Fireplace logs

Fireplace logs (10-10A) for simulating a wood burning fire using a fuel log (18) which is economical, readily available, and safer than gas, and which requires minimal cleaning effort, while maintaining the desired qualities of a wood burning fire such as flame quality, sound, and smell. The fireplace logs (10-10A) include a first and second non-combustible ceramic log (12-14) in a spaced apart fashion such that a fuel log (18) may be centrally placed. Top logs (16-44-60) are placed above the fuel log (18) and engage at least a portion of the first and second logs (12 and 14). Openings (50-52-62) are defined between the logs (12-14-16-44-60) and cooperate with opening (53) to enhance the flow of air to the fuel log (18) and to cause the flame (26) derived from the burning fuel log (18) to lick the third log (16) to give an appearance of a wood burning fire. Opening (53) is also provided for the placement of the fuel log (18) with a substantially arcuate motion without necessitating the displacement of the artificial logs (10-10A). In an alternate embodiment, a fuel source tray (54) is provided to carry the fuel log (18). In the preferred embodiment, the fuel log (18) is impregnated with a variety of seeds (24) such as hemp, millet, and sunflower to simulate the popping sound of burning wood.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to the field of noncombustible fireplace logs. More 
specifically it relates to a plurality of ceramic logs made to simulate 
natural wood logs and used in combination with existing fuel logs 
impregnated with a selection of seeds such as hemp, millet, and sunflower 
all of which are commonly found in bird seed to simulate a wood burning 
fire in appearance, smell and sound. 
BACKGROUND ART 
The use of fireplaces is widespread throughout this and other countries. 
The use of fireplaces inherently encompasses many hazards and nuisances, 
but as well has many benefits. These benefits include heat and 
entertainment. However, due to the expense of firewood, the inconveniences 
associated with chopping one's own firewood, retrieving the firewood from 
the outside when the fire begins to burn down, and continually cleaning 
ashes from the fireplace, several alternatives have been sought to replace 
the log-burning fires. In an attempt to replace these fires, obtaining all 
of the attributes of a wood fire has been difficult in that no substitute 
has been able to affect the proper color, size, and movement of a 
wood-fueled flame, along with the smell and sound of burning wood. 
Gas has been commonly used to produce flames in a fireplace and has been 
used in combination with several different artificial logs to attempt 
creating the illusion of a real fire. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 
3,291,116 issued to L. P. Brooks on Dec. 13, 1966; 3,042,109 issued to R. 
H. Peterson on Jul. 3, 1962; 3,817,686 issued to L. M. Quittner on Jun. 
18, 1974; and 4,883,043 issued to I. Thow on Nov. 28, 1989. Several 
artificial logs have been designed to cooperate with such gas systems such 
as those discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,377,229 issued to L. E. Bryan on 
Feb. 12, 1965 and Des. 241,408 issued to J. G. Matchulat on Sep. 14, 1976. 
As taught by the Brooks Patent 3,291,116, and as is well known otherwise, 
the use of gas requires the adherence to strict regulations imposed by the 
American Gas Association. Not only are specific regulations imposed, but 
the use of gas is inherently dangerous in that faulty plumbing, whether by 
age, design, construction, or abuse, may create leakage of gas, thereby 
causing asphyxiation, an explosion, or both. The flame produced by burning 
gas is usually undesirable as well due to a limited flame height and the 
shape of the flame being a finger as opposed to a sheet. Gas also is 
insufficient to reproduce the sound and smell of a wood burning fire. 
Other devices have been produced to simulate wood burning fires such as 
those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,993,430 issued to R. O. Forker on Nov. 
23, 1976 and 4,076,490 devices teach a non-combustible log designed to 
carry a replaceable fuel source such as internally contained liquid fuel, 
canned heat products such as "Sterno", and candles. Such devices, though, 
provide for the specific location of a flame such that the effect of a 
real flame, that is a random size and location, is lost, as well as other 
characteristics previously discussed. 
Yet another group of devices have been made to simulate a wood burning fire 
such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,060,396 issued to J. V. Burton 
on Nov. 29, 1977; 4,169,709 issued to J. F. Stima on Oct. 2, 1979; and 
4,326,854 issued to J. D. Tanner on Apr. 27, 1982. These devices are 
combustible simulated logs typically used in conjunction with wood fires 
as a starter. Such starter logs produce sufficient heat and flames to burn 
alone for several hours, yet, if burned alone, the atmosphere of a stack 
of logs is lost. 
