Abstract: A fireplace construction made of solid masonry units having a rear wall with a symmetrical bulge formed by a lower angled portion, a central vertical portion, an upper angled portion, and an upper vertical portion. Each portion is slightly spaced apart from the adjacent portion to provide a space for air to flow into the firebox. One or more air ducts route air from the room to the space between both the lower vertical portion and the lower angled portion and the space between the lower angled portion and the central vertical portion.

Abstract: A retrofit firebox assembly includes a frame, a floor, and sidewalls. The frame has a plurality of vertically extending spaced apart tube members to which solid masonry units are mounted. The back wall has a metal plenum member with a lower vertical portion, a lower angled portion, a central vertical portion, an upper angled portion, and an upper vertical portion, positioned to form a smooth, symmetrical bulge in the back wall extending into the firebox. The solid masonry units are positioned on their respective frame members using clips that position, align, and support the units. The metal plenum provides spaces for air to flow into the firebox between the lower vertical portion and the lower angled portion; and between the lower angled portion and the central vertical portion.

Abstract: A fireplace construction has: a) a solid floor; b) side walls extending upward from the floor to a flue; c) a rear wall having: i) a lower vertical portion, ii) a lower angled portion extending forward into the firebox and spaced slightly apart from the lower vertical portion to provide a space for air to flow into the firebox between the lower vertical portion and the lower angled portion, iii) a central vertical portion positioned forward of the plane of the lower vertical portion and spaced slightly apart from the lower angled portion to provide a space for air to flow into the firebox between the lower angled portion and the central vertical portion, iv) an upper angled portion extending rearward from the plane of the central vertical portion, and spaced slightly apart from the central vertical portion to provide a space for air to flow into the firebox between the central vertical portion and upper angled portion, and v) an upper vertical portion positioned rearward of the plane of the central vertic

Abstract: A method of relining a chimney includes: coating the inside surface of a chimney flue with a first layer of a flowable refractory material to provide a wet and sticky surface on the inside of the chimney flue; providing an insulating sleeve on the refractory surface so that the insulating sleeve adheres to the refractory surface; coating the inner surface of the sleeve with a second layer of flowable refractory material effective for hardening to provide a refractory surface on the inner surface of the sleeve; and allowing both layers of flowable refractory material to harden, thus providing a hardened relining comprising a first refractory layer, an insulating layer, and a second refractory layer on the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a chimney preferably includes a rod assembly, cleaning arms, fan blades, a camera, and a stabilizing/positioning assembly. The cleaning arms are provided on an assembly that includes a rotatable hub with the cleaning arms extending from the hub. The fan blades may also extend from the hub or they may be provided separately. The camera is continuously rotatable around the longitudinal axis to allow an uninterrupted 360° scan of the chimney. The stabilizing/positioning assembly is effective to position the cleaning assembly hub a pre-selected stabilizing/positioning distance from an interior wall of a chimney while the hub rotates in the chimney. The cleaning and fan hub(s) is driven by a cable surrounded by a casing that allows the cable to rotate in the casing without rotating the casing. Controls allow the operator to control the speed and direction of the cleaning arms and the camera.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a chimney preferably includes a rod assembly, cleaning arms, fan blades, a camera, and a stabilizing/positioning assembly. The cleaning arms are provided on an assembly that includes a rotatable hub with the cleaning arms extending from the hub. The fan blades may also extend from the hub or they may be provided separately. The camera is continuously rotatable around the longitudinal axis to allow an uninterrupted 360° scan of the chimney. The stabilizing/positioning assembly is effective to position the cleaning assembly hub a pre-selected stabilizing/positioning distance from an interior wall of a chimney while the hub rotates in the chimney. The cleaning and fan hub(s) is driven by a cable surrounded by a casing that allows the cable to rotate in the casing without rotating the casing. Controls allow the operator to control the speed and direction of the cleaning arms and the camera.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a chimney preferably includes a rod assembly, cleaning arms, fan blades, a camera, and a stabilizing/positioning assembly. The cleaning arms are provided on an assembly that includes a rotatable hub with the cleaning arms extending from the hub. The fan blades may also extend from the hub or they may be provided separately. The camera is continuously rotatable around the longitudinal axis to allow an uninterrupted 360° scan of the chimney. The stabilizing/positioning assembly is effective to position the cleaning assembly hub a pre-selected stabilizing/positioning distance from an interior wall of a chimney while the hub rotates in the chimney. The cleaning and fan hub(s) is driven by a cable surrounded by a casing that allows the cable to rotate in the casing without rotating the casing. Controls allow the operator to control the speed and direction of the cleaning arms and the camera.

Abstract: A method of relining a chimney includes: coating the inside surface of a chimney flue with a first layer of a flowable refractory material to provide a wet and sticky surface on the inside of the chimney flue; providing an insulating sleeve on the refractory surface so that the insulating sleeve adheres to the refractory surface; coating the inner surface of the sleeve with a second layer of flowable refractory material effective for hardening to provide a refractory surface on the inner surface of the sleeve; and allowing both layers of flowable refractory material to harden, thus providing a hardened relining comprising a first refractory layer, an insulating layer, and a second refractory layer on the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A device for repairing or relining an offset chimney includes a spreader assembly for spreading a repair material on the interior walls of a chimney as the device is pulled up the chimney, a pull assembly for pulling the device through the chimney, and an optionally reticulated centering device for keeping the portion of the pull assembly directly above the spreader assembly away from the chimney walls when the spreader blade assembly is moved through a chimney offset.

Abstract: A device for repairing a chimney preferably includes a rod effective for positioning and manipulating a camera and a plunger blade in a chimney; a camera attached to the lower portion of the rod in a manner such that rotation of the rod results in a corresponding rotation of the camera; and a plunger blade attached to the rod above the camera. The plunger blade is adapted to apply mortar to the sides of a chimney when the device is pulled upward in the chimney. The device may further include a camera-direction indicator attached to the rod above the plunger blade in a manner such that the camera-direction indicator is effective for indicating the direction of view of said camera even when the camera is not visible to the operator.

Abstract: A method of relining a chimney includes: inserting a sleeve into a chimney; subsequently coating the sleeve with a flowable refractory material while the sleeve is positioned in the chimney. The flowable refractory material hardens on the sleeve to provide a refractory surface on the inner surface of the sleeve. The sleeve may be flexible or rigid, and may be lined with an insulating material. A high-temperature resistant fabric with an aluminum foil outer liner is preferred. The flowable refractory material may be a blend of inorganic materials and inert aggregates together with a high temperature resin bonding agent. The inert aggregates may include 50-80% Al2O3 and 10-40% SiO2.

Abstract: A device for repairing or relining an offset chimney includes a spreader assembly for spreading a repair material on the interior walls of a chimney as the device is pulled up the chimney, a pull assembly for pulling the device through the chimney, and an optionally reticulated centering device for keeping the portion of the pull assembly directly above the spreader assembly away from the chimney walls when the spreader blade assembly is moved through a chimney offset.

Abstract: A device for repairing a chimney preferably includes a rod effective for positioning and manipulating a camera and a plunger blade in a chimney; a camera attached to the lower portion of the rod in a manner such that rotation of the rod results in a corresponding rotation of the camera; and a plunger blade attached to the rod above the camera. The plunger blade is adapted to apply mortar to the sides of a chimney when the device is pulled upward in the chimney. The device may further include a camera-direction indicator attached to the rod above the plunger blade in a manner such that the camera-direction indicator is effective for indicating the direction of view of said camera even when the camera is not visible to the operator.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a chimney preferably includes a cleaning head having a hub with brush arms extending from the hub, a cable assembly connected to the cleaning head and having a flexible cable surrounded by a casing, with the casing being sized to allow the cable to rotate in the casing without rotating the casing, at least one positioning assembly for holding the cleaning head a desired distance from the interior walls of a chimney, a motor attached to one end of the cable, and a positioning rod effective for pushing said cleaning head and cable assembly up a chimney for a distance of at least eight feet. A camera may be attached to the casing to allow observation and/or recording of the chimney while the cleaning head is working. The device may further include an air knife for dislodging debris when the device is used to sweep a chimney, and/or a vacuum for removing waste dislodged by the device.

Abstract: A method of relining a chimney includes: inserting a sleeve into a chimney; subsequently coating the sleeve with a flowable refractory material while the sleeve is positioned in the chimney. The flowable refractory material hardens on the sleeve to provide a refractory surface on the inner surface of the sleeve. The sleeve may be flexible or rigid, and may be lined with an insulating material. A high-temperature resistant fabric with an aluminum foil outer liner is preferred. The flowable refractory material may be a blend of inorganic materials and inert aggregates together with a high temperature resin bonding agent. The inert aggregates may include 50-80% Al2O3 and 10-40% SiO2.