U.S. patent application number 11/840385 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for fireplace with replaceable lining elements.
Invention is credited to Uwe Backes.
Application Number | 20080216819 11/840385 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38220168 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080216819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Backes; Uwe |
September 11, 2008 |
FIREPLACE WITH REPLACEABLE LINING ELEMENTS
Abstract
The invention relates to a fireplace (1), in particular a
transportable room fireplace, with a housing (2) in which a hearth
(5) is located, whereby at least one partial area of a surface (8a,
8b, 8c) of the housing (2) is applied on a lining element (9a, 9b,
9c, 9d), which can be fastened in a removable manner to the housing
(2).
Inventors: |
Backes; Uwe; (Bayview,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MILLEN, WHITE, ZELANO & BRANIGAN, P.C.
2200 CLARENDON BLVD., SUITE 1400
ARLINGTON
VA
22201
US
|
Family ID: |
38220168 |
Appl. No.: |
11/840385 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/500 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 5/00 20130101; F24B
1/198 20130101; F24B 1/191 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/500 |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/18 20060101
F24B001/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 6, 2007 |
DE |
20 2007 003 443.1 |
Claims
1. Fireplace, in particular a transportable room fireplace, with a
housing (2), in which a hearth (5) is located, characterized in
that at least one partial area of a surface (8a, 8b, 8c) of the
housing (2) is applied to a lining element (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d), which
is fastened in a removable manner to the housing (2).
2. Fireplace according to claim 1, wherein several surfaces (8a,
8b, 8c) of the housing (2) are applied in each case to an
individual lining element (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) and which in each case
are fastened in a removable manner to the housing (2).
3. Fireplace according to claim 1, wherein at least one removable
lining element (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) is fastened by fastening means
(10), which are provided on the housing (2) and/or on the lining
element (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d).
4. Fireplace, in particular a transportable room fireplace, with a
housing (2), in which a hearth (5) is located, wherein the housing
(2) has fastening means (10) for removable fastening of at least
one lining element (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d).
5. Fireplace according to claim 3, wherein the fastening means
comprise support bars (10) provided on the housing (2), by which
the lining elements (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) can be clamped laterally.
6. Fireplace according to claim 5, wherein the support bars (10)
are located on the corner edges of the housing (2).
7. Fireplace according to claim 5, wherein the housing (2) in the
area of the support bars (10) and/or between the support bars (10)
has adjustable or self-adjusting spacing elements (14), by which
the free clamping height of the support bars (10) can be adapted to
various thicknesses of the lining elements (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d).
8. Fireplace according to claim 7, wherein the spacing elements
(14) comprise a large number of straps (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), which
can be bent out as desired in each case around a bending line from
a surface (12) of the housing (2) that lies behind the lining
element (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d), whereby the straps (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d)
have different lengths perpendicular to the bending line.
9. Fireplace according to claim 7, wherein the spacing elements
(14) comprise spring elements that can be pressed together
elastically perpendicular to the free clamping height of the
support bars (10).
10. Fireplace system, comprising a fireplace (1) according to claim
1 and several lining elements (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) for the fireplace
(1).
11. Fireplace system according to claim 10, wherein the lining
elements (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) consist of different materials at least
in their area that supports the surface (8a, 8b, 8c) of the housing
(2).
12. Fireplace system according to claim 10, wherein the lining
elements (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) have different surface structures, in
particular different surface patterns, at least in their area that
supports the surface (8a, 8b, 8c) of the housing (2).
13. Fireplace system according to claim 10, wherein the lining
elements (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) have different surface treatments at
least in their area that supports the surface (8a, 8b, 8c) of the
housing (2).
14. Fireplace system according to claim 10, wherein the lining
elements (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) have different colors at least in their
area that supports the surface (8a, 8b, 8c) of the housing (2).
15. Fireplace system according to claim 10, wherein the lining
elements (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) have different thicknesses at least in
their area that supports the surface (8a, 8b, 8c) of the housing
(2).
16. Lining element (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) for a fireplace (1) according
to claim 1.
17. Lining element (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) for a fireplace system
according to claim 10.
18. Lining element (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) according to claim 16, wherein
it is designed as a rectangular plate.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a fireplace, in particular a
transportable room fireplace that comprises a housing in which a
hearth is located.
[0002] Such fireplaces are known in general in various embodiments.
In addition to conventional fireplaces permanently installed in a
building and to be fueled with wood and/or briquettes, those
fireplaces that operate with a flammable liquid as a fuel are also
known. In this case, for example, this can be spirits or alcohol,
in particular ethanol. These fireplaces are distinguished not only
by an environmentally-friendly operational mode, but despite their
open type of design, they do not require any fixed attachments or a
vent or chimney. They are therefore especially flexible as a
free-standing piece of furniture and can also be used in particular
in rented housing space.
[0003] In addition, the fireplaces of the above-mentioned type with
true flames, also with gas as a fuel, as well as with an artificial
hearth, in which a fire is simulated with supply of electrical
energy, are known. Moreover, so-called freestanding fireplaces,
which are fueled generally with wood and/or briquettes, are also
known. This invention relates to all above-mentioned types of
fireplaces.
[0004] In all of the above-mentioned designs, but in particular in
the room fireplaces that can be transported or freely set up in the
manner of a piece of furniture, the design of the fireplace is
experiencing increasing importance. The fireplaces are to be
suitable in as many variants as possible for different installation
styles.
[0005] The object of this invention is therefore to provide a
fireplace of the above-mentioned type that is distinguished by an
especially wide variety of designs or whose design can be varied
especially easily and quickly.
[0006] This object is achieved by a fireplace according to claim 1
or according to claim 4. Advantageous further developments and
improvements of the fireplace according to the invention are
produced from the dependent claims in each case.
[0007] It is essential in the solution according to claim 1 of the
invention that at least one partial area of a surface of the
housing be applied to a lining element, which is fastened in a
detachable and removable manner to the housing of the
fireplace.
[0008] In this case, an essential advantage consists in that the
lining element can be easily removed and replaced by another lining
element with a different design. In this way, the fireplace can be
matched especially quickly and simply to different surroundings,
which means a decisive advantage in particular in transportable
room fireplaces. Based on the thus achieved, easily adaptable
selection of designs, the fireplace can easily be matched in its
outward appearance at different set-up sites to the design of the
respective surrounding area. In terms of quick replaceability, the
surfaces of an entire side of the fireplace housing are preferably
applied to a single lining element, which is designed
advantageously in the form of a flat plate.
[0009] It is especially advantageous if several surfaces of the
housing are applied in each case to a single lining element,
whereby all lining elements are fastened in a removable manner in
each case to the housing, so that they can all easily be exchanged
for other lining elements to produce a new design. The removable
lining elements can comprise housing surfaces of the side walls
and/or the front surfaces and/or the rear wall and/or an upper
cover of the fireplace.
[0010] For an especially easy introduction as well as
replaceability of the lining elements, in addition it is
advantageous if the removable lining element(s) is or are fastened
by fastening means to the fireplace, which are located on the
lining element and/or preferably on the housing. In this way,
separate fastening means can be eliminated, which are also
possible, however, in alternative embodiments.
[0011] It is essential in the solution of claim 4 according to the
invention that the housing of the fireplace has fastening means, by
which one or more lining elements, which carry at least partial
surfaces of the fireplace, can be fastened in a removable manner to
the housing.
[0012] A fireplace that is equipped with such fastening means can
be varied especially easily in its outward appearance in which
additional lining elements are applied. Of course, in this
connection, lining elements that are applied to the fireplace can
also be replaced easily and quickly for other lining elements for
subsequent variation of the outward appearance. Such a fireplace
according to the invention, which first is still not provided with
lining elements, can thus be matched subsequently in its design to
a new surrounding area also by simple introduction of lining
elements.
[0013] It is especially advantageous if the fastening means
provided in the first or second solution according to the invention
comprise support bars that are fastened to the housing and that can
clamp the lining elements laterally. For this purpose, an
especially quick and simple introduction of lining elements is
possible, which can be moved easily into the free clamping space of
the support bars.
[0014] In this case, it is especially advantageous if the support
bars are located on the corners or on the corner edges of the
housing. For this purpose, it is possible to provide lining
elements with the entire surface of a complete side of the
fireplace on the housing.
[0015] According to an especially preferred embodiment of the
invention, it is provided that the housing in the area of the
support bars and/or between the support bars has spacing elements
that can be designed manually adjustable and/or self-adjusting and
by which the free clamping height of the support bars can be
matched to lining elements of varying thickness. In this way, it is
an especially wide variety of different lining elements that can be
used with zero play on one and the same fireplace housing.
[0016] According to a first variant, the spacing elements in this
case can comprise several straps, which have different lengths and
in each case can be bent out from a surface of the housing that
lies behind the lining element. Thus, the free clamping height of
the support bars can be reduced to a remaining effective free space
by specific bending of straps of a desired length, which
corresponds to the thickness of a desired lining element.
[0017] According to a second embodiment variant, the spacing
elements can also comprise spring elements, which can be pressed
together in an elastically springy manner in a direction that is
perpendicular to the free clamping height of the support bars, and
regardless of its thickness, an inserted lining element can press
by friction against the outer holding area of the support bars.
[0018] In addition, this invention relates to a fireplace system
that comprises a fireplace of the above-described type as well as
several lining elements for this fireplace.
[0019] In this case, the lining elements can consist of different
materials at least in their area that supports the surface of the
housing. In this connection, for example, the use of wood, metal,
plastic, glass or reflectors and/or other materials is
possible.
[0020] As an alternative or in addition, the wide variety of
designs can also be increased by different surface structures or
surface patterns, which the lining elements can exhibit at least in
their area that supports the surface of the housing. Thus, the
surface can be structured or patterned to be, for example, smooth
or serrated and/or uniform or uneven in some other way.
[0021] Also, in addition or as an alternative, it is possible that
the lining elements have different surface treatment at least in
their area that supports the surface of the housing. In this case,
the surfaces can be, for example, untreated, beveled, polished
and/or treated in some other way.
[0022] An especially wide variety of designs can be achieved in
that the lining elements have different colors at least in their
area that supports the surface of the housing. In this connection,
in particular a transportable room fireplace can be matched
especially easily also to modern installation styles.
[0023] Another variation possibility is produced in that various
lining elements can have different thicknesses at least in their
area that supports the surface of the housing.
[0024] The subject of this invention is also a lining element for a
fireplace or for a fireplace system of the above-described
type.
[0025] In this case, it is especially advantageous if a lining
element is designed as a rectangular plate. Depending on the
shaping of this fireplace, a replaceable lining element can also
have other shapes, however, and can be designed, for example, as a
triangle or trapezoid.
[0026] Other advantages and features of this invention are produced
from the subsequent description of the embodiments that are
presented in the figures. Shown therein are:
[0027] FIG. 1: A three-dimensional view of a fireplace according to
the invention with inserted lining elements;
[0028] FIG. 2: View of the fireplace of FIG. 1 with removed
rear-wall lining;
[0029] FIG. 3: View of the back side of the fireplace from FIG. 2
with removed rear-wall lining;
[0030] FIGS. 4A and 4B: Fireplace with fully inserted upper lining
elements in various thicknesses;
[0031] FIGS. 5A and 5B: Fireplaces from FIGS. 4A and 4B with a
partially removed upper lining element;
[0032] FIGS. 6A and 6B: Fireplaces from FIGS. 4A and 4B with a
fully removed upper lining element; and
[0033] FIGS. 7A and 7B: Enlarged depictions of details X or Y from
FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0034] The transportable room fireplace 1 that is shown in the
figures can be placed relatively easily changeably at various sites
of a domicile as a free-standing piece of furniture. It consists of
an essentially parallelepiped housing 2, which also has a
parallelepiped recess 3 in the interior and thus is designed in the
form of an outside frame.
[0035] A burner 5, which forms the hearth of the fireplace 1, is
inserted in the bottom 4 of the recess 3. To this end, the burner 5
can be filled with a flammable liquid, for example ethanol, which
burns in an especially environmentally-friendly manner, so that the
fireplace 1 can be used as a true-fire fireplace and for providing
heat or for heating a space.
[0036] In the lower area of the recess 3, a protective disk 6,
which can be hinged toward the front by means of a hinge around a
swivel axis that runs horizontally at approximately the height of
the bottom 4, is mounted on the front side. In the folded-upward
state shown in FIG. 1, the protective disk 6 is used in the
operation of the fireplace 1 as protection from the open fire in
the burner 5. Alternative embodiments of the fireplace can also be
embodied without a protective disk.
[0037] With the exception of the standing area 7 on the bottom
side, all surfaces 8a, 8b, and 8c of the fireplace 1 are applied to
removable lining elements 9a, 9b, and 9c. According to the
invention, the front-side lining element 9a and/or the lateral
lining element 9b and/or the top lining element 9c is or are
removable individually or together from the housing 2, so that they
can be replaced easily by other lining elements 9a', 9b', and 9c'
to match the design of the room fireplace 1 at various surrounding
areas.
[0038] To be able to execute the replacement of the lining elements
9a, 9b, and 9c especially easily and quickly, support bars 10 are
provided as fastening means for the lining elements on the housing
2 of the fireplace 1. In this case, the support bars 10
respectively run on the corner edges of the housing 2 and extend
respectively over the entire length of the respective corner
edge.
[0039] In FIG. 2, the fireplace is shown with removed back-side
lining element 9d, which is provided with circumferential support
bars 10 on its edges for optical standardization as well as for its
fastening.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows the back side of the fireplace 1 with
completely removed rear lining element 9d. Frame parts 11 as well
as side surfaces 12 of the housing 2 can be clearly seen here. The
recess 3 is closed on its back side by a separate rear wall 13. In
the left area of FIG. 3, the lateral linking element 9b is shown
with the lateral surface 8b of the fireplace 1. It is held upward
and downward as well as forward in each case by a support bar 10.
If the fireplace is to achieve another outward appearance, the
lateral lining element 9b can be easily removed toward the rear
here from the upper and lower support bars 10, so that an
alternative lining element 9b' that is desired for a different
design can be moved into the support bars 10.
[0041] In the case of a removed back-side lining element 9d, in
FIGS. 4A and 4B, the fireplace 1 is shown with upper and lateral
lining elements 9b or 9c that have different thicknesses. In this
depiction, the different thicknesses of the lining elements 9b, 9c
can be seen only with great difficulty. In contrast, it can be seen
clearly in FIGS. 5A and 6A that the upper lining element 9c that is
used here has a greater thickness than the upper lining element 9c'
that is used in FIGS. 5B and 6B.
[0042] So that these lining elements 9c or 9c' of different
thicknesses can be inserted easily and in a dimensionally stable
manner in the support bars 10, a total of 18 groups of 4 straps
14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d in each case are punched out on three sides
in the housing surface 12 behind the lining element 9c or 9c'. The
fourth side of the straps forms a bending line, around which a
strap from the housing surface 12 that corresponds to the
respective thickness of a lining element 9c or 9c' that is to be
inserted can be bent upward. Thus, when inserting the thinner
lining element 9c', in each case the second straps 14b of any group
of straps, whose length that extends in the bent-upward state
perpendicular to the housing surface 12 corresponds to the free
clamping height of the support bar 10 plus the thickness of the
lining element 9c', are bent upward. The bent-upward straps 14b in
this case press the inserted lining element 9c', despite its
comparatively small thickness, against the upper holding area of
the support bars 10.
[0043] In contrast, no strap 14 is bent out from the upper housing
surface 12 in the inserts shown in FIGS. 6A or 7A. Rather, all
straps 14 are found here in the entire plane of the upper housing
surface 12, since the thickness of the upper lining element 9c that
is to be inserted corresponds to the free clamping height of the
support bars 10.
[0044] The same also applies in a corresponding way for the lateral
lining elements 9b or for the front lining element 9a. Thus,
independently of the thickness of the inserted lining elements 9a,
9b, and 9c, in each case a solid fireplace 1 can be obtained with
lining elements 9a, 9b, and 9c applied with zero play to be able to
change or to match the design of the fireplace 1 in the desired
way.
* * * * *