Fireplace with controllable and image-bearing rear wall

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12372244-B2
Application number	US-202318239578-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 29, 2023
Priority date	Mar 6, 2019
Publication date	Jul 29, 2025
Grant date	Jul 29, 2025

Abstract

A fireplace and method of manufacturing a fireplace. Embodiments of the fireplace comprise a combustion chamber, a front opening allowing viewing within the combustion chamber, and a back wall opposite the front opening. The back wall can be controllably switched between an opaque state and a transparent state. A combustion region between the front opening and the back wall is adapted to provide a flame. A controller coupled to the back wall enables a user to switch the back wall between the opaque and transparent states. In embodiments the back wall comprises a glass panel and switchable film on the glass panel. The controller is coupled to the switchable film.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for manufacturing a fireplace of the type including a firebox comprising a combustion chamber, a front opening allowing viewing within the combustion chamber, a back wall opposite the front opening and a combustion region between the front opening and the back wall adapted to provide a flame, the method comprising:
receiving an electronic file for a non-homogenous and multi-color image;
transferring the electronic file to a printer, and causing the printer to print the image on the back wall;
receiving the back wall including the printed image, wherein the printed image includes a non-homogeneous, heat-resistant and multi-color ink image; and
assembling the back wall including the printed image into the firebox of the fireplace.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring the electronic file to the printer includes causing the printer to print the image in ceramic ink on the back wall, and wherein receiving the back wall includes receiving the back wall including the printed image including the ceramic ink.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein transferring the electronic file to the printer includes causing the printer to print the image on a glass back wall, and wherein receiving the back wall includes receiving the glass back wall including the printed image.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein receiving the electronic file includes receiving the electronic file for an image including one of a cityscape, a landscape, a brick wall, a wood wall, a tile wall, or a team logo, and wherein receiving the back wall includes receiving the back wall including the printed image including the one of the cityscape, the landscape, the brick wall, the wood wall, the tile wall, or the team logo.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the image file includes receiving the image file over the Internet.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein transferring the electronic file to the printer includes transferring the image file over the Internet.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein assembling the back wall into the firebox of the fireplace includes positioning the back wall in the firebox opposite the front opening from the combustion chamber.

8. A method for manufacturing a fireplace of the type including a firebox comprising a combustion chamber, a front opening allowing viewing within the combustion chamber, a back wall opposite the front opening and a combustion region between the front opening and the back wall adapted to provide a flame, the method comprising:
receiving an electronic file for a non-homogenous and multi-color image;
transferring the electronic file to a printer, and causing the printer to print the image on the back wall;
receiving the back wall including the printed image, wherein the printed image includes a non-homogeneous, heat-resistant and multi-color ink image printed in ceramic ink; and
assembling the back wall including the printed image into the firebox of the fireplace.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein transferring the electronic file to the printer includes causing the printer to print the image on a glass back wall, and wherein receiving the back wall includes receiving the glass back wall including the printed image.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein receiving the electronic file includes receiving the electronic file for an image including one of a cityscape, a landscape, a brick wall, a wood wall, a tile wall, or a team logo, and wherein receiving the back wall includes receiving the back wall including the printed image including the one of the cityscape, the landscape, the brick wall, the wood wall, the tile wall, or the team logo.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein receiving the image file includes receiving the image file over the Internet.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein transferring the electronic file to the printer includes transferring the image file over the Internet.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein assembling the back wall into the fireplace includes positioning the back wall in the firebox opposite the front opening from the combustion chamber.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein assembling the back wall into the fireplace includes positioning the back wall in the firebox opposite the front opening from the combustion chamber.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein transferring the electronic file to the printer includes causing the printer to print the image on a glass back wall, and wherein receiving the back wall includes receiving the glass back wall including the printed image.

Assignees

• Hni Tech Inc

Inventors

• Berg Richard D
• Butler Gary L

Classifications

• F24C3/082

  on stoves · CPC title

• F24C15/06

  Ornamental features, e.g. grate fronts or surrounds · CPC title

• F24C3/002 Primary

  Stoves · CPC title

• F24C3/006 Primary

  simulating flames · CPC title