GB2317224A - Flame-effect electric fire - Google Patents

Flame-effect electric fire Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2317224A
GB2317224A GB9719083A GB9719083A GB2317224A GB 2317224 A GB2317224 A GB 2317224A GB 9719083 A GB9719083 A GB 9719083A GB 9719083 A GB9719083 A GB 9719083A GB 2317224 A GB2317224 A GB 2317224A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fire
light
fire according
spinner
reflector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9719083A
Other versions
GB9719083D0 (en
Inventor
Walter Bloodworth
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Be Modern Ltd
Original Assignee
Be Modern Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Be Modern Ltd filed Critical Be Modern Ltd
Publication of GB9719083D0 publication Critical patent/GB9719083D0/en
Publication of GB2317224A publication Critical patent/GB2317224A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24CDOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C7/00Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy
    • F24C7/002Stoves
    • F24C7/004Stoves simulating flames

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

A flame-effect electric fire comprises a translucent simulated fuel bed 23 and a translucent fire back 24. Light projection means 25, 27 projects light intermittently onto the underside of the simulated fuel bed 23. A reflector 29 having generally upwardly extending flutings and mounted rearwardly of the fire back, receives light from the light projection means 25, 27 and directs at least some of said light onto the rear of the fire back 24.

Description

Improved Flame-Effect Fire The present invention relates to electric fires of the type which incorporate devices to simulate the visual effects of live flames such as would issue from fires burning solid fuel.
While electric fires are a very popular and convenient form of radiant domestic heating, many such fires, especially when they are designed for installation in the opening of a conventional solid fuel fire or upon a hearth, are constructed to give the overall impression of a solid-fuel fire. Thus a moulding to represent the upper surface of a bed of partly-burned solid fuel is a very common feature of such fires.
An important characteristic of a normal solid-fuel fire is the effect produced by flickering flames and it is attempts to produce this effect which have most engaged the designers of electric fuel-effect fires. One common approach has been to provide a vented spinner, mounted for rotation about a vertical axis above a coloured electric bulb. When the bulb is illuminated, the heat rising from the bulb causes the spinner to rotate and, by virtue of the vents in the spinner, a regularly varying coloured light is directed at the underside of the translucent simulated fuel bed. The resulting effect is a crude rhythmic simulation of the light from a flame.
In order to produce a more credible visual effect, one method which has been adopted is to provide a translucent back to the space above the simulated fuel bed and to create a vertical flicker effect on the rear of that fire back by means of ribbons, held at their ends in a generally upright position and caused to move by a current of air created by a fan.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved flame-effect electric fire which displays a good visual effect of the desired type but which is of a simple construction, which is therefore easy to maintain, and which may be manufactured more cheaply than many prior flame-effect fires.
According to the present invention, there is provided a flameeffect electric fire, the fire comprising a translucent simulated fuel bed and a translucent fire back, light projection means for projecting light intermittently on to the underside of the simulated fuel bed, and a reflector having generally upwardly extending flutings and mounted rearwardly of the fire back to receive light from the light projection means and to direct at least some of said light on to the rear of the fire back.
The simulated fuel bed and the fire back preferably comprise a single piece of translucent material, for example shaped by moulding.
Alternatively, the simulated fuel bed and fireback may be formed from separate pieces of translucent material. This provides the advantage of allowing easier maintenance of the fire.
The translucent material is preferably a glass-fibre reinforced plastics material.
The translucent material may be shaped so as to resemble a bed of fuel.
Alternatively, the translucent material may be generally flat and support upon its surface a material to represent the solid fuel, for example washed anthracite.
tn a preferred embodiment, the light projection means comprises 1 vented spinner mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and located above an electric bulb.
rhe electric bulb is preferably coloured.
rhe light projection means may be located towards the rear of the simulated fuel bed so that a proportion of the light is directed into a space to the rear of the fire back. This enables a proportion of the light to directly impinge upon the reflector.
rhe spinner is preferably offset relative to the centre of the Dulb so that some of the light from the bulb may directly engage the reflector without first passing through the spinner vents.
rhe vents through the spinner may advantageously be shaped to varying angles so that light from the bulb passing through the vents may vary in intensity and direction as it impinges upon the underside of the simulated fuel bed, thereby creating a random flame effect within the bed.
rhe spinner and bulb may be mounted to an integral bracket.
rhe reflector is a very important feature of the present invention and plays a major role in simulating a flickering flame effect. Light impinging upon the reflector, which as indicated may be a combination of direct light from the bulb Rnd light which has been interrupted and/or diverted by the spinner, is diverted by the flutings while it is being reflected and thereby produces a visual effect upon the rear of the translucent fireback which very convincingly simulates rising random flames, which may appear to rise from a oncentration of brightness at their base.
The flutings upon the surface of the reflector are preferably each of a rounded cross-section but may alternatively be angular in cross-section. The cross-sectional shape may be uniform along the length of each fluting or may taper in the direction of the upper end of the fluting. The flutings may be all of equal lateral dimensions or they may differ; for example the outermost flutings may be narrower than the inner ones. They may be all of equal length or they may be of different lengths; for example the outer flutings may be shorter than the inner ones. The flutings may be parallel to each other or may converge in an upward direction.
