Hinged kiln brick protective collar

Abstract

A hinged protective collar for a kiln with rigid first and second body portions, each with a shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of a portion of a peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall and a hinge structure that pivotally couples the first and second body portions so they can be pivoted from a collapsed configuration to an expanded, use configuration. For a kiln with a faceted shape, each of the first and second body portions has a given number of corresponding facets. The hinged protective collar can span a portion of the periphery of the kiln, or the hinged protective collar could span 360 degrees and could have first and second hinge structures coupling the first and second body portions. The first and second body portions can have upturned proximal and, additionally or alternatively, distal end portions to prevent damage to kiln brick.

Claims

1. A hinged protective collar for a kiln with a kiln sidewall that has a peripheral edge surface of a given shape, size, and thickness, the hinged protective collar comprising: a rigid first body portion with a proximal end, a distal end, an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner edge, an outer edge, and a shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of a portion of the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall; a rigid second body portion with a proximal end, a distal end, an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner edge, an outer edge, and a shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of a portion of the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall; and a hinge structure wherein the hinge structure pivotally couples the first and second body portions at the proximal ends of the first and second body portions whereby the first and second body portions of the hinged protective collar can be pivoted from a collapsed configuration to an expanded, use configuration; wherein the hinged protective collar is for a kiln with a peripheral edge surface with a faceted shape, wherein each of the first and second body portions of the hinged protective collar has a given number of facets substantially corresponding in size, shape, and disposition to at least some of the facets of the peripheral edge of the kiln sidewall, and wherein the first and second body portions of the hinged protective collar cooperate when the hinged protective collar is in the expanded configuration to have plural facets corresponding in size, shape, and disposition to a plurality of facets or facet portions of a kiln with a peripheral edge surface with facets.

2. The hinged protective collar of claim 1 wherein the first and second body portions of the hinged protective collar cooperate when the hinged protective collar is in the expanded configuration to have facets corresponding in size, shape, and disposition to a plurality of facets of a kiln with a peripheral edge surface with 8, 10, or 12 facets.

3. The hinged protective collar of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second body portions has a width within thirty percent of the thickness of the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall.

4. The hinged protective collar of claim 3 wherein each of the first and second body portions has a width approximately equal to the thickness of the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall, wherein there is an inner dimension between opposed inner edges of the first and second body portions when the hinged protective collar is in the expanded configuration approximately equal to an inner dimension between opposed inner edges of the peripheral edge surface, and wherein there is an outer dimension between opposed outer edges of the first and second body portions when the hinged protective collar is in the expanded configuration approximately equal to an outer dimension between opposed outer edges of the peripheral edge surface.

5. The hinged protective collar of claim 1 wherein the first and second body portions cooperate when the hinged protective collar is in the expanded configuration to form a complete ring for entirely encircling the kiln sidewall.

6. The hinged protective collar of claim 5 wherein each of the first and second body portions spans approximately 180 degrees of a circumference of the peripheral edge surface.

7. The hinged protective collar of claim 6 wherein the hinged protective collar has first and second hinge structures that pivotally couple the first and second body portions.

8. The hinged protective collar of claim 1 wherein, when the hinged protective collar is in the expanded configuration, the first and second body portions cooperate to span at least approximately 120 degrees of a circumference of the peripheral edge surface.

9. The hinged protective collar of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second body portions has an aperture therein and wherein the apertures in the first and second body portions are disposed to align when the hinged protective collar is in the collapsed configuration.

10. The hinged protective collar of claim 9 wherein each of the first and second body portions has a proximal aperture adjacent to the proximal end of the body portion and a distal aperture adjacent to the distal end of the body portion and wherein the proximal apertures in the first and second body portions are disposed to align with one another and the distal apertures are disposed to align with one another when the hinged protective collar is in the collapsed configuration.

11. The hinged protective collar of claim 1 wherein the hinged protective collar is for a kiln with a peripheral edge surface with a faceted shape and wherein each of the first and second body portions of the hinged protective collar has a given number of facets substantially corresponding in size, shape, and disposition to at least some of the facets of the peripheral edge of the kiln sidewall and wherein the hinge structure is disposed at a mid-portion of a facet formed by proximal portions of the first and second body portions in combination.

12. The hinged protective collar of claim 1 wherein the hinged protective collar is for a kiln with a peripheral edge surface with a faceted shape and wherein each of the first and second body portions of the hinged protective collar has a given number of facets substantially corresponding in size, shape, and disposition to at least some of the facets of the peripheral edge of the kiln sidewall and wherein the hinge structure is disposed at ends of facets formed by proximal portions of the first and second body portions in combination.

13. The hinged protective collar of claim 1 wherein the hinge structure comprises a continuous hinge.

14. The hinged protective collar of claim 1 wherein the hinge structure comprises a living hinge.

15. The hinged protective collar of claim 1 wherein the first and second body portions are formed from rigid material and further comprising an upper layer fixed to the upper surface of the first body portion and an upper layer fixed to the upper surface of the second body portion wherein the upper layers comprise polymeric padding material.

16. A hinged protective collar for a kiln with a kiln sidewall that has a peripheral edge surface of a given shape, size, and thickness, the hinged protective collar comprising: a rigid first body portion with a proximal end, a distal end, an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner edge, an outer edge, and a shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of a portion of the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall; a rigid second body portion with a proximal end, a distal end, an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner edge, an outer edge, and a shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of a portion of the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall; and a hinge structure wherein the hinge structure pivotally couples the first and second body portions at the proximal ends of the first and second body portions whereby the first and second body portions of the hinged protective collar can be pivoted from a collapsed configuration to an expanded, use configuration; wherein the first and second body portions have upturned proximal end portions that are angled upwardly by being arcuate or sloped at a non-zero angle away from the bottom surfaces of the body portions whereby the upturned proximal end portions enable the body portions to be slid in relation to the kiln sidewall without damage.

17. A hinged protective collar for a kiln with a kiln sidewall that has a peripheral edge surface of a given shape, size, and thickness, the hinged protective collar comprising: a rigid first body portion with a proximal end, a distal end, an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner edge, an outer edge, and a shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of a portion of the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall; a rigid second body portion with a proximal end, a distal end, an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner edge, an outer edge, and a shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of a portion of the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall; and a hinge structure wherein the hinge structure pivotally couples the first and second body portions at the proximal ends of the first and second body portions whereby the first and second body portions of the hinged protective collar can be pivoted from a collapsed configuration to an expanded, use configuration; wherein the first and second body portions of the protective collar form an incomplete ring when in the expanded, use configuration with an open portion between the distal ends of the first and second body portions, wherein the first and second body portions are pivotably joined at the proximal ends thereof by the hinge structure, and wherein the first and second body portions have upturned distal end portions that are upturned in an arcuate or angled manner away from the bottom surfaces of the body portions thereby to facilitate the body portions to be slid in relation to the kiln sidewall without damage.

18. The hinged protective collar of claim 17 wherein the first and second body portions have upturned proximal end portions that are angled arcuate or sloped upwardly at a non-zero angle away from the bottom surfaces of the body portions whereby the upturned proximal end portions enable the body portions to be slid in relation to the kiln sidewall without damage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the accompanying drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top loading kiln according to the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the kiln of FIG. 1 after a period of use;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another top loading kiln as disclosed by the prior art;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a further top loading kiln according to the prior art;

(6) FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a hinged protective collar for kilns according to the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a view in front elevation of the hinged protective collar of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hinged protective collar of FIG. 5;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hinged protective collar of FIG. 5 in a partially folded configuration;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hinged protective collar of FIG. 5 in a folded configuration;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the hinged protective collar;

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the hinged protective collar;

(13) FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a further embodiment of the hinged protective collar;

(14) FIG. 13 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the hinged protective collar;

(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the hinged protective collar;

(16) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the hinged protective collar of FIG. 14 in a folded configuration;

(17) FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an additional embodiment of the hinged protective collar;

(18) FIG. 17 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the hinged protective collar comprising a complete 360-degree structure; and

(19) FIGS. 18-21 are views in front elevation of alternative hinge structures according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(20) The present invention for a hinged protective collar for kilns is subject to a wide variety of embodiments. However, to ensure that one skilled in the art will be able to understand and, in appropriate cases, practice the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of the broader invention revealed herein are described below and shown in the accompanying drawing figures. 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.

