Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to portable fire shield apparatus for shielding heat sources such as camping fires, stoves and the like.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0002] There is provided herein a portable fire shield apparatus usable for camping and other applications to form a protective surrounding around a heat source such as an open fire, stove or the like.

[0003] The present apparatus comprises a plurality of planar and generally rectangular metallic panels and hinges interfacing edges of adjacent panels.

[0004] The hinges interface long edges of adjacent panels so that panels are orientated with a longitudinal axis thereof vertically so that the panels can provide a suitable barrier height (such as up to approximately 750 mm) to provide adequate protection around open flames whilst allowing the apparatus to be compactly folded down into a compacted configuration having relatively narrow width. In this regard, each panel may have a height to width ratio of approximately 1.5. As such, where each panel is 750 mm tall and 500 mm wide, the height of the panels may provide a sufficient barrier around open fire whilst being able to fold down to a relatively narrow 500 mm wide configuration suitable for storage and a 4x4 vehicle or the like.

[0005] The hinges are preferably configured so that the adjacent panels can fold oppositely against each other into a compacted configuration. In the compacted configuration, the panels may lie flat against each other. However, the hinges may be configured so that the panels can fold through approximately 225° so that the apparatus 100 can take the configuration shown in Figure 3 wherein outer panels are able to surround either side of a heat source and inner panels therebetween are angled with respect to each other.

[0006] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises four panels so as to be able to enclose three sides of a heat source. However, the number of panels may be varied or a number of the present apparatus used in combination to fully enclose a heat source as is shown in Figure 6. In specific embodiments, the apparatus comprises three, four or five panels.

[0007] The panels may be configured to be especially reflective on one side to reflect thermal radiation and provide a relatively cool safe-to-touch outer surface. In embodiments, each panel may comprise aluminium and wherein in side of the apparatus is polished for high reflectivity.

[0008] The panels may comprise lower edge securement apertures so that the apparatus can be secured using tent pegs or other fixtures. Preferably, these securement apertures collocate when adjacent panels fold against each other so that the apparatus can be secured even if not fully unfolded.

[0009] Furthermore, the panels may comprise upper edge handle apertures. The handle apertures may be orientated and sized for accommodating of oven mittens and the like therethrough. Similarly, the handle apertures preferably collocate when adjacent panels fold flat against each other so that the apparatus can be lifted when folded and unfolded.

[0010] In embodiments, the panels may be dual layered to provide thermal airgap installation. These dual layers may form conviction channels orientated along a longitudinal axis of each panel to furthermore convect warm air up through the panels and reduce the temperature of the outer surface of the apparatus. In embodiments, an inner layer is planar whereas an outer layer is corrugated, thereby minimising the inner surface area to minimise heat conduction as compared to outer surface area to maximise heat dissipation.

[0011 ] In embodiments, the apparatus comprises an accessory tray attachable to an upper edge of at least one of panel and defining at least one shelf. The accessory tray may define outer and inner shelves.

[0012] The inner shelf may be used for placing items thereon for keeping warm (such as food) or for drying (such as sponges). The inner shelf may have a grille formed therethrough.

[0013] The outer shelf may be used for holding utensils, dish towels and or the like. In this regard, the outer shelf may comprise a longitudinal slot therethrough. [0014] The accessory tray may comprise a vertical piece between the outer shelf and the inner shop so that the inner shelf is held beneath the upper edge of the respective panel, to thereby allow warming of items placed thereon both by direct heat and heat reflected from the portion of the panel therebehind.

[0015] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] Figure 1 shows portable fire shield apparatus in accordance with an embodiment;

[0018] figure 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus formed to make an enclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the enclosure;

[0020] Figure 4 illustrates the folding of the panels of the apparatus oppositely against each other to form a compacted configuration shown in Figure 5;

[0021 ] Figure 6 shows the apparatus comprising a plurality of panels or more than one apparatus used to fully enclose a heat source;

[0022] Figure 7 shows an embodiment wherein the panel is dual layered for thermal installation; and

[0023] Figure 8 shows an accessory tray attachable to an upper edge of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[0024] Figure 1 shows portable fire shield apparatus 100 comprising a plurality of planar and generally rectangular metallic panels 101 .

[0025] Each panel 101 preferably has a height to width ratio of approximately 1.5. In embodiments, each panel may be approximately 500 wide and 750 mm tall.

