Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to hearths in simulated or actual fireplaces, specifically, it provides a method and apparatus for illuminating hearths with a convenient, single, disposable fuel cartridge that provides realistic looking multiple flames emanating from underneath and in between non-combustible twigs and logs, cast as a single logset, in the form of a unitary body, with multiple openings on top.
2. Background of the Invention
Many people desire the ambiance created by a fireplace. Some homes and apartments, however, cannot accommodate a real wood burning or gas fired fireplace. Exhaust problems, the lack of a chimney, cost or other issues can make the construction of a real fireplace problematic.
Some consumers have therefore opted for simulated fireplaces. Simulated fireplaces do not burn wood and have no gas burner, chimney, flue, or exhaust system. Instead, they simulate the effect of a real fireplace by using fuels like alcohol gel that require no exhaust system. Such an alcohol fuel is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,379 to Browning.
Although alcohol gel fuel is mentioned herein, it should be understood that it is mentioned only for exemplary purposes and that it is readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that similar fuels can be used.
Research has revealed three main types of simulated fireplaces that use alcohol or similar fuels and are sold on the market today. Each will be described subsequently. None of these three types, however, combine the following desirable features: (a) a realistic looking fire, (b) consisting of multiple flames, (c) which peak and flutter in between and from underneath logs and twigs of different sizes, (d) where the logset has been cast as a convenient, single-piece unit, (e) which itself sits over a convenient, single piece disposable fuel cartridge, (f) which fuel cartridge can have various configurations that will produce different types of fires, such as a one hour fire, a three hour fire, or a fire with multiple flames that are either larger or smaller.
Instead of producing this result, the three main types of simulated fireplaces sold today suffer from the following disadvantages.
Type 1: The Two Dimensional Log System
The simulated fireplaces sold by Jensen Metal Products of Racine, Wis., are typical of this type. They use 2-3 cans of a gelled alcohol fuel that are placed behind a two dimensional looking fake log. The log has height and width in the same way that a miniature brick wall has height and width, but it does not extend over and around the cans of fuel. The log has no more depth than a miniature brick wall.
As a result, fire rises from behind the two dimensional looking fake log. The fire does not have individual, multiple flames that peak and flutter in between and from underneath logs and twigs of various sizes. The over-all effect, therefore, does not look like a fire in a real fireplace.
In addition, this system inconveniently uses multiple cans of fuel, as opposed to a convenient, single piece, disposable, fuel cartridge, whose configuration can be varied to produce different types of fires.
Moreover, the cans of fuel used in this system are meant to burn about two to three hours, although there are variations in burn time from can to can. Because the cans are meant to burn about two to three hours, if a consumer wants a one hour fire, for example, the fire in the cans has to be extinguished about half way through the fire. Then the cans have to be resealed. If the cans are not resealed the fuel remaining therein will evaporate and may also give off odors.
Another drawback is that even if the consumer wishes to burn the entire contents of each can of fuel, because the burn time of each can vary, two cans can go out when their fuel is exhausted, leaving only one can of fuel still burning. The fire produced by this single remaining can will be small and unsatisfying and will not resemble the fire of a real fireplace.
Type 2: The Multi-Piece System
Fireplaces sold by the Sunsor Division of “2 Burn, Inc”, of West Allis, Wis., are typical of this system. It also uses multiple cans of fuel that are placed behind and underneath a series of pieces of fake logs. Although this system can result in a fire that peaks in between pieces of logs, it suffers from other drawbacks, such as: (1) the consumer still has to open, light, and perhaps subsequently reseal multiple cans of fuel; (2) the consumer has to physically handle or place multiple pieces of fake logs over or around the cans of fuel, and move these logs every time access to the series of cans is required, such as for resealing the cans; (3) every time the pieces of fake logs are physically moved into or out of position there is a possibility that one or more pieces will drop out of position and break; (4) the use of multiple cans of fuel and multiple pieces of fake logs is inconvenient when compared to the use of a one piece disposable fuel cartridge and a one piece logset.
In addition, because these cans of fuel are also meant to burn about two to three hours, again, the consumer cannot chose a one hour fire without moving the log pieces in the middle of the fire, manually extinguishing the fire, resealing the cans and then manually placing the log pieces back in position.
Also, if the consumer wishes to burn the entire contents of each can of fuel, several cans will go out when their fuel is exhausted. This will leave only one can of fuel still burning. Again, the fire produced by this sole remaining can will be small and unsatisfying and will not resemble a real fireplace fire.
Type 3: Pourable Fuel System
The fireplaces sold by La Flame Industries Inc., located near Minneapolis, Minn., are typical of this type. They use a burner system generally discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,478, to Hilker. This system does not use cans of fuel, but rather, uses fuel which has to be poured from its original container into one or more special receptacles underneath and/or behind one or more fake logs. This system requires the storage, in the consumer's home, of a partially filled original container of fuel that has been opened and partially used. In addition, because liquid fuel has to be poured from its original container there is a possibility of fuel spillage. Moreover, when used with a two dimensional type, “miniature brick wall” fake log, systems that use pourable fuel do not create a fire with individual flames that peak and flutter in between and from underneath logs and twigs. This critical element is required in order to simulate a realistic looking fireplace fire.
