Prefabricated convertible fireplace
AssigneeMinpro Supply, Incorporated
InventorsRobert L. Bailey, Kenneth L. Howell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A prefabricated fireplace structure is convertible to function as an open fireplace or an enclosed, solid fuel burning stove. An outer fireproof cabinet for installation in existing building framing or new construction, receives a selected compatible firebox in the form of a log-burning fireplace or a substantially enclosed wood/coal-burning stove. The selected firebox includes a damper and an exhaust outlet therein, which exhaust outlet is connected to a flue pipe in the outer cabinet. A unique connecting device secures the selected firebox in the cabinet and further includes a means for sealing the connection of the exhaust outlet to the flue pipe inlet.
Claims10
A prefabricated fireplace structure for installation within the wall structure of existing building framing or new construction, and convertible between a first configuration incorporating an open fireplace and a second configuration incorporating an enclosed stove;
- said fireplace structure comprising:
- (a) an insulating cabinet fixed within said wall structure for receiving and housing a selected one of a plurality of types of compatible fireboxes;
- said insulating cabinet having insulated top, bottom, side and rear walls, an open front, and a plurality of support members secured to said bottom wall and extending from front to rear on which said selected firebox rests;
- (b) conduit means associated with one of said insulating cabinet walls for connecting said insulating cabinet to an associated chimney for exhausting combustion gases to the outside of the building;
- and
- (c) a firebox completely separable as a unit and slidably resting on said support members in said insulating cabinet, said firebox including an exhaust outlet in opposed relationship to said conduit means;
- and a connecting means for releasably connecting the exhaust outlet of said firebox to the conduit means interiorly of said insulating cabinet, and a sealing means for substanially forming a releasale, sealed connection between said exhaust outlet and said conduit means.
A prefabricated fireplace structure according to claim wherein said connecting means comprises:
- (a) said conduit means having an inwardly turned shoulder on the lower end thereof;
- (b) a clamping device operatively engaged between said horizontal shoulder and firebox for retaining said shoulder in said exhaust outlet;
- (c) means for adjusting said clamping device to pull said shoulder into said exhaust outlet;
- and
- (d) a gasket positioned between said shoulder of said conduit and the surface said wall surrounding said exhaust outlet to prevent escape of fumes through the juncture thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.