[0026] Adjacent panels 101 are coupled with respective hinges 102 therebetween. [0027] Figure 4 illustrates wherein the hinges 102 are configured so that adjacent panels 101 fold oppositely against each other into a compacted configuration 100 shown in Figure 5.

[0028] In the compacted configuration, the panels 101 may lie flat against each other. [0029] As such, as is evident from Figures 1 and 4, the hinges 102 may be located on opposite sides of the apparatus 100.

[0030] The hinges 102 may however sufficiently space apart panels 101 so that adjacent panels 101 can pivot through approximately 225° as is illustrated in Figure 3. As such, the apparatus 100 may form the enclosing configuration shown in Figures 2 and 3 wherein panels 101 at opposite sides of the apparatus 100 are substantially parallel and the panels 101 therebetween at an angle with respect to each other.

[0031 ] According to the preferred embodiment shown, the apparatus 100 comprises four panels 101 which is the minimum number of panels 101 to be able to form the enclosure shown in Figures 2 and 3. However, in specific alternative embodiments, the apparatus 100 may comprise three or five panels 101.

[0032] As is illustrated in Figure 1 , the hinges 102 may be riveted between adjacent panels 101. This allows the hinges 102 and the panels 101 to be made of different metals. For example, the hinges 102 may be made of stainless steel for corrosion resistance wherein the panels 101 may be made of aluminium for lightweightness.

[0033] With reference to Figure 1 , lower edges of the panels 101 may comprise securement apertures 103. In the embodiment shown, each panel 101 may comprise a pair of securement apertures 103 through opposite bottom corners thereof. Furthermore, the securement apertures 103 may be elongate and aligned along a longitudinal axis of each respective panel 101.

[0034] In use, the securement apertures 103 may be used to secure the panels 103 using tent pegs or other fixtures.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 is arranged so that securement apertures 103 of adjacent panels 101 collocate when the adjacent panels 101 are folded flat against each other. As such, the apparatus 100 may yet be secured even if not fully unfolded. [0036] As is further shown in Figure 1 , each panel 101 preferably comprises a handle aperture through an upper region thereof. The handle aperture 104 may be elongate and orientated across each respective panel 101 .

[0037] The handle apertures 104 are designed to be sufficiently wide to accept oven mittens and the like therethrough. In this regard, the handle apertures 104 may be longer than 10 cm and wider than 3 cm.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, at least one side of the apparatus 100 is configured or is treated to enhance reflectivity. In use, this reflective side would be orientated towards the heat source to reflect heat.

[0039] In embodiments, one side of the panels 101 may be polished. Especially where the panels 101 are aluminium, polishing thereof may create a surface having high reflectivity.

[0040] Figure 7 shows an embodiment wherein a panel 101 is formed from an outer layer 105 and an inner layer 106. The layers 105, 106 may be configured to form conviction channels 107 orientated along a longitudinal axis of each respective panel 101. As such, not only do the layers 105, 106 provide thermally insulating air gaps therebetween, but also convect heat up through the panel 101 , thereby resulting in a cooler outer surface more safety touch.

[0041 ] In the preferred embodiment shown, the outer layer 105 is corrugated wherein the inner layer 106 is planar thereby maximising the surface area of the outer surface for greater dissipation of heat and minimising the surface area of the inner surface to minimise heat conduction.

[0042] Figure 8 shows an embodiment wherein the apparatus 100 comprises an accessory tray 108 attachable to an upper edge 109 of at least one panel 101 .

[0043] The accessory tray 108 defines at least one shelf 1 10. In the preferred embodiment shown, the accessory tray 108 defines an inner shelf 1 10A and an outer shelf 110B.

[0044] The accessory tray 108 have an orthogonal piece 1 1 1 between the outer shelf 1 10B and the inner shelf 1 10A. [0045] The inner shelf 1 10A may be used to place articles thereatop, such as food for warming or sponges for drying. In this regard, the inner shelf 1 10 may have a grille formed therethrough. The accessory tray 108 may place the inner shelf 1 10A beneath the upper edge 109 of the panel 101 so that accessories placed thereatop are exposed to direct heat and also heat reflected from an adjacent portion of the panel 101.

[0046] The outer shelf 1 10B may be used for holding utensils, 1 12, dish towels and the like. As such, the outer shelf 1 10B may comprise a longitudinal slot 1 13 therethrough

[0047] The outer shelf 1 10B may comprise a rail or edge engagements 1 14 protruding from an undersurface thereof to engage the respective edge of the panel 101 .

[0048] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.