US4573905A — Burner unit for fireplace simulation

Claim 1

Independent Claim 249 words

A burner unit particularly adapted for use in a nonvented enclosure, said unit comprising: a base with enclosed light source, a base plate connecting with and positioned over said base with said plate formed with a cutout having an irregular front edge, glass means positioned in said cutout to provide upward illumination from said light source and to produce in part a visual glowing ember effect, grate means attached to said base plate above said cutout, a fuel cell having a container portion connecting with said grate means and a lid portion having slides operatively connecting with guides attached to sides of said container portion to allow or preclude access to said fuel cell container portion, and vent means formed in said fuel cell container portion and said lid to allow air circulation about fuel canisters disposable in said fuel cell container portion, wherein during use of said burner unit fuel in said canisters may burn to produce heat with a temperature of said fuel, said fuel canisters and said fuel cell regulated by said air circulation, and light from said light source passing through said glass means to reflect from rock pieces disposable on said glass means may visually simulate glowing embers under said grate means, and during non-use of said burner unit said fuel cell lid may be positioned to enclose said container portion and limit said circulation of air sufficiently to inhibit combustion therein while allowing air circulation sufficient to vent said fuel cell as required.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 249 words

A burner unit particularly adapted for use in a nonvented enclosure, said unit comprising: a base with enclosed light source, a base plate connecting with and positioned over said base with said plate formed with a cutout having an irregular front edge, glass means positioned in said cutout to provide upward illumination from said light source and to produce in part a visual glowing ember effect, grate means attached to said base plate above said cutout, a fuel cell having a container portion connecting with said grate means and a lid portion having slides operatively connecting with guides attached to sides of said container portion to allow or preclude access to said fuel cell container portion, and vent means formed in said fuel cell container portion and said lid to allow air circulation about fuel canisters disposable in said fuel cell container portion, wherein during use of said burner unit fuel in said canisters may burn to produce heat with a temperature of said fuel, said fuel canisters and said fuel cell regulated by said air circulation, and light from said light source passing through said glass means to reflect from rock pieces disposable on said glass means may visually simulate glowing embers under said grate means, and during non-use of said burner unit said fuel cell lid may be positioned to enclose said container portion and limit said circulation of air sufficiently to inhibit combustion therein while allowing air circulation sufficient to vent said fuel cell as required.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 221 words

A ventless fireplace assembly for use in a furniture piece or a dwelling wall opening, said assembly comprising: a double wall enclosure carried on a base, an electrical fixture positioned in said base to create an upward illumination through a cutout formed in a bottom plate in said enclosure, and a burner unit having a base plate carried on said enclosure bottom plate with said base plate having a cutout aligning with said enclosure bottom plate cutout, a raised lip formed about said base plate cutout to hold a tinted transparent member to add color to said illumination, and a fuel cell carried on a series of grate bars attached to frames on said burner unit base plate, said fuel cell having a lid slidable to a first position to provide a clear opening to a container portion of said fuel cell or to a second position to enclose an inner space of said container portion, with said fuel cell including vents to allow circulation of air into and out of said fuel cell with said lid in said first or said second position, wherein a non-toxic burning fuel may be ignited and burned in said fuel cell to emit heat from a face opening of said enclosure with external surfaces of said enclosure remaining at a safe temperature to touch.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 221 words

A ventless fireplace assembly for use in a furniture piece or a dwelling wall opening, said assembly comprising: a double wall enclosure carried on a base, an electrical fixture positioned in said base to create an upward illumination through a cutout formed in a bottom plate in said enclosure, and a burner unit having a base plate carried on said enclosure bottom plate with said base plate having a cutout aligning with said enclosure bottom plate cutout, a raised lip formed about said base plate cutout to hold a tinted transparent member to add color to said illumination, and a fuel cell carried on a series of grate bars attached to frames on said burner unit base plate, said fuel cell having a lid slidable to a first position to provide a clear opening to a container portion of said fuel cell or to a second position to enclose an inner space of said container portion, with said fuel cell including vents to allow circulation of air into and out of said fuel cell with said lid in said first or said second position, wherein a non-toxic burning fuel may be ignited and burned in said fuel cell to emit heat from a face opening of said enclosure with external surfaces of said enclosure remaining at a safe temperature to touch.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 193 words

A burner unit comprising: a base plate, an inner and outer support frame each having a pair of spaced apart legs attached to said base plate and a cross member connecting with said legs, a set of grate bars equispaced on said frames with said bars having upright segments forming a front holding means and horizontal extensions connecting with said segments, a fuel cell assembly having a container portion attached to said grate bar extensions, an angle shaped guide attached one each to sidewalls of said container portion and extending to a rear of a rear wall of said container portion and a lid having channel shaped slides in operative engagement with said guides to allow said lid to cover said container portion or provide clear access to an inner space of said container portion, and vents formed in said container portion rear wall and a top wall of said lid, a transparent member having edges carried in a raised lip portions formed about a cutout in said burner base plate, and a light fixture connecting with said base plate beneath said cutout to illuminate said transparent member to a glowing ember-like color.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 193 words

A burner unit comprising: a base plate, an inner and outer support frame each having a pair of spaced apart legs attached to said base plate and a cross member connecting with said legs, a set of grate bars equispaced on said frames with said bars having upright segments forming a front holding means and horizontal extensions connecting with said segments, a fuel cell assembly having a container portion attached to said grate bar extensions, an angle shaped guide attached one each to sidewalls of said container portion and extending to a rear of a rear wall of said container portion and a lid having channel shaped slides in operative engagement with said guides to allow said lid to cover said container portion or provide clear access to an inner space of said container portion, and vents formed in said container portion rear wall and a top wall of said lid, a transparent member having edges carried in a raised lip portions formed about a cutout in said burner base plate, and a light fixture connecting with said base plate beneath said cutout to illuminate said transparent member to a glowing ember-like color.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 82 words

A burner unit as defined by claim 3 and further characterized by, an artificial log piece positioned on posts attached to said fuel cell lid, and rock pieces of a lava-like material placed on a top surface of said transparent member with a selective number of said pieces located adjacent to scallops formed on a front top edge of said raised lip portions, wherein said light passing through said transparent member reflects from said rock pieces thereon to glow as burning coals.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 43 words

A burner unit as defined by claim 3 and further characterized by, fuel canisters carried in said fuel cell container portion to hold fuel means combustible to form smokeless, non-toxic products, wherein said fuel means may be burned in a nonvented dwelling space.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 62 words

A burner unit as defined by claim 3 and further characterized by, an enclosure formed about said burner unit and connecting therewith, said enclosure having inner and outer walls spaced apart to define therebetween an insulating space with said walls forming a face opening for a hood projecting outward from said face and a screen to provide selective closure of said opening.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 136 words

A burner unit as defined by claim 3 and further characterized by, an enclosure having double sidewalls and a double top wall and a bottom plate connecting with said sidewalls to support said burner unit base plate, a front cutout formed in said enclosure bottom plate to provide access to said light fixture for installation of a lamp therein, a rear cutout formed in said enclosure bottom plate and separated from said front cutout a connecting segment with an upright flange for positioning a front edge of said transparent member with said enclosure bottom plate rear cutout being substantially aligned with said burner unit base plate cutout, and an insulating channel encasing edges of said transparent member to space surfaces of said member from said burner unit base plate and from said enclosure bottom plate respectively.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1989-03-03	1989-09-02	1990-03-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1993-03-03	1993-09-02	1994-03-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1997-03-03	1997-09-02	1998-03-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Burner unit for fireplace simulation

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