Electric fireplace perforated light-emitting rotator flame simulator

Abstract

The invention provides an electric fireplace flame simulator having a light source mounted within a rotatable hollow cylinder, the cylinder having flanged perforations that disperse heat from the light source and through which is projected a simulacrum of flames upon the cylinder being rotated about the light source. A light diffuser panel and other patterned and transparent screens are used to enhance the flame illusion. The simulator does away with the problems of an actual fire such as containment of the fire, smoke disposal, and fuel replenishment, while providing provides heat and an excellent illusion of a flame for a fireplace.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An electric fireplace flame simulator having a light emitting rotor comprising a light source mounted within a rotatable hollow cylinder, the cylinder having perforations that disperse heat from the light source and through which is projected a simulacrum of flames upon the cylinder being rotated about the light source.  
     
     
         2 . The electric fireplace flame simulator of  claim 1 , in which a multitude of edges of the perforations have flanges to assist in the movement of heat-dispersing air during rotation of the rotatable hollow cylinder.  
     
     
         3 . The electric fireplace flame simulator of  claim 1 , further comprising a grill with a branched pattern mounted over the rotatable hollow cylinder in a position such that light projected through the cylinder passes through openings in the branched pattern.  
     
     
         4 . The electric fireplace flame simulator of  claim 1 , further comprising a light diffuser panel mounted over the rotatable hollow cylinder in a position such that light projected through the cylinder passes through the light diffuser panel.  
     
     
         5 . The electric fireplace flame simulator of  claim 4 , further comprising a transparent screen mounted over the diffuser panel such that light projected through the cylinder passes through the diffuser panel and then the transparent screen.  
     
     
         6 . The electric fireplace flame simulator of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame and a motor and motor drive mechanism engagably mounted to the rotatable hollow cylinder mounted within the frame, to enable the rotatable hollow cylinder to rotate under power.  
     
     
         7 . The electric fireplace flame simulator of  claim 1  further comprising removable end caps for the rotatable hollow cylinder to enable changing of light bulbs in the light source.  
     
     
         8 . The electric fireplace flame simulator of  claim 1  further comprising rotator collars for the light source to be mounted into ends of the rotatable hollow cylinder.  
     
     
         9 . The electric fireplace flame simulator of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a) a grill with a branched pattern mounted over the rotatable hollow cylinder in a position such that light projected through the cylinder passes through openings in the branched pattern;    b) a light diffuser panel mounted over the grill in a position such that light projected through the cylinder passes through the grill and then the light diffuser panel;    c) a transparent screen mounted over the light diffuser panel in a position such that light projected through the cylinder passes through the grill, the light diffuser panel, and then the transparent screen;    d) a frame and a motor and motor drive mechanism engagably mounted to the rotatable hollow cylinder mounted within the frame, to enable the rotatable hollow cylinder to rotate under power,    e) removable end caps for the rotatable hollow cylinder to enable changing of light bulbs in the light source;    f) rotator collars for the light source to be mounted into the ends of the rotatable hollow cylinder.