The present invention is a burning device which is designed particularly for burning wooden materials outdoors. The device is made of fireproof material and it comprises an elongated hollow frame, a base plate and a separate lid. Traditionally people have made fires outdoors with a variety of methods and devices. Outdoor fireplaces can be built in the form of open fireplaces, fire pits, outdoor brick ovens, lumberjack's candles, etc.

These previously known methods for building fires outdoors do not sufficiently enough take into consideration safety issues, energy efficiency, cleanliness of the environment, utilising accumulated heat, and managing and maintaining the fire. In addition, changes in weather conditions have great effect on whether the resulting fire will be enjoyable. Smoke nuisances in the previously known methods vary and are difficult to control.

It is the object of the present invention to introduce a burning device that will over- come the defects in the existing methods and devices.

This object will be accomplished with a burning device which is characterised by what is stated in the claims.

A burning device according to the present invention will have at least one essentially vertical, oblong opening through the side of the frame. A device according to the present invention carries many notable benefits. Due to the elongated structure and the vertical opening, the fire burns efficiently. The building material, which is fireproof and stores heat, gathers up a high temperature within the device, which makes the burning process more efficient. Many types of solid materials can be burnt in the device. The protective structure of the device makes lighting the mate- rial to be burnt easy and only a small amount of material is consumed. It is safe to stand around the device because part of the walls have been protected. This way it is also easy to control the direction to which the fire will be visible for the spectators enjoying it. The direction of the flames and the draught can be controlled with the detachable lid. In practice the invention provides a simple way to make a fire outdoors and enjoy the flames with only a small amount of burning material. The ease of lighting the fire and the proper protection make the device convenient for anyone to use. What is more, the heat stored in the fireproof material can be utilised for cooking. Different cooking methods could be, for example, stewing, grilling, or smoking foods, or even brewing coffee. The device produces warmth, light and joy in all seasons of the year. The present device is suitable for all outdoor areas where people want to enjoy themselves and make the surroundings cosy with a warming fire or cook food in an exciting way. The structure can consist of modules so that everyone can design the structure and height of the device to suit their needs. Even production, delivery and storage of the device are easy to carry through. The device can be sold in hardware stores, compartment stores, garden supply stores, gas stations and over the internet.

The invention will be further described in the following with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front/top perspective of a device according to the present invention Fig. 2 is a front and rear perspective of a device according to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents the lid of the burning device, and Fig. 4 represents the fire basket

The frame of the device 2 consists of fireproof material, which is preferably made of aggregate or ceramic materials. Other suitable building materials include solid stone and metal. The device is characterised by the elongated shape. Due to the possible module structure, the device height can be adjusted according to the purpose of use. In this embodiment, the vertical opening 3 is 5cm wide and the opening at the foot of the frame 4 is 12x12cm. The opening sizes can be varied between different applications according to the purpose of use. The device includes a base plate 5, which is also made of fireproof material. Thanks to the base plate, burning a fire within the device is safe, because the material retains the heat and thus it does not build up below the device. In addition it is easy to keep the device clean.

The device includes a detachable lid 7, which is of fireproof material and which may be fitted with a handle in order to facilitate handling the lid. With the lid, the fire's intensity and direction can be controlled. The lid also increases the heat inside the device and maintains it at a desired level when the lid is closed. The temperature within the device can be monitored via a thermometer, which can be mounted onto the frame 2. These features facilitate the use of the device for preparing and cooking food. Burning materials can include, among others, wooden materials, such as chopped wood in different shapes and sizes, wood or cardboard-based materials, such as wood pellets. In addition to these, another suitable burning material is coal.

Fine-grained materials are burnt in the fire basket 9, which is of fireproof material and net-like in structure. The fire basket 9 is placed within the hollow interior 6 through the top opening or possibly through a wider opening at the foot of the frame 4. The fire basket 9 keeps the burning material compact so the material burns efficiently. Other materials can be burnt directly on the base plate 5 within the hollow interior 6.

The most important requirements for the device building material are strength, heat- resistance and heat-storing capacity. For the safety reasons, it is important that even though the material mass makes the temperature high within the device, the surface of the device will not be too hot.

Other modifiable features of the device include the possibility to design the device for different purposes of use. The width of the vertical opening 3 and the sizes of the opening at the foot 4 and the hollow interior 6 can be modified, and thus the fire can be made more or less imposing and the combustion can be faster or slower.

Constructing the frame 2 of modules 10 enables different structures of varying heights according to purpose of use. The module structure also makes transportation and storage easier. A module 10 can also be fitted with a window 12 or an opening 11 on the opposite or adjacent side to the vertical opening, so the light and fire will be visible on many sides of the device.

The elongated structure and shape of the device can be modified according to the surroundings and the requirements for use. From top view the shape can be a triangle, an oval, a circle, a square, any other polygon or an irregular shape. By arranging several devices in groups one can create an imposing display and make the light and flames to be seen from many directions. It is also possible to build a device with several hollow interiors 6 in one device. The device can even be coated with different fireproof materials in order to adapt it to the surroundings or purpose of use. Possible coating materials include, among others, ceramic tiles, or coats which imitate stone or wood.

Above have been discussed the different applications of the present invention. In addition to the applications mentioned above, the invention can be applied to cooking. The following paragraphs will present some examples of this.

The device can also be applied to preparing food. After the burning process the temperature within the hollow interior 6 is high. The temperature can be controlled with the lid 7 and the heat can be utilised for example preparing food in different forms. An excellent way of doing this is to stew, pre-prepare or smoke foods with different cooking utensils and tools with the heat emanating from the frame 2 and the hollow interior 6 during and after the burning process.

For example, grilling sausages can easily be done within the hollow interior 6 after the burning process, because heat is stored within the device for a long period of time if the lid 7 is closed.

In addition, the heat building up within the hollow interior 6 can be utilised for frying, grilling, or barbequing foods, making griddle pancakes or even brewing coffee. Food can be cooked either directly over the heat emanating from the hollow interior 6, or on top of a grate 15, which is placed on the burning device. The present invention may have further applications which may vary within the invention's principles laid out in the claims.