Fireplace unit

Abstract

A fireplace unit includes a pair of spaced apart opposite, upright sidewalls defining an interior compartment of the fireplace unit. The sidewalls each have a forward end and rearward end substantially aligned along lines that converge rearwardly. The sidewalls are one of (1) joined directly together at the rearward ends and (2) joined together at the rearward ends by an upright rear wall having a transverse width that is less than ¾ of the transverse width of each of the sidewalls for at least a majority of the rear wall's length. The upper end of each of the sidewall slopes upward from the forward end toward the rearward end. A floor extends between the sidewalls for closing the lower end of the interior compartment. A cover is coupled to the upper ends of the sidewalls for closing the upper end of the interior compartment. A flue is also provided.

1 . A fireplace unit comprising:
 a pair of spaced apart opposite, upright sidewalls, the sidewalls defining an interior compartment of the fireplace unit, the sidewalls each having a forward end and rearward end substantially aligned along lines that converge rearwardly, the sidewalls being one of (1) joined directly together at the rearward ends and (2) joined together at the rearward ends by an upright rear wall having a transverse width that is less than ¾ of the transverse width of each of the sidewalls for at least a majority of the rear wall's length, the upper end of each of the sidewalls sloping upward from the forward end toward the rearward end;   a floor that extends between the sidewalls for closing the lower end of the interior compartment;   a cover that is coupled to the upper ends of the sidewalls for closing the upper end of the interior compartment; and   a flue for directing smoke and air out of the interior compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The fireplace unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sidewalls are planar and converge toward the rearward ends about a substantially vertical axis.   
     
     
         3 . The fireplace unit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an air conduit positioned rearward of the interior compartment, the air conduit having a lower inlet for directing air into the interior of the conduit from a source exterior of the interior compartment, the air conduit having an upper outlet spaced below the flue for directing air into the interior compartment.   
     
     
         4 . The fireplace unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 there are no non-movable projecting structures or smoke shelves that constricts air flow from the interior compartment to the flue.   
     
     
         5 . The fireplace unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sidewalls are joined directly together at the rearward ends.   
     
     
         6 . The fireplace unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rearward wall has a transverse width that is ½ or less than the transverse width of the sidewalls.   
     
     
         7 . The fireplace unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rearward wall has a transverse width that is ¼ or less than the transverse width of the sidewalls.   
     
     
         8 . The fireplace unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sidewalls are formed from metal plate materials.   
     
     
         9 . The fireplace unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the floor is a removable floor.   
     
     
         10 . The fireplace unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of the sidewalls is vented to allow airflow through the sidewall into the interior compartment.   
     
     
         11 . A free-standing fireplace unit comprising:
 a pair of spaced apart opposite, upright sidewalls formed from plate material, the sidewalls defining an interior compartment of the fireplace unit, the sidewalls each having a forward end and rearward end substantially aligned along lines that converge rearwardly, the sidewalls being one of (1) joined directly together at the rearward ends and (2) joined together at the rearward ends by an upright rear wall having a transverse width that is less than the transverse width of each of the sidewalls for at least a majority of the rear wall's length, and wherein the transverse width of each sidewall is less than the distance between the forward ends of the sidewalls, the upper end of each of the sidewalls sloping upward from the forward end toward the rearward end, the lower ends of the sidewalls forming a base of the fireplace unit;   a floor panel coupled to the base that extends between the sidewalls for closing the lower end of the interior compartment;   a cover that is coupled to the upper ends of the sidewalls for closing the upper end of the interior compartment; and   a flue for directing smoke and air out of the interior compartment.   
     
     
         12 . The fireplace unit of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the sidewalls are planar and converge toward the rearward ends about a substantially vertical axis.   
     
     
         13 . The fireplace unit of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an air conduit positioned rearward of the interior compartment, the air conduit having a lower inlet for directing air into the interior of the conduit from a source exterior of the interior compartment, the air conduit having an upper outlet spaced below the flue for directing air into the interior compartment.   
     
     
         14 . The fireplace unit of  claim 11 , wherein:
 there are no non-movable projecting structures or smoke shelves that constricts air flow from the interior compartment to the flue.   
     
     
         15 . The fireplace unit of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the sidewalls are joined directly together at the rearward ends.   
     
     
         16 . The fireplace unit of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the rearward wall has a transverse width that is less than ¾ of the transverse width of the sidewalls.   
     
     
         17 . The fireplace unit of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the rearward wall has a transverse width that is ½ or less than the transverse width of the sidewalls.   
     
     
         18 . The fireplace unit of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the floor is a removable coupled to the base.   
     
     
         19 . The fireplace unit of  claim 11 , wherein:
 at least one of the sidewalls is vented to allow airflow through the sidewall into the interior compartment.   
     
     
         20 . The fireplace unit of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a set of wheels coupled to the base to facilitate moving of the fireplace unit.