AU4580802A - Room conditioning - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: ROOM CONDITIONING Applicant: ALVER PTY. LTD.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 Document2 ROOM CONDITIONING This invention relates generally to conditioning room space and, in particular, to a room heating unit as well as an appliance incorporating a heating unit for controlling predetermined conditions in a room. The invention is applicable to controlling conditions in domestic bathrooms by providing heat, as well as light and/or ventilation, to provide a comfortable environment. It will be convenient to hereinafter disclose the invention in relation to that exemplary application, although it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto.

A range of appliances have been developed for installation in the ceiling of domestic bathrooms and operable to heat, light and/or ventilate the room.

The appliances provide for different combinations of heating, lighting and ventilation, so that for example some appliances may operate to heat and light the room whilst other appliances also operate to ventilate the room. Each appliance includes a body for mounting the appliance into a space above the bathroom ceiling and housing the means for heating, lighting and/or ventilating the room. The appliance protrudes through an access opening in the ceiling to communicate with the room space, and a fascia is mounted against the ceiling over the opening to provide a decorative finish to the appliance.

Typically, lighting is provided by one or more incandescent light globes protruding from the appliance body into the room, whilst ventilation is achieved by way of an electric exhaust fan mounted within the body and operable to draw air and steam out of the room through holes in the fascia.

In one type of appliance, the room heating is supplied by one or more infra red heat lamps mounted in the appliance body so that heat is directed downwardly from the ceiling to warm a person standing in the bathroom.

Usually, two or four heat lamps are clustered close together, with longitudinal focal axes of the lamps extending vertically downwardly from the lamps toward the room floor. As a result, heat from the lamps is concentrated in a narrow beam extending vertically downwardly from the appliance.

Although these appliances provide a useful heat source to the bathroom, in some situations the concentrated nature of the source can lead to variations in heating effectiveness. In particular, the heating effect directly under the lamps can sometimes be excessive, whilst insufficient heat is provided P:\UserJennifer LailCAP of PR5488.doc 3 elsewhere in the room. In those situations, persons can have difficulty in achieving a desired level of comfort within the room.

An object of the present invention is to provide a room heating unit which enables more effective heating of a person in a room space.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a room conditioning appliance which improves heating of the room space.

With those objects in mind the present invention provides in one aspect a heating unit including: a support for mounting the heating unit into a room ceiling; and, at least one heat lamp mounted in the support, the heat lamp having a longitudinal focal axis and heat from the lamp being emitted in a direction of the focal axis, and the heat lamp being mountable in the support so that, when the heating unit is mounted in a horizontally extending ceiling, the focal axis can extend at an angle to a vertical line.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a room conditioning appliance including at least one above outlined heating unit.

With this arrangement, the heat lamp is angled so as to direct heat downwardly at an angle to the vertical line. This angling of the heat lamp enables better distribution of heat within the room. Where two or more heat lamps are provided then they can be relatively arranged so that heat is more broadly distributed between the ceiling and floor of the room when compared with the previous heat lamp orientation.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a room conditioning appliance, including: at least one unit for heating a room; and at least one unit for lighting and/or ventilating the room, the units being mountable into a room ceiling in spaced apart relation for respectively heating, and lighting and/or ventilating the room.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a room conditioning appliance, including: at least one unit for heating a room; at least one unit for lighting the room; and, P:\UserJennjfer Lai\CAP of PR5488.doc at least one unit for ventilating the room, the units being mountable into a room ceiling in spaced apart relation for respectively heating, lighting and ventilating the room.

In these other aspects, the heating unit preferably has at least one heater lamp angled as outlined in earlier aspects of the present invention. However, it is also envisaged in these aspects that the heat lamp has a longitudinal focal axis which, when the heating unit is mounted in a horizontally extending ceiling, extends in a vertical line. With this arrangement, the positioning of the heating unit, and its spacing from the lighting/ventilating unit(s) enables better distribution of heat within the room.

This invention is disclosed herein with reference to the heater and appliance mounted in a normal use orientation in a horizontal extending room ceiling, and terms such as "downward" and "above" should be construed in the light of this orientation. However, it is to be appreciated that other orientations may be equally possible and that consequential changes in terms such as those above may be required in the light of those other orientations for a proper and complete understanding of the invention.

Preferably, the focal axis of the heat lamp when mounted in the support can extend at an angle of between 100 and 250 to the vertical line. In one preferred arrangement, that focal axis can extend at an angle of about 150.

Preferably, the heat lamp is mountable in the support for variation of the angle of the focal axis of the heat lamp.

Preferably, the or each heat lamp generates infrared heat. In one preferred arrangement, the or each heat lamp is a heat globe with an infrared heat heating filament. A concave reflector surface extends about the filament to direct heat from the filament along the longitudinal focal axis away from the globe.

Preferably, the support includes a support frame mountable into a space above the room ceiling. The support frame preferably includes a peripheral support flange for extending about an access opening in the ceiling in which the heating unit is mounted. The peripheral support flange preferably fits flush against a lower surface of the ceiling adjacent the opening when the heating unit is mounted in the ceiling.

P:\UserJennifer Lai\CAP of PR5488.doc Preferably, the support also includes at least one heat lamp holder to which the heat lamp or a respective heat lamp is mounted. Moreover, the support frame preferably includes at least one arm projecting from the support flange so as to extend into the space above the room ceiling when the frame is mounted in position. The heat lamp holder is preferably connected to the or at least one of the arms so as to locate the lamp relative to the frame. In one preferred arrangement, the lamp holder is adjustable in order to vary the angle of the focal axis of the heat lamp.

Preferably, the support includes one or more mounting devices for mounting the support frame in the ceiling. The mounting devices preferably each include a clip or clamp carried by the support frame. The or each clip or clamp grips the ceiling adjacent the support flange in order to secure the support in position in the room ceiling, in a preferred arrangement.

Preferably, the heating unit includes a fascia for fitting against a lower surface of the ceiling. The fascia surrounds the heat lamp and provides a decorative finish to the heating unit. Preferably, the fascia is removably connected to the support for fitting against the ceiling lower surface.

In one preferred arrangement, the room conditioning appliance includes a plurality of heating units for mounting in spaced apart relation. With this arrangement, the longitudinal focal axes of the heat lamps are angled inwardly toward one another so that heat emitted from the heat lamps overlap one another.

In one form, a pair of heating units are provided, those units being mounted in spaced apart relation on opposite sides of at least one lighting and/or ventilating unit. In another form, four heating units are provided, those units being mounted in spaced apart pairs with the heating units of each pair being located on opposite sides of at least one lighting and/or ventilating unit.

In another preferred arrangement, a single lighting and/or ventilating unit is provided for mounting centrally between the heating units. In another preferred arrangement, a single ventilating unit and at least one lighting unit is provided, and, in use of the appliance, the heating units and lighting unit(s) are arranged around the centrally located ventilating unit.

Preferably, the lighting and/or ventilating unit includes a support for mounting the unit into the ceiling. Moreover, a light and/or exhaust fan is/are P:\UserUJennifer Lai\CAP of PR5488.doc 6 mounted in the support and, respectively, operable to supply light into and exhaust gas from the room space. The lighting and/or ventilating unit preferably includes a fascia for fitting against a lower surface of the ceiling so as to provide a decorative finish to the unit.

In another preferred arrangement, all of the units are integrated into a single structure.

The following description refers to a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings where the apparatus is illustrated in that preferred embodiment. It is to be understood that the apparatus is not limited to the preferred embodiment as hereinafter described and as illustrated in the drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of a room conditioning appliance incorporating the present invention and installed in a room ceiling; and, Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view through Section lI-I1 of the room conditioning appliance of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is generally shown a room conditioning appliance 1 mounted in a horizontally extending room ceiling C. The ceiling is composed of rigid sheet material such as plasterboard or timber board, and has upper and lower surfaces U and L respectively, facing into a ceiling space S and room space.

The apparatus 1 includes a plurality of heating units 2 surrounding a lighting/ventilating unit 3 individually mounted in the ceiling C, for respectively heating, and lighting and ventilating the room in which the appliance 1 is mounted. The heating units 2 are mounted in spaced apart relation to one another and to the centrally located lighting/ventilating unit 3. As shown, the heating units 2 tend to represent satellites space about the central lighting/ventilating unit 3. Moreover, in the embodiment shown, there are four heating units 2 arranged in a cross or diamond configuration. However, it will be appreciated that other heating unit numbers and arrays are suitable, depending on the configuration of the room in which they are installed. For P:\UserJennifer LailCAP of PR5488.doc example, two units 2 may be provided in spaced apart relation on opposite sides of the lighting/ventilating unit 3.

