Multi-Level Floating Flames Gas Fireplace

A multi-level floating flame gas fireplace comprises a pair of supporting members, a burner assembly and a plurality of trays. The burner assembly includes a pair of tube members spaced parallel in vertical orientation and is secured between inner portions of each supporting member, a plurality of burners evenly spaced and extended forwardly between the pair of tube members. A plurality of orifices and at least one sound suppressor are provided in the burners to provide even flow or distribution of gas and to reduce noise. Each tray is positioned below each burner and attached between the supporting members. The trays are filled up with a glass media like fire glasses and the burners are covered with the fire glasses. Thus, the structure of the fireplace becomes invisible and when the burners are turned on, the fireplace showcases layers of the floating flames suspended in a stepped back manner.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/721,448 filed Nov. 1, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This embodiment relates to gas fireplaces, and more particularly to a multi-level floating flames gas fireplace assembled to form a step back style gas fireplace which is adaptable to provide an appearance of one or more levels of scattered floating flames.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Fireplaces are utilized as a source of both heat for warming and as an attractive and appealing object to visually observe. Fireplaces are available in a variety of sizes, styles and construction according to the fuels used in the fireplaces. Fireplaces can burn different fuels, including wood, gas, electrical, etc. The conventional wood fireplaces are extremely inefficient and produce high levels of harmful emissions, which pollute outdoor air and can have dangerous effects on indoor air quality. Attempts have been made to compensate for this instability by providing gas-fireplace units which use clean burning fuel. The gas fireplaces can be made to look nice and efficient by burning gas logs, fire glasses or ceramic river rocks, etc.

Some fireplaces include a gas manifold that is attached to the home's gas-line by an inlet pipe. The inlet pipe extends out of the firebox via a hole which has been suitably established in one of the brick walls that surround the firebox. The outer portion of the inlet pipe extends exterior to the brick containment and includes an electrically actuated flow valve and a tap for a pilot light that also includes an electrically actuated flow valve. A wall mounted switch is provided which allows a user to control the igniter/controller in a simple manner. However, such fireplace does not form a step back style gas fireplace which is adaptable to provide an appearance of one or more levels of scattered floating flames. Moreover, the fireplace would not employ invisible burners covered with glass media's and showcase tiered floating flames suspended inside fireplace.

Some gas-fired fireplaces are required to be secured in the exterior wall structure of the fireplaces and includes brackets and/or flanges for connect pilot components to the interior of the fireplace which result in difficulty or inconvenience in installing associated gas and/or electric lines. In addition, certain of these known fireplaces cannot be manufactured as direct vent fireplaces and are not custom made for installing/retrofitting with existing fireplaces.

Certain gas fireplaces employ multi-tiered artificial logs with gas burners strategically between the tiers. Such gas fireplaces are bulky, cumbersome and are not easily assembled and disassembled. Also, such fireplaces are expensive and do not provide invisible burners with tiered floating flames. Furthermore, such fireplaces do not include sound suppressor to reduce the noise and orifices/slots to provide effective distribution of gases. However, these conventional fireplaces do not provide a step like floating flames with invisible steps to look like flames in the air and inside the fireplace.

In light of the foregoing, there is a need for an economical and stand-alone multi-level floating flames gas fireplace that can be easily configured to install with other existing fireplaces. Such a needed fireplace would be assembled to form a step back style gas fireplace which is adaptable to provide an appearance of one or more levels of scattered floating flames. Further, the gas fireplace would employ invisible burners when the burners are covered with glass media's like fireless and showcase tiered floating flames suspended inside the gas fireplace. Furthermore, the device would include orifices and blockages inside the burners to provide efficient and even flow or distribution of gases. Further, this device could include a sound suppressor to reduce noise and allows the gas to flow in a greater distance for all three levels. Moreover, the fireplace would be manufactured as direct vent fireplaces that provide relatively inexpensive installation of new fireplaces in new and existing homes and structures. Further, the present embodiment would be relatively quick and easy to install, and to collapse. The present embodiment accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present embodiment is a multi-level floating flames gas fireplace that assembled to form a step back style gas fireplace to provide an appearance of one or more levels of scattered floating flames. The multi-level floating flames gas fireplace comprises a pair of supporting members, a burner assembly, and a plurality of trays. The pair of supporting members is spaced parallel in vertical orientation and includes an upper portion, a middle portion, a lower portion and a plurality of notches. The burner assembly comprises a pair of tube members that is spaced parallel in vertical orientation. The pair of tube members is secured between inner portions of each supporting member through the plurality of notches on each supporting member. The burner assembly further comprises a plurality of burners that is evenly spaced and extended forwardly between the pair of tube members. The plurality of burners includes an upper burner, a lower burner and a base burner. Each burner has a pair of opposing first portions and a second portion, which is attached between each tube member.

The base burner has an extended burner portion which is coupled with at least one sound suppressor. The at least one sound suppressor is adaptable to allow gas to flow in greater distance and thereby reducing noise. The plurality of burners includes a plurality of orifices formed inside thereof to provide efficient and even flow or distribution of the gas. A pair of opposing manifolds is coupled between the base burner and the extended burner portion of the base burner. Each of the pair of opposing manifolds has at least one outlet hole that is connected to a gas inlet conduit.

The plurality of trays includes an upper tray, a lower tray and a base tray. The upper tray includes a rear lip, a pair of opposing side lips, a pair of opposing front lips, a slot on a top surface thereof, a plurality of upper tray supports on the top surface and a plurality of notches on the rear lip. The upper tray is positioned below the upper burner through the plurality of notches on the rear lip and secured between the pair of supporting members. The plurality of upper tray supports is adaptable to reinforce the upper tray against heat to stop warping.

The rear lip and the pair of opposing side lips of the upper tray are capable to retain a glass media and to provide floating flames. The pair of opposing front lips of the upper tray is adaptable for holding a ceramic glass to make the upper tray transparent to display the glass media. The raised slot on the top surface of the upper tray is inserted with a perforated metal sheet to prevent the glass media falling into the base tray. The raised slots are located at the front of the first and second burners and recessed back enough to be covered by media glass to give a clean look without seeing the raised slot. This slot is being covered with a perforated ⅜″ covering, which will have bent lips and will be seated on the raised slot to stop media glass falling down onto the bottom tray and at the same time the “cover” will make it possible to hide the slot under the media glass. The perforated metal sheet is defined as a lighting facilitator which having a plurality of vents to provide aeration and refract light. The glass media includes traditional media and artificial media including, but not limited to gas logs, fiber logs, fired rocks, fire glasses, crystal broken fireproof glasses, precast heatproof glasses or ceramics, fire beads, ceramic glasses and ceramic rocks.

Similarly, the lower tray includes a rear lip, a pair of opposing side lips, a pair of opposing front lips, a slot on a top surface thereof, a plurality of lower tray supports on the top surface and a plurality of notches on the rear lip. The lower tray is positioned below the lower burner through the plurality of notches on the rear lip and secured with the pair of supporting members. The plurality of lower tray supports is adaptable to reinforce the lower tray against heat to stop warping.

The rear lip and the pair of opposing side lips of the lower tray are capable to retain the glass media and to provide the floating flames. The pair of opposing front lips of the lower tray is adaptable for holding the ceramic glass to make the lower tray transparent to display the glass media. The slot on the top surface of the lower tray is inserted with the perforated metal sheet to prevent the glass media falling into the base tray. The plurality of vents on the perforated metal sheet provides aeration and refracts light and thus defined as the lighting facilitator.

The base tray having a pair of opposing side lips and at least one support means on a top surface thereof. The base tray is positioned on a surface below the base burner and secured to the extended burner portion using the at least one support means. The at least one support means is utilized to lift the base burner for about ¼ inch from the surface thereby providing efficient release of the gas from the plurality of burners. The upper tray and the lower tray is secured to the pair of supporting members along with the pair of tube members using at least one fastening member and at least one clamp member.

The multi-level floating flames gas fireplace can be operated by a fireplace remote system or manual push button ignition or manual lighting by a lighter. A plurality of remote valves and a plurality of wires are connected in the firebox that is placed far to right or left side and close to front of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace depending on location of the gas inlet conduit. An electrode for lighting the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace for both remote ignition and manual ignition is located on the base tray, close to the base burner. The electrode is fitted on a stand that attached with the top surface of the base tray and includes a main valve for the remote ignition. A push button switch means positioned on the firebox is operatively connected to the electrode. A plurality of igniters positioned on the rear lip of the upper tray and the pair of opposing side lips of the lower tray is operatively connected to the electrode. Preferably, when the push button switch means is on, the electrode and the plurality of igniters are ignited and thereby igniting the plurality of burners.

The plurality of burners includes a plurality of slots on a bottom portion along a centerline thereof. The plurality of slots serves to transfer the flames between the plurality of burners. The floating flames can be shaped with the plurality of slots of the plurality of burners and therefore, the plurality of burners may be all the same width or wider at bottom and rises up the plurality of burners become smaller, to give a pyramid shape.

The plurality of trays is filled up with the glass media like the fire glasses or any other substance, in optional colors. The glass media covers the plurality of burners and therefore, when fire is turned on, the floating flames shoots up and suspended in the air. When the plurality of burners are covered with the fire glasses or the like, the structure of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace becomes invisible and when the plurality of burners are turned on, the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace showcases layers of the floating flames suspended in a stepped back manner.

The present embodiment provides an economical and stand-alone multi-level floating flames gas fireplace that can be easily configured to install with other existing fireplaces. Such a needed fireplace would be assembled to form a step back style gas fireplace which is adaptable to provide an appearance of one or more levels of scattered floating flames. Further, the gas fireplace would employ invisible burners when the burners are covered with glass media's like fireglass and showcase tiered floating flames suspended inside the gas fireplace. Furthermore, the device would include orifices inside the burners to provide efficient and even flow or distribution of gases. Further, this device would include a sound suppressor to reduce noise and allows the gas to flow in a greater distance for all thee burners. Moreover, the fireplace could be manufactured as direct vent fireplaces that provide relatively inexpensive installation of new fireplaces in new and existing homes and structures. Further, the present embodiment would be relatively quick and easy to install, and to collapse. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an assembled multi-level floating flames gas fireplace in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a burner assembly associated with the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the assembled multi-level floating flames gas fireplace when connected with a push button ignition and related spark generators;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the assembled multi-level floating flames gas fireplace when connected with the push button ignition and related spark generators;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of at least one burner associated with the burner assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a pair of supporting members associated with the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an upper tray associated with the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a lower tray associated with the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a base tray associated with the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace shown in FIG. 1, when in use.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following describes example embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. This invention, however, may be embodied in many different ways, and the description provided herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Among other things, the following invention may be embodied as methods or devices. As such, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed descriptions should not be taken in a limiting sense.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

Referring to FIG. 1, an assembled multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment is illustrated. The multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 comprises a pair of supporting members 12, a burner assembly 28, and a plurality of trays 68, 70, 72. The pair of supporting members 12 is spaced parallel in vertical orientation and includes an upper portion 14, a middle portion 16 and a lower portion 18. The burner assembly 28 is secured with the pair of supporting members 12 as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the burner assembly 28 comprises a pair of tube members 30 that is spaced parallel in vertical orientation. The pair of tube members 30 is secured between the pair of supporting members 12 (See FIG. 4). The burner assembly 28 further comprises a plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 that is evenly spaced and extended forwardly between the pair of tube members 30. The plurality of manifold burners 38, 40, 42 includes an upper burner 38 having a pair of opposing first portions 44 and a second portion 46, a lower burner 40 having a pair of opposing first portions 48 and a second portion 50 and a base burner 42 having a pair of opposing first portions 52 and a second portion 54. Each opposing first portion 44 of the upper burner 38 is attached between the upper portions 32 of each tube member 30. Each opposing first portion 48 of the lower burner 40 is attached between the middle portions 34 of each tube member 30. Similarly, each opposing first portion 52 of the base burner 42 is attached between the lower portions 36 of each tube member 30.

The base burner 42 has an extended burner portion 56 which is coupled with at least one sound suppressor 58. The at least one sound suppressor 58 is adaptable to allow gas to flow in greater distance and thereby reducing noise. The plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 includes a plurality of orifices 60 formed inside thereof. The plurality of orifices 60 is defined as blockages in proper locations within the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 to build up enough gas pressure in the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42. Preferably, the plurality of orifices 60 has a diameter of ⅛ inch on the lower burner 40 and the base burner 42 and a diameter of 5/32 inch on the upper burner 38. Thus, the plurality of orifices 60 provides efficient and even flow or distribution of the gas. In addition, the plurality of orifices 60 is spaced by at least a distance of 4 inches between each other to reduce the noise. A gas connection stem 62 is coupled between the base burner 42 and the extended burner portion 56 of the base burner 42. The gas connection stem 62 has at least one outlet hole 64 that is connected to a gas inlet conduit (not shown).

The plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 includes an upper tray 68, a lower tray 70 and a base tray 72. The upper tray 68 includes a rear lip 74, a pair of opposing side lips 76, a pair of opposing front lips 78, a slot 80 on a top surface 82 thereof, a plurality of upper tray supports 84 on the top surface 82, a plurality of notches 86 on the rear lip 74 and at least one support means 116. The upper tray 68 is positioned below the upper burner 38 through the plurality of notches 86 on the rear lip 74 and secured between the pair of supporting members 12. The plurality of upper tray supports 84 is adaptable to reinforce the upper tray 68 against heat to stop warping.

The rear lip 74 and the pair of opposing side lips 76 of the upper tray 68 are capable to retain a glass media 122 and to provide floating flames (See FIG. 10). The pair of opposing front lips 78 of the upper tray 68 is adaptable for holding a ceramic glass 124 to make the upper tray 68 transparent to display the glass media 122. The slot 80 on the top surface 82 of the upper tray 68 is inserted with a perforated metal sheet 90 to prevent the glass media 122 falling into the base tray 72. The perforated metal sheet 90 is defined as a lighting facilitator which having a plurality of vents 92 to provide aeration and refract light. The glass media 122 includes traditional media and artificial media including, but not limited to gas logs, fiber logs, fired rocks, fire glasses, crystal broken fireproof glasses, precast heatproof glasses or ceramics, fire beads, ceramic glasses and ceramic rocks.

Similarly, the lower tray 70 includes a rear lip 98, a pair of opposing side lips 100, a pair of opposing front lips 102, a slot 104 on a top surface 106 thereof, a plurality of lower tray supports 108 on the top surface 106, a plurality of notches 110 on the rear lip 98 and at least one support means 116. The lower tray 70 is positioned below the lower burner 40 through the plurality of notches 110 on the rear lip 98 and secured with the pair of supporting members 12. The plurality of lower tray supports 108 is adaptable to reinforce the lower tray 70 against heat to stop warping.

The rear lip 98 and the pair of opposing side lips 100 of the lower tray 70 are capable to retain the glass media 122 and to provide the floating flames (See FIG. 10). The pair of opposing front lips 102 of the lower tray 70 is adaptable for holding the ceramic glass 124 to make the lower tray 70 transparent to display the glass media 122. The slot 104 on the top surface 106 of the lower tray 70 is inserted with the perforated metal sheet 90 to prevent the glass media 122 falling into the base tray 72. The plurality of vents 92 on the perforated metal sheet 90 provides aeration and refracts light and thus defined as the lighting facilitator.

The base tray 72 having a pair of opposing side lips 114 and at least one support means 116 on a top surface 118 thereof. The base tray 72 is positioned on a surface 120 (See FIG. 10) below the base burner 42 and secured to the extended burner portion 56 using the at least one support means 116. The at least one support means 116 is utilized to lift the base burner 42 for about ¼ inch from the surface 120 thereby providing efficient release of the gas from the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, front and rear perspective views of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 when connected with a firebox 126. The pair of opposing first portions 44 of the upper burner 38 is secured through the notch 22 (See FIG. 6) on the upper portions 14 of the pair of supporting members 12. The pair of opposing first portions 48 of the lower burner 40 is secured through the notch 22 (See FIG. 6) on the lower portions 16 of the pair of supporting members 12. Thus, the pair of tube members 30 is secured between inner portions 20 of the pair of supporting members 12. Each tube member 30 arranged left and right sides of the burner assembly 28 may act as an additional sound suppressor for the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 extended from the pair of tube members 30.

A plurality of holes 88 are positioned proximate the plurality of notches 86 on the rear lip 74 of the upper tray 68. The upper tray 68 is connected with the pair of supporting members 12 by aligning the plurality of holes 88 on the rear lip 74 of the upper tray 68 with a plurality of holes 24 in the upper portions 14 of the pair of supporting members 12. Then, the upper tray 68 is secured to the upper portions 14 of the pair of supporting members 12 along with the pair of tube members 30 using at least one fastening member 94 and at least one clamp member 96. Preferably, the at least one fastening means 94 may be ¼ inch-20 hex nuts.

A plurality of holes 112 are positioned proximate the plurality of notches 110 on the rear lip 98 of the lower tray 70. Similarly, the lower tray 70 is connected with the pair of supporting members 12 by aligning the plurality of holes 112 on the rear lip 98 of the lower tray 70 with a plurality of holes 26 in the lower portions 16 of the pair of supporting members 12. Then, the lower tray 70 is secured to the lower portions 16 of the pair of supporting members 12 along with the pair of tube members 30 using the at least one fastening member 94 and the at least one clamp member 96.

The multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 can be operated by a fireplace remote system or manual ignition. A plurality of remote valves (not shown) and a plurality of wires 128 are connected in the firebox 126 that placed far to right or left side and close to front of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 depending on location of the gas inlet conduit (not shown). The plurality of wires 128 is secured to the pair of supporting members 12 utilizing a wire harness clamp 130. An electrode 132 for lighting the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 for both remote ignition and manual ignition is located on the base tray 72, close to the base burner 42. The electrode 132 is fitted on a stand 134 that attached with the top surface 118 of the base tray 72 and includes a main valve (not shown) for the remote ignition. A push button switch means 136 positioned on the firebox 126 is operatively connected to the electrode 132. A plurality of igniters 138 positioned on the rear lip 74 of the upper tray 68 and the pair of opposing side lips 100 of the lower tray 70 is operatively connected to the electrode 132. Preferably, when the push button switch means 136 is on, the electrode 132 and the plurality of igniters 138 are ignited and thereby igniting the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42.

Preferably, the pair of opposing manifold 62 is fitted with a ½ inch National Pipe Thread (NPT) fitting 140 having inner threads, the gas inlet conduit (not shown) fitting having outer threads, wherein the NPT fitting 140 is configured to be coupled to the gas inlet conduit (not shown) fitting by a threaded coupling. Depending on the location of the gas inlet conduit (not shown), the NPT fitting 140 can be connected with the pair of opposing manifolds 62.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of at least one burner associated with the burner assembly 28 shown in FIG. 2. The plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 includes a plurality of perforations 66 on a bottom portion along a centerline thereof. The plurality of perforations 66 serves to transfer the floating flames each other between the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42. The floating flames can be shaped with the plurality of perforations 66 of the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 and therefore, the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 may be all the same width or wider at bottom and rises up the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 become smaller, to give a pyramid shape. In other words, the shape of the burner assembly 28 can accept various shapes and design. The plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 in shape does not have to be like a regular/conventional pipe, they can be a closed panel with the plurality of perforations 66. The diameter of the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 is not limited to a ½ inch pipe. The plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 is provided with bends to replace elbows, couplings and tees that utilized to assemble the pair of opposing first portions 44, 48, 52 and the second portions 46, 50, 54 of the upper burner 38, lower burner 40 and the base burner 42.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of the pair of supporting members 12 associated with the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 shown in FIG. 1. The pair of supporting members 12 is located inside the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 and close to a back wall. The pair of supporting members 12 includes the upper portion 14, the middle portion 16, the lower portion 18 and the plurality of notches 22. The upper portion 14 and the middle portion 16 include the notch 22 that is arranged horizontally and the lower portion 18 includes the notch 22 that is arranged vertically. The horizontal and the vertical notches 22 allow the pair of tube members 30 to secure between the notches 22 of the pair of supporting members 12. The pair of supporting members 12 includes the plurality of holes 24 in the upper portion 14 and the plurality of holes 26 in the middle portion 16. The plurality of holes 24, 26 in the upper and middle portions 14 and 16 of the pair of supporting members 12 allow the plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 to secure between the pair of supporting members 12 along with the pair of tube members 30 using the at least one fastening means 94 and the at least one clamp member 96.

Preferably, the width of the pair of supporting members 12 is made about 3 inch to hold the plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 on the pair of supporting members 12. The arrangement of the pair of supporting members 12 allows the plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 and the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 to look suspended in the air thereby providing the floating flames. The plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 is filled up with glass media 122 like the fire glasses or any other substance, in optional colors. The glass media 122 is covered with the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 and therefore, when fire is turned on, the floating flames shoots up and suspended in the air. The plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 is located in one or more levels and bedded with the plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 to facilitate a burning look of the fire glasses.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the upper tray 68 associated with the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 shown in FIG. 1. The upper tray 68 includes the rear lip 74, the pair of opposing side lips 76, the pair of opposing front lips 78, the slot 80 on the top surface 82 thereof, the plurality of upper tray supports 84 on the top surface 82 and the plurality of notches 86 on the rear lip 74 and at least one support means 116. The upper tray 68 is positioned below the upper burner 38 through the plurality of notches 86 on the rear lip 74 and secured between the pair of supporting members 12. The rear lip 74 is 2 inch height and located against the pair of supporting members 12 by leaving a gap in back of the upper tray 68 for breathing. The plurality of upper tray supports 84 is adaptable to reinforce the upper tray 68 against heat to stop warping The at least one support means 116 is utilized to lift the upper burner 38 for about ¼ inch to provide efficient release of the gas.

The rear lip 74 and the pair of opposing side lips 76 of the upper tray 68 forms a container to retain the glass media 122 and to provide the floating flames. The pair of opposing front lips 78 of the upper tray 68 is adaptable for holding the ceramic glass 124 to make the upper tray 68 transparent to display the glass media 122. The pair of opposing front lips 78 acts as front retainers that can be customized for each fireplace according to front opening measurement of each fireplace. The slot 80 on the top surface 82 of the upper tray 68 is inserted with the perforated metal sheet 90 to prevent the glass media 122 falling into the base tray 72. The perforated metal sheet 90 is defined as a lighting facilitator which having the plurality of vents 92 to provide aeration and refract light.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the lower tray 70 associated with the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, the lower tray 70 includes the rear lip 98, the pair of opposing side lips 100, the pair of opposing front lips 102, the slot 104 on the top surface 106 thereof, the plurality of lower tray supports 108 on the top surface 106, the plurality of notches 110 on the rear lip 98 and at least one support means 116. The lower tray 70 is positioned below the lower burner 40 through the plurality of notches 110 on the rear lip 98 and secured with the pair of supporting members 12. The rear lip 98 is 2 inch height and located against the pair of supporting members 12 by leaving a gap in back of the lower tray 70 for breathing. The plurality of lower tray supports 108 is adaptable to reinforce the lower tray 70 against heat to stop warping The at least one support means 116 is utilized to lift the lower burner 40 for about ¼ inch to provide efficient release of the gas.

The rear lip 98 and the pair of opposing side lips 100 of the lower tray 70 forms a container to retain the glass media 122 and to provide the floating flames. The pair of opposing front lips 102 of the lower tray 70 is adaptable for holding the ceramic glass 124 to make the lower tray 70 transparent to display the glass media 122. The pair of opposing front lips 102 acts as front retainers that can be customized for each fireplace according to front opening measurement of each fireplace. The slot 104 on the top surface 106 of the lower tray 70 is inserted with the perforated metal sheet 90 to prevent the glass media 122 falling into the base tray 72. The perforated metal sheet 90 is defined as a lighting facilitator which having the plurality of vents 92 to provide aeration and refract light.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the base tray 72 associated with the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 shown in FIG. 1. The base tray 72 has the pair of opposing side lips 114 and the at least one support means 116 on the top surface 118 thereof. The base tray 72 is positioned on the surface 120 (See FIG. 10) below the base burner 42 and secured to the extended burner portion 56 using the at least one support means 116. The at least one support means 116 is utilized to lift the base burner 42 for about ¼ inch from the surface 120 thereby providing efficient release of the gas from the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42. The base burner 42 is located in the base tray 72 with a width of 4-5 inches and which is raised up ¼ of an inch from the surface 120 using the at least one support means 116. The base tray 72 is configured to protect the surface 120 on which the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 is placed from deterioration and cracking Additionally, the base tray 72 stops the gas to be penetrated into the cracks formed on old fireplace floors. The at least one support means 116 may be standoffs to raise the base burner 42 above the surface 120 to provide efficient gas release. The standoffs may include plastic or metal threaded screws, plastic or metal rods/spacers etc.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front perspective view of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 shown in FIG. 1, when in use. The pair of supporting members, 12, the burner assembly 28 and the plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 are assembled to form a step back style gas fireplace which is adaptable to provide an appearance of one or more levels of scattered floating flames. The present embodiment is characterized by the use of the burner assembly 28, going from bottom which is most horizontally jutting out, to recessed higher levels. All levels of the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 come from the gas inlet conduit (not shown) and can all be lit, preferably, by a single operation. The multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 with the one or more levels of the floating flames employs visible gaps between the levels of the floating flames.

The multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 utilizes volumes in terms of depth and height to burn the fire glasses, ceramic rocks etc efficiently. When the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 are covered with the fire glasses or the like, the structure of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 becomes invisible and when the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 are turned on, the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 showcases layers of the floating flames suspended in a stepped back manner as shown in FIG. 10. This peculiar feature boosts family, friends and any kind of gatherings as a pivotal means. The use of contemporary materials as glass media 122 such as the fire glasses, fire beads, and various shapes of ceramics is not meant to limit the preferred embodiment to confine to those, the glass media 122 can be used for other traditional look means, like gas logs etc.

Contrary to regular gas burners in a fireplace, the present embodiment presents the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 arranged horizontally in the step back style using the height and the depth of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 to locate the plurality of trays 68, 70, 72, and the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 from the surface 120 of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 and steps back as number of levels go up. The upper burner 38 ends for about 6-8 inches below the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 opening height and occupies a depth of about 4-6″. The plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 in the step back style are positioned on top of each other with specified clearances and therefore, number of burners in the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 is limited to the height and depth of opening of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 and thus, it can be 2, 3, and 4 etc. If the depth of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 is shallow, the one or more of levels can positioned on top of each other and viewed as layers. Depending on height of the back wall in which the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 is placed, the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 may be made in as many levels as the height of the back wall permits. The multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 copes with various shapes of the back walls, like curved or flat. Preferably, the present embodiment includes a 3 Tier Stepped Step Burners (3TSB).

The plurality of burners 38, 40, 42, the pair of opposing manifolds 62 and the at least one sound suppressor 58 are all made in one single piece to make the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 easy to handle and to connect with the plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 of each level and the gas inlet conduit (not shown). Thus, this configuration defines a looped burner, which allows connection to the gas inlet conduit (not shown) from both left and right sides of the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10.

The plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 is made in different depth, but the width of the plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 for each fireplace are the same and depends on each fireplace. The depth of each tray is determined by the location of each burner, positioned at a lower level. The rear lips 74, 98 of the upper tray 68 and the lower tray 70 is in vertical orientation and which is bent up from the upper tray 68 and the lower tray 70 for about 2 inch and the plurality of notches 86, 110 are located on the rear lips 74, 98 of the upper tray 68 and the lower tray 70 in accordance with the width of the pair of tube members 30. The pair of opposing front lips 78, 102 of the upper tray 68 and the lower tray 70 holds preferably, the ceramic glass 124 or any other substance to withstand the heat and be transparent to make visible the glass media 122 filled in the upper tray 68 and the lower tray 70 clearly. The pair of opposing side lips 76, 100 of the upper tray 68 and the lower tray 70 may be made of steel or ceramic glasses. The pair of opposing front lips 78, 102 of the upper tray 68 and the lower tray 70 may be a ¼ inch bent up lip and the pair of opposing side lips 76, 100 of the upper tray 68 and the lower tray 70 may be short at front for ¼ inch to let 2 inch height ceramic glass 124 with the thickness of 3/16 inch to pass through and stay in place.

The plurality of upper tray supports 84 and the plurality of lower tray supports 108 are used for providing reinforcement to the upper tray 68 and the lower tray 70 and preventing bending under pressure or from heat. The plurality of upper tray supports 84 and the plurality of lower tray supports 108 extend from rear lips 74, 98 to front, at a point the height of the plurality of upper tray supports 84 and the plurality of lower tray supports 108 reduces from 1½ inch to ¼ inch. The numbers of the upper tray supports 84 and the lower tray supports 108 varies in accordance with the width of each tray. The at least one support means 116 positioned on the plurality of trace 67, 70, 72 is utilized to lift the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 of each level for ¼ inch higher than the base tray 72 to let the gas easily release. The plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 are positioned in place for ¼ inch below the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 to let the flames, which in most cases are pushing down, have space to breath, release gas easily and distribute the floating flames evenly.

In one embodiment, the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 can be manufactured as a direct vent fireplace. In another embodiment, the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 can be made as a kit to be sold independently with new installation of wood burning fireplaces and also by inserting the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 into old fireplaces. Thus, users can avoid expenses of buying and installing a new fireplace and the hassle of demolishing the old fireplaces. In one embodiment, upper levels among the one or more levels may be made in a pyramid shape.

In one embodiment, the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 and/or the plurality of trays 68, 70, 72 includes an illumination means (not shown) to provide enhanced visualization of colored and light irradiated glass media. The illumination means (not shown) emits light through the slots 80, 104 on the top surfaces 82, 106 of the upper tray 68 and the lower tray 70 thereby facilitate lighting in the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10. The slots 80, 104 are inserted with the perforated metal sheet 90 to prevent the glass media 122 falling into the base tray 72. The perforated metal sheet 90 is defined as a lighting facilitator which having the plurality of vents 92 to provide aeration and refract light. The illumination means may be a LED system or equivalent lighting system to provide a live and sparkling color to be lighted beneath the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42. The LED light can be installed in each tray and under each burner that covers the area as wide as possible to accommodate a width of each burner with a depth of 2-3 inches.

In one embodiment, the upper tray 68 and lower tray 70 can be equipped with a lighting chamber having 1½ inch height and may be made of a non-combustible material that is as thin and as light as possible. A slot and a plurality of notches may be incorporated in the lighting chamber to let the heat flow out. A bend of 45 degree is provided at a front of the lighting chamber to reflect the light received from the lighting chamber to shine under the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 through a ceramic glass. An inner portion of the 45 degree bend and all across the lighting chamber is lined with polished stainless steel or any non combustible reflective material to let the lighting to hit on and bend-up for 90 degree. In this embodiment, the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 is covered with silica sand and the plurality of perforations 66 on the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 may be on top in a single line instead of being the bottom portion along the centerline. The plurality of perforations 66 on the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 may be channeled within 2¼ inch straight strips across the plurality of perforations 66 and the glass media 122 may cover all around the channel and the LED system may then enlighten the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 through the ceramic glass lying near the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42 in the lighting chamber.

In one embodiment, a battery base LED lighting facility is utilized to avoid the need of running electricity into the firebox 126 and thus have a plurality of wires to be exposed and the plurality of wires may be located far away from the plurality of burners 38, 40, 42. The lighting chambers for the lower tray 70 and upper tray 68 will slide under each tray to make easy to pull the lighting chamber out for maintenance. A LED strip is positioned at a rear lip inside of the lighting chamber. A lighting chamber on surface level is in a box form in height of about 1½ inch, different in shape than the lighting chambers on upper levels. The lighting chamber on the surface level may be about 3 inch front to back and as wide as the base burner 42 located in the box that is raised for 1½ inch and positioned under the base burner 42 and extends all the way towards back to let supports positioned on the box, which is raised 1½ inch.

In one embodiment, the base tray 72 includes a front retainer ceramic glass for positioning at front and away from the floating flames to have a height of 2½-3 inches. Thus, the front retainer ceramic glass allows the base burner 42, the lighting chamber and extended portion of the base tray 72 to be covered with fire glasses, ceramic river rocks or fired various shape of ceramics etc.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the multi-level floating flames gas fireplace 10 may be constructed with different levels and sizes or shapes that provide more heat and floating flames with an enhanced aesthetically pleasing fireplace. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-level floating flame gas fireplace comprising:

a pair of supporting members having a plurality of notches spaced parallel in vertical orientation and each notch being positioned on an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion thereof respectively;
a burner assembly secured with the pair of supporting members, the burner assembly comprising: a pair of tube members spaced parallel in vertical orientation, each tube member having an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion and being secured between inner portions of each supporting member through the plurality of notches on each supporting member; a plurality of burners evenly spaced and extended forwardly between the pair of tube members, each having a pair of opposing first portions, a second portion and a plurality of orifices formed inside thereof, the plurality of burners including an upper burner attached to an upper portion of the pair of tube members, a lower burner attached to a middle portion of the pair of tube members and a base burner attached to a lower portion of the pair of tube members, the base burner having an extended burner portion coupled with at least one sound suppressor; and
a plurality of trays including an upper tray positioned below the upper burner and being secured with the pair of tube members and the pair of supporting members using at least one clamp member and at least one fastening means, a lower tray positioned below the lower burner and being secured with the pair of tube members and the pair of supporting members using at least one clamp member and at least one fastening means and a base tray positioned on a surface below the base burner and being secured to the extended burner portion;
whereby the pair of supporting members, the burner assembly and the plurality of trays are assembled to form a step back style gas fireplace which is adaptable to provide an appearance of one or more levels of scattered floating flames.

2. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 1 wherein the bottom burner is coupled with a pair of opposing manifolds having at least one outlet hole connected to a gas inlet conduit.

3. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 1 wherein the plurality of orifices provides efficient and even flow or distribution of gas.

4. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 1 wherein the at least one sound suppressor is adaptable to allow the gas to flow in a greater distance and thereby reducing noise.

5. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 1 wherein the upper tray and the lower tray includes a plurality of upper tray supports and a plurality of lower tray supports respectively for reinforcing the upper and lower trays against heat to stop warping.

6. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 1 wherein the base tray is configured to protect the surface on which the fireplace is placed from deterioration and cracking.

7. A multi-level floating flame gas fireplace comprising:

a pair of supporting members having a plurality of notches spaced parallel in vertical orientation and each notch being positioned on an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion thereof respectively;
a burner assembly secured with the pair of supporting members, the burner assembly comprising: a pair of tube members spaced parallel in vertical orientation, each tube member having an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion and being secured between inner portions of each supporting member through the plurality of notches on each supporting member; a plurality of burners evenly spaced and extended forwardly between the pair of tube members and having a plurality of orifices formed inside thereof, the plurality of burners comprising: an upper burner having a pair of opposing first portions and a second portion, each opposing first portion being attached between the upper portions of each tube member; a lower burner having a pair of opposing first portions and a second portion, each opposing first portion being attached between the middle portions of each tube member; and a base burner having a pair of opposing first portions and a second portion each opposing first portion being attached between the lower portions of the each tube member, the base burner having an extended burner portion coupled with at least one sound suppressor; and
a plurality of trays comprising: an upper tray having a rear lip, a pair of opposing side lips, a pair of opposing front lips, a slot on a top surface thereof, a plurality of upper tray supports on the top surface, a plurality of notches on the rear lip and at least one support means, the upper tray positioned below the upper burner and being secured with the pair of tube members and the pair of supporting members using at least one clamp member and at least one fastening means; a lower tray having a rear lip, a pair of opposing side lips, a pair of opposing front lips, a slot on a top surface thereof, a plurality of lower tray supports on the top surface, a plurality of notches on the rear lip and at least one support means, the lower tray positioned below the lower burner and being secured with the pair of tube members and the pair of supporting members using at least one clamp member and at least one fastening means; and a base tray having a pair of opposing side lips and at least one support means on a top surface thereof, the base tray being positioned on a surface below the base burner and secured to the extended burner portion using the at least one support means;
whereby the pair of supporting members, the burner assembly and the plurality of trays are assembled to form a step back style gas fireplace which is adaptable to provide an appearance of one or more levels of scattered floating flames.

8. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 7 wherein the bottom burner is coupled with a pair of opposing manifolds having at least one outlet hole connected to a gas inlet conduit.

9. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 7 wherein the plurality of orifices provides efficient and even flow or distribution of gas.

10. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 7 wherein the plurality of upper tray supports and the plurality of lower tray supports are configured to reinforce the upper and lower trays respectively against heat to stop warping.

11. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 7 wherein the at least one support means is utilized to lift the plurality of burners for about ¼ inch the surface thereby providing efficient release of the gas from the plurality of burners.

12. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 7 wherein the rear lip and the pair of opposing side lips of the upper and lower trays are capable to retain a glass media and to provide floating flames.

13. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 7 wherein the pair of opposing front lips of the upper and lower trays is adaptable for holding a ceramic glass to make the trays transparent to display the glass media.

14. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 7 wherein the slot on the top surfaces of the upper and lower trays is inserted with a perforated metal sheet to prevent the glass media falling into the base tray.

15. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 7 wherein the plurality of trays and/or the plurality of burners includes an illumination means to provide enhanced visualization of colored and light irradiated glass media.

16. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 15 wherein the illumination means emits light through the slot on the top surfaces of the upper and lower trays thereby facilitate lighting in the fireplace.

17. A multi-level floating flame gas fireplace comprising:

a pair of supporting members having a plurality of notches spaced parallel in vertical orientation and each notch being positioned on an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion thereof respectively;
a burner assembly secured with the pair of supporting members, the burner assembly comprising: a pair of tube members spaced parallel in vertical orientation, each tube member having an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion and being secured between inner portions of each supporting member through the plurality of notches on each supporting member; a plurality of burners evenly spaced and extended forwardly between the pair of tube members, the plurality of burners comprising: an upper burner having a pair of opposing first portions and a second portion, each opposing first portion being attached between the upper portions of each tube member; a lower burner having a pair of opposing first portions and a second portion, each opposing first portion being attached between the middle portions of each tube member; and a base burner having a pair of opposing first portions and a second portion, each opposing first portion being attached between the lower portions of each tube member, the base burner having an extended burner portion coupled with at least one sound suppressor; and a plurality of orifices formed inside the plurality of burners to provide efficient and even flow or distribution of gas; and a pair of opposing manifolds coupled between the base burner and the extended burner portion of the base burner, the pair of opposing manifolds having at least one outlet hole being connected to a gas inlet conduit; and
a plurality of trays comprising: an upper tray having a rear lip, a pair of opposing side lips, a pair of opposing front lips, a slot on a top surface thereof, a plurality of upper tray supports on the top surface, a plurality of notches on the rear lip and at least one support means, the upper tray positioned below the upper burner through the plurality of notches on the rear lip and being secured with the pair of tube members and the pair of supporting members using at least one clamp member and at least one fastening means; a lower tray having a rear lip, a pair of opposing side lips, a pair of opposing front lips, a slot on a top surface thereof, a plurality of lower tray supports on the top surface, a plurality of notches on the rear lip and at least one support means, the lower tray positioned below the lower burner through the plurality of notches on the rear lip and being secured with the pair of tube members and the pair of supporting members using the at least one clamp member and the at least one fastening means; and a base tray having a pair of opposing side lips and at least one support means on a top surface thereof, the base tray being positioned on a surface below the base burner and secured to the extended burner portion using the at least one support means;
whereby the pair of supporting members, the burner assembly, and the plurality of trays are assembled to form a step back style gas fireplace which is adaptable to provide an appearance of one or more levels of scattered floating flames.

18. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 17 wherein each burner includes a plurality of perforations on a bottom portion along a centerline thereof serves to transfer flame each other between the plurality of burners.

19. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 17 wherein at least one support means is utilized to lift the plurality of burners for about ¼ inch the surface thereby providing efficient release of the gas from the plurality of burners.

20. The multi-level floating flame gas fireplace of claim 17 wherein the plurality of trays and/or the plurality of burners includes an illumination means to provide enhanced visualization of colored and light irradiated glass media.

Patent History
Publication number: 20140116418
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 31, 2013
Publication Date: May 1, 2014
Inventor: Razmik Thomas (Glendale, CA)
Application Number: 14/069,261
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Fluid Fuel (126/512)
International Classification: F24B 1/195 (20060101);