U.S. patent application number 11/518848 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for modular fireplace cabinets.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hussong Manufacturing Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Thomas L. Drexler, James D. Hussong.
Application Number | 20070221204 11/518848 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38566026 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070221204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hussong; James D. ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
Modular fireplace cabinets
Abstract
A modular assembly for fireplace insert cabinets comprises at
least two modules. Each module has a generally planar top and a
support bottom. At least one of the modules is adapted for
supporting a fireplace insert, and the other module includes a
cavity having an opening and containing an article support.
Inventors: |
Hussong; James D.; (Spirit
Lake, IA) ; Drexler; Thomas L.; (Lakefield,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Peter J. Ims;WESTMAN, CHAMPLIN & KELLY, P.A.
Suite 1400
900 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis
MN
55402-3319
US
|
Assignee: |
Hussong Manufacturing Co.,
Inc.
Lakefield
MN
|
Family ID: |
38566026 |
Appl. No.: |
11/518848 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60715519 |
Sep 9, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/500 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24B 1/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/500 |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/18 20060101
F24B001/18 |
Claims
1. A modular assembly for fireplace insert cabinets comprising at
least two modules, each module having a generally planar top and a
support bottom for stacking one module on top of the other module,
at least one of the modules being adapted for supporting a
fireplace insert, and the other module being provided a cavity
having an opening and containing an article support.
2. The modular assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least two modules
are adapted for installation in a corner of a room one on top of
the other.
3. The modular assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least two modules
are adapted for mounting on a flat wall of a room one on top of the
other.
4. The modular assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a
platform having a generally flat surface adapted to be supported
selectively on either of the planar top or at the support bottom of
each of the modules.
5. The modular assemble of claim 1 and further comprising at least
two platforms of different heights wherein each platform includes a
generally flat surface adapted to be supported selectively on
either of the planar top or at the support bottom of each of the
modules.
6. The modular assembly of claim 1 and wherein the article support
comprises at least one shelf.
7. The modular assembly of claim 1 and wherein the article support
comprises a wine rack.
8. The modular assembly of claim 1 and wherein the article support
comprises a glass rack.
9. The modular assembly of claim 1 and further comprising at least
one door rotatably positioned over the opening in the module.
10. A modular assembly for fireplace insert cabinets comprising a
first module having a generally planar top and a support bottom and
being adapted for supporting a fireplace insert, and at least one
platform for position on the generally planar top to provide a
mantel.
11. The modular assembly of claim 10 and further comprising a
second module and wherein the second module comprises a generally
planar top and a support bottom and a cavity having an opening and
containing an article support and wherein the second module is
positionable on top of the platform such that the first module
supports the second module or below the first module such that the
second module supports the first module.
12. The modular assembly of claim 11 and further comprising a
second platform positioned on top of the second module or between
the first and second module.
13. The modular assembly of claim 12 and wherein the first and
second modules are of different heights.
14. The modular assembly of claim 11 wherein the at least two
modules are adapted for installation in a corner of a room one on
top of the other.
15. The modular assembly of claim 11 wherein the at least two
modules are adapted for mounting on a flat wall of a room one on
top of the other.
16. The modular assembly of claim 11 and wherein the article
support comprises at least one shelf.
17. The modular assembly of claim 11 and wherein the article
support comprises a wine rack.
18. The modular assembly of claim 11 and wherein the article
support comprises a glass rack.
19. The modular assembly of claim 11 and further comprising at
least one door rotatably positioned over the opening in the module.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/715,519 which was filed on Sep. 9, 2005 and
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to gas fireplace inserts. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a modular system of
fireplace cabinets for containing gas fireplace inserts.
[0003] Gas fireplace inserts have been utilized for many years as
an alternative to a wood burning fireplace. Gas fireplace inserts
provide the warmth and appearance of a wood burning fireplace,
while also being able to be conveniently lit with an igniter that
is typically connected to a light switch. Further, the person
enjoying the fire does not have to contend with providing a supply
of wood or lighting the wood, which at times can be difficult and
frustrating.
