U.S. patent application number 11/609175 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for topdown simulated flame.
This patent application is currently assigned to HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC.. Invention is credited to Richard W. Burkett, Larry K. Moreland.
Application Number | 20080138050 11/609175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39498163 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080138050 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moreland; Larry K. ; et
al. |
June 12, 2008 |
TOPDOWN SIMULATED FLAME
Abstract
The present invention includes an apparatus and method of
simulating a flame. The apparatus and method provides a top down
projection of a simulated flame. The simulated flame may include a
multilayered flame effect and may be viewed from both the front and
the rear so as to provide a realistic uninterrupted flame with
varying color. One embodiment may include a light source, a gobo
with a flame pattern formed therein, a rotating disc that spins on
a motor, and a lens. The light is formed into a flame pattern by
the gobo transmitted through the disc such that the refraction and
intensity of the light transmitting therethrough is constantly
altered as the disc rotates. The lens focuses the flame pattern. In
one embodiment the present invention may include a generally
see-through viewing screen onto which the flame pattern is
projected.
Inventors: |
Moreland; Larry K.; (Lomax,
IL) ; Burkett; Richard W.; (West Point, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAEGRE & BENSON, LLP;PATENT DOCKETING
90 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET, 2200 WELLS FARGO CENTER
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Muscatine
IA
|
Family ID: |
39498163 |
Appl. No.: |
11/609175 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
392/348 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 7/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
392/348 |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/18 20060101
F24B001/18 |
Claims
1. An electric fireplace with a flame simulating apparatus
comprising: a back panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, opposed side
panels, and a front panel defining a viewable interior chamber; a
simulated fire log set positioned on the bottom panel; and an
apparatus for projecting an image of a flame on one or more of the
panels of the interior chamber and the fire log set including: a
housing; a light source mounted within the housing; a gobo with a
flame pattern therein mounted in the housing and in the path of the
light from the light source; a motor operably mounted to the
housing; and a disc with surface features on at least one side
thereof operably attached to the motor so as to spin about an axis,
the light from the light source transmitting through the disc such
that the refraction and intensity of the light transmitting
therethrough is substantially altered.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a screen removably
inserted into the interior chamber wherein the image of the flame
is projected onto the screen.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the screen is sheer and wherein
the flame image is projected onto and through the screen.
4. (canceled)
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the disc is translucent.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lens for focusing
the simulated flame image.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the lens includes at least one
of a double convex lens and a dual plano convex lens.
8. (canceled)
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source includes at
least one of a standard light bulb, an LED, a halogen light bulb,
and an incandescent lamp.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a filter operably
positioned near the light source to color the light emitted from
the light source.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gobo is a thin plate with
a flame pattern cut therein.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gobo is a
transparency.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the disc is formed of one or
more of glass, hammered glass, cathedral glass, plexiglass, or
plastic.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the motor is a variable speed
motor.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein disc further comprises one or
more sections that includes coloring in or on the disc.
16-17. (canceled)
18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image of the flame is also
projected on the simulated fire log set.
19. A method of producing a simulated flame pattern on a screen
comprising: emitting light from a light source; directing the light
through a means for shaping the light into a flame pattern; passing
the flame patterned light through a rotating disc, the rotating
disc continuously distorting and refracting the flame patterned
light; and focusing the flame patterned light onto an at least
partially see-through screen wherein a flame pattern is created
that is constantly changing to enhance the illusion of a flame.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein passing the flame patterned
light through the rotating disc further comprises passing the flame
patterned light through a rotating disc with an at least one
section of colored area.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein directing the light through a
means for shaping the light further comprises directing the light
through a gobo.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein passing the flame patterned
light through a rotating disc further comprises passing the flame
patterned light through a cathedral glass disc with a series of
random surface patterns on at least one side.
23. The method of claim 19 wherein focusing the flame patterned
light further comprises focusing the flame patterned light with a
double convex lens.
24. A apparatus for simulating a flame in a fireplace comprising: a
light source; a gobo with a flame pattern formed therein, the light
from the light source being transmitted through the gobo and shaped
by the flame pattern; and a disc operably attached to a motor so as
to spin about an axis and operably positioned in the path of the
light transmitted through the gobo, the disc including random
surface features on at least one side thereof; a sheer screen
operably positioned in the path of the transmitted light onto which
the simulated flame is projected, wherein the flame patterned light
from the gobo is transmitted through the disc such that the
refraction and intensity of the light transmitting therethrough is
constantly altered as the disc rotates.
25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the sheer screen is at least
partially see through such that the flame pattern is also at least
partially projected through the screen.
26. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the light source is one of a
standard light bulb, an LED, a halogen light bulb, or an
incandescent lamp.
27. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a filter operably
positioned near the light source to color the light emitted from
the light source.
28. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the gobo is a thin plate.
29. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the gobo is a
transparency.
30. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the disc is formed of one or
more of glass, hammered glass, cathedral glass, plexiglass, or
plastic.
31. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the motor is a variable speed
motor.
32. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein disc further comprises one or
more sections of colored area.
33. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the colored areas are one or
more of orange and black.
34. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the disc further comprises
random surface features.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to simulated patterns for
fireplaces. More specifically, this invention relates to electric
fireplaces and an apparatus and method for simulating a flame
therein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Gas, electric, and wood burning fireplaces are an efficient
method for providing warmth and creating the appeal of a fire
within a room. Fireplaces have become commonplace for both
residential and commercial buildings. Most new home construction
designs include at least one, and often several, fireplaces.
Further, a significant number of remodeling projects are focused on
fireplaces.
[0003] Electric fireplaces are popular because they provide the
visual qualities of real fireplaces without the costs and
complications associated with venting of the combustion gases.
Similarly, free-standing stove facsimile units burning natural gas
are popular alternatives to real fireplaces. However, combustion
gases must be vented. For many buildings, electric stove facsimile
units are therefore preferable.
[0004] An assembly for producing a simulated flame for electric
fireplaces is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,707 (Butterfield).
The Butterfield assembly uses a system of billowing ribbons and a
diffusion screen for simulating flames. Other assemblies for
producing realistic simulated flames may be disclosed in, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,580 (Hess et al.), U.S. Pat. No.
6,047,489 (Hess et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,598 (Rose et
al.).
[0005] Some flame simulating assemblies may use systems including a
billowing flame effect element having a plurality of slits with
flame shapes cut into it. Alternatively, other assemblies may
include a solid flame element with flame shapes cut into it and a
diffusion screen onto which images resembling flames are projected.
In some of the disclosed flame simulating assemblies, light from a
light source may be reflected toward at least one flicker element
disposed at the rear of a simulated firebox to produce an image
resembling moving flames. The image is then reflected onto a
screen. The light source may provide light directed generally
upwardly from underneath a partly translucent simulated fuel bed to
cause the simulated fuel bed to resemble burning logs and embers.
However, the light directed upwardly may not vary in intensity. In
other apparatuses, the effect may lie in the vibration of the light
source or may result in an unrealistic downward flame motion.
[0006] In the prior art simulated flame, the flames may be viewed
on a back lighted surface located behind the decorative logs.
Projecting the image of the flame in this manner may result in an
unrealistic appearance of the flames because there is poor illusion
of flame depth.
[0007] Positioning a static reflector inside the simulated ember
bed is another method of producing simulated flame. An example
static reflector may be disclosed in U.K. Patent No. 414,280 (Davis
et al.), U.K. Patent No. 1,186,655 (Reed et al.), U.S. Pat. No.
1,992,540 (Newton), U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,697 (Painton), and U.S.
Pat. No. 4,890,600 (Meyers). In each of these patents, however, a
static reflector is positioned inside a structure which forms all
or a portion of a simulated pile of burning fuel.
[0008] There is therefore a continued need for methods and
apparatuses for producing a simulated flame.
SUMMARY
[0009] One embodiment of the present invention may be an electric
fireplace with a flame simulating apparatus that includes a back
panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, opposed side panels, and a
front panel defining a viewable interior chamber, a simulated fire
log set positioned on the bottom panel, a screen removably inserted
into the interior chamber, and an apparatus for projecting an image
of a flame on at least the screen including a housing, a light
source mounted within the housing, a gobo with a flame pattern
therein mounted in the housing and in the path of the light from
the light source, a motor operably mounted to the housing, and a
disc with surface features on at least one side thereof operably
attached to the motor so as to spin about an axis, the light from
the light source transmitting through the disc such that the
refraction and intensity of the light transmitting therethrough is
constantly altered.
[0010] One embodiment may be an electric fireplace with a flame
simulating apparatus including a back panel, a top panel, a bottom
panel, opposed side panels, and a front panel defining a viewable
interior chamber, a simulated fire log set positioned on the bottom
panel, and an apparatus for projecting an image of a flame on at
least the screen that includes a housing, a light source mounted
within the housing, a gobo with a flame pattern therein mounted in
the housing and in the path of the light from the light source, a
motor operably mounted to the housing, and a disc with surface
features on at least one side thereof operably attached to the
motor so as to spin about an axis, the light from the light source
transmitting through the disc such that the refraction and
intensity of the light transmitting therethrough is constantly
altered.
[0011] Another embodiment may include a method of producing a
simulated flame pattern on a screen, the method including emitting
light from a light source, directing the light through a means for
shaping the light into a flame pattern, passing the flame patterned
light through a rotating disc, the rotating disc continuously
distorting and refracting the flame patterned light, and focusing
the flame patterned light onto an at least partially see-through
screen wherein a flame pattern is created that is constantly
changing to enhance the illusion of a flame.
[0012] Still another embodiment may include an apparatus for
simulating a flame in a fireplace comprising, a light source, a
gobo with a flame pattern formed therein, the light from the light
source being transmitted through the gobo and shaped by the flame
pattern, and a disc operably attached to a motor so as to spin
about an axis and operably positioned in the path of the light
transmitted through the gobo, the disc including random surface
features on at least one side thereof, wherein the flame patterned
light from the gobo is transmitted through the disc such that the
refraction and intensity of the light transmitting therethrough is
constantly altered as the disc rotates.
[0013] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which
shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment fireplace
that includes the flame simulation apparatus of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cut away perspective view of the fireplace of
FIG. 1 taken along the plane A-A.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the flame
simulation apparatus of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a disc of
the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is an elevational view one embodiment of a gobo of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In one embodiment, the present invention is applicable to
fireplaces. In particular, the apparatus and method disclosed
herein may be utilized for displaying a simulated flame pattern for
an electric fireplace. The apparatus and method provides a top down
projection of a simulated flame onto and through a generally
see-through viewing surface placed in the fireplace. The simulated
flame may include a multilayered flame effect and may be viewed
from both the front and the rear so as to provide a realistic
uninterrupted simulated flame with varying color and intensity.
Moreover, the simulated flame may be projected on, between, and in
front of decorative logs placed in the fireplace. Furthermore, the
top down projection may enhance the simulated flame effect. In
further embodiments, the illumination provided by the present
invention apparatus and method may simulate embers on the
decorative logs in a realistic front to back motion.
[0021] While example embodiments presented herein are described in
conjunction with an electric fireplace, the present invention is
equally applicable to other systems or apparatuses for simulating a
flame. It will be appreciated that while it is expected that
incorporation into an electric fireplace or stove is likely to be
the primary use of the invention, it is not necessarily the only
use. The embodiments of the present invention may be used in
conjunction with any system or apparatus where simulation of a
natural fire is desired, such as with gas fireplaces. The
specification and drawings describe and disclose only some of the
specific forms of the invention and are not intended to limit the
scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow
herein.
