Lenticular fireplace

• US 6,880,275 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2001
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc. (HNI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hon. Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Lyons, David Charles, Mix, Devin Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): Jules, Frantz F.
• Application Number:
  US09/859,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20020170215A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 126/500, 126/512, 126/614, 126/698, 126/93, 368/806, 401/26, 404/54, 404/28, 404/48, 404/27, 404/42, 472/61, 472/63, 472/65, 359/279, 359/619, 359/245, 359/253, 359/252
• 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 lenticular fireplace and methods for simulating a fire within a fireplace are disclosed. In one respect, a fire is simulated with a lenticular screen. The lenticular screen includes a lenticular lens layer and an image layer, wherein the image layer comprises one or more images of a fire. A device is coupled to the lenticular screen that moves the lenticular screen to alter a viewed image of the fire. In another respect, the lenticular screen is disposed within a fireplace enclosure. In another respect, a fireplace includes a convertible heated glass apparatus. The apparatus is used in a front wall of an enclosure. The front wall includes an electrically conductive panel coupled to a phase change material. Electrical terminals are operatively connected to the electrically conductive panel for applying a voltage across the electrically conductive panel to heat the front wall and convert the phase change material from an opaque solid to a less opaque liquid to allow viewing through the front wall. In another respect, a flame simulation apparatus simulates a flickering flame effect on a translucent screen. The flame simulation apparatus includes the translucent screen having a front surface and a back surface, a bobble-flame, a device to move the bobble-flame, and a light source to reflect light off of the bobble-flame and onto the translucent screen. In another respect, a fireplace includes the lenticular screen, the convertible heated glass apparatus, and the flame simulation apparatus.

Claims

1. A fireplace for simulating a natural fire, comprising:

an enclosure defining an opening;

a front panel positioned to at least partially cover the opening; and

a lenticular screen viewable through the front panel, wherein the lenticular screen comprises a lenticular lens layer having a plurality of lenticule formed on a front surface of the lenticular lens layer, and an image layer disposed an a rear surface of the lenticular lens layer to simulate a fire.

2. The fireplace of claim 1, further comprising a device coupled to the lenticular screen that alters the position of the lenticular screen to change a viewed image of the fire.

3. The fireplace of claim 2, wherein the device comprises an electric drive motor operatively connected to a reciprocating mechanism to move the lenticular screen.

4. An apparatus for simulating a fireplace fire, the apparatus comprising:

a lenticular screen comprising a lenticular lens layer and an image layer disposed on a rear surface of the lenticular lens layer, wherein the image layer comprises one or more images of a fire; and

a device coupled to the lenticular screen that moves the lenticular screen to alter a viewed image of the fire.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the viewed image of the fire comprises logs, flames, and walls of a firebox.

6. A fireplace for simulating a natural fire, comprising:

an enclosure defining a chamber; and

a lenticular screen disposed within the chamber, wherein the lenticular screen comprises a lenticular lens layer and an image layer disposed on the lenticular lens layer to simulate a fire.

7. The fireplace of claim 6, further comprising a device coupled to the lenticular screen that alters the position of the lenticular screen to change a viewed image of the fire.

8. A fireplace, comprising:

an enclosure having a front wall, wherein the front wall comprises an electrically conductive panel coupled to a phase change material; and

electrical terminals operatively connected to the electrically conductive panel for applying a voltage across the electrically conductive panel to heat the front wall and convert the phase change material from an opaque solid to a less opaque liquid to allow viewing through the front wall.

9. The fireplace of claim 8, further comprising a second panel coupled to the electrically conductive panel, wherein the phase change material is disposed between the electrically conductive panel and the second panel.

10. The fireplace of claim 8, wherein the front wall generates radiant heat to heat a room.

11. A method for simulating a fire within an enclosure comprising the steps of:

disposing a lenticular screen within the enclosure, wherein the lenticular screen comprises a lenticular lens layer and an image layer disposed on a rear surface of the lenticular lens layer, the image layer comprising a fire image; and

moving the lenticular screen to change a viewable image of the fire generated by the fire image layer.

12. A method for selectively revealing items disposed within a fireplace enclosure comprising the steps of:

providing a front wall of the fireplace enclosure, wherein the front wall comprises an electrically conductive panel coupled to a phase change material; and

providing a voltage source coupled to the electrically conductive layer to heat the front wall and convert the phase change material from an opaque solid to a less opaque liquid to allow selective viewing through the front wall.

13. A fireplace for simulating a natural fire, comprising:

a front panel defining a front surface of the fireplace; and

a lenticular screen spaced apart from and viewable through the front panel, wherein the lenticular screen comprises a lenticular lens layer and an image layer disposed on the lenticular lens layer to simulate a fire.