Patent Publication Number: US-4646716-A

Title: Andiron mounting system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a device for attaching an andiron directly to a fireplace grate, and more particularly, to a device for swivelably mounting an andiron to various types and sizes of fireplace grates. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In the past, andirons have been situated in a fireplace and supported by legs which extend underneath the fireplace grate. As a result, the andirons have been difficult to move for refueling or cleaning the fireplace grate. The legs of the andirons have also cluttered the area beneath the grate, making it difficult to use a draft control or other device in the fireplace and making cleaning of the hearth area difficult. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,827 discloses a system for attaching andirons directly to a fireplace grate. However, the mounting system disclosed in that invention is limited in its applications. It is best used on cast iron fireplace grates and others which are constructed with bars which are square in cross-section. Steel fireplace grates, which generally have bars which are diamond-shaped in cross-section, require a different mounting system. Furthermore, since the prior art relies on clamping two bars of the fireplace grate between flat plates, the system cannot be used on fireplace grates whose bars are set further apart than the length of the clamping plates. Still further, the prior art mounting system comes in direct contact with the combustible materials on the grate, which reduces the life of the mounting unit. 
     Prior art mounting systems were also limited in how they were secured to the andirons. The members for connecting the andirons to the fireplace grate were welded to the andirons. The connecting members were therefore of a specific height which could not easily be adjusted. Thus, it was difficult to attach the andirons to fireplace grates of varying heights. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a mounting system for andirons whereby the andirons are mounted directly to a fireplace grate. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide an andiron mounting system wherein the andirons may be placed any desired distance from the fireplace grate. 
     It is still a further object of this invention to provide an andiron mounting system wherein the andirons may be pivoted or swiveled so as to provide clear and easy access to the fireplace grate. 
     It is a still further object of this invention to provide an andiron mounting system which is easily adjustable in height and can be mounted on fireplace grates of any height. 
     It is a still further object of this invention to provide an andiron mounting system which is easily adaptable to currently existing fireplace grates, whether their bars are square or diamond-shaped in cross-section, and which is clamped directly to a single bar of the fireplace grate. 
     It is still a further object of this invention to provide an andiron mounting system which does not come in contact with the combustible materials on the grate, thus prolonging its life. 
     It is a still further object of this invention to provide an andiron mounting system which is of simple and economical manufacture, constructed in such a manner that replacement parts are simple in design and readily obtainable. 
     The above objects and others are achieved by providing an andiron mounting system wherein a connecting member, which is attached to the andiron, is directly mounted to the fireplace grate using an attachment member. The connecting member is mounted by a stud which extends through an aperture in the connecting member, and continues through an aperture in the base of an attachment member. In one embodiment the attachment member includes an &#34;L&#34;-shaped member of an &#34;I&#34;-shaped member joined by two adjustable bolts. A third adjustable bolt stabilizes the attachment member at the base. The attachment member grips one bar of the fireplace grate by adjusting the bolts to move the &#34;L&#34; shaped member in relation to the &#34;I&#34;-shaped member. Thus, this attachment member can be used on bars of any cross-sectional shape. In a second embodiment, a single &#34;U&#34;-shaped clamp is mounted on the connecting member. The sides of the &#34;U&#34; shaped clamp are moved in relation to each other using two adjustable bolts. 
     At its opposite end, the connecting member is fastened to a mounting bracket which clips onto and the andiron and can be secured by tightening a nut and bolt assembly. Loosening the nut and bolt assembly permits the mounting bracket to slide up and down on the andiron to any desired height. Thus, the andiron mounting system can be adjusted for use with a fireplace grate of any height. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the invention which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a fireplace grate with the andiron mounting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the fireplace, andiron and andiron mounting system of the present invention taken along line I--I of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of one embodiment of an attachment member of the andiron mounting system used to attach the mounting system to the fireplace grate; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the attachment member of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the attachment member; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a fireplace grate with an andiron mounting system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fireplace, andiron and andiron mounting system along the line II--II of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the mounting bracket according to the present invention for mounting the andiron mounting system on an andiron; 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of the bracket of FIG. 9; and 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of a piece of sheet metal before it is cut and bent to form the bracket of FIG. 9. 
