A system may comprise a speaker in a speaker tube; a directional tube having a proximal end openly connected to the speaker tube; a first plate having an opening aligned with a distal end of the directional tube; a diaphragm in a spaced apart relationship with the first plate such that an air enclosure is formed between the diaphragm and the first plate, wherein the air enclosure, the directional tube, and the speaker tube cooperate to form a static-air space such that air pressure changes in the space produced by the at least one speaker move the diaphragm; a second plate in a spaced apart relationship with the diaphragm such that a gas enclosure is formed between the diaphragm and the second plate; wherein movement of the diaphragm moves gas in the gas enclosure through the second plate thereby modulating flames above the second plate when the gas is ignited.

A system may comprise a speaker in a speaker tube; a directional tube having a proximal end openly connected to the speaker tube; a first plate having an opening aligned with a distal end of the directional tube; a diaphragm in a spaced apart relationship with the first plate such that an air enclosure is formed between the diaphragm and the first plate, wherein the air enclosure, the directional tube, and the speaker tube cooperate to form a static-air space such that air pressure changes in the space produced by the at least one speaker move the diaphragm; a second plate in a spaced apart relationship with the diaphragm such that a gas enclosure is formed between the diaphragm and the second plate; wherein movement of the diaphragm moves gas in the gas enclosure through the second plate thereby modulating flames above the second plate when the gas is ignited.

The fireplace includes a hearth suspended on a support. The hearth is defined laterally by a peripheral wall that is equipped with at least one combustion air inlet. There is a discharge pipe for discharging the combustion gases, that includes a bottom portion secured to a top part of the hearth, and a top portion opposite the bottom portion. The fireplace also includes at least one combustible fluid burner that is arranged in the hearth opposite at least one air inlet and a combustible fluid supply column that extends between a first end connected to a combustible fluid source and a second end connected to at least one burner. The supply column passed down through the discharge pipe from its top portion to its bottom portion and opens in the hearth in order to convey the combustible fluid from the combustible fluid source to at least one burner.

The fireplace includes a hearth suspended on a support. The hearth is defined laterally by a peripheral wall that is equipped with at least one combustion air inlet. There is a discharge pipe for discharging the combustion gases, that includes a bottom portion secured to a top part of the hearth, and a top portion opposite the bottom portion. The fireplace also includes at least one combustible fluid burner that is arranged in the hearth opposite at least one air inlet and a combustible fluid supply column that extends between a first end connected to a combustible fluid source and a second end connected to at least one burner. The supply column passed down through the discharge pipe from its top portion to its bottom portion and opens in the hearth in order to convey the combustible fluid from the combustible fluid source to at least one burner.

An electric fireplace (10) includes a fireplace housing (12) and an electrical insert (40). The fireplace housing (12) includes a base panel (30) having a base opening (230A), a back panel (32), and at least one side panel (34). The electrical insert (40) is sized and shaped to fit and be supported and retained within the base opening (230A). Additionally, the electrical insert (40) can include a heater (26), and a controller (28) including a processor that is configured to control operation of the electric fireplace (10). Further, each of the base panel (30), the back panel (32) and the at least one side panel (34) can be manufactured and installed independently of one another. The fireplace housing (12) can further include a front frame (236) that is manufactured and installed independently of each of the base panel (30), the back panel (32) and the at least one side panel (34). Still further, at least one of the back panel (32) and the at least one side panel (34) can be foldable.

An electric fireplace (10) includes a fireplace housing (12) and an electrical insert (40). The fireplace housing (12) includes a base panel (30) having a base opening (230A), a back panel (32), and at least one side panel (34). The electrical insert (40) is sized and shaped to fit and be supported and retained within the base opening (230A). Additionally, the electrical insert (40) can include a heater (26), and a controller (28) including a processor that is configured to control operation of the electric fireplace (10). Further, each of the base panel (30), the back panel (32) and the at least one side panel (34) can be manufactured and installed independently of one another. The fireplace housing (12) can further include a front frame (236) that is manufactured and installed independently of each of the base panel (30), the back panel (32) and the at least one side panel (34). Still further, at least one of the back panel (32) and the at least one side panel (34) can be foldable.

A combined furniture and heating device having a concealable electric fireplace insert installed within a fireplace compartment of a furniture apparatus is provided. The electric fireplace insert has a front surface from which simulated flames are viewable when an opening of the fireplace compartment is uncovered so that the furniture apparatus is configured in its open configuration. The furniture apparatus includes a concealing panel removably installable over the opening configure the device in a concealed configuration so that the electric fireplace insert and its simulated flames viewable at its front surface are at least partially concealed. Power to a heating apparatus of the electric fireplace insert is turned on and off by a disabling device as the concealing panel is alternated between the open and concealed configurations. The disabling device can include a switch or a thermistor.

A combined furniture and heating device having a concealable electric fireplace insert installed within a fireplace compartment of a furniture apparatus is provided. The electric fireplace insert has a front surface from which simulated flames are viewable when an opening of the fireplace compartment is uncovered so that the furniture apparatus is configured in its open configuration. The furniture apparatus includes a concealing panel removably installable over the opening configure the device in a concealed configuration so that the electric fireplace insert and its simulated flames viewable at its front surface are at least partially concealed. Power to a heating apparatus of the electric fireplace insert is turned on and off by a disabling device as the concealing panel is alternated between the open and concealed configurations. The disabling device can include a switch or a thermistor.

A household appliance is provided having a plurality of decorative external panels that provide reinforcement to and an exterior face of the appliance. At least one of the panels has a main body portion and an interior body portion integrally formed together from a common sheet of material. The interior body portion has a plurality of integral structural reinforcements formed from bending the sheet of material in the interior body portion adjacent the main body portion. The integral structural reinforcements can include a pair of opposed parallelly extending pillars each defining a columnar volume, and a pair of opposed rearwardly bent flanges each being bent to engage the pair of pillars to form a box frame adjacent to and integral with the main body portion. In preferred embodiments, the plurality of reinforced external panels together can define a chassis of the appliance.

A household appliance is provided having a plurality of decorative external panels that provide reinforcement to and an exterior face of the appliance. At least one of the panels has a main body portion and an interior body portion integrally formed together from a common sheet of material. The interior body portion has a plurality of integral structural reinforcements formed from bending the sheet of material in the interior body portion adjacent the main body portion. The integral structural reinforcements can include a pair of opposed parallelly extending pillars each defining a columnar volume, and a pair of opposed rearwardly bent flanges each being bent to engage the pair of pillars to form a box frame adjacent to and integral with the main body portion. In preferred embodiments, the plurality of reinforced external panels together can define a chassis of the appliance.