Fire Pen

Abstract

An architecture is presented that provides a barrier device for protecting recreational fires from accidental intrusion by small children and animals. The barrier device comprises a plurality of gate panels linearly connected by a plurality of hinge elements. A fastening element is employed to selectively engage the outer two gate panels so that they may be connected together. When in use, the plurality of gate elements rotate about the plurality of hinge elements to form a seven-sided polygon-shaped configuration that is connected together by the fastening element. Typically, a user arranges the fastened barrier device around the fire. The open structure of the gate panels prevents access to the fire by small children or animals while allowing easy viewing and access to the fire by adults.

1 . A barrier device for an outdoor recreational fire, the barrier device comprising:
 a plurality of gate panels;   a plurality of hinge elements for connecting the plurality of gate panels; and   a fastening element.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier device of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier device comprises at least one of the following materials: iron, steel, aluminum, metal alloys, plastics, polymers, wood, and polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the plurality of gate panels is comprised of wood. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier device of  claim 3 , wherein a portion of the plurality of gate panels is coated with a fire resistant paint. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier device of  claim 1 , wherein the a plurality of gate panels further comprises a first outer gate panel and a second outer gate panel and said barrier device is configured in a polygonal-shaped structure when the fastening element is selectively engaged with said first outer gate panel and said second outer gate panel. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier device of  claim 5 , wherein the barrier device is configured as a heptagon. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gate panels fold along the plurality of hinge elements so that said plurality of gate panels are substantially parallel to one another when the barrier device is in a nonuse position. 
     
     
         8 . A barrier device for surrounding an outdoor recreational fire, the barrier device comprising:
 a plurality of gate panels comprising a first adjacent gate panel, a second adjacent gate panel, a first outer gate panel, and a second outer gate panel;   a plurality of hinge elements for connecting the first adjacent gate panel to the second adjacent gate panel;   a plurality of fixedly attached connecting elements inserted in the plurality of hinge elements so that that the plurality of gate panels rotate about the plurality of hinge elements; and   a fastening element for selectively connecting the first outer gate panel and the second outer gate panel such that the barrier device is configured in a polygonal-shaped structure when connected.   
     
     
         9 . The barrier device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of gate panels comprise a top rail, a bottom rail, and a plurality of pickets. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of pickets are substantially four inches apart and vertically oriented between the top and bottom rails. 
     
     
         11 . The barrier device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of pickets are substantially equidistant from each other. 
     
     
         12 . The barrier device of  claim 8 , wherein the barrier device is portable. 
     
     
         13 . The barrier device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of fixedly attached connecting elements further comprise a center sleeve element between the top and bottom rails. 
     
     
         14 . The barrier device of  claim 13 , wherein the center sleeve element is comprised of poly vinyl chloride pipe. 
     
     
         15 . A barrier device for surrounding an outdoor recreational fire, the barrier device comprising:
 a plurality of gate panels comprising a first adjacent gate panel, a second adjacent gate panel, a first outer gate panel, and a second outer gate panel disposed horizontally between a plurality of hinge elements, wherein the plurality of hinge elements are held in place by a plurality of fixedly attached connecting elements;   wherein the plurality of fixedly attached connecting elements extend through a bottom portion of the plurality of hinge elements so that a bottom spike portion is insertable into a ground surface; and   a fastening element for removably connecting the first outer gate panel and the second outer gate panel such that the barrier device is configured in a polygonal-shape configuration when connected.   
     
     
         16 . The barrier device of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of gate panels comprise seven gate panels, the plurality of fixedly attached connecting elements comprise six connecting elements, and when connected by the fastening element form a heptagonal-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The barrier device of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of gate panels are between 24 and 26 inches in height, and between 28 and 32 inches in length. 
     
     
         18 . The barrier device of  claim 15 , wherein the bottom spike portion is between four and eight inches in length. 
     
     
         19 . The barrier device of  claim 15 , wherein the fastening element is fixedly attached to an outer hinge element of the first outer gate panel. 
     
     
         20 . The barrier device of  claim 19 , wherein the fastening element selectively engages an outer hinge element of the second outer gate panel, so that when engaged, the first and second outer gate panels are connected.