(21) As discussed above, with U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,563, the present inventor disclosed a Kiln Brick Protective Collar designed to prevent wear and damage in relation to the upper surface of kilns. However, the fixed body protective collar of the '563 patent, which must correspond in size and shape to the size of the kiln relative to which it is designed to be used, is inherently large. Storing and transporting the large protective collar can in certain instances be challenging. Moreover, applying and removing the full protective collar relative to a kiln can be awkward.

(22) In view of the challenges that have become apparent with the fixed protective collar of the '563 patent, the present inventor has devised of the hinged protective collar for kilns disclosed herein. A first embodiment of the hinged protective collar for kilns is indicated generally at 50 in FIGS. 5 through 9. There, the hinged protective collar 50 is founded on a protective collar body formed by first and second body portions 52 and 54. Each body portion 52 and 54 has a proximal end and a distal end. The body portions 52 and 54 are generally flat with what can be considered a flat upper surface, a flat lower surface, inner and outer edge surfaces, and a width W between opposed edge surfaces. The body portions 52 and 54 in this embodiment are symmetrical in shape and size, but embodiments are possible where the body portions 52 and 54 are unequal.

(23) The first and second body portions 52 and 54 are pivotably joined at their proximal ends by a hinge structure 66. By operation of the hinge structure 66, the hinged protective collar 50 can be pivoted from the expanded, use configuration of FIG. 7 to the partially folded configuration of FIG. 8 and, ultimately, to the fully folded, collapsed configuration of FIG. 9. When the first and second body portions 52 and 54 are in the use configuration, they can be disposed in a substantially coplanar relationship. When the first and second body portions 52 and 54 are in the collapsed configuration, they are disposed in substantially parallel planes. When in a collapsed configuration, the protective collar 50 can thus be conveniently stored and transported used to cover and protect a span of an upper peripheral edge surface 15 of a kiln 10 corresponding to the shape and size of one of the first and second body portions 52 and 54. When in an expanded, use configuration, the protective collar 50 can be applied to an upper peripheral edge surface 15 of a kiln 10 to cover twice the span provided by the collapsed configuration.

(24) With further reference to FIGS. 5 through 9, each of the first and second body portions 52 and 54 in the depicted embodiment has a proximal aperture 62 adjacent to the proximal end thereof and a distal aperture 64 adjacent to the distal end thereof. The proximal aperture 62 and the distal aperture 64 of the first body portion 52 are disposed to align with the proximal aperture 62 and the distal aperture 64 respectively of the second body portion 54 when the hinged protective collar 50 is disposed in a collapsed configuration. With that, among other things, the hinged protective collar 50 when in a storage configuration can be conveniently hung, such as from a hook or other projection.

(25) The body portions 52 and 54 can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. In certain embodiments, the body portions 52 and 54 are founded on panels of metal, such as by being stamped from sheets of metal. In other practices, the body portions 52 and 54 can be formed of temperature resistant polymeric material or any suitable resinous or composite material or combination of materials. The body portions 52 and 54 could be crafted from wood, such as from a panel of plywood or from multiple pieces of wood coupled in any suitable manner. The body portions 52 and 54 are preferably sufficiently rigid to resist bending and are of a material or combination of materials able to withstand elevated temperatures.

(26) As disclosed herein, the body portions 52 and 54 cooperate to have a shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of at least a portion of an upper peripheral edge surface 15 of a kiln 10 with which the hinged protective collar 50 is to be used. When the hinged protective collar 50 is in an expanded configuration, the body portions 52 and 54 combine to establish an inner dimension D.sub.I of the collar 50 measured as the distance between opposed inner edges of the body portions 52 and 54 and an outer dimension D.sub.O of the collar 50 measured as the distance between opposed outer edges of the body portions 52 and 54.

(27) Through the combined spans of the first and second body portions 52 and 54, the hinged protective collar 50 could form a complete or substantially complete ring to traverse an entire 360-degree periphery of the upper peripheral edge surface 15 of the kiln 10. Alternatively, the hinged protective collar 50 can traverse less than the 360-degree periphery of the upper peripheral edge surface 15 of the kiln 10. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 through 9, each body portion 52 and 54 is sized and shaped in correspondence to the shape of three facets of a kiln 10 with a ten-facet sidewall so that the hinged protective collar 50 would ideally be applied to a kiln 10 with a decagonal sidewall. Each facet 56, 58, and 60 of the body portions 52 and 54 is angled at 36 degrees in relation to the adjacent facet 56, 58, and 60, and each facet 56, 58, and 60 corresponds in shape, size, and angular orientation to a 36-degree span of the kiln 10 comprising one facet. The hinged protective collar 50 in this embodiment thus spans approximately 216 degrees of a circle.