[0004] Typically, a gas fireplace insert is either positioned into
a hearth of an existing wood burning fireplace or a custom made
structure is constructed to support and contain the gas fireplace
insert. A custom made structure is relatively expensive to
construct, and therefore may prevent potential customers from
purchasing a gas fireplace insert.
[0005] Modular constructions have advantages of using basic forms
assembled together, rather than having the requirement for
individual custom made cabinets for each type of arrangement. The
present invention relates to this modularity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention includes a modular assembly for
fireplace insert cabinets comprises at least two modules that are
stacked one on top of the other. Each module has a generally planar
top and a support bottom. At least one of the modules is adapted
for supporting a fireplace insert, and the other module includes a
cavity having an opening and containing an article support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a corner mounted
cabinet with shelves of the present modular system;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a cabinet that will
receive a fireplace insert for mounting in the corner of a
room;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a cabinet for
mounting against a flat surface of wall;
[0010] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a cabinet for receiving a
fireplace insert and for mounting against a flat surface of
wall;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a hearth or base
platform of a first height and usable with a corner module;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of a hearth or base
platform of a second height and also used for corner
installation;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of a hearth or base
platform of a third height and illustrating a wall mount base;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a front view of the platform of FIG. 7;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a front view of a hearth or base platform having a
height shown in FIG. 6, but for mounting against a wall;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a slight perspective view of a first modular
installation having a fireplace insert in a module for wall mount,
and mounted on a base such as that shown in FIGS. 7-9;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cabinet for mounting a
fireplace insert and mounted directly on a supporting floor;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a modular unit including a
lower cabinet for supporting an upper cabinet having a fireplace
insert in place, and shown as a wall surface mount;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a front view of a modular cabinet showing the
cabinet for a fireplace insert at the bottom, and a cabinet having
shelves forming a second module at the top supported on the top of
the lower cabinet;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a further modified form showing a cabinet
supporting a fireplace insert on a base cabinet having see-through
doors;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fireplace insert module
installed on the top of a kitchen counter;
[0022] FIG. 16 is a perspective schematic view of a typical
fireplace insert used in one of the cabinets of the present module;
and
[0023] FIG. 17 is a schematic top view of a typical installation of
a fireplace insert in the corner of a room.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The components of a modular cabinet for a gas fireplace
insert are generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. The components can
be positioned into a corner of a room or along a flat surface of a
wall depending upon the desire location of the gas fireplace where
the modular components can be placed in any of a number of
configurations to provide the appearance of a customized cabinet
without the costs associated with the construction of a customized
cabinet.
[0025] FIGS. 1-2 show basic modules 10, 22 that will be called
cabinets in this application that are utilized as modular
components of a cabinet for a gas fireplace insert that is
positioned into a corner of a room. The module 10 includes a planar
top 12, a support bottom 11 that is substantially planar, an
opening 14 in a front surface 15 that provides access to a cavity
17 where the cavity contains a number of shelves 16 in selected
positions. The opening 14 can be provided with doors as shown in
some of the later embodiments, of various styles, and the shelves
16 within the cavity 17 can be replaced with wine racks, glass
racks, or other article supports.
[0026] The module 10 can be used as a base for the module 22 or a
cabinet that is positioned on a top planar surface 24 of the module
22. The modules 10 and 22 have similar dimensions including a width
A at the top surface and a length B such that the cabinets 10 and
22 fit into a corner of a room. The modules 10 and 22 also have a
height D. A width C of the base is less than the width A at the top
surface such that either module can be stacked upon each other
irrespective of what module is utilized as the lower module.
Optional decorative columns 18 can be utilized on beveled front
corners having a width E. The opening 14 can be provided with doors
as shown in some of the later embodiments, of various styles, and
the shelves 16 within the cavity 17 can be replaced with wine
racks, or glass racks, or other article supports.
[0027] The module 22 is a corner cabinet having substantially the
same dimensions as the module 10 and includes a planar top 24, a
support bottom 21 with a substantially planar surface and a front
opening 26 in a front surface 25 that provides access to a cavity
27 for accepting the gas fireplace insert. The front opening 26 is
of a sufficient size to receive a fireplace insert and support
doors for that insert. Fireplace inserts are shown in subsequent
figures, and the actual construction of the fireplace insert is
shown schematically in FIG. 17.
