Fireplace front panel interior access and removal system and method

Abstract

An exemplary fireplace glass panel system is configured to facilitate access to the interior portion of a glass panel in a direct vent gas fireplace. The fireplace glass panel system comprises: a fireplace; a firebox, having an opening, disposed within the fireplace; a panel configured to cover the firebox opening; an actuation mechanism configured to permit the panel to pivot about a pivot axis on one side of the panel, the actuation mechanism further comprising a linkage configured to guide the rotation of the panel about the pivot axis and to stop the rotation about the pivot axis at an open position; wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to facilitate access to the interior portion of the panel without removing the panel from the firebox; and a securing mechanism configured to secure the panel in a closed position when access to the firebox interior is not desired.

1 . An improved fireplace system for facilitating access to the interior of a firebox in a direct vent gas fireplace, the fireplace system comprising: 
 a fireplace having a firebox; wherein said fireplace is a direct vent gas fireplace; said fireplace and said firebox each having an opening configured for viewing a fire in said firebox, wherein said openings are at least somewhat aligned with each other, wherein said fireplace further comprises a fireplace housing configured exterior to said firebox; wherein one or more fireplace controls are disposed between said fireplace housing and said firebox; and wherein said firebox further comprises: 
 a surround disposed within said firebox;  
 a log set and grill; and  
 a gas burner;  
   a glass panel configured to cover said firebox opening, wherein said glass panel is transparent, wherein said glass panel further comprises a frame that is configured to hold the glass panel with minimal impact on the view of the interior of said firebox; and    a panel access system comprising: 
 an actuating mechanism, wherein said actuating mechanism is configured to facilitate pivoting of said glass panel about an axis; wherein said actuating mechanism further comprises a linkage that is configured to guide the opening or closing of said glass panel as it pivots about said axis, wherein said linkage is further configured to cause said glass panel to pivot no further than 45 degrees before stopping; and wherein said actuating mechanism facilitates access to said firebox interior without lifting said glass panel;  
 a securing mechanism configured to secure said glass panel in a closed position when access to said firebox interior is not desired.  
   
   
   
       2 . The fireplace system of  claim 1  further comprising a temperature sensor associated with said fireplace and configured to determine whether the temperature of the fireplace is above a predetermined temperature; and wherein said securing mechanism is configured to prohibit a user from opening said glass panel when the temperature of the fireplace is above said predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       3 . The fireplace system of  claim 1  wherein said linkage is configured to allow the glass panel to be completely removed from the fireplace after it has been opened, and wherein the removing can be performed without use of any tools.  
   
   
       4 . The fireplace system of  claim 3  wherein said actuating mechanism comprises tabs and wherein said linkage system comprises a slot configured to receive a pin.  
   
   
       5 . The fireplace system of  claim 1  wherein said linkage further comprises at least one of a hydraulic, spring, and pneumatic device that is configured to provide resistance to the lowering of said glass panel as it is being opened and to provide a soft stop when said glass panel has reached the open position.  
   
   
       6 . The fireplace system of  claim 1  wherein said actuating mechanism is configured to transfer the weight of said glass panel to said fireplace thereby reducing the effort by a user to manipulate said glass panel into the open position to obtain access to an interior portion of said firebox.  
   
   
       7 . The fireplace system of  claim 1  wherein said panel access system is further configured to provide access to said one or more fireplace controls located between said firebox and said fireplace housing.  
   
   
       8 . The fireplace system of  claim 7 , wherein access to said firebox provides access to a firebox access panel which provides access to said one or more fireplace controls located between said firebox and said fireplace housing.  
   
   
       9 . The fireplace system of  claim 1 , wherein said glass panel further comprises a gasket configured to create a seal at the interface of said glass panel and said firebox, wherein said glass panel comprises a transparent portion, and wherein said transparent portion comprises at least 90% of the surface area of said panel.  
   
   
       10 . A fireplace glass panel system for facilitating access to the interior portion of a glass panel in a direct vent gas fireplace comprising: 
 a fireplace having a fireplace housing, wherein said fireplace is a direct vent gas fireplace;    a firebox disposed within said fireplace housing, said firebox further comprising: 
 a surround disposed within said firebox;  
 a gas burner configured to generate flames within said firebox;  
 a log set positioned within said firebox; and  
 a firebox opening configured to facilitate an aesthetically pleasing view, from a vantage point exterior to said fireplace, of a fire within said firebox;  
   one or more fireplace controls disposed between said firebox and said fireplace housing;    a panel configured to cover said firebox opening, wherein said panel is configured to facilitate an aesthetically pleasing view of a fire within said firebox;    an actuation mechanism configured to permit said panel to pivot about a pivot axis on one side of said panel, said actuation mechanism further comprising a linkage configured to guide the rotation of said panel about said pivot axis and to stop the rotation about said pivot axis at an open position no greater than 45 degrees of rotation from the closed position; wherein said actuation mechanism is configured to facilitate access to the interior portion of said panel without removing said panel from said firebox; and wherein said actuation mechanism also facilitates access to said one or more fireplace controls; and    a securing mechanism configured to secure said panel in a closed position when access to said firebox interior is not desired.    
   
   
       11 . The fireplace glass panel system of  claim 10  further comprising a temperature sensor associated with said fireplace and configured to determine whether the temperature of said fireplace is above a predetermined temperature; and wherein said securing mechanism is configured to prohibit a user from opening said panel when the temperature of the fireplace is above said predetermined temperature.  
   
   
       12 . The fireplace glass panel system of  claim 10  wherein said linkage is configured to allow said panel to be completely removed from said fireplace after it has been opened, and wherein the removing can be performed without use of any tools.  
   
   
       13 . The fireplace glass panel system of  claim 12  wherein said actuation mechanism comprises tabs and wherein said linkage system comprises a slot configured to receive a pin.  
   
   
       14 . The fireplace glass panel system of  claim 10  wherein said linkage further comprises a hydraulic device that is configured to provide resistance to the lowering of said panel as it is being opened and to provide a soft stop when said panel has reached the open position.  
   
   
       15 . The fireplace glass panel system of  claim 10  wherein said actuation mechanism is configured to transfer the weight of said panel to said fireplace thereby reducing the effort by a user to manipulate said panel into the open position to obtain access to an interior portion of said firebox.  
   
   
       16 . The fireplace glass panel system of  claim 10  further configured to provide access to said one or more fireplace controls disposed between said firebox and said fireplace housing.  
   
   
       17 . The fireplace glass panel system of  claim 16 , wherein the access to said firebox also provides access to a firebox access panel which provides access to said one or more fireplace controls disposed between said firebox and said fireplace housing.  
   
   
       18 . The fireplace glass panel system of  claim 10 , wherein said panel further comprises a gasket configured to create a seal at the interface of said panel and said firebox.  
   
   
       19 . The fireplace glass panel system of  claim 10 , wherein said panel comprises a transparent portion, and wherein said transparent portion comprises at least 90% of the surface of said panel.