Fireplace with controllable and image-bearing rear wall

Abstract

A fireplace comprises a firebox having a combustion chamber, a front opening allowing viewing within the combustion chamber, a back wall, and a combustion region between the front opening and the back wall adapted to provide a flame. A non-homogeneous, heat-resistant, printed multi-color ink image is located on the back wall of the firebox. The image is visible through the front opening and combustion region when the flame is provided in the combustion region of the firebox.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fireplace, comprising:
 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; and 
 a non-homogeneous, heat-resistant, printed multi-color ink image on the back wall of the firebox, wherein the image is visible through the front opening and combustion region when the flame is provided in the combustion region of the firebox. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fireplace of  claim 1  wherein:
 the back wall includes a glass wall; and 
 the image is on the glass wall. 
 
     
     
         3 . The fireplace of  claim 2  wherein the printed ink image includes ceramic ink. 
     
     
         4 . The fireplace of  claim 3  wherein the combustion region includes a gas burner. 
     
     
         5 . The fireplace of  claim 4  wherein the image is an image of an outdoor area beyond or in a vicinity of the fireplace. 
     
     
         6 . The fireplace of  claim 5  wherein the image includes one of a cityscape and a landscape. 
     
     
         7 . The fireplace of  claim 4  wherein the image includes one of a cityscape, a landscape, a brick wall, a wood wall, a tile wall, and a team logo. 
     
     
         8 . The fireplace of  claim 1  wherein the combustion region includes a gas burner. 
     
     
         9 . The fireplace of  claim 8  wherein the image includes one of a cityscape, a landscape, a brick wall, a wood wall, a tile wall, and a team logo.