CA1185135A - Air distributing device - Google Patents

Abstract

AIR DISTRIBUTING DEVICE

Abstract of the Disclosure:
An air distributing device, for a fireplace that is equipped with an air conduit which can conduct outside air to that fireplace, has a lower air-guiding section adjacent the bottom of the fireplace opening, has an upper air-guiding section adjacent the top of that fireplace open-ing, has an air inlet in that lower air-guiding section which can receive outside air from that air conduit, has a plurality of air outlet ports in that lower air-guiding section and has an adjustable air-throttling means to con-trol the amount of air which can pass from those air outlet ports into the fireplace,and has a plurality of air outlet ports in that upper air-guiding section and has an adjustable air-throttling means to control the amount of air which can pass from those air outlet ports into the fireplace. The adjust-able air-throttling means can be adjusted to supply desired amounts of combustion-supporting air to the lower area of the fireplace or to supply desired amounts of above-fire air to the upper area of the fireplace.

Description

AI~ DISTRIBUTING ~EVICE
Background of the Invention:
Draft-controlliny devices frequently are provided for fireplaces. Some of those draft-controlling devices include ports and air-throttling means which determine the amount of air that can pass from those ports into the fire-places.
Summary of the Present Invention:
The present invention provides an air dis-tributing device for a fireplace that is equipped with an air conduit which can conduct outside air to that fireplace; and that air distributing device has a lower air-yuiding secti.on which ~a) is adjacent the bottom of the fireplace opening, (b) has an air inlet that is in communication with the alr conduit to receive outside air, (c) has a plurality of a.ir outlet ports, and td~. has an adjustable air--throttling means to control the amount of outside air which can pass from those air outlet ports into the fireplace. The air outlet ports of that lower air-guiding section are positioned to permit outside air, that successIvely passes throuyh the air conduit and that lower air-guiding section and those air outlet ports, t~ enter the lower area of th~e fireplace to support the combustion of the fuel within that ~ireplace.
The air distributin~ device also has an uppe.r air-yuidiny section which (a) ~s adjacent the top of the fireplace openiny, (bl rec~ives outside air, (c) has a plurality of alr out~
let ports, and (d) which has an adjustable air-throttling means to control the amount of outside air which can pass from those air outlet por'cs into the fireplace. The air outlet ports of that upper section are positioned to permit 1, `~

outside air, that successively passes through the air conduit and that upper air-guiding section and those air ou-tlet ports, to enter the upper area of the fireplace to serve as above-fire air. It is, therefore, an object of the present inven tion to provide an air distributing device, for a fireplace that is equipped with an air conduit which can conduct out-side air to that fireplacetwith a lower air-guiding section adjacent the bottom of the flreplace opening, with an upper air-guiding section adjacent the top of tha-t fireplace open-ing, and with adjustahle air-throttling means that determine the amount of outside air which can enter the lower area or the upper area of the fireplace.
Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description.
In the drawing and accompanying descxiption, some preferred embodimen~ of the present inven-tion ~reshown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose oE illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.
Brief Description of the Drawing:
In the drawing, ~ig. 1 is a partially broken-away perspective yiew of a fireplace and of part of a preferred

2~ embodiment of air distributing device which is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, ~ ig. 2 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, which is taken along the plane indicated by the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, Fiy. 3 is a sectional view, on a still larger scale, which emphasizes the upper air-yuiding section of the air distribu-ting device, and which is -taken along the plane indicated by the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a broken sectional view, on the scale of Fig. 3, which is taken along the plane indicated by the line 4-4 i~n Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a broken sectional view, on the scale of Fig. 3, which is taken along the plane indicated by the line 5-5 in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a sectional view, on the scale of Fig.

3, which emphasizes the lower air-guiding section of the air distributing device, and which is taken along the plane in-dicated by -the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, Fig.. 7 is a rear elevational view, on the scale of Fig. 3, which is ta~.en along the plane indicated by the line 7-7 in Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a sectional view, on the scale of Fig.
3, which is taken along the plane indicated by the line 8-8 in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a vertical section throuqh the lower right-hand portion of a second preferred embodiment oE a.ir distributing device which is made in accordance with the principles and teachin~s o the present invent10ll, ancl it shows the air~throttlin~ member of that air dis-tributing device in position to block the flow of outside air into that air distributing device, ~ 3.

3~

Fig. 10 is a vertical section through the structure shown in Fig. 9, but it shows the air-throt-tling member in the position it occupies when it directs outside air into the vertically~directed air-yuiding section of that air distribut-S ing device, and Fig. 11 is a partially broken-away, ve,rtical section through the lower right-hand portion of a third preferred embodiment of air distributirlg device which is made in accord-ance with the principles and teachings of the present inven-tion.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment:
Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral 20generally denotes a fireplace which has a rectan~ular opening 2~, a back wall 29, and a damper 26. That fireplace is cli-mentioned to accommodate a log bas~et 28 which ls shown withthree logs therein. The numeral 30 denotes a conduit or passage which ex-tends to the exterior of the building of which the fireplace is a part, as shown particularly by E~ig.
~. That conduit has a vertically-directed arm 32 which ex-tends upwardly toward the level of the floor of the ~ireplace 3~.

20; and that arm is located inwardly of -the plane of the wall of whic~ the fireplace 20 is a part. That arm can be circular, rectangular or lrregular in plan view; but it should have an area at least as great as that of a Eour-inch circle.
The fireplace 20 and its opening 22, back wall 24, damper 26, log basket 28, conduit 30 and vertically-directed arm 32 are of standard and usual design and ~re not, per se, parts of the present invention. Further, the present invention is not xestricted to use with ~ fireplace which has the proportions and configurations of the fire--place 20~ Instead, that invention can be dimensioned and formed to be usable with any fireplace wh~ch has a conduit that supplies outside air to that fireplace. The air di.s-~ributing device of the present invention can be made in different sizes to fit any desired rectangular fireplace opening. In addition, if that air distributing device was to be used with a fireplace opening which was not rectangular, suitable baffles could be provided to bridge any spaces be-tween the outer periphery o that air distributing device and any non-linear po~tions of that fireplace opening.
T}le numeral 34 denotes a lower air-yuiding section of the air distributing device which is provided by the pre~
sent invention; and that lower air-guiding section is shown as an elongated channel wi-th inturned flanges. That channel 2~5 is mounted so it has an open bottom; and the inturned flanges on ~hat bottom are short enough to provide a sub stant~al air inlet 36 for t~at lower air-guiding section.
As indicated particularly by Eigs. 2 and 6-8~ the bottom of the lower air-guiding section 34 is located within an elon-gated recess in the floor of the fireplace. The bottom of that recess will effectively close the major portion of the length of the open bottom of the lower air-guiding section 34; but the ~ertically-directed arm 32 of the air conduit 30 will permit air from that conduit to enter that lower air-guiding section. By using a channel as the lower air-guiding section 34, and by disposing the bottom of that lower air-guidinq section within an elongated recess .in the floor of the fireplace which communicates with the verti-cally-directed arm 32 of the conduit 30, the present inven~
tion enables the air distributing device to communicate with that vertically-directed arm whether that verti.cally-directed arm is in the center of the fireplace opening 22, is ~t one or the other of the ends of that fireplace opening, or is somewhere between that center and one of tho.se ends. In doing so, the present inyention provides an air distributing device which can be used with almost every fireplace which has a conduit for outlet air that communicates with an elon-gated recess in the floor of that fireplace.
The air distributing member of the present invention also is usable with a fireplace which has an ou-tside air con-duit but does not have an elongated recess in the floor of that fireplace. In such a case, suitable stops cou:ld be secured to the floor of the fireplace by cement, lag screws, recessing or the like, and then the inner Eace of the lower air-guiding section 3~ could be abutted against them. There-after, a sealant, such as cement, a baffling strip or th~
like could be provided to seal the joint between the floor of the fireplace and the outer wall of the lower air-guiding section 34; and a further sealant could be provided to seal the joint between that floor and the inner wall of that lower air-guiding section. Consequently, the air distribu~ing device of the present invention is usable with almost every fireplace which has a conduit for outside alr.
The numeral 38 denotes air outlet ports which are provided in the upper portion of the inner wall of the lower air-guiding section 34O Those air outlet ports are shown as being circular in elevation; but they could be given poly-gonal, arcua-te or planar~arcuate configurations of any de-sired kind. The numeral 40 denotes an ear which is formed ~y punching it out of the inner wall of the le~t hand section 4~. The resulting opening, which is formed in that inner wall by the punching operation, is denoted by the numeral 42. The eax 40 is shown adjacent one end of the lower air-guiding section 34; and a second ear 40, not shown, will be provided adjacen~ the opposite end of that lowex aix-guiding section.
The n~eral 4~ deno-tes the left-hand section of the air distributing device; and, as indicated particularly by Fig. S, that left-hand section is tubular, has a xectangular cross secti.on, and has a closed top and a closed bottom. As indicated particularly by Fig. 7, an opening 39 in the inner face of that le~t-hand section, adjacent the lower end o~
that left-hand section,is welded to the left-hand end of the lower air-guiding section 34. As a result, that opening can receive outside air from the left-hand end of the lower air-guiding section 34. Three openings 46, which are shown particularly by Fig. 1, are provided in the front of the left-hand section 44. One of those openings is close to the upper end of that section, another of those openings is close to the lower end of that section, and the remaining opening is midway between those two openings. A~ least one ~fr~ 5 opening 46, not shown, is provided in the outer wall of the lower air-guiding section 34.
The nu~eral 50 denotes an upper air-guiding section for the air distributing device~ As shown particularly by ~iCJ.

4, an opening 51 in the inner face of the laft-hand section 44, adjacent the upper end of that left-hand section, is secured, as by weldinc3, to the left-hand end of the upper air-guidi.ng section 50. As a result, that opening can supply outside air from that left-hand section to that upper air-guiding section.
The numeral 48 denotes the right-hand section of the air distributing device; and it is a mirror irnage of the left-hand section 44. An opening, not shown, in the i.nner face of that right-hand section, adjacent the lower end of th~t right-hand section, is secured, as by welding, -to the right-hand end of the lower air-guiding section 34. ~ further openinc3, not shown, in the inner face of the right-hand section 48, adjacent the upper end of that right-hand section, i5 secured, as by welding, to the right-hand end of the upper a.ir-guiding section 50. Those openings enable that right-hand section to receive outside air from the lower air-guiding section clnd guide it to that upper air-guiding section The front of the right-hand section ~8 has three openings ~6, not shown, therein which are comparable to the three openings ~6 ln the front of the left-hand section 44. The upper ai.r-guiding section has at least one opening 46, not shown, in the outer wall thereof.
The upper air-guiding section 50 is shown as an elongated tubular member which is rectangular in cross section.
The numeral 52 denotes air outlet ports in the bottom of that upper air-guiding section. As shown particularly by ~ig. 5, those air outlet ports are circular in configuration; bu-t 3~

they could be given polygonal, arcuate, or planar-arcuate configu,xations of any desired kind. The numeral 54 denotes an elongated slot which is provided in the bottom of the upper air-yuiding section 50; and that slot has the long axis thereo~ parallel to the long axis of ~t upper air-guiding section.
The air outlet ports 38 in the lower air-guiding section 34 preferably are distributed unifoxmly along the major portion of the length of the i.nner wall of that lower air-guiding section. Similarly, the air outlet ports 52 in the upper air-guiding section 50 preferably are distri-buted uni~ormly along the major portion of the length of the bottom of that upper air-guiding section. Howeve:r, i:E de-sired, those outlet ports could be arranged in various gro~lp-ings that were spaced apart any desired distances along thelengths of those air~guiding sections.
The n~er~l 56 denotes an air~throttling member which has the ~orm of an elongated plate with a number of openings 58 there.in. That air-throttling member will be pre--itioned within the upper air-guiding section 50 before the ends of that upper air-guiding section are secured, as by welding, to the openings in the upper portions o~ the inner faces of the left-hand and right-hand sections 44 and 48.
The openings 58 in the air-throttli.ng member 56 are dimen-sioned and spaced so the portions of that air-throttling member which are intermediate those openings can be moved into register with the air outlet ports 52 to close those ports. The openings 58 also are dimensioned and spaced so they can be moved into partial registry with those air out-let poxts, as sh~Jn in Figs. 4 and 5, or can be ved into full registry with those air outlet ports. The air-throttling member 56 is readily slidable, in a direction which is parallel to the axis of the upper air-guiding section 50, for a distance whicll is only slightly less than the length of the elongated slot 54. The numeral 60 denotes an actuator which is L-shaped in configuration, and which has the short arm thereof extending upwardly through the elongated slot 54 and through an openiny in the air-throttling member 56.
That actuator preferably is fixedly secured to that air-throttling member by having the upper end of the short armthereof welded to that air-throttling member.
When that actuator is at the left-hand end of the slot 54, as that slot is viewed in Figs. 4 and 5, the portions of that air-throttling member which are displaced from the open-ings 58 will overlie and completely close the air outlet ports52. On the other hand, when that actuator is adjacent the right-hand end of slot 54, the openings 58 will essentially be in register with the air outlet ports 52, and hence will permit substantial quantities of outside air to flow down-wardly from the upper ~ir-guiding section 50 through ~hose openings and then through those air outlet ports and into the fireplace. A ~nob 62, which is shown as being spherical but which could be given any desired functional or ornamen~al configuration, is secured to the outer end of the lony arm of the actuator 60.
The numeral 64 denotes an air-throttling member which has the form of an elongated plate with a number of openings 66 thereinO Those openings are dimensioned and spaced so the portlons of that air-throttling member which are displaced from those openings can be moved into register ~5 3L~;i with the air outlet ports 38 to close those ports. The open-ings 66 also are dimensioned and spaced so they can be moved into partial registry with thosP air outle-t ports, as shown in Fig. 7, or can be moved into full registry with those air outlet ports. The air-throt-tling member 64 is re~dily slid-able, in a direction which is parallel to the axis of ~he lo~er air-guiding section 34, for a distance which is about the same as the distance through which the air throttling member 56 is slidable. The numeral 68 denotes an L-shaped actuator which has the vertically-directed short arm thereof secured, as by welding, to the inner face of the air-throttling member 64. A knob 7~, which is shown as being spherical but which could be given any desired functional or ornament~l con--figuration, is secured to the outer end of the long arm of the actuator G8.
~ he numeral 72 denotes a frame for glass doors~
That frame can be made in any desired manner; but it is econ-omical to make that frame from four channels which are suit-~bly secured together, as by welding, to clefine a rectangular frame. The open sides of those channels confront, and are largely closed by, the outer walls of the lower air ~uidincJ
section 34, of the side sections 44 and 48, ancl of the upper air-guiding section 50. The peripheral dimensions oE that frame will be essentially the same as the peripheral dimen-sions of the fireplace opening, as indicated particularly byFigs. 1 and 2. Filling material, which can be cement or any other suitable material, can be interposed between an angle iron 73 at the upper portion of the fireplace opening 22 and the upper surfaces of the upper air-guiding section 50 and of frame 72~ Similar`filling material can be interposed between the left-hand side of the fireplace opening 22 and the outer 10 .

S~35 faces of the frame 72 and of the left-hand section 44. Further filling material, not shown, can bc interposed between the right-hand side of the fireplace opening 22 and the outer faces of the right-hand section 48 and of the frame 72. Addi-tional sealing material can be interposed between the floorof the fireplace and the surface of the bot-tom of the frame 72. Self~tapping metal screws 74 oan be passed rearwardly through a number of openings in the front face of the frame 72 and seated within the openings 46 in the front walls of the lower air-guiding section 34, of the left-hand section ~4, of the right-hand section 48, and of the upper air-guiding section 50. Those screws will Eixedly secure the frame 72 to the four sections of the air distributing device.
A horizontally-directed slot 76 is provided in the 15 front wall of the upper portion of the frame 72, as indicatcd particularly by Figs. 1-5. The axis of slot 76 is parallel to the long axis of the upper air-guiding section 50; and its length is at least as great as the length of the elongated slot 54 in the bottom of that upper air-guiding section. The slot 76 is oriented relative to the slot 54 so the actuator 60 can be moved far enough through the slots 5~ and 76 to shift the openings 58 in the air-throttling member 56 wholly out of, or essentially into, register with the air outlet ports 52 in the bottom of the upper air-guiding section 50.
A baffle plate 77, which moves with the actuator 60, will re-sist any flow of air through the slot 76.
The numeral 78 denotes a horizontally-directed slot in the front of the bottom portion of the frame 72; and that slot is 5hown particularly by Fig. 6. The elongated axis of that slot is parallel to the long axis of the lower air-guiding section 3~; and the length of that slot is great enough to permit the actuator 68 to move the openings 66 in the air-throttling member 64 wholly out of, or essen-tially into, register with the air ou-tlet ports 38 in the rear wall of that lower air-guiding section~ A baffle plate 7~, which moves with the actuator 68, will resist any flow of air through the slot 78. The actuator 68 is wholly independent of the actuator 60; and, as a result, the air-throttling member 64 can be moved while the air-throttling member ~6 is lef-t motion-less, and vice versaO The air-t}lrot-tling member 56 will usu-ally be in port-closing position whenever the air-throttling member 64 is out of port-closin~ position~ Conversely, the air-throttling member 64 will usually be in port-closing posi-tion whenever the air~throttling member 56 is out of port-closing position~
The numeral 80 denotes a glass door, of standard and usual design, which is pivoted to the left-hand end, not shown, of the frame 72. ~he numeral 82 denotes a glass door, of standard and usual design, which is pivoted to ~he right-hand portion of that frame. Those doors can be opened to ~0 permit the introduction of logs or of other combustible material into the fireplace, and they also can be opene~cl to remove ashes or to facil~tate the cleaning of the fireplace.
However, those doors should be kept closed whenever a fire has been started in the ixeplace -- especially when a re-duced pressure is likely to develop within the room, o~
which the fireplace is a part. That reduced pressure could be due to the operation of an exhaust fan in the kitchen, bathroom, or another room of the building, could be due to the "stac~" effect of the building, to heavy winds or other conditions.

12.

Whenever the fireplace is not in use, the damper 26 should be closed, the air-throttling member 64 should be in its "closed" (left-hand) position in Fiy. 1 (right-hand position in Fig. 7) to block all of the air outlet ports 38, and the air-throttling member 56 should he in its "closed"
(right~hand) position in Fig. 1 (left-hand position in Fig.

5) to block all of the air outlet ports 52. Suitable "open"
and "closed" notations will be stamped into, imprinted on, or otherwise caused to appear on the upper and lower por-tions of the frame 72 adjacent the ends of the slots 76 and 78.
At such time, those air-throttling members will coact with the re5t of the air di5tributing device to minimize any tend-ency of air to pass inwardly through the conduit 30, to pass upwardly through the vertically-directed arm 32, and then to pass throuc3h that air distributing device into the fixe-plac~ and up the chimney.
When a ire is to be started, the dampe~ 26 will be op~ned, but the knob 62 and the actuator 6U will be left in their "closed" (right-hand~ positions in Fig. 1 to keep the air outlet ports 52 in the bottom of the upper air-guiding section 50 of ; ^` the air distributing device closed. If the chimney is cold, and if the un-blocking of the air outlet ports 38 in the lower air-guidillg section 34 would tend to cause the cold air in ~he conduit 30 to draw ai`r downwardly fxom the fireplace, tha knob 70 and the actuator 63 should be left in their closed" ~left-hand~ positions in Fig. 1. On the other hand, i~ the chimney is warm, or if khe un-blocking of the air out-t port3 38 in the lower air-guiding section 34 would not tend to cause the cold air ir~ the conduit 30 to draw air ~` 3~ downwardly from the fixepi~ceJ the knob 70 and the actua~or 8 should be shi~ted to their 'open" (right-hand) posiklons 13.

After a fire i5 s-tarted, the knob 62 and the actuator 60 will be permitted to remain ln their "closecl" (right-hand) positions in Fig. 1. ilowever, the knob 70 and the actuator 68 will be moved to a position wherein the openings 66 in the air-throttling member 64 will un-block enough of the areas of the air outlet ports 38 to enable outside air from the conduit 30 to support the fire That outside air will move }nwardly through that conduit, upwardly through the arm 32, along the lowex aix-guiding section 34 to the air outlet ports 38, and then through those air outlet ports into the fireplace.
The greater the extent to which the areas of the air outlet por~s 38 are uncovered, the faster the logs or other fuel will burn;
and the lesser the extent to which the areasof those openings are uncovered, the slower the logs or other fuel will burn.
The glass doors 80 and 82 can be left open or can be closed, as desired by the user. ~lowever, if those doors are closed, a reduced pressure in the room, of which the fireplace is a part, will be unable to draw carbon monoxide or any other pro-ducts o~ combustion into the room. Also, no sparks c~n escape from the fireplace to ignite a rug or any other combu~tible object. In addition, very little of the warm air in the room will be drawn up the chimney.
During the late hours of the night and the e~rly hours of the morning, or during any other period of tlme in which slow combustion of the logs or other fuel is desired, the actuator 68 and the knob 70 should be shifted to their "closed" (left-handj positions in Fig. 1 to cause the air-throttling member 64 to block the air outlet ports 380 The actuator 60 and the knob 62 should be shifted to their "open" (left-handj positions in Fig. 1 to dispose the openings 58 in the air-throttling member 56 in essential regis~ry with the air outlet ports 52. At such time/ air will move inwardly 1~ .

through the conduit 30, upwardly through the arm 3Z, through the lower air-guiding section ~4 to the side sections 44 and 48, upwardly through those side sections, through the upper air-guiding section 50, through the openings 58 to the air outlet ports 52, and then through those air outlet ports into the fireplace. That air will be introduced into that fireplace at a level which is above the logs or other fuel;
and hence it will pass up the chimney. That air will be helpful in minimizin~ the deposit of any solid products of combustion on the interior of the chimney and on portions of the fireplace.
By setting the knob 62 and the actuator 60 in their closed (right-hand) positions in Fig. 1, and by appropriate setting of the knob 70 and actuator 68 in partially-open or in "open" (.right-hand) position in Fig. 1, it is possible to assure safe and full combustion of the logs or other fuel at the desired rate. Subsequently, by setting the knob 70 and actuator 68 in their "closed" (left-hand) positions in Fig~ 1, and by settin~ the knob 62 and the actuator 60 i.n their "open" (left-hand~ positions in FigO 1, it is possi.ble to permit the logs or other fuel to burn at a "slow fixe"
rate and to mini~ize the deposit of any solid products of combustion on the interior of the chimney and on portions of the fireplace.
The sides and rear wall of the fireplace are shown as being formed f~om bricks or ceramic blocks. If desired, those side walls and that rear wall could be the metal walls of a pre-formed fireplace which is intended to heat air that passes along the exterior surfaces of those metal walls. In fact, the air distributing device of the present invention is usable, either directly or by the use of appropriate baffling, 15.

with almost every conceivable form of fireplace in use today.
Fig. 5 shows the ri~ht-hand opening 58 in the air~
throttling member 56 close to the right-hand end of that air-throttling member; and such an arrangement is practical. How-ever, in most installations, the endmost openings in thatair-throttling member will have all portions thereof dis-placed at least two inches inwardly from the ends of that air~throttlin~ member. Similarly, in most installations, the endmost openings 66 in the air-throttling member 64 will have all portions thereof displaced at least two inches inwardly from the ends of that air-throttling member.
The ear 40 in Fig. 7, and the corresponding ear 40 adjacent the other end of the lower air-guiding section 34, will hold the air-throttling member 64 immediately adj~cent the inner wall of that lower air-guiding section. As a result, although that air-throttling member will be movable relative to that inner wall, it will be close enough to that inner wall to keep outside air from being drawn through the air outlet ports 38 whenever that air-throttling member i5 in the "closed"
(left-hand) position in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 shows the right-llancl end of the air-throttling member 6~ closin~ ~he openiny 42 which was formed in the inner wall of the left-hand section 44 when the ear 40 was formed. That right-hand end will close that opening in all moved positions of that air throttling member. Similarly, the left-hand end of the air-throttling member 64 will close the opening 42 adjacent the other end of the lower air-guidin~ section 34. As a result, thosa open-ings will not constitute undesired air outlet ports.
The air-throttling member 56 will rest upon the upper face of the bottom of the upper air-guiding section 50;
and hence, although that upper air-guiding section will be 16.

___ ~_ 3~

mova~le relative to -that upper face, it will be close enou~h to that upper face to keep outside air from being drawn through the air outlet ports 52 whenever that air-throttling member is in the "closed" (right~hand) position in Flg. 1.
Also, that air-throttling member will effectively prevent l~ss of outside air throuc3h the slot 54, regardless o~ the positions in which that air-throttling member is set.
The knob 62 is lar~er than the height of slot 76, and the knob 70 is larger than the height of slot 78, as in-I0 dicatecl hy Figs. 1 and 2. Consequently, those knobs will notbe securecl to the actuators 60 and 68, respectively, until the frame 72 has been secured to the sections 34, 44, 48 and 50 oE the air distributing device.
The front faces of the air-guiding sections 34, 44, 48 and 50 of the air distributing device are planar ~nd smooth, and hence make it possible to provide a relatively air-tight enga~ement between those front faces and the rear surface of th~ Erame 72. As a result, the air distributiny device not onl~y serves to support the frame 72 but also helps prevent -the ~o escape of air between ikself and that frame. In addition, the air dlstributiny device performs at least two furtileL- furlc~
t:iOllS; namèly, bloc~in~ heat that otherwise would be radiated onto the rear surace of the frame 72, and absorbing heat from l:hat frame. In doing so, the air distributin~ device keeps thc temper~lt-lL-e of frame 72 low enough so that frame cannot burn a person's hand.
Specifically, as indicated by Fig. 5, the air~guiding sections 44 and 48 will keep radiated heat from reaching any parts of the rear surfaces of the vertically-directed porkions of frame 72; and, as indicated by Fig. 2, the air-guiding sec-tions 34 and 50 will keep radiated heat from reachiny most parts of the .rear surfaces of the horizontally-directed por-ti.ons of that frame. By keeping the major portion of the rear surface of the frame 72 free from radiated hea-t, the air-distributing device limits the level to which the temperature of that frame can rise. The air distributing device also limits the level to which -that temperature can rise by absorb-ing heat from that frame. The outside air which flows through the lower air-guiding section 34 to the air outlet ports 38 will keep that air-guiding section cool, and will thereby en-able the air distributing device to absorb heat from the Erame72. Where the outside air flows through the air guiding sec-tion 34 to the air-guiding sections 44 and 48, and then flows upwardly to and through the upper air-guiding section 50 to the air outlet ports 52, that outside air will ena~le the air distxibuting device to absorb even more heat from that frame.
~ y serving as a barrier to most of the radiated heat which otherwise would directly reach the frame 72, the air distributing device reduces the total amount of heat received by that frame. Also, by being ~ept cool by the outside air which flows through the air-guiding sections thereof, and by being secured in heat-exchanging relation to the frame 72, the ~ir distributing device cools that frame. The overall result is that the air dis-tributing device keeps the tempera-ture of frame 72 well below the level at which a person's hand could be burned.
As indicated particularly by Pig. 6, inner wall of the lower air-guiding section 34 will act as a curb Por ashes. As a result, the hearth or floor in front of that air-guiding section can be kept quite free of ashes.
Where the air distributing device oP the present invention is to be incorporated into a fireplace as that fire-place is being built, that air distributing device will perPorm 18.

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an additional i-unction. Specifically, that air distributing device will serve as a jamb, head and sill for bricks which are laid by the brick layer or for the stones which are set by -tlle stone mason. In serving as a jamb, head and sill, the air distributing device speeds up the buildincJ of ~he fire-place, and also proyides a desirably close relationship be-tween itself and the sides and top of the fireplace opening.
The spaced air outlet ports 52 and the air-throttlinc3 member 56 provide a desirable way of controlling the amount of above-~ire air which can be supplied -to the fire-place. If desired, however, other air-metering arrangements could be used. For example, an elongated alot could be pro-vided in the air-guidiny section 50; and an imperforate, elongated air-throttling member could be moved transversely of that slot to vary the amount of above-fire air which could be supplied to the ~ireplace. Similarly, the spaced air ou-t-let ports 33 and the air-throttling rnember 64 provide a de-sirable way of controlling the amount of combus-tion~support-ing air which can be sup~lied to the fireplace. If desirecl, however, other air-metering arrangements could be used. E'or e~clmple, an elon~ated slot could be provided in the air-guidin~ section 3~, and an imperforate, elongated air-t.hrottling member could be moved transversely of that slot to vary the amount of combustion-supporting air which could be supplied to the fireplace. Also, outlet ports could be provided in the air-guiding sections 34 and 50 which had hillged closures therefo~. Actuators for those closures could then be used to selectively dispose those hinged clo~
sures in fully-closed, fully-open or intermediate positions to provide desired amounts of combustion-supporting air, 19 .

desired amounts of over-fire air, an~l desired ratios of combustion supporting and ov~r-fire air. The part.icular form and location of air outlet ports and the particula.r form and manner of operation of air-throt-tling members can be varied as aesired, as long as they permit selec-tive supplying of combustion-supporting air ancl over-fire airO
Referring par-ti.cularly to Figs. 9 and 10, the num-eral 90 denotes the vertically-directed arm of a passaye, not shown, which extends to the exterior of t}le building in which the air distributlncJ device of Figs. 9 and 10 is mounted.
That passage can be identical to the passage 30 of Fiq. 2;
but the arm 90 should have a hori~ontal length tha-t is twice the vertical dimension of that passage -- so the area of that arm is at least twice the area of a vertical section throuqh that passage. The numeral ~2 denotes the bottom horizon-tally-directed air-guiding section of the air distributing device o:E
Figs. 9 and 10; and that air-guiding section is a rectangular tube in cross section. An opening 9~ is provided in the bottom of that section in register with the upwardly~directed .20 arm 90; and that openin~ and that arrn should have widths t}lat are equal to the width of the passage for outside air while having horizontal leng-ths that are twice the height of that passage. The numexal 9G denotes an elongated, hori~ontal outlet port which extends throughout a large portion of the length of the inner wall of the air-guiding section 92. If desired, that outlet port could be formed as a number of closely-spaced, horizontally-aligned slots~ could be made trapezoidal in form so its height tapered from right t~ left, or could be given any other desired configuration. That outlet port differs from the yarious outlet ports in 20.

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Figs. 4-8 in not having an air-throttling member immediately adjacent it. An elongated narrow slot 98 is provided in the upper surface of the air-guiciiny section 92; and the numeral 100 denotes a stationary baffle which spans the dis-tance from the rear wall to the front wall of that air-guiding section. As shown par-ticularly by Figs. 9 and 10, the bottom of that baffle is located approximately midway between the opposite ends of the opening 94; and tha-t baffle coacts with the top of the air-guiding section 92 to sub-tend an angle of about forty-five degrees.
The numeral 102 clenotes a ver-tically-directed air-guiding section which has an opening 103 in the lower portion of the left-hand wall thereof. The right-hand end of the air-guiding section 92 is suitably secured, as by welds, to that opening. The air-guiding section 102 extends upwardly toward the top of the fireplace opening; and it will be suitably secured, as by welds, to a horizontally-directed upper air-cJuiding section, not shown. That upper air--guiding seetion will be tubular, and it will have an elongated outlet port which is comparable to the elongated outlet port 96. Ilowevel-, that upper air-guiding section will not have an opening like the opening 9'1, it will not have a slot like the slot 98, clnd it will not have a baffle like the baEfle 100. The outlet port 96 and the corresponding outlet port in the upper air-guidincJ
section will open into the fireplace.
Unlike the air distributing device of Figs. 1-~, the air distributing device of Figs. 9 and 10 will have only one vertically-directed air guiding section. As a result, the air-guiding section 102 must have a horizontal cross-section which is large enough to enable it to s~pply allof the outside air which must be supplied to the upper ~ir-guiding section that is connected to the upper end thereof.

The numeral 104 denotes a plate~like alr-throttling member which is disposed within and which rests upon the bottoms of the air-guidinc3 sections 92 and 102. An opening 106 is provided in the right~hand portion of that air-throttling member; and the area of that openiny is about the same as one-half of the hori~ontal area of the vertically-directed arm 90.
The numeral 108 denotes an L-shaped actuator whi.ch has a ver~
tically-directed portion that is secured to the left-hand part of the air-throttling member 104 and that extends upwardly through the elongated slo-t g8. That actuator has a :forwardly-extending horizontal portion which will extend throuc3h a frame, not shown, l.ike the frame 72, that will be secured to the front of the air distrlbuting device. A ~nob, which is similar to either of the knobs 6~ and 70, will be secured to the forward end of the horizontally-directed arm of actuator 108.
During all periods of time when the fireplace is not in use, the air-throttling member 104 should be in the posi-tion shown by Fig. 9. As long as that air-throttling member is in that position, the imperforate left-hand half of that ~o member will be in register with, and will block, the open.i.r~
9~ and the upwardl~-directed arm 90. As a result~ outside a.ir will not be permitted to be drawn into the aix dist:ributincJ
device.
Whenever combustion-suppor-ting air is c~esired, the ~S actuator 108will be moved to the left-hand elid of the slot 98 to move the opening 106 in the air-throttling member 104 to a position where it is between the bottom edge of baffle 100 and the left-hand edge of opening 94. At such time, the right-hand portion of that air-throttl ng member will span the portion of the opening g4 which is intermediate that bottom edge and the right-hand end of that opening. As a result, ou-tside air 3~

will be able to pass inwardly through the passa~e, upwardly through the arm 90, through the lef~-hand half o~ the open--ing 9~, through the air-guiding section 92, and to and through the outlet port 96. Some small amounts of air also coulcl pass through the slot ~ into the fireplace. The outside air which passes through the outlet port 96, and the small amount of air which passes through the slot 98, will fully support the com-bustion of any logs or other fuel in the fireplace.
Whenever it .is desirable to provide over-fi.re air, the air-throttling member 104 will be set in the position shown by Fig. 10. At such time, the opening 106 will be in register with the right-hand half of the opening 94; and the left-hand half of that opening will be blocked by the imperforate left-hand portion of that air-thL-ottling member. Suitable markings will be provided on the frame, which is similar to -the frame 72, to indicate when the air-throttling member 104 is in its "full fire" position or its "hold fire" position.
The air-throttling member 10~ can be set in a mul.ti-tude of specifically-differen-t positions -to provide variolls ratios of combustion-supporting and over-fire air. I~`or e~-ample, if -that air-throttling member were to be set sc) the opening 106 therein had the mid-point thereoE in regiSter with the bottom ed~e of the baffle ]00, equal amounts of air could be drawn through the bottom air-guiding section 92 and the upper air-guiding section, not shown. The closer the air-throttling member 104 was moved from that mid position toward its left-hand position, the greater would ~e the ratio between the air passing into the bottom air-guiding section and the air passing into the upper air-guiding section.
Contrariwise, the further that air-throttling member was moved from tnat mid position toward its right-hand position, the smaller would be the ratio between the air passing to the bottom air-guiding section 92 and the air moving to the upper air-guiding section.
Referring particularly to Fig. 11, the numerctl 11~
S denotes a vertically~directed arm which extends upwardly from a passage for outside air. That arm and that passage can be sim~lar to the arm 32 and the passage 30 of Fig. 2. The numeral 116 denotes the bottom horizontally-directed air-guiding section of the air distributing device of Fig. 11;
and that air-guiding section is tubular in vertical section.
~n elongated outlet port 118 is provided in the inner wall of that section. If desired, that elongated out]et porr could be made as a number oc spaced horizontally-aligned slots, could be made trapezoidal in form so it tapered from right to left, or could be given any other desired form.
The numeral 120 denotes a vertically-directed air-guiding section which has an open bottom 122 and which has an opening 123 in the lower portion of the left-hand wall thereoE.
The right-hand end o~ the bottom air-guiding section 116 is secured, as by welds, to the opening 123. The numeral 12~
denotes a sem;-circular slot which is dominantly ln tlle frollt wall of the vertically-directed air-guiding section 120 bu-t which extends a short distance in-to~the front wall of the hori-zontally-directed ai~-guiding section 116. The cjeometric ~5 center of that slot is close to the junction between the upper edge of the air-guiding sec-tion 116 and the upper edge of the opening 123 in the air-guiding section 120.
The numeral 126 denotes a T-shaped air-throttling member which is disposable within either or both of the air-guiding sections 116 and 120. The numeral 127 denotes an axis of rotation for that air-throttling member; and that 2~.

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axis can be established by ears a-t the opposite edges of the end of the stem of that air-throttling member, by an elongated rod which is welded to the end of that stem, or by any other mechanical arrangemen-t. Tha-t T-shaped air--throttling member has a threaded stud 128 on the forward edge of the stem thereof and that stud extends forwardly through -the semi-circular slot 124. ~ setting nut 130 is threaded onto that stud; and that nut can be tightened against the front face of air-guiding section 116 or 120 to lock the air-throttling member 120 against movement.
~uring all periods of -~ime when the fireplace is not in use, the ~ir-thr~ttling member 126 should be in the solid line position shown by Fig. 11. As long as that air-throttllng member is in that posi-tion, the transverse portion of that member will e~tend from the left-hand edge of the opening 1?2 in the bottom of the air~guiding section 120 to the right-hand wall of that air-guiding section to completely block the flow of outsi.~e air Erom the upwardly-directed arm 11~ into either of the aix-guiding sections 116 or 120.
Whenever combus-tion-supporting air is desired, the set~iny nut 130 will be loosened, the air-throttling n~ember 126 will be rotated in the counterclockwise direction fro~ its solid-line position to its upper dotted-line position, and then that nut will be tightened. ~t such time, outsiae air can flow from the upwardly-directed arm 114 through the opening 122, through the bottom of the air-guiding section 120 into the air-guiding section 116, and then outwardly through the ou~let por-t 118 into the fireplace. That outsiae air will fully support the combustion of the logs or other fuel in the fireplaceO
The transverse portion of the air-throttling member will fully prevent the flow o, outside air up to the upper air-guiding section.

25.

Whenever it is desirable to provide over-fire air, the setting nut 130 will be 1006ened, the air throttling member 126 will be rotated in the clockwise direction to the lower dotted-line position, and then that nut will be tight-ened. At such time, the transverse portion of that memberwill have the right-hand end thereof adjacent the left-hand edge of the opening 122 and will have the left-hand portion thereof adjacent the top of the air-guiding section 116.
Outside air will then be drawn upwardly throuyh the arm 114, 1~ throuyh the opening 122, through the air-guiding section 120 to the upper ~ir~guiding section, and then to the outlet port which corresponds to the outlet port 118.
The solid-line position and the two dotted line posi-tions for the air-throttling member 126 will be the positions in which that air-throttlins member will usually be disposecl.
}Iowever, that air-throttling member could be disposed in an infinite number of positions which are intermediate those two dotted-line positions; and that air-throttling member could provide varying ratios of combustion-supporting and over-fire air in those various positions.
The structure of Figs. 1-8 is preferred because it can be used with fireplaces in which the upwardly-clirec~ed arm 32 is located anywhere between the opposite sides oE that fireplace. In contrast, the air distributing device of Figs. 9 and 10 requires the upwarclly-di.rected arm 90 to be spaced just a short distance to the left of the righ~-hand edge of the fi.-eplace opening; and the air distributing device of Fig. 11 requires the upwardly~directed arm 119 to be located adjacent the right-hand edge of the firepl~ce opening.

26.

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Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and described some prefer.red embocliments of -the present invention, it should be apparent to those s~illed in the art that various changes m~y be made in the form of the invention without affectin~ the scope thereof.

Claims (15)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An aspiration-type air distributing de-vice, for a fireplace which is equipped with a con-duit that can freely permit outside air to be aspir-ated to and into said fireplace, which comprises a metal air-guiding section that is disposable adjacent the bottom of the fireplace opening and that has at least one air outlet port and that is adapted to re-ceive outside air which is freely aspirated inwardly through said conduit, said air outlet port being pos-itioned to permit outside air that successively pass-es through said conduit and said air-guiding section and said air outlet port to be aspirated into the lower area of said fireplace, a second metal air-guiding section that is disposable adjacent the top of said fireplace opening and that has at least one air outlet port, a generally-vertical air conducting section that is substantially air-tight and that ex-tends to and communicates with said second air-guid-ing section and that is adapted to receive outside air which is freely aspirated inwardly through said conduit, said generally-vertical air-conducting sec-tion conducting outside air to said second air-guid-ing section with substantially no loss of air, said air outlet port of said second air-guiding section being positioned to permit outside air that success-ively passes through said conduit and said generally-vertical air-conducting section and said second air-guiding section and said air outlet port of said second air-guiding section to be aspirated into the upper area of said fireplace, and adjustable means which can vary the amount of outside air that can pass successively through said conduit and the first said air-guiding section and said air outlet port of said first said air-guiding section to be aspirated into said lower area of said fireplace and which can vary the amount of outside air that can pass success-ively through said generally-vertical air-conducting section and said second said air-guiding section and said air outlet port of said second air-guiding sec-tion to be aspirated into said upper area of said fireplace.

2. An aspiration-type air distributing de-vice, for a fireplace which is equipped with a con-duit that can freely permit outside air to be aspir-ated to and into said fireplace, which comprises a metal air-guiding section that is disposable adjacent the bottom of the fireplace opening and that has at least one air outlet port and that is adapted to re-ceive outside air which is freely aspirated inwardly through said conduit, said air outlet port being pos-itioned to permit outside air that successively pass-es through said conduit and said air-guiding section and said air outlet port to be aspirated into the lower area of said fireplace, a second metal air-guiding section that is disposable adjacent the top of said fireplace opening and that has at least one air outlet port, a generally-vertical air-conducting metal section that is substantially air-tight and that extends to and communicates with said second air-guiding section and that is adapted to receive outside air which is freely aspirated inwardly through said conduit, said generally-vertical air-conducting section conducting outside air to said second air-guiding section with substantially no loss of air, said air outlet port of said second air-guid-ing section being positioned to permit outside air that successively passes through said conduit and said generally vertical air-conducting section and said second air-guiding section and said air outlet port of said second air-guiding section to be aspir-ated into the upper area of said fireplace, adjust-able means which can vary the amount of outside air that can pass successively through said conduit to be aspirated into said fireplace via one of said air outlet ports of one of said air-guiding sections, said first said air-guiding section having an inlet therein which is disposable in communication with said conduit to permit outside air to be aspirated through said conduit and in-to and through said first said air-guiding section and into and through said generally-vertical air-conducting section to reach said second air-guiding section.

3. An air distributing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first said air-guiding section has an elongated opening in the bottom thereof, and wherein the lower part of said first said air-guiding section is disposable within an elongated recess in the floor of said fireplace with which the inner end of said conduit communicates, whereby said first said air-guiding section will be in communication with said conduit to permit outside air to pass through said conduit and into said first said air-guiding section, whether said inner end of said conduit com-municates with the center or either end or any other portion of said elongated recess in the floor of said fireplace.

4. An air distributing device, for a fire-place which is equipped with a conduit that can con-duct outside air to said fireplace, which comprises an air-guiding section that is disposable adjacent the bottom of the fireplace opening and that has at least one air outlet port and that is adapted to receive outside air which passes inwardly through said conduit, said air outlet port being positioned to permit outside air that successively passes through said conduit and said air-guiding section and said air outlet port to enter the lower area of said fireplace, a first adjustable air-throttling means which is disposed adjacent said air outlet port and which can be adjusted to vary the amount of outside air that can pass through said air outlet port into said lower area of said fireplace, a second air-guid-ing section that is disposable adjacent the top of said fireplace opening and that has at least one air outlet port and that is adapted to receive outside air which passes inwardly through said conduit, said air outlet port of said second air-guiding section being positioned to permit outside air that success-ively passes through said conduit and said second air-guiding section and said air outlet port of said second air-guiding section to enter the upper area of said fireplace, and a second adjustable air-throt-tling means which is disposed adjacent said air out-let port of said second air-guiding section and which can be adjusted to vary the amount of outside air that can pass through said air outlet port of said second air-guiding section into said upper area of said fireplace, the first said adjustable air-throt-tling means being adjustable to vary the amount of combustion-supporting outside air that is supplied to said lower area of said fireplace, and said second adjustable air-throttling means being adjustable to vary the amount of above-fire outside air that is supplied to said upper area of said fireplace.

5. An air distributing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second adjustable air-throttling means is disposed within, but is movable relative to, said second air-guiding means.

6. An air distributing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second adjustable air-throttling means is disposed within, but is movable relative to, said second air-guiding means, and wherein said sec-ond adjustable air-guiding means is positioned exter-nally of, and is movable relative to, the first said air-guiding section.

7. An air distributing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first adjustable air-throttling means can be moved while said second adjustable air-throttling means is left motionless, and wherein said second adjustable air-throttling means can be moved while said first adjustable air-throttling means is left motionless.

8. An air distributing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first adjustable air-throttling means is independent of said second adjustable air-throttling means, wherein said second adjustable air-throttling means is movable by an actuator that is located adjacent said second air-guiding section, and wherein said first adjustable air-throttling means is movable by a second actuator that is located adjacent the first said air-guiding section.

9. An aspiration-type air distributing de-vice as claimed in claim 1 wherein a frame for open-able and closable doors is secured to the first said and said second air-guiding sections, wherein hinges mount said openable and closable doors for swinging movement relative to said frame, wherein an air--throttling Means is disposed adjacent said air outlet port of said first said air-guiding section, wherein a second air-throttling means is disposed adjacent said air outlet port of said second air-guiding sec-tion, wherein an actuator for the first said air-throttling means is located adjacent the lower sec-tion of said frame and out of the path of swinging movement of said doors and can be actuated when said doors are in closed position, and wherein an actuator for said second air throttling means is located adja-cent the upper section of said frame and out of the path of swinging movement of said doors and can be actuated when said doors are in closed position.

10. An aspiration-type air distributing de-vice as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generally vertically-directed air-guiding section is at one side of said fireplace opening, wherein a second gen-erally vertically-directed air-guiding section is substantially air-tight and is at the opposite side of said fireplace opening and extends to and communi-cates with the other end of said second air-guiding section to conduct outside air up to said other end of said second air-guiding section with substantially no loss of air, wherein said generally vertically-directed air-guiding sections are fixedly secured to said one and said other ends of said second air-guid-ing section and also are fixedly secured to the ends of said first said air-guiding section to provide a sturdy rectangular air distributing device, wherein the lower ends of said generally vertically-directed air-guiding sections are in communication with said first said air-guiding section so outside air can pass between said first said air-guiding section and said generally vertically-directed air-guiding sec-tions, wherein a rectangular frame for hinged glass doors can be secured to, and can be supported by, said sturdy rectangular air distributing device, wherein said rectangular air distributing device is disposable immediately adjacent said inner face of said front of said fireplace, and wherein said adjustable means can be adjusted while said hinged glass doors are in closed position.

11. An aspiration-type air distributing de-vice as claimed in claim 1 wherein said air outlet port of said first said air-guiding section is close to the floor of said fireplace and is in that face of said first said air-guiding section which confronts the interior of said fireplace so air can be aspir-ated from said air outlet port of said first said air-guiding section to the lower section of a fire within said fireplace without having to turn and move downwardly as it flows from said air outlet port of said first said air-guiding section to said lower section of said fire, wherein said first said air-guiding section has the top thereof disposable close to said floor of said fireplace while being spaced from said floor by a distance greater than the maxi-mum vertical dimension of said air outlet port of said first said air-guiding section, and wherein said first said air-guiding section has an inlet that directly confronts the outlet of said conduit, where-by said outside air passes directly from said conduit into said first said air-guiding section so outside air which passes to said second air-guiding section must pass through at least a portion of the length of said first said air-guiding section and then pass through said generally-vertical air-conducting sec-tion before it can be aspirated into said second air-guiding section.

12. An aspiration-type air distributing de-vice as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generally vertically-directed air-guiding section is at one side of said fireplace opening, wherein a second gen-erally vertically-directed air-guiding section is substantially air-tight and is at the opposite side of said fireplace opening and extends to and communi-cates with the other end of said second air-guiding section to conduct outside air up to said other end of said second air-guiding section with substantially no loss of air, wherein said generally vertically-directed air-guiding sections are fixedly secured to said one and said other ends of said second air-guid-ing section and also are fixedly secured to the ends of said first said air-guiding section to provide a sturdy rectangular air distributing device, wherein the lower ends of said generally vertically-directed air-guiding sections are in communication with said first said air-guiding section so outside air can pass between said firs-t said air-guiding section and said generally vertically-directed air-guiding sec-tions, wherein a rectangular frame for hinged glass doors can be secured to, and can be supported by, said sturdy rectangular air distributing device, said rectangular frame being in thermal-conducting rela-tion with said air-guiding sections, said upper and lower air-guiding sections having smooth planar faces which provide a relatively air-tight, heat-exchanging engagement with the rear surface of said rectangular frame.

13. An air distributing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a vertically-directed air-guiding section extends between and interconnects the first said air-guiding section and said second air-guiding section, and wherein said adjustable means is dis-posed adjacent the junction of said first said and said vertically-directed air-guiding section.

14. An air distributing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a vertically-directed air-guiding section extends between and interconnects the first said air-guiding section and said second air-guiding section, wherein said adjustable means is disposed adjacent the junction of said first said and said vertically-directed air-guiding sections, wherein said adjustable means has an imperforate section that can be moved into position to substantially prevent the movement of outside air from said conduit into said first said air-guiding section and has an open-ing therein which can be moved into position to per-mit outside air to pass from said conduit into said vertically-directed air-guiding section, and wherein said imperforate section of said adjustable means is movable to a second position wherein it can substan-tially prevent the movement of outside air from said conduit into said vertically-directed air-guiding section and said opening can be moved into a second position wherein it can permit outside air to pass from said conduit into said first said air-guiding section.

15. An air distributing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a vertically-directed air-guiding section extends between and interconnects the first said air-guiding section and said second air-guiding section, and wherein said adjustable means is dis-posed adjacent the junction of said first said and said vertically-directed air-guiding sections, where-in said adjustable means is rotatable relative to said first said air-guiding section and said vertic-ally-directed air-guiding section, wherein said ad-justable means is disposable in one position to per-mit outside air to pass from said conduit into said first said air-guiding section and wherein said ad-justable means is disposable in a second position wherein it can permit outside air to pass from said conduit into said vertically-directed air-guiding section for movement to said second air-guiding section.