FLOATING FIRE PIT

Abstract

Disclosed herein are components of a floating fire pit and methods of use of the floating fire pit to heat a volume of water. Specifically, embodiments of the floating fire pit include one or more tubular members, a base surface, and one or more sidewalls connecting the base surface to the one or more tubular members. The one or more tubular members enclose one or more volumes of air, and the floating fire pit has a buoyancy sufficient to float in the volume of water such that at least a portion of the one or more tubular member is above a surface of the volume of water and the base surface is below the surface of the volume of water.

Claims

1. A floating fire pit comprising: at least one tubular member enclosing at least one volume of gas, wherein the at least one tubular member forms a closed perimeter; a base surface positioned within a volume defined by the closed perimeter and extending in a vertical direction, wherein the base surface is below the at least one tubular member with respect to the vertical direction; at least one sidewall extending between the at least one tubular member and the base surface, wherein the floating fire pit has a buoyancy sufficient to float in a volume of water such that at least a portion of the at least one tubular member is above a surface of the volume of water and the base surface is below the surface of the volume of water.

2. The floating fire pit of claim 1, further comprising: a support surface positioned above the base surface and within the volume defined by the closed perimeter.

3. The floating fire pit of claim 2 wherein the support surface is in the form of a grate with a plurality of openings formed by a plurality of intersecting ribs.

4. The floating fire pit of claim 3 wherein the plurality of openings are each between 0.5 inches by 0.5 inches and 2 inches by 2 inches.

5. The floating fire pit of claim 2, further comprising: a bracket extending inward from one of the at least one sidewalls toward another of the at least one sidewalls, wherein the support surface abuts the bracket to maintain a relative position above the base surface.

6. The floating fire pit of claim 1, further comprising an anchor attachment extending away from a lower face of the base surface.

7. The floating fire pit of claim 6, further comprising an anchor connected to the anchor attachment by a non-rigid member.

8. The floating fire pit of claim 1 wherein the at least one sidewall extends from the base surface to the at least one tubular member directly connecting the base surface to the at least one tubular member.

9. The floating fire pit of claim 8 wherein the at least one sidewall extends away from the base surface at an angle ranging between 120 degree and 150 degrees.

10. The floating fire pit of claim 1 wherein the buoyancy of the floating fire pit is sufficient to float in the volume of water when supporting an additional load of combustible material weighing up to 100 lbs.

11. A method of heating a volume of water, the method comprising: disposing at least one tubular member enclosing a volume of gas on the volume of water such that at least a portion of the tubular member and enclosed volume of gas is above a surface of the volume of water; disposing a base surface below the surface of the volume of water; supporting combustible material above the base surface while the base surface is below the surface of the volume of water; combusting the combustible material while the combustible material is supported above the base surface; heating the base surface via heat generated by combustion of the combustible material; and increasing a temperature of the volume of water via contact with the heated base surface.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: positioning a support surface above the base surface and below the surface of the volume of water.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: positioning the combustible material directly on the support surface.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: moving combusted combustible material through one or more openings defined by the support structure and toward the base surface.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: attaching an anchor to the base surface via an anchor attachment extending from a lower surface of the base surface.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: heating the at least one tubular member via heat generated by combustion of the combustible material; and increasing the temperature of the volume of water via contact with the at least one tubular member.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: heating at least one sidewall connecting the base surface to the at least one tubular member via heat generated by combustion of the combustible material; and increasing the temperature of the volume of water via contact with the at least one sidewall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not necessarily intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and may have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings. The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a floating fire pit, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the floating fire pit illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the floating fire pit illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the floating fire pit illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a side cross-section view of the floating fire pit illustrated in FIG. 2 along 5-5.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a grate of the floating fire pit, according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a side cross-section view of the floating fire pit in use to heat a volume of water, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] As noted above, conventional fire pits are known and utilized on land. Embodiments of the floating fire pit described herein comprise a volume of gas (e.g., air) enclosed within one or more tubular members. The one or more tubular members may form an enclosed perimeter (e.g., square, circle, other polygon, or irregular shape). A base surface of the floating fire pit may be connected to the one or more tubular members. The base surface may be positioned below the one or more tubular members. The floating fire pit may include one or more sidewalls extending between the one or more tubular members and the base surface.

