US 12,716,560 B2 · Flame simulating assembly with a reflective light system and a clear specular reflective panel

Abstract

A novel gas flame simulating assembly includes a fire media bed, a rear projection lighting system for flame effect on a rear imaging wall and a clear specular reflective panel which is clear enough to allow the viewer to see through it to see the flame simulation on the rear imaging wall, but reflective enough to specularly reflect the fire media bed to increase the perceived depth of the fire media bed and allow the flame effect to appear to arise up through the middle of the reflected media bed. The assembly may further include a forward lighting system to illuminate the underside of the fire media bed and an internal light shield which compartmentalizes the front and rear lighting systems so that the lighting colors do not bleed into one another. This flame simulating assembly may be utilized in fully assembled insert constructions or ready to assembly insert constructions.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A flame simulating assembly for a simulated fireplace insert comprising:

a firebed body having an upwardly open interior cavity;
a light transmissive fire media bed seated on top of a forward portion the firebed body, said light transmissive fire media bed having a bottom surface;
a flame screen seated on top of a rearward portion of the firebed body, the flame screen having a plurality of cutout flame segments formed therein;
a rotating flicker rod disposed within the interior cavity of the firebed body;
a rear light source disposed within the interior cavity, wherein the rear light source projects light forwardly toward the flicker rod and wherein said light reflects off the rotating flicker elements rearwardly and upwardly through the flame screen to project a glowing and flickering flame effect, and further projects light forwardly and upwardly onto the bottom surface of the light transmissive fire media bed to create a glowing fire media bed;
and
a specular reflective panel extending upward from the firebed body and positioned within the depth of the firebed body.

4 more elements

A flame simulating assembly for a simulated fireplace insert comprising:

a firebed body having an upwardly open interior cavity;
a light transmissive fire media bed seated on top of a forward portion the firebed body, said light transmissive fire media bed having a bottom surface;
a flame screen seated on top of a rearward portion of the firebed body, the flame screen having a plurality of cutout flame segments formed therein;
a rotating flicker rod disposed within the interior cavity of the firebed body;
an opaque light shield extending along a length of the interior cavity, the light shield being positioned forward of the flicker rod and extending upwardly and rearwardly over the top of the flicker rod whereby the light shield divides the interior cavity of the firebed body into rearward and forward cavities;
a rear light source disposed within the rearward cavity, wherein the rear light source projects light forwardly toward the flicker rod and wherein said light reflects off the rotating flicker elements rearwardly and upwardly through the flame screen to project a glowing and flickering flame effect, the light shield preventing light from the rear light source from entering the forward cavity;
a forward light source disposed within the forward cavity, wherein the forward light source projects light rearwardly and upwardly onto the bottom surface of the light transmissive fire media bed to create a glowing fire media bed, the light shield preventing light from the forward light source entering the rearward cavity;
and
a specular reflective panel extending upward from the firebed body and positioned within the depth of the firebed body.

6 more elements

A simulated fireplace insert comprising:

a foundation;
a face-frame at a front of the foundation;
a clear viewing panel within the face-frame;
a decorative firebox panel extending around outer peripheral side and rear edges of the foundation, said decorative firebox panel including a rear imaging wall;
and
a flame simulating assembly seated on the foundation comprising:
a firebed body having an upwardly open interior cavity;
a light transmissive fire media bed seated on top of a forward portion the firebed body, said light transmissive fire media bed having a bottom surface;
a flame screen seated on top of a rearward portion of the firebed body, the flame screen having a plurality of cutout flame segments formed therein;
a rotating flicker rod disposed within the interior cavity of the firebed body;
an opaque light shield extending along a length of the interior cavity, the light shield being positioned forward of the flicker rod and extending upwardly and rearwardly over the top of the flicker rod whereby the light shield divides the interior cavity of the firebed body into rearward and forward cavities;
a rear light source disposed within the rearward cavity, wherein the rear light source projects light forwardly toward the flicker rod and wherein said light reflects off the rotating flicker elements rearwardly and upwardly through the flame screen to project a glowing and flickering flame effect onto the rear imaging wall, the light shield preventing light from the rear light source from entering the forward cavity;
a forward light source disposed within the forward cavity, wherein the forward light source projects light rearwardly and upwardly onto the bottom surface of the light transmissive fire media bed to create a glowing fire media bed, the light shield preventing light from the forward light source entering the rearward cavity;
and
a specular reflective panel extending upward from the firebed body and positioned within the depth of the firebed body.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flame simulating assembly with a reflective light system and a clear specular reflective panel

Life of this patent

Flame simulating assembly with a reflective light system and a clear specular reflective panel

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19