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a means for 
simulating a traditional wood burning fire while maintaining the integrity 
of the characteristics associated therewith. 
It is also an object of this invention to provide an artificial fireplace 
setting which may be used with a selected fuel source which provides a 
higher degree of safety than does gas. 
Another object of this invention is to provide an artificial fireplace 
setting which may employ a fuel source readily available and economical. 
Still another object of the present invention is to employ a fuel source 
which may be easily ignited, yet may be stored more safely than gas. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for a fuel source 
which requires only periodic cleaning of the fireplace. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
Other objects and advantages will be accomplished by the present invention 
which serves to simulate a wood burning fire using a fuel source which is 
economical, readily available, and safer than gas, and which requires 
minimal cleaning effort, while maintaining the desired qualities of a wood 
burning fire such as flame quality, sound, and smell. The fireplace logs 
of the present invention include at least a spaced apart pair of 
non-combustible support logs between which a fuel source is placed and a 
non-combustible top log engaging at least a portion of the top portion of 
each support log such that the non-combustible top log is elevated above 
the fuel source. The non-combustible support logs and top log are 
dimensioned such that a space is created between each respective 
non-combustible log and the fuel source, thereby enhancing the flow of air 
to the fuel source and increasing the flame height. In the preferred 
embodiment, the fuel source is a fuel log which is readily available to 
consumers, safe to store, economical, and leaves only a small amount of 
debris to be cleaned. The non-combustible logs in the preferred embodiment 
are further dimensioned such that the arrangement of non-combustible logs 
and the fuel source may be supported by a typical fireplace grate. The 
preferred arrangement of the logs is such that openings are defined 
between the non-combustible top log and each of the non-combustible 
support logs respectively such that flames may lick the log arrangement to 
give the appearance of burning wood. To assist in this effect, at least 
the support logs are concave about the middle section to define a 
substantial hour-glass shape and each respective non-combustible log is 
colored to resemble a partially burned wood log. 
While using a typical fuel log is sufficient to generate the desired effect 
for flame quality, it has been found that by impregnating such fuel log 
with a variety of seeds such as hemp, millet, and sunflower those commonly 
found in birdseed causes a popping sound much like that which a burning 
log makes as the moisture in the log is heated and ignites. This popping 
sound adds to the atmosphere created to make the use of the present 
invention less distinguishable from a wood burning fire.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Fireplace logs incorporating various features of the present invention are 
illustrated generally at 10 in the figures. The fireplace logs lo are 
designed for simulating a wood burning fire and are used in conjunction 
with a fuel source 17 which is economical, readily available, and safer 
than gas, and which requires minimal cleaning effort, while maintaining 
the desired qualities of a wood burning fire such as flame quality, sound, 
and smell. 
The fireplace logs 10 of the present invention include a first log 12 and a 
second log 14, the second log 14 being situated substantially parallel to 
and spaced a selected distance from the first log 12 to define a space 48 
dimensioned to receive a fuel source 17. The first and second logs 12 and 
14 each engage at least a portion of a support surface 22, or in the 
preferred embodiment a fireplace grate 20 which engages the support 
surface 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The logs 12 and 14 are each fabricated from 
a non-combustible material, preferably a ceramic. In the preferred 
embodiment, the log 14 defines a arger diameter than does the log 12. In 
this embodiment, the logs 12-14 are concave about the circumference of 
each respective middle section 28 of the longitudinal axis such that a 
substantial hour-glass shape is defined, the concavities 28 being provided 
to enhance the appearance of a burning wood log. Each concavity 28 in the 
preferred embodiment is provided with appropriate coloring to further 
enhance the appearance of a burning wood log. 
A third log 16 is provided with a bottom portion 42 engaging at least a 
portion of the top portion 30 of the first and second logs 12 and 14, 
further defining space 48. Due to the diameter differential between the 
logs 12-14, when log 16 engages the logs 12-14, log 16 is tilted toward 
the outside of the fireplace. The third log 16 has a substantially 
"Y"-shaped configuration with a first end 36 and a second end 40, the 
second end 40 including a first leg 38A and a second leg 38B as shown in 
FIG. 2. The third log 16 is fabricated from a non-combustible material, 
preferably a ceramic. The third log 16 of the preferred embodiment is 
concave about the circumference of the middle section 37 of the 
longitudinal axis to enhance the appearance of burning wood. The concavity 
37 of the preferred embodiment is provided with appropriate coloring to 
further enhance the appearance of a burning wood log. The first and second 
legs 38A-38B and the logs 12-14 define an opening 53 such that the fuel 
source 17 may be inserted into the space 48 with an arcuate motion as 
depicted by arrow 66 in FIG. 5. 
In the preferred embodiment, concavities 28 and 37 of the first and third 
logs 12 and 16, respectively, define an opening 50, and concavities 28 and 
37 of the second and third logs 14 and 16, respectively, define an opening 
52. The openings 50, 52 and 53 are provided to enhance the flow of air to 
the fuel source 17 and to cause the flame 26 derived from the burning fuel 
source 17 to lick the third log 16 to give an appearance of a wood burning 
fire. 
An alternate embodiment of the fireplace logs is illustrated generally at 
10a in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. In this embodiment, logs 12A-14A correspond to 
logs 12-14 of the fireplace logs 10. A third log 44 has a substantial 
hour-glass configuration and engages the top surface 30 of the second log 
14. The third log 44 in this embodiment is substantially parallel to the 
second log 14. A plurality of top logs 60 are provided to engage at least 
a portion of the top surface 30-46 of the first and third logs 12-44, 
respectively. Spaces 62 are defined between the top logs 60 for the 
passage of air, flames, and smoke. Each top log 60 has a substantial 
hour-glass configuration and is enhanced to appear as a partially burned 
wood log. Top log 60A illustrates a configuration including the stump 70 
of a cut limb protruding from the log 60A. Logs 12-60B are shown to 
include open knot holes 72 for the passage of air, flames and smoke. It 
will be noted that these and other features may be included in any of the 
fireplace logs 10-10A for a more realistic appearance. A space 48A is 
defined between the first log 12A and the second and third logs 14A-44 and 
below the top logs 60 for receiving a fuel source 17. An opening 53A is 
defined by the first log 12A, the second and third logs 14A-44 and the top 
log 60C through which the fuel source 17 may be easily placed with an 
arcuate motion as illustrated by arrow 68 in FIG. 8. 
FIG. 9 illustrates a fuel source support means 54, also referred to as a 
fuel source tray 54, dimensioned to be carry the fuel source 17. The fuel 
source tray 54 of the preferred embodiment is fabricated from a rigid or 
semi-rigid, non-combustible material such as metal grate 56. The openings 
58 defined by the metal grate 56 are dimensioned such that burned coals 
may pass through while larger pieces of the fuel source 17 are supported 
while burning, thus increasing the flame duration. In the preferred 
embodiment, the fuel source tray 54 is secured to the fireplace grate 20 
such that as the fuel source 17 is being inserted through the opening 53A, 
the fuel source tray 54 will not move with respect to the fireplace grate 
20. As shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 9, the fuel source tray 54 is 
fastened with available wire fasteners 64. The fuel source tray 54 may 
alternatively be fastened with welds or any other common method. 
In the preferred embodiment the fuel source 17 is a fuel log 18 fabricated 
generally from compressed wood particles. The preferred fuel log 18 may be 
broken into smaller pieces and selectively added to the fire to enhance 
the flame quality. Particles with a substantial cone-shaped configuration 
are preferred. However, readily available particle shapes such as wafers 
are sufficient. Although the use of a typical fuel log 18 is sufficient to 
generate the desired effect for flame quality, it has been found that by 
impregnating such fuel log with a variety of seeds 24 such as hemp, 
millet, and sunflower those commonly found in birdseed a popping sound is 
generated much like that which a burning log makes as the moisture in the 
log is heated and ignites. This popping sound adds to the atmosphere 
created to make the use of the present invention less distinguishable from 
a wood burning fire. 
It will be noted that the logs 10-10A are designed such that the 
arrangement of the logs 10-10A may be altered to the tastes of the user 
and may be used in conjunction with other such logs 10-10A to increase the 
overall size of the arrangement. 
From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in 
the art that fireplace logs offering advantages over the prior art have 
been provided. Specifically, the fireplace logs include an arrangement of 
non-combustible logs to be used in conjunction with a fuel source such as 
a fuel log to simulate a wood burning fire. The fireplace logs of the 
present invention employ a fuel source which is safer than gas, requires 
minimal cleaning, and produces flames which embody the characteristics of 
flames attributable to a typical wood burning fire. 
While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be 
understood that it is not intended to limit the disclosure, but rather it 
is intended to cover all modifications and alternate methods falling 
within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the 
appended claims.