(28) Using the octagonal kiln 10 of FIG. 3 for reference while again noting that the hinged protective collar 50 of FIGS. 5 through 9 is designed to be applied to a decagonal kiln 50, the hinged protective collar 50 has an inner dimension D.sub.I between opposed inner edges of the body portions 52 and 54 approximately equal to or within a predetermined range of an inner dimension D.sub.I between opposed inner wall surfaces of the kiln sidewall 12 and an outer dimension D.sub.O between opposed outer edges of the body portions 52 and 54 approximately equal to or within a predetermined range of an outer dimension D.sub.O between opposite outer wall surfaces of the kiln sidewall 12, possibly including or not including insulation. With that, the width W of the protective collar 10 can be approximately equal to the thickness T of the sidewall 12, potentially including or not including insulation and other materials.

(29) So shaped and sized, the protective collar 50 of FIGS. 5 through 9 can be applied to a decagonal kiln 10 during periods of loading, unloading, maintenance, and the like with the lower surface of the hinged protective collar 50 resting atop and substantially overlying the upper peripheral edge surface 15 of the kiln sidewall 12. The facets 56, 58, and 60 of each body portion 52 and 54 of the hinged protective collar 50 can be aligned with the facets of the sidewall 12 of the kiln 10. With that, a kiln operator can be provided with full access to the firing chamber 16 while the firebrick forming the upper peripheral edge surface 15 is protected against impact, chipping, and general wear.

(30) Hinged protective collars 50 according to the invention will thus ideally mirror in shape and size the shape and size of at least a portion of the upper peripheral edge surface 15 of the sidewall 12 of the kiln 10 to which the hinged collar 50 is to be applied. By way of example and not limitation, as in FIG. 12, the hinged protective collar 50 can be formed with facets 56, 58, 60, n sized, shaped, and angularly-related to correspond to the faceted sidewall 12 of an octagonol kiln 10 with the facets 56, 58, and 60 angled at 45 degrees relative to one another. Still further, as in FIG. 13, the hinged protective collar 50 can be formed with each body portion 52 and 54 including five facets 56, 58, 60, 63, and 65 sized, shaped, and angularly-related to correspond to the faceted sidewall 12 of a twelve-sided kiln 10 with the facets 56, 58, 60, 63, and 65 of each body portion 52 and 54 angled at 30 degrees relative to one another.

(31) Further still, the first and second body portions 52 and 54 of the hinged kiln collar 50 could be sized and shaped in correspondence to portions of the sidewall 12 of an oval or round kiln as in FIG. 16. There, each body portion 52 and 54 traverses roughly a 90-degree span so that the hinged kiln collar 50, when fully opened as in FIG. 16, traverses approximately 180 degrees to cover and protect approximately one-half of a kiln sidewall 12 of a round or oval kiln 10. In each instance, the inner and outer dimensions D.sub.I and D.sub.O of the hinged kiln collar 50 and the kiln 10 will approximately correspond such that the width W of the hinged kiln collar 50 will approximately match the shape and thickness T of the kiln sidewall 12.

(32) It is preferred for the hinged protective collar 50 to match the shape of each kiln 10 and to be within a given range of the thickness T of the sidewall 12, such as by being of a width W within thirty percent (30%) greater or less than the thickness T. For example, a collar 50 for a kiln 10 with a 2 and ½ inch sidewall 12 might have a width W between 1.75 and 3.25 inches while a collar 50 for a kiln 10 with a 3 inch sidewall 12 might have a width W between 2.1 and 3.9 inches.

