Tool for separating ash from coals

Abstract

The present invention was founded on the basic object of providing an apparatus for safely and efficiently sifting dust and ash and other relative small particles from larger particles, such as incompletely burned coals. A further object of the invention is to provide a sieve that enables a sifting of particulate matter from incompletely burned coals while inside a combustion chamber of a fireplace, stove, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment the invention includes a sieve with sides and bottom having a plurality of apertures dimensioned so that the sieve sides and bottom fit entirely within the confines of the object to be cleaned, and a handle fixed to the sieve such that the handle does not extend far, such as 1/2 or less, above the top of the sieve.

Claims

1. A sieve comprising sides and bottom; with said sides and bottom having a plurality of apertures; with an open top; adapted so that the sieve sides and bottom fit entirely within the confines of an object to be cleaned; adapted so that the sieve sides and bottom can be rotated 180 degrees within an object to be cleaned; with a handle fixed to the sieve; with the handle adapted to support the sieve; with the handle adapted to extend outside of an object to be cleaned; with the handle fixed to the sieve for inducing rotational and oscillating movement to the sieve; and with the handle adapted so that the handle does not extend far, such as 1/2 or less, above the top of the sieve.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The sieve of claim 1, adapted so that the maximum width of the sieve sides and bottom are one half or less than the width of an object to be cleaned.

8. The sieve of claim 1, adapted so that the maximum width of the sieve sides and bottom are less than the height of an object to be cleaned.

9. The sieve of claim 1, wherein the apertures of the sides and bottom have openings sized to allow ash to flow through while retaining coals in the sieve.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0027] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a sieve pursuant to the invention disclosed herein; and,

[0029] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Before any particular embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it must be made clear that the following details of construction and illustrations of inventive concepts are mere examples of the many possible manifestations of the invention. While fireboxes, stoves, and the like are commonly referenced herein as the structures from which matter is to be removed, it is to be understood that the sieve could be employed relative to numerous other structures and in widely varied applications.

[0032] With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sieve embodying one or more aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1 the sieve includes a top rigid frame 6 and a bottom rigid frame 4. Between the top rigid frame 6 and the bottom rigid frame 4 the sieve has side walls 1. Between the bottom rigid frame 4 the sieve has a bottom wall 7. Together, the side walls 1 and the bottom wall 7 define a reception volume for receiving a volume of material. In an exemplary embodiment the space encompassed by the sides and bottom is large enough to hold a significant portion, or all, of the material to be sifted, but small enough to fit fully within the confines of the stove or the like being cleaned. The side walls 1 and bottom wall 7 of the sieve contain, or are manufactured in a such a way as to create, a plurality of apertures therein for enabling the passage of material through the sieve. In an exemplary embodiment a plurality of wires are fixed by soldering, welding, or other suitable means to the top rigid frame 6 and the bottom rigid frame 4 to create the side walls 1 and the bottom wall 7 and are spaced such as 1/4 apart or more to create apertures sized to allow ash and the like to fall through while retaining desired coals.

[0033] With continued reference to FIG. 1 the sieve has a handle 3 which is fixed to the sieve by soldering, or welding, or other suitable means. The handle 3 is located at a distance not far, such as 1/2 or less, above the top rigid frame 6. Alternatively, the handle could also be located below the top rigid frame 6, that is, closer to the bottom rigid frame 4. In any case the placement of the handle should be placed so as to not impede the entry of the sieve into the stove.

[0034] With continued reference to FIG. 1 it can be seen that in this exemplary embodiment the dimensions of the top rigid frame 6 are larger than the dimensions of the bottom rigid frame 4. This tapered shape allows the sieve to be nested, one inside the other, for easier and more efficient transport and storage.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates the underside of an exemplary embodiment of the sieve. FIG. 2 shows the handle of the sieve 3 can be made from wires which extend to also form the bottom rigid frame 4 and a supporting structure 5 for the sides 1 and bottom 7.

[0036] A wide choice of materials could be used to construct the sieve. In an exemplary embodiment the sieve is constructed of metal wire. Further, in an exemplary embodiment the said metal wire is coated with a material, such as epoxy powder coating, that will protect the wire from embrittlement and not disfigure at temperatures above 500 F.

[0037] Under such an arrangement, a user can, using a common wood stove tool such as a shovel, clear an area in the stove to be cleaned so that area is substantially free from material and then place the sieve, bottom wall 7 down, on that area. Material can then be shoveled, again using a tool such as a shovel, into the sieve. The handle 3 can then be used to gently shake the sieve or move the sieve backwards and forwards, while keeping the side walls 1 and bottom wall 7 within the firebox, or side to side to facilitate the movement of the ash out of the sieve. Once the ash has sifted out of the sieve the handle 3 can be rotated to the side so that the remaining coals exit the sieve and are deposited within the stove. If the amount of material within the stove is greater than the capacity of the sieve than the process can be repeated until all of the material has been sifted. The ash which was sifted out of the sieve can then be shoveled out of the stove, again using a tool such as a shovel, into a waste receptacle. The remaining coals can then be used to help restart a fire.