Abstract:
Flames pass through a gas flame distribution unit that includes a plurality of metal rods or tubes, where the metal rods or tubes have varying lengths and are welded together at varying angles and pitches.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    This invention was not federally sponsored. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention relates to the general field of fireplaces, and more specifically toward a gas flame distribution unit. Flames pass through an assembly that includes a plurality of metal tubes, where the metal tubes have varying lengths and are welded together at varying angles. 
         [0005]    Fireplaces continue to see modernization, including the use of artificial logs made from ceramic or refractory cement mixture that has been designed to withstand the high heats of a gas burner. These artificial logs can be designed to resemble real wood such that the fireplace appears to be burning real wood. However, there is also a demand for fireplaces that provide for flames passing through a gas flame distribution unit that is an aesthetically please alternative to traditional gas logs for use in gas fed fireplaces. 
         [0006]    Thus there has existed a long-felt need for a gas flame distribution unit that provides a modern look. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The current invention provides just such a solution by having an aesthetically pleasing gas flame distribution unit. Flames pass through an assembly that includes a plurality of metal tubes, where the metal tubes have varying lengths and are welded together at varying angles. 
         [0008]    Metal tubes or rods of varying length are welded together at various angles to form a “criss/cross” pattern of different pitches and angles to form a gas flame distribution unit. The gas flame distribution unit is affixed, secured to, or otherwise rested upon or within the fireplace. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing gas flame distribution unit. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the invention to provide a non-ceramic or non-refractory cement mixture gas flame distribution unit. 
         [0011]    Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future. The term “angle” refers to a rotational displacement in one axis, while the term “pitch” refers to a rotational displacement in an axis perpendicular to that of a reference angle. 
         [0012]    The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. 
         [0013]    Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration. 
         [0014]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gas flame distribution unit according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a gas flame distribution unit according to other selected embodiments of the current disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with the references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a gas flame distribution unit according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure. The gas flame distribution unit  10  includes a plurality of metal rods  11  at different angles and pitches. Each metal rod  11  is secured to another rod  11  by welding at a weld point  12 . During use, the gas flame distribution unit  10  sits on top of support material  20 , including without limitation glass stones or crystals, cement, rock, and artificial embers. Alternatively, the gas flame distribution unit  10  is affixed directly to a burner or flame spreader. 
         [0020]    The metal rods are shown with a circular cross section in  FIG. 1 . In alternative embodiments, the rods have a non-circular cross section, such as a triangle, square, pentagon, or other shape. Instead of a solid rod, a tube (hollow rod) may be used. When a metal tube is employed, the metal tube may include one or more holes or cutouts to further distribute an incident flame. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a gas flame distribution unit according to other selected embodiments of the current disclosure. The gas flame distribution unit  30  includes a plurality of metal rings  31  at different angles and pitches. Each metal ring  31  is secured to at least one other ring  31  by welding at a weld point  32 . During use, the gas flame distribution unit  30  sits on top of support material  20 , including without limitation glass stones or crystals, cement, rock, and artificial embers. Alternatively, the gas flame distribution unit  30  is affixed directly to a burner or flame spreader. 
         [0022]    The metal rings are shown with a rectangular cross section in  FIG. 2 . In alternative embodiments, the rings have a non-rectangular cross section, such as a circle, triangle, pentagon, or other shape. Instead of a solid cross section, the ring may be hollow to form a tubular structure. The hollow ring may also include one or more holes or cutouts to further distribute an incident flame. 
         [0023]    Alternative embodiments of the current disclosure include gas flame distribution units with a plurality of metal rods, metal rings, and/or other metal elements where each metal element is welded to at least one of the other metal elements. Hollow elements may include one or more holes or cutouts to further distribute the incident flame, both within and outside of the element. 
         [0024]    It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims are regarded as the invention. 
         [0025]    All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.