Patent Application
20240280269
Artificial log assemblies can be used as alternatives to wood-burning fires. Artificial log assemblies are formed of non-flammable materials and a fuel, e.g., natural gas or liquid propane, is ignited to simulate burning wood.
Artificial log assemblies include an outer shell that attempts to simulate the appearance of a wooden log. Fuel is supplied to the outer shell such that, when ignited, the fuel burns to appear as though the artificial log is on fire. There remains an opportunity to improve the effectiveness of artificial log assemblies.
With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, an assembly 10, i.e., an artificial log burner assembly, is generally shown. One example of the assembly 10 is shown in
As an example, such as the example shown in
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
The artificial log 12 may be unitary, i.e., one piece with the components of the artificial log 12 fixed to each other and inseparable without destruction. An example of unitary is welding. For example, some or all of the main portion 62, the branch portions 64, the ends 24, and/or the feet 28 may be welded together (with “welded” being a structural description, not a description of the process of welding). In such an example, the outer wall 16 of the main portion 62 may be welded to the outer wall 16 of the branch portion(s) 64. As another example of unitary, some or all of the components may be integrally formed (with “integrally formed” being a structural description, not a description of the process of forming). Examples of being integrally formed includes casting (e.g., die casting, sand casting, pressure casting), machining a blank, additive manufacturing, etc. In examples in which the main portion 62, the branch portion(s) 64, and the ends 24 are unitary, the feet 28 may be unitary (e.g., welded, integrally formed, etc.) to the main portion 62 or may be fixed to the main portion 62 in any other suitable manner, e.g., with fasteners. In the examples shown in the Figures, the main portion 62, the branch portion(s) 64, the ends 24, and the feet 28 are unitary. Specifically, the outer wall 16 and bases 30 of the limbs 26 are integrally formed by casting, the ends and the feet 28 are welded to the main portion 62, and ends 24 of the limbs 26 are welded to the bases 30, respectively, of the limb 26. In the example shown in
The artificial log 12 is a non-flammable material. As an example, the artificial log 12 may be metal. For example, the artificial log 12 is steel. The main portion 64, the ends 24, the limbs 26, and the feet 28 (and the other logs 70 in
With reference to
The cavity 18 of the example of Figure I may be substantially cylindrical in the main portion 62. The cavity 18 may extend continuously from one end 24 to the other end 24 of the main portion 62. The limbs 26 may be hollow, in which case, the cavity in the limbs 26 are open to the cavity 18 of the outer wall 16. The cavity of the example of
The dimensions of the outer wall 16 provide dancing flames and shadows in the cavity 18 and provide for the visibility of the dancing flames and shadows through the slits 22. The dimensions of the outer wall 16 also provide access for the flames to extend out of the cavity 18 through the slits 22 to the exterior of the artificial log 12.
The outer wall 16 is relatively thin and elongated. Specifically, the outer wall 16 is elongated along the axis A. In the example shown in
As set forth above, the outer wall 16 of the main portion 62 is elongated. The outer wall 16 has a length L and the outer diameter D of the outer wall 16 may be less than ¼ of the length L of the outer wall 16. For example, the outer diameter D of the outer wall 16 may be 5 inches (12.7 cm) and the length L of the outer wall 16 may be 32 inches (81.3 cm).
The ends 24 are fixed to the outer wall 16, i.e., the ends 24 are end plates. For example, as set forth above, the ends 24 may be welded to the outer wall 16. The main portion 62 of the artificial log 12 may include two ends 24 are spaced from each other along the axis A. The ends 24 enclose the cavity 18 therebetween, i.e., the cavity 18 extends from one end 24 to the other end 24 and the ends 24 define the terminal boundaries of the cavity 18. The ends 24 may be identical to each other or different than each other. The branch portions 64 may include ends 24. In the example shown in the Figures, the limbs 26 include ends 24 fixed to the base 30 of the limbs 26. In some examples shown in the Figures, the other logs 70 include ends 24 and in other examples the other logs 70 do not include ends 24, i.e., are open at one or both ends.
The limbs 26 extend transversely from the outer wall 16 of the main portion 62. The limbs 26 have the appearance of branches extending away from the outer wall 16 of the main portion 62. The base 30 of the limbs 26 are substantially cylindrical. The bases 30 of the limbs 26 are fixed to the outer wall 16 of the artificial log 12, as described above. As set forth above, the limbs 26 may be hollow, in which case, the cavity extends from the main portion 62 into the limbs 26. Each limb 26 may include an end 24 fixed to the outer wall 16 of the limb 26.
The outer surface 34 of the artificial log 12 may have the appearance of a log (i.e., a cut portion of a tree trunk or branch) or a stack or pile of logs. For example, the outer surface 34 of the outer wall 16 may have surface features 36 having the appearance of tree bark. In addition, the outer surface of the base 30 of the limbs 26 may have a matching surface feature 36 having the appearance of bark. The surface feature 36 may include, for example, ridges, as shown in the Figures. The ridges extend outwardly from the rest of the outer surface 34. The ridges may be metal, e.g., the same type of metal as the outer wall 16. As another example in addition to or in the alternative to the ridges, the surface feature 36 may include grooves, i.e., the groves extend inward relative to the rest of the outer surface 34. The surface features 36 are elongated, i.e., significantly wider than long. In any event, the majority of the surface features 36, e.g., the ridges or the grooves, are substantially elongated along the axis A. In other words, most of the surface features 36 have a major component of elongation along the axis A to simulate the appearance of bark. Surface features 36 that are substantially elongated along the axis A may have curves, angles, etc., to simulate bark, i.e., the surface features 36 that are substantially elongated along the axis A are not necessarily straight along the axis A from one end to the other end of the surface feature 36. At least some of the surface features 36 are elongated along the axis A and some of the surface features 36 may be elongated transverse to the axis A, and in any event, more of the surface features 36 are elongated along the axis A to simulate bark.
As another example of the appearance of the artificial log 12 as a log, the ends 24 of the artificial log 12 and/or the ends 24 of the limbs 26 and/or the ends of the other logs 70 may have a smooth outer surface 34, i.e., lacking the surface features 36 on the outer surface 34 of the outer wall 16 and/or on the bases 30 limbs 26, and may have spiral voids 38 in the smooth surfaces. The smooth surfaces simulate cut wood and the spiral voids 38 simulate growth rings of the tree. The spiral voids 38 on the ends 24 of the artificial log 12 and/or the end 24 of the limbs 26 may extend through the end 24 to the cavity 18 such that the cavity 18 is visible through the spiral voids 38. In such an example, the spiral void 38 provides visibility of the dancing flames in the cavity 18.
With reference to
With reference to
The slits 22 are spaced from each other to give an appearance of random arrangement. At least some of the slits 22 are spaced from each other along the axis A and spaced from each other circumferentially about the axis A.
The slits 22 have the appearance of cracks in a log. Each slit 22 may have one or more portions that are elongated along the axis A and/or one or more portions elongated circumferentially about the axis A. For example, one or more of the slits 22 may have an axial portion 44 and a diverging portion 46, as shown in the Figures. The slits 22, e.g., the axial portion 44 and/or the diverging portion 46, are elongated, i.e., are significantly wider than long, as described further below. The axial portion 44 on the main portion 62 of the artificial log 12 is elongated along the axis A, i.e., a major component of the elongation is along the axis A. The diverging portion 46 extends transversely from the axial portion 44. The diverging portion 46 may be elongated circumferentially about the axis A, i.e., a major component of elongation is circumferential about the axis A. The slits 22, e.g., the axial portion 44 and/or the diverging portion 46 may have curves, angles, etc., to simulate a crack in a log, i.e., the slits 22 are not necessarily straight from one end to the other end of the slit.
As set forth above, the flames in the cavity 18 are visible through the slits 22. As described further below, the dimensions of the slits 22 provide dancing flames and shadows in the cavity 18 and provide for the visibility of the dancing flames and shadows. The dimensions of the slits 22 also provide access for the flames to extend out of the cavity 18 through the slits 22 to the exterior of the artificial log 12. In addition, the dimensions of the slits 22 relative to each other and relative to the dimensions of the outer wall 16 generally conceal the fuel supply 14. Specifically, the dancing flames and shadows in the cavity 18 and the flames extending through the slits 22 are generated, in part, by the dimensions of the slits 22 and the slits 22 generally prevent visibility of the fuel supply 14 through the slits 22.
The slits 22 each have a length LS and a width WS. The length LS is the longest dimension along the outer wall 16 and the width WS is perpendicular to the length LS. The slits 22 may have different lengths and/or different widths. The slits 22 have a thickness measured radially from the axis A, i.e., the thickness is the same as the wall thickness WT of the outer wall 16.
As set forth above, the dimensions of the slits 22 provide visibility of the flames and conceal the fuel supply 14. For example, the greatest width WS of each slit 22 may be less than 1/10 the circumference of the outer wall 16 of the main portion 62. As an example, the circumference of the outer wall 16 of the main portion 62 may be 15.75 inches (39.9 cm) and the greatest width WS of the slits 22 may be 0.5-1.0 inches (1.27-2.54 cm). The length LS of each slit 22 may be less than ½ (50%) the length L of the outer wall 16 of the main portion 62. As an example, the length L of the outer wall 16 of the main portion 62 may be 32 inches (81.3 cm) and the length LS of each slit 22 may be 5-9 inches (12.7-22.9 cm). As an example, the length LS of each slit 22 along the axis A, i.e., the length LS of the axial portion 44, may be less than ½ (50%) the length L of the outer wall 16 of the main portion 62.
With reference to
As set forth above, the fuel supply 14 is in the cavity 18. The fuel supply 14 may include an inlet 52 and at least one pipe 54. In some examples, the fuel supply 14 includes a plurality of jets 56. The inlet 52, the pipe 54, and the jets 56 may be of any suitable material, e.g., brass, black steel, etc. The fuel supply 14 may be designed to supply gaseous fuel, e.g., natural gas, liquid propane, etc. The fuel supply 14 supplies gaseous fuel, which is lit so that the fuel supply 14 fuels flames in the artificial log 12.
The inlet 52 may extend through the base 48. For example, as set forth above, the inlet 52 may extend through the hole 50. Specifically, in such an example, the inlet 52 extends from below the base 48, through the hole 50, to above the base 48. The inlet 52 supplies fuel to the pipe 54. The inlet 52 may be in the cavity 18 when the artificial log 12 is on the base 48. In examples in which the inlet 52 is in the cavity 18, the hole 50 is aligned with the cavity 18 when the artificial log 12 is on the base 48.
At least one pipe 54 extends from the inlet 52 in the cavity 18. Specifically, the pipe 54 may be elongated along the axis A, i.e., parallel with the axis A and on or spaced from the axis A. The pipe 54 may be spaced from the base 48. The pipe 54 delivers fuel from the inlet 52 to fuel outlets 20, e.g., through the jets 56. The pipe 54 may be connected to the inlet 52 in any suitable fashion, e.g., the inlet 52 may have a female thread and the pipe 54 may have a male thread threadedly engaged with the female thread.
The fuel supply 14 may include more than one pipe 54. In the example shown in the Figures, the fuel supply 14 includes two pipes 54 each extending from the inlet 52. In such an example, as shown in the Figures, the hole and the inlet 52 may be substantially centered on the along the length L of the outer wall 16. The hole, for example, may be centered on the base 48. The pipes 54 may extend in opposite directions along the axis A, i.e., parallel to the axis A and on or spaced from the axis A. In such an example, the inlet 52 may be a T-coupling. The pipes 54 may be of identical length. In other examples, the inlet 52 may be between pipes 54 of varying length, at the end of a single pipe 54, at one end of a pipe 54 that is connected to other pipes, etc.
The pipe(s) 54 may be in a straight configuration, as shown in
In the example shown in
As set forth above, the cavity 18 extends from the main portion 62 into the branch portion 64. The main pipes 66 are in the cavity 18 in the main portion 62 and the branch pipes 68 extend from the main pipes 66 into the cavity 18 in the main portion 62. As set forth above, the main pipes 66 may be elongated along the axis A of the main portion 62. The branch pipes 68 extend transverse to the main pipes 66. Specifically, the branch pipe 68 may extend perpendicular to the main pipe 66 or at any suitable angle relative to the main pipe 66 to follow the branch portion 64 of the artificial log 12. The branch portion 64 may be elongated along an axis B, and at least a portion of the branch pipe 68 may be elongated along the axis B, as shown in
In the example shown in
The fuel supply 14 may include any suitable number of branch pipes 68 to extend into one or more of the branch portions 64 of the artificial log 12. In the example shown in
As set forth above, the fuel supply 14 includes a plurality of fuel outlets 20 on the pipe 66, 68. As an example, the fuel supply 14 may include the jets 56 on the pipes 66, 68 that include the fuel outlets 20. In such an example, the jets 56 are on the pipes 66, 68 and, accordingly, the fuel outlets 20 are on the pipes 66, 68. In such an example, the jets 56 space the flame from the pipes 66, 68, as described further below. In other examples, the fuel outlets 20 may be orifices in the wall of the pipes 66, 68. The examples shown in
In examples including jets 56, the jets 56 extend transversely from the pipe 54. For example, the jets 56 extend upwardly from the pipe 54. The jets 56 may be parallel to each other. The jets 56 are elongated from the pipe 54. Specifically, some of the jets 56 extend from the main pipe 66 in the cavity 18 of the main portion 62 of the artificial log 12. In examples in which the fuel supply 14 includes a branch pipe 68, at least one jet 56 extends from the branch pipe 68 in the cavity 18 of the branch portion 64 of the artificial log 12. In the example shown in
In examples including jets 56, each jet 56 includes one of the fuel outlets 20, i.e., the fuel outlets 20 are on the jets 56. Each jet 56 includes an inlet end 58, the fuel outlet 20, and a chamber 60 extending from the inlet end 58 to the fuel outlet 20. Fuel is supplied from the pipe 54 into the inlet end 58, and from the inlet end 58 to the fuel outlet 20 through the chamber 60. The jet 56 may include an air orifice between the inlet end 58 and the fuel outlet 20 to intake air to aid in combustion. The jet 56 may be connected to the pipe 54 in any suitable fashion, e.g., the pipe 54 may have a female thread and the jet 56 may have a male thread at the inlet end 58 and threadedly engaged with the female thread.
The fuel outlets 20, e.g., on the jets 56, release fuel for combustion. The fuel outlets 20 are in the cavity 18. In examples including jets 56, at least a portion of each jet 56 including the fuel outlet 20 is in the cavity 18 such that the flame is in the cavity 18. Specifically, the fuel outlets 20 on the jets 56 are in the cavity 18. In the example shown in the Figures, the entire jet 56 is in the cavity 18. In examples including multiple fuel outlets 20 on the main pipe 66, the fuel outlets 20 on the main pipe 66 are spaced from each other along the axis A. Specifically, the fuel outlets 20 on the main pipe 66 may be spaced from each other in a line along the axis A, i.e., parallel to the axis A and on or spaced from the axis A. In examples including multiple fuel outlets 20 on the branch pipe 68, the fuel outlets 20 on the branch pipe 68 are spaced from each other along the axis B of the branch pipe 66. Specifically, the fuel outlets 20 on the branch pipe 66 may be spaced from each other in a line along the axis B, i.e., parallel to the axis B and on or spaced from the axis B.
The position of the fuel outlets 20 in the cavity 18 provide dancing flames and shadows in the cavity 18 and provide for the visibility of the dancing flames and shadows through the slits 22. The position of the fuel outlets 20 also provide for the flames to extend out of the cavity 18 through the slits 22 to the exterior of the artificial log 12.
The cavity 18 may be unfilled between the fuel outlets 20 and the outer wall 16. In other words, an air gap is between the fuel outlets 20 and the outer wall 16 and between the fuel outlets 20 and the slits 22.
The fuel outlets 20 may be closer to the axis A than to the outer wall 16. As an example, the fuel outlets 20 may be substantially on the axis A of the outer wall 16. As another example, the fuel outlets 20 may be spaced from the axis A between the axis A and the outer wall 16, e.g., vertically above the axis A. In other words, the outer wall 16 has a height vertically measured from the base 48, and the axis A is at the midpoint of the height. In such an example, the fuel outlets 20 are between the height and the axis A. Said differently, the fuel outlets 20 are less than halfway from the axis A to the outer wall 16.
The assembly 10 described above has the dimensions and appearance of one or more wood logs, i.e., a cut tree trunk or branch, that is on fire. For example, in the example in
The dimensions of features of the assembly 10, i.e., components of the artificial log 12 and/or the fuel supply 14, provide dancing of the flames inside the cavity 18 and shadows in the cavity 18. The dimensions also provide for visibility of the dancing flames and shadows in the cavity 18. The dimensions of features of the assembly 10 also provide for the flames to extend from the cavity 18 through the slits 22. Specifically, portions of at least some of the flames are contained by the interior surface of the outer wall 16, causing the flame to dance in the cavity 18 and causing shadows in the cavity 18, and portions of at least some of the flames extend through the slits 22, also leading to the dancing flames and shadows in the cavity 18. The dancing flames and shadows are visible through at least some of the slits 22. The position of the fuel outlets 20 and the spacing of the fuel outlets 20 along the axis A also contribute to the dancing flames and shadows in the cavity 18 as well as the extension of a portion of some of the flames through the cavity 18. In the example in
The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
This application is a national stage of, and claims priority to, Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2021/037779, filed on Jun. 17, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2021/037779 | 6/17/2021 | WO |
