Patent Publication Number: US-2005139208-A1

Title: Simulated fireplace panels

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      1. Field of Invention  
      The present invention relates generally to metallic panels for use in a fireplace. More specifically, the present invention relates to a surface treatment for metallic panels for use in a fireplace.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      Fireplaces are often used to heat a home. Fireplaces are also an aesthetic addition to the décor in the home. The fireplace may use real wood logs or natural gas with artificial simulated fire logs to generate heat. The fire that is burning in the fireplace is at a very high temperature. The high temperature mandates that the fireplace be made of heat resistant material that can sustain high temperatures for a lengthy period of time. Generally, bricks and sheet metals are used to fabricate the fireplace. The fireplace that is made of brick or stone is generally a fixture that is built into the structure of the building. The fireplace that is made of sheet metal is generally used in portable and stand-alone type of fireplace. Fireplace that is made of sheet metal generally has a black painted surface and appear artificial compared to one made of brick or stone.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The simulated fireplace panel of the present invention comprises of multiple layers of a mixture of yellow sand and high temperature paint applied by spraying the mixture onto the surfaces of a sheet metal. The simulated fireplace panel realistically simulates a stone or brick fireplace. In the preferred embodiment, the surface treatment comprises of the steps of forming grooves on sheet metals that simulate stone surfaces, coating the sheet metal with zinc, applying a mixture of 70 micron yellow sand and high temperature paint in one to one proportion to the surface of the sheet metal by spraying, removing excess accumulated mixture in the grooves in the sheet metal, allowing the mixture on the sheet metal to dry, applying another thin layer of the mixture of 70 micron yellow sand and high temperature paint in one to one proportion to the surface of the sheet metal, allowing the mixture on the sheet metal to dry, applying a thin layer of high temperature paint, and applying a thin final layer of the mixture of 70 micron yellow sand and high temperature paint to the surface of the sheet metal. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows a typical stand-alone fireplace using metal panels.  
       FIG. 2  shows the simulated fireplace panels formed as the walls of a fireplace.  
       FIG. 3  shows a side panel of the simulated fireplace panels.  
       FIG. 4  shows an enlarged view of the simulated fireplace panels shown in  FIG. 3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       FIG. 1  shows a typical stand-along fireplace. In the typical stand-alone fireplace, the interior walls of the fireplace are made of sheet metals such as steel plates. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the fireplace may be form by welding or affixing multiple sheet metals, such as that shown in  FIG. 3 , to form an enclosure with one open side.  
       FIG. 4  shows an enlarged view of the simulated fireplace panels. The simulated fireplace panel of the present invention comprises of multiple layers of a mixture of yellow sand and high temperature paint applied by spraying the mixture onto the surfaces of a sheet of steel. The mixture is a one to one ratio of yellow sand and high temperature paint, preferably a shade of yellow. The high temperature paint may be the 86c light cream paint manufactured by the US Forest company. In the preferred embodiment, the yellow sand is from 50 to 120 microns, preferably 70 micron. The sheet of steel may have channels formed on it to simulate rock surfaces.  
      In the preferred embodiment, the surface treatment comprises of the steps of forming grooves on sheet metals that simulate stone surfaces, coating the sheet metal with zinc, applying a mixture of 70 micron yellow sand and high temperature paint in one to one proportion to the surface of the sheet metal by spraying, removing excess accumulated mixture in the grooves in the sheet metal, allowing the mixture on the sheet metal to dry, applying another thin layer of the mixture of 70 micron yellow sand and high temperature paint in one to one proportion to the surface of the sheet metal, allowing the mixture on the sheet metal to dry, applying a thin layer of high temperature paint, and applying a thin final layer of the mixture of 70 micron yellow sand and high temperature paint to the surface of the sheet metal.  
      The simulated fireplace panel of the present invention has an appearance that realistically simulates the natural stone or brick surfaces of a stone or brick fireplace.  
      Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.