Patents Assigned to Vermont Castings, Inc.
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Patent number: 5571008Abstract: A gas burner for use with artificial logs in a gas log heater includes a thin metal top member having substantially flat upper and front burner surfaces, and a metal base member affixed to the top member. The top member and the base member define a burner cavity which may have a generally L-shaped cross section. The upper burner surface has top gas ports, and the front burner surface has front gas ports in gas communication with the burner cavity. The base member has an inlet port that is located with respect the gas ports so as to limit pressure differentials between the gas ports. A mixing tube supplies a mixture of air and gas from a gas source to the inlet port of the burner cavity.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1994Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Stephen F. Richardson, Shawn T. Malloy, Jay F. Kempf, Frank G. Medros, Steven M. Ballou
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Patent number: 5137012Abstract: A pellet burning stove includes a firebox defining a combustion chamber, a pellet burner located within the firebox, a feed system for moving combustible pellets to the pellet burner and an ash pan for receiving ashes from the pellet burner. The pellet burner includes a horizontal surface having an elongated combustion zone defined by a plurality of primary air openings in the burner surface, and a feed surface adjacent to the combustion zone. The feed system moves a thin layer of combustible pellets across the feed surface into the combustion zone. An air plenum surrounding the feed surface of the pellet burner supplies combustion air upwardly through the primary air opening and the layer of combustible pellets. The air plenum maintains the pellets relatively cool until they reach the combustion zone. Ashes drop off an edge of the burner surface into an ash pan. An artificial log set and a log support member fabricated of refractory fiber material define a secondary combustion cavity above the pellet burner.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1991Date of Patent: August 11, 1992Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: William W. Crossman, Jr., Derik K. Andors, Richard S. Blackburn, Allan S. Wilker, John H. Guest
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Patent number: 5092313Abstract: A gas log fireplace includes a firebox which defines a combustion chamber, a gas burner located within the firebox, an artificial log set, a log support member positioned on the gas burner, a heat exchanger connected to an exhaust gas outlet of the firebox and a convection chamber which surrounds the firebox and the heat exchanger for heating of room air. The gas burner is fabricated of a refractory fiber material. A combustible gas and primary air are mixed in a Venturi inlet tube of the gas burner. Highly aerated gas flows through front ports and top ports in the gas burner. Secondary air is directed to the front ports and the top ports to obtain highly efficient combustion and high heat output. The artificial log set, the support member and the gas burner define a partially enclosed cavity which is maintained at a high temperature during operation by reradiation from the artificial logs, the support member and the gas burner.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1991Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Blackburn, William A. Byrne, Stephen F. Richardson, Robert W. Ferguson
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Patent number: 4886445Abstract: A gas burning artificial log assembly includes an artificial log set, a gas burner and andirons for support of the artificial logs. Each of the artificial logs has a front face and a different rear face and can be reversed so as to change the appearance of the artificial log set. The faces of the logs can simulate different wood types or can have a partially-burned appearance. The artificial logs are shaped to define a combustion chamber that promotes complete gas combustion and provides a realistic-appearing gas flame. The gas burner includes a burner pan and a T-shaped manifold that define a pair of adjustable-width rear gas exit slots for producing a rear flame between the logs and further define a front gas exit slot for producing a front flame. The exit slots can be adjusted in width to insure complete combustion for different gas type such as propane and natural gas. The andirons, the gas burner and the artificial logs are keyed to insure proper alignment.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1987Date of Patent: December 12, 1989Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventor: Stephen F. Richardson
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Patent number: 4884556Abstract: A prefabricated zero clearance fireplace includes a combustion chamber having a front opening, a glass door sized and shaped for positioning over and sealing the opening and a guide system for guiding vertical movement of the door between a lowered position over the opening and a raised position. The guide system includes tracks that are inwardly offset at their lowermost ends so that the door seals the combustion chamber without friction as the door is raised and lowered. Counterweights permit the door to be easily raised and lowered. For safety, the counterweights cause the door to automatically raise if it is pushed outwardly from the inside. The door is hinged for pivoting outwardly about a vertical axis in the lowered position. An optional motor can be provided for raising and lowering the door. A convection chamber surrounding the combustion chamber permits circulation and heating of room air.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1988Date of Patent: December 5, 1989Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Frank Alden, James A. Wyatt
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Patent number: 4858536Abstract: An ash pan assembly for a wood burning or coal burning stove includes an ash pan door permanently attached to the stove and mounted for movement between a closed ash collection position and an open position. An ash pan is mounted to the movable ash pan door. A detachable ash pan cover is easily attached to the ash pan in the open position. The ash pan cover prevents accidental spillage of ashes and hot coals from the ash pan and includes a carrying handle by which the ash pan is lifted from the assembly and taken for disposal. The ash pan door is preferably hinged to the front wall of the stove for swinging to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1986Date of Patent: August 22, 1989Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: John H. Guest, Lewis E. Crain
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Patent number: 4856491Abstract: A solid fuel heating apparatus including a secondary combustion chamber in gaseous communication with a primary combustion chamber for increasing heating efficiency and for reducing polluting emissions. The secondary combustion chamber is lined with a refractory material. The entrance to the secondary combustion chamber is disposed at the bottom thereof adjacent the grate, and the grate containing the fuel is sloped at an acute angle with respect to the vertical to cause charcoal to accumulate adjacent to the orifice and to cover the entrance orifice of the secondary combustion chamber. Exhaust gases drawn into the secondary combustion chamber must first pass through the charcoal so that they are preheated prior to being mixed with secondary air. Means are provided for metering secondary air into the entrance orifice to cause mixing of the secondary air with the exhaust gases when the exhaust gases are at their maximum temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1988Date of Patent: August 15, 1989Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Ferguson, Derik K. Andors
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Patent number: 4817584Abstract: A freestanding wood, gas log or coal burning stove includes a pair of hinged glass or screen doors which are movable to storage compartments within the stove where they are completely concealed from view. In one embodiment, side panels are hinged to the stove frame assembly, and each door is hinged to one of the side panels in such a way that the door can be folded into a storage compartment between the stove frame assembly and the side panel. In another embodiment, fixed side panels define storage compartments between the side panel and the stove frame assembly, and each door slides into one of the storage compartments, In both embodiments, the storage compartment can include openings for circulation and heating of room air.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1987Date of Patent: April 4, 1989Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventor: Allan S. Wilker
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Patent number: D300354Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1986Date of Patent: March 21, 1989Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Duncan C. Syme, Vance R. Smith
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Patent number: D300654Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1987Date of Patent: April 11, 1989Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventor: James A. Watt
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Patent number: D300779Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1986Date of Patent: April 18, 1989Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventor: Vance R. Smith
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Patent number: D301059Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1987Date of Patent: May 9, 1989Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Duncan C. Syme, Vance R. Smith
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Patent number: D303286Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1986Date of Patent: September 5, 1989Assignees: Vermont Castings, Inc., TI Parkray LimitedInventors: Vance R. Smith, John N. Stancliffe
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Patent number: D303328Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1986Date of Patent: September 12, 1989Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Duncan C. Syme, Vance R. Smith
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Patent number: D308246Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1988Date of Patent: May 29, 1990Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Duncan C. Syme, Vance R. Smith, Allan S. Wilker
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Patent number: D311574Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1988Date of Patent: October 23, 1990Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Duncan C. Syme, Vance R. Smith
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Patent number: D327734Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1991Date of Patent: July 7, 1992Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Vance R. Smith, Allan S. Wilker, Richard S. Blackburn
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Patent number: D327735Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1991Date of Patent: July 7, 1992Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Vance R. Smith, Stephen F. Richardson, Richard S. Blackburn
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Patent number: D371835Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Jay F. Kempf, Allan S. Wilker, Vance R. Smith
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Patent number: D382337Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1996Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Vermont Castings, Inc.Inventors: Vance R. Smith, Allan S. Wilker, Stephen F. Richardson