Flame simulating assembly

• US 6,615,519 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dimplex North America Ltd. (Glen Dimplex Plc)
• Original Assignee: Dimplex North America Ltd. (Glen Dimplex Plc)
• Inventors: Hess, Kristoffer
• Primary Examiner(s): GREEN, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US09/837,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20020023376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 404/28, 362/92, 362/253, 362/806, 392/348, 472/65
• US Class Current: 40/428
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/004 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/12 using special optical effects

Abstract

A flame simulating assembly is provided having a simulated fuel bed, a light source, and a screen having a partially reflective front surface disposed behind the simulated fuel bed for reflecting an image of the simulated fuel bed and for transmitting light from the light source through the partially reflective front surface so that an image of flames is transmitted through the partially reflective front surface. The flame simulating assembly also includes a static reflector disposed in front of the simulated fuel bed and having an inner surface disposed opposite an outer surface. The inner surface is disposed adjacent to the simulated fuel bed and has a static reflective surface thereon. The static reflective surface is positioned for reflecting light from the light source onto the simulated fuel bed to simulate burning embers.

Claims

1. A flame simulating assembly having:

a simulated fuel bed including a simulated ember bed and at least one simulated fuel element positioned over the simulated ember bed;

a bottom wall element, the simulated ember bed being positioned at least partially above the bottom wall element and directly attached to the bottom wall element;

the simulated ember bed and the bottom wall element at least partially defining a compartment;

a light source;

the simulated ember bed including a front portion positioned in a path of light from the light source and adapted to permit light to be transmitted therethrough;

a front wall positioned in front of the simulated fuel bed, the front wall including an at least partially light-transmitting panel; and

a static reflector attached to the bottom wall element and positioned outside the compartment and between the simulated ember bed and the front wall, the static reflector being positioned above the bottom wall element and in the path of light from the light source for reflecting light from the light source onto said at least one simulated fuel element.

2. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one simulated fuel element has at least one downwardly directed portion, the static reflector being positioned relative to said at least one downwardly directed portion for reflecting light from the light source onto said at least one downwardly directed portion.

3. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least one simulated fuel element additionally includes at least one partially reflective part positioned on said at least one downwardly directed portion of said at least one simulated fuel element in a path of light from the light source reflected from the static reflector, for reflecting light to simulate burning embers.

4. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said at least one partially reflective part includes at least one ember decal, said at least one ember decal being positioned on said at least one downwardly directed portion in a path of light from the light source reflected from the static reflector, for reflecting light to simulate burning embers.

5. A flame simulation assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein at least one ember decal is reddish in color, such that at least one ember decal simulates burning embers disposed on said at least one downwardly directed portion of said at least one simulated fuel element.

6. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said at least one partially reflective part is reddish in color, such that said at least one partially reflective part simulates burning embers disposed on said at least one downwardly direction portion of said at least one simulated fuel elememt.

7. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least one simulated fuel element resembles at least one log of wood.

8. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least one simulated fuel element resembles at least one piece of coal.

9. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the simulated ember bed is at least partially translucent.

10. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the static reflector has an inner side disposed opposite an outer side thereof, the static reflector being positioned such that the inner side is proximal to the simulated ember bed, the inner side having a static reflective surface thereon, and the outer side having non-reflective finish, whereby the static reflector resembles a fireplace grate.

11. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the static reflector includes a plurality of prongs disposed substantially parallel to each other and extending upwardly and disposed substantially along the static reflector, whereby the static reflector resembles a fireplace grate.

12. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the front portion of the simulated ember bed comprises an at least partially light-transmitting panel.

13. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 12 in which the front portion of the simulated ember bed comprises an at least partially translucent panel.

14. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the front portion of the simulated ember bed includes at least one aperture positioned in the path of tight from the light source between the light source and the static reflector.

