Stoves and furnaces – Fireplaces or accessories – Fluid fuel
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-24
2001-07-17
Lazarus, Ira S. (Department: 3743)
Stoves and furnaces
Fireplaces or accessories
Fluid fuel
C126S09200C, C431S125000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260548
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a gas burner assembly, and, more particularly to a modular gas burning assembly that utilizes artificial logs to provide a decorative and realistic simulation of a real solid fuel fire.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To simulate the appearance of burning wood logs, it is well known in the art to utilize fireplace modules that burn gas and that utilize artificial log assemblies. The artificial log assemblies typically include several artificial logs of a ceramic or other refractory material designed to simulate the appearance of wood logs. A gas burner supplies a flammable gas underneath the artificial logs. The gas is burned to produce a flame in the vicinity of the logs. The fireplace can include a tank or reservoir for holding the flammable gas or can be connected to a remote gas source. Fireplaces utilizing artificial log assemblies provide heat and a pleasing appearance of a wood fire, while avoiding the inconvenience and associated lack of cleanliness which results from the loading of wood into and removal of ashes from conventional wood burning fireplaces.
It is desirable in the design and construction of gas log fireplaces to provide artificial logs that look like real wood logs and to provide gas flames which closely simulate the flames produced by burning wood so that an overall effect of burning wood is produced. It is known in the art that both the size and color of the flame, as well as the position of the flame relative to the logs, are important in producing a realistic simulation of a wood burning fire. Manufacturers of prior art gas log assemblies have sought to provide gas log fireplaces that provide high heat output, high combustion efficiency, with minimal soot and noxious gases produced by combustion, at a minimal cost.
Despite advances made in the art over the years, prior art gas log fireplaces continue to exhibit various disadvantages including an unrealistic appearance, low heat output, low combustion efficiency, maintenance difficulty and excessive complexity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a gas operated fireplace module that overcomes some of the aforementioned shortcomings exhibited by prior art gas burner fireplace modules. Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an improved gas burner fireplace module is provided. The module includes a ceramic support base that further includes a plurality of upstanding protuberants disposed thereon. The module further includes at least one ceramic fuel log disposed on the upper surface of the ceramic support base and a gas burner arranged so that flames emitted therefrom play onto the surface of the support base, the logs, and the protuberants. Preferably, the ceramic support base and the underside surfaces of the logs include a plurality of integral “artificial” coals demarcated thereon. Preferably these coals are separated by a plurality of irregularly shaped and non-linear grooves. Preferably, the various components of the module are fixedly connected.
Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description and drawings wherein there is described and shown a preferred embodiment of this invention in one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
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Cocks Josiah C.
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Lazarus Ira S.
Wade Holdings, Inc.
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