DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0021] The present invention is a safety device for protecting individuals, animals, and/or flammable materials by preventing their contact with a hot surface. While this application's disclosure discusses this invention particularly with respect to keeping small children from touching hot wood burning stoves, the present invention's teachings can be applied to embodiments utilized with other areas and applications. For instance, in preventing children from touching hot appliances such as electric ranges, for preventing individuals from contacting not only hot surfaces, but also to keep them from contacting surfaces which may pose other dangers, such as electrocution risk, etc.

[0022] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, shown is the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the invented safety device 10 is utilized on a freestanding woodstove 2. Such a freestanding woodstove 2 has a front 4, two sides 6, 8, and a back (not shown). More likely than not, such a stove will be exposed on at least three of the four sides. As such, the possibility of an individual accidentally, or carelessly touching the hot stove is great.

[0023] Such stoves are typically comprised at least partially of a ferromagnetic substance such as steel or iron. As such, a magnet is able to magnetically attach to such a typical wood burning stove. The present invention serves as a manner of screening animals, individuals, and flammable materials from contact with the hot stove surfaces.

[0024] Referring back to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention 10 comprises three protection panels or screens, specifically a front screen 12, a first side screen 112, and a second side screen 212. In this embodiment, the first side screen 112 and the second side screen 212 will each have extending therefrom a plurality of legs 130 (230, not shown), preferably terminating in feet 140 (240, not shown). These feet 140 comprising one or more magnetized portions 142 (242, not shown). As such, these panels 112, 212 are configured to attach magnetically to the side 6, 8 of the wood burning stove 2 at a ferromagnetic portion of said stove. Typically, most portions of a wood burning stove are ferromagnetic.

[0025] In this embodiment, the front panel 12 does not have legs with magnetic feet for attaching to the wood burning stove. Instead, the front panel 12 is able to attach to the stove 2 through attachment to adjacent panels 112, 212. Such manner of attachment can be through any number of ways, including, but not limited to, magnets, friction fits, mechanical means, hinges, etc. The preferred manner of attachment is shown in FIG. 4, discussed later in this disclosure.

[0026] The front panel 12 comprising a frame 20 covered at least partially with a screen material 22. It is preferred that this screen material be some form of an open mesh allowing heat to radiate outwards from the stove without substantial impedance, while also allowing oxygen to pass therethrough for heating purposes. The preferred frame comprises tubular metal, with the mesh screen likewise comprising metal that has been welded or otherwise affixed to the frame. The front panel 12 comprising at least one connection 60 (60′) for allowing the front panel to connect with at least one side screen 112 (212). In the embodiment shown, the front panel 12 comprises a first connection 60 and a second connection 60′ for allowing the front panel to attach between the first and second side panels 112, 212. These connections 60, 60′ preferably as shown in FIG. 4 and described infra. The front panel 12 further comprising an inside 12 for facing the front side 4 of the stove 2.

[0027] The first side screen 112 comprising a frame 120 covered at least partially with a screen material 122. It is preferred that this screen material be some form of an open mesh allowing heat to radiate outwards from the stove without substantial impedance, while also allowing oxygen to pass therethrough for heating purposes. The preferred frame comprises tubular metal, with the mesh screen likewise comprising metal which has been welded or otherwise affixed to the frame. The first side screen/panel 112 further comprising an inside 112 for facing the first side 6 of the stove 2. As such, the panels of the present invention are spaced from the stove, thereby able to be cooled by air and providing a surface able to be touched without being burned (unlike the surface of the stove itself).

[0028] Extending away from said inside 112 are at least one, preferably four, legs 130. These legs 130 extending to feet 140. These feet 140 comprising magnetic portions 142. These magnetic portions 142 able to magnetically attach to ferromagnetic portions of the first side 6. The preferred feet 340 include large (four to six inch diameter) magnets. These magnets are used for attaching in between the leg and the stove at the ferromagnetic portion of the stove. In such a manner, the screen may be magnetically attached to the stove and likewise removed from the stove through a physicalforce pulling the screen away from the stove thereby breaking the magnetic bond between the magnet portion and the ferromagnetic material. It is preferred that these legs attach to and extend from the inside 112 of the frame 120. The preferred number of legs is four, one for each corner of the panel. However, other numbers and configurations of legs are also possible, including, but not limited to, the utilization of elongated legs which extend to a plurality of feet.

[0029] The second side screen 212 comprising a frame 220 covered at least partially with a screen material 222. It is preferred that this screen material be some form of an open mesh allowing heat to radiate outwards from the stove without substantial impedance, while also allowing oxygen to pass therethrough for heating purposes. The preferred frame comprises tubular metal, with the mesh screen likewise comprising metal which has been welded or otherwise affixed to the frame. The second side screen/panel 212 further comprising an inside 212 for facing the second side 8 of the stove 2.

[0030] Extending away from said inside 212 are at least one, preferably four, legs 230. These legs 230 extending to feet 240. These feet 240 comprising magnetic portions 242. These magnetic portions 242 able to magnetically attach to ferromagnetic portions of the second side 8. The preferred feet 340 include large (four to six inch diameter) magnets. These magnets are used for attaching in between the leg and the stove at the ferromagnetic portion of the stove. In such a manner, the screen may be magnetically attached to the stove and likewise removed from the stove through a physical force pulling the screen away from the stove thereby breaking the magnetic bond between the magnet portion and the ferromagnetic material. It is preferred that these legs attach to and extend from the inside 212 of the frame 220. The preferred number of legs is four, one for each corner of the panel. However, other numbers and configurations of legs are also possible, including, but not limited to, the utilization of elongated legs which extend to a plurality of feet.

[0031] In use, it is likely that the first side screen 112 and the second side screen 212 will be attached magnetically to the stove and typically left in that position, not being regularly removed. However, obviously the front panel 12 will typically need to be configured for removal, so that the stove can be maintained and so that additional fuel can be added to the stove. Thus, the hanging attachment is preferred over a magnetic attachment. In a less preferred embodiment, the front panel may be configured with a magnet style attachment of its own.

[0032] Additionally, it is preferred that a handle 50 or other means be provided on the front panel 12 thereby allowing the user to manipulate, attach, and detach the front panel to the side screens or panels. Likewise, the first side screen/panel and/or the second side screen/panel could be provided with such handles or other means. Such a handle would allow a user to grasp and move the panel. A typical example of such a handle would be of the type configured for remaining cool when located adjacent to a hot surface, such as the typical coiled handles known within the art, particularly with respect to the style of handles commonly utilized on fireplace doors.

[0033] Thus, in this embodiment, the front panel 12 directly attaches to the ends of both of the side panels 112, 212, thereby forming a cage like structure protecting access to the stove's hot surfaces. It is preferred that the front panel 12 attach to both of the side panels 112, 212 for support. However, it is also possible for the front panel 12 to connect to just one of the side panels 112 or 212.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 4, the preferred manner of connection or attachment 60 utilized at each connection comprises a loop 64 located on the side panel 112. A hook 62 is then configured for engagement with this loop 64, being attached to the inside portion of the front panel 12 so that the front panel 12 can be mounted on a side panel 112 (or 212) through hooking the front panel on the side panel. In such an embodiment, a back panel may be likewise configured, could be configured in the aforementioned magnetic attachment structure, or may not be present at all. FIG. 4 shows a single manner of attachment 60. It is preferred that a corresponding manner of attachment would be provided on the other end of the front panel and on the other side panel. Other manners of attachment are expressly envisioned, including, but not limited to the following: brackets, friction fits, magnets, other hook and loop configurations, etc.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the present invention 10′ is shown. This embodiment shows a panel 312 for protecting the front side 4 of the stove 2. In such an embodiment, the screen/panel 312 would have a frame 320 which is at least partially covered in a screen material 322. It is preferred that this screen material be some form of an open mesh allowing heat to radiate outwards from the stove without substantial impedance, while also allowing oxygen to pass therethrough for heating purposes.

[0036] The preferred frame 320 comprises tubular metal, with the mesh screen 322 likewise comprising metal which has been welded or otherwise affixed to the frame 320. This frame having an outside which would face outward into the room or location at which the stove is installed, as well as an inside which is configured to face the stove. Extending from this frame 320 are, preferably, a plurality of legs 330. It would be possible to utilize a single, solitary leg extending therefrom, but the preferred embodiment utilizes a plurality of legs. These legs 330 extend from the frame 320 away from the frame inside surface. In the preferred embodiment, these legs 330 attach to and extend from the frame 320 inside surface.

[0037] Each of these legs 330 extends to a foot 340 or other means of connecting the screen 312 to the stove 2. The preferred feet 340 include large (four to six inch diameter) magnets. These magnets are used for attaching in between the leg and the stove at the ferromagnetic portion of the stove. In such a manner, the screen may be magnetically attached to the stove and likewise removed from the stove through a physical force pulling the screen away from the stove thereby breaking the magnetic bond between the magnet portion and the ferromagnetic material. The preferred number of legs is four, one for each corner of the panel. However, other numbers and configurations of legs are also possible, including, but not limited to, the utilization of elongated legs which extend to a plurality of feet.

[0038] It is preferred that a handle 350 be provided on the screen panel 312 thereby allowing a user to grasp and move the panel 312. A typical example of such a handle 350 would be of the type configured for remaining cool when located adjacent to a hot surface, such as the typical coiled handles known within the art, particularly with respect to the style of handles commonly utilized on fireplace doors.

[0039] Within this disclosure, it is also envisioned that a plurality of panels with magnets could be utilized on the same stove. For instance, one panel could be applied on the back, one panel on each side, one panel on the front, and even one panel on the top and/or bottom. Thus, the present invention includes the use of one or more of such panels. Being attached through magnets, the panels of the present invention are inherently adjustable.

[0040] While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.