GB2485599A

GB2485599A - Chiminea wheeled base

Info

Publication number: GB2485599A
Application number: GB1019706.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Bowman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-20
Filing date: 2010-11-20
Publication date: 2012-05-23
Also published as: GB201019706D0

Abstract

A mobile metal base for transporting a chiminea has two concentric rings 10,11, and wheels 2. The wheels may be on castors with brakes or locks 21. Ring 10 may be cast iron with an internal curvature (fig 2) to match the profile of a chiminea. The castors are attached to braces 3. A handle or chain can be provided for repositioning.

Description

CHlMlNA TRANSPORTER

Field of the. invention

The present invention relates to a chiminea transporter, more particularly a portable stand for transporting a freestanding front-loading fireplace or oven with a bulbous body and vertical smoke vent or chimney.

Background

Due to a variety of reasons outdoor heating is more prevalent than in the past in many countries, in particular Northern countries where smoking bans are in operation.

Chimineas or Chimineas originated in Mexico. It is thought they were developed for a means of providing heat as well as a vessel for cooking and baking. They are typically constructed from terracotta or clay but may be constructed more expensively of metal.

Chimineas have become a popular backyard and deck accessory in the United States, and also in the United Kingdom where they are often acquired as garden ornaments.

There have problems due to their weight, and the potential of cracking, as the Chimineas currently imported are unable to withstand the thermal shock of a sudden downpour of rain which may cause cracking, flaking glaze and crumbling of the clay.

In Mexico there is generally low rainfall and not particularly low temperatures and when a chiminea cracks or falls apart, more mud or river clay may be used.

In the event of a sudden shower of rain or even the prospect of night time rain or frost often it is preferable that the chiminea is moved to shelter, either from the frost or rain. However the chiminea is heavy and cumbersome to move. In addition during or after use the chiminea is hot and is not easily capable of movement either due to the heat or the danger of hot parts being dislodged. Although many use Chimineas as ornaments, those that use them for heating and/or cooking purposes in particular require a means of transporting their chiminea.

Prior Art

Sack trolleys are well-known method of moving heavy and/or cumbersome articles.

They have disadvantages in relation to the transportation of Chimineas, namely the requirement to tip the trolley, and therefore the chiminea, and so risk dislodging materials from the chiminea, particularly in use, the rounded profile of many Chimineas which mitigates against the use of the relatively small profile of the loading plate of the trolley, and the need to first securely seat the chiminea or the loading plate before lifting. In particular as they are not aesthetically pleasing it is likely the chiminea will not be left on the trolley when not in use, further aggravating the aforementioned problems.

Other solutions to portable outdoor stoves are as follows: International patent application WO2008 151 360 (SHEPHARD) discloses a portable stove having combustion chamber for solid fuel, with a fuel inlet and an exhaust outlet; and a chimney stack demountably connected to the exhaust outlet and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, the chimney stack in its demounted state being wholly stowable within the stove body.

United States patent application US 2003 0 188 735 (YANG) discloses a mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace comprising: a housing with an upper compartment and a lower compartment attached to a set of wheels; means for containing a combustible fuel within said lower compartment of the housing; means for controlling and delivering the combustible fuel from said means for containing a combustible fuel to a burner within said upper compartment; and means for igniting said combustible fuel exiting from the burner within said upper compartment to generate one or more flames; wherein after said mobile outdoor patio gas fireplace may be used to provide heat and aesthetic appeal anywhere it is placed.

United States patent application US 5 960 788 (BACH et al) discloses a portable outdoor fireplace, comprising: a base member for supporting and burning combustible material therein, the base member having an outer edge of a predetermined configuration; a collapsible fire screen assembly supported by said base member, said fire screen defining a fire chamber which contains and substantially encloses said combustible material within said base member, said fire screen assembly including a plurality of individual screen panels that are engaged upon said base member to define said fire screen assembly, said screen panels being capable of being disassembled into said individual screen panels; a cover member for covering said fire screen, said cover member also having an outer edge of the same configuration as that of said base member outer edge; at least two engagement members disposed on one of said base and cover members for engaging said base and cover members together; a collapsible wheeled undercarriage that supports said base member off the ground and which is capable of disassembly; and, at least one of said base and cover members having a hollow cavity formed therein of sufficient depth for storing said fire screen assembly and said undercarriage when said screen panels and said undercarriage are disassembled United States patent application US 5 596 980 (WHALEN et al) discloses a portable fireplace adapted for outdoor use and ease of transport including: a base member defining a fire chamber adapted to receive and contain materials to be burned; one or more screen members supported by and extending upwardly from said base member, each said screen member adapted to prevent burning embers from being expelled from said portable fireplace; a cover member supported above said screen members and spaced above said base member, said cover member being selectively removable from said screen members so as to provide access to said fire chamber when desired; a screen support member adapted to be positioned on said base member and extending upwardly therefrom for supporting said screen members, at least one screen member being removably supported by said screen support member, said screen support member adapted to support said cover member above said screen members; and a support structure extending downwardly from said base member adapted to support said base member at a sufficient height above a support surface on which it rests to prevent the burning or scorching of the support surface, In addition many variations of firepits, gas or solid fuel stoves or fireplaces are available with wheels.

