Portable Campfire

This application claims the filing date benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/663,464, titled PORTABLE CAMPFIRE and filed Jun. 24, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The disclosure, in various embodiments, relates generally to the field of burners and methods of use of such devices. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a fuel burner that may function as a portable campfire.

Campfires are a traditional staple of recreational camping. Activities that may be carried out around a campfire include sitting around the campfire while warming oneself and/or sharing stories with fellow campers and cooking meals over the fire. Commonly, enjoying a campfire may involve hauling bulky propane fire pits or bundles of firewood to a remote location. Afterward, campfire cleanup may be an arduous task of quenching the fire, disposing half-burnt logs, burying remnants of the campfire, and other laborious and messy tasks.

Additionally, many public camping areas are increasingly subject to fire bans of various degrees, which can limit a camper's options for enjoying a campfire. Many wilderness locations may undergo burn restrictions, especially during times of drought or other conditions that could increase the risk of wildfire, which can even further restrict campers' options for creating a campfire.

Further, preparation to use traditional sticks and logs for a campfire may be laborious, as they may call for chopping, splitting, or transporting logs. Transporting firewood may detrimentally include the transport of bugs or pathogens associated with logs.

In some locations, campers may be limited to the use of portable fire pits that the campers bring to the camping grounds. Such fire pits can become extremely dirty after use. Campers may then be limited to a choice between a laborious cleanup of the portable fire pit, or transporting the dirty fire pit, which could spread ash and carbon deposits to the camper's other belongings and/or vehicle interior. Further, the portable fire pit may delay a camper's departure from the campground as it cools down enough to be handled.

Some people may want to enjoy a campfire in their yards yet lack a suitable location to make a campfire ring. Others may not desire to have a semi-permanent campfire taking up space in their yards.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a portable campfire includes a base plate, a substantially vertical burner tube, a leg, and a fuel source. The burner tube has substantially outward facing orifices. The orifices are configured to emit fuel in substantially horizontal directions. The leg is secured against the base plate and is configured to support the base plate off a ground surface. The fuel source is configured to supply a combustible fuel to the burner tube.

According to other embodiments, a portable campfire includes a substantially vertical burner tube with outward facing orifices. The orifices are configured to emit fuel in one or more substantially horizontal directions.

According to other embodiments, a method of using a portable campfire includes inserting a respective leg tab into a corresponding leg tab slot on the base plate, placing a leg lock plate against the base plate, providing fuel through a gas supply line and into a burner tube, and igniting the fuel. Placing the leg lock plate against the base plate secures the leg tab against the base plate. Providing fuel through a gas supply line and into a burner tube causes the fuel to emit from one or more orifices on the burner tube. The burner tube is substantially vertical. The fuel is emitted from the one or more orifices in substantially horizontal directions. Igniting the fuel forms a flame that extends in a horizontal direction from the burner tube.

The following description provides specific details, such as material compositions, shapes, and sizes, in order to provide a thorough description of embodiments of the disclosure. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without employing these specific details.

Drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only, and are not meant to be actual views of any particular material, component, structure, device, or system. Variations from the shapes depicted in the drawings as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein are not to be construed as being limited to the particular shapes as illustrated, but include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as box-shaped may have rough and/or nonlinear features, and a region illustrated or described as round may include some rough and/or linear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded, and vice versa. The drawings are not necessarily to scale.

As used herein, the term “configured” refers to a size, shape, material composition, orientation, and arrangement of one or more of at least one structure and at least one apparatus facilitating operation of one or more of the structure and the apparatus in a pre-determined way.

As used herein, the terms “vertical,” “longitudinal,” “horizontal,” and “lateral” are in reference to a major plane of a structure and are not necessarily defined by earth's gravitational field. A “horizontal” or “lateral” direction is a direction that is substantially parallel to the major plane of the structure, while a “vertical” or “longitudinal” direction is a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the major plane of the structure. The major plane of the structure is defined by a surface of the structure having a relatively large area compared to other surfaces of the structure. With reference to the figures, a “horizontal” or “lateral” direction may be perpendicular to an indicated “Z” axis, and may be parallel to an indicated “X” axis and/or parallel to an indicated “Y” axis; and a “vertical” or “longitudinal” direction may be parallel to an indicated “Z” axis, may be perpendicular to an indicated “X” axis, and may be perpendicular to an indicated “Y” axis.