Disadvantages Common to the Prior Art
Some of the same drawbacks, and others, are also apparent in prior patents for simulated fireplace burners. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,600, to Meyers, describes a fireplace simulation unit that burns multiple cans of fuel, as opposed to fuel in a one piece disposable cartridge that can produce different types of fires. Moreover, according to this patent, this system requires an “elongated light bulb”, a “reflection wheel”, “reflection strips” and an “amber-red colored lens” to produce the “illusion” of a realistic fire.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,781, to Fischer, for a “containerized fuel fireplace insert” is primarily designed, in the words of this patent's abstract, to provide “for easy ignition and replacement of fuel containers and controlling the burning rate of fuel.” It uses multiple cans of fuel and does not describe the use of a single, disposable, pre-manufactured fuel cartridge whose configuration can be varied to produce fires of different duration and size. Nor does it use a single piece logset that melds together logs and twigs of various sizes and shapes. Nor does the patent describe a fire with multiple flames that peak and flutter in between and from underneath the logs and twigs. Instead,
Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,372, to Mogol, does not use a one piece, premanufactured, disposable fuel cartridge. Instead, it uses pourable liquid fuel that has to be stored in a consumer's home in its original container. Moreover, this patent does not describe or illustrate a one piece logset with various logs and twigs of different sizes melded together so that fire peaks and flutters in between and from underneath the logs and twigs.
Along the same lines, U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,478, to Hilker, describes a system that uses a liquid fuel supply, as opposed to a one piece, premanufactured, disposable fuel cartridge. Moreover this patent states it uses a “hand operated valve” to control the flow of the liquid fuel. In addition, the patent does not use a one piece logset. Instead, the patent states that it employs “a plurality of non-combustible logs”.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,905, also to Meyers, states that it employs multiple “canisters” of fuel along with multiple “log pieces”. This patent does not describe the use of a one piece logset and a single, disposable fuel cartridge. Instead, this patent says it uses “a fluorescent light fixture” and a “glass covered cutout” to create the illusion of a real fireplace fire.
Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,490, again to Hilker, does not describe a fire with multiple flames peaking and fluttering in between and from underneath a series of differently shaped logs and twigs. Rather, this system uses a large fake log which is hollowed out for holding fuel. This system does not use a pre-manufactured and disposable fuel cartridge. Instead, it requires fuel to be poured into the hollow log. Holes in the hollow log allow fire to rise from above the surface of the log but there is no fire from underneath the log and no fire in between logs. Similar drawbacks exist in another version of a hollow log described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,430, to Forker.
The objects and advantages of the hearth illuminator described herein are:
Further objects and advantages are to provide a system for illuminating hearths in either simulated or real fireplaces with a realistic looking fire that is produced with a maximum of convenience by using a single piece, premanufactured, disposable fuel cartridge insert, along with a single piece logset.
Still further objects and advantages are to produce the above result with a simple two piece system, consisting of a logset and fuel cartridge, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. This system produces a realistic looking fire that peaks and flutters in between and from underneath the logset, but without valves, electric lights, multiple cans of fuel, multiple pieces of logs or the other components in the prior art or in known presently available systems.
Yet another advantage is to provide a fire that self extinguishes in a uniform fashion, with all the flames going out within a close time proximity to each other, as the last of the fuel in the one piece fuel cartridge is consumed.
In accordance with the present invention a hearth illumination system for use in simulated or real fireplaces that uses a one piece disposable fuel cartridge, in conjunction with a one piece logset, to produce multiple flames that peak and flutter in between, and from underneath, differently shaped logs and twigs, where the disposable fuel cartridge is capable of being configured in different ways so as to produce fires with different characteristics.
The presently preferred embodiment of the Hearth Illuminator is illustrated in the figures.
The fuel cartridge 19 consists of front and back walls 20, sidewalls 21 and a top 22. The top 22 also has a lid 22b. When the lid 22b is removed a fuel exit aperture 23 is created which exposes the fuel 24 to ambient oxygen.
The logset 25 has multiple openings 26a-g to allow multiple flames in between logs. For example, the figures depict seven such openings, although this number can vary.
As shown in
Operation
To operate the hearth illuminator in accordance with the present invention one removes the lid 22b from the fuel cartridge 19 thereby exposing the alcohol gel fuel 24.
The manufacture of alcohol gel fuel is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such manufacturing procedures are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,379 to Browning and in the patents cited therein. Similarly, the manufacture of thin gauge metal cartridges is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thin gauge metal is used for soda cans, disposable broiler pans, cans that hold buffet table warming fuel and similar items.
The fuel cartridge 19 is centered underneath the logset 25, as show in
The alcohol gel fuel 24 is then ignited. This will produce multiple flames 38a-c which will peak and flutter in between and from underneath the logs and twigs of the logset 25, the way flames come from underneath and in between logs in a real fireplace. When the all of the alcohol gel 24 in the fuel cartridge 19 has burned the fuel cartridge 19 is simply thrown away.
Variations in the configurations and measurements of both the fuel cartridge 19 and the one piece logset 25 can result in variations in operation. Variations in the fuel cartridge 19 that have larger fuel exit apertures 23 will expose more fuel 24, resulting in more, and/or larger, flames 38a-c. Likewise, smaller fuel exit apertures 23 will expose less fuel 24, resulting in smaller, and/or fewer, flames. Assuming fuel cartridges 19 holding identical amounts of fuel, the smaller and/or fewer flames will burn longer than larger and/or more numerous flames, and vice versa.
Aside from varying the absolute and relative dimensions of the fuel cartridge 19 and its fuel exit aperture(s) 23, variations are also possible in the size and shape of the logset 25, as well as the number, size and shape of its flame exit openings 26a-g. These variations can produce different fires with more (or fewer) flames that can be larger (or smaller) and can last for longer or (shorter periods) of time.
All the alternative embodiments, however, share the same key features of the invention. Specifically, they will all employ a single, premanufactured, disposable fuel cartridge 19, sitting underneath a single piece logset 25 with multiple flame exit openings, configured to produce multiple flames emanating from in between and underneath the logset.
Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the specific measurements of the exemplar fuel log and logset illustrated in the figures.
Advantages of the Present Invention
From the description above, a number of advantages of the Hearth Illuminator system, according to the present invention, become evident: