US3439667A - Fireplace grate - Google Patents

Description

A ril 22, 1969 M. M. STONE FIREPLACE GRATE Sheet of 5'- 'Filed July 51. 1967 E M N 6% 0 N mw M 6 L M m 6 a b m April 22, 1969 MM. STONE 3,439,667

FiledJuiy 31. 1967 Sheet 2 of 5 6 MARK M. STOA/E y Y l aiili, [fame 19?, Hams and (a 'rrom/a ys April 22, 1969 M. M. STONE 3,439,667

R RRRRRRRRRRRR E v April 22, 1969 M. M. STONE 3,439,667

' FIREPLACE GRATE Filed July 31. 1967 Sheet 4 of 5 a 30 l r i 7 Mme, [/emhaf, h anemuffle. v

April 22, 1969 M. M. STONE FIREPLACE GRATE Sheet Filed July 31, 1967 lAA/e/droz Mme/4 M. 57'0A/E k/ame, file 221ml:

f/ama M Zea 61 w a .3 2 ,1 M x Arme/VEYs United States Patent Mark M. Stone,

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fireplace grate is constructed of a unitary multi-apertured sheet, preferably of expanded metal, formed to have a central portion of concave curvature for receiving combustible materials and folded, depending end portions for supporting the central portion a minimum distance above a support surface. The apertures are formed to establish a preferred horizontal direction of air flow into 1 the central portion but in such a fashion as to not prejudice vertical air fiow therethrou'gh. A grill tray is supported over the center of the grate on legs which are adapted to seat in the grate apertures.

Cross-reference to related application The design aspects of the present invention are disclosed and claimed in a copending application Ser. No. 66,111, filed Mar. 3, 1967, to M. Stone and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

Introduction The present invention relates to a fireplace grate and an associated grill tray therefor and, more particularly, to a grate assembly of a simplified and economlcal construction which provides unusual strength and stability in supporting logs or the like and which uniquely cooperates with an associated grill tray.

Summary of the invention It is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved fire grate of a unitary construction which provides exceptionally high supporting strength and stability while being of a comparatively light weight.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such an improved fire grate which is adapted to burn wood, charcoal or the like and which provides for efficient combustion of such materials by both directing the materials to a central combustion area and providing for a proper circulation of air into the central combustion area.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a one piece fire grate construction as above described which receives a removable, self-seating, self-seating grill tray.

A fireplace grate constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a material containing portion constituting multi-apertured sheet of a concavely curved cross-sectional outline as viewed in at least one predetermined plane extending transversely to the material containing portion for urging combustible materials toward a center of the material containing portion. A pair of leg members each composed of a sheet material are integrally joined with the material containing portion along opposed terminal edges thereof positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined plane and each leg extends as a respective continuous sheet below the material containing portion for stably positioning the material containing portion a predetermined distance above a support surface.

Brief description of the drawings The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the 3,439,667 Patented Apr. 22, 1969 appended claims. The invention together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be understood, however, with reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view, in perspective, of a fire grate according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the grate of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the grate of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a top view of a grill tray usable in conjunction with the fire grate illustrated in FIGURE 1-3;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the tray of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an end view of the tray of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is an end view, taken in section, of a portion of the fire grate with the grill tray positioned thereon;

FIGURE 8 is a view taken along line 8--8 of FIG- URE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a view taken along line 9-9 of FIG- URE 7;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged detail view taken along line 1010 of FIGURE 8;

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring now to FIGURES l-3, it is observed that the fire grate 10 of the invention there illustrated comprises a central material containing portion 11 which takes the form of an elongated multi-apertured sheet of a concave, arcuate cross-section. It is preferred that the radius of a curvature of section 11 be constant and that such curvature be sufficient to positively urge or direct logs or the like toward a center line or lowermost point on the curve. This results in a progressively more stable support as the fire continues to burn and also contributes a selffeeding feature to the grate thereby assuring that the materials burn evenly and continuously down to a fine ash. It is of course understood that the radius, the overall width and the curved extent of the cylindrical segment constituting basket portion 11 are factors which may be varied to accommodate different sizes, shapes and weights of materials, etc.