As used herein, features (e.g., regions, structures, devices) described as “neighboring” one another means and includes features of the disclosed identity (or identities) that are located most proximate (e.g., closest to) one another. Additional features (e.g., additional regions, additional structures, additional devices) not matching the disclosed identity (or identities) of the “neighboring” features may be disposed between the “neighboring” features. Put another way, the “neighboring” features may be positioned directly adjacent one another, such that no other feature intervenes between the “neighboring” features; or the “neighboring” features may be positioned indirectly adjacent one another, such that at least one feature having an identity other than that associated with at least one of the “neighboring” features is positioned between the “neighboring” features. Accordingly, features described as “vertically neighboring” one another means and includes features of the disclosed identity (or identities) that are located most vertically proximate (e.g., vertically closest to) one another. Moreover, features described as “horizontally neighboring” one another means and includes features of the disclosed identity (or identities) that are located most horizontally proximate (e.g., horizontally closest to) one another.

As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “bottom,” “over,” “above,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” and the like, may be used for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Unless otherwise specified, the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the materials in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if materials in the figures are inverted, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” or “on bottom of” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” or “on top of” the other elements or features.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a degree of variance, such as within acceptable tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0 percent met, at least 95.0 percent met, at least 99.0 percent met, at least 99.9 percent met, or even 100.0 percent met.

As used herein, “about” or “approximately” in reference to a numerical value for a particular parameter is inclusive of the numerical value and a degree of variance from the numerical value that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand is within acceptable tolerances for the particular parameter. For example, “about” or “approximately” in reference to a numerical value may include additional numerical values within a range of from 90.0 percent to 110.0 percent of the numerical value, such as within a range of from 95.0 percent to 105.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 97.5 percent to 102.5 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.0 percent to 101.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.5 percent to 100.5 percent of the numerical value, or within a range of from 99.9 percent to 100.1 percent of the numerical value.

is a simplified front perspective view illustrating a portable campfirein accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.is a simplified overhead view (e.g., along the Z-direction) illustrating the portable campfiredepicted in. Embodiments of the portable campfiremay be configured to produce an open flame by releasing a gaseous fuel (e.g., propane, butane, natural gas) from one or more burner orificesinto a flame. The burner orificesmay be situated on a burner tube.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the burner tubemay comprise a tubular, substantially hollow rigid element comprising a cylindrical wall. In other embodiments, the burner tubemay comprise other shapes, such as a conduit having a rectangular, oval, and/or square cross section. Some embodiments of the burner tubecomprise variable cross section sizes and/or shapes along the length (e.g., in the Z-direction) of the burner tube. Embodiments of the burner tubemay comprise threaded portions at externally facing surfaces at each end of the burner tubewhere the burner capand flare hose fitting (or other types of fitting appropriate for a gas supply line) may individually be attached to the burner tubeduring assembly of the portable campfire.

Further referring to, the burner orificesmay be situated along the burner tubein a spaced arrangement that may be configured to provide a desirable flow rate of a combustible fuel. The burner orificesmay provide fluid communication through the wall of the burner tube, such that gaseous fuel may enter through an end of the burner tube, substantially fill the inner volume of the burner tube, and exit the burner tubeby way of the one or more orifices. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the burner tubemay be positioned on the portable campfirein a substantially vertical orientation (e.g., substantially perpendicular to a surface upon which the portable campfirerests and/or substantially parallel to a Z-direction). In embodiments, the term “substantially vertical” means a direction within approximately 10 degrees of the vertical direction (i.e., the Z-direction), such as within 7.5 degrees of the vertical direction, such as within 5 degrees of the vertical direction, such as within 2 degrees of the vertical direction, such as within 1 degree of the vertical direction.

The quantity, size(s), and placement(s) of the burner orificesmay be selected to produce a desired volumetric flow rate of fuel passing through the burner tubeand exiting through the burner orifices. The quantity, size(s), and placement(s) of the burner orificesmay further be selected to produce a desired flame size and/or shape and/or intensity resulting from the combustion of the fuel passing through the burner tubeand exiting through the burner orifices. The arrangement of burner orificesmay thus be tuned according to the desired flame characteristics and/or the anticipated fuel type and/or anticipated operating conditions (e.g., fuel pressure, ambient air pressure, ambient temperature, ambient wind speed) under which the portable campfiremay be operated.

In some embodiments, an upper end (e.g., in the Z-direction) of the burner tubeis blocked, such that substantially no fuel may enter or exit the burner tubethrough the upper end. As shown in, a burner capmay be fitted to the upper end of the burner tubeduring assembly to substantially block the passage of fuel at the upper end of the burner tube. In some embodiments, a lower end (e.g., in the Z-direction) of the burner tubecomprises an open end with a fastener configured to connect to a gas supply line(). In the embodiment depicted in, the fastener comprises a flare hose fitting. According to various embodiments, the burner capand the flare hose fittingcomprise internally facing threads configured to engage the externally facing threads of the burner tube. When the flare hose fittingis connected to a gas supply line, combustible fuel may pass through the flare hose fittingand into the inner volume of the burner tube, substantially displacing the volume of air therein and exiting through the burner orificesas additional fuel continues to feed into the burner tubefrom the gas supply line.

Embodiments of the portable campfirecomprise a leg lock plateabove a base plate. The burner tubemay pass through central holes (,) on each of the leg lock plateand base plate, respectively. Embodiments of the portable campfirecomprise multiple legs. An upper tabon each legmay pass through tab holeson the base plate, and the legsmay then be secured in place by placing the leg lock plateagainst the base plateand tabs of the legs. Thus situated, the leg lock platemay exert outward (e.g., in horizontal directions) force on the leg tabsagainst the base plate. The base plate(more particularly, the upper surface thereof) may define the major plane of the portable campfire.

In embodiments, the legscomprise wrench notches. The wrench notchesmay comprise cut-outs in the material of the legshaving appropriate sizes and shapes to function as a wrench to tighten and/or loosen the flare hose fitting. In other words, at least part of the profile of a wrench notchcomprises a partial hexagonal shape (or other shape appropriate for the nut component of the flare hose fitting) so as to be used as a wrench on the flare hose fitting. In some embodiments, the legscomprise stake cutouts. The stake cutoutsmay comprise a hole passing through the leg, which may function to allow a stake to pass through a legand into the ground, which may thereby substantially secure the portable campfirein place. In the embodiment depicted in, the stake cutoutscomprise a T-shape. However, other embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise stake cutouts having various other shapes that may also function to allow a stake to substantially secure the portable campfirein place.

depicts a simplified exploded perspective view illustrating the portable campfiredepicted in. As shown in, embodiments of the portable campfiremay be disassembled into the burner tube, leg lock plate, base plate, and legs. As described above, each legof the embodiment depicted comprises an upper tabat the upper end of each leg. As shown in, the legsindividually comprise a shoulderdefined by a transition in width to the upper tabs. As further shown in, the leg tabscomprise a relatively narrow tab neckvertically neighboring (e.g., in the Z-direction) the shoulderand a relatively wide tab headvertically neighboring (e.g., in the Z-direction) the tab neck. In the embodiment depicted, the shoulderhas a width substantially the same as the lower portion of the leg(i.e., the portion of the legbelow the shoulder). The tab neckmay have a width that is less than the width of the shoulder. The tab headmay have a width that is less than the width of the shoulderbut greater than the width of the tab neck. As described below with respect to, tab neckand tab headof the leg tabsmay secure the legsin place relative to the base plate.

depicts a simplified perspective view of a base plateaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in.depicts a simplified overhead view (e.g., along the Z-direction) of the base platedepicted in. As shown in, one embodiment of the base platecomprises a central hole. Embodiments of the central holemay comprise internally facing threads configured to engage with the externally facing threaded portions at the ends of the burner tube, so that the burner tubecan be attached to the base plateby insertion into the central holeand twisting to engage the respective threads.

In the embodiment depicted in, the base platefurther comprises three (3) leg tab slotsand three (3) shield tab slots. In the embodiment depicted in, the leg tab slotsindividually comprise a keyhole profile (e.g., when viewed along the Z-direction) comprising a relatively narrow neck holeand a relatively wide entry hole. The leg tabsand leg tab slotsmay be sized such that each leg tab neckand leg tab headcan fit through its corresponding entry hole, whereas each leg tab neckcan fit within its corresponding neck holebut the leg tab headcannot, as the leg tab headis wider than the neck hole. Moreover, each leg shoulderis wider than both the neck holeand the entry holeof the leg tab slots.

To secure the legsto the base plate, the leg tab headmay be inserted into the entry holeuntil the base plateis resting on the leg shoulder. Thereafter, the leg tabmay be slid outward (e.g., toward the nearest exterior perimeter portion of the base plate) until the leg tab neckis within the neck hole. The leg tabof the other legsmay likewise be inserted into each corresponding leg tab slot. The leg lock platemay then be placed directly over the base plate, which may substantially cover the entry holes, effectively wedging the leg tabsin the neck holesagainst the base plate and securing the legsto the base plate. As would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, other embodiments may comprise other mechanisms for securing legs to a portable campfire that still fall under the scope of this disclosure. In one nonlimiting example, legs may have a threaded portion that screws into a base plate. In another nonlimiting example, legs may slide into leg holes or sleeves and secure to a base plate by a friction fit. In alternate embodiments, other quantities of legs are utilized to support the portable campfire. In one nonlimiting example, one (1) or two (2) legs may be individually driven into the ground to support the portable campfire. In another nonlimiting example, four (4) or more legs are utilized.

depicts a simplified perspective view of a leg lock plateaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in.depicts a simplified overhead view (e.g., along the Z-direction) of the leg lock platedepicted in. As shown in, one embodiment of the leg lock platecomprises a central hole. The central holemay be appropriately sized for the burner tubepass therethrough, so that the leg lock platemay freely slide along the length of the burner tube.

Referring to, some embodiments of the portable campfirecomprise multiple shields, each comprising a flat plate with a lower tab. The tabsmay be appropriately sized to enter the corresponding shield tab slotson the base plate.

Referring to, each shieldmay thus be individually attached to the base plateby inserting its tabinto a corresponding tab slot. Once in place, the shieldsmay be substantially held to the base plateprimarily by gravity.

In one embodiment, the portable campfirecan connect to a fuel source and be ignited to produce a dispersed, campfire-like flame. Embodiments of the portable campfirecomprise one or more valves to regulate fuel pressure, control the flow of fuel into the burner tube, and/or tailor the flame's intensity as desired.

Referring to, in operation, the burner orificesmay be configured to emit combustible gaseous fuel in outward, substantially horizontal, directions. The resultant outward emission of flames may result in efficient, horizontal radiation of heat directed to people and/or objects around the portable campfire; in contrast to traditional campfires, which may direct more heat upwards. The substantially horizontal emission of fuel from the burner orificesmay result from the substantially vertical nature of the burner tube. In embodiments, the term “substantially horizontal” means a direction within approximately 10 degrees of a horizontal direction (i.e., the X-direction, the Y-direction, and/or combinations thereof), such as within 7.5 degrees of the horizontal direction, such as within 5 degrees of the horizontal direction, such as within 2 degrees of the horizontal direction, such as within 1 degree of the horizontal direction.

The shieldscan substantially protect the flame from excessive wind and/or provide a surface to place pots or pans in which food may be cooked, as desired. The shieldscan also focus and/or direct the flame's heat in one or more particular directions. The use of the shields(e.g., the selection of how many and which shieldsto put in place on the base plate) may be tailored for the conditions under which the portable campfireis used.

For example, the portable campfiremay be used with no shieldsin place if radiating heat in substantially all horizontal directions from the flameis desired. Alternatively, if the portable campfireis used in windy conditions, a single shieldmay be placed on the upwind side (e.g., in a direction pointing into the source of the wind from the burner tube) of the base plate. In other circumstances, it may be desirable to direct and/or focus heat generated from the flameinto a relatively narrow space. In such cases, two (2) shieldsmay be placed on the portable campfire, leaving a smaller space where the flameis not horizontally blocked by shields. Heat from the flamemay be radiated through this remaining open space to a greater degree than if fewer shieldswere put in place. In other circumstances, it may be desirable to cook or heat foot or other objects over the flame. In such cases, all three (3) shieldsmay be placed on the base plate, with the top surfaces thereof forming a cooking platform, as depicted in. As shown, the shieldsmay form a triangular shape (e.g., when viewed from above along the Z-direction). A pan or other cooking vessel may then be placed on top of the shields.

Although the embodiment depicted incomprise three (3) shields, other embodiments may comprise any other quantity of shields. For example, the present disclosure anticipates embodiments with no shield, one (1) shield, two (2) shields, four (4) shields, or greater than four (4) shields. In other embodiments, the shieldshave different configurations, such as different mechanisms for connecting to the base plate or different shapes. In one alternative embodiment, shields comprise semi-cylindrical objects instead of flat objects.

Referring back to,further depicts a gas supply line, which may be connected to a fuel source(e.g., a propane tank or tank of other types of fuel) at one end and the flare hose fittingat the other end. In the embodiment depicted in, the gas supply linecomprises a propane hose. In cases where the gas supply lineis connected to a standard 20 lb. propane tank, embodiments of portable campfiremay provide approximately 10-15 hours of burn time.

To assemble a portable campfire, a user may insert the burner tubeinto the base plateand twist to engage the respective threads of the central holeand the burner tube. Then, the user may connect the flare hose fittingto the burner tubebelow the base plateon the same threaded portion (on which the central holeis engaged) of the burner tube. The user may use the wrench notchof a legto tighten the flare hose fittingonto the burner tube. Thus tightened, the flare hose fittingmay securely hold the base plateto the burner tube. The user may then secure a gas supply lineto the flare hose fitting, also by using the wrench notchof a leg. The leg lock platemay be slid onto the burner tubeby inserting the open end of the burner tube(i.e., the end opposite to the end attached to the base plateand flare hose fitting) into the central holeand sliding the leg lock platedown the length of the burner tubeuntil resting on the central plate. The burner capmay then be attached to the open end of the burner tubeby engaging the internally facing threads of the burner capwith the externally facing threads of the burner tubeand twisting the burner caprelative to the burner tube. The user may use the wrench notchof a legto tighten the burner caponto the burner tube.

The legsmay then be secured to the base plate by inserting the tabsinto the entry holes, sliding the tabsinto the neck holes, and placing the leg lock plateover the base plateto substantially prevent the tabsfrom entering the tab entry holes(i.e., substantially maintaining the tabswithin the respective neck holes). The fuel source may then be activated (e.g., by opening a valve) to allow fuel to flow through the gas supply line, into the burner tube, and out through the burner orifices. The fuel may then be ignited to create the flame. Any number of shieldsmay be placed on the base plate(which placement may be made before or after ignition) as desired.

Later, when the user is done using the portable campfire, the flamemay be extinguished by stopping the flow of gas. The portable campfiremay then be disassembled by reversing the assembly order.

According to various embodiments, components of the portable campfiremay be manufactured from various materials that enable the portable campfireto function as described herein and/or otherwise intended. In one embodiment, the components of the portable campfireare manufactured from stainless steel and/or brass. Various examples of the portable campfiremay be lightweight and easy to transport. One embodiment of the portable campfireweighs approximately 3 pounds, 10 ounces. In other various embodiments, the burner tubemay be manufactured from any material that may impart desirable characteristics that can result in the functionality described in this disclosure. For example, the burner tubemay be resistant to heat generated by a flame that forms from gas expelled from the one or more burner orifices. As another example, the burner tubemay be sufficiently strong to stand up to normal expected handling and use of the portable campfire, including repeated assembly and disassembly as described above.

Since the portable campfiremay allow users to control the intensity and/or size of the flame, embodiments of the present disclosure may be safer (i.e., less prone to cause wildfires) than traditional campfires. As such, the portable campfiremay be usable in areas where regulations and/or safeguards may otherwise prohibit campfires.

When not in use, the components of the portable campfiremay be disassembled for increased portability. In one embodiment, The disassembled components of the portable campfiremay be stored and/or transported in a storage bag (e.g., a canvas storage bag). In one embodiment, the storage bag comprises a heavy-duty canvas bag, and the disassembled components, when packed in the storage bag, may comprise a volume of approximately 10″×8″×3″.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, the disclosure is not limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the following appended claims and their legal equivalents. For example, elements and features disclosed in relation to embodiments of the disclosure may be combined with elements and features disclosed in relation to other embodiments of the disclosure.