Outdoors gas fireplace

Abstract

A gas-fired fireplace is provided with a structure for supporting an artificial log which encourages users to place artificial logs in positions over the gas burner which provide a wind shadow over the burner and which reduces the prospects that the flame of the burner will be extinguished by wind. The burner of the fireplace is also provided with an igniter positioned adjacent gas openings in the burner and shielded by a hood and by side flanges from the wind to also reduce the prospects that the flame of the burner will be extinguished by wind.

1 . A gas-fired outdoor fireplace having a burner with a gas inlet for supplying flammable gas to the burner for release of such gas through gas openings formed in the burner in combination with an igniter, the igniter being positioned adjacent the gas inlet and provided with a hood that overlies the gas openings to shield ignited gas from being extinguished by a wind.  
   
   
       2 . A gas-fired outdoor fireplace as in  claim 1  wherein the gas openings are mounted in a circular conduit and the hood extends to overlie the circular conduit.  
   
   
       3 . A gas-fired outdoor fireplace as in  claim 1  wherein the igniter comprises an electrode spark tip and at least one inwardly bent metal flange positioned adjacent to the tip to serve as a counter-electrode and form a spark gap which, when electrically actuated, provides an igniting spark in the vicinity of the gas openings.  
   
   
       4 . A gas-fired outdoor fireplace as in  claim 3  in combination with an electrical source that provides electrical actuation of the spark gap on a continuous basis.  
   
   
       5 . A gas-fired outdoor fireplace as in  claim 1  wherein said burner comprises a central support plate carrying a support post for the mounting of at least one artificial log in position over the gas burner.  
   
   
       6 . A gas-fired outdoor fireplace as in  claim 5  wherein the support post comprises a support bracket with side flanges for orienting an artificial log in a position which causes the artificial log, when placed over the burner on the support bracket to reduce the extent to which wind will have access to the gas inlet of the burner thereby reducing the risk of flame provided by the burner from being extinguished.  
   
   
       7 . A gas-fired outdoor fireplace as in  claim 6  wherein the artificial log is a first artificial log which has two ends and wherein the support bracket is oriented for supporting said first artificial log to extend transversely across the burner, the first artificial log being oriented for facing the igniter located at a position on the burner so that the igniter is located equidistant from the ends of the first artificial log.  
   
   
       8 . A gas-fired outdoor fireplace as in  claim 7  comprising additional artificial logs placed over the first artificial log without forming a wind-tunnel that focuses and increases the velocity of ambient wind over the inlet portion of the burner.  
   
   
       9 . A gas-fired outdoor fireplace having: 
 a) a burner with a gas inlet for supplying flammable gas to the burner for release through gas openings formed in the burner;    b) an igniter positioned adjacent the gas inlet, and    c) a central support plate carrying a support post for the mounting of at least one artificial log in position over the gas burner    wherein the support post comprises a support bracket with side flanges for orienting an artificial log in a position which guides the artificial log for being oriented, when placed over the burner on the support bracket, to reduce the extent to which wind will have access to the gas inlet of the burner thereby reducing the risk of flame provided by the burner from being extinguished.    
   
   
       10 . A gas-fired outdoor fireplace as in  claim 9  wherein the support bracket is aligned for supporting a first artificial log in an orientation extending transversely across the burner, the first artificial log being oriented for facing the igniter whereby the ends of the first artificial log are equidistant igniter.  
   
   
       11 . A gas-fired or outdoor fireplace as in  claim 10  comprising additional artificial logs placed over the first artificial log without forming a wind-tunnel that focuses and increases the velocity of ambient wind over the inlet portion of the burner.