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  Outdoors gas fireplaceUSPTO Application #: 20070224560Title: Outdoors gas fireplace Abstract: A gas-fired fireplace is provided with a structure for supporting an artificial log which encourages users to place artificial logs in positions over the gas burner which provide a wind shadow over the burner and which reduces the prospects that the flame of the burner will be extinguished by wind. The burner of the fireplace is also provided with an igniter positioned adjacent gas openings in the burner and shielded by a hood and by side flanges from the wind to also reduce the prospects that the flame of the burner will be extinguished by wind. (end of abstract) Agent: David J. French C/o Milton, Geller LLP - Ottawa, ON, CA Inventors: David J. Stainrod, James A. Roberts USPTO Applicaton #: 20070224560 - Class: 431125000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Combustion, With Simulation Feature The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070224560. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a gas-fired fireplace which is to be operated out of doors in locations where it may be exposed to wind and rain. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] People have always enjoyed sitting around a fire. In modem society, it is increasingly difficult to arrange to have an outdoor fire for several reasons. Municipal zoning bylaws may not permit open fires in a household backyard. Fires require fuel and there may not be a ready supply of appropriate fuel, e.g. wood, that will burn readily without producing undue smoke. In these circumstances, there may be a market for a gas-fired fireplace which can be operated out of doors. [0003] One of the problems faced in providing such a device is that it may be exposed on occasion to wind and rain. When this occurs, there is a risk that the wind or rain will extinguish the gas flame. If this occurs, unignited gas may continue to flow into the environment, creating a hazard. It would be desirable to provide a gas-fired fireplace which has a reduced susceptibility to a loss of flame under windy or damp conditions. [0004] Accredited Standard Associations test to a standard that requires an outdoor fireplace to tolerate a 50 kph wind and rain tests without the main burner flame being extinguished. Furthermore, such fireplaces must be able to pass the stipulated ignition of the main burner test no matter what its orientation is with respect to the wind and rain. Accordingly, in providing a gas-fired outdoor fireplace, reliable, safe ignition of the main burner in all orientations with respect to the wind is required. [0005] In providing a gas-fired outdoor fireplace it would also be attractive to include imitation or artificial ceramic logs to complete the appearance of a traditional outdoor fire. However, in the course of development of the present invention, it has been recognized that such logs can enhance the risk that the flame provided by a gas burner may be extinguished by a high-level wind or rain. In particular, if ceramic logs are assembled in a certain orientation, they may provide a tunnel which will focus the flow of air, enhancing the undesirable effect of a local wind. If such a tunnel is particularly oriented to focus and increase wind over the main burner gas ports, there is an increased risk that the flame will not ignite properly or become extinguished once the main burner is ignited. [0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a gas-fired outdoor fireplace wherein artificial logs may be assembled in such a way as to allow the burner to be ignited safely and reduce the risk that the gas flame will be extinguished by wind or rain. The present invention addresses both this and the earlier objective referenced above. [0007] The invention in its general form will first be described, and then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest and more specific forms will then be further described, and defined, in each of the individual claims which conclude this Specification. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] According to the present invention in one aspect a gas-fired outdoor fireplace having a burner with a gas inlet for supplying gas to the burner has an igniter with a hood that protects the flame from being extinguished by wind and rain. Preferably, the igniter it is positioned on the burner proximate to the gas supply inlet providing gas to the burner. The igniter is preferably both sheltered by an overlying hood and protected by wind deflecting shields on the lateral sides to the igniter. [0009] As an optional alternate or additional feature, such a fireplace may have provision for the mounting of a number of artificial logs in position over the gas burner. The gas burner in such cases is also preferably provided with a support means for a first artificial log which guides a user in placing such artificial log over the burner. The artificial log is oriented on the burner so as to provide a partial wind-shadow in the region of the gas burner in the vicinity of the gas source inlet where the igniter is also preferably located. Correct log placement enhances the ignition of the main burner and protects the main burner from being extinguished in wind and rain conditions. [0010] Thus, according to this latter feature of the present invention in one aspect, a gas-fired outdoor fireplace having a burner with a gas inlet for supplying gas to the burner has a bracket used to support and orient a first artificial log. [0011] Once this initial log has been placed in the correct position to create the desired wind shadow, further logs may also be placed above the burner. According to a further aspect of the invention, the orientation of the initial log preferably disinclines users from stacking additional logs in positions that will tend to form a wind-tunnel that focuses and increases the velocity of ambient wind over the inlet portion of the burner. [0012] The invention is based in both aspects on the observation that it is highly desirable to both illuminate the flame of a burner and maintain the presence of a flame at a location proximate to the inlet for gas feeding the burner. While it may be permissible for wind to extinguish a portion of the flame being emitted from a burner remote from the gas inlet on the burner without entirely losing flame, if the flame at the location of the gas inlet itself is momentarily extinguished, there is a substantial prospect that the entire flame being provided by the burner will also be extinguished. Accordingly, the benefits of the invention are achieved both by the presence of the igniter hood and by the presence of the log support means which guides positioning of the first artificial log in an orientation that will reduce the prospects that wind will extinguish the flames present in the region adjacent to the gas inlet. [0013] The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the invention and some of its optional aspects. The invention may be further understood by the description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, which now follow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of artificial ceramic logs and lava rocks located in place over the top surface of the gas burner of the invention. [0015] FIG. 2 is top quarter pictorial view of the burner of the invention showing the igniter with metal hood serving as a windshield over gas outlet openings or ports in the burner, and the central support post for aligning the principal ceramic log. [0016] FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the metal hood of FIG. 2 in position over the gas outlet openings of the burner so as to protect the igniter and adjacent gas port openings from wind and rain. [0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of the burner of FIGS. 2, with a cutaway to show the igniter tip. [0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional detail of the mounting of the igniter opposite the gas outlet ports in the burner. [0019] FIG. 6 is a top, cut away, cross-sectional view looking down on the igniter with the top hood removed to show the side flanges. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Continue reading... Full patent description for Outdoors gas fireplace Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Outdoors gas fireplace patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Outdoors gas fireplace or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Flame simulating assembly Next Patent Application: Burner for combustion chamber and combustion method Industry Class: Combustion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Outdoors gas fireplace patent info. 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