Fireplace heating unit

Claim 1

A fireplace type heat exchange unit comprising: in a single integral unit, a shroud constructed of heavy duty steel disposed adjacent a pre-existing fireplace opening in general air tight relationship therewith; a rearwardly extending heat exchange manifold secured to said shroud; an opening through said shroud communicating from the exterior thereof to the interior of said manifold; a plurality of heat exchange means communicatively secured at one end to the rear portion of the said manifold and extending to and communicating through said shroud at their opposite ends; an exterior ambient air inlet manifold disposed adjacent said heat exchange manifold and extending outwardly through said fireplace with one end of said inlet manifold opening to ambient exterior air and the other end being connected to said shroud, and opening from said air inlet manifold into the fireplace rearwardly of said shroud; securing means connectingly associated with the ambient air end of said air inlet manifold for retainingly securing said integral heat exchange unit within said fireplace; a generally air tight closure means hingedly secured to said shroud and including dog type locking means operatively associated therewith whereby ambient interior air is prevented from entering said fireplace, supporting air for fire combustion being supplied by exterior ambient air from the exterior ambient air inlet manifold; and blower means operatively connected to said opening in said shroud communicating to the interior of said heat exchange manifold whereby ambient interior air can be forced through the heat exchange manifold, the heat exchange means, and back out to heat said interior when a fire is burning in said fireplace.