Method for assembling electric fireplace

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of assembling an electric fireplace. The method achieves compact shipping but also allows the insertion of a fireplace insert as a final or near-final step to provide additional structural stability to the electric fireplace and also provides the user with the satisfaction of completing the assembly and the ability to perform maintenance on the fireplace without complete disassembly. The method includes providing the structural and functional components of an insert cabinet, providing the structural components of a fireplace cabinet, and assembling the fireplace cabinet and insert cabinet separately. The method further includes installing the insert into the cabinet to achieve the fully assembled electric fireplace.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of assembling an electric fireplace comprising:
 providing structural components of an insert cabinet;   providing functional components of the insert;   assembling the insert cabinet separately from a fireplace cabinet; and   installing the assembled insert cabinet into the fireplace cabinet to achieve a fully assembled electric fireplace.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the structural components of the insert cabinet comprise panels selected from the group consisting of a bottom panel, a top panel, a right panel, a left panel, a back panel, and a front panel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the functional components of the insert comprise logs, a grate, and a heater. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom panel includes a bottom panel portion coupled to a lower brace. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the right and left panels respectively include right and left panel portions coupled to right and left braces. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the front panel is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the structural components of the insert cabinet are made of particle board. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the logs are positioned within the grate, and the grate is placed on the bottom panel of the insert cabinet. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the back panel of the insert cabinet features a cord aperture permitting the passage of an electrical cord. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the heater is coupled to the top panel of the insert cabinet. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insert cabinet is coupled to the fireplace cabinet with fasteners. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insert cabinet is coupled to the fireplace cabinet through a friction fit. 
     
     
         13 . A method of packaging and shipping an electric fireplace assembly, comprising:
 providing parts of an insert for the electric fireplace comprising structural components and functional components;   providing parts of a fireplace cabinet including structural components of the fireplace cabinet;   shipping the structural components of the insert and the structural components of the fireplace cabinet in disassembled form; and   providing instructions to a user for assembling the insert and installing the insert into the fireplace cabinet.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the structural components of the insert comprise panels selected from the group consisting of a bottom panel, a top panel, a right panel, a left panel, a back panel, and a front panel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the functional components of the insert comprise logs, a grate, and a heater. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom panel includes a bottom panel portion coupled to a lower brace. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the right and left panels respectively include right and left panel portions coupled to right and left braces. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the front panel is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the heater is coupled to the top panel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the insert cabinet is coupled to the fireplace cabinet with one of fasteners, adhesive, and a friction fit.