Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including one or more light sources for producing light, a screen to which the light from the light source(s) is directed, to provide a number of images of flames thereon viewable via a front surface of the screen, and a rotatable flicker element. The flicker element includes an elongate rod defined by an axis thereof about which the rod is rotatable. The rod is positioned at a preselected elevation above a base of the flame simulating assembly. The flicker element also includes a number of paddle elements located on the rod, for intermittently reflecting the light from the light sources from the paddle elements to the screen respectively as the flicker element rotates about the axis, to provide the images of flames on the screen. The light sources are located substantially at the preselected elevation and proximal to the flicker element.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including a light source, a screen having a translucent region which subjects light from the light source transmitted therethrough to diffusion and a transparent region, and a flicker element for intermittently reflecting the light from the light source toward the screen, to provide images of flames in a predetermined portion thereof. The screen includes a fringe region positioned between the translucent region and the transparent region. The fringe region includes a number of diffusing areas for diffusing the light from the light source and a number of transparent areas positioned between the diffusing areas, to at least partially provide images of flames in the diffusing areas.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including one or more light sources for producing light, a screen to which the light from the light source(s) is directed, to provide a number of images of flames thereon viewable via a front surface of the screen, and a rotatable flicker element. The flicker element includes an elongate rod defined by an axis thereof about which the rod is rotatable. The rod is positioned at a preselected elevation above a base of the flame simulating assembly. The flicker element also includes a number of paddle elements located on the rod, for intermittently reflecting the light from the light sources from the paddle elements to the screen respectively as the flicker element rotates about the axis, to provide the images of flames on the screen. The light sources are located substantially at the preselected elevation and proximal to the flicker element.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including a light source, a screen having a translucent region which subjects light from the light source transmitted therethrough to diffusion and a transparent region, and a flicker element for intermittently reflecting the light from the light source toward the screen, to provide images of flames in a predetermined portion thereof. The screen includes a fringe region positioned between the translucent region and the transparent region. The fringe region includes a number of diffusing areas for diffusing the light from the light source and a number of transparent areas positioned between the diffusing areas, to at least partially provide images of flames in the diffusing areas.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including light source(s), a screen to which light from the light source(s) is directed, to provide images of flickering flames thereon, and a rotatable flicker element for reflecting the light from the light sources toward the screen. The flicker element includes a number of paddle elements located in respective predetermined locations on the rod. Each paddle element includes one or more body portions with reflective surfaces thereon. The reflective surface includes a central region and a perimeter region at least partially located around the central region, the perimeter region at least partially defining a perimeter plane. The central region is substantially non-planar and the perimeter region is at least partially planar. The perimeter region includes a middle part and side parts, partially separated by channels.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including one or more light sources, a screen to which the light from the light source is directed, to provide images of flickering flames thereon, and a rotatable flicker element. The flicker element includes a rod defined by an axis and a number of paddle elements located in respective predetermined locations on the rod. Each paddle element includes one or more body portions having one or more reflective surfaces thereon. The reflective surface includes a central region and a perimeter region substantially defining a perimeter plane at least partially located around the central region. Each perimeter plane is substantially parallel to the axis. The light from the light source is reflected intermittently to respective predetermined regions on the screen.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including light source(s), a screen to which light from the light source(s) is directed, to provide images of flickering flames thereon, and a rotatable flicker element for reflecting the light from the light sources toward the screen. The flicker element includes a number of paddle elements located in respective predetermined locations on the rod. Each paddle element includes one or more body portions with reflective surfaces thereon. The reflective surface includes a central region and a perimeter region at least partially located around the central region, the perimeter region at least partially defining a perimeter plane. The central region is substantially non-planar and the perimeter region is at least partially planar. The perimeter region includes a middle part and side parts, partially separated by channels.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including one or more light sources, a screen to which the light from the light source is directed, to provide images of flickering flames thereon, and a rotatable flicker element. The flicker element includes a rod defined by an axis and a number of paddle elements located in respective predetermined locations on the rod. Each paddle element includes one or more body portions having one or more reflective surfaces thereon. The reflective surface includes a central region and a perimeter region substantially defining a perimeter plane at least partially located around the central region. Each perimeter plane is substantially parallel to the axis. The light from the light source is reflected intermittently to respective predetermined regions on the screen.

Abstract: A simulated fuel bed is provided for use in an electric fireplace. The simulated fuel bed has a first portion that is composed of a non-plastic material and formed to simulate a fuel source in a fireplace and a second portion that is composed of a plastic material and formed to simulate an ember bed for the fuel source. The second portion is formed to receive the first portion to resemble in combination a fuel source in an ember bed.

Abstract: An electric fireplace is provided having an improved flame simulating apparatus. In one aspect, the flame simulating apparatus includes a light source, a flame effect element for reflecting light to produce a flame effect, and a flicker element having reflective strips for reflecting light from the light source for subsequent reflection by the flame effect element. A screen having a partially reflecting surface and a diffusing member is positioned with the flame effect element extending proximate to the diffusing member. A fuel bed is positioned immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting surface of the screen to produce an image of the fuel bed on the screen with the image of moving flames appearing to emanate between the fuel bed and its reflected image. An alternate screen is provided having a non-planar diffusing member which causes the image of moving flames to appear to emanate from behind the reflected image the fuel bed.

Abstract: A simulated fireplace assembly is provided having a simulated fuel bed and a screen for transmitting an image of a flame. The simulated fuel bed is located adjacent to the screen. The screen has a first region that is sufficiently reflective to reflect the fuel bed and a second region that is sufficiently non-reflective to avoid reflection of ambient subject matter that is not associated with the fireplace assembly.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for producing an illusory effect. The assembly comprises a substantially transparent front wall having a rear surface and a front surface. A reflective surface is spaced from and faces the rear surface of the front wall. A plurality of first dots are disposed on the front wall in a sufficiently constant density over a given area to produce a substantially constant tinted appearance to the front wall when observed through the front surface. A plurality of second dots are disposed on the first dots and face the reflective surface, the second dots being smaller than the first dots. An image is defined by the second dots wherein the image is substantially invisible to an observer looking through the front surface other than as a reflected image in the reflective surface.

Abstract: An electric fireplace is provided having an improved flame simulating apparatus. The flame simulating apparatus includes a light source, a flame effect element for transmitting light from the light source to produce a flame effect, and a flicker element having colored reflective strips for reflecting light for subsequent transmission by the flame effect element. A screen having a partially reflecting surface and a diffusing surface is positioned with the flame effect element extending proximate to the diffusing surface. A fuel bed is positioned immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting surface of the screen to produce an image of the fuel bed on the screen with the image of moving flames appearing to emanate between the fuel bed and its reflected image.

Abstract: An electric fireplace is provided having an improved flame simulating apparatus. The flame simulating apparatus includes a light source, a flame effect element for transmitting light from the light source to produce a flame effect, and a flicker element having colored reflective strips for reflecting light for subsequent transmission by the flame effect element. A screen having a partially reflecting surface and a diffusing surface is positioned with the flame effect element extending proximate to the diffusing surface. A fuel bed is positioned immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting surface of the screen to produce an image of the fuel bed on the screen with the image of moving flames appearing to emanate between the fuel bed and its reflected image.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including light source(s), a screen to which light from the light source(s) is directed, to provide images of flickering flames thereon, and a rotatable flicker element for reflecting the light from the light sources toward the screen. The flicker element includes a number of paddle elements located in respective predetermined locations on the rod. Each paddle element includes one or more body portions with reflective surfaces thereon. The reflective surface includes a central region and a perimeter region at least partially located around the central region, the perimeter region at least partially defining a perimeter plane. The central region is substantially non-planar and the perimeter region is at least partially planar. The perimeter region includes a middle part and side parts, partially separated by channels.