U.S. patent application number 11/547700 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-02 for wall fireplace for solid fuel, to be applied to, or integrated into, a wall.
Invention is credited to Gaby-Yves Bald, Frederic Haas.
Application Number | 20100300428 11/547700 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34945536 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100300428 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bald; Gaby-Yves ; et
al. |
December 2, 2010 |
WALL FIREPLACE FOR SOLID FUEL, TO BE APPLIED TO, OR INTEGRATED
INTO, A WALL
Abstract
A closed fireplace (1) having a display glass, a hearth provided
with a grating (29), an ignition device, an ash receptacle (31), a
combustion replacement air supply and a discharge line for fumes.
The fireplace also having a flat body chamber (2) in the form of a
closed box to be attached to a wall or partially or fully
integrated into the wall or into a canopy thereof, the internal
volume of the flat body being divided into two flat adjacent
chambers for combustion (4) and storage (5), the storage chamber
forming a stock of wood (6). The chambers are separated by a
dividing and thermally insulating wall (8) for supplying the
pre-heated secondary air for the combustion, the bottom of the
storage compartment having an inclined ramp ending in the lower
part of a hearth (34). The invention is especially suitable for
manufactures of fireplaces especially designed for wood fires.
Inventors: |
Bald; Gaby-Yves;
(Horbourg-Wihr, FR) ; Haas; Frederic; (Lutterbach,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVIS & BUJOLD, P.L.L.C.
112 PLEASANT STREET
CONCORD
NH
03301
US
|
Family ID: |
34945536 |
Appl. No.: |
11/547700 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
April 6, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR2005/000839 |
371 Date: |
July 2, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24B 1/192 20130101;
F24B 13/004 20130101; F24B 1/08 20130101; F24B 13/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/501 |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/199 20060101
F24B001/199 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 6, 2004 |
FR |
0403595 |
Claims
1-32. (canceled)
33. A closed-hearth fireplace (1) for solid fuel comprising a
display glass (3), a hearth equipped with an ash grate (29), an
ignition device, an ash receptacle (31), an inlet for new
combustion air and a smoke outlet, the fireplace further having a
flat body in a case (2) formed of a closed box to be one of placed
against a wall, partially and totally embedded within the wall, and
an interior space of said flat body inside the box (2) is separated
into two adjacent flat chambers, a combustion chamber (4) and a
storage chamber (5), the storage chamber (5) forming a reserve (6)
of the solid fuel separated by a separating wall (8), a portion of
the front surface of the flat body in the case (2) facing the
combustion chamber (4) is closed during operation by the display
glass (3), the display glass (3) is opened for access to the
combustion chamber (4) and for cleaning, and the storage chamber
(5) forming the reserve (6) of the solid fuel constitutes, in a
lower portion, a device for automatically supplying the solid fuel
stacked inside the storage compartment to the combustion chamber
(4) and a front surface of the case (2), previously closed on a
portion facing the combustion chamber (4) by the display glass (3),
is closed by a principal door (56) made of one of glass and similar
material with a transparent central surface (58) opposite the
display glass (3) and a dual supply of combustion air coming from a
principal inlet and a secondary air inlet.
34. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the principal door
(56) is double paned.
35. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein when closed, the
principal door (56) and the display glass (3) represent three
thicknesses of glass for viewing a flame as a direct image and as a
reflective image of the flame.
36. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the separating
wall (8) is hollow.
37. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the separating
wall (8) is thermally insulated.
38. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein an interior space
within the separating wall (8) is one of partially and totally
filled with a thermally insulating material.
39. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the combustion
air, passing through an interior space in the separating wall (8),
becomes heated and thermally insulates the combustion chamber (4)
from the storage chamber (5).
40. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the separating
wall (8) opens at least at a lower portion (13) to draw new
secondary combustion air into the hearth.
41. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the separating
wall (8) also has a secondary combustion air outlet in the upper
portion of the hearth for post combustion.
42. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein a secondary
combustion air outlet is a linear ramp (17) formed of orifices
communicating with a space inside the separating wall (8) for the
purpose of post-combustion.
43. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein secondary
combustion air is forced by a mechanical means into a space inside
the common wall (8).
44. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein primary combustion
air arrives through a front air inlet register (27).
45. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein a front air inlet
register (27) comprises a piece that moves in translation (20).
46. The fireplace according to claim 45, wherein the piece that
moves in translation (20) is mechanically controlled by the heath
grate (29).
47. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the storage
compartment (5) forming the solid fuel reserve (6) is one of a
storage compartment or chamber (5) situated in a rear of the
hearth, open at a bottom and adjacent to the hearth, separated from
the hearth by the separating wall (8), a depth of the storage
chamber (5) correspondents to an average diameter of a log, said
compartment being filled either one of directly and by reloading
with one of horizontally stacked logs or rounds (7).
48. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the storage
chamber (5) forming the reserve (6) of fuel opens at a bottom onto
an inclined ramp (34) along which the fuel slides for automatically
supplying fuel, by gravitational force, to the hearth by causing
the fuel to pass laterally through the lower opening in the storage
chamber (5) by gravity until the fuel reaches a level of a hearth
grate (29) so that when a first portion of fuel has been completely
consumed, another portion of fuel takes its place.
49. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein a lower outlet
opening in the storage chamber (5) is a portion extending between
an inclined ramp (34) and a lower edge of the separating wall
(8).
50. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein a lower outlet
opening is equipped with a means for admitting the fuel into the
hearth.
51. The fireplace according to claim 50, wherein the means for
admitting is a valve type means.
52. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the fuel reserve
(6) comprises a reloader (62) introduced inside the storage chamber
(5) by a loader.
53. The fireplace according to claim 52, wherein the loader
receives the reloader (62).
54. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the fireplace
comprises an ignition device.
55. The fireplace according to claim 54, wherein the ignition
device comprises a plated electrical resistor (38).
56. The fireplace according to claim 54, wherein the ignition
device is remotely controlled.
57. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein the case (2) is
laterally closed by two pivoting doors (39, 40), with an area (43)
opposite an access opening to the storage chamber being lined and
thermally insulated.
58. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein a smoke evacuation
means is situated in an upper part of the fireplace above the
hearth, forming a smoke box (46).
59. The fireplace according to claim 58, wherein an outlet of smoke
box (46) is horizontal, forming an outlet through one of an
adjacent wall and vertical.
60. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein smoke evacuation
is accomplished through a conduit (52) that is also used for
admitting the combustion air, through two concentric conduits
traversing an adjacent wall, one for evacuating smoke and one for
admitting the combustion air.
61. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein intercalary layers
of combustible material are interposed between portions of the
fuel.
62. The fireplace according to the claim 33, wherein a principal
combustion air inlet (18) is thermostatically controlled.
63. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein a secondary
combustion air inlet (14) is thermostatically controlled.
64. The fireplace according to claim 33, wherein two inlets for
combustion air (18, 14) are thermostatically controlled.
Description
[0001] This application is a national stage completion of
PCT/EPFR2005/000839 filed Apr. 6, 2005 which claims priority from
French Application Serial No. 0403595 filed Apr. 6, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention concerns a compact wall fireplace
using solid fuel, especially wood, presenting a closed flat hearth
which may be extra flat, specifically designed for an apartment or
a private home.
[0003] More specifically, the invention relates to a wall fireplace
with a closed hearth with the hearth being automatically stoked
with wood from a storage supply and with an integrated remote
ignition system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A wood burning fireplace in a home is an amenity appreciated
by everyone.
[0005] Not only does it provide the spectacle of flames, it offers
warmth, hospitality and comfort. For some people, it has
considerable sentimental appeal. Everyone appreciates the
attractive display of a fire which, in addition to being soothing,
provides pleasure and heat. Moreover, its presence offers a
convivial atmosphere and gathering place for both family members
and guests.
[0006] A conventional fireplace, however, requires space for
installation and it is not always possible to find this amount of
space in a home or to easily free up enough space for a fireplace
installation, particularly in the case of an apartment or a small
private home.
[0007] For these reasons, several solutions have been proposed to
offer the attractiveness of a fire to those who are unable to
install a fireplace at home.
[0008] For example, there are recorded videocassette fires for
viewing on television or artificial fireplaces occupying a small
amount of space which simulate the visual display of a fireplace
fire.
[0009] Such a simulation device may comprise artificial plastic
logs with electrical illumination to create a glow, a dynamic light
system for radiating flames, lighted strips illuminated by red and
orange lights and agitated by an air current to simulate the
twinkling and movement of flames, and so forth.
[0010] Technical advances have resulted in devices that improve the
realistic effect even more. Such devices, however, have proven to
be very frustrating, since they are based on an illusion and
provide neither the charm nor the warmth of a real hearth fire.
[0011] There is a real need for an actual fireplace that could be
installed in an apartment or a private home and occupy only a small
amount of floor space or even a wall fireplace that would not
project onto the floor at all.
[0012] Advantageously, such a fireplace, besides being smaller,
should offer an optimal or even panoramic view of the hearth,
making it possible to fully enjoy the spectacle of the flames.
[0013] Moreover, such a fireplace should satisfy various safety
regulations, be practical to use and ensure optimal
cleanliness.
[0014] Preferably, it should be quick, easy, clean and danger-free
so that any user could quickly and easily enjoy a fireplace fire
without the least inconvenience.
[0015] The object of the invention is to provide a compact, closed
fireplace, wall fireplace using solid fuel which is extremely
simple to use and can be installed in an apartment or a private
home.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The invention also proposes a wall fireplace whose principal
operations function simply and automatically: lighting, fuel
supply, cleaning, etc.
[0017] To obtain the practical operational features desired,
therefore, this fireplace consists of an integrated solid fuel
reserve, specifically for wood, to automatically supply the
fireplace. Loading the fuel will also be accomplished quickly,
easily, cleanly and safely.
[0018] Since the period of use for such a fireplace is generally
limited, the solid fuel storage capacity may be calculated to
supply fuel for approximately two to three hour duration on average
corresponding to the length of an evening.
[0019] To resolve this technical problem, the fireplace of the
invention comprises a display glass, a hearth equipped with a
grate, preferably a remote control ignition device, an automatic
wood supply, an ash receptacle, a dual combustion air supply and
combustion smoke/gas outlet device, with everything designed so the
fireplace can be compact, that is, as shallow as possible.
[0020] To achieve this, each of the elements constituting the
invention is designed to contribute to production of an attractive
product enhanced by multiple features.
[0021] The display window is preferably as large as possible or
even panoramic relative to the hearth. It is located in the
immediate proximity of the hearth so it can fully set off the
spectacle of the wood burning fire. Preferably, it projects only
slightly from the wall within which the fireplace may be
integrated, thus occupying only a small amount of space within the
room.
[0022] Likewise, the ash receptacle located below the hearth grate
may advantageously extend into the wall. Therefore, it is readily
accessible for emptying.
[0023] To improve functioning and automatic operation, the hearth
supporting grate or the ash grate is made to move in alternate
displacement by a specific control, but also by the movement of the
front air inlet register which controls it.
[0024] The ignition device preferably comprises at least one
reinforced resistor in order to safely ignite the wood log
supported by the hearth grate by remote control.
[0025] The wood storage area may be formed of a vertical
compartment that is slightly deeper than the diameter of the
average log. It is situated at the back of the fireplace and it
abuts the fireplace, from which it is separated by a thermal
insulating wall that is preferably hollow and which also serves to
admit secondary combustion air into the hearth.
[0026] This fuel storage area is filled by stacking logs, wood
rounds or pieces of wood of average diameter adapted to the size of
the storage compartment. Advantageously, an inclined plane in the
lower portion of this storage area may allow the logs or wood
rounds to roll or slide to the level of the hearth so that when a
first log or round has been completely consumed, a new log or wood
round arrives to take it place. This storage area is preferably
accessible for reloading from the fireplace side or from the back;
in the latter case, opening onto the opposite surface of the wall
in which it is installed or in some other way.
[0027] In one version of the automatic supply operation, the
storage unit may comprise a drawer to be loaded with logs or wood
rounds. It may be possible to fill this loading drawer with a
cassette serving as a container for previously stacked logs or
rounds, thereby allowing wood to be loaded in advance to save extra
time.
[0028] New air for combustion arrives through two channels: a
principal channel for primary combustion air arriving through the
bottom of the front surface through a front air inlet register and
a supplemental channel bringing secondary combustion and
post-combustion air. This secondary air channel originates in the
lower portion at the rear of the fireplace, arrives above the
fireplace through the separating wall, exiting on the one hand, at
the lower extremity of this separating wall and on the other hand,
along a post-combustion ramp located higher up. This secondary air
is, therefore, preheated and this arrangement also creates of a
thin stream of air in the separating wall that forms the thermal
insulation, thereby preventing the stored wood and the escaping hot
gases from catching fire.
[0029] For this purpose, the separating wall preferably takes the
form of two generally parallel, vertical plates with the space
separating them defining a flat thermal insulation space. This wall
for supplying secondary combustion air creates a supplemental flow
of air which, along with the principal air, ensures complete
combustion and post-combustion of the log or wood round in place on
the fireplace grate and of the volatile materials that often remain
uncombusted.
[0030] The air outlet at the opening of the separating wall may be
completely free or it may consist of a series of holes judiciously
disposed for optimal distribution of combustive air.
[0031] Finally, the smoke evacuation outlet is located in the upper
part of the fireplace above the hearth. It preferably takes the
form of a smoke box with a vertical outlet or a horizontally angled
return. It preferably consists of a chimney type evacuation conduit
or of what is called a microvent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective of the preferred mode of
embodiment of the fireplace, according to the invention, during
operation with the obscuring lateral surface on its first plane
removed;
[0034] FIGS. 2 and 3 are simplified perspective views with the door
open and closed, respectively, of a first variation in the
execution of the fireplace of the invention;
[0035] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a second variation in
the execution of the fireplace of the invention with the door open
and closed, respectively;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a median longitudinal cross-section of the
fireplace corresponding to an industrial embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the front of the
fireplace according to the invention;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the rear of the
fireplace according to the invention;
[0039] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the fireplace
according to the invention corresponding to FIGS. 7 and 8;
[0040] FIGS. 10 through 13 are schematic cross-sections of examples
of installation of the fireplace of the invention shown integrated
within a wall and attached to a wall, respectively;
[0041] FIG. 14 is a simplified perspective showing the front
principal combustion air intake register;
[0042] FIG. 15 is a simplified perspective showing the mechanical
connection between the grate and the front principal air intake
register, and
[0043] FIGS. 16 and 17 are schematic perspective views showing two
types of wood loading devices using a lateral drawer cassette and a
tilting cassette, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] A fireplace, according to the present invention, will now be
described in detail with reference to the various drawings.
Equivalent elements shown in these drawings will bear the same
reference numerals.
[0045] In this description the term "front fireplace surface" will
denote the surface comprising the display glass and the term "rear
surface" will denote the surface that is hidden because it is
applied to the wall or located inside the wall.
[0046] It is apparent from the drawings that the general shape of
fireplace 1 is that of a flat parallelepiped box, which may be
extra flat or of a hearth thin, inside, flat box 2 forming a closed
hearth having on its front surface an opening closed by a viewing
and display window 3.
[0047] This display window 3 is maintained in the closed position
for closing the front of the hearth, but it is movable or
removable, for example, by tilting it for access inside the hearth
and for cleaning. For this reason, it is preferably supported by a
frame that opens, for example, by tilting it forward to ensure
access to the hearth thin, inside, flat box 2.
[0048] The hearth thin, inside, flat box 2 encloses two adjacent
chambers: a combustion chamber 4 forming the hearth itself and
located in the front and a fuel storage chamber or compartment 5
located in the back and designed to enclose a store of solid fuel
(fuel reserve) 6, here, for example, natural wood in logs or rounds
7 or artificial compressed logs.
[0049] The two compartment chambers 4 and 5 are separated along a
large portion of their height by a separating wall 8 in the form of
a partition. The role of this separating wall 8 is to provide not
only mechanical separation, but also thermal insulation, preventing
transmission of heat to the fuel reserve (solid fuel) 6 and
preventing the temperature in the storage chamber compartment 5
from becoming excessive. This separating wall 8 may perform a
supplemental function as will be seen below.
[0050] The separating wall 8 preferably takes the form of two
plates, a front and a rear plate 9 and 10, respectively, generally
parallel and vertical, defining a flat, thin interior space 11
between the plates that may either remain empty or be filled with
thermally insulating material.
[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the interior space 11 is empty
and thus filled with air forming an air blanket 12 that is either
immobile or preferably, flows downward. This arrangement provides a
supplementary supply of new air from the outside for combustion
which heats up when it contacts the plates, specifically front
plate 9 of the separating wall 8. This air will hereafter be termed
secondary air.
[0052] The principal air for combustion originates from an air
inlet on the lower portion of the front surface of the box 2 as
will be seen below.
[0053] According to an interesting embodiment, the separating wall
8 terminates toward the base near the hearth by its lower
transverse edge 13 which preferably opens at a right angle to the
hearth, either directly or through an angled or inclined extension
or some other configuration, thereby forming an actual air
injection ramp at the rear hearth inlet.
[0054] An intermediate air outlet ramp can also be provided in the
upper portion of wall 8 for delivering new heated air into the
space inside the combustion chamber 4 where post-combustion can
take place.
[0055] This ramp may be a simple air outlet in the form of a slot
or other geometric shape.
[0056] It is also possible to have several outlets for new
secondary combustion air at different levels.
[0057] Thus, the air being displaced inside the separating wall 8
may then supply the combustion chamber 4 with new combustion air
above the log that is in the process of being consumed. This air is
drawn to the outside and is preferably injected, for example
mechanically, by a forced air flow arriving at the combustion
chamber or at the combustion chamber 4.
[0058] When it travels through the separating wall 8, it becomes
heated through the front plate 9 of the wall by contact with the
flames and heat from the hearth, thus transporting a large number
of calories as it descends. The blanket 12 of new air thus
constitutes a thermal insulation shield for the storage compartment
chamber 5 located behind the hearth where the supply fuel (fuel
reserve) 6 of wood is located, preventing the wood from bursting
into flames spontaneously due to excessive temperature caused by
direct transmission of heat from the hearth.
[0059] The outlet for secondary combustion air supplying combustion
chamber 4 of the hearth at the outlet of the separating wall 8 is
located at least at the level of its lower transverse edge 13. It
may be completely free and open, as shown in the different
drawings. It may, however, be designed to orient the flow of
exiting air, for example, using a nozzle or preferably a perforated
strip with a series of holes judiciously arranged to provide
optimal distribution of the combustive air.
[0060] The new air travels to the separating wall 8 through a lower
secondary air inlet 14 that is preferably adjustable and passes
through the inside of a rear wall 15 of the storage compartment 5,
then into its upper wall 16, then descends through the separating
wall 8.
[0061] The air inlet 14, in one variation, may be thermostatically
controlled, that is, adjustable according to several parameters
such as room temperature or the temperature near the fireplace, in
order to regulate the intensity of the fire.
[0062] In order for post-combustion to occur, that is, combustion
of the materials and volatile gases that did not burn in the
fireplace, a post-combustion ramp 17 is provided slightly above the
hearth. As shown, it may consist of a series of calibrated
perforations in a linear arrangement, generally parallel to the
lower edge of the separating wall 8. The preheated new air leaving
through these orifices carries the necessary oxygen at the correct
temperature to allow this uncombusted material to ignite and
combust. The benefit of this is that additional calories are
contributed, thus improving the global calorie output. This also
eliminates any ecological concerns relative to the discharge of
uncombusted materials and gases into the atmosphere.
[0063] Primary combustion air originates in the lower portion of
the front surface of the hearth thin, inside, flat box 2 where
there is an adjustable primary air inlet 18 (FIG. 14). This primary
air inlet 18 may be formed of a series of orifices such as an
orifice 19 resulting from perforations in a linear arrangement,
hidden to a greater or lesser extent by a translation piece 20 with
the same pattern of perforations 21 and which can be displaced in
front of the first set of perforations in order to regulate the
flow of air and thus the speed of combustion. This translation
piece is attached so as to be linearly displaceable, for example,
through the cooperation of two rectangular lights 22 and 23 with
corresponding immobilizing pins 24 and 25. The translation piece is
actuated by a manipulating lever 26. The unit of this primary
combustion air inlet 18 in the front position comprises a front air
inlet register 27. It is protected by a covering plate 28.
[0064] Here also, the principal combustion air inlet can be
thermostatically controlled, that is, regulating it, i.e., the
draft, depends on several parameters, some of which are described
above for modifying and regulating the intensity of the fire.
[0065] The hearth itself is formed of a supporting grate or cinder
ash grate 29 attached above a mechanical unit 30 containing a
receptacle for the ashes or an ash receptacle 31. The ash grate is
surmounted by andirons such as an andiron 32 in order to maintain
the logs at a certain distance from the glass surface.
[0066] For both esthetic and technical reasons, the ash receptacle
31 is preferably flat, forming a drawer, and easily accessible from
one of the lateral surfaces, for example.
[0067] The hearth's cinder ash grate 29 constitutes a terminal
portion of zone 33 for automatically supplying fuel, preferably
wood in this case, from the storage compartment 5. This supply zone
33 principally consists of an inclined ramp 34 forming the base of
the storage compartment 5 where the logs or rounds of wood 7 are
stacked.
[0068] This inclined ramp 34 allows each wood log or round 7
contained in the storage compartment 5 to advance by gravitational
force and slide or roll into the combustion chamber 4, arriving at
the ash grate 29 to successively replace the log 7, which is being
consumed.
[0069] Logs or rounds 7 arrive in contact with one another, but it
is possible for the stack of logs or rounds 7 to require that an
intercalary layer of combustible elements be interposed between
them and/or for a lateral inlet valve to be provided in the hearth,
or some other equivalent means, allowing them to be either
completely or progressively admitted inside, without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0070] Obviously, wooden logs or rounds 7 can be used, but also any
other type of wood, for example, compressed wood, composites formed
of wood byproducts or similar solid combustible materials can also
be used.
[0071] For ease of use, the movement of the ash grate 29, which has
its own manipulating handle 35, is subject to the movement of the
translation piece 20 on the front air inlet register 27.
[0072] This connection may be made simply, as shown in FIG. 15,
using two transverse elements 36 and 37, such as pins or other
connecting elements, the extremities of which each penetrate a
corresponding transverse opening on the ash grate 29. Thus, when
the translation piece 20 on the front air inlet register 27 is
moved, the ashes are cleared out automatically.
[0073] For even greater convenience, the fireplace is equipped with
an automatic ignition device, for example, a remote control
device.
[0074] As can be seen in FIG. 15, the device more specifically
consists of a plated electrical resistor 38 forming a loop that
branches toward the upper portion of the ash grate 29 in order to
make direct contact with log 7 in place on the grate. A remote
control, for example, in the form of a switch I located on or near
the front surface of the fireplace, controls the supply of
electricity to the plated lighting resistor through an adjustable
time switch. The electrical resistor 38 then becomes incandescent,
allowing it to directly light the log 7 located on the ash grate
29, easily lighting the fireplace without the necessity of opening
the hearth access door or using matches. This eliminates numerous
risks of accident and messiness.
[0075] It is important to note that any dirt that might come from
the wood storage compartment 5 also falls by gravity along inclined
wood supply ramp 34 and lands in the ash receptacle 31. This keeps
the entire fireplace unit clean.
[0076] The box is closed along the side by two lateral doors 39 and
40 completely blocking its lateral surfaces. The doors can be
maneuvered to open each time with a handle, for example, a
detachable handle such as a handle 41 that pivots on a front
axle.
[0077] As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, at least one lateral surface of
the box has an opening, such as opening 42, for lateral access in
order to load the solid fuel storage compartment 5. Since this
opening releases a certain amount of heat coming from the hearth,
it has been necessary to protect the space opposite the door with a
lined heat-insulated area 43 to prevent transmission of heat to the
door itself. This is also true for an area 44 opposite the outlet
of the ash receptacle 31, which is also plated and
heat-insulated.
[0078] The hearth 4 is closed in the front by removable display
window 3 made of specialized glass for viewing the fire. The inside
front surface is closed at the top by a fire-proof front plate
45.
[0079] The portion of the combustion chamber 4 situated above
fireplace grate 29 located between the thermal insulation
separating wall 8 and the display window 3 on the box constitutes
the area where the fire will start. This portion of combustion
chamber 4 extends upward into a buffer space called a smoke box 46,
or its equivalent, opening into a nozzle 47 on a smoke and
combustion gas evacuation conduit that may be straight 48 or angled
49.
[0080] According to a preferred embodiment, the space in the smoke
box 46, which occupies the top portion of the combustion chamber 4,
may further comprise one or more deflecting plates 50 to deflect
the smoke and combustion gases towards the inlet of evacuation
conduit 48 or 49 and joining the nozzle 47 which serves as a
connecting piece. This nozzle 47 may also be disposed to serve as a
rear outlet across plate 51 through a microvent-type co-axial
conduit 52. The top of the box is covered by a decorative grill 53.
The outlet may also be vertical. In that case, the nozzle 47 points
toward the top and traverses grill 53 to connect with the straight
vertical evacuation conduit 48 or the angled conduit 49. The
conduit may or may not be visible. If it is visible, it has a
closed concealing shield 54 that also serves as a cover. The cover
opens at the top into a mouth 55, allowing the hot air containing
the recovered calories emitted through evacuation conduit 48 to
flow into the top of the room.
[0081] The front surface of the box 2 is closed along the entire
height by principal pivoting protective door 56 for decoration and
display. The principal door 56 is pivotably connected on a right or
left lateral axle. It comprises a means to immobilize it in a
closed position.
[0082] This principal door 56 is double. It consists of a principal
glass panel 57 which is opaque along part of the surface, leaving a
rectangular central display window 58 opposite the display glass 3.
As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the general shape of the principal
glass panel 57 is rectangular or oval. Naturally, other decorative
shapes could be used.
[0083] The principal glass panel 57 extends for a certain distance
and on its rear surface; there is a secondary transparent panel 59
made of glass or a similar heat-resistant material. This panel may
be held in place by a frame and when the door is closed, it
contacts the display glass 3 on the box 2. The principal glass door
56 may, therefore, be considered to be a double-glass door. This
succession of glass layers near the flames not only provides a
direct view of the flames, but also reflections and supplemental
images of the flames, adding to the magic, charm and spectacle of
the fire.
[0084] The extremely flat design of the unit formed by the box 2
and the hearth 1 enable it to be either mounted on, or embedded or
integrated within, numerous supports without the need for much
technical preparation.
