Wood and gas fired furnace

A log burning furnace comprising:

• a combustion chamber;
• storage means proximal the chamber for storing a supply of wood log fuel for the furnace;
• means at least partially in the chamber for sensing the presence of a quantity of log fuel and for generating a signal responsive to said quantity reaching a predetermined minimum amount;
• log feeder means operably associated with the chamber and the storage means respectively for conveying logs individually into the chamber, said feeder means being operably coupled with the sensing means for automatically feeding a log into the chamber responsive to the generation of said signal by the sensing means means in the chamber for supporting said logs, said support means including a grate, means mounting said grate for vertical shifting movement, and spring means operably coupled with the grate biasing the latter toward the upper end of its path of travel, and wherein said sensing means includes an electrical switch operating means mounted for engagement by the grate in disposition to initiate said signal when the weight of logs on the grate falls below a level sufficient to maintain the grate below a predetermined position proximal the uppermost end of its path of travel,
• said switch operating means includes structure for operating the switch to deenergize the feeder means when the grate reaches a position spaced vertically below said predetermined position.