GB2346439A

GB2346439A - Flame simulation apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2346439A
Application number: GB0002109A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul A Clay; Helen Thomas
Original assignee: CROSSLEE PLC
Current assignee: CROSSLEE PLC
Priority date: 1999-01-30
Filing date: 2000-01-31
Publication date: 2000-08-09
Also published as: GB9902012D0; GB0002109D0; GB2346439A8

Abstract

A flame effect fire comprising ribbon elements which give a more realistic simulation of real flames.

Description

FLAME SIMULATION APPARATUS The present invention relates to a flame simulation apparatus.

Apparatus capable of simulating the appearance of flames in a heating device are gaining widespread popularity.

Such an apparatus may be installe in an electric or gas powered heating apparatus in order to mimic the appearance of flames such as those which are created by a solid fuel fire (eg a fire containing coals or 13gs).

One such apparatus is described in GB-A-2302172 (Crosslee Plc). This apparatus simulates the appearance of glowing fuel and flames using appropriately illuminated moving members positioned behind a screen and units of fuel respectively so that shadows or reflections are cast onto the screen and the fuel.

There is in general a need to improve flame simulation effects to satisfy the increasingly discerning tastes of the purchasers of simulated coal fires and the like.

The present invention seeks to improve flame simulation apparatus by providing a more realistic flame effect.

Thus viewed from one aspect the present invention provides a flame simulation apparatus having a housing with an open front, said apparatus comprising : one or more units of fuel supported on a support member towards the open front of the housing, at least a part of said support member being capable of at least partially transmitting light from a light source, wherein said light source is positioned beneath the support member and towards the back of the housing; a substantially vertical screen positioned behind the one or more units of fuel, at least a portion of said screen being translucent; and one or more flame simulation elements in the form of a ribbon positioned to the rear of the screen and adjacent to a means for activating the one or more flame simulation elements, whereby in use the flame simulation elements are activated to simulate the visual appearance of flames through the open front of the housing.

The (or each) flame simulation element is made of ribbon. This has the advantage of providing a more realistic flame effect than conventional wire supported metal danglers used in the prior art. Preferably the (or each) ribbon comprises at least one slit which further enhances the realism of the visual effect.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ribbon is advantageously formed into a sail-shape. For example, the ribbon has an elongate, substantially rectangular body with a substantially triangular formation along a part of one side thereof. Preferably the triangular formation is along a part of one of the two longer sides of the substantially rectangular body. Preferably a slit is provided substantially parallel to the two longer sides. Preferably the triangular formation has one inwardly curving side.

In use, the ribbon of the preferred embodiment is arranged so that the two shorter sides of the rectangular body form the top and bottom of the substantially vertically attached ribbon. The ribbon is attachable substantially vertically by means of the top and bottom of the ribbon.

Preferably the inwardly curving side is the side of the triangle nearest to the lowermost edge of the rectangular body.

The ribbon is conveniently made of lightweight material such as polyester or a similar material.

The flame simulation element may be provided with a reflective surface if desired (eg a glitter effect surface) to enhance the visual effect.

The means for activating the one or more flame simulation element comprise a device for generating an air flow, preferably a fan.

The or each ribbon may be supported on a metal frame with arms top and bottom to which the or each ribbon is secured by appropriate fastening means eg double-sided adhesive tape, metal clips or hooks and the like. The metal frame is generally fitted to the rear of the housing only.

By being fastened in this manner, suitable movement of the element in a moving air stream provides the requisite flame effect. The manner in which the ribbon is supported at opposite ends determines the particular flame effect.

The units of fuel simulate the layout of a real fire.

The units of fuel are generally loose and may be pieces of real coal, log (or similar materials which are burnt on open fires) or synthetic materials such as fibrous material moulded into an appropriate shape to mimic solid fuel.

The apparatus of the invention may include a support member acting as a fuel bed (eg a coal bed). Preferably the support member is translucent with a light source beneath to provide a glowing effect between the units of fuel. The support member is preferably coloured in a manner appropriate to simulate the orange glow of real fires. For example, this may be achieved by a translucent fibreglass or plastic portion of the support member. Preferably the support member is adapted so that the fuel bed appears black when the fire is off and coloured when on. For example, this may be achieved by using orange coloured translucent material with a thin overspray of dark (eg black) paint or by using a smoked translucent material with an orange light source.

The light source preferably comprises an amber filament strip lamp which advantageously gives an even distribution of light. Equally one or more bulbs may be used as the light source. Various colours or combinations of colours may be used if desired.

Movable glow elements may be attached to the support member acting as the coal bed in order to simulate the effect of a flicker or moving glow beneath the coals. The movable glow elements may be metal danglers suspended on wire or string.

The screen positioned behind the units of fuel is conveniently made of moulded plastic. It may be one single moulded or formed translucent unit or be produced from any number of units. Typically, it may comprise a two-piece formation of translucent material comprising a screen element and a screen carrier. The screen carrier may be conveniently moulded in black plastic (eg perspex) with a portion adapted to support the screen element. Alternatively, the screen carrier may be fabricated from a pressed metal carrier or the like. The screen conveniently comprises an unformed piece of clear plastic with a scratched or brushed surface finish to provide opacity on one side and an ink screen print to provide on the opposite side a graduated softening to the appearance of the edge of the flame. Screen opacity may also be achieved by the use of a separate opaque material (eg a layer). The printed gradual softening could similarly be produced by paint effects or smoked surfaces.