15. A flame simulating assembly having:

a simulated fuel bed including a simulated ember bed and at least one simulated fuel element positioned on and above the simulated ember bed;

a light source;

a front reflector positioned in front of the simulated fuel bed and including a static reflective surface;

the static reflective surface being position below said at least one simulated fuel element and in a path of light from the light source to said at least one simulated fuel element;

at least one front light-transmitting portion included in the simulated ember bed and disposed in the path of light between the light source and the static reflective surface, to permit light to be transmitted from the light source to the static reflective surface;

said at least one simulated fuel element having at least one downwardly directed portion; and

the static reflective surface being positioned relative to said at least one downwardly directed portion for reflecting light from the light source onto said at least one downwardly directed portion.

16. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said at least one simulated fuel element additionally includes at least one partially reflective part positioned on said at least one downwardly directed portion in a path of light from the light source reflected from the front reflector, for reflecting light to simulate burning embers.

17. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein said at least one partially reflective part includes at least one ember decal, said at least one ember decal being positioned on said at least one downwardly directed portion in a path of light from the light source reflected from the front reflector, for reflecting light to simulate burning embers.

18. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein said at least one ember decal is reddish in color, such that said at least one ember decal simulates burning embers disposed on said at least one downwardly directed portion of said at least one simulated fuel element.

19. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein said at least one partially reflective part is reddish in color, such that said at least one partially reflective part simulates burning embers disposed on said at least one downwardly directed portion of said at least one simulated fuel element.

20. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein the front reflector has an inner side disposed opposite an outer side thereof, the front reflector being positioned such that the inner side is proximal to the simulated ember bed, the inner side having the static reflective surface positioned thereon, and the outer side having a non-reflective finish, whereby the front reflector resembles a fireplace grate.

21. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein the front reflector includes a plurality of prongs disposed substantially parallel to each other, extending upwardly, and disposed substantially along the front reflector, whereby the front reflector resembles a fireplace grate.

22. A flame simulating assembly having:

a simulated fuel bed including a simulated ember bed and at least one simulated log portion positioned on and above the simulated ember bed;

a light source;

a screen having a partially reflective front surface disposed behind the simulated fuel bed for reflecting an image of the simulated fuel bed and for transmitting light from the light source, the screen having a diffusing back member disposed behind the partially reflective front surface for diffusing and transmitting light from the light source through the partially reflective front surface;

a flicker element positioned in a path of light from the light source to the diffusing back member, the creating a fluctuating light;

a flame effect element positioned in a path of the fluctuating light to configure the fluctuating light, such that an image of flames is transmitted through the front surface of the screen;

a front reflector positioned in front of the simulated fuel bed and including a static reflective surface;

the static reflective surface being positioned below said at least one simulated log portion and in a path of light from the light source to said at least one simulated log portion;

at least one front light-transmitting portion included in the simulated ember bed and disposed in the path of light between the light source and the static reflective surface, to permit light to be transmitted from the light source to the static reflective surface;

said at least one simulated log portion having at least one downwardly directed portion; and

the static reflective surface being positioned relative to said at least one downwardly directed portion for reflecting light from the light source onto said at least one downwardly directed portion.

23. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein said at least one simulated log portion additionally includes at least one partially reflective part positioned on said at least one downwardly directed portion in a path of light from the light source reflected from the front reflector, for reflecting light to simulate burning embers.

24. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 23 wherein said at least one partially reflective part includes at least one ember decal, said at least one ember decal being positioned on said at least one downwardly directed portion in a path of light from the light source reflected from the front reflector, to simulate burning embers.

25. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 24 wherein said at least one ember decal is reddish in color, such that said at least one ember decal simulates burning embers disposed on the said at least one downwardly directed portion of said at least one simulated fuel element.

26. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 23 wherein said at least one partially reflective part is reddish in color, such that said at least one partially reflective part simulates burning embers disposed on said at least one downwardly directed portion of said at least one simulated fuel element.

27. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein the front reflector has an inner side disposed opposite an outer side thereof, the front reflector being positioned such that the inner side is proximal to the simulated ember bed, the inner side having the static reflective surface positioned thereon, and the outer side having a non-reflective finish, whereby the front reflector resembles a fireplace grate.

28. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein the front reflector includes a plurality of prongs disposed substantially parallel to each other, extending upwardly, and disposed substantially along the front reflector, whereby the front reflector resembles a fireplace grate.

29. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein the light source is disposed below the simulated fuel bed, and the flicker element is disposed behind the diffusing back member.

30. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 29 wherein the flame effect element is disposed between the flicker element and the diffusing back member.

31. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein the flame effect element is disposed between the flicker element and the diffusing back member.

32. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of electric light bulbs.

33. A flame simulating assembly having:

a simulated fuel bed including a simulated ember bed and at least one simulated fuel element, said at least one simulated fuel element being positioned over the simulated ember bed, the simulated ember bed including at least one front portion;

a bottom wall element, the simulated ember bed being positioned at least partially above the bottom wall element and directly attached to the bottom wall element;

the simulated ember bed and the bottom wall element at least partially defining a compartment;

a light source;

a front wall positioned in front of the simulated fuel bed, the front wall including an at least partially light-transmitting panel;

a screen having a partially reflective front surface disposed behind the simulated fuel bed for reflecting an image of said simulated fuel bed and fix transmitting light from said light source trough the partially reflective front surface such that an image of flames is transmitted through the partially reflective front surface; and

a static reflector attached to the bottom wall element and positioned outside the compartment and between the simulated ember bed and the front wall, said at least one front portion of the simulated ember bed being adapted to permit light to be transmitted therethrough and positioned in a path of light between the light source and the static reflector, the static reflector being positioned for reflecting light from the light source onto the simulated fuel bed.

34. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 33 wherein the simulated ember bed includes a plurality of light-transmitting parts, each of the light-transmitting parts in the simulated ember bed being positioned in a path of light from the light source to simulate burning embers.

35. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 34 wherein the light-transmitting parts in the simulated ember bed are translucent and reddish in color.

36. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 33 wherein said at least one front portion in the simulated ember bed is translucent and reddish in color.

37. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 36 wherein the screen additionally includes a back member disposed behind the partially reflective front surface for diffusing and transmitting light from the light source through the partially reflective front surface.

38. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 37 additionally including a flicker element positioned behind the diffusing back member and in a path of light from the light source to the diffusing back member, for causing the light to be a flickering light, whereby an image of flickering flames is transmitted through the partially reflective front surface.

39. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 38 additionally including a flame effect element positioned between the flicker element and the diffusing back member and in a path of flickering light, to configure the flickering light, whereby an image of flickering flames is transmitted through the partially reflective front surface.

40. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 39 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of electric light bulbs.

41. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 40 wherein said at least one simulated fuel element includes at least one downwardly directed portion having at least one partially reflective part thereon, the partially reflective part being positioned in a path of light from the light source reflected from the static reflective surface, for reflecting light to simulate burning embers.

42. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 41 wherein said at least one partially reflective part includes at least one ember decal, said at least one ember decal being positioned on said at least one downwardly directed portion in a path of light from the light source reflected from the static reflective surface, for reflecting light to simulate burning embers.

43. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 41 wherein said at least one partially reflective part is reddish in color, such that said at least one partially reflective part simulates burning embers disposed on said at least one downwardly directed portion.

44. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 42 wherein said at least one ember decal is reddish in color, such that said at least one ember decal simulates burning embers disposed on said at least one downwardly directed portion.

45. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 39 wherein the light source comprises at least one natural gas flame.

46. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 33 wherein said at least one simulated fuel element resembles at least one log of wood.

47. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 33 wherein said at least one simulated fuel element resembles at least one lump of coal.

48. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 33 wherein the static reflector has an inner side disposed opposite an outer side thereof, the static reflector being positioned such that the inner side is proximal to the simulated ember bed, the inner side having a static reflective surface thereon, and the outer side having a non-reflective finish whereby the static reflector resembles a fireplace grate.

49. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 33 wherein the static reflector includes a plurality of prongs disposed substantially parallel to each other and extending upwardly and disposed substantially along the static reflector, whereby the static reflector resembles a fireplace grate.

50. A flame simulating assembly as defined in claim 33 in which said at least one front portion of the simulated ember bed includes at least one aperture positioned in the path of light from the light source between the light source and the static reflector.