Patents by Inventor J. Timothy French

J. Timothy French has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6129079
    Abstract: An artificial log is provided for use in a gas fireplace combustion chamber. A portion of the log outer surface has a charred appearance. When the fireplace is turned on and the log is heated, the log rotates to bring the charred surface in view from an open end of the fireplace combustion chamber so as to provide the appearance of a real wood log being burned. When the fireplace is turned off, the log rotates back to a position hiding the charred surface from view so as to have the appearance of a brand new log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Superior Fireplace Company
    Inventors: J. Timothy French, Samir E. Barudi
  • Patent number: 5906197
    Abstract: A vent free gas fireplace comprises a housing and a firebox within the housing spaced-apart from the housing walls to provide top, bottom, rear and side plenums. The side plenums are divided into upper and lower side plenums. Room air enters the lower side plenum and passes into the rear plenum, the combustion chamber and the upper side plenum. Exhaust gases pass from the combustion chamber through a catalytic converter and into the top plenum. The hot exhaust gases are combined with room air from the rear plenum and pass into the upper side plenums, combining with additional room air, and then out into the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Superior Fireplace Company
    Inventors: J. Timothy French, John R. Kelly, John M. Simonen, Samir E. Barudi
  • Patent number: 5755215
    Abstract: A closed-combustion gas fireplace having a glass panel and a means for reducing the temperature of the upper end of the glass panel is disclosed. The temperature reducing means comprises a downwardly depending baffle spaced apart from the upper end of the glass panel to form a channel within the combustion chamber adjacent the upper end of the glass panel. The channel reduces movement of hot gases adjacent the upper end of the glass panel thereby reducing the glass temperatures at that location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Superior Fireplace Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Mickens, J. Timothy French, Samir E. Barudi
  • Patent number: 5009221
    Abstract: A pre-built fireplace has a housing with an outlet for combustion gases and an open front for viewing the inside of the fireplace. A hinged damper and a hinged lintel extension are suspended from the inside of the fireplace. The damper and lintel extension are pivotally secured to each other so that when the damper is open, the lintel extension is in place to deflect combustion gases, and when the damper is closed, the lintel extension is pivoted substantially out of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Superior Fireplace Company
    Inventors: David O. Brazell, J. Timothy French