     The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a fireplace grate 10, andirons 12, connecting member 16 and attachment system 13 for attaching the connecting member 15 to the grate 10. The connecting member 16 is secured to the andiron 12 by means of a mounting bracket 17. The attachment system 13 is attached to connecting member 16 by a stud 18. 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, connecting member 16 includes two elongate connecting members, 16a and 16b. Elongate connecting member 16a is swivably attached to fireplace grate bars such as 34 or 38, while elongate connecting member 16b is connected to andiron 12 by means of mounting bracket 17. 
     Elongate connecting member 16a is preferably provided with a plurality of connecting holes 19 for stud 18. The plurality of holes 19 for stud 18 allows variations in the point of connection between elongate connecting member 16a and the attachment system 13. Elongate connecting member 16a is also preferably provided with a plurality of holes 15 where member 16b is attached. This allows variations in the final position of andiron 12. Alternatively, a plurality of holes could also be provided in part 16b. 
     Parts 16a and 16b are tightly bolted together using bolt 25 and nut 27 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, when part 16a abuts the back of the grate leg 11, the andiron cannot be moved outwardly, for example by a falling log. Preferably, both parts 16a and 16b abut the grate leg. Part 16b should be adjusted to the proper position before it is completely secured to part 16a. 
     In the left side of FIG. 1 connecting member 16 is shown with andiron 12 in position in front of fireplace grate 10. In this position the fireplace 15 is ready for use. It is best that connecting member 16 abut grate leg 11 to provide additional support, however, a plurality of positions are possible. 
     In the right side of FIG. 1 connecting member 16 is shown in position for cleaning and refueling the fireplace. Here, connecting member 16 abuts the wall of the fireplace. This braces fireplace grate 10, holding it in position so it does not move while the area beneath it is cleared, logs are placed on it, or logs are removed. 
     In FIGS. 1 and 2, mounting bracket 17 mounts connecting member 16 on andiron 12 at any desired horizontal position. Referring to FIGS. 9-12, mounting bracket 17 comprises a piece of sheet metal (shown in FIG. 12) bent to form a hollow tube (shown in FIGS. 9-11). The sheet metal is cut and bent to form the tube and three flanges. Top flange 51 projects horizontally, perpendicular to the central axis of the tube. The two lateral flanges 55 project vertically and are parallel to each other and perpendicular to flange 51. 
     Since one side of mounting bracket 17 is not closed, it can be sprung open, and either snapped around a square column such as andiron 12, or if there is not a bend at the top of andiron 12 slipped over the top. FIG. 12 shows the dimensions of a mounting bracket 17 designed to fit around a one inch square steel tube, which is the standard size for andirons 12. However, this bracket design can be redimensioned to fit any size andiron. Furthermore, the bracket 17 of FIG. 12 can be used on andirons 12 slightly larger or smaller than one inch. 
     Top flange 51, of mounting bracket 17 projects outwardly from mounting bracket 17 and andiron 12. Connecting member 16 is positioned below top flange 51, and connected to it by bolt 50 which passes through an aperture 53 on flange 51 and is fastened by washer 52 and nut 54. 
     To allow mounting bracket 17 to be secured at any desired horizontal position along the shaft of andiron 12, bolt 56 passes through aperture 57 on one of lateral flanges 55, continues through the aperture 57 in the second lateral flange 55 and is secured by washer 58 and nut 60. When tightened, mounting bracket 17 will be compressed and tightly secured to andiron 12 and will not slip. This type of bracket 17 ensures that the present invention can be used with any fireplace grate 10, regardless of its height from the floor of the fireplace. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2-4, connecting member 16 is attached to the grate 10 by means of the attachment system 13. In one embodiment stud 18 extends through an aperture provided in the base of &#34;L&#34;-shaped member. A washer 21 is provided between clamp jaw 22 and connecting member 16. Stud 18 further extends through one of a series of apertures 19 provided in connecting member 16. 
     Stud 18 is secured by means of cotter pin 20, which is readily removed and replaced if mounting system 13 is to be adjusted by being connected through one of the other apertures 19 provided in connecting member 16. &#34;L&#34;-shaped member 22 is connected to &#34;I&#34;-shaped member 24 by means of two adjustable bolts 26 which pass through apertures provided in &#34;I&#34;-shaped member 24 and then continue through apertures in &#34;L&#34;-shaped member 22 where they are held in place or adjusted by nuts 28. 
     Any one of grate bars 34 can be attached to the mounting system 13 by placing one of grate bars 34 between member 22 and 24 tightening bolts 26. 
     In order to stabilize members 22 and 24 and keep them essentially parallel, stabilizing bolt 30 passes through a stabilizing aperture provided in &#34;I&#34;-shaped member 24 until it meets the vertical face of the &#34;L&#34;-shaped 26. Stabilizing bolt 30 is then adjusted by tightening stabilizing nut 32. 
     Stud 18 is provided with a smooth bearing surface to allow the attachment system 13 and connecting member 16 to be swivelably rotated. this allows for easy access to the fireplace grate. Also, mounting system 13 can be attached to any of the bars 34 or 38 provided on the fireplace grate. This allows the user great latitude in the positioning of the andirons. Furthermore, the mounting system 13 may be attached at any point along the length of one of the bars, allowing the andirons to be positioned at any desired distance from the front of the fireplace grate. Since the need for rear legs of the andiron support is obivated by the present invention, the space underneath the fireplace grate is relatively clear, thus allowing for easier cleaning of the fireplace hearth or for placement of a device such as a draft control device. 
     In an alternate embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, attachment system 14 includes a single &#34;U&#34;-shaped clamp 36. Clamp 36 is joined to connecting member 16 by a stud 18 passing through either of two apertures 37 in the base of clamp 36, one or more washers 21, and an aperture in connecting member 16. Stud 18 is secured by cotter pin 20. Provision of two apertures 37 in the base of clamp 36 gives additional flexibility of increasing the maximum possible distance between fireplace grate 10 and andiron 12. &#34;U&#34;-shaped clamp 36 is adjusted by tightening nuts 28 on bolts 26, which pass through apertures on the two opposite vertical sides of clamp 36. The upper ends of verticle sides of clamp 36 form a hook 40 by making a bend of greater than 180° towards the inside of the &#34;U&#34; and are then bent slightly in the opposite direction to leave small &#34;V&#34;-shaped indentations 44 in the ends of the hook 40. Two diagonally opposing corners of grate bar 38, which is diamond-shaped in cross-section, are gripped by the &#34;V&#34;-shaped indentations 44 in the ends of the clamp 36. Tightening of nuts 28 will force the ends of the hooks on clamp 36 toward the outer, vertical edges of clamp 36, thereby securing grate bar 38 in the clamp. Although FIGS. 5 and 6 show a diamond-shaped grate bar 38, this &#34;U&#34;-shaped configuration can also be used with square grate bars 34, or bars of the other cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, in this embodiment, only mounting system 14 is different; all other aspects of the invention remain as described in the first embodiment. 
     In the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, connecting member 16 is comprised of a single part. This requires connecting member 16 to pass between grate legs 11, instead of around them as in FIG. 1. This limits the arc in which andirons 12 can be moved. 
     This alternative embodiment relies on the same mounting bracket 17, which joins connecting member 16 to andiron 12, as the preferred embodiment. It also uses either of the two attachment systems 13 or 14 described in the preferred embodiment. 
     While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, and may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims: