Modular Assembly For Electric Fireplace
Patent No. US11619390 (titled "Modular Assembly For Electric Fireplace") was filed by Greentouch Usa Inc on Dec 13, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’390 is related to the field of electric fireplaces, which are designed to simulate the appearance of traditional wood-burning fireplaces without actually burning wood. These fireplaces are often used as a source of supplemental heat and for aesthetic purposes in homes and commercial establishments. A key challenge in this field is to create electric fireplaces that are realistic in appearance while also being cost-effective and easy to package, ship, and store.
The underlying idea behind ’390 is to create a modular electric fireplace where the components can be manufactured and installed independently. This is achieved by designing the fireplace housing with a base panel that has an opening to receive an electrical insert containing the heater and controller. The back and side panels can be foldable for compact storage. This modular design allows for greater flexibility in the overall size, shape, and aesthetic appearance of the fireplace, while also improving packaging and shipping efficiency.
The claims of ’390 focus on a modular electric fireplace configured for installation into a cabinet's structural opening. The fireplace housing includes a base panel with an opening, a back panel, and at least one side panel, each manufactured and installed independently. An electrical insert fits into the base opening. Crucially, at least one of the back or side panels is foldable. The method claim focuses on installing the fireplace by providing the components independently, including a heater and flame generator, installing the panels into the cabinet, installing the heater and flame generator, and electrically connecting them.
In practice, the electrical insert, containing the heater and controller, is embedded within the base opening of the base panel. This allows the other components, such as the simulated logs and flame generator, to be positioned without being obstructed by bulky electrical components. The back and side panels, which may have a brick-like appearance, can be foldable to reduce the overall packaging size. The front frame, which can be a glass pane or a decorative mesh, is also installed independently, allowing for customization of the fireplace's aesthetic.
This modular design differs significantly from prior approaches where the electrical insert typically comes fully assembled, taking up considerable space during packaging and shipping. By manufacturing and installing the components independently, the overall packaging size can be reduced to roughly the size of the fireplace housing alone. Furthermore, the foldable panels and the ability to embed the electrical insert within the base panel contribute to a more compact and efficient design, offering greater flexibility and cost savings compared to traditional electric fireplaces. The independent installation and foldable panels are key differentiators.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2010s when ’390 was filed, electric fireplaces were at a time when simulated flames were typically generated using rotating reflectors and light sources, when heater elements were commonly resistive coils, and when controllers were often implemented using microcontrollers with pre-programmed routines. At a time when modularity in consumer electronics was gaining traction, hardware or software constraints made efficient packaging and assembly of electric fireplaces non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
Claims were rejected in a non-final office action. The rejections were based on 35 U.S.C. 103 over various combinations of prior art. Specifically, claims 1, 2, 4, 7-10, 21, and 23-38 were rejected for obviousness-type double patenting. Claims 4 and 26 were identified as allowable subject matter if a terminal disclaimer was filed and the claims were amended to be in independent form. The prosecution record does NOT describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
This patent contains 18 claims, with claims 1 and 11 being independent. Independent claim 1 focuses on a modular electric fireplace with independently installed housing panels and an electrical insert. Independent claim 11 focuses on a method for a user to install a modular electric fireplace into a cabinet. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, components, and installation steps related to the modular electric fireplace and its installation method.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
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US11619390
- Application Number
- US16714310
- Filing Date
- Dec 13, 2019
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Aug 17, 2041
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents