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  Sauna fireplaceUSPTO Application #: 20060185665Title: Sauna fireplace Abstract: A sauna fireplace assembly that includes an outer enclosure, a combustion chamber enclosure, and a housing. The combustion chamber enclosure is positioned within the outer enclosure and defines a combustion chamber wherein heat is generated. The housing is positioned in contact with a panel of the combustion chamber enclosure and is configured to house a plurality of heat retaining members. An opening into the housing is accessible through the outer enclosure for access to the heat retaining members. Heat generated in the combustion chamber is passed to the heat retaining members and then radiated from the heat retaining members into a living space such as a sauna enclosure. A portion of the housing may be exposed within the combustion chamber for improved heat transfer to the heat retaining members. (end of abstract) Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Attn: Patent Docketing - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventors: Thomas J. Bachinski, Gary Lee Butler, Kelly Williams USPTO Applicaton #: 20060185665 - Class: 126512000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Stoves And Furnaces, Fireplaces Or Accessories, Fluid Fuel The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060185665. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to heating appliances, and more particularly relates to heating appliances for use in a sauna. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] Saunas originated centuries ago as Finnish steam baths. Steam for the steam bath is provided by water thrown on stones that are heated by a sauna heater. Original sauna heaters used burning wood or other fibrous articles to heat the stones. Today saunas are generally known as a dry heat bath, wherein steam can be generated in the room by applying water on heated objects such as artificial rocks that are heated by a gas or electric sauna heater. [0005] Sauna heaters are an important part of the sauna. Sauna heaters generate heat sufficient to warm the sauna room to a desired temperature; typically over 110.degree. F. Sauna heaters include a source of heat (e.g., an electric heating element or a gas or wood burning combustion device) and a bed of rocks or other heat emanating members positioned above and in contact with the source of heat. Although sauna heaters are often positioned as a center of attention in the sauna due to their important function, sauna heaters are not usually designed for aesthetics. Sauna heaters are most often designed with safety and heat generating efficiency as a primary objective. A sauna heater that provides aesthetics as well as safety and efficient heat generation would be an important advance in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention generally relates to heating appliances, and more particularly relates to sauna heating appliances. One aspect of the invention relates to a fireplace that includes an outer enclosure, a plenum, and a housing. The combustion chamber enclosure is positioned within the outer enclosure and defines a combustion chamber wherein heat is generated. The plenum is defined between the outer enclosure and the combustion chamber enclosure. The plenum includes an inlet and an outlet for the circulation of room air through the plenum to heat the room air. The housing is positioned in contact with a panel of the combustion chamber enclosure and is configured to house a plurality of heat retaining members. An opening into the housing is accessible through the outer enclosure for accessing the heat retaining members. The fireplace is configured to pass heat generated in the combustion chamber through the housing to the heat retaining members and into a living space. [0007] Another aspect of the invention relates to a fireplace that includes a combustion chamber enclosure and a housing. The combustion chamber enclosure defines a combustion chamber wherein combustion occurs to generate heat. The combustion chamber enclosure includes a top panel and a front panel through which the combustion chamber is viewable. The housing is configured to hold at least one heat retaining member and includes a bottom panel that defines a portion of the top panel of the combustion chamber enclosure. [0008] A further aspect of the invention relates to a fireplace that includes a combustion chamber enclosure, a burner, and a housing. The combustion chamber enclosure defines a combustion chamber and includes at least one panel for viewing the combustion chamber. The burner is positioned within the combustion chamber and is configured to produce a flame that generates heat and is viewable through the at least one panel. The housing is configured to hold at least one heat retaining member and includes a panel that is at least partially exposed within the combustion chamber. [0009] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a sauna that includes an enclosure including at least one wall, a fireplace, and a heat exchanging housing. The fireplace is positioned at least partially within the enclosure and includes a combustion chamber enclosure wherein a flame is generated for the production of heat. The combustion chamber enclosure includes at least one panel through which the flame is viewable. The heat exchanging housing coupled to a top panel of the combustion chamber enclosure, the housing including a plurality of panels that define a storage space sized to receive a plurality of heat retaining objects, the housing being configured to absorb heat generated in the combustion chamber and radiate the absorbed heat within the enclosure. [0010] Another aspect of the invention relates to a heat exchanging assembly configured for use with a fireplace. The assembly includes a heat emanating member configured to absorb heat from the fireplace and radiate heat into a dwelling space, and a housing sized to retain the heat emanating member. The housing includes at least one panel configured for exposure to a heat source positioned within the fireplace. The at least one panel includes at least one heat exchanging fin configured for exposure to the heat source. [0011] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a sauna fireplace. The fireplace includes an outer enclosure, a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, and a heat exchanging assembly. The heat exchanging assembly defines a housing within which heat retaining objects may be positioned. The method includes providing the combustion chamber enclosure with at least one panel through which the combustion chamber is viewable, positioning the combustion chamber enclosure within the outer enclosure wherein the at least one panel is exposed for viewing, and securing the heating exchanging assembly to a top panel of the combustion chamber enclosure with the heating exchanging assembly at least partially exposed outside of the outer enclosure to provide access to the heat retaining objects positioned within the housing. [0012] The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplified embodiments of the invention. While certain embodiments will be illustrated and described, the invention is not limited to use in such embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in the invention and in connection with accompanying drawings, in which: [0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example sauna fireplace according to principles of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fireplace shown in FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 3 is front view of the fireplace shown in FIG. 1; [0017] FIG. 4 is side view of the fireplace shown in FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 5 is a top view of the fireplace shown in FIG. 1; [0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the fireplace shown in FIG. 3 taken along cross-section indicators 6-6; [0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional front view of the fireplace shown in FIG. 4 taken along cross-section indicators 7-7; [0021] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a combination sauna wall and the sauna fireplace shown in FIG. 1; Continue reading... Full patent description for Sauna fireplace Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sauna 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 Sauna fireplace or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Gas-fired artificial log burners with heating chamber Next Patent Application: Fireplace front panel assembly for reducing temperature Industry Class: Stoves and furnaces ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Sauna fireplace patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.94088 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m |
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