Abstract:
A fireplace including a burner disposed to combust a combustible gas and air mixture within a combustion chamber. An exposed panel defining an exposed surface. A touch portion of the exposed surface isolated from heat generated within the combustion chamber to reduce a temperature of the touch portion. A control circuit coupled to the touch portion. The control circuit monitoring the touch portion and driving a component of the fireplace in response to a change at the touch portion.

Description:
TECHNICAL FILED 
     The present invention relates to fireplaces. More particularly, the invention relates to a touch switch system for a fireplace. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fireplaces have become increasingly commonplace in homes, businesses, and other buildings. A fireplace provides benefits including the generation of heat as well as an aesthetically-pleasing arrangement of flames, sounds, and smells. A gas fireplace is typically mounted in a wall of a structure and includes a switch for starting the fireplace and generating flames. A gas fireplace is typically turned on and off by throwing the switch, which is located behind an access panel located at the bottom of the fireplace. 
     However, gaining access to the fireplace creates several problems. For example, a person accessing the switch has to bend over, raise the access panel, and then turn or flip the switch to the desired position. In addition, because the fireplace produces heat, it is possible for one or more exterior surfaces of the fireplace to become heated. These exterior surfaces of the fireplace also pose a risk of burns to individuals or damage to objects that come into contact with the surfaces during operation of the switch located at the bottom of the fireplace. Other current fireplace designs remotely locate a switch from the fireplace. This may make it difficult for a user to identify the switch that actually operates the fireplace. Yet, other fireplace designs include toggle or push button switches located on the fireplace that can get hot, are noticeable, and, often, not as visually appealing to a person viewing the fire. Current fireplace designs fail to provide an easy, safe, and appealing system or method for turning the fireplace on and off. 
     Thus, there is a need for a fireplace that allows for a safe and easy switching of the fireplace from off and on positions, or for controlling other features of the fireplace. 
     SUMMARY 
     Generally, the present invention relates to fireplaces. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus and method for switching fireplace components on and off, or altering that state of fireplace component. 
     In one aspect, the invention relates a gas fireplace including a burner disposed to combust a combustible gas and air mixture within a combustion chamber, an exposed panel, wherein the exposed panel defines an exposed surface, a touch portion of the exposed surface, wherein the touch portion is isolated from heat generated within the combustion chamber to reduce a temperature of the touch portion, a gas valve, and a control circuit coupled to the touch portion and gas valve, wherein the control circuit monitors the touch portion and controls the opening and closing of the gas valve in response to a change at the touch portion. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for turning a gas fireplace on and off including: providing a touch portion of an exposed surface of the fireplace; coupling the touch portion to a control circuit; monitoring the voltage at the touch portion; and turning the fireplace on or off in response to a voltage change at the touch surface. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to a gas fireplace including a burner disposed to combust a combustible gas and air mixture within a combustion chamber, an exposed panel, wherein the exposed panel defines an exposed surface, a touch portion of the exposed surface, wherein the touch portion is isolated from heat generated within the combustion chamber to reduce a temperature of the touch portion, and a control circuit coupled to the touch portion, wherein the control circuit monitors the touch portion and drives a component of the fireplace in response to a change at the touch portion. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber in which combustion occurs and heat is generated, an exposed panel positioned adjacent the combustion chamber, wherein the exposed panel is heated by the combustion within the combustion chamber, a touch portion defined as a portion of the exposed panel, wherein the touch portion is isolated from the heat generated within the combustion chamber to reduce a temperature of the touch portion, a gas valve, and a control circuit coupled to the touch portion and gas valve, wherein the control circuit monitors the touch portion and modulates the gas valve in response to a change measured at the touch portion. 
     The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify embodiments of the invention. While certain embodiments will be illustrated and described, the invention is not limited to use in such embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of an example fireplace including a first example embodiment of a touch switch system made in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fireplace shown in FIG. 1 illustrating additional components comprising the example embodiment of the touch switch system. 
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternant forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention is applicable to a combustible gas fireplace or other fireplaces. In particular, the invention is directed to a touch switch apparatus for turning a fireplace on and off, or, for controlling other functions of the fireplace. While the present invention is not so limited, an appreciation of the various aspects of the invention will be gained through a discussion of the examples provided below. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may be used in conjunction with any system or apparatus that ignites a combustible gas to generate a gas flame or any other heat generating fireplace. A non-exhaustive list of such devices may include fireplaces, grills, stoves etc. While the example embodiments of the present invention provided below are described in conjunction with an example fireplace, the present invention is equally applicable to other systems or apparatuses besides a fireplace that ignite a combustible gas to generate a gas flame. 
     As used herein, the term “coupled” means any structure or method that may be used to provide connectivity between two or more elements, which may or may not include a direct physical connection between the elements. The terms “exposed panel” and “exposed surface” mean any panel or surface of the fireplace or other device that is heated by heat generated by the fireplace and that is accessible by the operator or user of the fireplace following installation. The phrase “combustion chamber enclosure” may include any enclosure in which flames and/or heat are generated or simulated. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, front and cross-sectional views of an example embodiment of a fireplace  100  are shown. Fireplace  100  is illustrated including an outer enclosure  102 , a front panel  103 , grills  150  and  160 , and a combustion chamber enclosure  105 . The combustion chamber enclosure  105  comprises front panel  103  and panels  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118  that together with a second side panel (not shown) define a combustion chamber  110 . The fireplace  100  may generally function to ignite combustible gas provided from a combustible gas source to create a gas flame. Alternatively, a simulated electric fireplace may be constructed within the outer enclosure  102 . The simulated electric fireplace can include several electrical components such as a simulated ember bed, lights, fans, blowers, and motors. 
     Grills  150  and  160  cover a room air intake and room air exhaust, respectively. Fireplace  100  includes a lower plenum  210 , a rear plenum  212 , and a top plenum  214  positioned between outer panels  220 ,  222 , and  224  and the combustion chamber enclosure  105 . The plenums  210 ,  212 , and  214  are fluidly connected to one another and define a plenum system through which room air may enter the lower plenum  210  through the grill  150 , circulate through the rear and top plenums  212  and  214 , and exit through the grill  160  back into the room. The room air may be heated as it travels through the plenum system. Optionally, a blower can be used for blowing room air through the plenums of the fireplace  100 . 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show fireplace  100  in one configuration. Other configurations are also possible. For example, the present invention may be applicable to any prefabricated gas fireplace such as a direct vent, a universal vent, a B-vent, a horizontal/vertical-vent, a dual direct vent, or a multisided unit. The present invention may also be applicable to other combustible gas fireplace systems, as noted above, as well as any other fireplace that generates heat such as a simulated electric fireplace or solid fuel burning fireplace. 
     A burner  245  is shown positioned in the combustion chamber enclosure  105  to combust gas and thereby generate heat. Alternatively, the burner can be positioned so that its top surface is even with or position below panel  116 . The burner  245  is coupled by a gas line  247  to a source of combustible gas (not shown). A gas valve  249  that can be opened and closed to regulate or modulate the flow of combustible gas and either turn the combustion within the fireplace  100  on or off can be couple to the gas line  247 . 
     The heat generated by the burner  245  causes the transfer of heat to an exposed panel of the fireplace  100 . The exposed panel of fireplace  100  is front panel  103 . Alternatively, any panel or other structure of the fireplace may include an exposed surface. For example, a multisided fireplace unit may include two or more exposed panels. In other alternative embodiments, the exposed panel can be located adjacent to the combustion chamber. 
     Front panel  103  defines an exposed surface  104 . As the fireplace  100  generates heat, the exposed surface  104  is also heated. Often, the exposed surface  104  is heated to a temperature that can cause injury to an individual who touches the surface unless all or a portion of the exposed surface  104  is isolated from the heat to lower the temperature of the exposed surface  104 . 
     An exhaust  250  exhausts combusted air from the combustion chamber enclosure  105  to the outside. 
     The fireplace  100  further includes a touch switch system to turn the fireplace  100  on and off. The touch switch system includes a touch panel  300 , shown in FIG.  1  and in phantom lines in FIG. 2, and a control circuit  305 , shown in FIG.  2 . Insulation  310  can be used to thermally isolate the touch panel  300  from the heat generated by the fireplace  100  and, thus, reduce the temperature of the touch panel  300 . Insulation  310  can be any type of material that isolates the touch panel  300  such as ceramic materials, Teflon, or other insulative materials. The insulation  310  need not reduce the temperature to ambient or room temperature, but, typically, reduces the temperature to a level that lowers the risk of injury to an individual that touches the touch panel. Alternatively, the touch panel can be cooled with other devices such as fans or blowers. 
     The touch panel  300  includes a touch portion  315  corresponding to all or a portion of the exposed surface  104  of the fireplace  100 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the touch portion  315  is only a portion of the exposed surface  104 . Any exposed surface of any fireplace can be used to provide access to the touch portion  315 . Touch portion  315  is located at a top portion  106  of the exposed surface  104 . Alternatively, the touch portion can be located along the bottom, sides, or on any other portion of the exposed surface. 
     The touch portion  315  includes a conductive material that is electrically isolated from the rest of the fireplace  100 . The touch portion  315  can be constructed to differentiate the touch portion  315  from the rest of the fireplace  100  so that a user may easily identify it. For example, the touch portion  315  can be a metallic color or include an emblem, a company logo, or a brand name that sets the touch portion  315  apart from the exposed surface  104 . Insulation  310  reduces the temperature of the touch portion  315  to allow an individual to touch the fireplace  100  at that location without injury. 
     A first wire  320  connects the touch panel  300  to the control circuit  305 . Alternatively, the touch panel and control circuit can be constructed as a single unit or coupled through a remote or wireless connection. The control circuit  305  can be any circuit configured to sense a change, signal, or disruption at the touch portion  315 . For example, control circuit  305  can be constructed to sense the presence of an AC voltage at the touch portion  315 . One such control circuit can be purchased from Ramsey Electronic, Inc., located in Victor, N.Y. (product identification: TS1-Touch Switch Kit). The sensitivity at the touch portion  315  can be altered by modifying control circuit  305 , such as the TS1-Touch Switch Kit. Optionally, a potentiometer can be included in the input circuit of control circuit  305  to increase sensitivity. 
     As a user of the fireplace  100  contacts the touch portion  315 , the hum and noise that has been pick-up by the user such as AC voltage from power lines increases the voltage input into the control circuit  305 . The input voltage travels from the touch panel  300  through the first wire  320  and to the control circuit  305 . The input of voltage to the control circuit  305  results in the control circuit  305  generating an output that can switch the state of various components of the fireplace  100 . Alternatively, other touch control systems can be used, such as systems that measure capacitance, resistance, conduction, induction, temperature, etc. 
     Control circuit  305  can be connected to another part of the fireplace to drive a relay that, for example, turns the fireplace gas on and off through the gas valve  249 . The output of the control circuit  305  can be coupled to control the gas valve  249  through a second wire  330 , or alternatively, through a remote or wireless connection that does not include a wired connection. Alternatively, the control circuit can be used to drive other components or features of the fireplace such as, for example, increasing or decreasing gas flame height, altering the speed of a blower or fan, turning a simulated ember bed of a fireplace on and off, and controlling motors or lights in an electric fireplace. 
     In alternative embodiments, the touch panel can be located in hidden or viewable positions on a fireplace mantel. In other embodiments, the touch panel can form all or a portion of a decorative or trimmable surround of the fireplace. In yet other embodiments, multiple touch panels can be used to drive multiple components or features of the fireplace. 
     The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples or materials described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the instant specification.