A front panel for a fireplace insert appliance

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a front panel (3) for a fireplace insert appliance (1) comprising an inner panel (4) and an outer panel (5), whereby inlet means (9) for channelling ambient air (A) into the appliance (1) is provided between the inner panel (4) and the outer panel (5). The inlet means (9) is provided as a gap or spacing between the inner panel (4) and the outer panel (5). The provision of a inlet means (9) provides a thermal break which reduces the conduction of heat from the inner panel (4) to the outer panel (5) which could potentially radiate onto drapes, furniture and other combustibles in proximity to the appliance, thereby reducing the chance of such combustibles being heated to flashpoint and causing a fire. The ambient air `A' flowing through the inlet means (9) is pre-heated as it flows through the cavities of the appliance (1), thereby lowering the temperature of the front panel (3) which reduces clearances to combustibles.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a front panel and fireplace insert appliance comprising such a front panel.

[0002] Open fireplaces which burn solid fuel are still used extensively to heat rooms, such as living rooms in houses and other domestic dwellings. However, an open fireplace is very inefficient for burning solid fuel as most of the heat generated goes up the chimney. It is estimated that up to approximately 40m³ of hot air per hour escapes up the chimney which of course means that 40m³ of cold air per hour from the room has to replace that hot air. As well as being inefficient this also generates draughts of air within the room being heated.

[0003] To overcome these problems, many companies supply fire fronts which are fixed to the front of the fireplace. When fitted initially and properly sealed, they will give an improved performance. However, these fire fronts are prone to leaking due to the breakdown of the sealing material, such as a rope seal and/or inconsistencies in the surface of the fireplace surround or fireback. Such leaks as well as obviously increasing the consumption of air by the fire can, in certain circumstances such as a down draught in a chimney, and lead to the escape of carbon monoxide and other gases into the room where people are located which unfortunately may have fatal consequences.

[0004] Fireplace insert appliances overcome these problems by providing a fireback unit for insertion into an existing fireplace and a front panel which is adapted to engage with and seal the fireback unit to prevent against the possibility of flue gases leaking into room.

[0005] However, a problem exists in that heat conducted by a front panel may radiate to nearby combustibles, such as curtains or furniture, and heat them to flashpoint, which clearly presents a serious fire hazard.

[0006] The present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

[0007] The present invention provides a front panel for a fireplace insert appliance comprising a first member and a second member, whereby inlet means for channelling ambient air into the appliance is provided between the first member and the second member, each of the members comprising one or more constructional elements.

[0008] The movement of air through the inlet means into the appliance cools the front panel thereof so that a very close clearance to combustibles may be achieved. The provision of inlet means provides a thermal break which reduces the conduction of heat from the first member or inner panel to the second member or outer panel which could potentially radiate onto drapes, furniture and other combustibles in proximity to the appliance, thereby reducing the chance of such combustibles being heated to flashpoint and causing a fire. The inlet means is also operable to channel ambient air into the appliance to cool at least a portion of the front panel and provide an air wash to wash the window of the door of the appliance.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the inlet means is provided as a gap or spacing between the first member and the second member.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the first and second member each comprise a pair of side constructional elements and a top section extending between and interconnecting the side constructional elements.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the side constructional elements and a top section of the second member are arranged to border or extend around at least a portion of the corresponding side constructional elements and top section of the first member.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the second member at least partially overlaps with the first member, and the inlet means is defined between the overlapping side constructional elements and top section of the panels.

[0013] Preferably, the gap extends fully around the outer perimeter of the first member.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the inlet means is operable to channel ambient air into the appliance via apertures in a cover plate of the appliance.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the inlet means is operable to channel ambient air into the appliance via openings in or adjacent a primary thermostat of the appliance.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the inlet means is operable to channel ambient air into the appliance through openings in or adjacent an ash grate of the appliance.

[0017] In a further embodiment, ambient air channelled into the appliance via the inlet means flows against the front panel and/or door of the appliance.

[0018] In a further embodiment, ambient air channelled into the appliance via the inlet means flows to a combustion chamber of the appliance and provides a pre-heated air chamber which assists combustion within the appliance.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the first member is secured to the second member by connectors, such as lugs or screws.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the first member includes an opening, which is closable by an appliance door coupled to the first member.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the first member further comprises a mounting surface for an appliance door.

[0022] Ideally, the first member is an inner panel, the second member is an outer panel and the side constructional elements are side legs.

[0023] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a fireplace insert appliance comprising a front panel as described above.

[0024] The present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings in which are shown one embodiment of a fire front for a fireplace insert appliance in accordance with the present invention.

[0025] In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a front panel and fireplace insert appliance in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing air flow through the front panel of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is perspective view with a section of the front panel cut away to show air flow in the appliance of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a side sectional diagrammatic of the air flow in the appliance of Figure 1, and

Figure 7 shows the fireplace insert appliance of Figure 1 in situ in a fire place.

[0026] Referring now to the drawings, a fireplace insert appliance is indicated generally by reference numeral 1 and includes a fireback unit 2 and a front panel according to the present invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 3.

[0027] The front panel 3 comprises an inner panel 4 and an outer panel 5. The panels 4, 5 each comprise a pair of side sections or legs 6 which are spaced apart by a top or cross section 7. Each side section 6 has a base end 6a and a top end 6b, whereby the top section 7 extends between the top ends 6b of the side sections 6. The sections 6, 7 for each panel 4, 5 may be cast in one piece so that the inner panel 4 and the outer panel 5 are each integrally formed castings. It will however be appreciated that side sections 6 and top section 7 of the panels 4, 5 may also separately formed and then connected together, and that therefore reference to the panels 4, 5 being integrally formed castings should not be limiting on the invention.

[0028] The panels 4, 5 together form a front casing or panel 3 for the fireback unit 2. The sections 6, 7 of the outer panel 5 are arranged to border or extend around at least a portion of the corresponding sections 6, 7 of the inner panel 4 such that sections 6, 7 of the panels 4, 5 at least partially, or fully, overlap. The sections 6, 7 of the inner panel 4 thus sit at least partially within the sections 6, 7 of the outer panel 5. The inner panel 4 may also extend or project forward of the outer panel 5 relative to the fireback unit 2. The inner panel 4 is sealed to a front face of the fireback unit 2 and the outer panel 5 may be secured to a fire place wall or surround 22 (as shown in Fig. 7).

[0029] A mounting 16 extends along the inner perimeter of the inner panel 4 defining an opening 17 (see Fig. 7) between the side sections 6 and top section 7 of the inner panel 4. The mounting 16 provides a mounting surface for fixings, such as hinging means, for an appliance door 8 which is operable to close the opening 17. The sections 6, 7 of the inner panel 4 may also taper inwards towards the opening 17 to define a desired opening size for the appliance 1.

[0030] The front panel 3 further comprises an inlet means in the form of a gap or spacing 9 between the inner panel 4 and the outer panel 5. In the instance shown, the gap 9 between inner panel 4 and the outer panel 5 extends fully around the outer perimeter of the inner panel 4. It will however be understood that the panels 4, 5 may be formed and arranged in such a manner that a gap 9 between the panels 4, 5 extends along a portion of the outer perimeter of the inner panel 4.

[0031] The distance or spacing between the panels 4, 5 forming the gap 9 may be set as required or as desired, although a distance in the range of 2mm to 10mm, and preferably about 5mm is envisaged, although this should not be seen as limiting on the invention. For example, the gap 9 between the panels 4, 5 may be more than 10mm, between 10mm and 20mm, and so on.

[0032] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, initially, ambient air A' passes through the gap 9 and then into the appliance 1 through various primary air inlets or openings of the appliance 1. In the instance shown in Figs. 4 to 6, and by way of example only, the ambient air 'A' flows into the appliance 1 through apertures 15 in an air cover plate 14 of the appliance 1, via openings 18 in or adjacent a primary thermostat 19 of the appliance, and/or through openings 20 of a grate 21 of the appliance 1. It will however be appreciated that the ambient air 'A' which flows through the gap 9 may be channelled into the appliance 1 as primary air through other primary air apertures or openings as required or as desired, and that reference only to the above primary air inlets should in no way be seen as limiting.

