Patent Abstract:
A log burning device that includes a standing grate that supports at least one log and a cover that is attached by at least one hinge to the standing grate. A method for burning logs using a standing grate that has a hinged cover that is attached to the standing grate. The method includes the steps of rotating the cover to an open position, loading at least one log onto the standing grate, lighting the log, and then rotating the cover to a closed position.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to log burning devices, and more particularly to racks used for firelogs to produce an effect similar to that of a wood fire. 
     Use of firelogs in place of wood logs is growing due to the ease in which firelogs are acquired, stored, and lighted. Firelogs were originally created to recycle sawdust; they burn with significantly fewer pollutants and emissions than natural firewood and are also made of recycled materials. Firelogs are also very popular because they produce less ash, carbon monoxide, and creosote than firewood, resulting in less chimney blockage. But firelogs do not create the same effect as that of a real wood fire. The difference between firewood and firelogs is noticeable. 
     Many attempts have been made to create burning devices that accommodate firelogs and simulate the appearance of a wood fire. U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,295 to Gerrard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,310 to Hudson, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,200 to Thow disclose burning devices exemplary of the state of the art. Significantly, all of these burning devices are poorly designed for replenishing a burning fire. The process for replenishing logs in these burning devices involves manually removing the hot artificial logs, adding a fresh firelog, and replacing the hot artificial logs. This complicated method requires a user to work extensively with fire and hot artificial logs, using cumbersome fire tools or even his own hands. This method is laborious and increases the risk of burns. 
     The burning device disclosed in the Gerrard patent includes a two-tiered rack: the lower tier is for supporting compressed paper logs, and the upper tier is for supporting artificial vacuum-formed ceramic logs. The lighted firelogs burn up through the artificial logs to give the ambience and appearance of a pile of real logs burning. As set forth above, to load firelogs onto a lighted fire, the user must remove the ceramic logs and eventually replace them. 
     The devices disclosed in the Hudson and Thow patents are for use with gas-fueled fireplaces. Both devices use artificial logs that are positioned individually to achieve the glowing appearance of a wood fire. This is poorly adaptable to firelogs because of the difficulty in replacing the artificial logs after a firelog has been lighted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The log burning device of the present invention is easy to use and simulates a natural wood fire in both appearance and generation of heat. Because known burning devices are difficult to use, an easy-to-use burning device that can simulate a natural wood fire and generate a similar amount of heat is still needed. The present invention solves the problems of the aforementioned burning devices. 
     One preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a log burning device that includes a standing grate, which supports at least one log, and a cover attached by at least one hinge to the standing grate. In one preferred embodiment, the cover has the shape of at least one simulated log. When the log burning device contains a lighted firelog, it has the appearance of a burning wood fire. 
     Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for burning logs, which includes rotating a cover to an open position. A log is then loaded onto the fireplace standing grate and lighted. The cover is then rotated to a closed position. 
     The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a log burning device of the present invention in a closed position. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the log burning device of the present invention in an open position and of an exemplary opening tool. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the log burning device of the present invention in a closed position with a firelog positioned therein. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the log burning device of the present invention in an open position with a firelog positioned therein. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 show a bottom portion or standing grate  20  of the log burning device  21  of the present invention. Preferably the standing grate  20  is suitable for holding at least one firelog  22 . The standing grate  20  allows ash to fall through and contributes to airflow. A preferred embodiment of the standing grate  20  has two front legs  24 ,  26  and two rear legs  28 ,  30 . Each rear leg  28 ,  30  curves upward to form an arm  32 ,  34  each with a hole (not shown) fitted for a hinge  36 ,  38 . It should be noted that the shown standing grate is meant to be exemplary and that known standing grates, including but not limited to iron grates, an Eco-Fire grate, a self-feeding fire grate, or the log burning device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,412 to Perrin, may be substituted for the shown standing grate. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the upper portion of the invention is preferably a hinge-connected log cover  40 . In the preferred embodiment, the hinged log cover  40  is in the shape of several small simulated logs  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 . Simulated log  50  lies horizontally at the back of the hinged log cover  40  and is connected perpendicularly to simulated logs  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 . Simulated log  42  is connected to simulated log  44  by appendage  52 . Simulated log  44  is connected to simulated log  46  by appendage  54 . Simulated log  46  is connected to simulated log  48  by appendage  56 . Simulated log  44  has a hole  58  (FIG. 1) that looks like knotted wood. The hole  58  and use of appendages  52 ,  54 ,  56  to connect simulated logs  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  create cutouts. The hole  58 , cutouts, and other openings allow for escape of smoke and flames and for sufficient airflow. It should be noted, however, that the hinged log cover  40  shown and described is meant to be exemplary. For example, more or fewer simulated logs  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  can be used depending on the size of the burning device and the effect desired. Further, the simulated logs  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  can be created in a stacked position to resemble a log pile. The simulated logs  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  can also be placed so that each would run the length of the cover. The cover can also be made in other decorative and novelty shapes. 
     Preferably, the hinged log cover  40  is placed substantially over the standing grate  20  and attached by hinge thereto. The right and left sides of the hinged log cover  40  (FIGS. 1 and 2) each have a downward-reaching arm  60 ,  62  with a hole (not shown) fitted for hinges  36 ,  38 . In the shown embodiment, upward-reaching arm  32  is aligned with downward-reaching arm  60 , and upward-reaching arm  34  is aligned with downward-reaching arm  62 . Hinge  36  is inserted into the respective arm holes to connect upward-reaching arm  32  and downward-reaching arm  60 . A hinge  38  is inserted into the respective arm holes to connect arms  34  and  62 . Once the arms  32 ,  34 ,  60 ,  62  are connected, the hinged log cover  40  is connected to the standing grate  20  and is easily rotated to an open position (FIGS. 2 and 4) and to a closed position (FIGS.  1  and  3 ). Pins (not shown) can be attached to the hinges to secure the hinged log cover  40  to the standing grate  20 . It should be noted that the shown hinges are meant to be exemplary and that known hinges, including but not limited to leaf springs, butt hinges, loose joint hinges, spring hinges, gas springs, or support hinges, may be substituted for the shown hinges. Also, the cover  40  could be hinged only on either the left or the right side so as to lift open to the right or left rather than from front to back. An alternative preferred embodiment would include a sliding cover. 
     Both the standing grate  20  and the hinged log cover  40  may be constructed from cast iron, metal, or other material able to withstand the heat of a log fire. 
     When rotated open, the hinged log cover  40  has an open position sufficient to allow at least one log to be inserted. In the preferred embodiment, the cover  40  can be rotated approximately 30° to 120° from the standing grate  20 . In the closed position, the cover  40  is substantially parallel and adjacent to the standing grate  20 . 
     An opening tool  64  (FIG.  2 ), similar to a fire poker, may be used to move the cover between the open position (FIGS. 2 and 4) and closed position (FIGS.  1  and  3 ). In the shown preferred embodiment, the opening tool  64  is forked and made of cast iron or other material able to withstand the heat of a fire. The exemplary opening tool  64  has a looped handle  66 , making it easy to grasp. In the preferred embodiment, appendage  54  on the hinged log cover  40  provides a catch for the opening tool  64 . It should be noted that the shown opening tool  64  is meant to be exemplary, and that known devices, including but not limited to fire pokers or fire tongs, could be substituted. 
     In use, the present invention is placed in a fireplace near a rear wall, allowing the invention to be opened and closed. The hinged log cover  40  is rotated to an open position (FIGS.  2  and  4 ), preferably using the opening tool  64  (FIG.  2 ). Next, at least one firelog  22  may be added to the standing grate  20  (FIGS.  3  and  4 ). Once the firelog  22  is lighted and has attained proper ignition, the opening tool  64  is used to rotate the hinged log cover  24  to a closed position (FIGS.  1  and  3 ). It is also possible to close the hinged log cover and then light the firelog. Flames and smoke escape through the openings of the hinged log cover  40 , created by hole  58  and use of appendages  52 ,  54 ,  56 , creating the appearance of a burning wood fire. To replenish a burning fire, the hinged log cover  40  is rotated to an open position (FIGS.  2  and  4 ), using the opening tool  64 . At least one new firelog  22  is then inserted (FIGS.  3  and  4 ). The hinged log cover  40  is then rotated to a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 3) using the opening tool  64 . This method of using the burning device of the present invention reduces the risk of burns because the user uses the opening tool  64  to rotate the hinged log cover  40 . Further, because the shown hinged log cover  40  is a single unit, the user does not have to replace individual artificial logs, and thus the risk of burns is again reduced. 
     It should be noted that alternate preferred embodiments simulate, for example, the appearance of wood fires, burning coals, gas fires, debris fires, and other burnings. 
     The terms and expressions that have been employed in the foregoing specification are used as terms of description and not of limitation and are not intended to exclude equivalents of the features shown and described or portions of them. The scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5