Fireplace starter apparatus

Disclosed is apparatus for igniting combustible material fin a fireplace or the like. The apparatus includes a portable, self contained pressurized canister of a fuel such as propane or butane. A burner is secured to a grate or the like in the fireplace. A conduit extends from the canister to the burner for conveying the fuel and releasing the fuel through apertures in the burner adjacent the combustible material. The fuel is then ignited externally of the burner. The conduit is connected to the burner by a connector that is easily engaged or disengaged so that during periods of nonuse, the burner remains secured to the grate and the canister and conduit may be remotely stored. Preferably, the apparatus includes means for regulating the flow of the fuel and the mixture of the fuel with air prior to release of the air/fuel mixture from the burner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to fireplaces and the like and more 
particularly to apparatus for starting a fire in a fireplace. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Manually starting a fire in a fireplace is a tedious and time consuming 
task. Apparatus have been devised in the past to overcome the difficulties 
inherent in manually starting a fire in a fireplace. It is known to mount 
a starter element or burner in the fireplace and to connect the starter 
element to a supply of natural gas. The natural gas is released by the 
starter element adjacent the wood or other combustible material in the 
fireplace and externally ignited. The combustion of the natural gas 
facilitates the ignition of the combustible material in the fireplace and 
may be discontinued after the fire is self sustaining. 
However, such conventional fireplace starter apparatus suffers from several 
inefficiencies. Foremost is the lack of a source of natural gas in many 
buildings. It is difficult, expensive and in some cases, impossible to 
retroactively install a natural gas pipeline system in an existing 
building. Occasionally, fireplaces are added to an existing building with 
a natural gas pipeline system, which still encounters all of the 
limitations discussed above in connecting the fireplace to the natural gas 
pipeline system. 
To overcome this problem, systems have been devised in the past that are 
portable and self contained, such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,585, 
issued to Martin. Such portable systems use a canister of a pressurized 
fuel such as butane or propane located exteriorly of the fireplace. The 
fuel is conveyed into the fireplace and is released by a starter element 
or burner placed on the bottom of the fireplace beneath the wood or other 
combustible material. The fuel is then ignited as in permanently installed 
systems. 
Although such portable systems are desirable for use in fireplaces that are 
not otherwise connected to a source of natural gas or the like, they still 
exhibit certain undesirable characteristics. It is sometimes desirable to 
remove the apparatus from the fireplace during periods of nonuse, for 
cosmetic or safety reasons. This requires that the starter element be 
removed from the bottom of the fireplace, carrying with it ashes, soot and 
other undesirable contaminants. Frequent cleaning of the starter element 
is messy and time consuming. External storage of the entire starter 
apparatus, which is relatively bulky and space consuming, is bothersome 
and inconvenient and creates unnecessary delays in reinstalling the entire 
system each time a fire is desired. In addition, the starter element will 
be heated during use to a temperature that is uncomfortable to handle 
during or just after use. Thus, the apparatus must remain in the fireplace 
for an extended period of time after use to allow it to cool. Also, 
storage of the burner at elevated temperatures next to combustible 
materials externally of the fireplace (i.e. newspapers, carpeting, rugs, 
wood or the like) is extremely hazardous. Existing fireplace starter 
apparatus such as the starter apparatus in the Martin patent places the 
starter element well below the wood or other combustible material in the 
fireplace and does not secure the element in a predefined fixed location 
during use in relation to the wood, and therefore limits the efficiency of 
the starter apparatus. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The fireplace starter apparatus of this invention provides a canister of a 
pressurized fuel conveyed by a flexible conduit to a starter element or 
burner within a fireplace. A valve controls the flow of the fuel from the 
canister. The starter element is preferably secured in a predetermined 
fixed position to a grate or the like supporting a combustible material 
such as wood. The conduit and the starter element each include cooperative 
connector portions that are easily and quickly connected and disconnected. 
Means are provided to ignite the fuel exteriorly of the starter element. 
Therefore, it is a principal feature and advantage of this invention to 
provide an improved fireplace starter apparatus. 
It is another feature and advantage of this invention to provide an 
improved fireplace starter apparatus in which the fuel source is easily 
and quickly connected and disconnected from the starter element in the 
fireplace. 
It is yet another feature and advantage of this invention to provide an 
improved fireplace starter apparatus in which the starter apparatus is 
secured in a fixed predetermined position within the fireplace. 
It is another feature and advantage of this invention to provide an 
improved fireplace starter apparatus that is safe during use and while 
stored.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown the fireplace starter apparatus 10 
of this invention and including canister 12 containing pressurized fluid 
fuel. Suitable pressurized canisters of fuels including, but not limited 
to, fuels such as propane or butane are readily available such as for 
propane torches, gas fueled lanterns or stoves. For instance, such 
canisters are marketed by Coleman Industries or under the brand name 
"Wagon Master" by Turner Corporation. The canister is received in a 
circular holder 14 supporting the canister in a generally upright 
position. 
The upper end of the canister includes valve 16 for controlling the flow of 
the pressurized fuel from the canister. The valve 16 is manually actuated 
by handle 18 between open and closed positions. The valve also includes 
means (not shown) to regulate the pressure of the fuel downstream of the 
canister to any desired level. Typically, canisters of fuel are available 
pressurized at 100-150 p.s.i. at room temperature. Means such as a 
regulator provided as part of the valve may reduce the pressure of the 
fuel downstream of the valve to approximately 15 p.s.i. Of course a valve 
may be employed without regulator means, if desired, so that the fuel is 
ejected from the canister when the valve is in an open position, and 
contained with the canister when the valve is in closed position. The flow 
rate of the fuel may also be controlled by adjusting the valve to a point 
intermediate the fully open and fully closed positions. 
Conduit 20 is provided to convey the fuel from the canister. One end 22 of 
conduit 20 is secured such as by clamp 21 to standard fitting 24 on the 
valve 16 of the canister, as is shown in detail in FIG. 2. Of course 
numerous other arrangements are possible for securing the conduit to the 
valve of the canister in fluid tight relationship, as is known in the art. 
The conduit 20 must be capable of withstanding the pressure exerted by the 
fuel flowing through the conduit and must also be abrasion and puncture 
resistant to prevent accidental release of the fuel from the apparatus, 
with obvious adverse safety affects. Further, the material of the conduit 
must be resistant to elevated temperatures encountered while in use near 
or in a fireplace (not shown). As further protection, protective sleeve 26 
may be placed at least about the end of the conduit to be inserted into 
the fireplace, as shown in cross section in FIG. 3. The sleeve 26 is 
constructed of a material designed for prolonged and repeated exposure to 
temperatures commonly encountered in and near fireplaces. For instance, 
the Aeroquip model AE102/624 firesleeve or the Fyrejacket brand silicone 
coated fiberglass sleeving offered by Bently Harris have been found to be 
suitable for applications in a fireplace about conduit 20. The ends of the 
sleeve are secured in place adhesively or by a pair of clamps 28 or any 
other suitable device. Alternatively, the sleeve may be omitted if 
desired. 
The other end of the conduit 20 extends to starter element or burner 30. 
The burner includes a longitudinal hollow tubular section 34 having a 
plurality of spaced apertures 36 along its length. The apertures may take 
the form of holes as shown or alternatively, may be formed by cutting 
slots into the tubular section 34, as well as by other arrangements as are 
found to be advantageous. Both ends of the tubular section 34 are sealed, 
such as by plugs 38 or by crimping. Preferably at least one of the plugs 
is removable for cleaning of the interior of the burner which might 
periodically tend to accumulate ashes or other impediments to the flow of 
fuel through the burner. A transverse hollow tubular section 40 is 
connected to the tubular section 34 generally at its midpoint. Of course, 
other burner configurations are possible. For instance, a single length of 
tubing may be used, positioned transversely with respect to the grate. The 
conduit could be connected to one end of the burner with the other end of 
the burner being sealed. 
Connector 44, shown in more detail in FIGS. 5 and 6, is provided to enable 
the conduit 20 and the burner 30 to be quickly and easily connected for 
conveying fuel from the canister into the fireplace. The connector 44 
includes male connector portion 46 mounted on the end of the conduit and 
cooperative female connector portion 48 mounted on the end of the 
transverse tubular section 40 of the burner. Of course, the relative 
positions of the male and female portions of the connector could be 
reversed if desired, without affecting the operation of the apparatus as 
hereinafter described. The female connector portion 48 defines a 
longitudinal passageway 50 terminating in an enlarged cavity 52 at one 
end. The other end of the female connector portion is connected to the 
tubular section 40 such as by the threaded connection shown. The female 
connector may also include radial air hole 56 communicating between the 
longitudinal passageway 50 and exteriorly of the connector, enabling air 
to enter the passageway. Slip ring 58 may be mounted on the exterior of 
the female connector portion body. The slip ring 58 includes hole 60 
longitudinally aligned with the exterior end of the air hole 56 so that 
rotation of the slip ring relative to the female connector will bring the 
hole 60 into and out of alignment with the air hole 56. By adjusting the 
relative positions of the hole 60 of the slip ring 58 and the air hole 56, 
the amount of air entering the passageway 50 of the female connector 
portion and intermixing with the fuel, relative to the flow rate of the 
fuel through the connector, may be determined and controlled. Handle 62 is 
formed in the slip ring by deflecting a rectangular section of the slip 
ring radially outward to enable the slip ring to be easily rotated on the 
female connector portion. Alternatively, the handle or the entire slip 
ring may be omitted or a regulating screw (not shown) substituted for the 
slip ring. The regulating screw could be threadedly engaged with air hole 
56 and screwing the regulating screw into and out of the hole 56 would act 
to regulate the inflow of air to passageway 50. 
The male connector portion 46 defines a longitudinal passageway 70 and 
having one end connected to conduit 20 such as by clamp 73 to fitting 71 
similar to that shown in FIG. 2. Piston 72 is slidingly constrained within 
the passageway 70 of the male connector portion 48 and likewise defines a 
longitudinal passageway 74. The piston includes annular flange 76 defining 
annular groove 78 receiving O-ring 80 for sealing against the walls of the 
passageway 70 during reciprocal motion of the piston therewithin. Spring 
82 is located with one end in contact with shoulder 84 formed in the 
passageway 70 and the other end in contact with the annular flange 76 on 
the piston so as to resiliently urge the piston outwardly of the 
passageway 70 in direction 86. 
Means are provided to automatically seal the male connector portion when 
not engaged with the female connector portion. The automatic sealing means 
includes valve core 90 threadedly mounted within passageway 70 of the male 
connector portion adjacent the piston. The valve core includes body 92 
exteriorly sealed against the walls of the passageway by gasket 94. The 
valve core includes pin 96 carried in an internal passageway (not shown) 
of body 92. The pin has an enlarged head 98 and is biased by an internal 
spring (not shown) in direction 86 into contact with the end of the piston 
about the passageway 74. Thus, within a limited range, the piston and the 
pin of the valve core move as a unit. 
As shown in FIG. 5a, one or more grooves 100 are formed in the end surface 
of the piston to prevent the pin from sealing off the end of the 
passageway 74 in the piston against the flow of fuel. Alternatively, the 
end of passageway 70 may be formed on the end of the piston away from the 
area contacted by head 98 to ensure flow of fuel. The other end of the pin 
includes cup 102 which presents a gasket (not shown) to the end of the 
body so that the internal passageway of the valve core 90 is completely 
sealed against the flow of fuel when the cup gasket contacts the body of 
the valve core. An Eaton model 100-LT or 100-VB valve core may be used in 
the connector shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The valve core acts to automatically 
seal the conduit 20 when not engaged with the burner through connector 44. 
This is an extremely important safety feature in that the connector may be 
inadvertently disengaged without first closing valve 16. In such a case, 
pressurized fuel would otherwise be allowed to escape from the conduit at 
or near the fireplace, with obvious and serious safety considerations. 
The male connector portion 48 is received within the cavity 52 of the 
female portion 46 with the piston 72 inserted into the passageway 50. 
However, the spring 82 is compressed as the male and female connector 
portions are brought together, pushing the piston 72 and the pin 96 in 
direction 88. The movement of the pin unseals the internal passageway of 
the valve core by shifting the cup and cup gasket in direction 88, also 
against the force of the valve core spring, enabling unimpeded flow of the 
fuel through the connector. 
Means are provided to releasably secure the male and female connector 
portions together. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing means takes 
the form of rod 110 mounted in the male connector portion and radially 
projecting therefrom. A "J" shaped slot 112 is formed in the female 
connector portion. As the male and female connector portions are brought 
together, the rod is inserted into the slot 112 and the male and female 
connector portions twisted with respect to each other so as to place the 
rod in the slot as shown in FIG. 4. The connector portions are secured by 
the force of compressed spring 82 urging the connector portions apart. The 
male and female connector portions are easily and quickly disengaged by 
reversing this process and extracting the male connector position from the 
cavity 50 of the female connector portion. 
As shown in FIG. 6, the burner is inserted into fireplace 120 and mounted 
on the grate 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the burner is attached to 
grate 122 by bracket 124. For purposes of this invention, the term 
"fireplace" includes any structure for burning a combustible material and 
specifically includes, but is not limited to, fireplaces built into a 
structure, freestanding fireplaces and other structures such as charcoal 
grills, wood burning stoves or the like. Grate 122 consists of a framework 
of rigid bars 126 supporting one or more pieces of wood 128 or a similar 
combustible material above the bottom surface 130 of the fireplace. 
However, for purposes of this invention, the term "grate" shall include 
any structure capable of supporting combustible material in a fireplace, 
including free standing structures and structures mounted by or in the 
fireplace. Bracket 124, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 7 and 8, includes 
a generally U-shaped clamp ring 132 suspended in a desired position on 
either side of a bar 126 forming a part of the grate. Clamp bar 134 
extends across the spaced legs of the clamp ring and includes a pair of 
spaced downwardly extending flanges 136 on the outer sides of the clamp 
ring for loosely positioning the clamp bar with respect to the clamp ring. 
The clamp bar also includes a threaded aperture (not shown) engaging 
upwardly extending screw 138 or the like. The burner is secured to the 
grate by inserting the tubular section 34 transversely into the clamp ring 
above the clamp bar with the clamp ring suspended from the grate bar 126. 
In this position, the screw 138 is tightened against the tubular section 
34 securing the burner against the underside of the bar 126 of the grate 
with the apertures 36 presented to the wood 128. Other arrangements are 
possible in securing the burner to the grate, including, but not limited 
to, permanent mounting such as by welding. 
The canister 12 is placed outside, but adjacent to the entrance to the 
fireplace 120. The canister is placed a sufficient distance from the 
fireplace for safety considerations, yet close enough for convenience in 
operating the apparatus. If desired, as a further safety feature, the 
canister may be encapsulated in a thermally insulating layer or sleeve 
(not shown) so as to protect the canister from heat generated in the 
fireplace during use. The conduit 20 is connected at one end to a canister 
12 placed outside of the fireplace and at the other end through the 
connector 44 to the burner 30. Although not shown, fireplaces are 
frequently equipped with a screen or like device for containing sparks and 
coals from leaving the fireplace. The conduit 20 is easily inserted 
through or around the screen to the interior of the fireplace. 
When it is desired to light the wood 128 or the like in the fireplace, the 
valve 16 on the container 12 is opened and the fuel conveyed through the 
conduit 20 and the burner 30 into the fireplace and ignited by an external 
device (not shown) such as a match or the like. Manipulation of the slip 
ring 58 in conjunction with the air hole enables the air fuel mixture to 
be adjusted, consequently controlling the height and intensity of the 
ignited fuel being released from the burner. The valve on the canister is 
closed when the fire in the fireplace is self sustaining. During periods 
of inactivity for the fireplace or after a fire has been started in the 
fireplace, the conduit 20 may be quickly and easily disconnected from the 
burner 30 and stored away from the fireplace. As previously described, 
valve core 90 acts to automatically seal the conduit from the accidental 
release of fuel. Also, when the fuel in the canister has been used up, the 
canister may be easily and quickly replaced by disconnecting the canister 
from the valve and reattaching a new full canister to the valve for 
further operations. Under normal use of the fireplace, since the burner is 
normally left attached to the grate, it is not necessary to wait for the 
burner to cool before disengaging and storing the canister and conduit, or 
to frequently clean the burner of soot, ashes or other contaminates. Since 
the burner is raised above the ashes and coals on the bottom 130 of the 
fireplace, the burner is kept clean for a longer period of time and is 
placed in a more effective position for starting a fire with the 
combustible materials. 
An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 in 
which the stand 14 of FIG. 1 has been replaced by wire rack 140. The wire 
rack 140 includes a pair of inclined spaced legs 142 connected by an 
arcuate section 144 for supporting the canister. Preferably, the legs 142 
each terminate in a foot 146 adapted for frictionally gripping a surface. 
The wire rack can be advantageous in that it supports the container 12 in 
an inclined position, enabling the fuel in the container to vaporize and 
flow from the container in a more efficient manner than if the canister 
were supported in an upright position. In all other aspects, this 
embodiment of the invention functions as hereinabove described. 
Yet another alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 11. In 
this embodiment, a storage compartment 150 is provided for receiving the 
canister 12. The storage compartment 150 includes a removable or hinged 
door 152 and a receptacle 154 formed in the storage compartment for 
securing the canister and insulating the canister from ambient extremes in 
temperature. The valve 16 is presented for attachment to conduit 20. 
Conduit 20 extends outwardly through hole 155 in the door for connection 
to the burner as herein described. The handle 18 of the canister expands 
upwardly through opening 156 in the door for external manipulation. The 
storage compartment is constructed in a floor or other like surface 
adjacent the fireplace. The chamber may also be constructed in a wall or 
the like adjacent the fireplace with a hinged front door. Alternatively, 
the handle 18 may be omitted and a key (not shown) provided for insertion 
through opening 156 and direct engagement with valve 16, as in 
conventional fireplace valves. In such an embodiment, a cap (not shown) 
may be provided to cover the opening 156 when the canister is not in use. 
Other configurations are also possible that enable access to the 
receptacle for loading or unloading the canister from the storage 
compartment (not shown). In another version of the storage compartment, 
the conduit 20 may be omitted and either the male or female portion of the 
connector mounted directly on the valve 16 on the canister. The other of 
the male or female connector portion is presented for direct connection to 
the canister within the storage compartment. 
Although the invention has been disclosed above, with regard to particular 
and preferred embodiments, these are advanced for illustrative purposes 
only, and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. For 
instance, it is within the scope of this invention to provide a connector 
that omits the air hole 56 and slip ring 58 as herein described and 
releases the fuel within the fireplace without prior intermixing with air. 
Alternative connector designs may also be employed in the present 
apparatus. For instance, a Snaptite, Inc. G/GF series of quick disconnect 
couplings; a B.P. Products No. 3162 quick connector; or the quick 
connector used in the Coleman model no. 5445-A5661 hose assembly have all 
been found suitable for use in the present apparatus. Finally, it is 
within the spirit and scope of this invention to include a tubular section 
or rigid hollow rod as part of the conduit (not shown) on the end of the 
conduit inserted in the fireplace, with one of the connector portions 
mounted on the distal end of the tubular section and preferably with a 
heat insulating handle on the proximate end. The rigid hollow rod would 
facilitate the connection of the conduit to the burner, particularly when 
the grate is remotely located from the front of the fireplace. These 
variations remain within the invention as claimed below.