Synchronized flicker device

A simulated fireplace assembly including:

• (a) a housing;
• (b) a flame source disposed in the housing, the flame source comprising a simulated fuel bed, a screen positioned behind the simulated fuel bed, the screen having a front partially reflecting surface and a diffusing back surface, a light source, and a flicker element positioned in a path of light from the light source between the light source and the diffusing back surface, such that a simulated flickering flame is projected onto the screen, the simulated flickering flame having a varying intensity;
• (c) at least one lamp located in the housing in a position to produce ambient lighting effects on the front partially reflecting surface and the simulated fuel bed, said at least one lamp being adapted to provide light having a variable intensity, said ambient lighting effects resembling varying ambient light produced by flickering flames;
• (d) a control device operatively connected to said at least one lamp for varying the intensity of light emitted by said at least one lamp, to simulate varying ambient light produced by flickering flame;
• (e) the control device including at least one sensor for sensing the intensity of the simulated flickering flame and a control circuit operatively connecting said at least one sensor to said at least one lamp for causing the intensity of the ambient lighting effects produced by said at least one lamp to increase and decrease contemporaneously with increases and decreases respectively of the intensity of the simulated flickering flame sensed by said at least one sensor.