Modular lightweight fireplace

Abstract

A lightweight, prefabricated, modular masonry fireplace. The firebox is pre-cast in modular sections of lightweight vermiculate concrete. A Rumford-style version of the fireplace is assembled from lightweight modular sections. The firebox is cast in modular sections. A central body section of the firebox is placed upon a base, and smoke plenum sections are placed upon the central body section. The central body section, and in some embodiments a portion of the smoke plenum section, define and mostly surround the combustion chamber. The central body section includes a plurality of pre-cast planar sections interconnected to collectively constitute the central body portion. All modular components are fashioned from lightweight vermiculite concrete; the combustion chamber is lined with a layer of refractory cement molded to appear as brick, and cast integrally with the sections surrounding the combustion chamber. The cast smoke chamber plenum sections, being a plurality of interconnected modular components, stacks upon the central body and has an opening easily registered with a double-walled chimney system. The fireplace can be placed in a room corner or in a chase on a flat wall. It can also be installed over wood floors, or on upper floors, in old or new construction.

1 . A modular fireplace apparatus comprising: 
 a base;    a central body comprising a plurality of interconnected pre-cast vermiculite concrete sections disposable upon said base, and comprising an inner body wall defining and partially surrounding a combustion chamber, said central body further comprising: 
 a first right side component and a first left side component, said side components disposed upon said base;  
 a substantially rectangular, lower, first back component disposed upon said base; and  
 a trapezoidal second, upper, back component disposed upon said first back component; and  
   smoke plenum sections comprising pre-cast vermiculite concrete, disposable upon said central body, and comprising transition surfaces for directing smoke to a chimney; wherein said base, central body, and plenum section are modular, and said central body connectable to said base and said smoke chamber connectable to said central body by refractory mortar.    
   
   
       2 . The modular fireplace of  claim 1  wherein said smoke plenum sections comprise: 
 a third back component inclined at an angle from vertical and disposed upon said second back component; and    at least two final side components inclined at an angle from vertical and disposed upon respective ones of said first side components.    
   
   
       3 . The modular fireplace of  claim 2  wherein said first side components define horizontal ledges at their front top corners, and said front portion comprises at least one substantially planar front component disposed vertically upon said ledges.