Abstract: A portable heater comprises a housing, a heating element, and a fuel supply. The fuel supply is preferably a liquid gas type wherein a valve assembly meters the gas to the heating element. A regulator is used to regulate flow of gas from the fuel source, and a connector assembly rotatably interconnects the regulator to the valve assembly. This rotatable connection allows the fuel source, typically in the form of a gas bottle, to be rotated away from the housing for easier removal and replacement of the gas bottle. Rotation of the regulator can be supported by use of a bracket which is attached to the regulator.

Abstract: A miniature patio heater is provided which has a total height of approximately 3 ft. and which has a shroud with a diameter less than 2 ft. The patio heater includes a base having a vertically extending chamber, which is approximately 1.5 ft. high, for receiving a small gas bottle. A hollow post extends upwardly from the upper end of the chamber. A heater assembly and shroud are supported at the upper end of the post. A gas line extends along the inside of the hollow post between the heater assembly and the chamber. A connector assembly provides a pivotal connection between the end of the gas line and a regulator connected to a gas bottle within the chamber. The chamber is provided with an access opening for inserting and removing the gas bottle. Thus, the gas bottle, with attached regulator, can be swung from a vertical upright position within the chamber outwardly through the access opening to an angular position to facilitate removal of an empty gas bottle and replacement with a full gas bottle.

Abstract: A miniature patio heater is provided which has a total height of approximately 3 ft. and which has a shroud with a diameter less than 2 ft. The patio heater includes a base having a vertically extending chamber, which is approximately 1.5 ft. high, for receiving a small gas bottle. A hollow post extends upwardly from the upper end of the chamber. A heater assembly and shroud are supported at the upper end of the post. A gas line extends along the inside of the hollow post between the heater assembly and the chamber. A connector assembly provides a pivotal connection between the end of the gas line and a regulator connected to a gas bottle within the chamber. The chamber is provided with an access opening for inserting and removing the gas bottle. Thus, the gas bottle, with attached regulator, can be swung from a vertical upright position within the chamber outwardly through the access opening to an angular position to facilitate removal of an empty gas bottle and replacement with a fall gas bottle.

Abstract: A miniature patio heater is provided which has a total height of approximately 3 ft. and which has a shroud with a diameter less than 2 ft. The patio heater includes a base having a vertically extending chamber, which is approximately 1.5 ft. high, for receiving a small gas bottle. A hollow post extends upwardly from the upper end of the chamber. A heater assembly and shroud are supported at the upper end of the post. A gas line extends along the inside of the hollow post between the heater assembly and the chamber. A connector assembly provides a pivotal connection between the end of the gas line and a regulator connected to a gas bottle within the chamber. The chamber is provided with an access opening for inserting and removing the gas bottle. Thus, the gas bottle, with attached regulator, can be swung from a vertical upright position within the chamber outwardly through the access opening to an angular position to facilitate removal of an empty gas bottle and replacement with a full gas bottle.

Abstract: A miniature patio heater is provided which has a total height of approximately 3 ft. and which has a shroud with a diameter less than 2 ft. The patio heater includes a base having a vertically extending chamber, which is approximately 1.5 ft. high, for receiving a small gas bottle. A hollow post extends upwardly from the upper end of the chamber. A heater assembly and shroud are supported at the upper end of the post. A gas line extends along the inside of the hollow post between the heater assembly and the chamber. A connector assembly provides a pivotal connection between the end of the gas line and a regulator connected to a gas bottle within the chamber. The chamber is provided with an access opening for inserting and removing the gas bottle. Thus, the gas bottle, with attached regulator, can be swung from a vertical upright position within the chamber outwardly through the access opening to an angular position to facilitate removal of an empty gas bottle and replacement with a full gas bottle.

Abstract: A miniature patio heater is provided which has a total height of approximately 3 ft. and which has a shroud with a diameter less than 2 ft. The patio heater includes a base having a vertically extending chamber, which is approximately 1.5 ft. high, for receiving a small gas bottle. A hollow post extends upwardly from the upper end of the chamber. A heater assembly and shroud are supported at the upper end of the post. A gas line extends along the inside of the hollow post between the heater assembly and the chamber. A connector assembly provides a pivotal connection between the end of the gas line and a regulator connected to a gas bottle within the chamber. The chamber is provided with an access opening for inserting and removing the gas bottle. Thus, the gas bottle, with attached regulator, can be swung from a vertical upright position within the chamber outwardly through the access opening to an angular position to facilitate removal of an empty gas bottle and replacement with a full gas bottle.

Abstract: A heating appliance including a firebox having an inlet and an outlet, the firebox inlet and outlet in communication with a space containing ambient air and within which the appliance is located. A gas burner is disposed within the firebox and provides a flame, the flame supported by ambient air entering the firebox through the firebox inlet, the flame producing products of combustion which exit the firebox throught the firebox outlet. A catalyst element is in communication with the firebox outlet, and at least a portion of the products of combustion which exit the firebox through the firebox outlet are directed through the catalyst element. At least some of the products of combustion directed through the catalyst element are catalyzed, the catalyzed products of combustion being directed into the space in which the appliance is located. A plenum is in thermal communication with the firebox.

Abstract: A miniature patio heater is provided which has a total height of approximately 3 ft. and which has a shroud with a diameter less than 2 ft. The patio heater includes a base having a vertically extending chamber, which is approximately 1.5 ft. high, for receiving a small gas bottle. A hollow post extends upwardly from the upper end of the chamber. A heater assembly and shroud are supported at the upper end of the post. A gas line extends along the inside of the hollow post between the heater assembly and the chamber. A connector assembly provides a pivotal connection between the end of the gas line and a regulator connected to a gas bottle within the chamber. The chamber is provided with an access opening for inserting and removing the gas bottle. Thus, the gas bottle, with attached regulator, can be swung from a vertical upright position within the chamber outwardly through the access opening to an angular position to facilitate removal of an empty gas bottle and replacement with a full gas bottle.

Abstract: A miniature patio heater is provided which has a total height of approximately 3 ft. and which has a shroud with a diameter less than 2 ft. The patio heater includes a base having a vertically extending chamber, which is approximately 1.5 ft. high, for receiving a small gas bottle. A hollow post extends upwardly from the upper end of the chamber. A heater assembly and shroud are supported at the upper end of the post. A gas line extends along the inside of the hollow post between the heater assembly and the chamber. A connector assembly provides a pivotal connection between the end of the gas line and a regulator connected to a gas bottle within the chamber. The chamber is provided with an access opening for inserting and removing the gas bottle. Thus, the gas bottle, with attached regulator, can be swung from a vertical upright position within the chamber outwardly through the access opening to an angular position to facilitate removal of an empty gas bottle and replacement with a fall gas bottle.

Abstract: A gas-fueled heating appliance having a system for reducing the amount of undesirable combustion products released to the site in which the appliance is installed. The appliance includes a firebox partially surrounded by a heat exchanger. Ambient air is drawn into the heat exchanger below the firebox and a portion of the ambient air enters the firebox to assist in combustion, and the remaining portion travels through the heat exchanger to be heated by convection before being combined with combustion gases exiting through the top of the firebox. The heat exchanger creates a low pressure area relative to the firebox which induces a draft from the firebox into the heat exchanger and ultimately to the ambient environment through an exit provided above the firebox. A carbon monoxide catalyst element is provided in the exit passageway from the firebox to the heat exchanger to oxidize carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and filter away airborne particulates which would otherwise be released to the ambient air.

Abstract: A gas-fueled heating appliance having a system for reducing the amount of undesirable combustion products released to the site in which the appliance is installed. The appliance includes a firebox partially surrounded by a heat exchanger. Ambient air is drawn into the heat exchanger below the firebox and a portion of the ambient air enters the firebox to assist in combustion, and the remaining portion travels through the heat exchanger to be heated by convection before being combined with combustion gases exiting through the top of the firebox. The heat exchanger creates a low pressure area relative to the firebox which induces a draft from the firebox into the heat exchanger and ultimately to the ambient environment through an exit provided above the firebox. A carbon monoxide catalyst element is provided in the exit passageway from the firebox to the heat exchanger to oxidize carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and filter away airborne particulates which would otherwise be released to the ambient air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a direct vent gas fireplace adapted for attachment to a concentric flue pipe assembly having an exhaust pipe and fresh air pipe. A top wall, rear wall, bottom wall and side walls define a combustion chamber. A gas burner is disposed in the combustion chamber. A slanted flue attachment wall is attached to and extends between the top wall and rear wall. The slanted flue attachment wall is disposed at obtuse angles relative to the top wall and rear wall. A first pipe member is orthogonally attached to the flue attachment wall and is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber for conveying combustion products from the combustion chamber. A second pipe member having a diameter larger than the first pipe member is disposed concentrically around the first pipe member. The first and second pipe members define an annular space therebetween forming an air intake duct.

