Modular assembly for electric fireplace

Abstract

An electric fireplace ( 1210 ) includes a fireplace housing ( 412 ) and a heater assembly ( 1226 ) that is configured to generate heated air. The heater assembly ( 1226 ) is configured to be installed substantially within the fireplace housing ( 412 ). In various embodiments, the heater assembly ( 1226 ) includes a heater body ( 1245 ), and a grill cover ( 1248 ) that is couplable to the heater body ( 1245 ). The grill cover ( 1248 ) includes a cover body ( 1295 ) that is couplable to the heater body ( 1245 ), and at least one extender ( 1296 ) that is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to the cover body ( 1295 ). The cover body ( 1295 ) has a first cover length. The cover body ( 1295 ) and the at least one extender ( 1296 ) cooperate to have a second cover length that is greater than the first cover length. The second cover length is substantially equal to a dimension of the fireplace housing ( 412 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electric fireplace comprising:
 a fireplace housing; and   a heater assembly that is configured to generate heated air, the heater assembly being configured to be installed substantially within the fireplace housing, the heater assembly including a heater body, and a grill cover that is couplable to the heater body;   wherein the grill cover includes a cover body that is couplable to the heater body, and at least one extender that is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to the cover body;   wherein the cover body has a first cover length, and wherein the cover body and the at least one extender cooperate to have a second cover length that is greater than the first cover length; and   wherein the second cover length is substantially equal to a dimension of the fireplace housing.   
     
     
         2 . The electric fireplace of  claim 1  wherein the heater body has a body length; and wherein the first cover length is substantially equal to the body length. 
     
     
         3 . The electric fireplace of  claim 1  wherein the at least one extender is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to an outer lateral edge of the cover body. 
     
     
         4 . The electric fireplace of  claim 3  wherein the grill cover includes two extenders, with one extender positioned substantially adjacent to each of the outer lateral edges of the cover body. 
     
     
         5 . The electric fireplace of  claim 1  wherein the second cover length is at least approximately 100 millimeters greater than the first cover length. 
     
     
         6 . The electric fireplace of  claim 1  further comprising a controller including a processor that is coupled to the heater assembly, the controller being configured to control operation of the heater assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The electric fireplace of  claim 1  further comprising one or more simulated logs and a grate that is configured to support the one or more simulated logs; wherein the one or more simulated logs and the grate are configured to be positioned substantially within the fireplace housing. 
     
     
         8 . The electric fireplace of  claim 7  further comprising a flame generator that is configured to generate a simulated flame, the heater assembly and the flame generator being installed independently of one another within the fireplace housing. 
     
     
         9 . The electric fireplace of  claim 8  further comprising an electrical connection assembly for electrically connecting the heater assembly and the flame generator to a power source, the electrical connection assembly including (i) a first electrical cable assembly that is configured to be electrically coupled at one end to the heater assembly, and electrically coupled at the other end to the power source; and (ii) a second electrical cable assembly that is configured to be electrically coupled at one end to the heater assembly, and electrically coupled at the other end to the flame generator. 
     
     
         10 . The electric fireplace of  claim 9  wherein the first electrical cable assembly includes an AC power cord; and wherein the second electrical cable assembly includes a low voltage DC cable. 
     
     
         11 . The electric fireplace of  claim 1  further comprising a downlight light source that is configured to direct light in a downward direction within the fireplace housing to provide a glowing effect for the fireplace housing. 
     
     
         12 . The electric fireplace of  claim 1  further comprising a cabinet that defines a structural opening; wherein the fireplace housing and the heater assembly are configured to be independently installed within the structural opening of the cabinet; and wherein the second cover length is substantially equal to a dimension of the structural opening. 
     
     
         13 . An electric fireplace comprising:
 a cabinet that defines a structural opening; and   a heater assembly that is configured to generate heated air, the heater assembly being configured to be installed substantially within the structural opening, the heater assembly including a heater body, and a grill cover that is couplable to the heater body;   wherein the grill cover includes a cover body that is couplable to the heater body, and at least one extender that is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to the cover body;   wherein the cover body has a first cover length, and wherein the cover body and the at least one extender cooperate to have a second cover length that is greater than the first cover length; and   wherein the second cover length is substantially equal to a dimension of the structural opening.   
     
     
         14 . The electric fireplace of  claim 13  wherein the heater body has a body length; and wherein the first cover length is substantially equal to the body length. 
     
     
         15 . The electric fireplace of  claim 13  wherein the cabinet includes a cabinet top; and wherein the heater assembly is configured to be installed within the structural opening substantially adjacent to the cabinet top. 
     
     
         16 . The electric fireplace of  claim 13  wherein the cabinet includes a center shelf; and wherein the heater assembly is configured to be installed within the structural opening substantially adjacent to the center shelf. 
     
     
         17 . The electric fireplace of  claim 13  wherein the cabinet includes a cabinet base; and wherein the heater assembly is configured to be installed within the structural opening substantially adjacent to the cabinet base. 
     
     
         18 . The electric fireplace of  claim 13  further comprising a fireplace housing that is configured to be installed within the structural opening of the cabinet; and wherein the heater assembly is configured to be installed within the fireplace housing. 
     
     
         19 . The electric fireplace of  claim 13  further comprising a controller including a processor that is coupled to the heater assembly, the controller being configured to control operation of the heater assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The electric fireplace of  claim 13  further comprising a downlight light source that is configured to direct light in a downward direction within the structural opening to provide a glowing effect for the structural opening.