Unlike prior art fire grates, the legs of the present grate construction are not removably fastened to central portion 11, but rather are integral therewith and are formed of a similar material to that constituting the central portion 11. Specifically, a pair of leg members 13 and 14 are each composed of multi-apertured sheet material, preferably identical to that constituting basket 11, and are integrally joined with the material containing portion on basket 11 along its respective opposed end portions. Legs 13 and 14 extend as continuous sheets below basket 11 to stably position the basket a predetermined minimum distance above a supporting surface. In practice, it is desired that legs 13 and 14 extend considerably below the trough point of basket 11 so as to allow easy access to the area beneath the basket for purposes of removing ashes therefrom.

Legs 13 and 14 each have a concave curvature as viewed from a position intermediate the opposed ends of basket 11 and also both slant outwardly away therefrom. The terminus of each leg adjacent the support surface is provided with a metal finishing strip, respectively strips 16 and 17 which are welded or the like to their associated legs. The outward slant and initial extreme outward positioning of the supporting legs provides easy and unobstructed access to the area beneath the fire basket for purposes of removing ashes therefrom. Also, the formation of the sheet into a multiplicity of curved surfaces adds considerable strength to the construction for a given gauge and weight of material as well as enhancing stability of the grate. In this regard, it will be noted from the end view of FIGURE 2 that the underside of each leg is curved to thrust the weight applied to basket 11 to outermost points 20 and 21 which serve as the actual weight bearing surfaces for the leg. Points 20 and 21 are preferably located at least coextensively with the outermost lateral edges of basket 11 to prevent tipping of the grate even if logs or the like are piled outwardly to these extreme positions. Of course, leg 14 is identical to that just described.

The grate assembly of the invention may be composed of any suitable multi-apertured sheet material, although it is preferred that the grate consist of an expanded metal and the grate is illustrated as consisting of this material in the drawings. The expanded metal herein a tempered alloy steel and is of a gauge which lends itself to the bending and/ or stamping operation used to fashion the grate but yet which is sufficiently strong so as not to yield or be permanently deformed under any reasonable accumulation of materials in the fire basket. In regard to manufacture, it is presently preferred to form the entire grate in a one step stamping of a singular flat sheet of expanded metal by conventional stamping apparatus and procedures. The economy attendant such simplified, one step manufacture is most obvious.

It has also been found that expanded metal, in the segmented cylindrical configuration of fire basket 11, encourages a preferred pattern of airflow to materials disposed in the basket. Specifically, it has been found that the natural grain or contour of expanded metal establishes a preferred horizontal direction of access of air into the lower or trough portion of the basket. This is attributable to the fact that the apertures in an expanded metal sheet are defined by a pair of metal segments which are axially offset or stepped in relation to one another. Hence, when the expanded metal sheet is formed into a cylindrical segment a line of sight access for air is provided therethrough as viewed from one horizontal direction as indicated by arrow 23 of FIGURE 2 but as viewed from the opposite horizontal direction, denoted by arrow 24, direct line of sight access into the basket area is substantially precluded. It is the open or preferred side of the grate that is visible in FIGURE 1 and, although the perspective view is taken from somewhat below the horizontal, it still may be appreciated that there is a line of sight access into the trough area from this side of the grate. As viewed from the other side of the grate, however, the offsetting of the metal segments surrounding each aperture is such as to effectively close or block a direct line of sight access for air into the trough area of the grate. This unique structural characteristic of the expanded metal grate of the invention permits the fire to be fanned by a bellows or the like positioned horizontally on the left side of the grate, a position which is convenient and comfortable for the user. The downwardly directed apertures of prior art grates made it extremely difficult to fan the fire except from a most awkward position beneath the grate. Furthermore, air passing horizontally through the left side of the grate is encouraged into an upward flow or draft through the combustible materials due to the closed nature of the apertures on the interior right hand side of the grate. The above described advantages in kindling and maintaining the fire are obtained without substantial prejudice to the desired vertical draft of air through the grate, as may be confirmed by reference to the top view of the grate illustrated in 4 FIGURE 3. This is of course attributable again to the fact that the angular disposition of the apertures is not created by an angular bore through a metal sheet but rather by angularly offsetting the metal segments defining the aperture.

Also, there is a minimum surface area of the grate which insures that the bulk of the ash and other materials will fall through and collect beneath the grate surface, and as previously stated, the extreme outward positioning of the legs allows ready access to these ashes to simplify cleaning of the fireplace without removal of the grate therefrom.

The present fire grate construction is further adapted to positively locate and support a grill tray or the like, such as shown in FIGURES 4-6, in a position centrally disposed above the fire in central basket portion 11. The grill is provided with a multi-apertured cooking surface 25 of stainless steel or the like peripherally bounded by a wrought iron support and finishing ring 26 to which is attached, at opposite ends of the tray, a pair of similar wrought iron handles 27 and 28. A pair of wrought iron rods 29 and 30 welded along either elongated side of the tray have their opposed end portions bent downwardly below the tray surface and formed in similar hook-like contours for defining four support legs for the tray. Two such leg members 31 and 32 of rod 29 are illustrated in the side view of FIGURE 5; it is understood that the opposite rod 34) is of identical construction.

A predetermined number of legs of the tray are adapted to index in spaced apertures of grate 10 while the remaining legs seat on shoulder or shelf portions of the expanded metal intermediate a pair of apertures. An end view of the tray in position on the grate is shown in FIGURE 7. It is observed that the tray is horizontally disposed with with the legs on its opposite sides disposed equidistant from the center line of the basket and positioned to sit on the grate in a predetermined registration therewith. Specifically, stable positioning of the tray is insured by having two leg members on one side thereof contoured to seat in respective ones of the diamond-like apertures of the grate. A detailed view showing the manner in which leg members 31 and 32 are received in the apertures is provided in FIGURE 8. The hook-like contours of legs 31 and 32 are such that the lowermost sections of these legs project well into or even below their corresponding apertures. A detail end view showing leg 32 seated in its associated aperture is provided in FIGURE 10. It is to be observed that leg 32 projects well below an uppermost metal segment 33 while it seats at the lower end of an inclined metal segment 34. The forward and back edges of the leg contact the opposite ends of the apertures thus locating the leg against movement in all directions. Leg 31 is similarly situated in its associated aperture.

Unlike legs 31 and 32, the legs 38 and 39, formed from bar member 30, are positioned to seat on shoulder or shelf portions of the expanded metal between respective pairs of adjacent apertures. Since legs 38 and 39 only serve as vertical support points, their contour is not critical; however, for convenience of manufacture, they are made identical to legs 31 and 32. A view of legs 38 and 39 seated on their respective shelf segments is provided in FIGURE 9 while an exploded detail view of leg 38 is provided in FIGURE 11. From FIGURE 11, it is appreciated that leg 38 sits on a horizontal shelf 40 on the outward side of which there is a vertically directed metal segment 41 which precludes outward transverse movement of the tray. Thus, the tray is positively indexed on the grate and is stably positioned without provision of special accommodating structure for either the grill tray or grate.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in a semi-schematic form FIGURES 12 through 15; the precise configuration of the expanded metal of this grate construction has not been illustrated solely for convenience in drawing. This fire grate 50 is in all respects similar to that of the first embodiment excepting only that the material containing portion 51 is of a dish-like or segmented spherical contour. A pair of leg members '53 and 54 are integrally joined to dish 51 along oppositely opposed edge portions thereof and depend a predetermined distance below the lowermost point of dish 51 to thereby support the dish a selected minimum distance above the support surface. The legs 53 and 54 are spaced to permit convenient access to ashes collected beneath the grate and are arcuately contoured in the same manner as legs 13 and 14 of grate to provide suitable structural rigidity, etc.

