Masonry structure

Abstract

A factory-build masonry fireplace includes a firebox, casing, and chimney system, where the firebox defines a cavity. Masonry panels are removably attached to the periphery of the cavity. Each masonry panel has firebrick housings configured to hold a corresponding firebrick, wherein the housings can optionally be arranged in a running bond and herringbone patterns, among others. Additionally, the base masonry panel defines an opening configured to hold a removable ash dump, the opening covered with a removable cover. In another arrangement, masonry panels have protruding walls that are configured to hold a corresponding firebrick. The masonry panels are used to build traditionally site built masonry structures.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A masonry structure comprising:
 a masonry panel configured to be removably attached to a wall of a firebox; and   a plurality of brick housings, at least one of the brick housings having a base and a wall and a holding member extending from the wall, the holding member configured to engage with a brick.   
   
   
       18 . The masonry structure of  claim 17 , wherein the base is attached to the masonry panel by at least one fastener. 
   
   
       19 . The masonry structure of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one of the brick housings comprises a second wall having a holding member, the first and second walls have an inner surface, and an outer surface, the inner surfaces define a portion of a cavity sized to receive a brick, and the holding member comprises a tab extending into the cavity. 
   
   
       20 . The masonry structure of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second walls are generally parallel. 
   
   
       21 . The masonry structure of  claim 17 , wherein the holding member is a flange adapted to generally prevent the brick from being pulled out of said at least one of the brick housings when the brick is disposed in that brick housing. 
   
   
       22 . The masonry structure of  claim 17 , further comprising a brick having a pair of sides, at least one of the sides comprising a channel that is configured to engage with a portion of the holding member. 
   
   
       23 . The masonry structure of  claim 22 , wherein the channel comprises a U-shaped channel. 
   
   
       24 . The masonry structure of  claim 18 , wherein the panel comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein said at least one of the brick housings comprises a plurality of base holes on its base, the base holes configured to be aligned with the holes on the panel, and said at least one of the brick housings configured to be attached to the panel by said at least one fastener through the base and panel holes. 
   
   
       25 . The masonry structure of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one fastener comprises at least one of a bolt, screw, or rivet. 
   
   
       26 . The masonry structure of  claim 17 , further comprising a grouting material between the brick housings. 
   
   
       27 . The masonry structure of  claim 17 , wherein the panel comprises a metallic material. 
   
   
       28 . The masonry structure of  claim 27 , wherein the metallic material comprises steel. 
   
   
       29 . The masonry structure of  claim 17 , wherein the brick housings are configured to be attached to the panel in a running bond pattern. 
   
   
       30 . The masonry structure of  claim 17 , wherein the brick housings are configured to be attached to the panel in a herringbone pattern. 
   
   
       31 . The masonry structure of  claim 17 , wherein the panel is configured to be removably attached to a wall of firebox. 
   
   
       32 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a masonry panel configured to be removably attached to a wall of a firebox; and   a plurality of bricks attached to the panel.   
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the bricks are attached to the panel by a plurality of brick housings, at least one of the brick housings having a base and a wall and a holding member extending from the wall, the holding member configured to engage with one of the bricks. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the base is attached to the masonry panel by at least one fastener. 
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein said at least one of the brick housings comprises a second wall having a holding member, the first and second walls have an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfaces define a portion of a cavity sized to receive a brick, and the holding member comprises a tab extending into the cavity. 
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the first and second walls are generally parallel. 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the holding member is a flange adapted to generally prevent the brick from being pulled out of said at least one of the brick housings when the brick is disposed in that brick housing. 
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising a brick having a pair of sides, at least one of the sides comprising a channel that is configured to engage with a portion of the holding member. 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the channel comprises a U-shaped channel. 
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the panel comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein said at least one of the housings comprises a plurality of base holes in its base, the base holes configured to be aligned with the panel holes on the panel, and said at least one of the housings configured to be attached to the panel by said at least one fastener through the base and panel holes. 
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein said fastener comprises at least one of a bolt, screw, or rivet. 
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a grouting material between the bricks. 
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the panel comprises a metallic material. 
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the metallic material comprises steel. 
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the brick housings are configured to be attached to the panel in a running bond pattern. 
   
   
       46 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the brick housings are configured to be attached to the panel in a herringbone pattern. 
   
   
       47 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a firebox having a plurality of areas;   a plurality of masonry panels, each of the masonry panels being configured to be removably attached to one of the areas of the firebox; and   a plurality of bricks attached to each of the masonry panels.   
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the bricks are attached to at least one of the panels by a plurality of brick housings, at least one of the brick housings having a base and a wall and a holding member extending from the wall, the holding member configured to engage with one of the brick. 
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the base is attached to at least one of the masonry panels by at least one fastener. 
   
   
       50 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said at least one of the brick housings comprises a second wall having a holding member, the first and second walls have an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfaces define a portion of a cavity sized to receive a brick, and the holding member comprises a tab extending into the cavity. 
   
   
       51 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the first and second walls are generally parallel. 
   
   
       52 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the holding member is a flange adapted to generally prevent the brick from being pulled out of said at least one of the brick housings when the brick is disposed in that brick housing. 
   
   
       53 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , further comprising a brick having a pair of sides, at least one of the sides comprising a channel that is configured to engage with a portion of the holding members. 
   
   
       54 . The apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the channel comprises a U-shaped channel. 
   
   
       55 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein at least one the panels comprises a plurality of holes and wherein said at least one of the housings comprises a plurality of base holes in its base, the base holes configured to be aligned with the holes on said at least one of the panels, and each of said at least one of the housings configured to be attached to said at least one panel by said at least one fastener through the base and panel holes. 
   
   
       56 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein said fastener comprises at least one of a bolt, screw, or rivet. 
   
   
       57 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , further comprising a grouting material between the bricks. 
   
   
       58 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein at least one of the panels comprises a metallic material. 
   
   
       59 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the metallic material comprises steel. 
   
   
       60 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the brick housings are configured to be attached to at least one of the panels in a running bond pattern. 
   
   
       61 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the brick housings are configured to be attached to at least one of the panels in a herringbone pattern. 
   
   
       62 . An apparatus comprising:
 a masonry panel configured to be removably attached to a wall of a firebox; and   a plurality of housing members attached to the masonry panel, each of the plurality of housing members having a base, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall extending perpendicular from an edge of the base to form a cavity with the base,   wherein each of the plurality of housing members is configured to house a brick in the cavity adjacent to the base between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.   
   
   
       63 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein each of the plurality of housing members has at least one holding member. 
   
   
       64 . The apparatus of  claim 63 , wherein the at least one holding member is a wire mesh extending adjacent to the base within the cavity. 
   
   
       65 . The apparatus of  claim 63 , wherein the at least one holding member comprises a plurality of protuberances extending from the base, perpendicular to the base and parallel to the first sidewall and the second sidewall. 
   
   
       66 . The apparatus of  claim 63 , wherein the at least one holding member comprises flanges extending from the first sidewall and the second sidewall into the cavity. 
   
   
       67 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , further comprising:
 a plurality of bricks, each one of the plurality of bricks being inserted into a corresponding cavity of each of the plurality of housing members.