US2307570A - Fireplace screen - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 5, 1943. v. RCRAMER 2,307,570 "FIREPLACE SCREEN Filled oct. 4, 1940 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1943 iliii' STATES QTENT OFFICE FIREPLACE SCREEN Vernon R. Cramer, Lomita, Calif. 'Application October 4, 19110, Serial No. 359,670

(C1. 16o-19s) 9 Claims.

My invention relates to replace screens, and among the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a fireplace screen which may be adjustedvertically to cover only the lower part of the fireplace opening, to cover only the upper part, to cover any intermediate part, or to cover the entire fireplace opening;

Second, to provide a fireplace screen which may be adjusted to the position most effective to prevent sparks from flying from. the fireplace and at the same time provide the maximum unobstructed opening for discharge of heat and for viewing the re;

Third, to provide a fireplace screen which tends to prevent smoke discharge into the room, particularly when the fire is being kindled, this being accomplished by raising the screen a few inches from its bottom position so thatthe main free air path is below the fire;

Fourth, to provide a fireplace screen which incorporates a novel apparatus for moving the screen, the apparatus being so arranged that no handling of the screen itself is required, and said apparatus being particularly easy to operate so that a woman or child may adjust the screen without difficulty; y Y.

Fifth, to provide a novel clutch mechanism which automatically assumes a locked position when an operating tool is removed, and which automatically unlocks when the operating tool is inserted. A

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawing merely shows and the follow'- ing description merely describes one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only With the above and other objects in viewas may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawing, in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my screen shown in its extended position. Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectionaly view thereof taken through 2--2 of Figure 1 and showing by dotted and broken lines various adjusted positions of the screen.

Figure 3 is a schematic View illustrating the manner in which the control cables and reels are arranged.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View showing one of the primary hinge connections between adjacent screen sections guide rods.

and the.

Figure 5 is a similar enlarged fragmentary elevational view Ishowing one of the secondary hinge connections between adjacent screens.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View of the screen operating reel mechanism with the operating handle shown in position.

Figure 7 is a sectional view thereof through l-l of Figure 6 showing the reel locking mechanism.

Figure 8 is a sectional view thereof through 8 8 of Figure 6 through the reel itself. f y

In the drawing, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

The fire screen is provided with a frame I formed of channel-shapedvertical frame members 2 and an upper cross frame member 3, likewise channel-shaped. The open sides of the frame members are directed inwardly toward the area which they dene. vThe frame members are adapted to be secured to the margins of a ree place opening by suitable outwardly directed spaced lugs 4. y y .Y

The cross frame member 3 which extends along the upper side of the fireplace opening is provided at its mid portion with a reel housing 5 which is, in eifect an enlargement of the frame members. Within the reel housing 5 are mounted two reels 6 and l. These are arranged in parallel horizontal axes at right angles to the cross frame member and receive cables 8 and 9 respectively. Each cable is attached to its reel at an intermediate portion of the cable by means of an anchor loop I0, as shown in Figure 6, and is wound so that its two ends extend in opposite directionsas shown z Figure 3.

Thev two cables extend along the cross framel member 3 and pass around guides I I, then downwardly 4within the vertical frame members 2, where they attach to the screen, as will be described hereinafter. y n

A partition plate I2 is provided within the housing which extends across theforward sides of the reels. wardly directed hubs I3 which extend through and are journaled by the plate and continue through corresponding openings in the front side of the housing. The hubs and reels are provided with sockets I4 of square cross section whichV are adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped end I5 of a crank member I6. y n,

Space is provided between the partition plate and forward side of the housing for a reel locking mechanism. Each locking mechanism includes a pair of dog levers I'I which t in diametrically opposite` slots in the walls Vof. the hub The reels are provided with for- I3 and are journaled by pins I8. The radially inner ends of the dogs xtend into the socket I4, While their outer ends eXtend radially in front of the partition plate. A series of radiating grooves I9 are formed in the partition plate. A spring surrounds the hub and urges the outer ends of the dogs into engagement with the grooves I9 to secure the hub and reel against rotation, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 6. When, however, the end I5 of the crank I 5 is inserted, the radially inner ends of the dogs are engaged, as shown by soli-d lines in Figure 6, the dogs are held free of the grooves and the corresponding reel may be rotated. Thus removal of the crank automatically locks the reel in position, While insertion of the crank unlocks the reel.

The screen per se, comprises a plurality of screen sections 3l which may be constructed from Woven screen material oi stamped meshwork. Each screen vsection is in the for-m of a rectangular panel extending between vtlie vertical frames. The lscreen sections are connected at alternate adjacent edges by guide bars i312, the vertical 'wires -o`f the screens being bent around the bars to form hinge loops `33. V'The lends 34 of the guide bars -32 extend Abeyond lthe ends of the screen sections and into fthe vertical frame vmembers.

The remaining sides Vof the screen sections are connected by bands l35 which are formed around adjacent horizontal Wires lit of the screen sections. In addition, lcoi-l springs Sl are looped around the Wires 3`'w`ith .their ends 38 anchored to the screen sections. The coil -springs'urge the screen 'sections V'into folding positions as ir-idicated in Figure -2. If desired, the Vbands $5 may Abe eliminated and the springs only fused.

lThe two ends of cable '8 -are attached to the ends of the lowermost guide bar 32. Similarly, the two ends of 4cable '9 -are attached -to the uppermost guide bar. Thus rotation of reel 6 raises the Alower side of the screen, or permits -it to lower by v'gravi-ty; While .rotation of reel l raises or permits lowering of :the 'upper side of the screen.

As 'shown in AFigure-i2,'trie screen may be lowered all Ior part Way #to the bottom of `the -ii-replace opening, such -a positionbeing Vindicated by the broken lines A. Or, -if desired, the 'screen may be raised from the bottom' as indicated by broken lines B. Still -further it Vmay be placed in an intermediate position,as vindicated by broken lines C.

While `I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to'modications'without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. lI, therefore, do lnot Wish to 'restrict myself to the particular form of construction illustrated and described, but desire to lavail myself of 'all modifications which may fall within the scope ofthe appended `claims.

Having' thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by -Letters Patent is:

l. 'A fireplace screen comprising: a `plurality of vertically folding screen sections; 'hingermeans joining said screen sections and including guide rods vextending ybeyond the ends cfg-said screen sections; retainers for connection to the vmargins of a fireplace and adapted to ys'lida'bly receive said guide rods; vand means in independently 'controlling connection with the upper and lower screen sections to Ifacilitate folding said screen sections.

2. A fireplace screen comprising: -a pluralityof screen sections; hinges ljoining said screen sections, alternate hinges including guide rods eX- tending beyond the ends of said screen sections and the other hinges including spring means tending to cause folding of said screen sections into zig-zag form; a mounting frame fitting the margins of a fireplace opening and including guide channels adapted to receive said guide rods; and folding means incorporated in said mounting frame and including means connected with the corners of the yscreen structure formed by said screen sections to facilitate folding either side thereof toward the other.

3. A fireplace screen comprising: a vertically folding screen structure having a plurality of horizontally hinged screen sections; vertical guide means at the opposite sides of said screen structure; and supporting means connected with the side portions of the upper and lower screen sections to facilitate folding either the upper or lower portions of said screen structure toward the other portion.

4. A screen for a 'fireplace 'opening comprising a iframe, -a plurality of 'screen sections hinged -toge'ther within the `frame, the top :section having i a pivotal axis and ith'e lpor-tion containing such axis "being bodily movable downward from the top of the frame, means 'at the endsof the sections mounted to -move along the sides of the frame, and operative mechanism connected with said means of the upper section tolfacilitatem'ovement vertically of the portion :of the upper .section containing the axis to fold and extend the screen sections.

5. -A screen for a fireplace opening comprising a -f-rame, a plurality `of vertically folding screen sections hinged together, the end sections having pivotal axes and such -axesbeing vbodily movable vertically, means extending beyond the ends thereof and movable *along the sidesof the framel and operative mechanism connected with said means Vto facilitate 'movement vertically and independently of each other, lof the -a'xes "off the end sections -for folding and exten-ding the screen sections.

6. A screen -for a 'fireplace Y'opening comprising a frame having facing reproof channel members defining an opening'a plurality of screen sections hingedtogether within :the frame, the top section having :a pivotal axis `and the portion containing such a-Xis being bodily movable'doW-nward from the top of the frame, means at lthe ends of the sections engaging the channels and movable therealong, and loperative. mechanism connected with 4said means 'of Athe upper section to 'move -it vertically `to facilitate folding and extending Vthe lscreen "sections.

'7. A screen for v4a fireplace opening 'comprising a frame, Ya plural-ity of "screen sections hinged together within the lframe, the top section V'having a 'pivotal axis -and 'the `portion containing `such axis being bodily movable 'downward from the top of the frame, spring l'means 'mounted 'on the sections and bodily movable therewith, tending to move the screen sections into 'folded positions, means at the vends Jof the sections mounted to move'along the sides of the frame and Aoperative mechanism connected with said means 'of the upper section to facilitate movement of 'the .sections to folded and extended positions, saidmechanism including positive brake means to 'maintain the screen sections in adjusted positions.

y8. A `screen for 'a fireplace open-ing, comprising "a frame, a plurality of vertically folding screen sections, lmeans at 'the 4ends of the sections mounted to move along the sides of the 'fra-me,

portions of said screen and the other with the upper side portions thereof; independent operating and locking mechanisms forfsaid reel and cable means, whereby the upper and lower sides of said screen may be moved and'se'cured independently, and reproof means enclosing the cable means at the side of the screen.

VERNON R. CRAMER.

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