Fireplace

Claim 1

A heater for circulating air and adapted to be disposed within a fireplace provided with a flue said heater comprising an upper portion and a lower portion:- the upper portion including: (a) a firebox capable of receiving fuel, having a closable front opening and adapted to be connected to said flue; (b) an intermediate housing disposed about, and spaced from, said firebox so as to define a plenum chamber intermediate said firebox and said housing; (c) at least one primary flow chute within said housing adjacent one side thereof; (d) an outer housing disposed about, and spaced from, said intermediate housing so as to define an outer plenum chamber between said pair of housings; and (e) at least one dampered vent leading from said outer plenum chamber to said firebox; the lower portion including: (f) an air chamber located beneath said upper portion and in communication with the outer plenum chamber as well as with atmospheric air and ambient air; (g) damper means for regulating the amount of atmospheric air admitted to the air chamber; (h) at least one adjustable vent for regulating the amount of ambient air admitted to the air chamber; and (i) a fan within the air chamber for forcing the air admitted thereto into the outer plenum chamber where a portion of the air is metered through said dampered vent to the firebox for combustion purposes and where the balance of said air is forced from said outer plenum chamber, through the chutes into the intermediate plenum chamber and from the latter over the heated surfaces of the firebox and from said heater to the area to be heated.