Each heating unit 2 is of identical construction and therefor it will be convenient to describe only a single heating unit 2 in detail. Moreover, that unit 2 will be described as mounted in the ceiling C although it will be appreciated that the unit 2 may not always be so mounted.

The heating unit 2 includes a support 4 mounting the unit 2 into the ceiling C. The support 4 includes a support frame 5 mounted into the ceiling space S above the room ceiling C, such as by inserting through an access opening O provided in the ceiling C.

The support frame 5 includes a peripheral flange 6 that extends about the access opening O and fits flush against a lower surface L of the ceiling C adjacent the opening O. The frame 5 also includes one or more arms 7 (only one shown) projecting from the flange 6 so as to extend upwardly into the space S above the ceiling C. The heating unit 2 also includes a single heat lamp 8 mounted in the support 4. That mounting is achieved by providing the support 4 with a heat lamp holder 9. The holder 9 is connected to the support frame arms 7 so as to locate each lamp 8 relative to the frame The lamp holder 9 may be of any construction suitable for removably holding the lamp 8 and enabling an electrical connection to be made between a power source and the lamp 8. To that end, the holder 9 may provide for bayonet or screw connection of the lamp 8 into the holder 9 in order to removably hold the lamp 8, and incorporate electrical terminals (not shown) through which an electrical connection is made between the power source and lamp 8.

The support frame 5 is mounted in the ceiling C with fasteners Those fasteners 10 can include nails or screws (not shown) for attaching the frame 5 directly to the ceiling C or to structural members supporting that ceiling

C.

Alternatively, the support 4 further includes one or more mounting devices 11 for that purpose. The mounting devices 11 are carried by the support frame 5 and actuable to secure the frame 5 in position when manoeuvred through the access opening O into the space S above the ceiling.

The mounting devices 11 include one or more clips or clamps 12 for securing P:%UserJennfer LaIRCAP of PR5488.doe 8 the frame 5 to the ceiling C. In that regard, the clips or clamps 12 act so that the ceiling C adjacent the periphery of the access opening O is gripped between the support frame flange 6, and the clips or clamps 12, in order to secure the support 4 in position. The clips or clamps 12 are releasable, to enable removal of the heating unit 2 from the ceiling C as required.

The heat lamp 8 has a longitudinal focal axis X and is mounted in the support 4 so that the focal axis X extends at an angle a to a vertical line V. The heat lamp 8 is mounted to the support 4 so that the focal axis X can extend up to an angle a of between about 100 to 250. As shown, the vertical line V is perpendicular to a plane containing the support frame flange 6, and the angle a is about The support 4 is constructed so that the angle a at which the lamp 8 is mounted is fixed. However, in an alternative embodiment, the support 4 could provide for variation of that mounting angle a. To that end, the support 4, and in particular the lamp holder 9, could be adjusted in order to move the lamp 8 and so vary the mounting angle a. That adjustment could be achieved by pivotably connecting the lamp holder 9 to the support arms 7.

The heat lamp 8 generates infra red heat. As shown, the heat lamp 8 is a heat globe 13 having a glass body which houses a heating filament and carries a connector at one end for mounting the globe 13 in the holder and forming an electrical connection between the terminals and filament. The globe body provides a concave reflector surface extending about the filament to direct heat from the filament along the longitudinal focal axis away from the globe 13.

The heat globe 13 has a power output appropriate to the intended application of the heating unit. By way of example, a globe 13 having an output of 275 or 375 watts may be used in heating units installed in domestic bathrooms.

The heating unit 2 also includes a fascia 14 for fitting against the ceiling C so as to surround the heat lamp 8 and provide a decorative finish to the unit 2. The fascia 14 includes an opening 15 therethrough into which the heat globe 13 extends. The opening 15 is shaped and sized, relative to the globe 13, so that an air gap clearance 16 is defined between the globe 13 and fascia 14. In this way, heat from the globe 13 is dissipated away from the fascia 14 to prevent excessive heating thereof.

P:\UserJennlJfer Lai\CAP of PR5488.doc 9 The fascia 14 may be further shaped to minimize exposure to heat from the globe 13. In that regard, the fascia region 17 adjacent the opening 15 may be chamfered or sloped away from the opening 15 in order to increase the clearance about the globe 13.

The fascia 14 is constructed to accommodate any intended adjustment of the angle a of the heat lamp 8. That may be achieved by enabling the fascia 14 to be repositioned relative to the support 4 as the heat lamp 8 is adjusted.

Alternatively, the opening 15 may be of a shape and size to accommodate movement of the lamp 8 within that opening 15 without repositioning of the fascia 14.

The fascia 14 is removably connected to the support 4 for fitting against the ceiling C. That is achieved by incorporating a clip facility (not shown) into the fascia 14 and/or the support frame 5 which enables the fascia 14 to releasably snap clip to the frame 5 and into position against the lower surface L of the ceiling C.

The fascia 14 is of any shape and size suitable for the intended application. Conveniently, the fascia 14 is composed of a plastics material, and may be manufactured by moulding in one piece.

The plurality of heating units 2 are installed in the ceiling C with their lamps 8 operating in conjunction with one another to direct heat downwardly into overlapping regions of the room space. To that end, the lamps 8 are angled inwardly toward an opposing lamp 8 so that their emitted heat beams overlapped.

Spacing between heat lamps 8 may vary according to several factors, including the number of lamps, the size of the room it is desired to heat, the floor to ceiling height in the room, and the power output of the lamps. In two or four heat lamp arrangements, installed in a ceiling about 2.4 metres above a floor, a spacing of between about 900 and 1200 mm between opposed heat lamps 8 provides an effective heat dispersal pattern within the room. In that regard, the heat beams define a "footprint" on the room floor resembling a series of partially overlapping circles.

The lighting/ventilating unit 3 includes a support 18 mounting that unit 3 into the ceiling C, and a light 19 and exhaust fan 20 mounted in the support 18 P:\UserJennifer Lai\CAP of PR5488.doc respectively operable to supply light into and exhaust air and steam from the room space.

The support 18 includes a support frame 21 mounted into the space S above the room ceiling C. That support frame 21 may be mounted with clips or clamps 22 in the same manner as the support frame 5 of the heating unit 2.

The light 19 and exhaust fan 20 are mounted to the support frame 21.

The lighting/ventilating unit 3 also includes a fascia 23 fitted against the ceiling C so as to provide a decorative finish to the unit 3. Where the light 19 is a light globe, then the fascia 23 defines an opening 24 therethrough into which the globe extends. Moreover, the fascia 23 includes ventilation holes through which air and steam can be drawn from the room during operation of the exhaust fan The fascia 23 can be connected to the support 18 in a similar manner to the connection of the fascia 14 to the support 4 of the heating unit 2. Moreover, that fascia 23 may be moulded from plastics material in a similar manner to the heating unit fascia 14.

In the above described embodiments, the appliance 1 comprises individual heating units 2 and a separate lighting/ventilating unit 3. Thus, where both lighting and ventilation is provided then that separate unit 3 forms a "combination" unit.

However, in an alternative arrangement the appliance 1 could comprise individual heating unit(s) 2, lighting unit(s) and ventilating unit(s) (not shown). In such an arrangement, the lighting units will be of a similar construction to the heating units 2 except that the heat lamp 8 will be replaced with a light 19. In particular, the fascias of both units may have a similar design for consistency in appearance when mounted in a room ceiling C. Moreover, in this arrangement, the ventilating unit will be of a similar construction to the lighting/ventilating unit 3 except that any lighting facility will be omitted. The individual heating and lighting units will be mounted in the ceiling C as satellites to a centrally located ventilating unit, in this arrangement.

In a further arrangement, it is envisaged that all the units may be integrated into a single structure. In such an arrangement, the supports 4, 18 and/or the fascias 14, 22 of the heating and lighting/ventilating units 2, 3 may be of a unitary construction. Where a plurality of heat lamps 8 are included in such P:\UserJennifer Lai\CAP of PR5488.doc 11 a structure then they would maintain their spaced apart relationship as discussed above.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be made to the heating unit and appliance without departing from the ambient of the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

P:\UserhJennifer La\CAP of PR5488.doc

Claims (29)

1. A heating unit including: a support for mounting the heating unit into a room ceiling; and, at least one heat lamp mounted in the support, the heat lamp having a longitudinal focal axis and heat from the lamp being emitted in a direction of the focal axis, and the heat lamp being mountable in the support so that, when the heating unit is mounted in a horizontally extending ceiling, the focal axis can extend at an angle to a vertical line.

2. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the focal axis of the heat lamp when mounted in the support can extend at an angle of between 100 and 250 to the vertical line.

3. A heating unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the focal axis of the heat lamp when mounted in the support can extend at an angle of about 150 to the vertical line.

4. A heating unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the heat lamp is mountable in the support for variation of the angle of the focal axis of the heat lamp.

A heating unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each heat lamp generates infrared heat.

6. A heating unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each heat lamp is a heat globe having an infrared heat heating filament, and a concave reflector surface extending about the filament to direct heat from the filament along the longitudinal focal axis away from the globe.

7. A heating unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support includes a support frame mountable into a space above the room ceiling.

8. A heating unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support frame includes a peripheral support flange for extending about an access opening in the ceiling in which the heating unit is mounted, the peripheral support flange fitting flush against a lower surface of the ceiling adjacent the opening when the heating unit is mounted in the ceiling.

9. A heating unit as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the support includes at least one heat lamp holder to which the heat lamp or a respective heat lamp is mounted.

P:\UserJennifer LailCAP of PR5488.doc 13 A heating unit as claimed in claim 9 when appended to claim 8, wherein the support frame includes at least one arm projecting from the support flange so as to extend into the space above the room ceiling when the frame is mounted in position, and the heat lamp holder is connected to the or at least one of the arms so as to locate the lamp relative to the frame.

11. A heating unit as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the lamp holder is adjustable in order to vary the angle of the focal axis of the heat lamp.

12. A heating unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the support includes one or more mounting devices for mounting the support frame in the ceiling.

13. A heating unit as claimed in claim 12 when appended to claim 8 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the mounting devices each include a clip or clamp carried by the support frame, the or each clip or clamp gripping the ceiling adjacent the support flange in order to secure the support in position in the room ceiling.

14. A heating unit as claimed in any preceding claim, including a fascia for fitting against a lower surface of the ceiling so as to surround the heat lamp and provide a decorative finish to the heating unit.

A heating unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fascia includes an opening therethrough into which the or a respective heat lamp extends, the fascia adjacent the opening sloping away from the opening in order to provide a clearance about the heat lamp to facilitate dissipation of heat therefrom.

16. A heating unit as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the fascia is removably connected to the support for fitting against the ceiling lower surface.

17. A heating unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.

18. A room conditioning appliance, including: at least one unit for heating a room; and at least one unit for lighting and/or ventilating the room, the units being mountable into a room ceiling in spaced apart relation for respectively heating, and lighting and/or ventilating the room.

19. A room conditioning appliance, including: at least one unit for heating a room; at least one unit for lighting the room; and, P:\UseAJennjfer Lai\CAP of PR5488.doc 14 at least one unit for ventilating the room, the units being mountable into a room ceiling in spaced apart relation for respectively heating, lighting and ventilating the room.

A room conditioning appliance as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the or each heating unit is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. A room conditioning appliance as claimed in claim 20, including a plurality of heating units for mounting in spaced apart relation with the longitudinal focal axes of the heat lamps being angled inwardly toward one another so that heat emitted from the heat lamps overlaps one another.

22. A room conditioning appliance as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21, including a pair of heating units for mounting in spaced apart relation on opposite sides of at least one lighting and/or ventilating unit.

23. A room conditioning appliance as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21, including four heating units for mounting in spaced apart pairs, the heating units of each pair being located on opposite sides of at least one lighting and/or ventilating unit.

24. A room conditioning appliance as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein a single lighting and/or ventilating unit is provided for mounting centrally between the heating units.

25. A room conditioning appliance as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein a single ventilating unit and at least one lighting unit is provided, and, in use of the appliance, the heating units and lighting unit(s) are arranged around the centrally located ventilating unit.

26. A room conditioning appliance as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the lighting and/or ventilating unit includes a support for mounting the unit into the ceiling, and a light and/or exhaust fan mounted in the support and, respectively, operable to supply light into and exhaust gas from the room space.

27. A room conditioning appliance as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 26, wherein the lighting and/or ventilating unit includes a fascia for fitting against a lower surface of the ceiling so as to provide a decorative finish to the unit.

28. A room conditioning appliance as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 27, wherein all of the units are integrated into a single structure. P;\:UserLJennifer Lai\CAP of PR5488.doc

29. A room conditioning appliance substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings, DATED: 4 June, 2002 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: ALVER PTY. LTD. c P:AUserJennifer LaiCAP of PR5488.doc