US6047489A — Flame simulating assembly and components therefor

Claim 1

Independent Claim 149 words

A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source; a light diffusing screen; and a flame effect element formed of a single sheet of a substantially opaque material defining a plurality of openings for facilitating the passage of light from said light source through said sheet to said screen to produce a moving flame effect; at least one flicker element having at least one reflective surface said flicker element being located in said assembly a position that permits light from said light source to reflect from said at least one reflective surface through said openings in said flame effect element onto said screen to produce a flame effect; means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen; and an adjustment knob protruding from a housing for said assembly, said knob being connected to said flame effect element, and said knob being lockable into one of a plurality of positions.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 149 words

A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source; a light diffusing screen; and a flame effect element formed of a single sheet of a substantially opaque material defining a plurality of openings for facilitating the passage of light from said light source through said sheet to said screen to produce a moving flame effect; at least one flicker element having at least one reflective surface said flicker element being located in said assembly a position that permits light from said light source to reflect from said at least one reflective surface through said openings in said flame effect element onto said screen to produce a flame effect; means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen; and an adjustment knob protruding from a housing for said assembly, said knob being connected to said flame effect element, and said knob being lockable into one of a plurality of positions.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said openings comprise a plurality of slits that are elongate in a vertical direction.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 34 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said slits include longer slits located at a lower end of said sheet and smaller slits located at an upper end of said sheet.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flame effect element extends generally parallel to said screen.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 27 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said knob has a plurality of teeth for lockably engaging said housing in one of said positions.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screen has a partially reflecting surface opposing a diffusing surface, and further comprising a fuel bed positioned adjacent to said partially reflecting surface.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said partially reflecting surface of said screen has a substantially non-reflective matte finish at its upper end and a reflective finish at its lower end.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 156 words

A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source; a subatantially rigid flame effect element formed of a single sheet of a substantially opaque material sized to extend substantially fully across an area where a flame effect is desired, said sheet defining a plurality of openings for facilitating the passage of light from said light source to produce a moving flame effect; at least one flicker element having at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said light source through said flame effect element; a transparent screen having a diffusing surface, said flame effect element extending proximate to said diffusing surface wherein said transmitted light produces an image on the screen which resembles moving flames; means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen; and an adjustment knob protruding from a housing for said assembly, said knob being connected to said flame effect element, said knob being lockable into one of a plurality of positions.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 156 words

A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source; a subatantially rigid flame effect element formed of a single sheet of a substantially opaque material sized to extend substantially fully across an area where a flame effect is desired, said sheet defining a plurality of openings for facilitating the passage of light from said light source to produce a moving flame effect; at least one flicker element having at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said light source through said flame effect element; a transparent screen having a diffusing surface, said flame effect element extending proximate to said diffusing surface wherein said transmitted light produces an image on the screen which resembles moving flames; means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen; and an adjustment knob protruding from a housing for said assembly, said knob being connected to said flame effect element, said knob being lockable into one of a plurality of positions.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said flame effect element is substantially rigid.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said flame effect element extends generally parallel to said screen.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 17 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said knob has a plurality of teeth.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 34 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said screen has a partially reflecting surface opposing said diffusing surface, and further comprising a fuel bed positioned adjacent to said partially reflecting surface.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 35 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said partially reflecting surface of said screen has a substantially non-reflective matte finish at its upper end and a reflective finish at its lower end.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said openings comprise a plurality of slits that are elongate in a vertical direction.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 34 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said slits include longer slits located at a lower end of said sheet and smaller slits located at an upper end of said sheet.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 162 words

A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source; light diffusing screen; a blower for producing an airflow; a single sheet of a substantially opaque material sized to cover substantially all of a surface of said screen, said sheet being sufficiently lightweight and flexible to billow or ripple in response to said airflow, said sheet being located proximate to said screen without contacting said screen when moved by said airflow; a plurality of light passages defined in said sheet for facilitating the passage of light from said light source through said sheet to said screen to produce a moving flame effect; a flicker element having at least one reflective surface, said flicker element being rotatable about a generally horizontal axis and being located in said assembly at a position to facilitate light from said light source to reflect from said at one reflective surface through passages in said sheet to said screen; and means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 162 words

A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source; light diffusing screen; a blower for producing an airflow; a single sheet of a substantially opaque material sized to cover substantially all of a surface of said screen, said sheet being sufficiently lightweight and flexible to billow or ripple in response to said airflow, said sheet being located proximate to said screen without contacting said screen when moved by said airflow; a plurality of light passages defined in said sheet for facilitating the passage of light from said light source through said sheet to said screen to produce a moving flame effect; a flicker element having at least one reflective surface, said flicker element being rotatable about a generally horizontal axis and being located in said assembly at a position to facilitate light from said light source to reflect from said at one reflective surface through passages in said sheet to said screen; and means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 24 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said passages comprise a plurality of slits that are elongate in a vertical direction.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 34 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein said slits include longer slits located at a lower end of said sheet and smaller slits located at an upper end of said sheet.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 155 words

A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source; a light diffusing screen; a flame effect element formed of a single sheet of a substantially opaque material defining a plurality of light passages for facilitating the passage of light through said sheet to said screen to produce a moving flame effect, said sheet being sufficiently lightweight and flexible to billow or ripple in response to an airflow, and said sheet being located proximate to said screen without contacting said screen when moved by said airflow; means for producing an airflow for moving said sheet; a flicker element having at least one reflective surface, said flicker element being rotatable about a generally horizontal axis and being located in said assembly at a position to facilitate light from said light source to reflect from said at one reflective surface through passages in said sheet to said screen; and means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 155 words

A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source; a light diffusing screen; a flame effect element formed of a single sheet of a substantially opaque material defining a plurality of light passages for facilitating the passage of light through said sheet to said screen to produce a moving flame effect, said sheet being sufficiently lightweight and flexible to billow or ripple in response to an airflow, and said sheet being located proximate to said screen without contacting said screen when moved by said airflow; means for producing an airflow for moving said sheet; a flicker element having at least one reflective surface, said flicker element being rotatable about a generally horizontal axis and being located in said assembly at a position to facilitate light from said light source to reflect from said at one reflective surface through passages in said sheet to said screen; and means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein said passages comprise a plurality of slits that are elongate in a vertical direction.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 34 words

A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein said slits include longer slits located at a lower end of said sheet and smaller slits located at an upper end of said sheet.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-04-11	2003-10-11	2004-04-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-04-11	2007-10-11	2008-04-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-04-11	2011-10-11	2012-04-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Flame simulating assembly and components therefor

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