Stop fire

Abstract

Apparatus and method for disposing of hot coals, e.g. charcoal briquettes after barbecuing or coals from a campfire. Sand and rain water are provided in a double-chamber device to cool it below ignition temperature. By strategically deploying the apparatus in campgrounds and forest preserves, park rangers may provide campers and hikers with a more effective tool for ensuring the fire is fully extinguished. Sand and rain water are provided in a double-chamber device to cool it below ignition temperature.

Claims

1. A device for quenching hot coals, the device comprising: (1) a body unit having (a) an openable top, (b) a base, and (c) at least three sides; (2) an inner chamber containing (3) a quenching agent comprising a mixture of sand and water, wherein the inner chamber is containable inside the body unit and comprises a bottom having drainage holes; the top having openings sized to allow introduction of hot coals into the inner chamber to quench them, and wherein the body unit has six sides.

2. The device for quenching hot coals according to claim 1, wherein the body unit is twenty-five inches in height, wherein three of the six sides are four inches wide, and three of the six sides are thirty inches wide, and wherein the three four-inches sides and the three thirty-inches sides alternate to form a triangular shape with flat corners.

3. The device for quenching hot coals according to claim 1, wherein the body unit is twenty-five inches in height and thirty inches in width.

4. The device for quenching hot coals according to claim 1, wherein the top of the body unit has an egress point integrated therein.

5. A device for quenching hot coals, the device comprising: (1) a body unit having (a) an openable top, (b) a base, and (c) at least three sides; (2) an inner chamber containing (3) a quenching agent comprising a mixture of sand and water, wherein the inner chamber is containable inside the body unit; the top having openings sized to allow introduction of hot coals into the inner chamber to quench them, the body unit and the inner chamber having a multiplicity of openings for cooling air flow; and the inner chamber being configured to allow water to flow into its sides and keep the quenching agent therein in a moist state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective side elevation illustrating a device for extinguishing hot coals according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this view, the lid is depicted as open, revealing the top of the inner chamber. However, in use, the lid is generally closed.

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the top of a lid of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a mesh on the under side of the lid of FIGS. 1 and 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a device similar to that shown in FIG. 1, with the lid closed. Arrows point to openings in the lid through which hot coals are introduced into the device.

(6) FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the device of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below, showing the inner chamber removed from the device of FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective elevation view of the inner chamber of FIG. 6.

(9) Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) As conceived, a Stop Fire product in accordance with the present invention would typically be made available in parks for consumer use. Such a device 10 comprises a body unit 12, having hinged top 14, base 16, three sides 18 that are desirably about thirty inches in width, and three sides 20 that are typically four inches in width, wherein body unit 12 has the shape of a triangular prism with its axis vertical, and with vertices blunted by the three sides 20. A multiplicity of openings 22 are provided in each side 18 of body unit 12 for cooling air flow. In this embodiment, body unit 12 is twenty-five inches in height, and wherein the three four-inch sides 20 and the three thirty-inch sides 12 alternate to form a triangular shape with flat corners, i.e. an irregular hexagon.

(11) An inner chamber 24 (see also FIG. 7) is provided within the body unit 12. Inner chamber 24 contains sand and water as a quenching agent. The water may be provided periodically by caretakers or by exposing the device to rain in the environment.

(12) The body unit 12 is made of sturdy metal. The inner chamber 24 body is desirably of aluminum, with some parts being of polymeric substance, to minimize weight of the inner chamber 24.

(13) The hinged top 14 desirably has a magnet 26 on each of its sides to ensure its use in adding hot coals into the inner chamber 24. It is configured to be openable only by authorized personnel to allow for removal of the inner chamber 24 and emptying it when full.

(14) The top 14 has a mesh 28 (see also FIG. 3) with openings of width 60, for example 3.5 inches, to allow for hot coals to be introduced through the top 14 into the inner chamber 24.

(15) The inner chamber is provided with a part that allows water to flow into its sides and keep the sand therein in a moist state.

(16) As shown in FIG. 2, the top 14 is prominently labeled HOT COALS ONLY where it is visible to users. Being at a height of approximately twenty-five inches, it is a visible warning of the hot contents going into the device.

(17) As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner chamber 24 of aluminum has a shape that fits loosely within the body unit 12. It is desirably twenty-two inches in height and twenty-six inches wide. On each side of the inner chamber 24 are a pair of holes 30 for the entry of rain water. A cool area will be maintained where the temperature of the coal is lowered. The rain water enters the side of the inner chamber 24 that contains sand. As shown in FIG. 6, drainage holes 28 are provided in the bottom of the inner chamber 24.

(18) Slots 38 are provided in the inner chamber 24 to facilitate removal from the device for emptying and replacement.

(19) The upper section 32 of the inner chamber 24 may be of plastic material that is resistant to heat and yet light weight.

(20) The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.