Fireplace having a damper-fuel gas supply interlock

Claim 2

A fireplace comprising a firebox, a fuel gas burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means including a solenoid located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; said burner being an L-shaped ribbon type burner having a burner port section extending horizontally across the firebox for substantially its entire transverse dimension, said burner including a mixer tube extending downwardly in the direction of the control compartment near one sidewall of the firebox; said fuel supply control means including a fuel gas spud extending upwardly to the mixer tube to supply same with fuel, and means responsive to the opening of the damper to actuate the solenoid to allow fuel to be supplied to said burner.

Claim 3

The fireplace of claim 1 wherein the L-shaped burner is removably supported within the firebox so that it can be lifted away from the fuel gas spud.

Claim 4

The fireplace of claim 1 wherein the forward section of the firebox bottom wall is removable for access to the control compartment.

Claim 5

The fireplace of claim 1 and further comprising means interlocking the damper and the solenoid of said fuel supply control means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position.

Claim 6

The fireplace of claim 4 wherein the damper is moved to and from its open position by means of a crank structure fulcrumed in the control compartment for moveMent in a vertical arc; said crank structure including a horizontal shaft extending in a front-to-rear direction, a handle extending upwardly from the shaft through a forward section of the firebox bottom wall, and a crank arm extending from the shaft adjacent the firebox rear wall.

Claim 7

The fireplace of claim 4 wherein the damper is carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from its open position.

Claim 8

The fireplace of claim 4 wherein the damper control means includes a manual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle.

Claim 9

The fireplace of claim 7 wherein the fuel supply control means comprises an electrically-controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable to open and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.

Claim 10

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means including a solenoid valve located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; and means for coupling the damper with the solenoid valve of said fuel supply means so that, in response to the movement of the damper, fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position.

Claim 11

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means including a solenoid valve located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; and means for coupling the damper with the solenoid valve of said fuel supply means so that, in response to the movement of the damper, fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position.

Claim 12

The fireplace of claim 9 wherein the damper is moved to and from its open position by means of a crank structure fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said crank structure including a horizontal shaft extending in a front-to-rear direction, a handle extending upwardly from the shaft through a forward section of the firebox bottom wall, and a crank arm extending from the shaft adjacent the firebox rear wall.

Claim 13

The fireplace of claim 9 wherein the damper is carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from its open position.

Claim 14

The fireplace of claim 9 wherein the damper control means includes a manual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle.

Claim 15

The fireplace of claim 12 wherein the fuel supply control means comprises, in addition to the valve, and an electric switch operable to open and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.

Claim 16

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; and means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its substantially open position, said interlocking means including a solenoid to control said fuel supply means and switch means operated in response to the movement of said manual control means to control the operation of said solenoid.

Claim 17

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; and means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its substantially open position, said interlocking means including a solenoid to control said fuel supply means and switch means operated in response to the movement of said manual control means to control the operation of said solenoid.

Claim 18

The fireplace of claim 14 wherein the damper is moved to and from its open position by means of a crank structure fulcRumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said crank structure including a horizontal shaft extending in a front-to-rear direction, a handle extending upwardly from the shaft through a forward section of the firebox bottom wall, and a crank arm extending from the shaft adjacent the firebox rear wall.

Claim 19

The fireplace of claim 14 wherein the damper is carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; said switch means being disposed in front of the flue for actuation upon movement of the shaft as the damper moves to and from its open position.

Claim 20

The fireplace of claim 14 wherein the damper control means includes a manual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle.

Claim 21

The fireplace of claim 17 wherein the aforementioned lever has a mechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.

Claim 22

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel gas burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; said burner being an L-shaped ribbon type burner having a burner port section extending horizontally across the firebox for substantially its entire transverse dimension, said burner including a mixer tube extending downwardly in the direction of the control compartment near one sidewall of the firebox; said fuel supply control means including a fuel gas spud extending upwardly to the mixer tube to supply same with fuel; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply control means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position; said manual control means including a manual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle; said fuel supply control means including an electrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable to open and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.

Claim 23

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel gas burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; said burner being an L-shaped ribbon type burner having a burner port section extending horizontally across the firebox for substantially its entire transverse dimension, said burner including a mixer tube extending downwardly in the direction of the control compartment near one sidewall of the firebox; said fuel supply control means including a fuel gas spud extending upwardly to the mixer tube to supply same with fuel; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply control means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position; said manual control means including a manual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle; said fuel supply control means including an electrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable to open and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.

Claim 24

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel gas burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; said burner being an L-shaped ribbon type burner having a burner port section extending horizontally across the firebox for substantially its entire transverse dimension, said burner including a mixer tube extending downwardly in the direction of control compartment near one sidewall of the firebox; said fuel supply control means including a fuel gas spud extending upwardly to the mixer tube to supply same with fuel; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply control means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position; the damper being carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from its open position.

Claim 25

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel gas burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; said burner being an L-shaped ribbon type burner having a burner port section extending horizontally across the firebox for substantially its entire transverse dimension, said burner including a mixer tube extending downwardly in the direction of control compartment near one sidewall of the firebox; said fuel supply control means including a fuel gas spud extending upwardly to the mixer tube to supply same with fuel; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply control means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position; the damper being carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from its open position.

Claim 26

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting comBustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position; the damper control means including a manual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle; the fuel supply control means comprising an electrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable to open and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.

Claim 27

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting comBustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position; the damper control means including a manual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle; the fuel supply control means comprising an electrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable to open and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.

Claim 28

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position; the damper being carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from its open position.

Claim 29

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position; the damper being carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from its open position.

Claim 30

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its fully open position; the damper control means including a manual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle; the fuel supply control means comprising an electrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable to open and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.

Claim 31

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its fully open position; the damper control means including a manual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle; the fuel supply control means comprising an electrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable to open and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.

Claim 32

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; and means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its fully open position; the damper being carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from its open position.

Claim 33

A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; and means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its fully open position; the damper being carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from its open position.