[0028] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate modules 28 and 36 which will be
referred to as cabinets in this application for mounting against a
flat wall of a room. The modules 28, 36 that have essentially the
same dimension openings 30, 36 in front surfaces 31, 39, as the
openings 14, 26 in the front surfaces 17, 27 of the modules 10, 22
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, all respectively. Similar to the
module 10, the module 28 includes a planar top 32, a support bottom
29 with a substantially planar surface and shelves 34 positioned in
selected positions within a cavity 33 as shown. The opening 30 will
accept standard doors, as will the opening 14 in the cabinet of
FIG. 1. Decorative columns can be utilized on the module 28 as
well.
[0029] The module 28 has a height D, a length C at the base, a
width E at the base, a width B at the top surface that is greater
than the width E at the base and a length A at the top surface
which is greater than the length C at the base. The width E and the
length C of the base are both less than the width B and the length
A at the top surface such that the cabinet 28 can be positioned on
the top surface 40 of the cabinet 36 with sufficient stability as
well as if the cabinet 36 is positioned on the top surface 32 of
the cabinet 28.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates the flat wall supported fireplace insert
cabinet 36 that is made with the opening 38 in the front surface 37
that provides access to a cavity 39 for receiving a fireplace
insert, which is shown in FIG. 18. The cabinet 36 has substantially
the same dimensions as the cabinet 28. The cabinet 36 also has a
planar top 40 and a support bottom 37 that also has a substantially
planar surface.
[0031] The modules 10, 22, 28 and 36 shown in FIGS. 1-4 are the
basic modular units for placing various fireplace configurations in
a room. Platforms may be positioned at the floor level, or on the
surface supporting the modules, between the stacked modules as well
as on the top surface of the top module to accentuate the look of
the modular fireplace cabinet.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 5-9, a variety of platforms of different
heights and designs are illustrated. While a platform may be
illustrated for use with a corner module or a flat wall module, the
platform could also be constructed of the same height for the
non-illustrated module. For instance, a Figure illustrating a
corner mounted design could easily be modified to be utilized with
a wall mounted design and vice versa.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a modular platform 46 having a flat planar
surface 45 and a flat bottom surface 47, that can be used as a base
for the modules 10, 22, 28 and 36 between the stacked modules 10,
22, 28 and 36 or positioned on an upper surface of the modules 10,
22, 28 and 36 shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 6 shows a platform 48 having
a greater height than the platform 46 where the platform also
includes a flat planar top surface 49 and a flat bottom surface 43.
The platform 48, while shown schematically in FIG. 6, is shown in
more detail in FIG. 9, can be used as a mantel on any one of the
flat cabinet tops 12, 22, 32 and 40 shown in FIGS. 1-4.
[0034] The platform 48 typically is about 31/2 inches high, and
thus can be manufactured individually as shown in FIG. 9 with the
decorative surfaces, indicated at 48A. The platform 48 will fit
onto the top surfaces of the various cabinets, to provide the
mantel as well as a base for supporting the bottom supports of the
various cabinets.
[0035] A platform is shown at 50 in FIG. 7 has a height greater
than the height of either platform 46 or 48. The platform 50 is a
modular unit having a flat planar top surface 50A and a flat bottom
surface 50B that can be used for supporting any one of the
cabinets, either the fireplace insert cabinets or the shelved
cabinets, and the platform 50 can be used on the floor, to raise
the overall assembly or as a decorative mantel. In FIG. 8, a front
view of the modular base 50 is shown in greater detail, and it
includes a decorative surfaces 52 to optionally provide a more
ornate appearance.
[0036] A typical assembly of the modular units is shown in FIG. 10,
where the platform 50 is illustrated as a base that supports and
elevates a fireplace insert cabinet 36 to be utilized with a flat
wall. A fireplace insert shown generally at 56 is shown within the
cabinet. In this instance, a face plate 58 is positioned into the
opening 26 or 38 of the fireplace insert cabinets, and also there
can be doors on the front opening of the fireplace insert which are
shown at 60. The platform 48 with the decorative surface 48A is
utilized as a mantel on top of cabinet 36 in FIG. 10. In this
instance, the fireplace insert is above the floor a selected
distance, and no additional top cabinetry is utilized.
