GB2380919A

GB2380919A - A Heater

Info

Publication number: GB2380919A
Application number: GB0124393A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Charles Lever; Gary Richard Mcwilliam; Paul Derek Atkinson; Daniel Musson; Simon Grant Mayo Jones; Mark Gordon Richards; Stephen Vincent Mcleavey; Rodger John Webb
Original assignee: OUT OF AMERICA Ltd
Current assignee: OUT OF AMERICA Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-11
Filing date: 2001-10-11
Publication date: 2003-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-11
Also published as: GB0124393D0; GB2380919B

Abstract

A heater 10 comprises one or more heating elements 12, 14 fixed in a reflector assembly 18 that is resiliently mounted by means of springs 24 to a frame 16. The frame 16 is secured to or forms part of the housing of the heater 10. The elements 12, 14 may be quartz-halogen heating elements. The heater may be used to dry plaster on construction sites or paint in car body workshops. The resilient mounting protects the heating elements in these industrial environments.

Description

A HEATER The invention relates to heaters and to heating element mounting assemblies therefor.

In a conventional heater, the heating elements are rigidly mounted within an external housing. In the event of someone or something knocking into the heater, vibrations are transmitted via the housing to the heating elements, often damaging the heating elements in the process. Quartz-halogen heating elements in particular tend to crack when they are subjected to vibrations.

Quartz-halogen heating elements are used in many industrial heaters. Such heaters are generally used to dry objects, including people. For example, such heaters may be used to dry plaster on construction sites, or to dry paint in car body workshops. The nature of the environments in which these heaters are used is such that the heating elements become damaged, and are subsequently replaced, on a regular basis. This substantially increases the cost of maintaining the heaters.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a heater comprising one or more heating elements resiliently mounted in a frame secured to or forming part of a housing of the heater such that the or each heating element is movable relative to the housing when mounted in the frame.

Resiliently mounting the or each heating element means that any vibrations caused by an impact to the housing are absorbed by the resilient mounting means. Damage to the or each heating element is therefore reduced or avoided.

The or each heating element may be mounted in the frame via a reflector assembly. The reflector assembly and the or each heating element are preferably aligned with a heat outlet formed in the housing to optimise heat radiated from the heater via the heat outlet.

In an embodiment of the invention, relative movement between the or each heating element and the frame may be achieved by resiliently mounting the or each heating element in the frame by means of one or more biasing means.

In another embodiment, relative movement between the or each heating element and the frame may be achieved by rigidly mounting the or each heating element in the reflector assembly and resiliently mounting the reflector assembly in the frame by means of one or more biasing means.

In a further embodiment, relative movement between the or each heating element and the frame may be achieved by resiliently mounting the or each heating element in the reflector assembly by means of one or more biasing means and rigidly mounting the reflector assembly in the frame.

In a still further embodiment, relative movement between the or each heating element and the frame may be achieved by resiliently mounting the or each heating element in the reflector assembly by means of one or more biasing means, and resiliently mounting the reflector assembly in the frame by means of one or more biasing means.

The or each biasing member may be, or may include, a torsion spring, a hydraulic damper and/or an elastic band.

A buffer element may be located between the reflector assembly and the housing of the heater. In one such embodiment wherein the housing includes front and back panels, the heat outlet being formed in the front panel and the or each heating element and the reflector assembly being located between the front and back panels, a buffer element may be located between the reflector assembly and the front panel.

The buffer element serves as a cushion in the event that movement of the heater causes movement of the reflector assembly towards the front panel, particularly in arrangements where the reflector assembly is mounted in the frame by means of one or more biasing members. It thereby prevents or reduces vibrations transmitted to the or each heating element in the event that the reflector assembly contacts the front panel during movement of the reflector assembly.

The buffer element may be, or may include, a resilient, rubber, stop member and/or a contra-wound spring.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a heating element mounting assembly comprising a frame and one or more heating elements wherein the or each heating element is resiliently mounted in the frame such that it is movable relative to the frame.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a frame, one or more heating elements and one or more resilient mounting members to resiliently mount the or each heating element within the frame such that the or each heating element is movable relative to the frame.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional view from the front of a heater according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 2 and 3 show front and rear views of the heater of Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a sectional view from above of the heater of Figure 1.

A sectional view of heater 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1.

