop portion 230, and one bezel portion 240 removed for clarity. Each leg 250 includes a cradle or connector 810 disposed at its upper end. Each cradle or connector 810 is configured to support the left end of one tabletop portion 230 and the right end of another adjacent tabletop portion 230. Thus, the cradle or connector 810 is sized and shaped to cooperate with two adjacent tabletop portions 230 and is positioned to be disposed directly below the intersection of the two adjacent tabletop portions 230. Thus, each tabletop portion 230 is supported by two cradles or connectors 810 at its left and right ends, respectively.

[0041] In one example, the cradle or connector 810 is formed by punching, bending, and / or drilling one or more sheet metal blanks and is attached to the leg 250 by welding, soldering, brazing, bolts, screws, or other fastening systems or methods.

[0042] FIG. 9 is a top front perspective view of at least a portion of an exemplary frame 210 of the enclosure according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The frame 210 includes legs 250, support hoops 260, and cradles or connectors 810, which provide a lightweight and reconfigurable structure surrounding the fire pit. Each cradle or connector 810 includes two pockets 910, and each pocket 910 receives one end of a tabletop portion as shown in FIG. 8. The tabletop portion may be seated in the pockets 910 of two cradles or connectors 810 or may be attached by a non-threaded connection or other quick disconnect connection.

[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 8, each support hoop 260 is composed of four hoop portions 930 extending from support leg 250 to support leg 250. The hoop portions 930 are attached to the legs 250 via brackets 940, and any combination of gravity, friction, and mechanical tension is used to hold the hoop portions 930 in a predetermined position. Here, the brackets 940 are fixed to the legs 250, and the ends of each support hoop 260 fit within the slots of the brackets 940. The hoop portions 930 can be formed, for example, by punching and / or rolling a metal plate strip.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an exemplary fire pit and enclosure system 100 with one panel 270, one tabletop portion 230, and one bezel portion 240, and two of the hoop portions 930 removed, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this configuration, the radial (e.g., wedge-shaped) portion of the fire pit enclosure 200 has been removed, and the fire pit enclosure 200 includes a radial (e.g., wedge-shaped) gap 1010 through which a user can access the fire pit 150. Such access allows, for example, a user to add, reposition, or ignite fuel within the fire pit 150. When the fire pit 150 becomes cold to the touch, such access allows a user to remove the fire pit 150 or its components from within the fire pit enclosure 200, for example, for cleaning, inspection, or removal of ash, leaves, or debris.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an example of an enclosure for a fire pit of at least a portion of table portion 230 and bezel portion 240, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, 7-8, and 10, bezel portion 240 extends radially inwardly from table portion 230. FIG. 10 shows an outer edge 1110 at the outer end 1190 of bezel portion 240, which fits into an inner shelf 1120 at the inner end 1140 of the corresponding table portion 230. The inner end 1180 of bezel portion 240 faces inwardly toward the fire pit, and the inner ends 1180 of bezel portion 240 collectively define the inner perimeter of the enclosure of the fire pit. The lateral ends 1170 (e.g., left or right ends) of bezel portion 240 can be removably attached to the lateral ends 1170 (e.g., the other of the left or right ends) of an adjacent bezel portion 240 using a fastening system described below. Similarly, the outer ends 1160 of tabletop portion 230 face outwardly away from the fire pit, and the outer ends 1160 of a plurality of tabletop portions 230 collectively define the outer perimeter of the fire pit. The lateral ends 1150 of tabletop portion 230 may be disposed adjacent to the lateral ends 1150 of an adjacent tabletop portion 230.

[0046] In some embodiments, the number of bezel portions 240 is equal to the number of table portions 230, and each bezel portion 240 fits within the shelf 1120 inside a corresponding single table portion 230. In other embodiments, the bezel portions 240 may be aligned with the table portions 230 such that each bezel portion 240 rests on at least two table portions 230. In some embodiments, the bezel portions 240 may be attached to the tabletop portion 230 or another bezel portion 240 by a quick-release connector 1130. Quick-release connectors include, for example, pins, tabs, pegs, clips, brackets, springs, slots, through-holes, captive screws or bolts, or combinations thereof. In this example, the quick-release connector is a pin that protrudes through a hole at the lateral end of the bezel portion 240. The pin can be removed from at least one bezel portion without using screws or tools, so that the bezel portion can be easily removed from the remainder of the enclosure.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a panel 270 attached to a pair of hoop portions 930, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Each hoop portion can slide into a sleeve, clip, or bracket 1210 configured to receive and hold the hoop portion 930 and hold the panel 270 in the approximate shape of the hoop portion 930 (e.g., a quarter circle as shown in FIG. 12, or another shape depending on the implementation).

[0048] Thus, it can be seen that the enclosure 200 for the fire pit meets the long-standing needs in the art by providing a low-cost, lightweight, and reconfigurable structure that surrounds the fire pit 150 for safety, aesthetics, and / or functionality enhancement.

[0049] The above examples and embodiments can be variously modified. For example, the enclosure of the fire pit can be made of a thick material to support a heavier weight or a thin material to be lighter and easier to carry. The enclosure of the fire pit can be made in various sizes and with various curvatures. The relative lengths, widths, and radii of the various components may be different from those presented here. The perimeter of the fire pit can be made by various processes such as casting, forging, sintering, milling, 3D printing, etc. It can be made of various materials. The shape can be non-circular, including shapes such as oval, rectangular, triangular, rhombic, etc. The technology described here can be used to burn firewood, wood chips or pellets, waste materials, paper, cardboard, coal, and other combustible materials. The enclosure can be configured to surround, for example, a lamp, a stove, a fire pit, a fireplace, a campfire, a furnace, a forge, a boiler, or other combustion heat sources. In some embodiments, the fire pit support of the enclosure for the fire pit is removed or deleted, and the fire pit is placed directly on the ground or another installation surface. The enclosure for the fire pit and its components can include more or fewer parts (e.g., 2, 3, 5, or more parts) than those shown in this specification. The panels may be more or fewer, but in some embodiments, a single panel that completely surrounds the enclosure for the fire pit is included.

[0050] The logical elements constituting the embodiments of the technology described in this specification are called by various names such as operations, steps, objects, elements, components, or modules. Further, it should be understood that these may occur, execute, or be arranged in any order, unless explicitly claimed otherwise or a particular order is essentially required by the claim language.

[0051] References in all directions, such as top, bottom, inside, outside, above, below, left, right, side, front, back, upward, downward, up, down, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, counterclockwise, proximal, distal, etc., are used only for identification purposes to assist the reader in understanding the claimed subject matter and do not impose limitations with respect to the position, orientation, or use of the fire pit enclosure. References to connection, such as attached, coupled, connected, and joined, are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between assemblies of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. Thus, a reference to connection does not necessarily mean that two elements are directly connected and in a fixed relationship to each other. The term "or" is to be construed as meaning "and / or" rather than "exclusive or". Unless otherwise indicated in the claims, the recited values are to be construed as illustrative only and not as limiting.

[0052] The above specifications, examples, and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of an exemplary embodiment of the fire pit enclosure defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of the claimed subject matter have been described above with a certain degree of particularity or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art can make numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed subject matter. Further other embodiments are contemplated. It is intended that all matters contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings be construed as illustrative only and not as limiting. Changes in detail or structure can be made without departing from the basic elements of the subject matter defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. An enclosure for a fire pit, a frame comprising at least three legs, each of the at least three legs having a connector disposed at an upper portion thereof; a plurality of tabletop portions, each tabletop portion having a lateral end, an inward-facing side, and an outward-facing side, each tabletop portion being connected to connectors of at least two of the legs and configured to be quickly removable from the connectors of at least two of the legs; a plurality of bezel portions, each bezel portion of the plurality of bezel portions extending radially inward from the inward-facing side of the tabletop portion of the plurality of tabletop portions, each bezel portion having a lateral end, an inner end, and an outer end, the inner ends of the plurality of bezel portions defining an inner circumference of the enclosure; an enclosure having the same.

2. The enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises: at least two support hoops removably attached to at least two of the legs; a plurality of panels removably attached to the at least two support hoops; an enclosure having the same.

3. The enclosure according to claim 2, wherein at least one tabletop portion, at least one bezel portion, at least one leg, or at least one panel includes an additional color, pattern, image, or logo.

4. The enclosure according to claim 1, wherein each bezel portion extends removably from at least one of the tabletop portions.

5. The enclosure according to claim 1, further comprising a fire pit support portion having a plurality of support arms extending radially inward from the at least three legs to a central intersection.

6. The enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the inner ends of the plurality of bezel portions form a completely closed inner circumference of the enclosure.

7. An enclosure for a fire pit, a frame, at least three legs, each of the at least three legs having a cradle disposed at an upper portion of the leg; at least two support hoops removably attachable to at least two of the legs; a frame having the same. A panel removably attached to the at least two support hoops; A plurality of tabletop portions, each tabletop portion being configured to removably rest on at least two of the cradles of the legs; A plurality of bezel portions, each bezel portion being removably connectable to the tabletop portion and extending radially inwardly from the tabletop portion, each bezel portion of the plurality of bezel portions having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end defining the inner circumference of the enclosure; An enclosure having the same.

8. The enclosure according to claim 7, further comprising a fire pit support portion having a plurality of support arms extending radially inwardly from the at least three legs to a central intersection.

9. The enclosure according to claim 7, wherein each support hoop comprises a removable hoop portion, each hoop portion constituting a part of the circumference of the support hoop.

10. The enclosure according to claim 9, wherein the radial portion of the enclosure defined by the central axis of the enclosure and two of the legs is configured to be opened by removing the removable hoop portion, panel, tabletop portion, and bezel portion from this radial portion.

11. The enclosure according to claim 7, wherein at least a part of the tabletop portion, at least a part of the bezel portion, or at least a part of the panel is held in place by one or more removable fasteners.

12. The enclosure according to claim 7, wherein at least one tabletop portion, at least one bezel portion, at least one leg, or at least one panel includes an additional color, pattern, image, or logo.

13. An enclosure for a fire pit, A frame, At least three legs, each of the at least three legs having a connector disposed thereon at its upper portion; A fire pit support portion having a plurality of support arms extending radially inwardly from the at least three legs to a central intersection; A frame having the same. A plurality of tabletop portions, each tabletop portion having a lateral end, an inward-facing side surface, and an outward-facing side surface, connected to the connectors of at least two of the legs and configured to be quickly removable from the connectors of at least two legs, providing access to the fire pit support portion, the plurality of tabletop portions; A enclosure having the same.

14. The enclosure according to claim 13, further comprising a plurality of bezel portions, each bezel portion extending radially inward from the inward-facing side surface of the tabletop portion, each bezel portion of the plurality of bezel portions having a lateral end, an inner end, and an outer end, the inner ends of the plurality of bezel portions defining the inner circumference of the enclosure.

15. The enclosure according to claim 14, wherein each bezel portion extends removably from at least one of the tabletop portions.

16. The enclosure according to claim 14, wherein the inner ends of the plurality of bezel portions form a completely closed inner circumference of the enclosure.

17. The enclosure according to claim 14, wherein the frame further comprises at least two support hoops removably attached to at least two of the legs; A plurality of panels removably attached to the at least two support hoops; The enclosure having the same.

18. The enclosure according to claim 17, wherein at least one tabletop portion, at least one bezel portion, at least one leg, or at least one panel includes an additional color, pattern, image, or logo.

19. The enclosure according to claim 17, wherein each support hoop comprises a removable hoop portion, each hoop portion constituting a part of the circumference of the support hoop.

20. The enclosure according to claim 19, wherein the radial portion of the enclosure defined by the central axis of the enclosure and two of the legs is configured to be opened by removing the removable hoop portion, panel, tabletop portion, and bezel portion from this radial portion.

Citation Information

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