A plurality (eg seven) units of coal may be moulded into the base of the screen carrier so as to be visible when the screen is fitted. These simulate real solid fuel in front of the screen giving an illusion of a greater depth of coal bed than solely that which is in front of the screen.

Preferably, the screen element-i$ partially curved so that it extends at least partly behind the side edges of the units of fuel as well as along the rear thereof. This serves to provide a more realistic flame effect. The or each flame simulating element is conveniently provided behind the screen in those portions of the screen located towards or along the side edges of the units of fuel.

The apparatus may be provided with a screen positioned in front of the units of fuel at the open end of the housing.

It is at least partially transparent to enable the units of fuel and flame effects to be viewed therethrough.

The present invention will now be described in a nonlimitative sense with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of the flame simulation apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of a flame simulation apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 illustrates a ribbon for use in an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the flame simulation apparatus designated generally by reference numeral 1 comprises a housing 2 with a fanned convector heater 4. The housing contains a single amber filament strip lamp and fitting 6 and is provided with a blower fan 8. A fibreglass support 10 serves as a bed for the units of coal 12 and is provided with a black paint finish.

A moulded plastic, two-piece screen 14,24 comprises a screen element 14 and a screen carrier 24. The screen element 14 is an unformed piece of clear plastic with a scratched surface finished one side and a graduated ink screen print to the other side. The screen element is curved so that it extends at least partially along the side edges 15 as well as along the back of the units of fuel 12. The screen carrier 24 is provided with a lip which supports the screen element 14. Simulated coals 25 are moulded in the base of the screen carrier.

Flame simulation elements in the form of sail-shaped ribbons 16 are supported on a metal frame 18 with arms top and bottom. Each ribbon is secured to the top and bottom arm with double-sided adhesive tape and metal clips. The frame is fitted to the rear of the housing only. Five ribbons in total are supported on the metal frame.

A transparent front glass screen 22 can be provided in front of the units of simulated fuel through which the arrangement is visible.

Figure 3 illustrates a flame simulation element in the form of a sail shaped ribbon designated generally by reference numeral 30. This comprises a slit 33 and is supported at the top end 31 and the bottom end 32 by means of a metal frame. The main body of the ribbon 34 is integral with a triangular portion 35 with a curved edge 36.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A flame simulation apparatus having a housing with an open front, said apparatus comprising : one or more units of fuel supported on a support member towards the open front of the housing, at least a part of said support member being capable of at least partially transmitting light from a light source, wherein said light source is positioned beneath the support member and towards the back of the housing; a substantially vertical screen positioned behind the one or more units of fuel, at least a portion of said screen being translucent; and one or more flame simulation elements in the form of a ribbon positioned to the rear of the screen and adjacent to a means for activating the one or more flame simulation elements, whereby in use the flame simulation elements are activated to simulate the visual appearance of flames through the open front of the housing.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ribbon comprises at least one slit.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the ribbon is sail-shaped.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ribbon has an elongate, substantially rectangular body with a substantially triangular formation along a part of one side thereof.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the triangular formation is along a part of one of the two longer sides of the substantially rectangular body.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein a slit is provided substantially parallel to the two longer sides.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4,5 or 6 wherein the substantially triangular formation has one inwardly curving side.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4,5,6 or 7 wherein the two shorter sides of the rectangular body form the top and bottom of the substantially vertically attached ribbon.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4,5,6,7 or 8 wherein the ribbon is attachable substantially vertically by means of the top and bottom of the ribbon.
10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ribbon is made of lightweight material
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the lightweight material is polyester or a similar material.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each ribbon may be supported on a metal frame with arms top and bottom to which the 6r each ribbon is secured by fastening means.
13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the units of fuel are loose and may be pieces of real coal, log or similar materials which are burnt on open fires or synthetic materials moulded into aD appropriate shape to mimic solid fuel.
14. An apparatus as claimed in apy preceding claim wherein the support member is translucent with the light source beneath to provide a glowing effect between the units of fuel.
15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support member is coloured in a manner appropriate to simulate the orange glow of real fires.
16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the simulation is achieved by a translucent fibreglass or plastic portion of the support member.
17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the support member is adapted so that the fuel bed appears black when the fire is off and coloured when on.
18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the support member comprises orange coloured translucent material with a thin overspray of dark paint.
19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the support member comprises a smoked translucent material used with an orange light source.
20. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the light source comprises an amber filament strip lamp.
21. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the screen positioned behind the units of fuel is made of moulded plastic.
22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the screen comprises a two-piece formation of translucent material being a screen element and a screen carrier.
23. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the surface of one face of the screen is opaque and the surface of the opposite face is adapted to provide a graduated visual softening at the edge of the simulated flame.
24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein the screen element is partially curved so that it extends at least partly behind the side edges of the units of fuel and along the rear thereof.