IES20010095A2 - A fireplace - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to fireplaces and in particular to inserts for fireplace and is directed at providing an arrangement that facilitates the safe insertion of wide angled fireplaces cavities, requiring a minimum of construction work to be carried out in the process. In particular, there is provided a fireplace insert of the type comprising a pair of side walls (2,3) with a rear wall (4) positioned there between, the side and rear walls arranged in a substantially C-shaped configuration characterised in that there is provided a cut-out extending from the upper surface of one side wall (2) across the rear wall (4) to the upper surface of the other side wall (3). <Figure 1>

Description

This invention relates to fireplaces and in particular to inserts for fireplaces.

Over the last few years, people have been reverting to fossil fuel burning fires as an alternative method of heating their homes. Nothing can quite compare to the atmosphere created by a roaring fire on a cold winters night. However, many of the fireplaces already in place may be unsightly or unsuitable for hosting large fires. Further they have relatively small fire enclosures. It is largely due to this reason that more and more people are replacing their existing fireplaces with new fireplaces and particularly new fireplaces with larger fire enclosures.

One particularly popular type of fireplace currently available is the wide angled type fireplace, this type of fireplace is produced by a number of different manufacturers.

This introduces a problem as the wide angled type of fireplaces dimensions differ significantly from the dimensions of the more standard size fireplaces to be replaced. This means that extensive building work may have to be carried out before the new fireplace can be inserted.

Building work of this nature can often be very expensive and when not handled by a professional it can also be potentially hazardous. The inexperienced or unknowledgeable DIY enthusiast may in the process of his excavations disturb the lintel. The lintel above the ope in the chimney breast is the main support that is essential for the structural integrity of the entire chimney stack. Damage to or interference with the lintel could compromise the stability of the chimney stack with disastrous consequences. Even if the lintel has to be moved by professionals, significant extra cost will arise.

The present invention is directed toward providing a fireplace and fireplace insert that There is also an increasing fashion for people to want antique or copies of antique fireplaces installed into their modem homes. However such fireplaces were not built to modem industry standards and as such many of the building problems described above are also particularly relevant in these cases.

IE 0 J 0 0 9 5 will overcome these difficulties and facilitate safe insertion of wide angled fireplaces into fireplace cavities, requiring a minimum of construction work to be carried out in the process. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a wide angled fireplace and fireplace insert that is simple in construction and manufacture.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a fireplace insert of the type comprising a pair of side walls with a rear wall positioned therebetween, the side and rear walls arranged into a substantially C-shaped configuration characterised in that there is provided a cutout extending from the upper surface of one side wall across the rear wall to the upper surface of the other side wall. The cutout is arcuate in shape. By having this arcuate cutout the person installing the Fireplace will preferably not have to excavate above the height of the existing fireplace where they may encounter a lintel. This is seen as particularly advantageous with the cost of building work significantly reduced as well as decreasing the risk of personal injury or structural damage being caused.

According to certain embodiments the arcuate cutout generally restricts the height of the back and rear portions of the side walls such that they do not exceed the industry standard height of a modem lintel of 31 inches. In another embodiment the height of the back and rear portions of the side walls is preferably between 15 and 26 inches. It is generally accepted in the building industry that 31 inches from the ground is the industry standard height for a lintel. However it is not uncommon for the height of the lintel to be as low as 26 inches.

In one particularly preferred embodiment there is provided a cover plate connected to the side walls remote from the rear wall. This is seen as particularly preferred as subsequent to lowering the height of the rear wall unsightly parts of the chimney stack may come into view. The cover plate acts to block out these unsightly views from an individuals line of vision. In further embodiments still of the present the cover plate may be incorporated into a fascia, which is put in position once the fireplace insert has been correctly set.

In another embodiment of the invention the back and side walls of the insert comprise three separate sheets of material, bolted together. This will allow for a certain amount IE 0 1 ο ο 9 5 -3of thermal expansion between the plates which may be desirable for obvious reasons.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the back and side walls are cast in one piece. This is particularly beneficial for ease of manufacture, installation and transportation due to the reduced number of components involved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG 1 is a front perspective view of the fireplace insert; FIG 2 is a rear perspective view of the fireplace insert showing in FIG 1; FIG 3 is a front perspective view of the fireplace insert with cover plate in position; FIG 4 is a rear perspective view of the insert with cover plate in position; FIG 5 is a front view of the insert and cover plate of FIG 3 with a grate and a fascia attached.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Figs 1 and 2 there is provided a fireplace insert indicated generally by the referenced numeral 1, comprising a pair of side walls 2 and 3 with a rear wall 4 therebetween. An arcuate cutout extends from the upper surface of one side wall 2, across the rear wall 4, to the upper surface of the other side wall, 3. The arcuate cutout is generally made so that the height of the rear wall 4 and the height of the portions of the side walls 2 and 3 affected by the cutout does not exceed the industry standard. As stated already 31 inches is the recognised standard height for fireplace lintels in the building industry although they may be as low as 26 inches. Spigots, 5, are provided to ensure fascia can be securely, removably mounted thereon.

Referring now to Figs 3 and 4 there is shown a cover plate 6 connected to the side walls 2 and 3 remote from the rear wall 4. Again parts similar to those described with IE0 1 00 9 5 \a— -4- reference to the previous drawings are identified by the same reference numerals. The cover plate 6 is set in position by nuts 7 and bolts 8. Alternatively this could be welded in position. It can be seen from the drawings that when in a normal seating position in a room an individual would not be able to see the chimney stack exposed due to the arcuate cutout but instead his line of vision would be blocked by the cover plate. This is seen as highly advantageous to the present invention.

FIG 5 shows one example of an entire fireplace assembly complete with grate, 9, and fascia, 10. It will of course be appreciated that the grate and fascia are not limited to those shown in Fig 5. Any suitable grate and fascia with appropriate securable mountings may be used. An alternative to attaching the cover piaie to the fireplace insert would be to incorporate it into the design of the fascia or simply attach it to the fascia. The practice of attaching the cover plate to the insert is seen as preferable though. Any gaps between the insert and cover plate or insert and fascia may be filled with a non-flammable cement like filling material.

The insert shown in the drawing shows a single piece insert. It is also understood that this may comprise three separate pieces connected together, using nuts and bolts (not shown) or the like that would allow for a certain degree of thermal expansion between the plates. The one piece insert is seen as advantageous due to its ease of transportation and installation.

In the specification the term comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising as well as the terms include, includes, included and including are all deemed interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the claims.

Claims (5)

1. A fireplace insert of the type comprising a pair of side walls with a rear wall positioned therebetween, the side and rear walls arranged in a substantially C-shaped 5 configuration characterised in that there is provided a cutout extending from the upper surface of one side wall accross the rear wall to the upper surface of the other side wall.

2. A fireplace insert according to claim 1, in which the cutout is arcuate in shape.

3. A fireplace insert according to any preceding claim, further comprising a cover plate connected to the side walls remote from the rear wall.

4. A fireplace insert according to claim 3, wherein the cover plate is incorporated into a 15 fascia, which is put in position once the fireplace insert has been correctly set.

5. A fireplace or fireplace insert as substantially described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.