US4231349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fireplace heat exchanger unit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-11-13
•
Granted: 1980-11-04
•
Expires: 1998-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A fireplace heat exchanger unit including a forward section disposed outside of the fireplace and a rearward section disposed within the fireplace. The forward section provides upper air inlet openings for admitting cool air into an air inlet chamber and a pair of lower air outlet openings having electric blowers for discharging warmed air from air outlet chambers housing electric blowers. The rearward section is generally U-shaped and provides a duct connection between the inlet and outlet chambers. It is disposed about the heat source and the duct connection provides air heating chambers to warm the air during passage from the inlet to the outlet chambers.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith Livesay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:00
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24B; F24B1/00; F24B1/18; F24B1/185; F24B1/188; F24B1/1885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A fireplace heat exchanger unit for a fireplace providing a heat source and having opposed sidewalls, front and rear walls, a bottom wall, and an upper flue entry, said unit comprising: (a) a forward section including: (1) an upper, generally elongate horizontal portion providing an air inlet chamber having at least one air inlet opening for admitting air into said air inlet chamber, and (2) a pair of lower, generally vertical portions spaced lengthwise of and operatively attached to said upper portion and each providing an air outlet chamber having at least one air outlet opening for discharging air from said air outlet chamber, (b) a generally U-shaped rearward section spaced forwardly of said fireplace rear wall and including: (1) an upper portion providing an upper chamber connected to said air inlet chamber, (2) a pair of side portions providing side chambers connected between said upper chamber and an associated air outlet chamber, and (3) a rearward opening defined substantially by said upper and side portions, and communicating with said fireplace flue entry, and (c) a pair of blowers each mounted within an air outlet chamber for drawing air through said air inlet opening and into said air inlet chamber, through said upper and side chambers and into the air outlet chambers for discharge through said air outlet openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A fireplace heat exchanger unit for a fireplace providing a heat source and having opposed sidewalls, front and rear walls, a bottom wall, and an upper flue entry, said unit comprising: (a) a forward section including: (1) an upper, generally elongate horizontal portion providing an air inlet chamber having at least one air inlet opening for admitting air into said air inlet chamber, and (2) a pair of lower, generally vertical portions spaced lengthwise of and operatively attached to said upper portion and each providing an air outlet chamber having at least one air outlet opening for discharging air from said air outlet chamber, (b) a generally U-shaped rearward section spaced forwardly of said fireplace rear wall and including: (1) an upper portion providing an upper chamber connected to said air inlet chamber, (2) a pair of side portions providing side chambers connected between said upper chamber and an associated air outlet chamber, and (3) a rearward opening defined substantially by said upper and side portions, and communicating with said fireplace flue entry, and (c) a pair of blowers each mounted within an air outlet chamber for drawing air through said air inlet opening and into said air inlet chamber, through said upper and side chambers and into the air outlet chambers for discharge through said air outlet openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fireplace heat exchanger unit as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) said rearward section upper chamber and side chambers include inner faces directly exposed to the heat source in the fireplace.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fireplace heat exchanger unit as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) said forward section upper portion is generally triangular in cross section having an inclined front wall providing said air inlet openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fireplace heat exchanger unit as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) said forward section lower portion includes a pair of insulation chambers disposed between said air inlet chamber and said air outlet chambers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fireplace heat exchanger unit as defined in claim 4, in which: (e) said rearward section side chambers include lower openings disposed below said insulation chambers and connecting said side chambers to said air outlet chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fireplace heat exchanger unit as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) the blowers are thermostatically controlled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fireplace heat exchanger unit as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) said rearward section side portions are substantially perpendicular to said forward section and are spaced from the fireplace side walls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fireplace heat exchanger unit as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) said forward section upper and lower portions are disposed generally outside of the fireplace and the intermediate portion is disposed generally inside the fireplace.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fireplace heat exchanger unit as defined in claim 1, in which: (d) said rearward section side portions are spaced from said fireplace bottom wall to preclude burning out of the bottom part of said side portions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-04 | 1984-05-05 | 1984-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-04 | 1988-05-05 | 1988-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-04 | 1992-05-05 | 1992-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |