Fireplace grate accessory to increase burn time of synthetic log

Abstract

An accessory for a conventional fireplace grate that is positioned on top of the fireplace grate and which supports a synthetic firelog thereon. The accessory provides better support for the synthetic log than the grate alone, and the firelog therefore bums longer than if it were placed on the fireplace grate without the accessory. The present invention provides a handy accessory that adapts fireplace grates that are designed primarily for real wood to adequately support synthetic logs.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 090,993 filed Mar. 4, 2002, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 276,014, filed Mar. 15, 2001.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to fireplace grates and more particularly relates to conventional fireplace grates adapted to be used with synthetic firelogs. BACKGROUND [0003] Traditionally, sawdust produced by wood mills and wood product manufacturers was disposed of by burning or by hauling to landfills. Synthetic firelogs were created in the late 1960s when it was discovered that sawdust could be put to a more responsible use. Engineers determined that soft wood fiber had a very good absorbency and bonded well with petroleum wax. These same engineers discovered they could combine the sawdust with petroleum wax and extrude the mixture into a log-shaped form. The new extruded logs were designed for burning in residential fireplaces ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The advantage of the present invention is that it provides a low-cost, easy to use accessory for allowing synthetic logs to be used with conventional Fireplace grates. The present invention addresses the problem of synthetic logs softening and breaking apart when burned on conventional fireplace grates. With the present invention, the burn time of a synthetic firelog is increased. Further, the flames maintain their attractiveness for a longer duration because the synthetic log is less prone to break apart.

is that it provides a low-cost, easy to use accessory for allowing synthetic logs to be used with conventional Fireplace grates. The present invention addresses the problem of synthetic logs softening and breaking apart when burned on conventional fireplace grates. With the present invention, the burn time of a synthetic firelog is increased. Further, the flames maintain their attractiveness for a longer duration because the synthetic log is less prone to break apart.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, synthetic firelogs such as Duraflame® firelogs tend to soften and break apart while burning and need proper support to assure maximum burn time.

Further undesirably, once the firelogs break apart, the names typically become smaller, less uniform and therefore less attractive.

Conventional “real wood” fireplace grates with parallel bars spaced greater than two to three inches do not provide adequate support for synthetic firelogs.

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