Patent Publication Number: US-2005133022-A1

Title: Fireplace and entertainment assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      1. Field of Invention  
      This invention relates to the use of an indoor non-vented fireplace in combination with releasable securable cabinetry including a fireplace cabinet, and one or more general cabinets all arranged in a pleasing and appealing configuration to make the fireplace and the electronic components surrounding it the center of attention in a room.  
      2. Description of Prior Art  
      Woodburning fireplaces have been used in homes for hundreds of years. They provide heat and aesthetic value and charm. Conventional woodburning fireplaces require some type of chimney for venting the residue of combustion. They are typically built with an outside masonry chimney. Prefabricated woodburning fireplaces have metal chimneys that are installed in an outside chimney chase. In newer construction, these chimneys are often framed and thereafter covered by siding.  
      More recently, gas fireplaces have become very popular because they typically burn cleaner, ignite and extinguish with the push of a button, eliminate the need for buying, chopping and storing wood and require little or no maintenance and/or cleaning. Such gas fireplaces were originally installed like conventional woodburning fireplaces, that is, they were typically installed in outside chases. But now newer gas fireplace technology allows the fireplace to be moved into the room rather than being installed in an outside chimney chase. These newer fireplaces include both direct vent and vent free models.  
      The fireplace industry commonly supply consumers with fireplaces, not only for heating, but for creating a sense of mood and/or atmosphere. The homebuilding industry, unless specifically designed and custom built by the homeowner, usually place fireplaces on short width walls where home entertainment components such as television sets, VCR&#39;s, and audio equipment cannot be placed on the same wall or near the fireplace. Moreover, the furniture in the average home cannot be arranged to take full advantage of the mood and/or atmospheric settings associated with fireplaces. Often chairs and couches cannot face the fireplace because they are usually facing an entertainment center which usually includes a television set and/or audio equipment.  
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is a combination entertainment and fireplace assembly located entirely within the outer walls of the home that includes a non-vented fireplace placed against the inside of an outer house wall and a fireplace cabinet encapsulating the fireplace. Additional individual free-standing general cabinets and/or bookcases are releasably securable to the fireplace cabinet and to each other to make possible a cabinet/fireplace configuration best suited to the house floor plan, the other furniture of the house and the homeowner&#39;s preference. The fireplace may be gas burning (natural gas or propane) or electric (heated or simulated). Because of the individual cabinet feature, the assemble may be situated side-by-side along a straight wall, in a corner or in a stacked manner where the television set can be placed above the fireplace cabinet or another general cabinet. A gas supply connects with the gas burning fireplace, and a power supply makes available electricity where needed in the television cabinet or for electric fireplace and other general cabinets. Appropriate actuating devices for the fireplace and electronic components can be provided for convenience.  
      From the foregoing summary, it can be seen that a principle objective of the present invention is to provide an entertainment and fireplace assembly having a built-in vent free fireplace equipped to burn gas, use electric power or provide a simulated unit that can form a furniture group that can be placed against a flat wall, in a corner or as a free-standing walk-around island.  
      Thus there has been outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In that respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its arrangement of the components set forth in the following description and illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.  
      It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting in any respect. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of this development. It is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent methods and products resulting therefrom that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The application is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by its claims, nor to limit its scope in any way.  
      Thus, the objectives of the invention set forth above, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are noted with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific results obtained by its use, reference should be made to the following detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views.  
      The drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. They illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the entertainment and fireplace assembly of the present invention with television cabinet and television set placed in a stacked condition over the fireplace cabinet;  
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1  with the doors on the television cabinet in the closed position;  
       FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a corner assembly with the television cabinet and television set placed in a stacked condition over the fireplace cabinet wherein the cabinet which holds the television set may have a retractable door that slides back inside the cabinet;  
       FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of a free standing fireplace and entertainment assembly of the present invention where it is possible to move freely around the assembly;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the assembly showing the fireplace insert removed from the fireplace cabinet; and  
       FIG. 6  is another embodiment of the corner unit of  FIG. 2  showing the fireplace insert removed from the fireplace cabinet and shelving. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Referring now to the drawings and particularly to  FIG. 1 , an entertainment and fireplace assembly shown generally as  10  includes an non-vented gas fireplace  12  positioned within a fireplace cabinet  14 . A television cabinet  16  is placed directly over fireplace cabinet i 4  in a stacked relationship with respect thereto. A television set  18  is housed in cabinet  14  along with a VCR  20  and other electronic components if so desired. Cabinet  16  is preferably a free-standing unit separate and apart from fireplace cabinet  14 . Assembly  10  is shown in  FIG. 2  with doors  26 ,  28  of television cabinet  14  in the closed condition.  
      Other general cabinets  22 ,  24  are located on each side of fireplace cabinet  14  as shown. Cabinets  22 ,  24  can function as display and storage space for decorative items or they can serve as bookcases. They are also of separate construction and can therefore be positioned in another configuration where, for example, they can be placed in a side-by-side relationship on one side of fireplace and television cabinets  14 ,  16 .  
      The location of the fireplace insert  29  within the assembly embodiments designated  31  in  FIG. 5  and  33  in  FIG. 6  is illustrated in the exploded condition. Additional electronic components may be retained within door-closed cabinets  26 ,  28  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4 .  
      A corner unit is shown as  26  in  FIG. 3 , and another embodiment is shown generally as  33  in  FIG. 6 . A fireplace cabinet  30  houses fireplace insert  29 . A television cabinet  34  is stacked upon fireplace cabinet  30 . General cabinets (not shown) can be positioned on either side of corner unit  26  in the same manner as is shown as  22 ,  24  in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4 .  
      The assembly of the present invention may include gas fired fireplaces (natural or propane gas) and a carbon monoxide detector or an electric fireplace (heated or simulated) as a piece of furniture or modular furniture to be placed against a flat wall, in a corner or as a free-standing walk-around island.  
      Conventional controls for actuating and terminating gas or electric heat are used which enables total control over the equipment from a remote actuating device just as with the control of other electronic components such as television sets, VCR&#39;s and audio enhancers.  
      The ability to configure the components of the assembly described gives the homeowner maximum flexibility to experiment and find the optimal layout for convenience and efficiency.  
      From the proceeding description, it can be seen that an entertainment and fireplace assembly has been provided that will meet all of the advantages of prior art devices and offer additional advantages not heretofore achievable. With respect to the foregoing invention, the optimum dimensional relationship to the parts of the invention including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, use and assembly are deemed readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed herein.  
      The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, and it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. All suitable modifications and equivalents that fall within the scope of the appended claims are deemed within the present inventive concept.