The fluted reflector, which as indicated is mounted rearwardly of the translucent fire-back, is preferably mounted in an orientation which is forwardly downwardly inclined towards the back of the fireback, in particular towards its lower end adjacent to the simulated fuel bed.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a first embodiment of the fire; Fig. 2 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of the fire of Fig. 1; Figs. 3 to 10 are elevations from the front of eight alternative forms of reflector, illustrated by way of example from among many possible forms; and Figs. llA to llC show three perspective, partly cut away, views of a second embodiment of the fire with varying parts removed.
The fire illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is constructed above an electric fan-assisted heater 20 having electric elements 21 and includes a unitary moulding 22, formed in a translucent fibrereinforced plastics material, which has a lower section 23, upon which pieces of washed anthracite (not shown) are supported behind a decorative brass front (not shown), so as to simulate a bed of solid fuel, and a section 24 forming the fireback. Below the level of the simulated fuel bed and placed somewhat rearwardly so as to extend beyond the fireback 24, a vented spinner 25 is supported, for rotation about a vertical axis, upon a support bracket 26.
The vents in the spinner 25 are of varying inclinations and dimensions, with the result that light passed through the vents while the spinner is rotating changes its intensity and direction. The spinner 25 is mounted above a coloured electric light bulb 27 but the bulb is displaced somewhat rearwardly relative to the axis of the spinner so that some of the light from the bulb can pass into the space behind the fireback 24 uninterrupted by the spinner.
The rear of the fire is closed by a metal back 28 upon which a fluted reflector 29 is supported. The reflector 29 has generally upwardly extending flutings and is mounted in a downwardly inclined position. When the bulb 27 is illuminated and, by virtue of the heat rising from the bulb, the spinner 25 is caused to rotate, a part of the light from the bulb passes through the vents in the spinner and intermittently and irregularly illuminates the simulated fuel bed from below.
A further part of the light from the bulb passing through the spinner vents, and also light by-passing the spinner to the rear, impinges directly upon the fluted reflector 29 and is both diverted by the flutings and also reflected on to the rear of the fireback 24, which it illuminates in its lower zone as though by flickering flames.
Figs. 3 to 10 illustrate a range of possible forms of the fluted reflector 29. In most of the illustrated reflectors the flutings are inwardly inclined towards each other and taper upwardly. In some, the outer flutings are shorter than the inner ones. In all of the illustrated reflectors there are four flutings but if desired they may be fewer, for example three, or more, for example five or six.
Referring to Figures llA to llC, in which parts common to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 are denoted by like reference numerals but increased by 100, the reflector 129 comprises a one-piece transparent piece of plastics material which is screwed in place from the rear of the fire. The spinner 125 and bulb 127 are now mounted to an integral bracket 126, which assists in the alignment of the spinner 125 relative to the bulb 127. In addition, a series of three louvres 131 are provided in the top face of the back 128 of the fire to assist air circulation.
The fireback 124 comprises separate fibreglass effect viewing panels 124a and 124b which replace the single section fireback 24 of Figures 1 and 2 and which allow easy maintenance of the fire. Panel 124a is screwed to metal top and side strips, of which only one side strip 132 is shown in the Figures.
The illustrated embodiments of the invention give a good simulation of flickering flames and are simple to construct and to maintain.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. A flame-effect electric fire, the fire comprising a translucent simulated fuel bed and a translucent fire back, light projection means for projecting light intermittently on to the underside of the simulated fuel bed, and a reflector having generally upwardly extending flutings and mounted rearwardly of the fire back to receive light from the light projection means and to direct at least some of said light on to the rear of the fire back.
2. A fire according to Claim 1, wherein the simulated fuel bed and the fire back comprise a single piece of translucent material.
3. A fire according to Claim 1, wherein the simulated fuel bed and fireback are formed from separate pieces of translucent material.
4. A fire according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the translucent material is a glass-fibre reinforced plastics material.
5. A fire according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the translucent material is shaped so as to resemble a bed of fuel.
6. A fire according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the translucent material is generally flat and supports upon its surface a material to represent the solid fuel.
7. A fire according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the light projection means comprises a vented spinner mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and located above an electric bulb.
8. A fire according to Claim 7, wherein the electric bulb is coloured.
9. A fire according to Claim 7 or 8 wherein the light projection means is located towards the rear of the simulated fuel bed so that a proportion of the light is directed into a space to the rear of the fire back.
10. A fire according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the spinner is offset relative to the centre of the bulb so that some of the light from the bulb may directly engage the reflector without first passing through the spinner vents.
11. A fire according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the spinner and bulb are mounted to an integral bracket.
12. A fire according to any one of Claims 7 to 11, wherein the vents through the spinner are shaped to varying angles.
13. A fire according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the flutings upon the surface of the reflector are each of a rounded cross-section.
14. A fire according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the flutings upon the surface of the reflector are angular in cross section.
15. A fire according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector is mounted in an orientation which is forwardly downwardly inclined towards the back of the fire back.
16. A fire according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a casing having at least one aperture in an upper portion thereof.
17. A flame-effect electric fire, the fire substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9719083A 1996-09-11 1997-09-10 Flame-effect electric fire Withdrawn GB2317224A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9618920.4A GB9618920D0 (en) 1996-09-11 1996-09-11 Improved flame-effect fire

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9719083D0 GB9719083D0 (en) 1997-11-12
GB2317224A true GB2317224A (en) 1998-03-18

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GBGB9618920.4A Pending GB9618920D0 (en) 1996-09-11 1996-09-11 Improved flame-effect fire
GB9719083A Withdrawn GB2317224A (en) 1996-09-11 1997-09-10 Flame-effect electric fire

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9618920.4A Pending GB9618920D0 (en) 1996-09-11 1996-09-11 Improved flame-effect fire

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB9618920D0 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2326227A (en) * 1997-06-13 1998-12-16 Miles Cuthbert James Foster Flame effect heater
GB2333356A (en) * 1998-01-14 1999-07-21 Be Modern Limited Construction of a reflector in a flame-effect electric fire
GB2350182A (en) * 1999-05-17 2000-11-22 Be Modern Ltd Flame effect electric fire
US6757487B2 (en) 1999-01-14 2004-06-29 Cfm Corporation Electric fireplace with light randomizer, filter and diffuser screen
US6968123B2 (en) 2001-10-05 2005-11-22 Cfm Corporation Electric fire assembly
US7236693B2 (en) 2005-03-22 2007-06-26 Globaltec Fireplaces, Inc. Flame simulator for use in an electric heater
US7806345B2 (en) * 2004-12-27 2010-10-05 Rinnai Corporation In-wall heater

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB713017A (en) * 1951-10-11 1954-08-04 Simplex Electric Co Ltd Improvements relating to electric fires
GB957591A (en) * 1962-07-19 1964-05-06 Frost & Company Ltd H Improvements relating to electric illumination devices
GB968568A (en) * 1963-04-26 1964-09-02 H. Frost & Co Ltd
GB975009A (en) * 1962-07-19 1964-11-11 Frost & Company Ltd H Improvements relating to electric heaters
GB1443772A (en) * 1973-01-10 1976-07-28 Ti Sunhouse Ltd Means for simulating a flame or firelight effect
GB2072832A (en) * 1980-04-02 1981-10-07 Cannon Ind Ltd Gas fires
GB2275105A (en) * 1993-02-15 1994-08-17 Bitech Eng Apparatus for simulating flames or a solid fuel fire
GB2276444A (en) * 1993-03-02 1994-09-28 Unidare Environmental Ltd Simulated flame effect fire
GB2298073A (en) * 1995-02-14 1996-08-21 Bitech Eng Apparatus for simulating flames

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB713017A (en) * 1951-10-11 1954-08-04 Simplex Electric Co Ltd Improvements relating to electric fires
GB957591A (en) * 1962-07-19 1964-05-06 Frost & Company Ltd H Improvements relating to electric illumination devices
GB975009A (en) * 1962-07-19 1964-11-11 Frost & Company Ltd H Improvements relating to electric heaters
GB968568A (en) * 1963-04-26 1964-09-02 H. Frost & Co Ltd
GB1443772A (en) * 1973-01-10 1976-07-28 Ti Sunhouse Ltd Means for simulating a flame or firelight effect
GB2072832A (en) * 1980-04-02 1981-10-07 Cannon Ind Ltd Gas fires
GB2275105A (en) * 1993-02-15 1994-08-17 Bitech Eng Apparatus for simulating flames or a solid fuel fire
GB2276444A (en) * 1993-03-02 1994-09-28 Unidare Environmental Ltd Simulated flame effect fire
GB2298073A (en) * 1995-02-14 1996-08-21 Bitech Eng Apparatus for simulating flames

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2326227A (en) * 1997-06-13 1998-12-16 Miles Cuthbert James Foster Flame effect heater
GB2326227B (en) * 1997-06-13 2000-12-13 Miles Cuthbert James Foster Flame effect heater
GB2333356A (en) * 1998-01-14 1999-07-21 Be Modern Limited Construction of a reflector in a flame-effect electric fire
US6757487B2 (en) 1999-01-14 2004-06-29 Cfm Corporation Electric fireplace with light randomizer, filter and diffuser screen
GB2350182A (en) * 1999-05-17 2000-11-22 Be Modern Ltd Flame effect electric fire
GB2350182B (en) * 1999-05-17 2003-05-07 Be Modern Ltd Flame-effect electric fire
US6968123B2 (en) 2001-10-05 2005-11-22 Cfm Corporation Electric fire assembly
US7806345B2 (en) * 2004-12-27 2010-10-05 Rinnai Corporation In-wall heater
US7236693B2 (en) 2005-03-22 2007-06-26 Globaltec Fireplaces, Inc. Flame simulator for use in an electric heater

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9719083D0 (en) 1997-11-12
GB9618920D0 (en) 1996-10-23

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