Compression molded trimmable surround

Abstract

A trimmable surround and methods for creating the surround for a heat generating device. The trimmable surround includes a molded portion having a ceramic fiber and a binder and an attachment portion. A portion of the molded member is removable to alter a size of the molded member. An attachment portion coupled to the molded portion allows attachment of the trimmable surround to the heat generating device.

1 . A trimmable surround for a heat generating device, the trimmable surround comprising: 
 a molded member comprising a ceramic fiber and a binder, a portion of the molded member being removable to alter a size of the molded member; and    an attachment member coupled to the molded member and configured to couple the trimmable surround adjacent to an exposed panel of the heat generating device.    
   
   
       2 . The trimmable surround of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member comprises a top bracket, the top bracket defining a slot configured to receive a mounting tab of the heat generating device.  
   
   
       3 . The trimmable surround of  claim 1 , wherein the heat generating device is a fireplace insert.  
   
   
       4 . The trimmable surround of  claim 1 , wherein the molded member comprises a top member and opposing side members.  
   
   
       5 . The trimmable surround of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the molded member to be altered is a height or a width of the surround outer circumference.  
   
   
       6 . The trimmable surround of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the molded member to be altered is a height or a width of an inner opening sized to cover at least a portion of the exposed panel.  
   
   
       7 . The trimmable surround of  claim 1 , wherein the molded member comprises an outer surface configured for forming a decorative design.  
   
   
       8 . The trimmable surround of  claim 1 , wherein the molded member is formed by compression molding.  
   
   
       9 . A gas fireplace comprising: 
 a front panel including an exposed portion;    a surround positioned adjacent to the front panel, the surround comprising: 
 a molded member comprising a ceramic fiber and a binder, a portion of the molded member being removable to alter a size of the molded member; and  
 an attachment member coupled to the molded member, the attachment member being configured to secure the surround adjacent to the front panel;  
 wherein the front panel is positioned to cover at least a portion of the exposed surface of the front panel.  
   
   
   
       10 . The fireplace of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment member is configured to secure the surround to the front panel.  
   
   
       11 . The fireplace of  claim 9 , wherein the molded member defines an opening, and a portion of the molded member adjacent the opening covers at least a portion of the exposed portion of the front panel.  
   
   
       12 . The fireplace of  claim 11 , wherein the portion of the molded member that is removable alters a size of the opening of the molded member.  
   
   
       13 . The fireplace of  claim 9 , wherein the size of the molded member to be altered is a height or a width of the surround outer circumference.  
   
   
       14 . A method of sizing a surround for a heat generating device, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a trimmable surround sized greater than an opening defined by the heat generating device, the trimmable surround comprising: 
 a molded portion, the molded portion comprising a ceramic fiber and a binder; and  
 an attachment portion coupled to the molded portion, the attachment portion being configured to attach the trimmable surround in a position in front of an exposed panel of the heat generating device;  
   measuring a size of the heat generating device opening; and    removing a portion of the trimmable surround based on the measured size of the heat generating device opening.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of attaching the trimmable surround to the heat generating device.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of preparing a template based upon the measured size of the heat generating device opening.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of placing the template on the trimmable surround, wherein the step of removing a portion of the trimmable surround includes sizing a dimension of the surround to approximate a dimension of the template.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein removing a portion of the trimmable surround alters an outer circumference dimension of the surround.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein removing a portion of the trimmable surround alters a size of an opening defined by the molded portion, the opening having dimensions that approximate the measured size of the heat generating device opening.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of removing a portion of the trimmable surround includes cutting the molded portion.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising forming the molded member by compression molding.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising forming the molded member by vacuum molding.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising forming the molded member by casting.