[0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, a fireplace 10 may generally
include an enclosure 12. The enclosure 12 may include a back panel
14, a top panel 16, a bottom panel 18, opposed side panels 20 and
22, and a front panel 24. As is common in the manufacturing of such
fireplaces, the front 24, back 14, top 16, bottom 18 and side
panels 20-22 generally define a hollow open interior chamber 26
that houses and retains the primary components of the fireplace 10.
In one embodiment, a flame simulating apparatus 28 may be secured
generally in the middle of the front panel 24 of the enclosure 12.
In this embodiment of the flame simulation apparatus 28 may be on
the inside of the front panel 24 and pointed towards the interior
chamber 26. Also situated within hollow chamber 26 may be a
simulated fire log set 30. Simulated fire log set 30 may be made of
any one of a wide variety of materials (such as wood, ceramic, or
synthetic materials) and is designed to mimic the logs and the
embers of a wood or coal burning fire. Fire log set may also
include a rear log 31. As may be appreciated, the front panel 24
may cover a portion of the interior chamber 26 or may cover the
entire front side of the interior chamber 26 and also include a
viewing pane or small opening to provide an observer a view of the
fireplace. In other embodiments, the flame simulation apparatus 28
can be attached at other positions as desired.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the flame simulating apparatus
28 will herein be further described. In one embodiment, the flame
simulating apparatus 28 may include a light source 32, a gobo 34, a
disc 36, a motor 38, a lens 40, and a housing 42. The housing 42
may be secured to the front panel 24 or top panel 16 of the
enclosure 12 and may be formed as shown. A hole 44 may be formed
through one side of the housing 42 through which the simulated
flame may be projected. The housing 42 may be positioned such that
the hole 44 is generally pointed towards the interior of the
chamber 26 and the fire log set 30. The housing 42 may also point
the hole 44 towards a screen 43 placed in the interior of the
interior chamber 26. The lens 40 may be secured in or near the hole
44 in the path of the light from the light source 32. The motor 38
may be further secured to the housing 42 with the disc 36 operably
attached to the motor 38 such that the motor can rotate the disc 36
at a desired speed. The light source 32 may be attached to the
housing 42 or separately to the interior chamber 26 of the
fireplace 10. The gobo 34 may be positioned between the light
source 32 and the disc 36 such that the light from the light source
32 is directed through the gobo 34, through the disc 36, through
the lens 40, and into the interior chamber 26 of the fireplace
10.
[0024] In one embodiment, the flame simulating apparatus 28 may
project the simulated flames onto a screen 43, as shown in FIGS.
1-3 and which is further described below. The screen 43 is
positioned in the interior chamber 26 behind or through a portion
of the fire log set 30 and in front of log 31. The simulated flame
may also project on the various panels of interior of enclosure 12
and the fire log set 30 while also projecting on the screen 43. In
other embodiments no screen 43 may be installed in the enclosure 12
and the simulated flame projects only on the fire log set 30 and on
the panels that form the enclosure 12.
[0025] The light source 32 may be an LED array, a halogen lamp, an
incandescent lamp, or any other suitable light producing apparatus
known to those in the art. The light source 32 may be connected to
an electrical system (not shown) that is part of the fireplace 10
or directly to the electrical system of the house or other building
in which the fireplace 10 is installed. The light source 32 may be
positioned to project generally downwards from the flame simulating
apparatus 28 and with a slight front to back orientation such that
the light is projected onto the screen 43 at a desired angle. The
light source 32 may also project light on the fire log set 30 and
the interior surfaces of the fireplace 10. The light projected on
to the log set 30 may simulate a flame pattern as well as an ember
pattern. In one embodiment the light source may be a light bulb
that is about 2 inches in diameter and 35 watts. In other
embodiments the light source may be smaller or larger and vary
intensity.
[0026] The light source 32 may project clear or colored light. The
light source 32 may further include a filter (not shown) to color
the light. In one embodiment the filter may cause the projected
light to be yellow. In another embodiment the filter may cause the
projected light to be orange. As will be appreciated, a number of
different colors or combinations of color may be utilized depending
on the desired look of the simulated flame.
[0027] The gobo 34 may be a thin plate with a pattern cut in it to
create a pattern of projected light. The term "gobo" may be derived
from a contraction of "go between," as in the gobo goes between the
light source and the screen 43. The gobo 34 may also be referred to
as a cookie, a flag, a mask or by other terms. The gobo 34 may be
manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes and may be made of
metal, plastic, fabric, wood, or glass sheet. In one embodiment,
the gobo 34 is a glass disc that includes a flame pattern 46
imprinted thereon to shape or pattern the light emitted by the
light source 32. The flame pattern 46 may be printed onto the glass
disc by outlining a flame shape using an opaque paint or other
covering. The flame pattern 46 may further include flame coloring.
In further embodiments the gobo 34 may be a metal sheet with a
flame pattern cut out of the disc. The gobo 34 may be about 50 mm
across but in other embodiments may be larger or smaller depending
on the size of the other components of the flame simulating
apparatus 28. In further embodiments, the gobo 34 may be replaced
by a transparency.
[0028] The flame pattern 46 of the gobo 34 may be colored so as to
enhance the color of the light projected from the light source 32.
In an embodiment where the flame pattern is cut into a metal sheet
or other material to form the gobo 34, the flame pattern 46 may be
filled in with colored glass, plastic, or other materials that
impart color on the light shining therethrough. The gobo 34 may be
attached to the housing 42 utilizing a gobo holder (not shown),
which may be a frame that houses the gobo and which can be fitted
or otherwise attached to the housing 42 to keep the gobo 34 in the
desired position. In the present embodiment, the gobo 34 may be
positioned such that the top of the simulated flames point
generally towards the front panel 24 of the fireplace 10. The light
source 32 projects the top portion of the simulated flame towards
the top of the screen 43.
[0029] The disc 36 may be made of a cathedral hammered glass.
Utilization of a hammered glass to form disc 36 may allow the glass
to have a generally random texture and thickness. The texture,
which may include formations and grooves, may randomly distort and
refract the light beam projected through the disc 36. Hammered
glass may not necessarily be manufactured by hammering glass, but
may be made by placing molten glass on a surface and rolling an
object across the molten glass to texture it and produce varied
thicknesses and formations. Another technique that may be employed
is to pour molten glass onto a metal table top. The upper surface
will be, for the most part, smooth and glossy but the lower surface
may include an irregular knobbly patterning caused by the way in
which the glass reacts with the metal surface. The knobbles may
have the appearance of having been hammered flat.
[0030] The disc 36 may be approximately 4.5 inches in diameter but
may also be larger or smaller as desired depending on the size of
the flame simulating apparatus 28 as a whole. The disc 36 in the
present embodiment is secured to the motor 38 such that the motor
38 rotates the disc 36. The motor 38 may be any type of set or
variable speed motor useful for continuous operation. The motor 38
may be preferably of the type that can be plugged into a standard
outlet power source or may in further embodiments be powered by a
battery. In further embodiments the motor 38 may be a variable
speed motor that can be adjusted by a user.
[0031] In one embodiment the disc 36 may be rotated
counterclockwise at approximately four rotations per minute. In
other embodiments, the disc 36 may be rotated up to eight or more
rotations per minute. The rotation speed of the disc 36 may affect
the appearance of the simulated flame, with faster flames resulting
from a faster rotation of the disc 36. As maybe appreciated, the
diameter of the disc 36 and where the light is focused on the disc
(whether near the outside of the disc 36 or nearer to the center)
may also affect the apparent speed of the simulated flames.
[0032] In one embodiment, the simulated flames projected on the
screen 43 may appear to rise faster on one side of the screen 43 as
compared to the other. The flames may appear to be rising faster
because the light from the light source 32 may be passing through
the disc 36 further from the center of rotation. Though the
different points on the disc 36 are rotating at the same number of
revolutions per minute, a point further from the disc 36 center
will have a greater radial velocity than a point closer to the
center. The flames therefore change faster and appear to rise
faster.
[0033] In the present embodiment, the light from the light source
32 is only projected through a portion of the disc 36 at any given
time. As the motor 38 spins, different portions of the disc 36 are
brought into the path of the light from the light source 32. The
light that is projected through the lens 40 therefore may be
continually changing due to the variations in distortion and
refraction caused by the disc 38. The light may change in, for
example, intensity, color, and direction.
[0034] In one embodiment, disc 36 may include coloring 37 placed on
the disc. The coloring 37 may be placed in the valleys created by
the hammered glass formations in order to add color and intensity
variation to the light projected through disc 36. The coloring 37
may be paint on the glass and may include one or more colors that
change the color and intensity of the light. As disc 36 is rotated
it may imbue the projected light with randomness similar to a
natural flame pattern. The paint may include orange, yellow, and
black colors that either color the light passing therethrough or
substantially block the light.
[0035] In other embodiments, the coloring 37 may block or
substantially block the light from passing through the disc 36. In
still further embodiments, the coloring 37 may be formed by
utilization of colored glass.
[0036] In further embodiments the disc 36 may be made of plastic or
plexiglass. In still further embodiments, the disc 36 may include a
surface treated to enhance the refraction of light passing
therethrough. In one embodiment the glass of the disc 36 may be
sandblasted or roughened. The disc 36 may also be translucent,
clear, or have varying light transmittal properties as desired. The
opacity of the glass can be adjusted to change the appearance and
intensity of the simulated flames.
[0037] The lens 40 may be provided to focus the flame shaped light
that has passed from the light source 32, through the gobo 34, and
through the disc 36. The lens 40 may be utilized to cause the flame
pattern to be properly projected onto screen 43, the fire log set
30, and/or the interior of the enclosure 12 in the desired manner.
In one embodiment, the lens 40 may be a 38 mm lens with
approximately a 5.0 cm focal length. In another embodiment, the
lens 40 may be a double convex lens. In still a further embodiment,
the lens 40 may me a double convex lens. When the lens 40 is a
double convex lens it "flips" the image as it passes through the
lens 40. In such a situation the gobo 34 may be oriented to produce
the flame patterned light in the desired manner on the screen 43.
With disc 36 rotating counterclockwise (from the perspective of the
light source 32) the image projected on viewing screen 43A, for
example, may be therefore changed by disc 36 from the bottom up as
perceived by an observer. In this manner the simulated flame mimics
the manner in which real flames change.
[0038] The screen 43 may be a generally rectangular thin sheer
material that is see-through and that includes a viewing surface
43A. In one embodiment the screen 43 may be made of a chiffon
material. Chiffon is a lightweight sheer material with a slightly
rough feel to it and can be made from cotton, silk, or synthetic
fibers such as nylon. Under a magnifying glass chiffon may resemble
a fine net or mesh. The mesh nature of chiffon allows the material
to be partially see-through and partially reflective. Chiffon can
be dyed to almost any shade desired and in the present embodiment
the material is dyed to match the back panel 14, bottom panel 18,
and fire log set 30 of the fireplace 10 enclosure 12. In other
embodiments the screen 43 may be black or other colors and
combinations of colors as desired. The chiffon material of the
screen 43 may further change the resolution and appearance of
objects viewed through the viewing surface 43A and therefore
provide further enhancement to the illusion of a real flame by
causing objects on the other side to appear distorted.
[0039] The screen 43 may be mounted in a spring steel frame 50 (not
shown) that may impart a desired amount of tension. In some
embodiments the frame 50 may also curve the viewing surface 43A of
the screen 43. The curve of the screen 43 may be from top to bottom
and/or back to front. In further embodiments the screen 43 may be
positioned in the enclosure 12 with a slant from top to bottom or
side to side or some combination thereof. The curve and slant in
the viewing surface 43A may help provide an additional illusion of
depth to the simulated flame.
[0040] The frame 50 may be positioned in the interior chamber 26 in
a groove (not shown) that runs through or into part of the top
panel 16, bottom panel 18, and opposed side panels 20 and 22. It is
preferable that the steel frame 50 fit in the groove and not be
visible to the observer. The frame 50 allows screen 43 to be easily
replaced if it is damaged or if a different color background is
desired. The use of the screen 43 may help to provide depth of view
and give the flame effect enhanced realism.
[0041] Use of chiffon, or other fabric that is partially
see-through, to form screen 43 allows the simulated flame from the
flame simulating apparatus 28 to be projected on the material and
also through the material onto the back panel 14, fire log set 30,
and other portions of the fireplace 10. In other words, multiple
flame images may be produced on multiple surfaces from the single
flame simulation apparatus 28. In further embodiments, the viewing
surface 43A of screen 43 may be treated to appear sooty or charred.
In still further embodiments, the interior surfaces of the
fireplace 10 may also be charred, stained, or otherwise treated to
have the appearance of a real fireplace.
[0042] In further embodiments, the fireplace 10 may not include a
screen 43. The flame simulating apparatus 28 may instead project
the simulated frame directly onto the various panels that form the
interior chamber 26 and upon the simulated fire log set 30. The
angle of projection and coloring of the simulated flame and the
components of the fireplace 10 may be adjusted to optimize the
effect of the simulated flame.
[0043] The simulated flame produced by the flame simulating
apparatus 28 may be constantly shimmering and changing color to
provide a realistic flame effect on all surfaces. Because the
simulated flame changes from the bottom up, the simulated flames
produced on the screen 43 may appear to be drawn up the flue as
would a true burning fire.
[0044] In further embodiments the flame simulation apparatus 28 may
include two or more discs 38 attached to one or more motors. The
discs 38 may be the same or different diameters and may rotate in
the same or different directions. The utilization of two or more
discs 38 rotating at different speeds or in different directions
may add additional combinations of random light patterning to the
flame simulation apparatus 28. Additional combinations will make it
less likely that an observer will be able to recognize a pattern to
the simulated flame and so may help to enhance the illusion. In
further embodiments, multiple light sources 32 may be shined on the
same disc 38 to produce more than one simulated flame. These
simulated flames may also include a separate gobo 34 and lens
40.
[0045] In further embodiments, two different flame simulation
apparatuses 28 may project overlapping or side by side images onto
the same viewing surface 43A. In further embodiments, multiple
screens 43 may be provided. In still further embodiments, multiple
flame simulation apparatuses 28 may be focused on one or more
screens. In still further embodiments, one flame simulation
apparatus 28 may be project through one screen 43 and onto another
screen.
[0046] In one embodiment, the projection length from the light bulb
to the lens is about 3.0 to 3.5 inches. The flame image is
projected from the top of the fireplace 10 to the screen 43 and
onto the fire log set 30 over a distance of about 2.0 feet.
[0047] When focusing the flame simulation apparatus 28 it may be
preferable to make the flames appear to come out of the fire log
set 30 and not out of the interior walls of the fireplace 10.
However, some light on the interior walls of the fireplace may be
preferable to simulate reflected light.
[0048] In further embodiments, the speed of the motor 38 may be
adjusted by the user to rotate the disc 36 faster or slower
depending on the desired speed of the simulated flame pattern.
[0049] Various modifications and additions can be made to the
exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of
the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described
above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention
also includes embodiments having different combinations of features
and embodiments that do not include all of the described features.
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to
embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as
fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *