Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6564485
-
Patent Number
6,564,485
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, August 29, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 20, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 040 428
- 362 92
- 362 96
- 362 253
- 362 806
- 392 348
- 472 65
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A fire simulating assembly is provided having a light source, a vertical screen having a diffusing surface and a partially reflective surface, and a rear mirror having a reflective flame pattern. The assembly also includes a rotatable flicker element for reflecting light transmitted by the light source onto the rear mirror so that the light irregularly varies in intensity, so that a simulated flame effect results from the reflection of the light from the rear mirror onto the diffusing screen. The assembly also has a simulated fuel bed, positioned so that the simulated flames appear to arise from the simulated fuel bed. The flicker element also alternately obscures, partially obscures, and permits light transmitted by the light source to pass to a front reflector so that the light irregularly varies in intensity. The front reflector reflects the light onto the front of the simulated fuel bed so that the simulated fuel bed appears to include glowing embers.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fire simulating assemblies and, in particular, a fire simulating assembly for use in electric fireplaces and stove facsimile units and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electric fireplaces are popular because they provide the visual qualities of real fireplaces without the costs and complications associated with venting of combustion gases. Similarly, although free-standing stove facsimile units having glass fronts in which, for example, natural gas is burned are popular alternatives to real fireplaces, combustion gases must also be vented from such stoves, and electric stove facsimile units are therefore also popular. Assemblies for producing realistic simulated flames are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,580 (Hess et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,489 (Hess et al.). The flame simulating assemblies disclosed in these patents use systems including a billowing flame effect element having a plurality of slits with flame shapes cut into it or, alternatively, a solid flame element with flame shapes cut into it, and a diffusion screen onto which images resembling flames are projected. In the disclosed flame simulating assemblies, light from a light source is reflected toward at least one flicker element disposed at the rear of a simulated firebox to produce an image resembling moving flames which is reflected onto a screen. The light source also provides light directed generally upwardly from underneath a partly translucent simulated fuel bed to cause the simulated fuel bed to resemble burning logs and embers. However, the light directed upwardly onto the simulated fuel bed does not vary in intensity.
There is a need for an assembly for producing a simulated flame that more realistically resembles the flame from a burning log and that more realistically simulates burning logs and burning embers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one of its aspects, the invention provides a fire simulating assembly comprising a light source, a vertical screen having a diffusing surface and a partially reflecting surface, and a rear mirror having a flame pattern thereon and spaced rearwardly from the vertical screen such that a flame image is reflectable from the rear mirror onto the diffusing surface. The fire simulating assembly also includes a rotatably mounted flicker element for reflecting light transmitted by the light source onto the rear mirror reflective surface such that the light apparently irregularly varies in intensity, and a rotator for rotating the flicker element. The fire simulating assembly also includes a simulated fuel bed assembly positioned in front of the vertical screen, such that the flame image resembles flames arising from the simulated fuel bed assembly, and a front reflector positioned in front of the simulated fuel bed assembly and having a front reflective surface. The flicker element also alternately reflects, obscures, partially obscures, and permits light transmitted by the light source to pass to the front reflective surface such that the light apparently irregularly varies in intensity. The front reflector is positioned such that the light transmitted from the light source and passing to the front reflective surface is reflected upwardly onto the simulated fuel bed assembly, so that the simulated fuel bed assembly resembles a fuel bed on fire.
In another aspect, in the fire simulating assembly, the apparent irregular variation in intensity of light reflected by the front reflective surface onto the simulated fuel bed assembly is relatively slower than the apparent irregular variation in intensity of light reflected onto the rear mirror reflective surface.
In another aspect, the invention provides a fire simulating assembly for use in a simulated firebox, the simulated firebox having a front and a rear, and having walls including a transparent front panel. The fire simulating assembly comprises a light source, a rear mirror disposed on an interior side of the rear wall and facing the interior of the firebox, the rear mirror having a reflective pattern resembling flames and a front reflector disposed at the front and on the bottom wall of the firebox. The fire simulating assembly also comprises a rotatably mounted flicker element having at least one reflective surface and a longitudinal axis, the flicker element being disposed between the light source and the front reflector so that a first light portion of light transmitted by the light source is irregularly and alternately reflected, obscured, partially obscured, and permitted to pass to the front reflector by the flicker element and the first light portion appears to vary irregularly in intensity. The fire simulating assembly also includes a rotator for rotating the flicker element about the longitudinal axis. The light source and the flicker element are disposed each relative to the other so that a second light portion of light transmitted by the light source is reflected upon the rear mirror, and the second light portion appears to vary irregularly in intensity. In addition, the fire simulating assembly comprises a screen having a partially reflecting surface and a diffusing surface, wherein the second light portion is reflected from the rear mirror onto the partially diffusing surface to provide an image of moving flames on the screen, and a simulated fuel bed assembly positioned forward of the screen and adjacent to the screen so that the simulated fuel bed assembly is reflected in the partially reflecting surface to cause the image of moving flames to appear to arise from the simulated fuel bed assembly. The simulated fuel bed assembly is positioned rearward of the front reflector and adjacent to the front reflector, so that the first light portion can be reflected upwardly from the front reflector onto the simulated fuel bed assembly to provide an image of burning embers and fuel.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a fire simulating assembly for use in a simulated firebox, the simulated firebox having a back wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall, at least two sidewalls connecting the back wall, the top wall, and the side walls to form a box-like enclosure, and the simulated firebox having a transparent front panel. The fire simulating assembly includes a light source, a rear mirror disposed on the back wall and facing to the front of the simulated firebox, and having an image of flames in a reflective finish thereon, and a front reflector disposed in the vicinity of the front of the simulated firebox. The fire simulating assembly also comprises a rotatably mounted flicker element having at least one reflective element, the flicker element having a longitudinal axis, and a rotator for rotating the flicker element about the longitudinal axis. The flicker element is positioned intermediate of the light source and the front reflector to cause a first light portion of the light transmitted from the light source to appear to be varying in intensity when the first light portion is reflected by the front reflector. The flicker element is also positioned so as to cause a second portion of the light from the light source to be reflected onto the rear mirror, and the second light portion also appears to be varying in intensity. In addition, the fire simulating assembly includes a simulated fuel bed disposed adjacent to the front reflector, so that the first light portion is reflected onto the simulated fuel bed, to cause the simulated fuel bed to appear to glow irregularly and pulsatingly, with the glowing effect varying in intensity. The fire simulating assembly also includes a screen having a partially reflecting surface and a diffusing surface, the screen being disposed rearwardly of the simulated fuel bed intermediate the simulated fuel bed assembly and the rear mirror, and the partially reflecting surface being disposed adjacent to the simulated fuel bed so that the second light portion produces an image on the screen that resembles moving flames which appear to arise from the simulated fuel bed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, and following description, in which:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a simulated firebox in an electric fireplace incorporating a preferred embodiment of the invention, with a control unit thereon;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of a stove facsimile unit into which the simulated firebox may be installed;
FIG. 3
is a partial sectional front view of the stove facsimile unit of
FIG. 2
, showing part of a vertical screen with a pattern resembling flames thereon;
FIG. 4
is a side view of the stove facsimile unit of
FIG. 2
showing elements behind a side wall;
FIG. 5
is a side view of the stove facsimile unit of
FIG. 2
drawn to a larger scale;
FIG. 6
is a front view of a rear mirror reflective surface of the preferred embodiment of
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 7
is a perspective view of the flicker element of the preferred embodiment of
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 8
is a front view of a vertical screen of the preferred embodiment of
FIG. 4
showing a partially reflecting surface divided into regions; and
FIG. 9
is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
A fire simulating assembly in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at
10
in
FIGS. 1
,
3
, and
4
. In
FIG. 1
, the assembly is shown incorporated within an electric fireplace which is depicted generally at
12
with an electrical connection
13
for connecting to a power source (not shown). It will be understood that the term “fireplace” used herein can relate to an insert fireplace fitted in a mantle or other aperture or to a free-standing stove.
The electric fireplace
12
includes a housing
14
that defines a simulated firebox having top, bottom, front, and rear walls
16
,
18
,
20
, and
22
, respectively, and side walls
24
,
26
. A portion of the front wall is defined by a transparent front panel
28
that is removable to permit access to the contents of the housing
14
. A fireplace control unit
30
includes a fireplace heater unit
32
, a thermostat
34
for controlling the heat output and a main power switch
36
for actuating the fire effect.
The fire simulating assembly
10
maybe incorporated into other structures, such as a stove facsimile unit indicated generally by the numeral
38
in FIG.
2
. As can be seen in
FIG. 2
, the control unit is positioned on the stove facsimile unit
38
so that the control unit cannot be seen when the stove facsimile unit
38
is viewed generally from the front of the stove facsimile unit
38
. The positioning of the fire simulating assembly
10
within the stove facsimile unit
38
can be seen in FIG.
3
. Also, a stove heater unit
40
(also shown in a partial sectional view) is shown in
FIG. 3
as being positioned underneath the bottom wall
18
in the stove facsimile unit
38
. Except for the differences in locations of the stove control unit and the stove heater unit
40
, the positioning of the fire simulating assembly
10
is generally the same in the electric fireplace and the stove facsimile unit.
The fire simulating assembly
10
maybe incorporated into other structures as well. Although the fire simulating assembly
10
is shown in
FIG. 1
in an electric fireplace and in
FIGS. 4 and 5
in a stove facsimile unit
38
, such illustrations show examples only of structures incorporating the fire simulating assembly
10
.
A simulated fuel bed assembly
42
(shown schematically in
FIG. 4
) is supported on the bottom wall
18
and located in a front portion of the housing
14
. As can be seen in
FIG. 5
, the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
comprises a base
44
and a plurality of simulated log portions
46
. Preferably, the base
44
is a plastic shell that is vacuum formed and colored to resemble logs and embers in a log burning fire. Also, it is preferred that the simulated log portions
46
comprise pieces of expanded polystyrene which have been shaped and colored to resemble burning logs and portions of burning logs. In addition to the materials described, different suitable materials may be used for making the base
44
or the simulated log portions
46
. The base
44
is positioned above the bottom wall
18
and directly attached to the bottom wall
18
. As can be seen in
FIGS. 5 and 9
, the base
44
and the bottom wall
18
at least partially define a compartment
47
.
Preferably, portions of the base
44
are translucent to permit light from a light source
48
located beneath the fuel bed assembly
42
to shine through, as will be described. For example, the base
44
may be formed from an orange translucent plastic. The top side of the plastic shell may be painted, in whole or in part, to resemble the surfaces of logs. The underside of the plastic shell may be painted black (or some other opaque or non-translucent color) and then sanded in portions where it is desired for light to pass, so that the base
44
is partially translucent and partially opaque. For instance, the protruding points on the underside of the base
44
(corresponding to indents in the top side) may be sanded to allow light passage. These points would thus resemble the embers of a fire. Also, the crotch areas between simulated logs maybe sanded (or left unpainted) to resemble embers at the intersection of two logs.
Preferably, the light source
48
comprises at least one quartz halogen light which is supported in a socket
50
positioned below and rearward of the fuel bed assembly
42
. Alternatively, one or more incandescent light bulbs or other sources of light may be utilized. The socket
50
is supported on a socket base
52
positioned on top of the stove heater unit
40
. The intensity of the light can be varied with a dimmer switch
53
that is electrically connected to the light source
48
and located on the control unit
30
.
Located immediately behind the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
is a vertical screen
54
. As shown in
FIGS. 4
,
5
, and
9
, the vertical screen
54
is transparent and has a partially reflecting front surface
56
and a diffusing rear surface
58
. The vertical screen
54
is on a screen support structure
60
fastened to the bottom wall
18
. The vertical screen
54
is supported on its sides with side frame members (not shown) that are fastened to the side walls
24
,
26
with fasteners (not shown). The vertical screen
54
is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,707 which is incorporated herein by reference.
In another preferred embodiment (not shown), the partially reflecting forward surface
56
is disposed on a first vertical screen positioned forward of a second vertical screen on which the rear surface
58
is disposed, the diffusing surface
58
facing rearward. In this embodiment, the diffusing surface
58
can be shaped so that it is not planar.
The vertical screen
54
is positioned immediately behind the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
so that the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
will be reflected in the reflecting surface
56
to give the illusion of depth. As will be explained further below, the image of simulated flames appears to be emanating from between the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
and the reflection of the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
in the screen. Also, simulated flames appear to be emanating from the reflected image of the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
. An upper light source
62
is located at the top front portion of the housing
14
for illuminating the top of the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
and enhancing the reflected image in the vertical screen
54
.
Referring more closely to the fire simulating assembly
10
, the assembly includes a rear mirror
64
, a front reflector
66
and a flicker element
68
.
As shown in
FIG. 4
, the rear mirror
64
has a concave shape. The rear mirror
64
can have a variety of shapes, but it is preferred that the rear mirror
64
has a concave shape. It can be seen in
FIGS. 4 and 5
that rear mirror
64
is attached to the rear wall. The rear mirror
64
has a rear mirror reflective surface
70
which is directed toward the diffusing surface
58
. The rear mirror reflective surface
70
can be disturbed by numerous ridges and valleys, but in a preferred embodiment, the rear mirror reflective surface is substantially smooth. As illustrated in
FIG. 6
, a rear mirror non-reflective surface
72
in a flame pattern is imposed on the rear mirror
64
adjacent to the rear mirror reflective surface
70
. The rear mirror
64
extends across substantially the full width of the vertical screen
54
. A light shield
74
prevents light from the light source
48
shining directly onto the rear mirror
64
.
The front reflector
66
is rotatably mounted on the bottom wall
18
between the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
and the front wall
20
. As can be seen in
FIGS. 5 and 9
, the front reflector
66
is positioned outside the compartment
47
. The front reflector
66
is attached to the bottom wall
18
and positioned above the bottom wall
18
in a path of light from the light source
48
for reflecting light from the light source
48
onto the simulated log portions
46
. The front reflector
66
has a front reflective surface
76
, and the front reflector is oriented so that light can be reflected upwardly from the front reflective surface
76
toward the front of the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
, as will be described.
As shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
, the flicker element
68
is positioned between the light source
48
and the front reflector
66
. The flicker element
68
is illustrated in FIG.
7
. As can be seen in
FIG. 7
, the flicker element
68
comprises an elongate rod
78
having a plurality of reflective strips
80
extending radially outwardly therefrom. The reflective strips
80
are substantially silver in color. When the fire simulating assembly
10
is in operation, the flicker element
78
is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the elongate rod
78
by a rotator (not shown). The rotator can be any suitable means for rotating the flicker element
78
such as, for example, an electric motor (not shown). The direction of rotation of the flicker element
78
is such that the images of flames reflected onto the diffusing surface
58
appear to be rising upwardly from the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
.
In use, light is transmitted from the light source
48
toward the rotating flicker element
68
. As represented schematically by the rays labelled A and B in
FIG. 5
, light transmitted by the light source
48
passes through a region
82
through which the reflective strips
80
pass as the flicker element
68
is rotated to the front reflective surface
76
. The reflective strips
80
are positioned so that light passing through the region
82
through which the reflective strips
80
pass is alternately and irregularly obscured, partially obscured, and permitted to pass to the reflective surface
76
, and so that the intensity of light transmitted by the light source
48
to the front reflective surface
76
appears to vary irregularly. The apparent irregular variation in the intensity of the light transmitted by the light source
48
to the front reflective surface
76
results from the rotation of the flicker element
68
, as light (represented schematically by ray A) is reflected by the reflective strips
80
and light (as represented schematically by ray B) is alternately obscured, partially obscured, and permitted to pass to the front reflective surface
76
.
Light transmitted from the light source
48
simultaneously passes through the upper region
82
, as represented schematically by rays labelled A and B in
FIG. 5
, and also is reflected by reflective strips
80
passing through a lower region
84
through which the reflective strips
80
also pass, as represented schematically by ray C in FIG.
5
.
Light transmitted by the light source
48
and represented schematically by the ray labelled C in
FIG. 5
is reflected by the reflective strips
80
onto the rear mirror reflective surface
70
. Due to the rotation of the flicker element
68
, the intensity of light transmitted by the light source
48
and reflected to the rear mirror reflective surface
70
by the reflective strips
80
also appears to vary irregularly.
The front reflector
66
is oriented so that light, as represented schematically by rays A and B in
FIG. 5
, is reflected upwardly by the front reflective surface
76
to illuminate the front of the base
44
and undersides
86
of the simulated log portions
46
. In a preferred embodiment, the front reflective surface
76
is substantially red in color. As shown in
FIGS. 5 and 9
, reflective ember decals
88
can be positioned on the undersides
86
so that light reflected upwardly from the front reflective surface
76
will cause a simulated reddish glow to appear to emanate from the reflective ember decals
88
. The reflective ember decals
88
can be substantially red in color or, alternatively, they can be substantially silver in color. The result is that the light reflected by the reflective ember decals
88
and undersides
86
resembles the light emanating from burning embers on the undersides of logs in a real fire. The effect is enhanced by the apparent irregular variation in the intensity of the light reflected onto the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
from the reflective surface
76
, so that the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
simulates the appearance of real burning logs.
The rear mirror
64
is oriented so that light transmitted by the light source
48
and reflected from the reflective strips
80
onto the rear mirror reflective surface
70
is subsequently reflected onto the diffusing surface
58
. Light reflected from the reflective strips
80
onto the rear mirror non-reflective surface
72
is not reflected onto the diffusing surface
58
, so that a flame image is reflected onto the diffusing surface
58
. The apparent irregular variations in the intensity of light reflected onto the rear mirror reflective surface
70
by the reflective strips
80
cause the flame image on the diffusing surface
58
to appear to vary irregularly in intensity in turn. The resulting effect is for the flame image reflected onto the diffusing surface
58
from the rear mirror
64
to resemble flames licking from a fire, the direction of rotation of the flicker element being such that the flame image appears to be moving upward.
The simulated fuel bed assembly
42
is positioned so that the simulated fuel bed
42
is reflected in the partially reflecting surface
56
, and the flame image appears to be arising from the middle of the simulated fuel bed
42
, as reflected.
The flame image appears to vary irregularly in intensity because of the irregular variation in light reflected by the reflective strips
80
onto the rear mirror reflective surface
70
. The rate at which the flame image appears to vary in intensity irregularly is therefore relatively more rapid than the apparent variation in intensity of the light reflected onto the front of the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
by the front reflective surface
76
. This difference in relative rates of apparent variation in intensity enhances the effect of the fire simulating assembly
10
, as it mimics a difference in rates of variation in intensity of flames and burning embers in a real fire.
The reflective strips
80
can be made of MYLAR™ or any other suitable material.
Preferably, the partially reflecting surface
56
of the vertical screen
54
is divided into a non-reflective region
90
, a transition region
92
, and a reflecting region
94
, as shown in FIG.
8
. The reflecting region
94
is located at the lower end of the vertical screen
54
and is sufficiently sized for reflecting the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
to produce the simulated flame effect.
As can be seen in
FIG. 9
, in another preferred embodiment, a front translucent portion
98
of the base
44
extends downward to meet the bottom wall
18
. Light transmitted by the light source
48
through the upper region
82
can pass through the front translucent portion
98
to the front reflective surface
76
. Where the base
44
comprises a vacuum formed shell of translucent orange plastic, for example, and the front translucent portion
98
has substantially no paint on it, the front translucent portion
98
is colored substantially orange. In this preferred embodiment, light transmitted by the light source
48
and which has passed through the upper region
82
also passes through the front translucent portion
98
to provide a substantially orange light which appears to vary irregularly in intensity which passes to the front reflective surface
76
. The front reflective surface
76
reflects the light upwardly onto the front of the simulated fuel bed assembly
42
. In this preferred embodiment, the front reflective surface
76
is substantially silver in color.
It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention can take many forms and that such forms are within the scope of the invention as claimed.
Claims
- 1. A fire simulating assembly for providing an appearance of burning embers in burning fuel having:a simulated fuel bed for simulating burning fuel, the simulated fuel bed comprising a base and at least one simulated log portion disposed on the base; a light source; a flicker element for creating a fluctuating light; a front reflector positioned in front of the simulated fuel bed and in a path of the fluctuating light between the flicker element and said at least one simulated log portion: and at least one front translucent portion included in the base and disposed in the path of the fluctuating light between the flicker element and the front reflector.
- 2. A fire simulating assembly for providing an appearance of burning embers in burning fuel having:a simulated fuel bed for simulating burning fuel, the simulated fuel bed comprising a base and at least one simulated log portion disposed on the base; a light source; a screen having a front surface for diffusing and transmitting light, the screen being disposed behind the simulated fuel bed; a flicker element for creating a fluctuating light; a flame effect element positioned in a path of the fluctuating light between the light source and the screen, to configure the fluctuating light such that an image of flames appears through the front surface of the screen; a front reflector positioned in front of the simulated fuel bed and in a path of the fluctuating light between the flicker element and said at least one simulated log portion; at least one front translucent portion included in the base and disposed in the path of the fluctuating light between the flicker element and the front reflector; and at least one ember decal adapted to reflect light and positioned on said at least one simulated log portion such that the fluctuating light is reflected from the front reflector onto said at least one ember decal to provide an appearance of burning embers in burning fuel.
- 3. A fire simulating assembly for providing an appearance of burning embers in burning fuel having.a simulated fuel bed for simulating burning fuel, the simulated fuel bed comprising a base and at least one simulated log portion dispose on the base; a light source; a screen having a partially reflective front surface disposed behind the simulated fuel bed for reflecting and transmitting light, and a diffusing rear surface disposed behind the partially reflective front surface for diffusing and transmitting light; a flicker element for creating a fluctuating light; a flame effect element positioned in a path of the fluctuating light between the light source and the screen, to configure the fluctuating light such that an image of flames appears through the front surface of the screen; a front reflector positioned in front of the simulated fuel bed and in a path of the fluctuating light between the flicker element and said at least one simulated log portion; at least one front translucent portion included in the base and disposed in the path of the fluctuating light between the flicker element and the front reflector; and at least one ember decal adapted to reflect light and positioned on said at least one simulated log portion such that the fluctuating light is reflected from the front reflector onto said at least one ember decal to provide an appearance of burning embers in burning fuel.
- 4. A fire simulating assembly for providing an appearance of burning embers in burning fuel having:a simulated fuel bed for simulating burning fuel, the simulated fuel bed comprising a base and at least one simulated log portion disposed on the base; a light source; a front reflector positioned in front of the simulated fuel bed and in a path of light from the light source; and at least one front translucent portion included in the base and disposed in the path of light from the light source between the light source and the front reflector, for transmitting light from the light source to the front reflector.
- 5. A fire simulating assembly for providing a simulation of burning embers in burning fuel having:a simulated fuel bed for simulating burning fuel, the simulated fuel bed including a base and at least one simulated log portion disposed on the base; a bottom wall, the base being positioned above the bottom wall and directly attached to the bottom wall; the base and the bottom wall at least partially defining a compartment; a front wall positioned in front of the simulated fuel bed, the front wall including a transparent front panel; a light source; and a front reflector attached to the bottom wall and positioned outside the compartment and between the base and the front wall, the front reflector being positioned above the bottom wall and in a path of light from the light source for reflecting light from the light source onto said at least one simulated log portion.
- 6. A fire simulating assembly according to claim 5 in which the front reflector includes a reflective surface for reflecting light from the light source onto said at least one simulated log portion, and in which the reflective surface is substantially red in color.
- 7. A fire simulating assembly according to claim 5 in which said at least one simulated log portion includes a plurality of ember decals positioned in a path of light from the light source reflected from the front reflector onto said at least one simulated log portion.
- 8. A fire simulating assembly according to claim 5 in which the base of the simulated fuel bed includes a substantially horizontal portion supporting said at least one simulated log portion and a partition portion depending from the horizontal portion between the front reflector and the light source, the partition portion including at least one opening for permitting light to be transmitted from the light source to the front reflector.
- 9. A fire simulating assembly according to claim 5 additionally including a flicker element for creating a fluctuating light, and in which the front reflector is positioned between the simulated fuel bed and the front wall and in a path of the fluctuating light for reflecting the fluctuating light onto said at least one simulated log portion.
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