[0014] The components of the floating fire pit including, but not limited to, the one or more tubular members, one or more sidewalls, and base surface may be sized such that at least a portion of the floating fire pit (e.g., the base surface and at least a portion of the one or more sidewalls and the one or more tubular members) is submerged below a water line of a volume of water in which the floating fire pit is floating. The components of the floating fire pit may further be sized such that at least a portion of the one or more tubular members remains above the water line of the volume of water, even when the base surface is supporting combustible material.

[0015] The floating fire pit may be made from materials that advantageously transfer heat generated via combustion of the combustible material supported above the base surface to the volume of water in proximity to the floating fire pit.

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 1 to 7, a floating fire pit 100 may have a buoyancy such that a first portion 102 of the floating fire pit 100 is submerged below a water line 106 (i.e., a surface of a volume of water) both when the floating fire pit 100 is loaded with combustible material 117 and when the floating fire pit 100 is empty (e.g., devoid of combustible material). Additionally, the buoyancy of the floating fire pit 100 may be within a range such that a second portion 104 of the floating fire pit 100 is above the water line 106 both when the floating fire pit 100 is loaded with combustible material and when the floating fire pit 100 is empty (e.g., devoid of combustible material).

[0017] As weight (e.g., in the form of combustible material, such as wood logs) is added to the floating fire pit 100 (e.g., stacked up and supported as described below), more of the floating fire pit 100 submerges below the water line 106, increasing the first portion 102. Conversely, as weight is removed from the floating fire pit 100 (e.g., as combustible material combusts), more of the floating fire pit 100 raises above the water line 106, increasing the second portion 104. According to some embodiments, the floating fire pit 100 may have a buoyancy sufficient to float in water when supporting an additional load of combustible material weighing up to 100 lbs. As shown in FIG. 7, the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 identified on the left side of the illustrated embodiment may represent the floating fire pit 100 when supporting an amount of the combustible material 117. As the weight supported by the floating fire pit 100 decreases, the first portion 102 decreases (as more of the floating fire pit 100 rises above the water line 106), and the second portion 104 increases, as identified on the right side of the illustrated embodiment.

[0018] The floating fire pit 100 may include one or more tubular members 110. Each of the tubular members 110 may enclose a volume of gas 112 (e.g., air) within an interior chamber 114 of each of the tubular members 110. The tubular members 110 may have a cross-sectional shape (e.g., defined within a plane normal to a direction along which the tubular member 110 is elongated). The cross-sectional shape may be defined by an outer wall 116 of the tubular member 110. For example, the cross-sectional shape may have an outer dimension of between 20 inches and 40 inches (e.g., a 30 inch by 30 inch square, a circle with a diameter between 20 inches and 40 inches, etc.). The cross-sectional shape may have an inner dimension of between 15 inches and 35 inches (e.g., a 24 inch by 24 inch square, a circle with a diameter between 15 inches and 35 inches, etc.).

[0019] The tubular members 110 may be devoid of holes so as to prevent liquid/water from entering the interior chamber 114, thus decreasing the buoyancy of the floating fire pit 100. Alternatively, the tubular members 110 may have one or more holes positioned such that liquid/water is unlikely to enter the interior chamber 114 (e.g., within a top or upper surface of the tubular members 110). Further, the tubular members 110 may have plugs that are able to be opened/closed to allow access to the interior chamber 114 (e.g., to drain any liquid that has entered the interior chamber 114).

[0020] As shown, the cross-sectional shape may be circular, but is not limited to any specific shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape may be rectangular or square (e.g., with rounded corners) or another polygonal or irregular shape. According to some embodiments, the one or more tubular members 110 may include a plurality of substantially similar members. As shown, the one or more tubular members 110 may include four of the tubular members 110 connected (e.g., welded) to form a square. Alternatively, three of the tubular members 110 may be connected to form a triangle. The tubular members 110 may be straight, or curved, among other shapes. For example, one or more tubular members 110 may be curved to form a circle.

[0021] The floating fire pit 100 may include a base surface 120. The base surface 120 may be enclosed within the shape formed by the one or more tubular members 110. For example, the base surface 120 may be positioned below the one or more tubular members 110 (e.g., within a three dimensional volume having a perimeter defined by the shape of the one or more tubular members 110 and extending vertically (e.g., in the direction of gravity, perpendicular to the water line 106, toward the ground/bottom of a volume of water 122 upon which the floating fire pit 100 is floating). For example, the base surface 120 may be between about 5 inches and about 10 inches below the one or more tubular members 110. The base surface may have an outer dimension of between 10 inches and 20 inches (e.g., a 16 inch by 16 inch square, a circle with a diameter between 10 inches and 20 inches, etc.).

[0022] The floating fire pit 100 may include one or more sidewalls 130 extending between the one or more tubular members 110 and the base surface 120 (e.g., from the one or more tubular members 110 to the base surface 120). As shown, the one or more sidewalls 130 may correspond in number to the one or more tubular members 110 (e.g., such that four of the sidewalls 130 each connect the base surface 120 to one of the tubular members 110). However, other shapes and number combinations of the tubular members 110, the base surface 120, and the sidewalls 130 are also contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the one or more sidewalls 130 may extend up and away from the base surface 120, toward the tubular member 110, at an angle . As shown, the angle may range from 90 degrees to 180 degrees. In some cases, the angle may range from 110 degrees to 160 degrees, e.g., from 130 degrees to 140 degrees. In terms of lower limits, the angle may be greater than 90 degrees, e.g., greater than 110 degrees, greater than 130 degrees, greater than 140 degrees, or greater than 160 degrees. In terms of upper limits, the angle may be less than 180 degrees, e.g., less than 160 degrees, less than 140 degrees, less than 130 degrees, or less than 110 degrees.

[0024] The combustible material 117 may be supported by the base surface 120 (e.g., directly) and/or the one more sidewalls 130 and/or the one or more tubular members 110. According to some embodiments, the floating fire pit 100 includes a support surface 140 (e.g., a grate, or lattice) that directly supports the combustible material 117 above the base surface 120. As shown, the support surface 140 may include a grid with a plurality of openings 142 formed by a plurality of ribs 144 that cross one another (e.g., perpendicularly).

[0025] According to one embodiment, the plurality of openings 142 are sized to allow combusted material (e.g., wood ash) to fall through to the base surface 120. For example, the plurality of openings 142 may each range from about 0.5 inches by 0.5 inches to about 2 inches by 2 inches (e.g., 0.5 inches by 2 inches, 2 inches by 0.5 inches, 1 inch by 1 inch, etc.).

[0026] The grid may extend to an outer perimeter of the support surface 140. Alternatively, the support surface may include a solid outer perimeter 146 at which the grid terminates prior to reaching an outer edge of the support surface 140.

[0027] The tubular member 110, the base surface 120, the sidewalls 130, the support surface 140, or any combination thereof may include a structural component that positions the support surface 140 above the base surface 120. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the floating fire pit 100 may include one or more brackets/flanges 150 (e.g., extending inward from one or more of the sidewalls 130). The support surface 140 (e.g., the solid outer perimeter 136) may abut the brackets 150 thereby maintaining a position of the support surface 140 above the base surface 120. A gap between the base surface 120 and the support surface 140 may provide space for the accumulation of combusted combustible material 117 and a path for oxygen to reach an underside of the combustible material 117.

[0028] Some embodiments of the floating fire pit 100 may be free floating (e.g., unsecured to a surrounding environment (e.g., the walls or floor of the pool in which the floating fire pit 100 is located). Alternatively, the floating fire pit 100 may include elements to secure a relative position of the floating fire pit 100 within the volume of water 122. For example, the floating fire pit 100 may include an anchor attachment 152.

