Abstract: A cover assembly for an indoor or outdoor item. The cover assembly is moveable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration and includes panels of a textile material stitched together with inside seams and outside seams. The cover assembly receives the selected item within an interior area defined by the panels and the selected item holds the cover assembly in the expanded configuration. The outside seams are biased to close toward an interior area of the cover assembly and the inside seams are biased to close away from the interior area such that, when the cover assembly is removed from the selected item, the cover assembly is biased to close along the inside and outside seams to cause the cover assembly to move to the collapsed configuration to increase the ease of folding and storing the cover assembly.

Abstract: A combined furniture and heating device having a concealable electric fireplace insert installed within a fireplace compartment of a furniture apparatus is provided. The electric fireplace insert has a front surface from which simulated flames are viewable when an opening of the fireplace compartment is uncovered so that the furniture apparatus is configured in its open configuration. The furniture apparatus includes a concealing panel removably installable over the opening configure the device in a concealed configuration so that the electric fireplace insert and its simulated flames viewable at its front surface are at least partially concealed. Power to a heating apparatus of the electric fireplace insert is turned on and off by a disabling device as the concealing panel is alternated between the open and concealed configurations. The disabling device can include a switch or a thermistor.

Abstract: A manufactured blow-molded log assembly created from a thermo-mold polymer that is shapable using a blow-molding process of inserting an ingot into a blow-molding tool and injecting heated gas into the ingot to substantially shape the ingot into the manufactured log. The log assembly may then be removed from the blow molding tool and painted. The log assembly can include one or more, but preferably, a plurality, of such manufactured logs. The process may be used to create a log assembly that includes multiple manufactured logs, connected together or produced separately and stacked or otherwise arranged to simulate the appearance of real logs, which can be positioned inside an electric fireplace.

Abstract: A lighting system for an electric fireplace, and a fireplace assembly including such system, may include a plurality of logs arranged in different orientations and in different rows. Some of the logs may include a substantially planar surface facing forwards. A front projector may project a lighting effect onto the logs, including the substantially planar surfaces, and a rear projector may project a lighting effect onto a non-transparent screen positioned behind the plurality of logs. The lighting system desirably provides a realistic three-dimensional flame effect in conjunction with a log set having a natural, split-log appearance. Other features may be included to enhance the lighting system, including internal lights in the logs and in an ember bed, as well as coloration of the logs to enhance the lighting effects and the natural appearance of the logs.

Abstract: A heating system may include at least two different types of heating elements. The heating elements may include at least one infrared heating element and at least one halogen lamp. The heating elements may be positioned within a heating section of a duct through which air flows to be heated by the heating elements, which air flow may be driven by a fan. The heating system may be incorporated into a variety of heating devices, such as electric fireplaces and space heaters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a desk system having a freestanding leg assembly, a frame being attachable to an upper portion of the freestanding leg assembly and an adjustable height desktop platform comprising a table top and a supporting leg assembly. The supporting leg assembly may extend between the frame and the table top and the supporting leg assembly may have a scissor lift for adjusting the height of the table top away from the freestanding leg assembly. Disclosed is a desk system having a telescoping leg assembly, configured to adjustable raise or lower a table top of the desk. Disclosed is a desk system with an interface to power the adjustable desk, wherein the interface is visible and operable through the table top.

Abstract: A combined furniture and heating device having a concealable electric fireplace insert installed within a fireplace compartment of a furniture apparatus is provided. The electric fireplace insert has a front surface from which simulated flames are viewable when an opening of the fireplace compartment is uncovered so that the furniture apparatus is configured in its open configuration. The furniture apparatus includes a concealing panel removably installable over the opening configure the device in a concealed configuration so that the electric fireplace insert and its simulated flames viewable at its front surface are at least partially concealed. Power to a heating apparatus of the electric fireplace insert is turned on and off by a disabling device as the concealing panel is alternated between the open and concealed configurations. The disabling device can include a switch or a thermistor.

Abstract: A lantern comprises a light source configured to emit visible light, as well as a heater configured to emit heat separate from the visible light of the light source. The lantern may have a housing defining a lighting section and a heating section, with the lighting section being arranged above the heating section. The light source may be positioned in the lighting section, or the light source may be positioned outside of the lighting section and adapted to project visible light at least partially into the lighting section, such as from a base below the lighting section or from a top above the lighting section. The heating section may contain the heater, which may be a convection heater adapted to blow heated air out of the housing in a desired direction. The housing may include a suspension structure for supporting the lantern.

Abstract: A flat panel mounting system includes a TV bracket and a wall bracket. The TV bracket is adapted to be mounted to a flat display. The TV bracket includes a flange extending from an elongate panel thereof and a lip extending from the flange. The wall bracket is adapted to be mounted to a wall and includes a flange extending from an elongate panel thereof. The flange and elongate panel of the wall bracket define a laterally extending channel. The wall bracket also includes a flapper moveable within the channel between forward and rearward positions. When the TV bracket is placed on the wall bracket in an assembled position, the flange and lip of the TV bracket is received within the channel and is prohibited from being removed from the channel by the flapper via coaction between the lip and the flapper while the flapper is in the forward position.

Abstract: A flat panel mounting system includes a TV bracket and a wall bracket. The TV bracket is adapted to be mounted to a flat display. The TV bracket includes a flange extending from an elongate panel thereof and a lip extending from the flange. The wall bracket is adapted to be mounted to a wall and includes a flange extending from an elongate panel thereof. The flange and elongate panel of the wall bracket define a laterally extending channel. The wall bracket also includes a flapper moveable within the channel between forward and rearward positions. When the TV bracket is placed on the wall bracket in an assembled position, the flange and lip of the TV bracket is received within the channel and is prohibited from being removed from the channel by the flapper via coaction between the lip and the flapper while the flapper is in the forward position.

Abstract: An overheat-protection device with a cord that includes a transmission wire to transmit electrical power and a sensor wire to transmit a signal, a plug attached to an end of the cord, and a thermistor includable in the plug and connected to the sensor wire. The signal may be received and/or analyzed by a sensing device, which may control a switching device to open and/or close a power circuit. The thermistor may detect a level of heat, which may be communicated as a signal via the sensor wires. The signal may be definable by the thermistor varying a level of resistance to the signal responsive to the level of detected heat. The thermistor may be a NTC thermistor and may be constructed from a thermal plastic or a ceramic.

Abstract: A function indicator system for displaying the control settings related to functions and features of an electric fireplace. The function indicator system can feature a function indicator module, a controller communicatively connected to the function indicator module, and a power source electrically connected to the function indicator module. The function indicator module can contain a plurality of light sources that emit paths of light, which can pass through control status indicia to create a visual display on an exterior surface of a projection screen of the electric fireplace. The visual display is visible to a viewer so as to alert the viewer as to the particular status of a control setting of the electric fireplace such as, for example, the temperature of heat produced, the brightness of simulated flames, or the length of time that the user desires for the electric fireplace to operate prior to automatic shutdown.

Abstract: A function indicator system and methods for indicating the control settings related to functions and features of an electric fireplace are described. The function indicator system can feature a function indicator module, a controller communicatively connected to the function indicator module, and a connected power source. The function indicator module can contain a plurality of light sources that emit paths of light, which can pass through control status indicia to create a visual display on an exterior surface of a projection screen of the electric fireplace. The visual display is visible to a viewer so as to alert the viewer as to the particular status of a control setting of the electric fireplace such as, for example, the temperature of heat produced, the brightness of simulated flames, or the power setting of a heater of the electric fireplace.

Abstract: A heating air circulation system with blades to move a gas in a flow direction, an infrared heating element located near the blades, and a heat exchanger located near the infrared heating element to direct the gas without substantially affecting a flow pattern of the gas. The system is selectable between heating and non-heating operation. An enclosure may be included with an inlet and outlet. The heat exchanger may be at least partially tapered. The blades may be curved and included in a crossflow fan.

Abstract: An electric heating system is provided with a heater mountable and removable in a cabinet by a user using a mounting system. The mounting system may include at least an installation member, installation receiver, and bracket. The installation member may interface with a surface or interior shelf of the cabinet. The bracket is includable between the surface or interior shelf of the cabinet and the surface of the heater. The installation member may be receivable by the bracket. The bracket may be received by the installation receiver or an additional bracket. The electrical cable may pass through a portal locatable on the cabinet. The heater may be an infrared heater with a fan. A wired or wireless remote with an optional display may control operation of the heater. A method is provided to manipulate the electric heating system.