US2243751A - Fireplace construction - Google Patents

Description

May 27, 1941. G. w. DONLEY FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 9, 1940 FHHHHnhHuH-D m INVENTOR.

N mm W v M 0 ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 27, 1941 UNITED STTES PAT NT OFFICE FIREPLACE. CONSTRUCTION Application March 9, 1940, Serial No. 323,190

6 Claims.

This invention relates to fireplace units of the general type illustrated, described and claimed in my Patent No. 2,151,016 issued March 21, 1939, the units of the type referred to in said patent being adapted to be set into a building construction and to provide for the circulation of air in heat-transferring relation to the said units, whereby heat may be transferred by convection as well as by radiation to the rooms in which the units are installed.

The general object of my invention herein is to secure a greater heating efficiency than is obtainable by the construction embodied in my aforesaid patent, with resultant economy in fuel consumption. A further and more limited object of the invention is to incorporate, with the fireplace unit disclosed in my aforesaid patent, a raised forehearth which also serves as a means for introducing the air to be heated beneath the bottom of the fire chamber and to the sides and back of the space surrounding the fire chamber in a manner different than is disclosed in the said patent, whereby the better air-heating efliciency and improved economy in operation, referred to above, are obtainable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fireplace unit of the type referred to with particularly efficient insulating means.

I accomplish the foregoing objects, as well as additional objects which will be set forth hereinafter, in and through the construction and arrangement of parts shown in the drawing hereof wherein Fig. 1 represents a front view of a fireplace construction embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional View corresponding to the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a sectional view corresponding to the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral l indicates a wall of a room provided with a mantel comprising a slab ll of insulating material and having a fireplace-receiving space and a front surface l2, l3 denotes my fireplace unit generally, the same being of double-walled construction thereby to provide a passage between the walls for the circulation of air to be heated and to be delivered therefrom into the room, as by means of outlets I00, as well as to another room or rooms by one or more ducts (not shown). The said fireplace unit, as shown, includes a rear wall l4; vertical side Walls 55; an upper bottom wall I6 and a lower bottom wall I! forming the upper and lower walls or plates of an insulating base; a top wall l8; and an upper front wall I9.

Within the opening below the wall I9 there is inserted a combined fire chamber and smoke chamber, the former chamber having a bottom wall 20, above and spaced from the wall I6; rearwardly convergent side walls 2|; and a back wall comprising a lower vertical portion 22 and a forwardly inclined portion 22 The upper portions of the side and back walls form with the lower portion of the front wall 23 a throat at 23 which is provided with a damper 23 adapted to be operated in any convenient manner.

The gases of combustion from the fire chamber are adapted to pass through the throat 23 into a radiating smoke chamber 24 defined by.

a rear wall 2:1 extending approximately parallel with the wall M, the rearwardly and upwardly inclined front upper portion of the wall 23, and the upwardly and inwardly convergent side walls 25. The convergent walls 25 form with the front and rear walls a restricted outlet or throat 26 for connection with the fiue. 2'! denotes the bottom or smoke shelf of the chamber 24, being located just back of the throat 23 The upper portion of the space surrounding the fire chamber and the chamber 2G is provided with one or more outlets (not shown) additional to the outlets lflll for the delivery of heated air.

With the construction as thus far described, I preferably employ in the space between the double walls of the fireplace unit circulation plates of sheet metal which are adapted to intercept radiant heat from the fire chamber and permit the same to be transferred by radiation and by contact to the moving air stream in such space. These plates are preferably arranged in substantially the same manner as shown in my prior patent and insure a maximum transfer of heat from the fire chamber walls 20, 2|, 22, 22 and from the smoke chamber wall 24 to the air stream, while maintaining the external walls of the unit relatively cool.

At the rear of the fire chamber and in the space between the same and the rear wall I4 are inner and outer circulation plates 28 and 29 supported from the rear wall 22 of the fire chamber by brackets 28 and 29 respectively 30 denotes another circulation plate, having its bottom located between the tops of the plates 28, and

29 and spaced from walls 22 and I4 and being supported from the wall 22* by brackets 30*. The top of the wall 30 is located beneath the rear portion of the bottom or smoke shelf 21 of the smoke chamber 24 and is spaced therefrom.

3| denotes another circulation plate, located between the walls l4 and 24 and supported from the latter wall by brackets 31 This plate extends below the upper end of the plate and, because the wall 24 converges upwardly toward the wall I4, it provides a space of gradually decreasing width from the bottom to the top for the passage of air between itself and the said wall; it is also preferably parallel with the wall l4, and its upper end is spaced a short distance from the top wall I3.

32 denotes circulation plates extending vertically in the spaces between the side walls 15 of the unit and the rearwardly convergent sides 21 of the fire chamber. These plates extend substantially parallel with the sides I5 of the unit and are conveniently supported from the sides '21 of the fire chamber by brackets 3%. A similar construction is shown in my aforesaid patent.

33 denotes the forehearth generally, the same being located directly in front of the unit ,as

thus far described and forming part of the complete unit. It forms, with the floor or hearth therebeneath, a casing which is substantiallyrectangular in section and which extends entirely across the frontof the fireplace. 'It comprises an upper wall 2.8 which preferably constitutesa 0011- tinuation of the wall 2:9 which forms the bottom of the fire chamber. In addition to the wall 28 thecasing is provided with a front wall 34, preferably having its lower end-provided with a flange 34 for supporting the outer or front of the .forehearth on the floor or hearth proper. The ends of the forehearth are-shown assubstantiallyop-en,

being provided with screens 36 through which air is admitted. denotes a partition wall located beneath the bottom wall 22 of the fire chamber,

and '3'! denotes partition walls-also located be- .neathithe bottom of the fire chamber and parallel with the partition wall 36. These partition walls are located above and supported upon the upper wall or plate It of the insulated base which is located below the fire chamber and which is coextensive in width and depth with the unit housing and which base also serves as a support for the fire chamber andsmoke chamber, being provided with a rear wall 38 and side walls 39 extending above the wall or .plate to and constituting bottom extensions of the rear :and side walls of the housing; also with a front wall which extends only to the top wall or plate I6, being spaced from the front of the fire chamber bottom 2tizto provide therewithan elongatedslotA-l of the full width of'the front of the unit, for admission ofairfrom the .forehearthzto the duct ;iorrned between the :plates or walls 26 and &6. It will be noted that the partition walls 3:6 and-3T5 support the fire and smoke-chamber assembly from the aforesaid base, the said partition walls extending :to the continuation 33 of the housing wall 114. ,It will be noted further that the partition walls 38 and 3'. are preferably arranged .so that the portions of the complete duct, whichare provided on-each side of the partition wall fifiandbetween the walls 28 and t5 are of substantially the same width as the portions which are provided between the partition walls 31 and the sides [5 of the housing. Furthermore, the partition walls :3?! are preferably arranged so .as to pass beneath and in close proximity to the .rear :lower .corners. of the fire chamber. This arrangementihasibeen found to be particularly useful in forming an efiicient support for the fireandsmoke chambers and in securing .a high efiiciency :in the ;matter of effecting heat interchange between the :fire charnberand the air which is delivered beneath thesame-andbetween the same andthe surrounding walls of the housing. The bottoms of the walls 38 and 40 are flanged, as shown at 38 and in for the support of the bottom plate I! and to provide an air space beneath the base proper. The space between the plates l6 and I1 and the cooperating portions of the walls 38 and. 40 is filled with insulating material, indicated at 42.

It will be noted that the forehearth is provided with a transverse partition wall 33 which is located centrally between the ends of the same and which registers with the partition wall 36. The partition wall 33 corresponds in area with the cross-sectional area of the forehearth casing so that the air entering the screened openings 35 at opposite ends of the forehearth is deflected by the said partition wall into the duct formed between the partition walls 36 and 31 and between the latter partition walls and the side walls l5 of the fireplace housing. It will be noted further that, due to the greater vertical dimensions of the passageways formed in the forehearth than the vertical dimension -:of the duct formed be- -:neath the bottom of the fire chamber, the crosssectional areas of the passageways formed in the fcrehearth will be substantially equal to the crosssectional areas of the duct-passages which they respectively supply.

As shown in the drawing, my complete unit herein comprises, in addition :to the parts described hereinbefore, a front frame work'comprising an upper horizontally extending angle iron 43 which constitutes part -.of the mantel, and :vertical side angle .irons E4, the said angle irons being preferably welded respectively to the lower front edge .of the wall 2-3 and to the front edges of the side walls 2| of the firezchamber. Theside angles or members 44 preferably extend downwardlywas :far as the top of the forehearth.

In practice, an edge of one of the flanges of the angle iron 43 is welded to the lower edge of the front wall '23 of the fire chamber in such man'- ner that the said flange will extend-outwardly in .a horizontal direction, the other fiange projecting vertically upward, the two flanges providing a support for a mantel :facing element which may be the slab i of insulating material. in practice, 1e slab and the vertical fiangeof the angle iron 43 are so treated as to present an ornamental mantel in appearance. secured each by an edge :of one of the flanges thereof to the corresponding front edge of the appropriate side 2! of the fire chamber, thesaid angle irons being so arranged that the other flanges-of each will project .outwardly, as shown.

Where the angle irons are applied to the front :edges of the sides of the fire chamber in the manner described, it will be unnecessary to provide the housing with the frontrwalhportions be- .tween the front edges of the sides of the fire chamber and the sides of :the housing.

With the parts constructed and arranged as described, it is believed :that the operation will The angle irons 44 .are'

by radiation from said wall as well as by contact with and radiation from the partition walls 36 and 31. The air thereafter ascending into the space surrounding the fire chamber and the smoke chamber will be most efiiciently heated by radiation from the walls of the said chambers as well as by contact therewith and with the circulation plates in said space. Due to this manner of circulating the air, and also to the provision of the insulated base beneath the bot tom wall of the fire chamber and beneath the bottoms of the walls [4 and I5, the base of the unit is prevented from being heated to an extent that will endanger its use, even when resting directly upon a wooden fioor. Furthermore, by the use of the forehearth in the manner described, for the distribution of air into the space 7 between the fire chamber and the side and rear walls of the unit proper, I am able to heat more efficiently than is the case with my prior construction, with resultant economy in fuel consumption.

It will be evident that numerous changes may be made in the details of construction set forth herein without avoiding the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a metal fireplace, the combination of an external housing having front, rear and side walls, a fire chamber set within the front and side walls of the housing and having a bottom wall, and rear and side walls spaced from the rear and side housing walls, the rear and side walls of the housing extending below the bottom wall of the fire chamber, the said housing having a wall located below the bottom of the fire chamber and extending to the rear and side walls of the housing and forming the bottom wall of a duct the top whereof is constituted by the bottom wall of the fire chamber, and a forehearth in front of the said fireplace, the said forehearth comprising a casing having an upper wall, said casing being adapted and arranged to deliver air from beneath said upper wall into the front of the said duct, the said forehearth being provided with a partition wall extending transversely thereof and the duct between the bottom of the fire chamber and the housing wall therebeneath being provided with a partition wall registering with the first mentioned partition wall and constituting a rearward extension thereof, the last mentioned partition wall extending in proximity to the rear wall of the housing, the said forehearth being provided with openings for admitting air thereinto beneath the top thereof and on opposite sides of the partition therein and thence to the front of said duct and on opposite sides of the partition therein.

2. In a metal fireplace, the combination of an external housing having front, rear and side walls, a fire chamber set within the front and side walls of the housing and having a bottom wall, and rear and side walls spaced from the rear and side housing walls, the rear and side walls of the housing extending below the bottom wall of the fire chamber, the said housing having a wall located above the bottom of the rear and side walls thereof and below the bottom of the fire chamber and extending to the rear and side walls of the housing and forming the bottom wall of a duct the top whereof is constituted by the bottom wall of the fire chamber, and a forehearth in front of the said fireplace, the said forehearth comprising 'a casing extending substantially the full width of the said fireplace housing and having an upper wall constituting a forward and lateral extension of the bottom wall of the fire chamber, the duct between the bottom of the fire chamber and the housing wall therebeneath being provided with partition walls extending substantially to the rear wall of the housing, the said forehearth being provided with one or more openings for admitting air thereto beneath the top thereof and thence to the front of said duct throughout the lateral extent thereof.

3. In a metal fireplace, the combination of an external housing having front, rear and side walls, a fire chamber set within the front and side walls of the housing and having a bottom wall and rear and side walls spaced from the rear and side housing walls, the rear and side walls of the housing extending below the bottom wall of the fire chamber, the said housing having a wall located above the bottom of the rear and side walls thereof and below the bottom of the fire chamber and extending to the sides and back of the housing and forming the bottom wall of a duct the top whereof is constituted by the bottom wall of the fire chamber, the said duct being provided with a partition wall extending from the front to the rear thereof and substantially midway between the sides of the fire chamber and the sides of the housing and the said duct being also provided with a partition wall located on each side of the first mentioned partition wall, and a forehearth comprising a casing having a top wall forming a continuation of the bottom wall of the fire chamher, said casing also having a front wall, the casing walls extending substantially the full width of the fireplace housing and the casing having a transverse partition therein extending from the front wall thereof to and registering with the first mentioned partition wall, the said forehearth having its opposite ends provided each with a screened air admission opening and being provided at its rear with elongated delivery out-'- lets jointly supplying air into the front of the duct and throughout substantially the entire lateral extent thereof.

4. In the combination recited in claim 3, the sides of the fire chamber and of the bottom wall thereof being rearwardly convergent and the second and third partition walls extending from the front of the duct to substantially the rear housing wall and beneath and adjacent to the respective corners formed by the intersection of the rear and side edges of the said bottom wall.

5. In the combination recited in claim 2, the housing wall which is located above the bottom of the rear and side walls of the housing and below the bottom of the fine chamber forming the upper wall of a chamber containing insulating material.

6. In the combination recited in claim 2, the bottom wall of the duct formed below the bottom wall of the fire chamber constituting the upper wall of an insulating base and the partition walls within said duct serving to support the fire chamber from the said bottom wall,

GEORGE W. DONLEY.

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