FIREPLACE APPLIANCE GLASS RETENTION IN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

Abstract

A fireplace appliance includes a cabinet defining a front side, a back side, a first side and a second side. The cabinet includes a peg on an interior side of the cabinet. A heating element is disposed within the cabinet, along with a fan. A panel assembly is removably coupled to the front side of the cabinet. The panel assembly includes a glass panel defining a front side, a back side, a first side and a second side, and a mounting bracket coupled to the glass panel. The mounting bracket defines a slot. The slot is configured to engage the peg of the cabinet when mounted to the cabinet. The slot includes a biasing member configured to retain the peg within the slot.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to fireplace appliances in recreational vehicles, and more specifically to fireplace glass retention in recreational vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fireplaces may generally be installed in homes, and other residential or commercial locations, for heating living areas or other shared spaces. Typical fireplaces may include wood and/or gas burning fireplaces. However, electric fireplace appliances may provide heat to the living areas without burning wood or gas. Additionally, electric fireplace appliances may be designed to look realistic, providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a room or space where the fireplace is located.

A recreational vehicle is a motor vehicles or trailer that may include amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms, living areas, and sleeping areas. Some recreational vehicles may include a fireplace appliance, such as an electric fireplace appliance, for providing heat to the amenities of the recreational vehicle. However, components of the fireplace appliances may rattle while the recreational vehicle is in motion, and certain components may risk becoming unsecure if the vehicle were to go over a large bump or pothole.

Accordingly, a fireplace appliance configured to secure components from rattling while the recreational vehicle is in motion may be advantageous. In particular, a fireplace appliance configured to retain components while the recreational vehicle is in motion may be desired in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one example embodiment, a fireplace appliance for recreational vehicles is provided. The fireplace appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The fireplace appliance includes a cabinet defining a front side, a back side, a first side and a second side. The cabinet includes a peg on an interior side of the cabinet. A heating element is disposed within the cabinet, along with a blower. A panel assembly is removably coupled to the front side of the cabinet. The panel assembly includes a glass panel defining a front side, a back side, a first side and a second side, and a mounting bracket coupled to the glass panel. The mounting bracket defines a slot. The slot is configured to engage the peg of the cabinet when mounted to the cabinet. The slot includes a biasing member configured to retain the peg within the slot.

In another example embodiment, a fireplace appliance is provided. The fireplace appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The fireplace appliance includes a cabinet defining a front side, a back side, a first side and a second side. The cabinet includes a peg on an interior side of the cabinet. A heating element is disposed within the cabinet, along with a blower. A panel assembly is removably coupled to the front side of the cabinet. The panel assembly includes a glass panel defining a front side, a back side, a first side and a second side, and a mounting bracket coupled to the glass panel. The mounting bracket defines a slot. The slot is configured to engage the peg of the cabinet when mounted to the cabinet. The slot includes a biasing member configured to retain the peg within the slot.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an example embodiment of a recreational vehicle according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a fireplace appliance according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 provides a front view of the fireplace appliance of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 provides a side sectional view of the fireplace appliance of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a mounting bracket of the fireplace appliance of FIG. 2, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 provides a side sectional view of the fireplace appliance of FIG. 2, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

In order to aid understanding of this disclosure, several terms are defined below. The defined terms are understood to have meanings commonly recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the arts relevant to the present invention. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. In addition, as used herein, terms of approximation, such as “approximately,” “substantially,” or “about,” refer to being within a ten percent margin of error.

In general, FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an example recreational vehicle 20 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In general, recreational vehicles may be motorized (drivable) or non-motorized (towable) vehicles that are used for camping, traveling, and other recreational activities. In the current example embodiment, recreational vehicle 20 is a non-motorized recreational vehicle 20, although one of skill in the art would understand that aspects of the present subject matter may be used in either motorized or non-motorized recreational vehicles. In general, recreational vehicle 20 defines a passenger compartment 40 which may include amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms, one or more sleeping areas with beds, and multiple compartments for storing items. During use of recreational vehicle 20, people may spend significant amounts of time within passenger compartment 40. Thus, recreational vehicle 20 may be employed for a variety of purposes including transportation, cooking, eating, sleeping, entertaining, and more of the like.

In general, recreational vehicles, such as recreational vehicle 20, may include various typical household appliances, e.g., range appliance, dishwashing appliance, laundry appliances, etc. In the present example embodiments, recreational vehicle 20 may include a fireplace appliance 100, such as may be seen in FIGS. 2 through 6. In general, fireplace appliance 100 may provide heat within passenger compartment 40. Additionally, fireplace appliance 100 may be an electric fireplace appliance, such as to provide heat without burning wood or gas, while providing an aesthetically pleasing or enhanced appearance within passenger compartment 40, e.g., compared to the appearance within passenger compartment 40 without a fireplace appliance.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, an example fireplace appliance will be described in accordance with example aspects of the present subject matter. Specifically, FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of an example fireplace appliance 100, FIG. 3 provides a front view of fireplace appliance 100, and FIG. 4 provides a side cross-sectional view of fireplace appliance 100. As illustrated, fireplace appliance 100 generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.

According to example embodiments, fireplace appliance 100 may include a cabinet 110 that is generally configured for containing and/or supporting various components of fireplace appliance 100 and which may also define one or more internal chambers or compartments of fireplace appliance 100. In this regard, as used herein, the terms “cabinet,” “housing,” and the like are generally intended to refer to an outer frame or support structure for appliance 100, e.g., including any suitable number, type, and configuration of support structures formed from any suitable materials, such as a system of elongated support members, a plurality of interconnected panels, or some combination thereof. It should be appreciated that cabinet 110 does not necessarily require an enclosure and may simply include open structure supporting various elements of appliance 100. By contrast, cabinet 110 may enclose some or all portions of an interior of cabinet 110. It should be appreciated that cabinet 110 may have any suitable size, shape, and configuration while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.

In general, cabinet 110 may extend in the transverse direction T between a front side 112 and a back side 114, in the vertical direction V between a top side 115 and a bottom side 117, and in the lateral direction L between a first side 116 and a second side 118. Cabinet 110 may generally define an interior cavity 140 in front side 112 of cabinet 110. In general, interior cavity 140 may be defined, in the lateral direction L, between interior wall(s) 142, and between a top side 141 (FIG. 6) and a bottom side 143 (FIG. 6) in the vertical direction V. In general, interior wall 142 may include a first peg 144 and a second peg 146 extending in the lateral direction L from interior wall 142, e.g., first peg 144 and second peg 146 may extend inwards, or towards interior cavity 140. In general, second peg 146 may be below, or under, first peg 144 with respect to the vertical direction V. First peg 144 and second peg 146 will be described in greater detail below.

Looking specifically at FIG. 4, in general, within cabinet 110 may be a heating element 102 and a fan 104. In general, heating element 102 may be an electric heating element, such as a radiant electric heating element or an electric resistive heating element. In particular, heating element 102 may be any suitable heating element configured to supply heat without burning wood or gas. Moreover, fan 104 may generally be any suitable type of fan, such as a propeller (axial) fan, a centrifugal (radial) fan, or a mixed flow fan. In particular, fan 104 may be any suitable fan for directing heated air from heating element 102 through an outlet, such as outlet 150, as will be described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 6, fireplace appliance 100 may generally include a panel assembly 120 removably coupled to cabinet 110 of fireplace appliance 100. In general, panel assembly 120 may include a glass panel 122 and a mounting bracket 132. In particular, FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of an example mounting bracket 132. Mounting bracket 132 may generally couple to glass panel 122, whereby panel assembly 120 may couple to cabinet 110 via mounting bracket 132 engaging first peg 144 and second peg 146 of interior wall 142. The mounting of panel assembly 120 to cabinet 110 will be described in greater detail below with regards to FIG. 6, which provides a simplified view of panel assembly 120 mounting to cabinet 110.

In general, glass panel 122 of panel assembly 120 may extend in the transverse direction T between a front side 124 and a back side 126, in the vertical direction V between a top side 125 and a bottom side 127, and in the lateral direction L between a first side 128 and a second side 130. Glass panel 122 may generally include an opening, e.g., outlet 150, for exhausting heated air into the room, such as within passenger compartment 40. In general, outlet 150 may be any suitable shape and/or size, e.g., as shown in the present embodiment, outlet 150 may be an elongated slot extending in the lateral direction L.

Looking at FIGS. 5 and 6, mounting bracket 132 may generally define a front surface 139. In general, front surface 139 of mounting bracket 132 may be adhered (by any suitable adhesive) to back side 126 of glass panel 122, such as is generally seen in FIG. 6. Mounting bracket 132 may also define a flange 131 extending generally perpendicular to the front surface 139, e.g., the flange 131 may be extend generally in the transverse direction T from front surface 139. In general, flange 131 may include a slot, such as a first slot 133 in flange 131.

As seen in FIG. 6, first slot 133 may generally couple to first peg 144 of cabinet 110. In particular, slot 133 may define an open end 136 and a closed end 138 between a top edge 135 and a bottom edge 137 of first slot 133. Additionally, slot 133 may extend at an angle α between the transverse direction T and the vertical direction V such that open end 136 is below, or lower than, the closed end 138 with respect to the vertical direction V. In general, angle α may be any suitable angle between ten degrees (10°) and seventy degrees (70°), such as between twenty degrees (20°) and sixty degrees (60°), such as between thirty degrees (30°) and fifty degrees (50°). In the present example embodiment, mounting bracket 132 may include a second slot 134 below, or under, first slot 133 with respect to the vertical direction V. In particular, second slot 134 may be identical in size and shape to first slot 133 as described above, however, in some example embodiments, second slot 134 may be non-identical to first slot 133 with respect to size, shape, angle, etc.

In general, first slot 133 may include a biasing member, such as a first biasing member 160, positioned proximate bottom edge 137, e.g., over bottom edge 137, adjacent to bottom edge 137, or more specifically, protruding into slot 133 from bottom edge 137. In the present example embodiment, biasing member 160 may include a spring clip, however, other suitable types of biasing members may be used, such as torsion springs, spiral springs, compression springs, etc. For example, biasing member 160 may generally include two arms (not labeled) extending outwards from a coil (not labeled), whereby the arms bias the coil into slot 133. Further, the arms of biasing element 160 may be fastened to flange 131 by fasteners (not labeled), such that the coil is biased into slot 133. The fasteners may generally be any suitable fastener, such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. In some example embodiment, such as may be seen in FIG. 5, second slot 134 of mounting bracket 132 may include a second biasing member 162. In general, example embodiments of mounting bracket 132 may include only first biasing member 160 in first slot 133 and exclude second biasing member 162 in second slot 134, as seen in FIG. 6, or may include only second biasing member 162 in second slot 134 and may exclude first biasing member 160 in first slot 133, as seen in FIG. 4, or may include both first biasing member 160 and second biasing member 162, as seen in FIG. 5.

Turning specifically to FIG. 6, first biasing member 160 may be provided within first slot 133, whereby first biasing member 160 may be configured to retain, or bias, first peg 144 within closed end 138 of first slot 133, when mounting bracket 132 is mounted to cabinet 110. For example, first slot 133 may engage first peg 144 of cabinet 110, whereby first biasing element 160 may retain first peg 144 within first slot 133, and second slot 134 may engage second peg 146 of cabinet 110, whereby second biasing element 162 may retain second peg 146 within second slot 134. Thus, mounting brackets 132 of panel assembly 120 may be coupled with cabinet 110, and advantageously held in place via gravity (e.g., gravity pushing down against angle α) as well as first and/or second biasing members 160, 162. Accordingly, fireplace appliance 100 may be generally configured to retain panel assembly 120 while a recreational vehicle is in motion.

As may be seen from the above, a fireplace appliance, such as for a recreational vehicle, includes a spring retention clip within a mounting bracket, where the mounting bracket includes a slot configured to receive a peg, is provided. The spring retention clip may ensure a glass panel is secured to the appliance and may add requisite additional force to disengage the glass from a cabinet of the appliance. The spring retention clip may permit for the glass to be intentionally removed, while securing the glass to prevent accidental disengagement, thereby reducing risk of glass breakage. Moreover, securing the glass panel to the appliance may boost the fireplace appliances perceived quality and safety without diminishing aesthetic appearance.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A fireplace appliance for recreational vehicles, the fireplace appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions mutually perpendicular, the fireplace appliance comprising:

a cabinet defining a front side, a back side, a first side and a second side, the cabinet comprising a peg on an interior side of the cabinet;

a heating element disposed within the cabinet;

a fan disposed within the cabinet; and

a panel assembly removably coupled to the front side of the cabinet, the panel assembly comprising: a glass panel defining a front side, a back side, a first side and a second side; and a mounting bracket coupled to the glass panel, the mounting bracket defining a slot, the slot configured to engage the peg of the cabinet when mounted to the cabinet, the slot comprising a biasing member configured to retain the peg within the slot.

2. The fireplace appliance of claim 1, wherein the slot of the mounting bracket defines an open end and a closed end between a bottom edge and a top edge of the slot, the slot extending at an angle between the transverse direction and the vertical direction such that the open end is below the closed end with respect to the vertical direction.

3. The fireplace appliance of claim 2, wherein the biasing member is positioned proximate to the bottom edge of the slot.

4. The fireplace appliance of claim 1, wherein the peg of the cabinet comprises a first peg and a second peg, the second peg below the first peg with respect to the vertical direction.

5. The fireplace appliance of claim 4, wherein the slot of the mounting bracket comprises a first slot and a second slot, the second slot below the first slot with respect to the vertical direction, the first slot configured to engage the first peg of the cabinet, and the second slot configured to engage the second peg of the cabinet.

6. The fireplace appliance of claim 5, wherein the biasing member of the mounting bracket comprises a first biasing member and a second biasing member, the first slot comprising the first biasing member, and the second slot comprising the second biasing member.

7. The fireplace appliance of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket of the panel assembly defines a front surface, and wherein the glass panel of the panel assembly is adhered to the front surface of the mounting bracket.

8. The fireplace appliance of claim 1, wherein the biasing member comprises a spring clip.

9. The fireplace appliance of claim 1, wherein the heating element of the fireplace appliance comprises an electric heating element.

10. A fireplace appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions mutually perpendicular, the fireplace appliance comprising:

a cabinet defining a front side, a back side, a first side and a second side, the cabinet comprising a peg on an interior side of the cabinet;

a heating element disposed within the cabinet;

a fan disposed within the cabinet; and

a panel assembly removably coupled to the front side of the cabinet, the panel assembly comprising: a glass panel defining a front side, a back side, a first side and a second side; and a mounting bracket coupled to the glass panel, the mounting bracket defining a slot, the slot configured to engage the peg of the cabinet when mounted to the cabinet, the slot comprising a biasing member configured to retain the peg within the slot.

11. The fireplace appliance of claim 10, wherein the slot of the mounting bracket defines an open end and a closed end between a bottom edge and a top edge of the slot, the slot extending at an angle between the transverse direction and the vertical direction such that the open end is below the closed end with respect to the vertical direction.

12. The fireplace appliance of claim 11, wherein the biasing member is positioned proximate to the bottom edge of the slot.

13. The fireplace appliance of claim 10, wherein the peg of the cabinet comprises a first peg and a second peg, the second peg below the first peg with respect to the vertical direction.

14. The fireplace appliance of claim 13, wherein the slot of the mounting bracket comprises a first slot and a second slot, the second slot below the first slot with respect to the vertical direction, the first slot configured to engage the first peg of the cabinet, and the second slot configured to engage the second peg of the cabinet.

15. The fireplace appliance of claim 14, wherein the biasing member of the mounting bracket comprises a first biasing member and a second biasing member, the first slot comprising the first biasing member, and the second slot comprising the second biasing member.

16. The fireplace appliance of claim 10, wherein the mounting bracket of the panel assembly defines a front surface, and wherein the glass panel of the panel assembly is adhered to the front surface of the mounting bracket.

17. The fireplace appliance of claim 10, wherein the biasing member comprises a spring clip.

18. The fireplace appliance of claim 10, wherein the heating element of the fireplace appliance comprises an electric heating element.