US20080290053A1

US20080290053A1 - Firewood rack

Info

Publication number: US20080290053A1
Application number: US11/807,252
Authority: US
Inventors: Marshall Carnright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-25
Filing date: 2007-05-25
Publication date: 2008-11-27

Abstract

A firewood rack that comprises a frame and base. Within the frame is at least one cross bar to add support. Along the sides of the frame is a stabilizer pin assembly that comprises a sleeve, nail and a winged nut. Within the sleeve is a nail. The sleeve has a hole in it so as to receive a winged nut. The winged nut can loosen and tighten to hold the nail in place. This adds stability to the firewood rack and holds it in place. Additionally, there is a holding pin at the top of the frame that allows a rope to be tied to the holding pin to hold the frame in place. A brace is provided to connect the frame and base so as to add additional stability.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates generally to a firewood rack and more particularly to one that is easy to connect to the ground and transfer between locations.
2) Description of Prior Art
Various firewood racks are disclosed in the prior art for storing cut logs of firewood for use in fireplaces. U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,207 to Baucom discloses a simple basic firewood rack design employing horizontal and vertical tubing elements that would be relatively unsturdy in use.
Firewood racks when assembled take up substantial space and can become very unstable. See for example, Noll U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,413 and Visneski U.S. Pat. No. 3,021,011. The latter design calls for a rack supported on a wheeled platform employing fasteners for component assembly, and which could damage flooring when wheeled about and, in larger sizes, could be unstable.
Barnes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,073 is more complex than the present invention. The cost of production to make and produce the rack of the claimed invention is much lower. Following the Barnes design, eighteen pieces of tubing would be required along with 16 welds. The danger with the Barnes design is that it can easily fall over under a load of firewood if the user does not put the tubes together properly.
Therefore, there is a need for a simple firewood rack to hold logs and that is easy to use and transfer between locations and is also very stable when in use. The present invention fulfills those needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a frame and base to hold the cut firewood logs. Additionally for support, there is at least one parallel cross bar within the frame and a brace connecting the base to the frame. The cross bar and brace support the weight of the logs as they are placed within the frame and stacked initially on the base.
The key features of the invention are the added stability features that are not disclosed in the prior art. Along the sides of the frame are attached a sleeve and within each sleeve is a nail. The nails provide for an easy attachment to the ground and can be easily taken from the ground when the user desires to move the frame. The sleeve has a hole whereby a winged nut is provided within the hole of the sleeve. The winged nut makes contact with the nail and holds the nail more firmly in place. In this way, the firewood rack of the present invention provides for a much more stable firewood rack than has been previously introduced on the market. Additionally, at the top of the frame is a holding pin. The holding pin allows a user to tie a rope (such rope is not a feature of the present invention) between two frames to better hold the firewood racks in place to further add to the stability of the invention as it is loaded with a lot of firewood.
The present invention is extremely dependable and results in a very stable firewood rack.
The invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed, and it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of all its structures for the functions specified.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved firewood rack that is very safe to use.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved firewood rack at a reasonable, low cost so as to have a minimum number of parts.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved firewood rack that is free standing and can be used in smaller spaced environments such as urban areas.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved firewood rack that has an ability to connect to the ground.
Another object is to provide a new and improved firewood rack that can be easily transferred from one location to another.
Another object is to provide a new and improved firewood rack that is very stable when in use.
Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which are dependable, economical, easy to make, durable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to accompanying drawings and descriptive matter that is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood based on the following detailed description. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the stabilizing assembly of the subject invention.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the subject invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, applicant's invention is a firewood rack 1. The firewood rack 1 comprises a frame 2. The frame 2 has at least one cross bar 4 to add support to the frame 2. A brace 6 is provided along the back of the frame 2 so as to add support. Connected to the bottom of the frame 2 is a base 16. The brace 6 is connected to both the cross bar 4 of the frame 2 and the base 16.
Along the sides of the frame 2 is attached a sleeve 14. One sleeve 14 is located on each side of the frame 2. Within each sleeve 14, there is provided a nail 10. The nails 10 allow the user to easily attach the frame 2 to the ground. The nails 10 can also be easily taken from the ground when the user desires to move the frame 2. Each sleeve 14 has a hole in it. Within such hole, a winged nut 12 is provided therein.
With reference now to FIG. 3, this drawing depicts a detailed view of the stabilizing assembly of the subject invention. This drawing shows the sleeve 14 which is attached to each side of the frame 2 (not shown in FIG. 3). There is a nail 10 within each sleeve 14. Each sleeve 14 has a hole in it. Within each hole of each sleeve 14 fits a winged nut 12. The winged nut 12 makes contact with the nail 10 and allows for the nail 10 to more firmly hold the frame 2 (not shown in FIG. 3) in place. In this way, the firewood rack of the present invention provides for a much more stable rack than has been previously introduced on the market.
With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, at the top of the frame 2 is a holding pin 8. The holding pin 8 allows a user to tie a rope (such rope is not a feature of the present invention) to the top of the frame 2. Two frames 2 can then be pointed toward each other to better hold a stack of firewood.
With reference to FIG. 4, this drawing depicts a top view of the subject invention. There is a base 16 attached to the frame 2. A brace 6 helps hold the frame 2 in place. Attached to the top of the frame 2 is a holding pin 8.
In operation, the user places the frame 2 in the desired position and places the nails 10 in the ground. The user then tightens each winged nut 12 against the nails 10 to hold the frame 2 in place. There can be frames 2 pointing toward each other that can hold a stack of fire wood. A rope (not part of the present invention) can then be tied to the holding pin 8 which is at the top of the frame 2 that can hold the frames 2 (when pointed toward each other) in place.
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the preferred embodiment is to have a width of the frame 2 from side rail to side rail measured to approximately twelve (12) inches. The height of the frame 2 from the base 16 to the top of the holding pin 8 is measured to approximately forty-eight (48) inches. The front of the base 16 to the frame 2 is measured to approximately twelve (12) inches and the back of the base 16 to the frame 2 is measured to approximately six (6) inches. So, the base 16 is approximately eighteen (18) inches from front to back.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for 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 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.
Thus, 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

1. A firewood rack, comprising:

a frame having a bottom, a back, a top, a first side and a second side;

a base connected to the bottom of said frame;

a brace connected to said base and the back of said frame;

a first sleeve having a hole therein and said first sleeve is attached to the first side of said frame;

a first nail placed within said first sleeve;

a first holding means to hold said first nail in place;

a second sleeve having a hole therein and said second sleeve is attached to the second side of said frame;

a second nail placed within said second sleeve; and

a second means to hold said second nail in place.

2. The firewood rack of claim 1 wherein said first holding means is a first winged nut.

3. The firewood rack of claim 1 wherein said second holding means is a second winged nut.

4. The firewood rack of claim 1, further comprising a holding pin attached to the top of said frame.

5. The firewood rack of claim 1, further comprising at least one cross bar connecting the first side and the second side of said frame.

6. A firewood rack, comprising:

a frame having a bottom, a back, a top, a first side and a second side;

at least one cross bar connecting the first side and the second side of said frame;

a base connected to the bottom of said frame;

a brace connected to said base and the back of said frame;

a holding pin connected to the top of said frame;

a first nail placed within said first sleeve;

a first winged nut to hold said first nail in place;

a second nail placed within said second sleeve; and

a second winged nut to hold said second nail in place.