Direct vent fireplace installation

Abstract

A direct vent fireplace installation assembly is provided that includes a furniture unit having an enlarged receptacle well above the ground, and a direct vent fireplace unit positioned in the receptacle of the furniture unit. The fireplace unit has a firebox contained in an outer housing, a burner assembly in the firebox, and a contoured surround positioned in and spaced apart from walls of the firebox. A chimney is coupled to the firebox. In one embodiment, the fireplace unit is mounted in a receptacle in a wall structure positioned above the floor, at approximately eye level. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims [37C.F.R. 1.72(b)].

1 . A fireplace installation assembly connectable to a gas source, comprising: 
 a furniture unit comprising a decorative front facing portion having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having an enlarged receptacle therein, and the lower portion adapted to engage support surface; and    a gas-burning direct vent fireplace unit positioned in the enlarged receptacle in the upper portion of the furniture unit, the fireplace unit having an outer housing, a firebox contained in the outer housing, a burner assembly in the firebox, the firebox having at least a portion of approximately eye level of a standing average adult, and wherein the burner assembly is positioned below the eye level of the standing average adult, a gas inlet connected to the burner assembly and connectable to a gas line, and a chimney coupled to the firebox.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the furniture unit includes a substantially horizontal support portion connected to the front facing portion adjacent to the receptacle, the fireplace unit being supported on the support portion.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the upper and lower portions of the furniture unit are integrally connected to each other.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the furniture unit is a tall self-supporting unit positionable on the ground in a standing configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lower portion of the furniture unit is a display area.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lower portion of the furniture unit includes shelves.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the furniture unit is one of a book case, an entertainment center, an armoire, a cabinet, a hutch, a dresser, and a storage area.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit is fully surrounded by the upper portion of the furniture unit.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the firebox of the fireplace unit has an interior volume of a first shape, and the fireplace unit further includes a surround contained in the firebox and shaped to define a second volume that has a second shape different from the first shape.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit includes a surround in the firebox adjacent to the burner assembly, the surround defining a heat shield away from the firebox.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the surround includes a decorative inner surface in the firebox and partially surrounding the burner assembly, the decorative inner surface being visible from a position exterior of the furniture unit.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit includes a self-supporting, contoured surround removably placed in the firebox adjacent to the burner assembly and spaced apart from the firebox.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the firebox of the fireplace unit is defined by a plurality of interconnected walls, and the fireplace unit further includes a firebox surround in the firebox and spaced apart from the interconnected walls.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit includes a heat exchanger passageway between the outer housing and the firebox, and a blower coupled to the heat exchanger passageway.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit coupled to the burner assembly.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit includes a semi-dome shaped surround forming a heat shield to initially direct heat from the burner assembly forwardly away from the back of the firebox.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion of the furniture unit includes a chimney passageway and the chimney extends through the chimney passage.  
   
   
       18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A fireplace installation assembly connectable to a gas source, comprising: 
 a furniture unit comprising a lower cabinet portion and an upper front face portion extending from the lower cabinet portion, the upper front face portion having an enlarged receptacle therein; and    a gas-burning direct vent fireplace unit positioned in the enlarged receptacle in the upper front face portion of the furniture unit, the fireplace unit having an outer housing supported by lower cabinet portion, a firebox contained in the outer housing, a burner assembly in the firebox, a contoured heat shield in the firebox generally adjacent to the burner assembly, a gas inlet connected to the burner assembly and connectable to a gas line, and a chimney coupled to the firebox.    
   
   
       20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 19  wherein the firebox of the fireplace unit has an interior volume of a first shape, and the heat shield is shaped to define a second volume that has a second shape different from the first shape.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 19  wherein the heat shield is a surround in the firebox adjacent to the burner assembly.  
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 19  wherein the surround includes a decorative inner surface in the firebox and partially surrounding the burner assembly, the decorative inner surface being visible from a position exterior of the furniture unit.  
   
   
       25 - 41 . (canceled)