Patent ID: 6393207
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: F24C,Y10S

Abstract:
An electric fireplace designed to simulate a combustible fuel-burning fireplace comprising:a) a housing having a top, a bottom, a back, and two sides; b) a simulated firebox within the housing; c) a log and ember set with the firebox, said log and ember set comprising one or more artificial logs positioned above an artificial bed of embers, said artificial logs having an underside surface that is spaced apart from an upper surface of the artificial bed of embers, wherein said log and ember set comprises a plurality of holes in said artificial bed of embers; d) a light source positioned so as to permit light from said light source to pass through said holes for illuminating at least a portion of the underside surface of the artificial logs and a portion of the upper surface of the artificial bed of embers so as to create the illusion that the artificial logs and the artificial bed of embers are burning; and e) a flame simulation assembly for generating the appearance of simulated flames emanating from the artificial logs, said flame simulation assembly comprising a light randomizer, a light filter screen, and a light diffuser screen, said light randomizer comprising a rotating hollow cylinder having openings that permit light to pass through the cylinder, said light filter screen having opaque areas and colored translucent areas, said light diffuser screen having a partially translucent surface on which simulated flames are projected and are visible from the front of the fireplace.