Advantageously however the present invention provides a means of transporting third party Chimineas, and in particular providing a mobile and attractive stand for a chiminea which allows the chiminea to be easily accessible and easily moved in the event of necessity.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a mobile base for a chiminea providing concentric support, and being mounted on wheels.

Ideally there are provided a plurality of concentric rings, and in the preferred embodiment the rings are formed of metal strips.

In the preferred embodiments there is provided a relatively wide open space left by the diameter of the lowest support ring, such that a flat bottomed chiminea can easily seat securely within the support.

Ideally the support is disposed to form, at the minimum, an internal curvature. Said curvature ideally comfortably allows a chiminea to seat securely into the base, more particularly will allow the chiminea to seat securely asymmetrically in the chiminea in way that will allow the chiminea to seat securely even on a variety of inclines.

Ideally largely vertical braces are provided. These braces may be strips of metal which span vertical space between support rings. Alternate embodiments may have a plurality of largely vertically disposed braces being the primary support or otherwise vary vertical and horizontal disposition of the support in such a way that the support has a concentric profile.

Said braces may have wheels on castors attached to the lowest vertical position of the brace(s). Ideally these wheels and/or castors allow the lowest point of the support to be raised from the ground, allowing for uneven surfaces. Ideally the lowest point of the chiminea will also be raised from the ground when the base is in use.

In preferred embodiments the wheels or castors may be locked or a brake may be imposed on the movement of the base.

Such a brake may be provided by an adjustable or extendible member that interrupts or otherwise interferes with the free movement of the wheels or castors. Such a brake prevents the movement of the base in inappropriate or unwanted situations, such as when the chiminea is in use or on inclined ground.

Such a brake may take the form of one or more levers such that said lever(s) may have a secondary or supplemental use as a handle or means for moving the base and chiminea. In addition, in such an embodiment the handle and lock may require that the wheels be disposed to remain in a locked position until, for example, a portion of the handle/lock is depressed in order to move the base or chiminea.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the base; and Figure 2 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment of the Invention The pictured embodiment comprises a concentric support 1, formed of two concentric ringslO and 11, joined by three braces 3, to wheels 2.

In addition the upper support ring 10 is provided with an internal curvature such that a curved side profile of a chiminea (not shown) will seat comfortably and securely. In addition the Chimineas flat base will sit in the spatial segment between the upper support ring's inner circumference.

The castor wheels 2 are individually lockable in order to effectuate fine positioning and adjustment. The large size of the wheels 23 combined with a soft compound tread 22 allows the chiminea to be easily moved. By locking one of the wheels 2 the chiminea may be spun around.

Ideally holes drilled into the support ring 10 for the bolts 12 are countersunk to avoid damage to the chiminea. The support I is made at least in part from cast iron. M10 countersunk bolts are used to attach the rings to the braces. M10 flanged nuts secure the countersunk bolts.

The lower ring 11 adds to overall structural integrity and allows for a useful way to push or pull the base for repositioning. Further embodiments may use other members such as a handle or chain. These may be combined with locking means.

Standard large size castor wheels 2 are used to reduce cost. Ideally the wheels 2 are made from a high density plastic, covered with a softer density compound to provide grip.

In the pictured embodiment the wheels 2 are on castors 20 and have lockable portions 21.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1, A mobile base for a chiminea providing concentric support, and being mounted on wheels.
2. A mobile base for a chiminea according to claim I wherein the concentric rings have an internal curvature.
3. A mobile base for a chiminea according to claims I or 2 wherein a locking mechanism is provided for the wheels.
4. A mobile base for a chiminea according to claims 1, 2 or 3 with a chiminea mounted on it.