SCREEN FOR GAS FIREPLACE WINDOW

Abstract

A means for avoiding the build up of a film on the inside surface of the transparent window of a gas fireplace comprises providing a mesh screen spaced a short distance of the inside surface. The mesh screen is believed to interrupt the flow of gases toward the window thereby preventing the build up.

Description

This application claims priority to Canadian Patent Application XXXXXXXX, filed 20 Mar. 2008, the specification of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to gas-burning fireplaces. In particular, this invention relates to a means of preventing the buildup of milky film on the inside of the transparent front panel of a gas-burning fireplace.

2. Description of the Related Art

A common but persistent problem with gas-burning fireplaces is the buildup on the inside surface of the front window of a milky or hazy film. The film detracts from the appearance of a fireplace and from the ability to appreciate the fire within.

While the cause of the film is not clearly known, some manufacturers have speculated that it is the result of the curing process of the paint and log sets used in the fireplaces. It has also been suggested that the white film deposit arises from additives used in the gas and reference has been made in industry literature to a mineral residue left from water vapor as the gas burns. Regardless of the cause, the film is perceived to be a problem and detrimental to the look of the fireplace.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention offers a solution to the film problem in gas fireplace windows.

The inventor has found that providing a mesh screen spaced a short distance from the inside surface of the transparent front panel of a gas-burning fireplace has the effect of preventing or alleviating the buildup of the film.

It is postulated that the effectiveness of the invention is due to the interruption or modification of the air flow from the inside of the fireplace towards the inside surface of the panel. However, the preferred and other contemplated embodiments are effective and the claims made herein are not dependent on a definitive understanding of why the invention works.

The foregoing was intended as a broad summary only. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Various aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the invention and to the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by reference to the detailed description of the invention and to the drawings thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the undesirable white film on the window panel of a gas-burning fireplace;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail cross-section of the means of securing the top of the screen to the window panel frame;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the mesh used in an embodiment of the invention; and,

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of the invention in a gas fireplace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the milky white haze or film 10 that tends to build on the inside of the window panel 12 of gas-burning fireplaces 14.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of the invention. According to the invention, a screen 16 is provided so as to substantially span the inside surface of the window panel 12 of the gas fireplace 14. As can be appreciated by reference to FIG. 4, the screen 16 is spaced from the inside surface 18 of the panel 12 by a short distance “d”. The screen 16 lies in a plane 20 that is substantially parallel to the plane 22 of the panel 12 so that a reasonably consistent spacing d between the panel and the screen is maintained. In one or more embodiments, the distance d is between ¼ and 1 inch but may be as much as 8 inches.

Referring to FIG. 4, the screen 16 is secured by means of a bent portion 24 of the peripheral screen frame 26 that is seated in a gap 28 between the window panel 12 and an inside shoulder 30 of the frame of the fireplace. It is contemplated that the screen can be made removable for replacement or cleaning if necessary.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the mesh size 40 of the screen 16 in one or more embodiments is approximately ¼ inch. However, it is contemplated that the mesh size will be effective between 1/16 and ⅜ of an inch.

In one or more embodiments, the screen is made of steel wire cloth mesh but other materials that are capable of withstanding the environmental conditions in the fireplace are likely to be equally effective, including notably Teflon™-coated fiberglass.

The parameters of mesh size and spacing d that will be effective for the purposes of the invention will be dependent on the size of the fireplace, the distance of the burners and log sets from the front panel and the air and gas flows within the fireplace. These vary with different fireplace designs and configurations, but in one or more embodiments and ranges discussed herein should be effective for the majority of commercial gas fireplaces on the market.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments have been described in some detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A gas-burning fireplace having a window panel for viewing an inside of said gas-burning fireplace, comprising a mesh screen spaced from an inside surface of the window panel for reducing a buildup of hazy film on the inside surface of said window panel during operation of said fireplace.

2. The gas-burning fireplace of claim 1 wherein said mesh screen is spaced from said inside surface of said window panel a distance of between ¼ inch and 8 inches.

3. The gas-burning fireplace of claim 1 wherein said mesh screen is spaced from said inside surface of said window panel a distance of between ¼ inch and 1 inch.

4. The gas-burning fireplace of claim 1 wherein said mesh screen is substantially planar and substantially spans the inside surface of said window panel.

5. A gas-burning fireplace having a window panel for viewing an inside of said fireplace, comprising a mesh screen spaced from an inside surface of the window panel for reducing a buildup of hazy film on the inside surface of said window panel during operation of said fireplace, said mesh screen having a mesh size of between 1/16 and ⅜ of an inch.

6. The gas-burning fireplace of claim 5 wherein said mesh screen is spaced from said inside surface of said window panel a distance of between ¼ inch and 8 inches.

7. The gas-burning fireplace of claim 5 wherein said mesh screen is spaced from said inside surface of said window panel a distance of between ¼ inch and 1 inch.

8. A mesh screen adapted to be installed on an inside of a gas-burning fireplace having a transparent panel, wherein said mesh screen is substantially planar, has a mesh size of between 1/16 and ⅜ of an inch and comprises means at least one edge of said mesh screen configured to retain said mesh screen in spaced relationship against an inside surface of said transparent panel.

9. The mesh screen of claim 8 wherein said means comprise a frame for said mesh screen, said frame comprising a bent portion adapted to fit within a gap between a window panel and a window panel frame of said fireplace.