[0085] Because of this particularly advantageous feature, flat or
extra-flat hearth 1 can be totally or partially embedded within a
wall 60 or project only slightly, with its front surface being
either flush with the wall or with a wall projection as shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0086] However, the usual way of attaching a hearth is to affix it
flat against the wall 60, interposing an insulating decorative
plate 61 against the wall 60 at the height of an average person, as
shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0087] As previously indicated, among the technical possibilities
for placement, the choices are either a direct outlet through the
wall, for example, through microventing coaxial conduit 52 as with
gas wall heaters, or an outlet through the vertical evacuation
conduit 48 with the protective cover 54 and the mouth 55 for
ejection of the recovered hot air.
[0088] It is important to note that the fireplace 1 according to
the invention, is adaptable to any type of building or home and can
be installed at different heights according to need, unlike
conventional fireplaces that rest on the floor. It can also be
mounted on a pedestal or suspended at virtually any height on the
wall.
[0089] The flat version of the fireplace is also easy to install
since it does not require any pre-installation preparation. It is
also very simple to use since, in order to light the fireplace, one
need only load the wood and use the remote control ignition device.
Maintenance is also extremely simple, since it is not necessary to
clean the fireplace. All that is required is to periodically empty
the ash receptacle 31 and fill the storage compartment 5 with wood.
Emptying the ashes is accomplished by maneuvering the front air
inlet register 27.
[0090] According to a completely manual version, the storage
compartment 5 is resupplied with wood by introducing the wood
rounds one at a time and stacking them one on top of the other.
[0091] This convenience of this embodiment can be further improved
by using a previously filled storage or reloading device 62 or one
which was purchased already filled with fuel, then introducing it
directly or through a loader into the storage compartment 5.
[0092] According to another embodiment, shown in FIG. 16, the wood
storage container 6 comprises a reloader 62 and a drawer-like
support 63 which, once filled with wood, is introduced laterally
into the storage compartment 5 by translation, using a closing
plate 64 as a ramp for it to slide along.
[0093] It would also be possible for the empty supply drawer 63 to
be replaced by another full drawer, previously filled, and perhaps
sold empty or full in this form as a standard reloading unit, with
empty drawers possibly even being consigned.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 17, the storage compartment 5 forming the
reserve 6 may receive a special loader 65 in the form of a box with
a receptor compartment 66 having a lateral opening 67 tilting
toward the outside to admit the reloader 62 with the logs or rounds
7 placed inside. In order for the fireplace unit to be as flat as
possible, the depth of the special loader 65 is limited, generally
corresponding to the diameter of the logs or rounds 7 it will
contain. Its total height depends on the height of the fireplace,
but it is generally sufficient to hold a large enough quantity of
wood for several hours of burning.
[0095] It is also possible to equip fireplaces that are embedded in
the wall with a rear wood loading device on the other side of the
wall.
[0096] Generally, the reserve of combustible fuel 6, specifically
wood, can be reloaded whenever necessary, even while the fireplace
is in use. To do this, the empty drawer must either be refilled or
replaced with a full drawer.
[0097] It is also possible to conceive of numerous variations of
the preceding embodiments with departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0098] Only square or rectangular fireplaces have been described.
However, other designs can be conceived and manufactured, such as
triangular or circular shapes, adapting the various constituent
elements of the fireplace to suit its shape.
[0099] In addition, the remote control for the ignition device may
also be a switch activated from a distance using a remote control
device or one or more switches located in various places within the
building where the fireplace is installed, or any other remote
control means, such as a coded infrared emitter, for supplying
electricity to the ignition device.
[0100] Because of the presence of thermally insulated separating
wall 8, the amount of heat coming from the hearth and transmitted
to logs or rounds 7 in fuel reserve 6 through the separating wall 8
is not sufficient to cause them to ignite. However, it does
accelerate the drying process and generally improves the logs'
combustibility.
* * * * *