(33) Looking to FIG. 17, it is within the scope of the invention for the hinged protective collar 50 to form a complete ring capable of entirely circumscribing the sidewall 12 of the kiln 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, first and second body portions 52 and 54 at both ends of the hinged protective collar 50 are hingedly joined by first and second hinge structures 66 and 90 disposed 180 degrees apart. The body portions 52 and 54 match in shape and size, and each spans 180 degrees. The hinged protective collar 50 in this non-limiting example is formed to correspond in shape and size to a twelve-sided kiln 10. Each body portion 52 and 54 has facet portions and facets 56, 58, 60, 63, 65, 92, and 94 and the collar 50 completed by the first and second body portions 52 and 54 has twelve faceted segments disposed at 30 degrees relative to one another, but it will again be understood that fewer or more facets would be possible and that the collar 50 could instead be round or oval. In any event, the complete ring so formed by the hinged protective collar 50 demonstrates greater stability and is still less likely to present an edge that might be harmful to the firebrick forming the sidewall 12 and the lid 14.

(34) In the embodiments of FIGS. 12, 13, and 17, the hinges 66 and 90 are disposed at mid-portions of faceted segments, which may be considered advantageous in certain circumstances. However, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 through 11, for example, it would also be possible within the scope of the invention for the hinges 66 and 90 to be disposed at the ends of adjacent faceted segments of the hinged protective collar 50.

(35) It will thus be understood that it is within the scope of the invention for the body portions 52 and 54 of the protective collar 50 to form an incomplete ring when in an open configuration with an open portion between the ends thereof. The open portion could be a narrow slot or could span a substantial angular portion. Where an open portion is included, the body portions 52 and 54 may preferably cooperate to span at least 120 degrees and more preferably at least 180 degrees or half of the circumference of the upper surface 15 of the sidewall 12 to permit adequate coverage and protection thereof.

(36) The protective collar 50 could be applied to align with the upper surface 15 of the sidewall 12 of the kiln 10 with the position and alignment thereof maintained by mere friction with repositioning carried out as necessary. However, with reference to the present inventor's U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,563 which is incorporated herein by reference, embodiments are contemplated wherein retaining structures are provided for mechanically preventing sliding of the protective collar 50 relative to the upper peripheral surface 15 of the sidewall 12. The retaining structures can prevent relative sliding in a first direction while permitting relative sliding in a second, opposite direction. The protective collar 50 can then be applied to the upper peripheral edge surface 15, and sliding in a first direction, such as away from the artisan, can be prevented while sliding in a second, opposite direction, such as toward the artisan and off of the upper peripheral edge surface 15, can be permitted.

(37) After reading this disclosure and reviewing the accompanying drawings, a number of such retaining structures would likely occur to one skilled in the art. Except as it may be expressly limited, each such retaining structure would be possible within the scope of the present invention. By way of example and not limitation, as in the '563 patent, a plurality of stops or tabs that have a portion thereof projecting beyond the flat bottom surface of the body portions 52 and 54 can operate to retain the hinged protective collar 50 against inadvertent sliding. The stops can be retained in any suitable manner, including by welding, mechanical fasteners, adhesive, or any other method. The stops could potentially be integral with the body portions 52, such as by being stamped from a unitary sheet of metal or molded as a single component. The stops or tabs could again have segments that project downwardly below the lower surface of the body portions 52 and 54 so that the segments can make contact with the outside edges of the sidewall 12 of the kiln 10 thereby to prevent inadvertent sliding of the hinged protective collar 50. Sliding in a first direction, such as away from a user, can be prevented while sliding in a second direction, such as toward the user and off of the sidewall 12 to permit removal of the hinged protective collar 50, is permitted.

(38) The type of hinges 66 and 90 used in hinged protective collars 50 according to the invention could vary. Except as expressly limited by the claims, any hinge effective to establish an axis of rotation between the first and second body portions 52 and 54 should be considered to be within the scope of the claimed invention. In the embodiment of the protective collar 50 of FIGS. 5 through 9, for instance, the hinge structure 66 comprises a continuous or butt hinge with a pintle 72 joining interlaced receiving portions retained by the first and second body portions 52 and 54.

(39) In the embodiment of the hinged protective collar 50 of FIG. 10, however, the hinge structure 66 comprises a living hinge formed with a flexure bearing 74 connecting the first and second body portions 52 and 54. The flexure bearing 74 could be formed from the same or a different material as compared to the body portions 52 and 54. By way of example and not limitation, where the body portions 52 and 54 are formed from a polymeric material, the flexure bearing 74 could comprise a thinned portion of that same material. However, where the body portions 52 and 54 are formed from a metal or other material, the flexure bearing 54 might be formed from, for example, a plastic, fabric, or tape fixed to the first and second body portions 52 and 54.

(40) As in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 through 9, for example, the hinge structure 66 could be formed in part by the end portions of the first and second body portions 52 and 54. However, as in the embodiment of the hinged protective collar 50 of FIG. 11, the hinge structure 66 could be a separate component fixed to the first and second body portions 52 and 54. There, the hinge structure 66 has first and second hinge wing portions 76 and 78, which are coupled by a hinge connection 72. The wing portions 76 and 78 have base sections fixed to the first and second body portions 52 in any manner, such as by welding, mechanical fasteners, adhesive, or any other effective manner or combination thereof, and the wing portions 76 and 78 have upturned sections disposed at a non-zero angle, such as from approximately 20 degrees to approximately 70 degrees, relative to the base sections to form the upturned proximal end portions 68 and 70 of the first and second body portions 52 and 54.

(41) In view of the relatively fragile nature of the kiln brick of a typical kiln 10, embodiments of the hinged protective collar 50 are crafted to minimize the risk of damage to the kiln brick. For instance, as can be appreciated by combined reference to FIGS. 7 through 9, embodiments of the hinged protective collar 50 have first and second body portions 52 and 54 with upturned proximal end portions 68 and 70 that are angled or sloped upwardly away from the bottom surfaces of the body portions 52 and 54. As in the depicted embodiment, the proximal end portions 68 and 70 of the body portions 52 and 54 are bent at a given upturned, non-zero angle, such as but not limited to 30 to 60 degrees, relative to the plane in which the bottom surfaces of the body portions 68 and 70 reside. In other practices, the upturned proximal end portions 68 and 70 could be arcuate or otherwise shaped. Under this construction, the upturned proximal end portions 68 and 70 cause the hinge structure 66 to be spaced above the bottom surfaces of the body portions 52 and 54 to prevent it from damaging the kiln brick, and the upturned proximal end portions 68 and 70 also tend to cause the body portions 52 and 54 to be able to be slid smoothly in relation to the kiln brick rather than potentially digging in or otherwise damaging the brick.

(42) Alternatively or additionally, as FIGS. 5 through 10 also show, the distal end portions 96 and 98 of the first and second body portions 52 and 54 can also be upturned, whether in an arcuate manner, an angled manner, or otherwise. The upturned distal end portions 96 and 98 in such embodiments again facilitate having the body portions 52 and 54 be able to be slid smoothly in relation to the kiln brick rather than potentially digging in or otherwise damaging the brick.

(43) Numerous other hinge structures 66 are possible and within the scope of the invention. By way of non-limiting examples, one may refer further to FIGS. 18 through 21. In FIG. 18, for instance, the hinge structure 66 has first and second wing portions 76 and 78 that are bent to non-zero angles, in this example roughly 90 degrees, to form the upturned proximal end portions 68 and 70 of the first and second body portions 52 and 54. The wing portions 76 and 78 are fixed to the base plates of the first and second body portions 52 and 54 by any effective method. In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the hinge structure 66 is formed with first and second wing portions 76 and 78 that are bent at a given angle to be V-shaped in profile and that are fixed to the upturned proximal end portions 68 and 70 of the first and second body portions 52 and 54, which are correspondingly bent at the given angle. In still another embodiment as in FIG. 20, the upturned proximal end portions 68 and 70 are bent at approximately right angles to the base plates of the first and second body portions 52 and 54 with a knuckle bent into the upturned proximal end portion 70 to form a knuckle hinge structure 66. Further, as in FIG. 21, it is contemplated that the first and second body portions 52 and 54 can have upturned proximal end portions 68 and 70, which can be bent to a V-shaped profile as illustrated, with a living hinge structure 66 formed by a hinge tape 74.

(44) As shown in the embodiment of the hinged protective collar 50 of FIGS. 5 through 9, it is contemplated that the first and second body portions 52 and 54 could be formed with just a single layer of material, such as a metal, a temperature resistant polymeric material, wood, or any suitable resinous or composite material or combination of materials. The first and second body portions 52 and 54 can be considered to comprise or be founded on base plates. However, it is also contemplated that the first and second body portions 52 and 54 could be formed with plural layers. For instance, a sublayer with desirable properties, such as frictional or thermal characteristics, may be fixed to the lower surfaces of each of the first and second body portions 52 and 54.

(45) As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, embodiments are contemplated wherein upper layers 80 and 82 are affixed to the upper surfaces of the first and second body portions 52 and 54. The upper layers 80 and 82 could, for instance, comprise a thermally-resistant polymeric material, such as a rubber or a silicone foam. The upper layers 80 and 82 could, for instance, comprise padding. The first and second body portions 52 could be formed from a rigid material while the upper layers 80 and 82 comprise padding material. The upper surfaces of the upper layers 80 and 82 could be flat, or they could be arched in cross section such that the upper layers 80 and 82 could form padded rails. As can be appreciated by reference to FIG. 15, the upper layers 80 and 82 could have thicknesses approximately equal to the distance by which the upturned proximal end portions 68 and 70 rise in relation to the lower surfaces of the first and second body portions 52 and 54. With that, the first and second body portions 52 and 54 can be pivoted to the collapsed configuration of FIG. 15 to be disposed in generally parallel planes.

(46) Even further layers would be possible. For example, the first and second body portions 52 and 54 could be formed from a layer of rigid material with a layer of polymeric or other material with thermal resistance fixed atop thereof. That layer could then be topped by a further layer of rigid material.

(47) The hinged protective collar 50 could be employed by an artisan by first selecting a hinged protective collar 50 that, when in an expanded configuration, substantially matches the shape and size of the upper peripheral edge surface 15 of his or her kiln 10. After opening the lid 14, the artisan can then apply the protective collar 50 to the kiln 10, such as with the hinged protective collar 50 disposed in a collapsed configuration with the lower surface of the first body portion 52 facing the upper peripheral surface 15 of the sidewall 12. The hinged protective collar 50 can then be pivoted to an expanded configuration by pivoting the second body portion 54 away from the first body portion 52. Where the kiln 10 is a shape other than round, the artisan can ensure that the orientation of the body portions 52 and 54 are aligned with the orientation of the sidewall 12. Articles, such as ceramics and kiln furniture, can then be inserted into the firing chamber 16 with minimized risk of damage to the upper peripheral edge surface 15. The protective collar 50 can then be removed, potentially after being pivoted to a collapsed configuration, and the lid 14 can be closed. The kiln 10 can then be heated to produce the desired heating effect. When the artisan determines one or more articles are to be removed, the lid 14 can be reopened, the hinged protective collar 50 can be reapplied as described above, and the articles can be removed, again with minimized risk to the firebrick of the sidewall 12.

(48) As shown and described, the hinged protective collar 50 for kilns 10 can enable a user to prevent wear and damage in relation to the upper edge surface 15 of the kiln 10. With that, the protective collar 10 can increase the useful life of the kiln 10 and reduce the need for repairs thereto. Moreover, the hinged protective collar 50 can be readily stored and transported by being pivoted to its collapsed configuration. By preserving the upper peripheral edge surface 15, the hinged protective collar 50 enables a tight seal between the lid 14 and the upper edge surface 15 to be maintained thereby improving energy efficiency and firing quality while preventing the deleterious effects of escaping gasses. Even further, when the hinged protective collar 50 is shaped and sized within an acceptable range of the shape and size of the upper peripheral edge surface 15, full or substantially full dimensional access to the firing chamber 16 will be permitted for loading and unloading even as the hinged protective collar 50 protects the fragile firebrick at the upper edge surface 15 of the kiln 10. Still further, with the firebrick protected, the user need not be quite as cautious in leaning over the kiln to load and unload objects thereby improving comfort and ease while saving precious time in loading and unloading articles relative to the kiln 10.

(49) With certain details and embodiments of the present invention for a hinged protective collar 50 for kilns 10 disclosed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that changes and additions could be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. This is particularly true when one bears in mind that the presently preferred embodiments merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Accordingly, it will be clear that those with certain major features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments.

(50) Therefore, the following claims are intended to define the scope of protection to be afforded to the inventor. Those claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It must be further noted that a plurality of the following claims express certain elements as means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, these claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in this specification but also all legal equivalents thereof.