Fire Pit Lid Panel Storage Using Nested Door Pocket Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-function convertible fire pits lack safe and convenient storage solutions for their lid panels, posing a fire safety hazard, especially in households with children.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a door panel that can be received by a pocket or channel on the fire pit device, allowing the lid panel to be securely stored within the device, with features such as a support frame, hinged door, and channels to ensure safe and convenient storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lid panel is left unattended during fire bowl usage, then the fire pit can be used for its intended purposes (eating, writing, working, gaming), but fire safety hazards increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of using fire pit as tableVSAvoidfire safety hazard from unattended lid panel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lid panel is stored within a receiving pocket formed in the door panel, nesting the lid panel inside the fire pit device structure. This eliminates the need for the lid panel to be left unattended externally, resolving the safety hazard while preserving table functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid panel is extracted from the traditional unattended position and relocated to a secure storage pocket on the door panel. This separation removes the harmful element (unattended lid) from the operational environment while maintaining accessibility when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If conventional fire pit designs are used without dedicated storage, then the device structure remains simple, but safe and convenient lid panel storage is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safety through secure lid storageVSAvoidstructure with door panel and receiving pocket

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door panel serves multiple functions: it provides access to the fire bowl, structural support, and incorporates a receiving pocket for lid panel storage. This multi-functionality achieves safe storage without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving pocket for lid storage is merged into the door panel structure itself, combining the access function and storage function into a single integrated component. This reduces overall complexity compared to adding a separate storage mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11293645B2Fire pit-storable panel systems and methods

Publication Date: 2022.04.05 MR BAR B Q PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A multi-use convertible furniture piece, having a table top including a channel, the channel configured to receive a lid panel therethrough, a support frame connected to the table top, a door operably connected to the frame, the door including at least one receiving pocket, the lid panel configured to connect to the table the top and the door, and wherein the door is hinged to the support frame and a portion of the lid panel is received into the receiving pocket. The multi-use convertible furniture piece is also configured to receive and store the lid panel on at least one portion of the support frame.