GB2334452A - Warming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A warming apparatus suitable for warming a person comprising:- (i) a substantially heat resistant container (2), (ii) a conventional light bulb (1) substantially enclosed within the container; (iii) a holder (3) adapted to hold the light bulb within the container such that the bulb is held away from the sides of the container; and (iv) an electric cable (5) connected to the bulb and adapted to provide power to the bulb such that in use, heat from the bulb warms the container. The container may be covered with an insulating material and the holder may incorporate resilient means (41; Figure 4) to prevent damage to the bulb in use.

Description

Warming apparatus Field of Invention The present invention relates to a warming apparatus suitable for warming a person and more particularly to a warming apparatus which is suitable for use to warm the feet, thighs or hands of a person.

Background to the invention One problem with domestic heaters and warming devices is that they are expensive to run and often act to warm a large area such as a room, rather than warming a localised region. Central heating systems are often problematic because they cause the skin to dry and are also expensive.

Many people who suffer from aches and joint pain find that it helps to keep warm and that by providing warmth to areas that ache the pain can be reduced.

For example, hot water bottles can be used or feet placed in a bowi of warm water.

However, these methods are problematic because the hot water bottle must be prepared and the heat it provides gradually decreases. The bottle must then be refilled with hot water and this is a time consuming process which also incurs the cost of heating the water. Also, for elderly or infirm people, it is often not safe or practical for them to prepare a hot water bottle or to take a hot bath.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a warming apparatus suitable for warming a person which overcomes or at least mitigates one or more of the problems noted above.

Summary of invention According to the present invention, there is provided a warming apparatus suitable for warming a person comprising: (i) a substantially heat resistant container; (ii) a conventional light bulb substantially enclosed within the container; (iv) a holder adapted to hold the light bulb within the container such that the bulb is held away from the sides of the container; and (v) an electric cable connected to the bulb and adapted to provide power to the bulb such that in use, heat from the bulb warms the container.

This gives the advantage that a cost effective and easy to use apparatus is provided for warming a person.

Preferably the container is shaped to fit on the lap or under the feet of the person. This gives the advantage that the warming apparatus can be used to warm various parts of the person.

In one embodiment the container is substantially covered in an insulating material such as plastics, wool or fabric. This makes the warming apparatus comfortable to hold and helps to spread the warmth from within the container over the surface of the container.

Preferably the container is made from aluminium or steel. This has the advantage that heat is conducted through the container and also that the bulb is well protected within the container.

Preferably the holder comprises a resilient means such that in use the risk of damage to the bulb is reduced. This provides the advantage that the risk of damage to the bulb as a result of sudden movement or impacts to the container is reduced.

Advantageously, the inside of the container is blackened to facilitate absorption of radiation from the light bulb. This improves the efficiency of the apparatus.

Preferably, the cable passes through an aperture in the container and a grommet is positioned over the cable in the region where the cable passes through the aperture. This provides the advantage that if anyone pulls on the cable (for example, by picking up the apparatus using the cable as a handle) then force is exerted around the grommet rather than on the electrical connection between the cable and the bulb.

Description of the drawings The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross section through a warming apparatus.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a warming apparatus contained in a cover.

Figure 3 illustrates how the warming apparatus of figures 1 and 2 can be used to warm a persons feet, hands and lap.

Figure 4 is a cross-section through a warming device with a lamp holder incorporating a spring.

Description of preferred embodiments Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only. These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that are currently known to the Applicant although they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved.

The term, "heat resistant material" refers to any material which does not melt, wear or degrade when placed close to a powered conventional light bulb. For example, steel, aluminium, plastics material, substantially rigid silicone rubber and glass.

