Tripod Torch Handle

This invention relates to heating devices of the torch type and is an improvement over a torch type heating device disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,512.

Torch type heating devices are well-known as indicated by way of example in my prior U.S. patent aforementioned. The tripod mounting of any tubular device whether it be a heating torch or some other device is also well-known as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 307,640 and 3,239,176. Another tripod support for equipment of the type involved herein is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,475,109.

The prior art tripod supports as aforementioned are not directly related to adjustment of heat torch mountings that present special mounting problems and installational requirements that often restrict use of the heat torch. Further, installational mountings for heat torches often create dangerous conditions and prevent easy handling and control of the heating devices from a functional standpoint.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a torch type heating device and associated apparatus which will extend the utility of the torch device without creating any dangerous installational problems as well as to provide a measure of safety and heat control.

In accordance with the present invention, a torch tube enclosing a burner unit has a support grid or grill removably secured thereto adjacent one axial end from which heat is emitted. The grid is positioned on the torch tube by guide rods, some of which project from the other axial end of the torch tube to act as stops engageable with a handle assembly. A clamp holds the guide rods in place on the tube. The handle assembly is convertible to a tripod support for the torch tube in a vertical position. The handle assembly includes tripod legs, one of which is pivotally connected to the torch tube at a single pivot axis adjacent the end from which the burner unit projects so as to enable the tripod legs to be folded into a retracted condition at an acute angle to the torch tube with the legs held parallel to each other. In the retracted condition of the handle assembly, it may be received within a retainer associated with a horizontal radiator tube on which the torch tube is mounted to form a space heater apparatus. Annular and disc-shaped shields adjacent opposite axial ends of the torch tube render the apparatus wind-proof.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a tripod torch assembly in a cooking mode of operation.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side section view through a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse section view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 3--3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse section view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 4--4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the torch heating device associated with a space heater assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the disassembled components associated with the assembly shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates one installation for a heating torch generally referred to by reference numberal 10. The heating torch includes a vertically positioned torch tube 12 on which a cooking support grid or grill 14 is mounted adjacent the upper axial end. A conventional type of burner unit generally referred to by reference numeral 16 in FIG. 2 projects from the lower axial end 18 of the torch tube and is connected to a manually operable fuel control valve 20 to which a flexible fuel supply conduit 22 is coupled. In the installation shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply conduit 22 extends from a fuel tank 24 positioned below the torch tube 12 supported in a vertical position by a handle assembly 26 in an extended, tripod supporting condition as shown in FIG. 1.

As more clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the grid or grill 14 is generally circular in shape and made of a suitable rod-like material. The grid is mounted in spaced relationship to the upper, heat-emitting axial end 27 of the torch tube 12 by means of a pair of elongated slide rods 28 secured to, as by welding, to the grid and engaging the tube 12 on its external surface. A pair of shorter guide rods 30, also welded to the grid 14, project axially from the grid into engagement with the external surface of the torch tube to operatively position the grid 14 closely above the upper axial end 27 of the torch tube as shown in FIG. 2. An annular shield 32 is secured, as by welding, to the rods 28 and 30 in order to form a protective enclosure extending downwardly from the grid 14 into axially overlapping relationship to the upper end portion of the torch tube. The grid 14 is operatively positioned in adjustably spaced relationship to the torch tube by a clamp band 34 seated within a bracket 36 fixed to the tube 12 intermediate opposite axial ends 18 and 27. A releaseable clamp device 38 connected to the band 34 maintains it under tension in embracing relationship to the tube 12 in order to hold the rods 28 in adjusted axial positions on the external surface of the tube 12. The lower end portions 40 of the rods 28 act as stops engageable with the handle assembly 26 to lock it in its extended tripod supporting condition under load to thereby establish a substantially rigid and stable support for the torch tube.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the handle assembly 26 includes an elongated leg element 42 having an upper clevis portion 44 that is interconnected by a pivot pin 46 to a pivot flange projecting from the torch tube 12 adjacent its lower axial end 18. Secured to the upper portion 44 of the leg element, closely spaced below the torch tube, is a hinge bracket 50. As more clearly seen in FIG. 4, the hinge bracket 50 is secured as by welding to the upper portion 44 of the leg element at its vertex between diverging arms 51 supporting pivot connections 52 connected to the upper end portions of a pair of tripod legs 54. When the tripod legs 54 are extended in angular relationship to the leg element 42 and diverge therefrom as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the hinge bracket 50 is engaged by the lower end portions 40 of the rods 28 to thereby form a substantially rigid and stable vertical support for the torch tube. In the tripod supporting condition of the handle assembly, the lower ends of the tripod legs and leg elements rest on a horizontal surface 56. The lower ends of the tripod legs may be provided with rubber-like feet 58 while a spacer element 60 may be secured to the leg element 42 for spacing the tripod legs when retracted into positions closely spaced in substantially parallel relation to the leg element 42 as shown by dotted line in FIG. 1 and as shown by solid line in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In the installation shown in FIGS. 1-4, the heating device 10 will be operated as a cooking apparatus. Food, for example, may be placed on top of the grid 14 so as to receive heat emitted from the upper axial end 27 of the torch tube, the heat being generated by the burner unit 16 positioned in spaced relationship to the torch tube by a spacer 62 and fasteners 64 as more clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Secured to the burner unit 16 at its lower end closely spaced below the lower fuel receiving end 18 of the torch tube is a disc-shaped windshield 66 as more clearly seen in FIG. 2. The windshield 66 effectively prevents extinction of the burner flame by air currents and protectively shields the torch tube from the fuel control valve 20 interconnected between the fuel supply conduit 22 and the lower end of the burner unit 16.

With the leg element 42 and tripod legs 54 in the retracted condition, the handle assembly 26 may enable one to carry the apparatus to another location. Further, the retracted handle assembly 26 may be folded back at an acute angle to the torch tube 12 so as to be received through a retainer loop 70 associated with a horizontal space heater installation as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The space heater installation includes a horizontally positioned heat radiator tube 72 to which support leg assemblies 74 and 76 are secured as by welding. Each of the support leg assemblies includes a rod-like element having a portion 78 embracing the tube 72 and a pair of crossing support legs 80. The support leg assemblies 74 and 76 are interconnected in spaced relationship to each other by horizontal rod portions 82 which also prevent unintentional contact with the radiator tube 72 at its sides. The rod portions 82 are interconnected by a loop handle portion 84 in spaced relationship to one axial end 86 as shown in FIG. 5. The upper portion of the radiator tube 72 is protected against contact by a pair of rods 88 interconnected with the leg assembly 76 adjacent an axial end 90 of the tube 72 by means of connecting rod sections 92. The rods 88 are secured, as by welding, to the retainer loop 70 adjacent the axial end 90 as more clearly seen in FIG. 6.

Grid mounting arms 94 and 96 are connected respectively to the handle retainer loop 70 and the rod portions 82 as more clearly seen in FIG. 6. These grid mounting arms project in diverging relationship to each other from the axial end 90 of the radiator tube so as to mount the grid 14 in close axial spaced relationship to the end 90. For best results under most conditions, the axis of the torch tube 12 may thereby be positioned below the axis of the radiator tube 72 because of the rising nature of the flame emitted by the burner unit. The torch tube 12 may be adjustably spaced from the annular shield 32 associated with the grid 14 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in order to control the inflow of air with the heat energy discharged from the axial end 27 of the torch tube. Heat will be generated when the fuel supply valve 20 connected to a fuel source is opened and the burner unit ignited in a manner well-known in the art.

It will be appreciated that a plurality of radiator tubes may be assembled in series with each other to extend the heat radiating surface. Also, the radiator tube 72 could be replaced by a conventional stove pipe, with a damper controlled outlet end remote from the tube 12 enabling the venting of the space heater assembly through a fireplace or stove under emergency conditions. Further, by means of the handle assembly 26 and the handle loop formation 84, the space heater assembly shown in FIG. 5 may be moved to any desired location.

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.