[0033] Ambient air 'A' channelled into the appliance 1 flows against and thereby cools the front panel 3 and provides window wash air to clean the window 8a of the door 8. The provision of the gap 9 also provides a thermal break between the inner panel 4 and the outer panel, which thermal break reduces the conduction of heat from the inner panel 4 to the outer panel 5 reducing the potential for heat to radiate onto the surround 22, drapes, furniture and other combustibles in proximity to the appliance 1, and thereby reducing the chance of such combustibles being heated to flashpoint and causing a fire.

[0034] The ambient air 'A' flowing through the gap 9 is also pre-heated as it flows through the cavities of the appliance, thereby lowering the temperature of the front panel 3 which reduces clearances to combustibles. This air continues to flow into the various inlets to the combustion chamber of the appliance 1 serving as preheated, primary, secondary and window wash air. The ambient air received through the gap 9 is thus used for a number of different purposes, including cooling air, primary air, secondary air and window wash air. The flow of air 'A' provided by the gap 9 further provides a pre-heated air chamber which assists combustion within the appliance 1.

[0035] A control knob 13 is provided which is operable to move an air cover plate 14 between an open position in which air passing through the gap 9 flows through the apertures 15 in the plate 14 and into the appliance 1, and a closed position to prevent air passing through the apertures 15. In this way the flow of air through the gap 9 into the appliance via the air cover plate 14 may be regulated as required or as desired.

[0036] The inner panel 4 is secured to the outer panel 5 by connectors, such as lugs or screws, which extend between the panels 4, 5. An actuator 25 coupled to agitation means 26 is provided so that users may agitate the grate 21 such that collected ash may be removed from the grate 21. A flue outlet 12 for combustion gases is also shown.

[0037] The present invention further relates to a fireplace insert appliance comprising a front panel 3 as described above. An in-situ arrangement of the appliance 1 in a fire place is shown in Fig. 7.

[0038] It will be understand that the appliance 1 may be adapted for use with a central heating system to capture heat from the gases flowing through and out of in the appliance 1.

[0039] It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A front panel (3) for a fireplace insert appliance (1) comprising a first member (4) and a second member (5), whereby inlet means (9) for channelling ambient air (A) into the appliance (1) is provided between the first member (4) and the second member (5), each of the members (4 and 5) comprising one or more constructional elements.

2. A front panel (3) as claimed in Claim 1, in which the inlet means (9) is provided as a gap or spacing between the first member (4) and the second member (5).

3. A front panel (3) as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the first member (4) and the second member (5) each comprise a pair of side constructional elements (6) and a top section (7) extending between and interconnecting the side constructional elements (6).

4. A front panel (3) as claimed in Claim 3, in which the side constructional elements (6) and a top section (7) of the second member (5) are arranged to border or extend around at least a portion of the corresponding side constructional elements (6) and top section (7) of the first member (4).

5. A front panel (3) as claimed in Claim 3, or Claim 4, in which the second member (5) at least partially overlaps with the first member (4), and the inlet means (9) is defined between the overlapping side constructional elements (6) and top section (7) of the first and second members (4, 5).

6. A front panel (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inlet means (9) is operable to channel ambient air (A) into the appliance (1) via apertures (15) in a cover member (14) of the appliance (1).

7. A front panel (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inlet means (9) is operable to channel ambient air (A) into the appliance (1) via openings (18) in or adjacent a primary thermostat (19) of the appliance (1).

8. A front panel (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inlet means (9) is operable to channel ambient air (A) into the appliance (1) through openings (20) in or adjacent an ash grate (21) of the appliance (1).

9. A front panel (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which ambient air (A) channelled into the appliance (1) via the inlet means (9) flows against the front panel (3) and/or door (8) of the appliance (1).

10. A front panel (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which ambient air (A) channelled into the appliance (1) via the inlet means (9) flows to a combustion chamber of the appliance (1) and provides a pre-heated air chamber which assists combustion within the appliance (1).

11. A front panel (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first member (4) is secured to the second member (5) by connectors, such as lugs or screws.

12. A front panel (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first member (4) includes an opening (17) which is closable by a door (8) coupled to the first member (4).

13. A front panel (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first member (4) further comprises a mounting surface (16) for an appliance door (8).

14. A front panel (3) as claimed in Claim 3 in which the first member is an inner panel member (4), the second member is an outer panel member (5) and the side constructional elements are side legs (6).

15. A fireplace insert appliance (1) comprising a front panel (3) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

Drawing