U.S. patent application number 09/759983 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-27 for fireplace with warming shelf.
Invention is credited to Gamache, Gabriel Grant.
Application Number | 20010023694 09/759983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22641815 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010023694 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gamache, Gabriel Grant |
September 27, 2001 |
Fireplace with warming shelf
Abstract
The invention provides a fireplace having a warming shelf,
suitable for warming beverages, such as coffee, tea or hot cocoa;
food items; and other items, for example, clothing, such as mittens
or socks.
Inventors: |
Gamache, Gabriel Grant;
(Cottage Grove, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Family ID: |
22641815 |
Appl. No.: |
09/759983 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60175831 |
Jan 13, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
126/505 ;
126/332 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24B 1/182 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/505 ;
126/332 |
International
Class: |
F24C 015/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fireplace comprising: (a) a firebox; (b) a front wall fastened
to the firebox wherein the firebox and front wall define a
combustion chamber; and (c) a shelf pivotally mounted to the front
wall about a horizontal axis.
2. The fireplace according to claim 1 wherein the shelf is
configured to pivot between a closed position, wherein the shelf is
positioned adjacent to the front wall in a substantially parallel
plane and an open position, wherein the shelf is positioned
substantially perpendicular to the front wall.
3. The fireplace according to claim 2 wherein the combustion
chamber remains enclosed by the front wall and firebox when the
shelf is in an open position.
4. The fireplace according to claim 1 further comprising doors
pivotally mounted to the front wall about a vertical axis.
5. The fireplace according to claim 1 further comprising doors
pivotally mounted to the firebox about a vertical axis.
6. The fireplace according to claim 1 wherein the front wall is
fastened to the firebox to form a substantially airtight seal.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a fireplace. In particular, the
invention relates to a gas fireplace with a warming shelf.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Fireplaces, including gas fireplaces are well known.
Generally, fireplaces are used for heating a room and for ambiance.
However, it may be desirable to use a fireplace to warm other
items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention provides a fireplace having a warming shelf
suitable for warming beverages, such as coffee, tea or hot cocoa;
food items; and other items, for example, clothing, such as mittens
or socks.
[0004] The fireplace generally includes a firebox, a front wall and
a shelf. The front wall is mounted to the firebox to define a
combustion chamber. Preferably the interface between the front wall
and the firebox is substantially airtight. More preferably, the
front wall is made using a transparent material such as glass or
heat resistant plastic. The fireplace also includes a shelf that is
pivotally mounted to the front wall about a horizontal axis.
Preferably, the shelf is made using a transparent material such as
glass or heat resistant plastic. The shelf preferably rotates from
between a closed position, in which the shelf is adjacent and
substantially parallel to the front wall to an open position, in
which the shelf is substantially perpendicular to the front wall.
Even when the shelf is in an open position, the combustion chamber,
defined by the front wall and the firebox remains inaccessible from
behind the shelf, due to the presence of the front wall. The open
shelf provides a suitable horizontal surface for placing items to
be warmed, such as beverages, food, or clothing. In a preferred
embodiment, the fireplace also includes doors that are pivotally
mounted to the fireplace about a vertical axis. Preferably, the
doors are positioned below the shelf. In this embodiment, the shelf
and doors can be opened to create a semi-enclosed space which is
capable of trapping heat generated by the fireplace to further warm
the shelf and any items placed thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a fireplace embodying
the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the fireplace in FIG. 1
in section taken along the line 2-2.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of the fireplace taken along
the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the fireplace with a door
open.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a top view of the fireplace shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
characters refer to like parts, the fireplace 50 of the invention
is shown in FIG. 1. The fireplace 50 includes three major parts,
namely a firebox 10; a front wall 11; and a shelf 12.
[0011] The firebox 10 includes side walls 15 and 16, a rear wall
17, a top 18, a front 20 and a back 21. The top 18 of the firebox
10 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a half-dome. However, the top
18 can be created in any desirable configuration. For example, in
an alternate embodiment (not shown), the top 18 of the firebox 10
can be formed by planar walls that slope downward from the front 20
of the firebox 10 and mate at the back 21 of the firebox 10 or
planar walls that slope upward from the front of the firebox 10 and
mate at the back 21 of the firebox. In yet another embodiment, the
top 18 of the firebox 10 may be constructed in a horizontal
position. Other configurations for the top 18 of the firebox 10 are
readily apparent to those of skill in the art and are included
within the scope of the invention.
[0012] A front wall 11 is mounted to the front 20 of the firebox
10. Preferably, the front wall 11 is formed from a heat resistant
transparent material such as glass or heat resistant plastic. More
preferably, the front wall 11 is mounted to the firebox 10 such
that the interface between the front wall 11 and the firebox is
airtight or semi-airtight to prevent air loss from the room. If the
interface between the firebox 10 and the front wall 11 is not
substantially airtight, combustion air taken from the room may
reduce the amount of oxygen in the room if the room is tightly
sealed or, alternately, may create a partial vacuum which takes in
cold air or air from other parts of the building into the room to
be heated, thus cooling the room to be heated. In one embodiment,
the glass front wall 11 is capable of being removed from the
firebox 10 or opened to provide access to the firebox 10. The front
wall 11 can be planar (as shown in the Figures) or non-planar (not
shown). For example, the front wall 11 may be configured as a
non-planar outwardly curved glass panel (not shown). Other
configurations include non-planar glass panels having two or more
flat sections (not shown). Other configurations are readily
apparent to those of skill in the art and are included within the
scope of this invention.
[0013] The firebox 10 and front wall 11 define a combustion chamber
30. A burner assembly (not shown) is located within the combustion
chamber 30. Fresh air is delivered to the combustion chamber 30 by
way of an air inlet vent (not shown). Exhaust gasses from the
combustion chamber 30 pass out of the firebox 10 by way of an
exhaust vent 14.
[0014] According to the invention, the fireplace 50 includes a
shelf 12 mounted to the front wall 11. In a preferred embodiment,
the shelf 12 is rotatably mounted to the front wall 11. Preferably,
the shelf 12 is rotatably mounted to the front wall 11 about a
horizontal axis. For example, the shelf 12 can be mounted to the
front wall 11 using at least one hinge such that the shelf can
occupy an "open" position wherein the shelf 12 is positioned
horizontally such that it is substantially perpendicular (at about
90.degree.) to the front wall 11 (for example, see FIGS. 2-5).
Preferably the shelf 12 is configured to rotate to occupy a
"closed" position wherein the shelf 12 is aligned adjacent to the
front wall 11 in a position substantially parallel to the front
wall 11 or to define a plane that is substantially parallel to the
plane defined by the front wall 11 (not shown). Generally, the
shelf 12 is configured to align with the contours of the front wall
11. The shelf 12 can be configured such that it is rotated "down"
to its open position (i.e., horizontal or perpendicular to the
front wall 11) and rotated "up" to a closed position (i.e.,
oriented vertically or parallel to the front wall 11). Alternately,
the shelf 12 can be configured such that it is rotated "up" to an
open position and rotated "down" to a closed position. Preferably,
a locking means is included to secure the shelf 12 in an open
position. It may also be desirable to include a second locking
means to secure the shelf 12 in a closed position. It should be
noted that a shelf that is not hinged and therefore only occupies
an "open" position is also included within the scope of the
invention.
[0015] It should be noted that, when the shelf 12 is in an open
position, the front wall 11 of the fireplace 50 maintains a barrier
between the firebox 10 and the room such that the combustion
chamber 30 remains enclosed. As discussed above, it is important
that the interface of the front wall 11 and the firebox 10 be
airtight or semi-airtight and the combustion chamber remain
enclosed to prevent oxygen or heat loss from the room in which the
fireplace 50 is situated. Thus, "opening" the shelf 12 merely
provides an illusion of accessing the firebox 10, when in reality,
the combustion chamber 30 remains enclosed. The shelf 12 functions
essentially as a "false door" such that "opening" the shelf 12 does
not actually open an enclosure. Rather, "opening" the shelf 12
merely exposes the front wall 11 that is positioned interior to the
shelf 12. Thus, "opening" the shelf 12 does not "open" an
enclosure. Rather, "opening" the shelf 12 provides access to the
substantially vertical front wall 11.
[0016] The open shelf 12 provides a suitable horizontal surface for
placing items to be warmed, for example, beverages, food, or other
items such as clothing. Preferably, the shelf 12 is made of a
transparent material, for example, glass or heat resistant plastic,
such that the combustion chamber 30 or firebox 10 is visible when
the shelf 12 is in a "closed" position.
[0017] The fireplace 50 may optionally include doors 13, positioned
parallel and adjacent to the front wall 11 on the opposite side of
the front wall 11 as the firebox 10. Preferably, the doors 13 are
mounted to the fireplace 50 at a position below the shelf 12.
Preferably, the doors 13 are formed from a transparent material
such as glass or heat resistant plastic such that the combustion
chamber 30 is visible when the doors are in a closed position. Many
configurations for fireplace doors are known in the art. For
example, the doors 13 may include a single panel or a plurality of
panels encased within a frame 22. Conventional frames 22 used for
fireplace doors are suitable. Preferably, the doors 13 can be
opened and closed. The opening and closing of fireplace doors is
conventional in the art. When the doors 13 are in their closed
position, they are aligned adjacent to the front wall 11. Thus, if
the front wall 11 is planar, the doors 13, in a closed position,
preferably define a plane that is parallel to the plane defined by
the front wall 11. If the front wall 11 is curved outwardly, the
doors 13 preferably follow the contours of the front wall 11.
However, it is also conceivable that the front wall 11 may be
planar, and the doors 13 may have a different configuration. For
example the doors 13 may be curved outwardly. The doors 13 can be
maintained in their closed position by conventional means, such as
spring clips or magnetic plates. The doors 13 can also be put in an
open position, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As discussed
in connection with the shelf 12 above, the glass doors 13 merely
appear to provide access to the combustion chamber 30. In reality,
even when the glass doors 13 are in an open position, the
combustion chamber 30 remains inaccessible from behind the doors 13
due to the presence of the front wall 11 which lies between the
glass doors 13 and the combustion chamber.
[0018] Preferably, the glass doors are mounted to the front wall 11
or the side walls 15 and 16 of the firebox 10 around a vertical
axis such that, when the doors 13 and the shelf 12 are in an open
position, the doors 13 are oriented perpendicular to the shelf 13.
With such an arrangement, it may be desirable to place the
fireplace doors 13 in an open position in connection with securing
the shelf 12 in an open position to create a semi-enclosed space
which is capable of trapping heat generated by the fireplace to
further warm the shelf 12 and any items placed thereon.
[0019] The foregoing description has been presented with respect to
a gas fireplace shown in the accompanying figures. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that many other
modifications of the structures, including size, shape and
arrangement may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention. For example, it is understood that the fireplace may
include additional features and accessories. Furthermore, although
the invention is discussed primarily with respect to a gas
fireplace, the concept is readily applied to conventional wood
burning fireplaces. Accordingly, the present invention is not meant
to be limited to the particular embodiments described above.
Rather, the scope of the invention is meant to be defined by the
following claims.
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