[0029] The anchor attachment 152 may be a hook, bracket, etc. that connects an anchor (not shown) to the floating fire pit 100 (e.g., via a non-rigid member such as a rope, a chord, a wire, a chain, etc.). According to some embodiments, the floating fire pit 100 may include the anchor and rope, chord, wire, etc. The anchor attachment 152 may be supported by the base surface 120 (e.g., extending downward from an exterior of the base surface 120). The anchor attachment 152 may be located near a center of the base surface 120 to limit any unbalanced loads being applied to the floating fire pit 100 due to the weight of the anchor.

[0030] One or more components of the floating fire pit 100 may be a rust-proof or corrosion-proof metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, copper, bronze, brass, etc.). These materials may resist breaking down (e.g., oxidation) due to spending time in/under water. Some embodiments of the floating fire pit 100 include components made from material(s) with a high thermal conductivity (e.g., aluminum, copper, brass, etc.). These materials may beneficially transfer heat from inside the floating fire pit 100 (e.g., from combustion of the combustible material 117) to the volume of water 122 surrounding the floating fire pit 100. According to some embodiments, the floating fire pit 100 may include components (e.g., the tubular members 110, the base surface 120, the sidewalls 130, or any combination thereof) made from a material that is both corrosion-proof and that has a high thermal conductivity (e.g., aluminum, copper, brass, etc.).

[0031] A method of heating a volume of water may include disposing one or more of the tubular members 110 enclosing at least one volume of gas 112 on the volume of water 122 such that at least a portion of the tubular members 110 and enclosed volume(s) of gas 112 is above a surface (e.g., the water line 106) of the volume of water 122. The method may further include disposing the base surface 120 of the floating fire pit 100 below the surface of the volume of water 122. As shown, when positioned below the water line 106 a lower face of the base surface 120 may be wet (i.e., facing and in direct contact with the volume of water 122 while an upper face of the base surface 120 remains dry (i.e., facing air and not in contact with the volume of water 122.

[0032] The method may further include supporting the combustible material 117 above the base surface 120 while the base surface 120 is below the surface of the volume of water 122. According to some embodiments, the combustible material 117 may be directly on/in contact with the upper face of the base surface 120. According to other embodiments, the combustible material 117 may be separated from the base surface 120 by a gap (e.g., when the combustible material 117 is directly on/in contact with the support surface 140). The combustible material 117 may then be combusted while supported above the base surface, according to the method. According to some embodiments, at least a portion of the combustible material 117 may be below the surface of the volume of water 122 while the combustible material 117 is being combusted.

[0033] During the method, combustion of the combustible material 117 heats the base surface 120, which raises a temperature of the water surrounding/in contact with the base surface 120. The combustible material 117 may heat additional components of the floating fire pit 100 (e.g., the one or more sidewalls 130, the one or more tubular members 110), which may raise the temperature of the water surrounding/in contact with the floating fire pit 100.

[0034] The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments of and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

[0035] Many of the methods described herein can be performed with variations. For example, many of the methods may include additional acts, omit some acts, and/or perform acts in a different order than as illustrated or described.

[0036] As used herein, greater than and less than limits may also include the number associated therewith. Stated another way, greater than and less than may be interpreted as greater than or equal to and less than or equal to. It is contemplated that this language may be subsequently modified in the claims to include or equal to. For example, greater than 90 degrees may be interpreted as, and subsequently modified in the claims as greater than or equal to 90 degrees.

[0037] In some embodiments, any or some of the components or steps disclosed herein may be considered optional. In some cases, the disclosed embodiments may expressly exclude any or some of the aforementioned elements or steps in this description, e.g., via claim language. For example, claim language may be modified to recite that the disclosed floating fire pit and/or methods, etc., do not utilize or comprise a support surface, a bracket/flange, or an anchor hook. Such negative limitations are contemplated, and this text serves as support for negative limitations for components, steps, and/or features.

[0038] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.