Deborah T Hodge

US Patent:

60240857, Feb 15, 2000

Filed:

Jul 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/121771

Inventors:

Deborah L. Hodge - Atlanta GA
James Roe Hodge - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

F24B 118

US Classification:

126500

Abstract:

The present invention encompasses a modular fireplace having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a back wall that is contiguous with the first side wall and the second side wall and defines an interior open-faced firebox region having a substantially "U" shape in top plan view. The first side wall is constructed from a plurality of sequentially stacked modular first side blocks and the second side wall is formed from a plurality of sequentially stacked modular second side blocks. The back wall has a first modular corner block, a second modular corner block, and at least one substantially vertical spacer block that are joined so that the first corner block and the second corner block are contiguous with the spacer block. To aid in the efficient drafting of the fireplace, each of the spacer blocks may have a spacer block air chamber extending therein from an open upper end on the spacer block top end to a closed lower end proximate the spacer block bottom end. Further, the first corner block may have a first corner block air chamber therein extending from an open first corner block upper end on the first corner block top end to a closed first corner block lower end proximate the first corner block bottom end, and the second corner block may have a second corner block air chamber extending therein from an open second corner block upper end on the second corner block top end to a closed second corner block lower end proximate the second corner block bottom end.

US Patent:

61092576, Aug 29, 2000

Filed:

Jul 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/121743

Inventors:

Deborah L. Hodge - Atlanta GA
James Roe Hodge - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

F24B 118
E04D 1314
E04B 548

US Classification:

126500

Abstract:

The present invention encompasses a modular chimney having a fireplace, a smoke chamber, and a plurality of modular blocks, forming at least one stack of blocks, the stack of modular blocks defining a chimney passage that is in fluid communication with the smoke chamber for the passage of combustion products. Alternatively, in a second embodiment, the modular chimney may also include a plurality of angled blocks, forming at least one angled stack of angled blocks, the angled stack of angled blocks defining an angled chimney passage that is in fluid communication with the smoke chamber and the chimney passage. The modular chimney may also have a top plate that is disposed onto the upper surface of the smoke chamber and, upon which, the stack of modular blocks or the stack of angled blocks may be disposed, and the chimney may also have a ledger block, interposed between two stacks of modular blocks, so that a desired exterior surface treatment may be supported when it is applied to the exterior of the modular chimney. The modular sections of the top plate, the modular block, the angled block, and the ledger block are engaged in a nesting relationship that serves to orient the respective modular sections, to provide structural support to the modular sections and the modular chimney, and to provide a physical obstruction to the passage of flame, hot gases, and smoke through the joints of the modular sections when the sections are physically joined and mortared together.