Proximity warning system for a fireplace

#The present invention relates to fireplaces. More particularly, the invention relates to a proximity warning system for a fireplace.

#Fireplaces have become increasingly commonplace in homes, businesses, and other buildings. A fireplace provides benefits including the generation of heat as well as an aesthetically-pleasing arrangement of flames, sounds, and smells. A fireplaces is typically mounted in a wall of a structure and may include one or more doors that allow access to an interior area of the fireplace where combustion occurs for activities such as, for example, providing combustible material and lighting a fire, if the fireplace is a wood-burning fireplace, or for lighting the pilot and starting the flames, if the fireplace is a gas fireplace.

#However, such access to the fireplace can create safety issues. For example, a person accessing the interior of the fireplace can be burned or otherwise injured by the flames. In addition, because the fireplace produces heat, it is possible for one or more exterior surfaces of the fireplace to become heated. These exterior surfaces of the fireplace also pose a risk of burns to individuals or damage to objects that come into contact with the surfaces. Current fireplace designs fail to provide a system or method to monitor an area surrounding a fireplace and to initiate an alarm when an individual or object enters an area proximate the fireplace that may be unsafe.

#The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a front view of an example fireplace including a first example embodiment of a proximity warning system made in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fireplace shown in FIG. 1 illustrating additional components comprising the first example embodiment of the proximity warning system;

#While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternant forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

#The invention is applicable to fireplaces. More particularly, the invention relates to a proximity warning system for a fireplace. While the present invention is not so limited, an appreciation of the various aspects of the invention will be gained through a discussion of the examples provided below.

#An example proximity warning system made in accordance with this invention may generally function to monitor a defined zone proximate a fireplace and generate an alarm when an object enters the defined zone. As used herein, the term “defined zone” indicates any area that is proximate to, or near, any portion of a fireplace that is exposed or accessible. The defined zone may increase or decrease in size depending on design characteristics and user requirements. The term “alarm” is used herein to denote any method of indicating when an object enters the defined zone, such as, for example, an audible alarm or a visual alarm. The term “object” as used herein denotes any physical object that may enter the defined zone proximate the fireplace. For example, the term “object” may include a person or other animal or may include inanimate objects as well.