Fireplace installation assembly

Abstract

A fireplace installation assembly is provided that includes a furniture unit having an enlarged receptacle well above the ground, and a fireplace unit positioned in the receptacle of the furniture unit. The fireplace unit has a firebox contained in an outer housing and configured to contain a fire or simulated fire therein. A viewing portion is adjacent to the firebox to provide visibility of the fire or simulated fire from exterior of the fireplace unit. 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.

1 . A fireplace installation assembly, 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 a support surface; and    a heat-generating fireplace unit positioned in the enlarged receptacle in the upper portion of the furniture unit, the fireplace unit having a firebox configured to contain a fire, and having a viewing portion that provides visibility of the fire in the firebox from exterior of the fireplace unit.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit is a direct vent, gas-burning fireplace assembly.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit is a gas-burning fireplace having an outer housing that contains the firebox, and a burner assembly in the firebox.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit is an electric fireplace.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fire is a simulated fire.  
   
   
       6 . 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.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the furniture unit is a tall self-supporting unit positionable on the ground in a standing configuration.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lower portion of the furniture unit is a display area.  
   
   
       9 . 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.  
   
   
       10 . 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.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit includes a surround in the firebox defining a heat shield away from the firebox.  
   
   
       12 . 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.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit includes a self-supporting, contoured surround removably contained in the firebox and spaced apart from walls of the firebox.  
   
   
       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  wherein the fireplace unit includes a semi-dome shaped surround forming a heat shield to initially direct heat forwardly away from the back of the firebox.  
   
   
       16 . 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.  
   
   
       17 . 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 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, and a viewing portion adjacent to the firebox that provides visibility into the firebox for visibility of a fire therein.    
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the furniture unit is a corner-mounted unit shaped and sized to fit into a corner of a room.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the upper front face portion is integrally connected to the lower cabinet portion.  
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the firebox of the fireplace unit has an interior volume of a first shape, and the fireplace unit further includes a surround in the firebox and shaped to define a second volume that has a second shape different from the first shape.  
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the fireplace unit includes a surround in the firebox defining a heat shield away from the firebox.  
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 21  wherein the surround includes a decorative inner surface visible through the viewing portion from a position exterior of the furniture unit.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the fireplace unit includes a self-supporting, contoured surround removably placed in the firebox and spaced apart from walls of the firebox.  
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the fireplace unit includes a semi-dome shaped heat shield in the firebox and configured to initially direct heat away from the back of the firebox.