U.S. patent application number 12/699356 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-04 for fireplace with safety doors.
This patent application is currently assigned to Decoflame (USA) LLC. Invention is credited to Ryan Chomiuk, Richard Laverriere.
Application Number | 20110186039 12/699356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44340512 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110186039 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chomiuk; Ryan ; et
al. |
August 4, 2011 |
FIREPLACE WITH SAFETY DOORS
Abstract
A fireplace comprising having a firebox; at least one door
coupled to the firebox; and at least one burner positioned inside
the firebox; wherein the door is coupled to the firebox such that
there is a gap between the firebox and the door sufficient to allow
operation of the fireplace without other openings in the
firebox.
Inventors: |
Chomiuk; Ryan; (Knowlton,
CA) ; Laverriere; Richard; (Roxton Pond, CA) |
Assignee: |
Decoflame (USA) LLC
Gardena
CA
|
Family ID: |
44340512 |
Appl. No.: |
12/699356 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/512 ;
126/544 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24B 1/192 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/512 ;
126/544 |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/18 20060101
F24B001/18; F24B 1/192 20060101 F24B001/192 |
Claims
1. A fireplace comprising: a) a firebox; b) at least one door
coupled to the firebox; and c) at least one burner positioned
inside the firebox; wherein the door is coupled to the firebox such
that there is a gap between the firebox and the door sufficient to
allow operation of the fireplace without other openings in the
firebox.
2. The fireplace of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of doors
coupled to the firebox.
3. The fireplace of claim 2 wherein the firebox further comprises a
front portion and a rear portion, the front portion having at least
one track; and the plurality of doors comprise a pin for moveably
engaging in the at least one track and a handle for moving the door
along the track.
4. The fireplace of claim 1 further comprising a moveable throttle
coupled to the burner for extinguishing the burner, the moveable
throttle having a throttle handle.
5. The fireplace of claim 4 wherein the throttle handle extends
beyond the at least one door and is configured to be operable by a
user without opening the at least one door.
6. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein the at least one door has a top
and a bottom and the gap between each of the top and the bottom of
the door and the firebox is from about 1/4 inches to about 4
inches.
7. The fireplace of claim 6 wherein the gap between each of the top
and the bottom of the door and the firebox is from about 1/2 inches
to about 2 inches.
8. The fireplace of claim 6 wherein the gap between each of the top
and the bottom of the door and the firebox is from about 3/4 inches
to about 11/4 inches.
9. The fireplace of claim 1 further comprising a fuel container in
liquid communication with the burner.
10. The fireplace of claim 9 wherein the fuel container contains
bioethanol.
11. The fireplace of claim 1 further comprising a means for moving
the at least one door relative to the firebox.
12. The fireplace of claim 1 further comprising at least one
leveler coupled to the firebox for leveling the fireplace on a
substantially horizontal surface.
13. The fireplace of claim 1 further comprising a bracket coupled
to the firebox for hanging the fireplace on a substantially
vertical surface.
14. The fireplace of claim 1 further comprising a means for hanging
the fireplace on a substantially vertical surface.
15. The fireplace of claim 1 further comprising a means for
standing the fireplace on a substantially horizontal surface.
16. A fireplace comprising: a) a firebox further comprising a front
portion having at least one track; and a rear portion; b) at least
one door coupled to the firebox, the door having at least one pin
for moveably engaging in the at least one track and a handle for
moving the at least one door along the track; c) at least one
burner positioned inside the firebox; d) a fuel container in liquid
communication with the burner; and e) a moveable throttle for
extinguishing the burner, the moveable throttle having a throttle
handle and being moveably coupled to at least one of the burner and
the fuel container; wherein the door is coupled to the firebox such
that there is a gap between the firebox and the door sufficient to
allow operation of the fireplace without other openings in the
firebox.
17. The fireplace of claim 16 wherein the at least one door has a
top and a bottom and the gap between each of the top and the bottom
of the door and the firebox is from about 1/4 inches to about 4
inches.
18. The fireplace of claim 16 wherein the gap between each of the
top and the bottom of the door and the firebox is from about 1/2
inches to about 2 inches.
19. The fireplace of claim 16 wherein the gap between each of the
top and the bottom of the door and the firebox is from about 3/4
inches to about 11/4 inches.
20. The fireplace of claim 19 wherein the throttle handle extends
beyond the at least one door and is configured to be operable by a
user without opening the at least one door.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to fireplaces.
[0002] Wood burning fireplaces are known. However, wood burning
fireplaces suffer from several disadvantages. Unless equipped with
a lighting mechanism, such as a natural gas jet, wood burning
fireplaces can be difficult to light. A wood burning fireplace may
be more difficult to light depending on the type and moisture
content of the wood used. Once started, a wood burning fireplace is
difficult to extinguish, and the fire is usually allowed to simply
burn itself out unattended.
[0003] Additionally, wood fireplaces require a chimney for venting
the smoke created by the burning wood. In addition to removing the
smoke from a wood burning fireplace, the chimney allows much of the
heat generated by the fire to escape. Chimneys require periodic
cleaning to remove soot deposited from smoke. Thus, wood burning
fireplaces are relatively difficult to use, dirty and
inefficient.
[0004] Additionally, the use of wood in fireplaces often leads to
deforestation and the smoke emitted from fireplaces may cause
pollution. Moreover, improper wood fireplace venting can lead to
illness and death. Additionally, due to the size of wood pieces
burned and the need for a chimney, traditional wood burning
fireplaces are typically not portable.
[0005] Natural gas fireplaces are also known. However, natural gas
fireplaces typically suffer from many of the shortcomings of wood
fireplaces. Natural gas fireplaces are often vented through a
chimney, and are often not portable because they are connected to a
natural gas pipe.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for an improved fireplace.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an
improved fireplace. In an embodiment, the fireplace has a firebox;
at least one door coupled to the firebox; and at least one burner
positioned inside the firebox; wherein the door is coupled to the
firebox such that there is a gap between the firebox and the door
sufficient to allow operation of the fireplace without other
openings in the firebox. The fireplace may have a plurality of
doors coupled to the firebox.
[0008] In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the
firebox has a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion
has at least one track. The door has a pin for moveably engaging in
the at least one track and a handle for moving the door along the
track. Additionally, the fireplace may have a moveable throttle
coupled to the burner for extinguishing the burner, the moveable
throttle having a throttle handle. In a preferred embodiment, the
throttle handle extends beyond the at least one door and is
configured to be operable by a user without opening the door.
[0009] In an embodiment, the door has a top and a bottom and the
gap between each of the top of the door and the firebox and the
bottom of the door and the firebox is from about 1/4 inches to
about 4 inches, more preferably from about 1/2 inches to about 2
inches and more preferably from about 3/4 inches to about 11/4
inches.
[0010] Optionally, the fireplace has a fuel container in liquid
communication with the burner. Additionally, the fuel container may
contain bioethanol. The fuel container may have a fuel level
indicator.
[0011] In an additional embodiment, the fireplace has a means for
moving the door relative to the firebox. Additionally, the
fireplace may have at least one leveler coupled to the firebox for
leveling the fireplace on a substantially horizontal surface.
Optionally, the fireplace has a means for standing the fireplace on
a substantially horizontal surface. Additionally, the fireplace may
have a bracket coupled to the firebox for hanging the fireplace on
a substantially vertical surface. Optionally, the fireplace has a
means for hanging the fireplace on a substantially vertical
surface.
[0012] In an additional embodiment, the present invention is
directed to a fireplace having a firebox, the firebox having a
front portion with at least one track, and a rear portion. At least
one door is coupled to the firebox, the door having at least one
pin for moveably engaging in the at least one track. The door also
has a handle for moving the at least one door along the track. At
least one burner is positioned inside the firebox and a fuel
container is in liquid communication with the burner. The fireplace
also has a moveable throttle for extinguishing the burner, the
moveable throttle having a throttle handle and being moveably
coupled to at least one of the burner and the fuel container. The
door is coupled to the firebox such that there is a gap between the
firebox and the door sufficient to allow operation of the fireplace
without other openings in the firebox. The gap between the top and
the bottom of the door and the firebox is from about 1/4 inches to
about 4 inches, and more preferably from about 1/2 inches to about
2 inches, and more preferably from about 3/4 inches to about 11/4
inches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A better understanding of the present invention will be had
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic diagram of a fireplace
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a fireplace according
to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the fireplace of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front elevation perspective view of the
fireplace of FIG. 1; and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation perspective view of the fireplace
of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The present invention, according to an embodiment, is
directed to a fireplace 100. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the
fireplace 100 has a firebox 102 with at least one door 104 coupled
to the firebox 102. A burner support 106 is positioned in the
firebox 102. A fuel container 108 is positioned in the burner
support. The fuel container 108 is coupled to a burner 110. A trap
112 for opening and closing the burner 110 is moveably coupled to
the burner 110. The trap 112 has a handle 114 that extends from the
trap 112 and allows manipulation of the trap 112 from a location
away from the burner 110. The trap 112 functions to extinguish a
fire in the burner 110 by cutting off the supply of oxygen to the
fire. Preferably, the trap 112 is operable without opening the at
least one door 104. In an additional embodiment of the present
invention, the fireplace has an automated trap coupled to an
oxygen-depletion sensor. The automated trap turns off the fire if
the oxygen depletion sensor senses a lack of oxygen in the area
surrounding the fireplace.
[0020] In embodiments of the present invention, the fuel is in
either a liquid or solid state when placed in the fuel container
108. Preferably, the fuel container 108 is filled with bioethanol.
In an alternative embodiment the fuel is in a gaseous state when
placed in the fuel container 108. The fuel container is made from
materials that can withstand the heat generated by the burner. For
example, the fuel container 108 may be made from steel, stainless
steel or aluminum. Preferably, the fuel container is fully
contained within the firebox 102 during operation of the fireplace
100. However, at least a portion of the fuel container 108 may
reside outside of the firebox 102 as long as the fuel container 108
is in communication with the burner 110.
[0021] The amount of fuel held by the fuel container 108 may be
selected based on one or more of, for example, the size of the
burner, the amount of heat to be generated, the size of flames, and
the desired weight of a fully fueled fireplace. Preferably, the
fuel container 108 holds between 0.5 and 5 liters of fuel. More
preferably, the fuel container 108 holds between 1 and 2 liters of
fuel. Preferably, the fuel container has a level indicator so that
the user can see how much fuel remains in the container from beyond
the door 104 of the fireplace.
[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the firebox 102
has a flat floor 116 upon which the fuel container 108 is placed.
In an additional embodiment, the firebox floor 116 has a receptacle
118 for placement of the fuel container 108. The receptacle 118 is
advantageous, because the receptacle 118 helps a user place the
fuel container 108 and burner 110 in an optimal location within the
firebox for proper combustion and heat generation.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the firebox 102
has a flat bottom surface that renders the fireplace 100 stable on
a flat horizontal surface. In an additional embodiment of the
present invention the fireplace has a bottom mounting bracket (not
shown) that the firebox 102 rests in, the bottom mounting bracket
rendering the fireplace stable on a flat horizontal surface. In an
additional embodiment of the present invention, the fireplace has a
plurality of adjustable casters 119 that mount on the bottom of the
firebox, or the bottom mounting bracket if present, to allow for
level adjustment of the fireplace on a horizontal surface that is
not quite flat. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the casters are mounted in at least three locations on the bottom
of the firebox 102, and more preferably on at least four locations
on the bottom of the firebox 102.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fireplace is
sufficiently light and moveable that the fireplace can be mounted
on a substantially vertical surface, such as a wall in a residence.
The firebox 102 has a rear portion 120. The rear portion 120 may be
provided with a plurality of holes 122 to facilitate mounting of
the fireplace on a wall. A plurality of brackets 124 are mounted to
the vertical surface using a plurality of fasteners 126, such as
screws, that are placed through holes 128 in the brackets. The
brackets 124 contain tabs 130 that in turn mount in the firebox
holes 122 to hold the fireplace to the vertical surface.
[0025] The firebox may have windowed openings on more than one side
and may be mounted to a substantially vertical surface using
connectors positioned proximal to outside edges of the firebox. In
an embodiment, the firebox 102 has openings on the front and back,
at least one door is mounted to each of the front and back and the
firebox 102 is positionable in a wall orifice so that the fire
inside the firebox can be viewed from both sides of the wall.
[0026] An important aspect of the fireplace according to the
present invention is the provision of venting for oxygen to reach
the burner, for heat to escape the fireplace and yet for the
fireplace to remain safe during windy conditions. To facilitate
proper venting for oxygen to reach the burner and for heat to
escape the fireplace, the at least one door 104 is positioned at a
set distance away from the firebox 102. Preferably, the doors 104
are mounted to the firebox 102 so that there is a gap around the
top and bottom of the doors of from about 1/4 inches to about 4
inches, more preferably from about 1/2 inches to about 2 inches,
and more preferably from about 3/4 inches to about 11/4 inches.
[0027] The at least one door 104 may be connected to the firebox by
a hinge (not shown) and a lock (not shown) to hold the door in a
closed position proximal to the firebox 102 and to allow the door
to swing to an open position distal to the firebox 102. Movement of
the door to the open position allows a user to replace fuel in the
fuel container 108 and clean the interior of the firebox 102. The
lock can be, for example, a magnetic or mechanical lock.
Additionally, the lock may have a key to prevent children from
accessing the contents of the firebox 102. In an additional
embodiment, the fireplace has two doors coupled to the firebox,
each door being hingedly connected and lockable to the firebox 102.
In an embodiment, the firebox 102 has a plurality of flanges 132
that extend outward from the firebox to block cross-drafts from
entering the firebox through the air space between the doors and
the firebox.
[0028] In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the
fireplace has at least one door that is slideable along the front
of the firebox between the open and closed positions. To facilitate
movement of the doors in this manner, the front face of the firebox
102 is provided with a plurality of tracks 134. The doors are
mounted to the firebox using pins 136 extending from the doors 104
and locking in the tracks 134 such that the pins 136 are slideable
within the tracks 134. Each door 104 has a handle 138 to allow the
user to slide the door between the open and closed positions. The
tracks may be, for example, slots or grooves in the front face of
the firebox.
[0029] The firebox may have a variety of shapes depending on the
size of the burner and decorative preferences. For example, the
firebox may have a curved front or rear surface as shown in FIGS. 1
to 3. Alternatively, the firebox may be rectangular. The firebox
102 may be made from a variety of materials, the materials being
selected based on factors including, for example, the heat
generated by the burner and the intended display purposes of the
fireplace. In an embodiment, the firebox is made from stainless
steel. Alternatively, the firebox may be made from aluminum or
steel and may be painted. The firebox may have holes 140 for
venting or decoration. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the only openings for air to reach the firebox are gaps
between the firebox 102 and the one or more doors 104.
[0030] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and
scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the
description of the preferred versions described herein.
[0031] All features disclosed in the specification, including the
claims, abstract and drawings, and all the steps in any method or
process disclosed, can be combined in any combination except
combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are
mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification,
including the claims, abstract, and drawings can be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is a one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0032] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state
"means" for performing a specified function or "step" for
performing a specified function, should not be interpreted as a
"means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112.
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