[0037] FIG. 11 shows a cabinet 22 for corner mounting where the
base of the cabinet is adjacent the floor. The platform 48 with the
decorative surface 48A is positioned on the top planar surface of
the cabinet 22 and is utilized as a mantel. In FIG. 11, a different
style of fireplace insert indicated at 64 is positioned into the
cavity of the cabinet 22 through the opening 26 in the front
surface 25 of the cabinet 22.
[0038] FIG. 12 shows an assembly that includes a wall mount
fireplace insert cabinet 36, with a platform 48 position at the top
of the cabinet 36 where the platform 48 is utilized as a mantel.
The fireplace insert module cabinet 36 is mounted on top of a wall
mount base cabinet 28, so that the fireplace insert shown at 66 is
raised up from the floor, and is supported on the top of the base
shelf cabinet 28. In this instance, the base cabinet 28 has a
platform 48 that is positioned between the top of the lower cabinet
28 and the fireplace insert cabinet 36 where the platform 48 is
also utilized as a mantel. It should be noted that in this instance
the lower cabinet 28 contains shelves 34. However, the lower
cabinet 28 could also contain any of a number of other article
supports such as a wine rack or a glass rack and may also include
doors that cover the opening.
[0039] The modules permit stacking in different orders, so that the
fireplace can be raised up as shown in FIG. 12, or mounted on the
lower level as shown in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, a corner fireplace
insert cabinet 22 is illustrated as being supported on the platform
48 having the decorative surface 48A. Another platform 48 with the
decorative surface 48A is positioned between the fireplace insert
cabinet 22 and the module 10 which is positioned on the top surface
of the platform 48. Another platform 48 is positioned on the top
surface of the module 10 as a mantel. In this instance the opening
14 in the module 10 is open making the shelves 16 accessible. A
fireplace insert 70 is provided in this lower cabinet 22 as
well.
[0040] FIG. 14 shows a reverse arrangement of the arrangement in
FIG. 12, with the platform 48 supported on a base corner cabinet 10
and supporting fireplace insert cabinet 22. In this instance the
cabinet 10 includes doors 72 that are typically transparent thereby
making wine racks 74 contained therein visible. The platform 48 on
the top surface of the fireplace insert cabinet 22 provides a
mantel, and additional decorations or decorative attachments 72 can
be used. In this case the fireplace insert 74 has a door 75 in the
front, and may have other decorative grills as desired.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 1-14 the modular cabinet system of
the present invention can be utilized to customize the appearance
of the fireplace cabinet to any number of designs. The modular
cabinet system easily allows a purchaser to selected a desired
design, whether the fireplace is near floor level or elevated,
along with different designed platforms to provide a customized
appearance without having to incur the cost of having the cabinet
custom made.
[0042] FIG. 15 illustrates a corner fireplace insert cabinet 22
mounted onto a kitchen counter 80, and placed into the corner of
the room. The mantel 48 is shown in place, and the fireplace insert
82 is shown as well. These gas fireplace inserts require zero
clearance essentially, and can be used right in the kitchen as
shown for a warm feeling.
[0043] FIG. 16 shows a fireplace unit 90 having typical dimensions
that would permit it to be installed into a corner cabinet, and
FIG. 17 shows a fireplace insert 92 being installed in the corner
of the room and illustrating some of the connections including the
exhaust vent 93 through a wall 94 to outside the building.
[0044] The module assemblies thus permit one to make various
combination that can be changed easily to provide different looks.
Only a selected number of cabinet designs are needed to provide a
full range of selectable models. The platforms shown in FIGS. 5-9
can be made in different heights. The base or shelved cabinets can
be left open, or optional doors can be installed as desired.
[0045] Wine racks or glass racks, or any other accessory or article
supports, or any combination thereof can be secured into the
cabinets in place of shelves. While transparent doors on the
modules 10, 28 are typical various optional door styles are
available.
[0046] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *