GB2446275A

GB2446275A - Devices for sealing fireplaces

Info

Publication number: GB2446275A
Application number: GB0801579A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Baker; Daniel John Shute; John Sidney Shute
Original assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL FIREPLACE SOLUTI
Current assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL FIREPLACE SOLUTI
Priority date: 2007-02-01
Filing date: 2008-01-29
Publication date: 2008-08-06
Also published as: GB0701885D0; GB0801579D0; IE20080065A1

Abstract

A device which can be used to seal off or minimise airflow through the opening of a fireplace whilst accommodating the presence of an appliance in the fireplace has a frame or edge that can be adjacent to the opening in use, and has a panel (28, fig 2a-c) or door 34,36 extending from the frame 22a or edge in a direction away from the opening in use. The doors 34,36 may be hinged to the frame 22a. Ventilation apertures 40 can be provided, and a seal to a wall, hearth or surround (figs 4a-5) may be achieved. The device may be acrylonitrile or styrene plastic. Another version has an L shaped device sealed to a hearth and surround (figs 6a-b) for use when an appliance does not protrude. Versions of the device can seal off a fireplace temporarily or permanently.

Description

A Device for use with a Fireplace The invention to which this

application relates is to an improvement to a device which can be used to permanently or selectively enclose a fireplace opening in a manner to prevent or minimise the flow of air from internally of the premises to externally of the premises, through the fireplace and chimney connected thereto.

The loss of heated air from a premises, through open fireplaces, is well known and is a significant problem which is becoming increasingly more important, as pressure increases to reduce heat loss from buildings. This pressure is, in the near future, to be further increased by the introduction in the UK, of home information packs and property information packs, which will include information relating to the particular heat insulation and/or losses within that property. This could therefore start * *s to have an impact on the awareness of potential purchasers and, as a result, an impact on the price which potential purchasers *:*. are prepared to pay. *..

It is known to provide a device known as a fireplace door, which *:*::* typically comprises a series of glass panels which can slidingly move between open and closed positions at the front of the fireplace. These panels are provided to be flush i.e. lie flat and in line with the fireplace opening and typically, are attached to the fireplace opening such that the sides, top and bottom edges of the fireplace door, locate on the inner faces of the fireplace adjacent the opening. This conventional product, is known to be successful in certain instances, but, due to the design and nature of the same, the potential usage relatively limited. It has been identified by the applicants that in many instances the fireplace doors will simply not be usable or, if usable, require significant adaptation and installation work to be performed, which it is believed reduces the inclination of householders to install the same.

A first problem with the conventional fireplace doors is that because they lie flat with the fireplace opening, any fireplace which has an appliance installed therein, (whether that be a coal or wood burning open appliance, a gas appliance, a wood burning stove or indeed an ornamental article) which protrudes beyond the opening of the fireplace, onto the hearth or into the room, means that a conventional fireplace door cannot be used, as the fireplace door is provided in a planar shape and, if fitted in the normal position, at the opening, would clash with the protruding appliance. This therefore means that in a high percentage of households, the conventional fireplace doors cannot be utilised.

*.*.. A further problem which is experienced is that even if the * ** appliance in the fireplace does not protrude beyond the opening ***i.

of the fireplace, and the conventional fireplace door can be fitted, the fireplace door tends to be so close to the appliance . that if the appliance is used to create heat, the fireplace door * becomes extremely hot, and therefore becomes a significant ** burning risk to persons within the premises. It is also found that with the conventional fireplace doors fitted it can be difficult to operate controls of the appliance in order to control the heat which is generated.

It has also been identified that the conventional fireplace doors will include at least one door which is movable between open and closed positions. This adds to the expense of the door and can mean that the seal which is desired to be created, is not as good as one would expect.

It is therefore a main aim of the invention to provide a device which can be used to substantially seal off the opening of a fireplace effectively when the fireplace is not in use and to provide the device in a form which allows the presence of an appliance in the fireplace to be accommodated. One aim of the present invention is to provide a device in a first form which can seal off the fireplace, temporarily, or in a second form, permanently. It is a further aim to provide an embodiment of the device which allows permanent sealing of the fireplace in a cost effective and efficient manner.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for use to enclose an opening of a fireplace, said device provided to be located at and/or adjacent to the fireplace opening to enclose the same wherein said device includes a housing defined by one or more panels defining a rear edge to be placed at or adjacent to the fireplace, said device includes at least one panel in a * *S. . . direction substantially away from said rear edge, and said **.. . . . . . fireplace opening is located within said housing. I. * * *.

:. In one embodiment at least apportion of the device is attached to the fireplace and/or surface adjacent to the same. * **

In one embodiment, the one or more panels are permanently placed in position such that when the device is placed against the fireplace, the fireplace opening is permanently enclosed. In this embodiment, preferably the device or at least a portion of the device, is attached to the fireplace wall and/or adjacent surface via securing means and/or sealing means to provide a substantially airtight interface between the said device and the fireplace.

In one embodiment at least a portion of the lower edges of the one or more panels contact with at least a portion of the base or hearth area adjacent the fireplace opening and provide a seal.

If required, sealing means can be located between the hearth and panels.

In one embodiment the device is selectively movable between a sealing condition and a non-sealing condition.

In an alternative embodiment, at least one of said panels, is selectively movable between open and closed positions, to allow selective access to the fireplace, without the need to remove the device from the fireplace. In this embodiment, it is possible to fix the device to the fireplace and still retain the opportunity to utilise an appliance which may be positioned in the fireplace to create heat and/or to gain access to the area within the housing to perform cleaning operations and/or any other required uses.

In one embodiment, the access is gained by opening two panels, * *. each of which is hingedly movable with respect to the remainder of the fireplace to thereby allow full access to be gained therein. a...

\i Preferably, in this embodiment, engagement means are provided :. so as to retain said panels in a substantially closed position.

* Further to this said panels remain in the substantially closed position until the engagement means are released. The engagement means can be any or any combination of hooks, magnets, catches or the like.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the panels is formed of a sheet material such as, for example, glass or plastics and in one embodiment can be of a substantially transparent material so as to allow the interior of the fireplace to be viewed.

Alternatively, the panels can be provided so as to prevent the fireplace interior from being viewed and may in one embodiment provide a decorative effect.

In one embodiment, at least one panel is provided to form a protruding housing front face which extends outwardly and in a direction away from the fireplace. Alternatively, a series of panels are angularly displaced thereby providing a protruding housing with said panels joined by adjacent edges.

In one embodiment, the device is formed from a single sheet of material. Typically the material is a plastics material. Preferably at least a portion of the material is transparent.

In one embodiment the device protrudes outwardly from the fireplace to substantially enclose any appliances located within said fireplace which also protrude from the same.

In one embodiment the device and panels are formed from a single sheet of precast material. Preferably the material is a precast plastics material. Typically, the plastics material is * S transparent. * S **_ S

In one embodiment the plastics material is substantially of an acrylonitrile and styrene copolymer.

In one embodiment of the device a frame is provided to form the rear edge of the device and/or retain and position adjacent panels to form the device.

Preferably the device prevents heat loss through the fireplace in the room in which the same is located.

In whichever embodiment, it will be appreciated that by providing the frame with the housing depending outwardly therefrom formed by one or more panels, and which protrudes away from the fireplace, so a pleasing visual effect can be created. At the same time, any appliances which are fitted in the fireplace opening and which protrude outwardly from the opening of the fireplace typically on the hearth, can be accommodated within the protruding housing of the device.

This therefore means that the device in accordance with the invention, can be fitted to a far larger number of existing fireplaces than conventional fireplace doors. Furthermore, the ability to provide the device in the form of either a permanent closure, or with doors, means that the device can be used to permanently seal fireplaces, where it is no longer desired to use the fireplace for heating or to allow the fireplace to still be accessed for heating purposes by the provision of the version of the device with doors.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a device for use to enclose an opening of a fireplace when said fireplace is not in use to burn fuels said device having a frame, at least a portion of which is provided to be placed at and/or adjacent to the fireplace opening to enclose the same, and depending outwardly from said frame portion in a direction ** away from the fireplace, one or more panels to define a housing within which the fireplace opening is located and sealed therein from the external room and/or building in which the fireplace is located. S..

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided at least one door for the selective enclosure of a fireplace opening, said door defined by an edge wherein at least a portion of said edge is located at and/or adjacent to the fireplace opening, and one or more doors depending outwardly from said edge in a direction substantially away from said fireplace, wherein said one or more doors define the housing within which the fireplace opening is located.

Typically the door is hingedly connected to a surface at and/or adjacent to said fireplace opening.

In whichever embodiment, it will be appreciated that the ability to use the device in accordance with the invention, allows the advantage of preventing heat loss through the chimney when the fireplace is not in use to be achieved. This is a significatit advantage and in the form provided, allows a significantly greater proportion of existing premises to utilise the device.

In one embodiment heat loss is further prevented by attaching adhesive tape and/or other adhesive means between the frame of the device and the surface to which it is attached.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with *...

reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-Figures Ia and b illustrate a conventional fireplace of one type S.. . . * to which the current invention is directed; * S. * S S * S. * Figures 2a to c illustrate a first embodiment of the invention; S.. *

Figures 3a to c illustrate a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 4a to c illustrate a third embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 illustrates a forth embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures Ia to b, there is illustrated a fireplace in elevation and side elevation. The fireplace comprises an opening 2, a hearth 4, on the floor and a surround 6. There can be many different variations in fireplaces and different sizes of the same, but all have basically the same characteristics. In this case, a gas burning appliance 8 is shown in position in the fireplace opening and typically, while the majority of the appliance is located within the cavity from the opening leading to the chimney, the front portion 14, can protrude beyond the fireplace opening plane 16 as is shown in the side elevation of Figure lb. When fitting the device in accordance with the invention, in order to seal off the opening from internally of the premises 1 8, it will be appreciated that a flush fitting on the fireplace opening phase 16 is not possible due to the protrusion of the appliance.

Figures 2a to c illustrate a first embodiment of the invention in which there is provided a device 20 which has a frame formed of two portions 22a and 22b. The portion 22a is designed to be fitted against and interface with the portion 24 surrounding or at the opening 2 of the fireplace said portion shown 24 for **.. , illustrative purposes, in Figure la. The second part of the frame 22b, is provided to fit onto the hearth 4 of the fireplace * and, in this embodiment, is provided with a series of apertures *:*::* 26 to allow limited airflow through the same and into the fireplace for the purposes of ventilation. It will be appreciated that such airflow is significantly more limited than would be the case if the fireplace was entirely open. Depending outwardly from the portion 22a of the frame and down to the portion 22b of the frame is, in this case, a single panel 28 which could be, for example, heat resistant glass which has been formed into a protruding shape so as to form a housing within the same which extends from the interface between the frame 22a and the fireplace and forms a housing within which the fireplace opening 2 is located. Thus, the access to the fireplace and hence chimney is entirely located within the device and so substantial air flow from the premises directly to the fireplace opening and up the chimney, is prevented. The device can be fitted to the portion 24 of the fireplace via screws, the fitting 30 for which are shown. If required, sealing means such as a flexible sealant, can be applied to lie between the device and the fireplace so as to provide a further seal.

It should therefore be appreciated that in the embodiment shown in Figures 2a to c, once the device is applied to the fireplace, the same is permanently sealed until the device is removed by unscrewing the fastening. It will be appreciated that if it is no longer desired to use the fireplace to burn fuel then this will be the desired embodiment of the invention to use. However, if it is desired to selectively use an appliance within the fireplace, the embodiment shown in Figures 3a to c can be used instead. The same features of the device in Figures 3a to c as are provided in Figures 2a to c, are provided with the *:* same reference numerals. However, in this case, the single panel 28 is replaced by two panels 34 36 each provided with a S... , , . : door knob 38 and each hingedly attached to the frame 22a at * ** respective ends. The provision of these two panels, in a hinged S..

* connection, allows the same to act as doors to be selectively opened and closed and in the figures, they are shown in a closed * position. When open, access can be gained to the interior of S's the housing of the device and hence to the appliance within the fireplace to operate the same. The doors can then be kept open or alternatively, can be shut. As the housing extends outwardly from the fireplace opening there is reduced risk of burning as the panels are further removed from the source of heat in the appliance.

Typically, when the appliance is not used, then the door will be retained in a shut position to provide a substantially airtight seal which is required.

It will also be noticed that in this case, the ventilation apertures which are provided, are larger than in the device of Figures 2a to c as typically, as increased ventilation is required to allow the fumes from the burning of the appliance to be encouraged to flow up the chimney and, furthermore, control means can be provided for the apertures to allow the selective control of the rate of ventilation at any given time.

In the case of the door version shown in Figures 3a-c the device can be fastened in position above the fret or base unit 42 which can be removed to allow ignition of the fire in the case of a gas burning appliance and in all permitted fuels replaced afterwards with the air entraining apertures 40 in the open position. In the case of wood or solid fuel burning appliances the fret or base unit can be removed to allow for cleaning of ash/soot.

**:* It will therefore be appreciated that in accordance with the * * invention there is Drovided a device which can be used to S... , I. selectively seal off an open fireplace to prevent the ioss of heated air from within a premises, through the chimney. The S..

* device can be used whether or not there is an appliance fitted within the chimney and whether or not the appliance protrudes * S. * from the fireplace opening due to the shape and appearance of S..

the same.

The invention also provides an option of a one piece device with no spacer or extension plate required. Any installed appliance is not touched during installation and the aesthetic appeal of the fire place is unchanged.

The device allows the elimination of down draft and reduces the thermal loss up the flue or chimney, at the same time reducing or eliminates CO2 emissions to atmosphere when installed, resulting in other primary heating systems such as boilers serving radiators working less hard, ie more efficiently, to keep the room warm so reducing overall heating costs in the property dwelling which in turn further reduces CO2 emissions to atmosphere.

Figures 4a and b show a side elevation of a fireplace 44 with a hearth 4 and a surround 6. This fireplace is equipped with a real effect' gas burning appliance 8. In this illustration the front portion 14 of the appliance protrudes beyond the fireplace opening onto the hearth 4. Therefore in order for the devices 48, 50 to provide an effective seal there in an option of forming the seal around the hearth 4 and the surround 6, as shown in Figure 4a, or forming the seal around the hearth and the wall 46 behind the surround as shown in Figure lb. The embodiment of the device shown in Figure 4b provides the additional benefit of being able to form an effective seal even on fireplaces with highly decorative and/or contoured fire surrounds. In the ... embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4 a to c the device is constructed from substantially transparent plastics material. This provides the advantage of reducing heat loss whilst not removing the pleasing aesthetic effect many fireplaces and/or surrounds possess.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention wherein the device 50 is constructed from transparent plastics material. The device provides a seal around the entire fireplace 52 including the decorative surround 54. The aesthetic effect of the fireplace and surround can be maintained whilst providing an effective seal to prevent heat loss from the building. The seal can be further improved by providing adhesives, such as tape and/or the like, between the edge of the device 56 and the adjacent surface. In this embodiment the adjacent surfaces are the wall and the hearth 58.

Figures 6a and b show an alternative embodiment of the device which is suitable for use when the fireplace or front of the appliance does not protrude outwardly. In this embodiment the device 60 is L-shaped and provides a seal around the hearth 64 and the fire surround 62. Similarly to the device shown in Figures 4a to c the device is constructed from transparent plastics material so as to be unobtrusive and the owner can still benefit from the visual appearance of the fire. * .* * S * * S. 5.. * S S... ** S * . . * **

S * SS * S 5 * *. S..

Claims

Claims 1. A device for the enclosure of a fireplace opening, said

device provided to be located at and/or adjacent to the fireplace opening to enclose the same wherein said device includes a housing defined by one or more panels defining a rear edge to be placed at or adjacent to the fireplace, said device including at least one panel depending outwardly in a direction substantially away from said rear edge, and said fireplace opening is located within said housing.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the device is attached to said fireplace and/or a surface adjacent to the same. * *. * * * * *.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the device can be S...

. : permanently placed in position to permanently enclose the * * fireplace opening. S..
4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the device is attached * S. . . . . * to a wall ad;acent to said fireplace opening with securing means * and/or sealing means to form a substantially airtight interface between the device and the fireplace opening.
5. A device according to claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the lower edges of the one or more panels contact with at least a portion of the base of the hearth area adjacent the fireplace opening thereby providing a seal.
6. A device according to claim I wherein the device is selectively movable between a sealing condition and a non-sealing condition.
7. A device according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the panels is selectively moveable between open and closed positions.
8. A device according to claim 7 wherein access is gained to the fireplace and any appliance contained therein without removing said device.
9. A device according to claim 8 wherein two panels are opened to gain access, each of said panels higedly moveable in relation to the fireplace thereby giving unrestricted access to said fireplace.
10. A device according to claim 7 wherein one of more of the *:::* panels has at least one engagement means to retain said panels S... . . in the substantially closed position.
11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the engagement S.. . . . * means retains the panels in the substantially closed position until said engagement means are released.
12. A device according to claim I wherein at least a portion of the panels are formed from sheet material.
13. A device according to claim 12 wherein at least a portion of the panels and/or sheet material are formed from a transparent material.
14. A device according to claim I wherein at least one panel forms a protruding housing front face which extends away from the fireplace.
15. A device according to claim 1 wherein a series of panels are angularly displaced providing a protruding housing with said panels joined by adjacent edges.
16. A device according to claim I wherein the device protrudes outwardly from the fireplace to substantially enclose any appliances located within said fireplace which also protrude from the same.
17. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device prevents heat loss through the fireplace in the room in which the same is located.
18. A device according to claim I wherein a frame is provided to * Ib.

form the rear edge of the device and/or retain and position adjacent panels to form the device. S...

U
19. A device to enclose a fireplace opening when said fireplace S.. . . . * in not in use to burn fuels, said device comprising a frame wherein at least a portion of said frame is located at and/or * adjacent to the fireplace opening to enclose the same, and S..

* depending outwardly from said frame in a direction substantially away from said fireplace one or more panels which define a housing within which the fireplace opening is located and sealed therein from the external room and/or building within which the fireplace is located.
20. At least one door for the selective enclosure of a fireplace opening, said door defined by an edge wherein at least a portion of said edge is located at and/or adjacent to the fireplace opening, and one or more doors depending outwardly from said edge in a direction substantially away from said fireplace, wherein said one or more doors define the housing within which the fireplace opening is located.
21. A door according to claim 20 wherein door is hingedly connected to a surface at and/or adjacent to said fireplace opening. * a. * . . * *. S... * . S..

S * . . * S. S..

S * S. * * . * SS p I.