As shown in Figure 1 a container 2 is provided which is made of heat resistant material. The container can be opened so that the fittings and bulb 1 inside the container can be reached. In the example shown in figure 1 the container 2 is formed in two halves 8 and 9 and these are shaped so that one half 8 fits over the other half 9 using a push fit. The container can be shaped as shown in figure 1 or other shapes can be used such as cylindrical or box shaped containers. The container can also be octagonal, hexagonal or other similar shape. In one example, the container is shaped as shown in figure 1 with the depth of the container being about 4 to 5 inches (10.2 cm to 12.7 cm) and the width of the container being about 14 inches (35.6 cm). The inside of the container 2 is blackened, for example, with black paint, to facilitate absorption of electromagnetic radiation from the light bulb.

Inside the container 2 is a conventional light bulb 1 that is held in a holder 3.

By arranging the container around the conventional bulb as shown in figure 1 the container is warmed by the bulb so that a comfortable level of heat is provided to the user. It has been found that the outside of the container does not become dangerously hot because the bulb is not in contact with the container directly and the air between the bulb and the container acts as insulation. By arranging the distance between the bulb and the container and by using different combinations of bulb wattage and container material, an effective warming apparatus is formed.

Also the level of heat provided can be varied by using different thicknesses and types of insulating material around the container as described below. The cost of the warming apparatus is kept low because conventional components such as conventional light bulbs are used rather than specialist heating arrangements. Also, the running cost of the apparatus is low because this is simply the cost of running a conventional light bulb.

Bulbs of different wattage can be used, for example, 40 watt, 60 watt and 100 watt bulbs, according to how much warmth is desired. Also, conventional "long life" light bulbs can be used in order to prolong the life of the bulb. The light bulb 1 can have any conventional type of fitting, for example, bayonet or screw cap.

The holder 3 is fixed to the container 2 and using it the bulb is suspended so that it does not come into contact with the container 2. The holder is also made from a heat resistant material such as metal or terracotta. For example, the holder can be an "L" shaped metal bracket with an aperture in which the end of the bulb fits. The bracket or holder can be fixed to the container 2 by any conventional means, for example, spot welding or screws. The holder can also incorporate a resilient means such as a spring so that the risk of damage to the bulb 1 is reduced.

For example, if the warming apparatus is suddenly jolted or moved the bulb 1 may move within the container 2 and hit the container. This can cause damage to the bulb unless the bulb is effectively "cushioned" or damped by using a resilient means in the holder.

Figure 4 shows an example of a resilient manes in the holder 41. The holder 41 is folded or bent to form a r shape as illustrated. For example the holder 41 can be formed from sheet metal, plastics material or rigid silicone rubber, as long as the holder is substantially heat resistant. The holder 41 is fixed to the base of the container 43 for example, by spot welding, screws, or any other conventional fixing means. The bulb 42 is held in the holder by inserting the base of the bulb through an aperture in the holder as shown. The holder 41 then acts as a spring and "cushions" the bulb against sudden movements or jolts of the warming apparatus.

The bulb is connected to a safety device 4 which ensures that if the bulb is removed or replaced then it is not possible to receive an electric shock from the electric cable 5. Any conventional safety device which performs this function can be used. However, it is not essential to use such a safety device.

An electric cable 5 is connected to the bulb and adapted to provide power to the bulb. The cable 5 passes through an aperture in the container and is connected to a conventional electric power plug. The region of the cable 5 that is inside the container 2 may be covered by a heat resistant material 6 such as glass tubing or terracotta. This protects the cable 5 from high temperatures which may be achieved within the container.

As shown in figure 1 the cable 5 passes through an aperture in the container and a grommet 7 is positioned over the cable in the region where the cable emerges from the container. The grommet is a sleeve made of rigid heat resistant material. As shown in figure 1 the diameter of the grommet 7 is greater at one end so that only part of the grommet 7 fits through the aperture in the container 2. This means that if a person picks up the warming apparatus using the cable 5 as a handle then force is exerted in the region where the grommet 7 and the container are in contact. This helps to prevent force being applied to the electrical connection between the cable and the bulb and this connection from being broken.

An inspection hole 10 is also provided in the container 2 in the region near the grommet 7. The inspection hole is a small aperture in the container, through which light passes when the bulb 1 is on. This enables the user to determine whether or not the warming apparatus is on. The inspection hole is not essential and it can be positioned at any point in the container 2.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the warming apparatus with a cover 21 around the container 2. The cover 21 is shaped to fit around the container and may cover all or part of the container. The cover 21 can be made from fabric or plastics material or any other type of insulating material. For example, lambswool, fabric coated with plastic and canvas. The cover 21 can be taken on and off the container (for example, by providing a zip or other fastening means on the cover 21). The cover 21 can then be removed for cleaning or to gain access to the inside of the container 2.

In the example shown in figure 2 the cover 21 has a zip between points 24 and 23 of the cover. When a metal zip is used a protective flap of material is incorporated into the cover which prevents the zip from coming into direct contact with the container 2. This prevents heat from being conducted through the zip so that the zip becomes hot and uncomfortable for the user. An aperture is provided in the cover 21 through which the cable 25 may pass. This aperture can be strengthened using an eyelet or other conventional strengthening means. The cover 21 may be provided with a handle 22 so that the cover, or cover and warming apparatus, can be picked up easily or hung up for storage.

Figure 3 illustrates how the warming apparatus 32, 33 can be used to warm the hands 35, feet 34 or lap of a person 31. The warming apparatus 32 is simply placed under the persons feet 34 and the electric cable 38 plugged into an electric socket 37 which may be part of a conventional extension cable. The extension cable itself 39 is then connected to the power supply in the house in the usual way.

An extension lead 39 with an automatic safety cut out such as a residual current device can be used for added safety. By using the warming apparatus in this way, warmth can be provided in an inexpensive, safe and effective manner to different localised parts of the body. This is especially useful for people who suffer from joint pain, aches or poor circulation.

In order to provide the ability to adjust the level of warmth from the warming apparatus a conventional dimmer switch" can be used. The dimmer switch is connected to the electric cable which powers the apparatus and by adjusting this switch the output of the bulb 1 inside the container 2 can be varied. Bulbs of strong power, such as 150w bulbs can be used together with the dimmer switch, to allow a great range of temperatures to be achieved. The container 2 can be covered with an insulating material such as aluminium foil tape or smooth glass tape, in the region directly above or below the bulb 1 where "hot spots" may develop during prolonged use of the warming apparatus. This enables the heat from the bulb to be spread more evenly over the container 2. For different shapes of container 2 the insulating material can be applied to different regions of the container 2 as required.

Claims (11)

1. Claims 1. A warming apparatus suitable for warming a person comprising: (i) a substantially heat resistant container; (ii) a conventional light bulb substantially enclosed within the container; (iii) a holder adapted to hold the light bulb within the container such that the bulb is held away from the sides of the container; and (iv) an electric cable connected to the bulb and adapted to provide power to the bulb such that in use, heat from the bulb warms the container.
2. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container is shaped to fit on the lap or under the feet of the person in use.
3. 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the container is substantially covered in an insulating material.
4. 4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the container is made of aluminium or steel.
5. 5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the holder comprises a resistant means, such that in use risk of damage to the bulb is reduced.
6. 6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the container is blackened inside to facilitate absorption of radiation from the light bulb in use.
7. 7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding clairn wherein the cable passes through an aperture in the container and a grommet is positioned over the cable substantially in the region where the cable passes through the aperture.
8. 8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim which further comprises a conventional dimmer switch for adjusting the amount of heat generated by the bulb.
9. 9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the container is provided with an area of insulating material in a region substantially above or below the bulb such that in use hot spots in this region are reduced.
10. 10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the container comprises an inspection aperture such that in use light emanates from the inspection aperture and indicates that the bulb is lit.
11. 11. A warming apparatus substantially as herein before described with reference to and as illustrated in any suitable combination of the accompanying drawings.