GB2294756A - Gas fires - Google Patents

Abstract

For the purposes of decorative effect without the degrading of pigment which would otherwise occur, decorative areas on the front of a gas fire, for example a coal effect gas fire, are provided by ceramic or non-metallic components (7 - 13) fitted to the front of the metal body of the fire. The components, eg in the form of ceramic tiles, may be secured by silicone rubber, epoxy adhesives or by mechanical fixings. <IMAGE>

Description

GAS FIRE This invention relates to gas fires.

The bodies of gas fires become hot in use, which causes a problem if it is desired to apply paint to a region of the body to form a decorative area. The paint would tend to discolour in use through repeated heating. In the case of metal bodied fires, the body is often painted black for this reason, and in order to imitate the "old world" appearance of coal or log fire counterparts for the increasingly popular fuel effect fires. To obtain a decorative effect, polished and lacquered brass areas are often provided, but this is a relatively expensive addition.

The invention provides a gas fire having at least one decorative area, wherein the decorative area is formed by a ceramic or other non-metallic component fitted to the body of the fire.

This simple expedient, which relies on the thermal insulating proportions of the component, provides a cost effective method of obtaining an attractive new appearance for gas fires.

A gas fire having at least one decorative area and constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of a gas fire, partly exploded.

Referring to the figure, the gas fire is a fuel effect gas fire and comprises a metal body indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 which consists of sheet metal side members 2, 3 which are joined by a cast iron fender 4, and which are surmounted by a cast iron hood 5. Between the side pieces is a glass window 6 behind which ceramic fibre imitation coal pieces (not shown) are arranged above a gas burner (not shown).

In accordance with the invention, for decorative effect, several ceramic tile (or other non-metallic) pieces are secured to the front face of the gas fire. Pieces 7 to 11 are secured to the fender and pieces 12 and 13 are secured to the side pieces 2 and 3. The legs of the fender are surmounted by finials 14 and 15.

The pieces are secured to the front face of the fire by means of silicone rubber, but epoxy adhesives or mechanical fixings could be employed instead.

In the case of ceramic tiles, one method of applying the pattern is for it to be applied by transfers on top of the glaze, and for the tile then to be fired so that the pattern sinks into the glaze.

The decorative area will not be degraded by the heat from the fire in use since ceramic materials are good insulators and the pattern is contained within the glazed surface of the tile. In the case of other non-metallic materials, the decorative pattern is safeguarded by the inherent insulating properties of the non-metallic material.

Of course, variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, glass or resin-based material may be used instead of ceramic pieces, since the painted, decorated, front surfaces would be sufficiently insulated from the body of the fire.

Equally, other areas of the fire may be decorated e.g. finials or decorative knobs (for example, to simulate the handle of the ash tray of an old fashioned coal fire). It follows that the decorative area need not be a flat surface, but can be any shape.

Claims (4)

1. A gas fire having at least one decorative area, wherein the decorative area is formed by a ceramic or other non-metallic component fitted to the body of the fire.

2. A gas fire as claimed in claim 1, in which the decoration is applied to the surface of a ceramic component which is thereafter fired.

3. A gas fire substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A gas fire having at least one decorative area, wherein the decorative area is formed by a ceramic or other non-metallic component secured by adhesive to the body of the fire.

2. A gas fire as claimed in claim 1, in which the decoration is applied to the surface of a ceramic component which is thereafter fired.

3. A gas fire as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the body of the fire is made of metal.

4. A gas fire substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.