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US 4,049,196 AGranted
Fireplace heater, circulator, and humidifier system
OwnerSamuel S. Bergami, Jr., Samuel S. Bergami, Sr.inventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
By providing a completely enclosed air heating and exchanging system which is quickly and easily mounted in a conventional fireplace and which incorporates a humidification unit, a unique fireplace heater, circulator and humidifier system is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the heater, circulator and humidifier system is mounted along the upper edge of the open fireplace hearth with the air circulation chamber of the system extending into the fireplace heating zone and a fan for driving the air through the system. Furthermore, if desired, the unit may incorporate a thermostat control for cycling the fan motor on and off to a desired temperature.
Claims2
A heater, circulator and humidifier system for installation in conventional fireplaces comprising:
- A. an enclosed air circulation chamber incorporating
- a. a forward, substantially rectangular hollow, air-conducting housing portion having a horizontal length slightly greater than the horizontal fireplace hearth opening and a vertical width substantially equal to the width of two bricks, thereby providing a housing portion which is dimensioned to be compatible with any conventional fireplace with a minimum of conspicuousness;
- and
- b. a substantially U-shaped in plan, hollow, air-conducting portion having forward, free open ends in air-conducting relationship with rear wall of the rectangular portion and rearwardly extending therefrom substantially perpendicularly to the rear wall of the rectangular portion;
- c. an overall substantially L-shaped configuration in a side elevation with the housing portion forming the base of the "L" and the U-shaped portion forming the vertical leg of the "L", adapted for installation in a fireplace with the "L" rotated 90.degree., whereby the entire air circulation chamber when installed in position provides a substantially flat horizontal planar lower surface extending from the front of the fireplace to the rear thereof;
- B. an inlet portal formed in said housing portion for directing air into said chamber;
- C. an outlet portal formed in said housing portion for directing air circulating within said chamber out of the chamber;
- D. an air circulation fan mounted in said housing portion in juxtaposed relationship with said inlet portal, whereby the air drawn from the room is drawn into said inlet portal and forced therefrom through the entire air circulation chamber, thereby providing a positive circulation pressure throughout;
- E. a humidification unit mounted within said housing portion in juxtaposed spaced relationship to said outlet portal and incorporating
- a. a water container mounted in said housing portion in juxtaposed spaced relationship to said outlet portal,
- b. a plurality of upstanding water absorbing members positioned in said water container and extending above the water level into the air flow path,
- c. a fill tube extending from an external surface of said housing portion into said water container, providing easy replacement of water into said container, and
- d. an elongated water level measuring stick cooperating with said fill tube for determining the level of water in said container;
- F. mounting means for securely maintaining said system along the lower horizontal row of bricks of said fireplace defining the open hearth and comprising
- a. brackets mounted to the top surface of said rearwardly extending substantially U-shaped portion, and
- b. screw clamp assemblies
- 1. threadedly engaged in said brackets for cooperative association with the rear surface of said housing portion, and
- 2. incorporating wing nuts mounted on one end thereof, enhancing the ease of manual rotation of said clamping bolts into their secure position;
- G. thermostat means for controlling the flow of heated air through said system depending upon the temperature thereof;
- and
- H. switch means connected to said air circulation means for manually controlling the air circulation.
18 more elements
A heater, circulator and humidifier system for installation in conventional fireplaces comprising:
- A. an enclosed air circulation chamber incorporating
- a. a forward, substantially rectangular hollow, air-conducting housing portion having a horizontal length slightly greater than the horizontal fireplace hearth opening and a vertical width substantially equal to the width of two bricks, thereby providing a housing portion which is dimensioned to be compatible with any conventional fireplace with a minimum of conspicuousness;
- and
- b. a substantially U-shaped in plan, hollow, air-conducting portion having forward, free open ends in air-conducting relationship with rear wall of the rectangular portion and rearwardly extending therefrom substantially perpendicularly to the rear wall of the rectangular portion;
- c. an overall substantially L-shaped configuration in a side elevation with the housing portion forming the base of the "L" and the U-shaped portion forming the vertical leg of the "L", adapted for installation in a fireplace with the "L" rotated 90.degree., whereby the entire air circulation chamber when installed in position provides a substantially flat horizontal planar lower surface extending from the front of the fireplace to the rear thereof;
- B. an inlet portal formed in said housing portion for directing air into said chamber;
- C. an outlet portal formed in said housing portion for directing air circulating within said chamber out of the chamber;
- D. an air circulation fan mounted in said housing portion in juxtaposed relationship with said inlet portal, whereby the air drawn from the room is drawn into said inlet portal and forced therefrom through the entire air circulation chamber, thereby providing a positive circulation pressure throughout;
- E. a humidification unit mounted within said housing portion in juxtaposed spaced relationship to said outlet portal and incorporating
- a. a water container mounted in said housing portion in juxtaposed spaced relationship to said outlet portal,
- b. a plurality of upstanding water absorbing members positioned in said water container and extending above the water level into the air flow path,
- c. a fill tube extending from an external surface of said housing portion into said water container, providing easy replacement of water into said container, and
- d. an elongated water level measuring stick cooperating with said fill tube for determining the level of water in said container;
- F. mounting means for securely maintaining said system along the lower horizontal row of bricks of said fireplace defining the open hearth and comprising
- a. a bracket mounting to said housing portion and rearwardly extending therefrom, and
- b. adjustable leg members extending from said brackets to the floor of the open hearth of said fireplace;
- G. thermostat means for controlling the flow of heated air through said system depending upon the temperature thereof;
- and
- H. switch means connected to said air circulation means for manually controlling the air circulation.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.