Fire effect appliance

• US 6,769,906 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James E. Grove, Raymond M. Carter, Vong Siew Fun
• Original Assignee: James E. Grove, Raymond M. Carter, Vong Siew Fun
• Inventors: Carter, Raymond M., Fun, Vong Siew, Grove, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): COCKS, JOSIAH C
• Application Number:
  US10/214,973
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 431/326, 431/328, 431/126, 431/170, 431/7, 431/125, 431/354, 431/350, 126/512, 126/500, 126/519, 126/92.R, 126/110.D, 126/116.R
• US Class Current: 431/326
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/28 in association with a gaseous fuel source, e.g. acetylene generator, or a container for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 3/006 simulating flames

Abstract

A fire effect appliance which utilizes a bowl to which is to be supplied a flammable gas. The internal chamber of the fire bowl includes a diffusing device which is to function to evenly distribute the gas throughout a particulate matter contained within the internal chamber of the fire bowl. The fire bowl can be placed on a freestanding stand or mounted within a table. A fan and shroud can be mounted in conjunction with the fire bowl for the purpose of propelling the heated air exteriorly of the fire bowl so the appliance can also function as a heater.

Claims

1. A fire effect appliance comprising:

a fire bowl having an internal chamber;

a plate placed within said internal chamber and resting on said fire bowl, a gas supply chamber formed between said plate and said fire bowl;

a quantity of particulate matter substantially filling said internal chamber covering said diffusing means, said particulate matter having a substantially level top surface;

a center hole formed in said fire bowl, a discharge nozzle mounted within said center hole, said discharge nozzle having a through hole, said through hole connecting with said gas supply chamber, said through hole to connect with a source of flammable gas through which flammable gas is to flow into said gas supply chamber;

said plate having a bottom surface which faces said fire bowl, a centrally mounted protruding pin being mounted on said bottom surface, said centrally mounted protruding pin is to fit within said through hole to correctly align the position of said plate relative to said fire bowl with the flammable gas to be conducted around said pin into said gas supply chamber; and

whereby as flammable gas is supplied to said gas supply chamber and flows in conjunction with said plate into said internal chamber the gas becomes substantially evenly dispersed through said particulate matter and when ignited produces a dancing flame effect on said top surface.

2. The fire effect appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said fire bowl being mounted in conjunction with a table.

3. The fire effect appliance as defined in claim 2, wherein:

said table having a hole, said fire bowl being mounted within said hole.

4. The fire effect appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a gas bottle being attached to said fire bowl, said gas bottle connecting with said center hole.

5. The fire effect appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said fire bowl being mounted on a shroud, there being a gap area between said shroud and said fire bowl, an electrically operated fan connected to said shroud to move air across said fire bowl and exteriorly of said fire bowl.

6. The fire effect appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said fire bowl being mounted on a stand, said stand being adapted to be located on a supporting surface.

7. The fire effect appliance as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said plate having a diameter which is within the range of fifty-seven to sixty percent of the largest diameter of the internal chamber of the fire bowl.

8. The fire effect appliance as defined in claim 7, wherein:

said particulate matter having a depth of between fourteen to eighteen percent of the largest diameter of the internal chamber of the fire bowl.