The heater 10 includes two heating elements 12,14 resiliently mounted in a rectangular frame 16 that is mounted on, or formed integrally with, sidewalls 13, 15 of a housing.

The heating elements 12, 14 are fixedly positioned within two recesses 20,22 defined in a reflector assembly 18. The reflector assembly 18 is resiliently secured at each of its corners, to the frame 16, by means of a torsion spring 24. The heating elements 12,14 are thereby movable relative to the frame 16 because they are fixed in the reflector assembly 18.

Each of the torsion springs 24 engages an aperture 26 in the respective corner of the reflector assembly 18 and one of a set of apertures 28 provided in the frame 16. The provision of sets of apertures 28 permits adjustment of the tension in each of the springs 24. This in turn enables a user to adjust the extent to which the reflector assembly 18 may move relative to the frame

16. The greater the tension in the springs 24, the less relative movement is possible between the reflector assembly 18 and the frame 16.

The provision of sets of apertures 28 also allows for reflector assemblies 18 or heating elements 12,14 of varying sizes and shapes to be mounted in the frame 16.

While the reflector assembly 18 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is secured to the frame 16 at each of its comers, it is envisaged that the reflector assembly 18 may be secured to the frame 16 at other locations around its edge by more or less than four springs 24. For example, the reflector assembly 18 may be secured to the frame 16 midway along the length of its sides thereby requiring only two springs.

It is also envisaged that the torsion springs 24 may, in other embodiments of the invention, be replaced or their function enhanced, by the provision of other biasing means such as elastic bands and/or hydraulic dampers.

In any case, the torsion springs 24, elastic bands and/or hydraulic dampers are formed from material (s) that are resistant to the temperatures created by the heating elements 12,14.

As well as sidewalls 13,15, the housing includes front, back, top and bottom panels 30,32, 33,35 (Figures 2 and 3).

A heat outlet 34 is formed in the front panel 30 of the heater 10. The heat outlet 34 in this embodiment of the invention is a rectangular aperture formed in the front panel 30. In other embodiments the aperture may be different in shape. It may, for example, be square, triangular, circular etc, the shape being dependent, at least in part, on the shape of the reflector

assembly. The shape of the aperture may also be dependent on design considerations that are taken into account when determining the visual appearance of the heater.

In other embodiments, the heater 10 may also include a grille over the aperture to restrict access to the interior of the housing.

The frame 16 is secured to the sidewalls 13,15 of the housing so that the heating elements 12,14 and the reflector assembly 18 are exposed to, and aligned with, the heat outlet 34.

The reflector assembly 18 has a reflective surface which surrounds the heating elements 12,14 and faces the heat outlet 34 to maximise the amount of heat that is emitted from the heating elements 12,14 being directed out through the heat outlet 34.

The dimensions of the reflector assembly 18, and the distance by which the frame 16 is spaced from the front panel 30 on the sidewalls 13,15, are chosen to maximise the amount of heat that is emitted from the heating elements 12,14 being directed out through the heat outlet 34.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the reflector assembly 18 is larger than the heat outlet 34, creating overlap between the edge of the reflector assembly 18 and the edge of the front panel 30 that extends around the heat outlet 34.

As is shown in Figure 4, buffer elements in the form of contra-wound springs 36,38 are secured between the overlapping edges of the reflector assembly 18 and the front panel 30, along an upper edge of the heat outlet 34. The contra-wound springs 36,38 force the reflector assembly 18 away

from the front panel 30. This ensures that in the event that vibration of the heater 10 causes the reflector assembly 18 to move towards the front panel 30, the contra-wound springs 36,38 prevent the reflector assembly 18 knocking against the front panel 30. The contra-wound springs 36,38 thereby prevent vibrations being transmitted to the heating elements 12,14 that would otherwise be caused if the reflector assembly 18 knocked against the front panel 30.

Such restriction of movement of the reflector assembly 18 towards the front panel 30 also ensures that, in circumstances where a grille, for example, is secured over the heat outlet 34 the heating elements 12,14 themselves do not contact the grille during movement of the reflector assembly 18.

While the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4 includes contrawound springs 36,38 at each comer of the upper edge of the reflector assembly 18, it is envisaged that one or more springs may be positioned between the reflector assembly 18 and the front panel 32 at one or more other locations around the reflector assembly 18. For example a single spring may be provided between the reflector assembly 18 and the front panel 30 at a point midway along the length of the upper edge of the reflector assembly 18.

It is also envisaged that the contra-wound springs 36,38 may, in other embodiments of the invention, be replaced or their function enhanced, by the provision of one or more resilient, rubber, stop members located between the overlapping edges of the reflector assembly 18 and the front panel 30.

The or each resilient, rubber, stop member may take the form of an elongate member that extends along one edge of the reflector assembly 18. The or

each resilient, rubber, stop member may however be a relatively smaller member, one or more of the members being positioned between the reflector assembly 18 and the front panel 32 at one or more locations around the reflector assembly 18.

In any case, the contra-wound springs 36,38 and/or the or each resilient, rubber, stop member are formed from material (s) that are resistant to the temperatures created by the heating elements 12,14.

In other embodiments, the tension in the torsion springs 24, and the location of the frame 16 relative to the front panel 30, may be chosen so tha+ any vibration of the reflector assembly 16 will not result in the reflector assembly knocking against the front panel 30. In such embodiments the buffer elements are not required.

In yet further embodiments, the heating elements 12, 14 may be resiliently mounted within the recesses 20,22 defined in the reflector assembly 18 by means of torsion springs. In such embodiments, the reflector assembly 18 may be resiliently secured to the frame 16 by means of the torsion springs 24. Alternatively the reflector assembly 18 may be rigidly mounted in the frame 16 since the torsion springs used to mount the heating elements 12,14 within the recesses 20,22 defined in the reflector assembly 18 allow sufficient relative movement between the heating elements 12,14 and the frame 16.

It is envisaged that the torsion springs used to mount the heating elements 12,14 in the recesses 20,22 of the reflector assembly 18 in such embodiments may be replaced, or their function enhanced, by hydraulic dampers and/or elastic bands.

In any case, the torsion springs 24, elastic bands and/or hydraulic dampers are formed from material (s) that are resistant to the temperatures created by the heating elements 12, 14.

Claims

1. A heater comprising one or more heating elements resiliently mounted in a frame is secured to or forming part of a housing of the heater such that the or each heating element is movable relative to the housing when mounted in the frame.

2. A heater as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the or each heating element is resiliently mounted in the frame via a reflector assembly.

3. A heater as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the or each heating element and the reflector assembly are aligned with a heat outlet formed in the housing.

4. A heater as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the reflector assembly is resiliently mounted in the frame by means of one or more biasing members.

5. A heater as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the reflector assembly is rigidly mounted in the frame.

6. A heater as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5 wherein the or each heating element is resiliently mounted in the reflector assembly by means of one or more biasing members.

7. A heater as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the or each heating element is rigidly mounted in the reflector assembly.

8. A heater as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 6 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes a torsion spring

9. A heater as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 6 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes a hydraulic damper

10. A heater as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 6 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes an elastic band.

11. A heater as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 10 wherein a buffer element is located between the housing and the reflector assembly.

12. A heater as claimed in Claim 3 or any claim dependent therefrom wherein the housing includes front and back panels, the heat outlet being formed in the front panel, the or each heating element and the reflector assembly being located between the front and back panels, and a buffer element located between the front panel and the reflector assembly.

13. A heater as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein the buffer element is or includes a resilient, rubber, stop member.

14. A heater as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein the buffer element is or includes a contra-wound spring.

15. A heating element mounting assembly comprising a frame and one or more heating elements wherein the or each heating element is resiliently mounted in the frame such that it is movable relative to the frame.

16. A heating element mounting assembly as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the or each heating element is resiliently mounted in the frame via a reflector assembly.

17. A heater as claimed in Claim 16 wherein the reflector assembly is resiliently mounted in the frame by means of one or more biasing members.

18. A heater as claimed in Claim 16 wherein the reflector assembly is rigidly mounted in the frame.

19. A heater as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 18 wherein the or each heating element is resiliently mounted in the reflector assembly by means of one or more biasing members.

20. A heater as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17 wherein the or each heating element is rigidly mounted in the reflector assembly.

21. A heater as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 19 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes a torsion spring.

22. A heater as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 19 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes a hydraulic damper.

23. A heater as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 19 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes an elastic band.

24. A kit of parts comprising a frame, one or more heating elements and one or more resilient mounting members to resiliently mount the or each heating element within the frame such that the or each heating element is movable relative to the frame.

25. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 24 further including a reflector assembly via which the or each heating element is resiliently mountable in the frame.

26. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 25 wherein the or each resilient mounting members is to resiliently mount the reflector assembly in the frame.

27. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 25 wherein the or each resilient mounting members is to resiliently mount the or each heating element in the reflector assembly.

28. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 25 further including mounting members to rigidly mount the reflector assembly in the frame.

29. A kit of parts as claimed in any in Claim 25 or Claim 26 further including mounting members to rigidly mount the or each heating element in the reflector assembly.

30. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 26 further including one or more additional resilient mounting members to resiliently mount the or each heating element in the reflector assembly.

31. A kit of parts as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 30 wherein the or each resilient mounting member is or includes a torsion spring.

32. A kit of parts as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 30 wherein the or each resilient mounting member is or includes a hydraulic damper.

33. A kit of parts generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

33. A kit of parts as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 30 wherein the or each resilient mounting member is or includes an elastic band.

34. A heater generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

35. A heating element mounting assembly generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

36. A kit of parts generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A heater comprising one or more heating elements resiliently mounted in a frame via a reflector assembly is secured to or forms part of a housing of the heater such that the or each heating element is movable relative to the housing when mounted in the frame.

2. A heater as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the or each heating element and the reflector assembly are aligned with a heat outlet formed in the housing.

3. A heater as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the reflector assembly is resiliently mounted in the frame by means of one or more biasing members.

4. A heater as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the reflector assembly is rigidly mounted in the frame.

5. A heater as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each heating element is resiliently mounted in the reflector assembly by means of one or more biasing members.

6. A heater as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the or each heating element is rigidly mounted in the reflector assembly.

7. A heater as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 5 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes a torsion spring 8. A heater as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 5 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes a hydraulic damper

9. A heater as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 5 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes an elastic band.

10. A heater as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a buffer element is located between the housing and the reflector assembly.

11. A heater as claimed in Claim 2 or any claim dependent therefrom wherein the housing includes front and back panels, the heat outlet being formed in the front panel, the or each heating element and the reflector assembly being located between the front and back panels, and a buffer element located between the front panel and the reflector assembly.

12. A heater as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11 wherein the buffer element is or includes a resilient, rubber, stop member.

13. A heater as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11 wherein the buffer element is or includes a contra-wound spring.

14. A heating element mounting assembly comprising a frame and one or more heating elements wherein the or each heating element is resiliently mounted in the frame via a reflector assembly such that it is movable relative to the frame.

15. A heating element mounting assembly as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the reflector assembly is resiliently mounted in the frame by means of one or more biasing members.

16. A heating element mounting assembly as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the reflector assembly is rigidly mounted in the frame.

17. A heating element mounting assembly as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 16 wherein the or each heating element is resiliently mounted in the reflector assembly by means of one or more biasing members.

18. A heating element mounting assembly as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15 wherein the or each heating element is rigidly mounted in the reflector assembly.

19. A heating element mounting assembly as claimed in Claim 15 or Chim 17 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes a torsion spring.

20. A heater as claimed in Claim 15 or Claim 17 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes a hydraulic damper.

21. A heater as claimed in Claim 15 or Claim 17 wherein the or each biasing member is or includes an elastic band.

22. A kit of parts comprising a frame, one or more heating elements, one or more resilient mounting members to resiliently mount the or each heating element within the frame such that the or each heating element is movable relative to the frame and a reflector assembly via which the or each heating element is resiliently mountable in the frame.

23. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 22 wherein the or each resilient mounting members is to resiliently mount the reflector assembly in the frame.

24. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 22 wherein the or each resilient mounting members is to resiliently mount the or each heating element in the reflector assembly.

25. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 22 further including mounting members to rigidly mount the reflector assembly in the frame.

26. A kit of parts as claimed in any in Claim 22 or Claim 23 further including mounting members to rigidly mount the or each heating element in the reflector assembly.

27. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 23 further including one or more additional resilient mounting members to resiliently mount the or each heating element in the reflector assembly.

28. A kit of parts as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 27 wherein the or each resilient mounting member is or includes a torsion spring.

29. A kit of parts as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 27 wherein the or each resilient mounting member is or includes a hydraulic damper.

30. A kit of parts as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 27 wherein the or each resilient mounting member is or includes an elastic band.

31. A heater generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

32. A heating element mounting assembly generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.