Campfire safety apparatus

Abstract

The campfire safety apparatus shields people and animals from unintentional contact with a campfire. The apparatus encloses the fire ring of a campfire to protect potential burn victims from the flames or smoldering coals. The apparatus may be a single unitary unit for permanent installations or the apparatus may be constructed of a number of rigid interlocking safety panels joined together to create an apparatus that is portable. The top edge, or upper rail, of the apparatus is above the campfire flame height such that a child or adult cannot trip over the apparatus and fall into the fire ring. The interlocking rigid safety panels incorporate cooperating pin receivers that lock the panels together when a pin is inserted. In certain embodiments the pins extend through the cooperating pin receivers and terminate into the ground to anchor the apparatus and increase its ability to resist tipping over.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to the field of campfires, in particular, to a safety apparatus for placement around a campfire so as to prevent accidental contact with the flames and high temperature embers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Campfire burns account for over 65% of all recreational burns in many areas of the country. Additionally, over 50% of such recreational burns are inflicted upon children. While many campfire burns are a result of direct contact with an open flame, an alarming number are the result of contact with smoldering embers. This is due to the fact that people are much more careful around an open flame than a pile of embers. [0003] Adults and children seem to be drawn to open campfires. They are often mesmerized by the open flames and have a tendency to want to play with the fire by poking it, or adding fuel to the flames. Some of the dangers associated with campfires have been reduced through the wide-spread use of fire rings. Toda...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The campfire safety apparatus of the present invention shields people and animals from unintentional contact with a campfire, or the products thereof. Generally, a campfire is created within a fire ring which constrains a plurality of logs, or other fuel, and a portion of the flames. The flames resulting from a campfire created within a fire ring are restrained horizontally and generally extend vertically less than 24″ from the top of the fire ring. Installation of the campfire safety apparatus around the fire ring creates an effective barrier for shielding potential burn victims from the flames or smoldering coals.

[0009] The size and construction of the rails may vary with the particular application. For instance, permanent installations may utilize heavy gauge components, while portable embodiments incorporate lighter gauge components to minimize the weight of the panels. Rail spacing creating opening sizes of less than one square foot has been found to be particularly effective for portable embodiments. Such spacing allows easy access through the panels for cooking or rearranging the fuel, yet prevents adults, children, and animals from entry into the fire ring.

[0010] Portable embodiments include a plurality of portable interlocking rigid safety panels. Such interlocking rigid safety panels incorporate cooperating pin receivers that lock the panels together when a pin is inserted. In certain embodiments the pins extend through the cooperating pin receivers and terminate into the ground to anchor the apparatus and increase its ability to resist tipping over. Further embodiments incorporate specific devices to enhance the anchoring capabilities of the pin.

[0011] Additionally, any of the rigid safety panels may further include multiple sections to facilitate access to the fire ring for cooking, moving logs, or any number of other activities. Such multiple sections may be configured to rotate vertically, thereby creating a fold-down door, or horizontally, thereby creating a side-swinging door or gate. A further embodiment of the apparatus may include a rigid top panel to totally enclose the campfire. The campfire safety apparatus may also incorporate any number of campfire accessory tools that conveniently attach to the rigid safety panel. Such tools may include a prep table for preparing items for barbecuing, a hanger apparatus for holding cooking tools, log pokers, and any other tool that may be needed around a campfire. Additionally, the apparatus may incorporate auxiliary supports to secure the apparatus to the campfire fire ring and enhance the stability of the apparatus.

Problems solved by technology

They are often mesmerized by the open flames and have a tendency to want to play with the fire by poking it, or adding fuel to the flames.

Additionally, children often mistake fire rings filled with ashes for sandboxes.

This practice actually permits the coals to burn for hours, further heightening the risk to children.

Further, countless burns are the result of a camper contacting the metal structure of the fire ring because they failed to appreciate that the surface temperature of the fire ring is often several hundred degrees Fahrenheit.

Lastly, fire rings create a tripping hazard for the inattentive camper chasing a frisbee during the day or stumbling around the campsite after dark.

Campers currently lack the appropriate device to protect themselves from the dangers associated with fire rings, and their contents.

Images