Although not illustrated in detail, it is understood that grate 50 is capable of receiving and positively positioning a grill tray without additional apparatus of any kind in like fashion to the fire grate 10.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made, and it is therefore intended in the following claims to cover all such modifications and changes as may fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A fire grate consisting essentially of:

a single unitary multi-apertured sheet having a central portion of a concavely curved cross-sectional outline as viewed in at least one predetermined plane extending transversely to said central portion for receiving combustible materials and folded, depending end portions located on respective opposed sides of said predetermined plane for supporting said central portion a predetermined minimum distance above a support surface.

2. The combination according to claim 1 in which said sheet consists of expanded metal.

3. The fire grate of claim 1 in which said central portion conforms generally to a longitudinal section of a cylinder having a pair of generally parallel lateral edges and a pair of opposed, concavely curved terminal edges and in which said folded end portions are integrally joined to said central portion along respective ones of said terminal edge portions.

4. The fire grate of claim 1 in which said central portion is of a bowl-like, segmented spherical contour in which said folded end portions are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said predetermined plane.

5. A fireplace grate comprising:

a material containing portion comprising a multiapertured sheet of a concavely curved cross-sectional outline as viewed in at least one predetermined plane extending transversely to said material containing portion for urging combustible materials toward a center of said material containing portion;

a pair of leg members composed of sheet material integrally joined with said material containing portion along opposed terminal edges thereof positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined plane and extending as respective continuous sheets below said material containing portion for stably positioning said material containing portion a predetermined distance above a support surface.

6. The combination according to claim 5 in which said leg members each have a concave curvature as viewed from a position intermediate said opposed ends of said material containing portion and further slant outwardly away from said end portions for providing a rigid and stable grate construction and for permitting easy access to collected ash beneath said material containing portion.

7. The combination according to claim 6 in which said sheet material is of an expanded metal and in which said apertures are formed so as to establish a preferred horizontal direction of air flow into said material containing portion.

8. The combination according to claim 7 in which said expanded metal is so constructed and arranged that establishment of said preferred direction of horizontal air flow does not materially impede vertical air flow through said apertures.

9. The combination according to claim 8 and further including a grill tray having at least three leg members with at least one of said leg members being constructed and arranged to positively seat in an aperture of said material containing portion for securely locating said tray over said center line of said material containing portion.

10. The combination according to claim 9 in which said grill tray has four leg members disposed in a rectangular array and in which two of said leg members lying on a common side of said rectangle are positively seated in respective apertures of said material containing portion and in which said remaining two legs are constructed and arranged to rest on respective shelf portions formed intermediately of said apertures in said material containing portion.

11. The combination according to claim 10 in which said material containing portion is of an elongated segmented cylindrical construction and in which said leg members are disposed at respective opposite ends thereof and further in which said grill tray is adapted to align with the longitudinal axis of said material containing portion when removably seated thereon.

12. The combination according to claim 10 in which said material containing portion is of a disk-like, segmented spherical contour.

13. The fire grate of claim 5 in which said material containing portion conforms generally to a longitudinal section of a cylinder having a pair of generally parallel lateral edges and a pair of opposed, concavely curved terminal edges and in which said leg members are integrally joined to said material containing portion along respective ones of said terminal edge portions.

14. The fire grate of claim 5 in which said material containing portion is of a bowl-like, segmented spherical contour in which said leg members are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said predetermined plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 188,743 8/ 1960 Arrand D2398 2,918,051 12/ 1959 Broman 126-25 2,981,249 4/1961 Russell et a1 l2625 3,245,398 4/ 1966 Baker 126l52 CHARLES J. MYHRE, Primary Examiner.

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