Abstract: A fireplace having a low density ceramic fiber duct with a first duct portion which promotes secondary combustion of unburned products of combustion and a second duct portion which removes products of combustion from the front of the combustion chamber. The ceramic fiber duct is positioned within the fireplace at a location along the flow path of the products of combustion that is intermediate the fireplace combustion chamber and flue. The first ceramic fiber duct portion includes a number of horizontally spaced and longitudinally extending circuitous, internal passageways which define the flow path as well as segregate the products of combustion. Due to their ceramic fiber construction, the passageways heat up quickly to promote secondary combustion of combustion products therein soon after fire ignition. In addition, the passageways are structured such that the combustion products must cover an extended exhaust path, which lengthens their stay within the heated passageways and promotes secondary combustion.

Abstract: A thermally activated vent damper assembly for occluding passage of gases in a passageway such as a flue. The assembly includes first and second damper members which are pivotable about a common axis. Coaxial first and second support members which are spaced apart along the common axis support thermally activated biasing members which are attached to the damper members to thereby suspend the damper members within the flue. When heated, the biasing members pivot the first and second damper members about their common axis from a flue closing orientation to a flue opening orientation. The assembly may include a housing mountable to the flue and to which the first and second support members are attached.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an induced draft fireplace including a plurality of outer walls defining an outer housing. The outer walls include at least one outer side wall and an outer top wall. A plurality of inner walls define a combustion chamber. The inner walls include at least one inner side wall and an inner top wall having an outlet opening. A room air circulation channel is defined by and disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing. The room air circulation channel has an inlet and an outlet. A heat exchanger is disposed in the room air circulation channel, and includes an inlet connected to and in fluid communication with the outlet opening, and an outlet. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of walls defining at least two flow paths extending in different directions, the at least two flow paths defining a total change in flow direction within the heat exchanger of at least 180.degree.. A fan having an inlet is connected to and in fluid communication with the heat exchanger outlet.

Abstract: A fireplace including a heat exchanger beneath the combustion chamber floor. The front panel or surround of the fireplace housing includes a central opening which accesses the combustion chamber. Room air inlets and outlets, which are ducted to the heat exchanger, are horizontally arranged in a duct manifold that is positioned above the front panel opening. By positioning the room air inlets and outlets within the front panel opening rather than in the surround, the entire surround can be faced with marble, brick or other decorative material without having to provide a break therein for the ingress and egress of room air. A fan within the heat exchanger circulates room air in a flow path from the room being heated into the duct manifold inlets, through a first duct and into the heat exchanger, from the heat exchanger and through a second duct, and out through the duct manifold outlets. The fireplace also includes a raiseable hearth overlaying an opening accessing the heat exchanger fan.

Abstract: A fireplace with a cooling air passageway within the fireplace housing that maintains the forward portion of the housing top wall cool during operation. The fireplace includes a combustion chamber, a flue, and an outer housing that encloses the combustion chamber. Plenums formed between the walls of the outer housing and the combustion chamber walls are used to circulate room air to keep the housing cool. Disposed within a forward portion of the upper plenum above the combustion chamber is a passageway constricting baffle. The baffle constricts the cross-sectional area of the upper plenum through which the cooling air flows and forces the cooling air flow upwardly against the underside of the housing outer top wall, thereby cooling this portion of the housing which typically is difficult to keep cool. The fireplace also includes a baffle which directs cooling air outlet from the upper plenum to a venturi passageway in communication with the flue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a balanced flue or direct vented, solid fuel burning fireplace which may be installed in a building and is operable at energy input levels greater than 75,000 BTU/hour. An enclosure including a top wall, bottom wall and four side walls defines a combustion chamber. At least one of the side walls includes an operable, sealed, transparent access door. A flue is connected to the enclosure and disposed in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and an outside ambient environment external to the building. A combustion air duct is connected to the enclosure and disposed in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and the outside ambient environment external to the building, whereby substantially all of the combustion air supplied to the combustion chamber flows through the combustion air duct when the access door is in a closed position.

Abstract: An unvented gas log set for an unvented fireplace. The unvented gas log set includes a log supporting frame, simulated logs operatively connected to the frame, a flame-producing burner in spaced relationship with the logs, and a pilot for the burner. The unvented gas log set utilizes a single, common fuel pressure regulator to regulate fuel from a source pressure to a reduced operating pressure for both the pilot and the burner. The unvented gas log set may also utilize a burner holder attachable to the log supporting frame for mechanically holding the burner against the log supporting frame to maintain the spaced relationship of the burner with the logs during operation.