GB2389894A

GB2389894A - Outdoor gas heater securable to a table top

Info

Publication number: GB2389894A
Application number: GB0311904A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Larke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-24
Filing date: 2003-05-23
Publication date: 2003-12-24
Also published as: GB0311904D0

Abstract

A gas heater 10 has a base 16, to support it on a surface such as a table-top 33. Preferably, a screw passes through a hole in the top of the table 33 and into the base 16 to secure the heater 10 to the table 33 so that it cannot be knocked over. Fuel is piped to a burner 11, through the base 16 from a source 36 such as a pressurised propane or butane canister. Preferably, the fuel is located below the table and is transmitted to the burner through the screw which is preferably hollow. A parabolic reflector 14 may direct heat and light in a downwards direction. A cover 13 such as a grill may protect the user. Preferably, a control knob 21 operates to control the size of the flame and also functions as a piezo-electric lighter. Although a gas heater is disclosed, the invention may also relate to electric heating.

Description

( AN IIVIPROVED HEATING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a heating device and in particular to a movable heater fuelled by liquid fuel for use in an outdoor environment.

5 Background to the Invenon

In recent years there has been an increase in the popularity in outdoor social gatherings, for example barbecues. Although in colder climates these tend to take place during the warmer summer months, when it does not get dark until later in the evening, in warmer climates this is not always the case. Furthermore, once the 10 sun has gone down, many peopic start to feel cold.

A number of heaters have therefore been developed to provide primarily heat, taut also light to such gatherings. The heaters arc located in strategic positions to maximise their functional effect and also the aesthetic effect. In order to provide a fuel source for the heaters, the heaters are normally connected to either an 15 electricity or a bottled gas supply.

Care must be taken however when positioning the heater that the heater is located so as to ensure that people are not accidentally burnt or the healer is not located where it can be easily knocked over. The latter problem is particularly possible due to a common design feature of such heaters namely that they have a small 20 base area.

-2 A further problem with current heaters when using a bottled gas supply is the location of the gas bottle. Certain heaters include the gas bottle within a base assembly. These heaters have the problem however that the bottle, due to its small size, must be frequently replaced. When using a larger bottle, remote from :S the heater, the user is then left with the problem of where to run the fuel line connecting the heater to the bottle. Often, the fuel line needs to he run across the surface of a table which is hazardous and unsightly. Moreover, when using a bottle gas supply the provision of a large canister around or under a table can also be unsightly and cause a hindrance.

10 It would be advantageous therefore and is an object of the present invention to provide a heater which seeks to address the above problems and increase the safety of heaters.

- According to the invention there is provided a heating device having a base 15 support portion to support the device on a surface such as a table-top and maintain the device in a stable orientation; the device also including a conversion means to convert fuel energy to heat or visible radiation; a fuel conveyor to convey fuel from a source lo the conversion means, the fuel conveyor passing through the base portion to the conversion means; 20 a connector to link the conversion means to the base portion; and a stablising member to retain the base portion in a fixed position on a surface.

The heaters can thereby be maintained in a stable orientation and are resistant to being knocked over.

[he fuel conveyor preferably passes through the stabilizing member to stow and 25; direct the fuel conveyor and minimise the risk of a person accidentally contacting

( -3 the fuel conveyor. Conveniently, the fuel conveyor is a tube or hose to carry liquid fuels such as pressurised propane and/or butane.

Advantageously, the heater has a reflection dish including a reflecting surface to reflect heat and visible radiation in a generally downwards direction and reduce 5 wastage of energy released by the conversion means. The reflecting surface of the reflection dish is particularly advantageously parabolic in shape.

Conveniently, an emitter is located around the conversion means to modify the wave-length of the radiation being emitted. The output from the heater can therefore be tailored to suit the needs of the user.

IO A cover member is preferably included around the burner and/or emitter to protect the user from being burnt.

The stabilizing member preferably includes a threaded member operably attached to the base portion of the heater, the threaded member in-use passing through the surface on which the heater is supported. The heater is secured in position by co 15 operative engagement of the threaded member with a second threaded member.

Conveniently, the first and second threaded member are a nut and a fixing bolt.

The heater can therefore quickly and easily be firmly fixed to a surface and stabilised towards being knocked over.

Brief Description of the Drawinga

20 The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only one embodiment of a radiating heater. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a heater; Figure 2 is a side view of a heater shown in Figure 1 attached to a flat surface; 25 Figure 3 illustrates the assembly of the heater and its fixing into position onto a

-4 ( table surface; and Figure 4 illustrates the control panel of a heater.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring initially to Figures and 2, a heater 10 has a substantially elongate 5 shape with the larger portion of its total mass concentrated above its centre of gravity making the heater 10 inherently unstable. Heat radiation and visible light radiation are produced in the heater 10 by combustion of a liquid gas, usually supplied in bottled form such as propane and/or butane. The heater typically has a 4kW output lo optimise the combustion calf the gas, particularly where propane or 10 butane are used. Where such an output is not appropriate because of the size of the area being heated or the ambient temperature, then heaters of other output ratings can be used.

The gases burnt in a burner 11 located towards the top of the heater 10. 'I'he burner 11 is substantially surrounded by an emitter 12 which modifies the wave 15 length of the emitted electromagnetic radiation before propagating the radiation further. By suitable choice of an emitter 12, the heater 10 can be used predominantly as a heater, as a visible light source or as a mixture of both.

In order to shield people from coming into contact with the emitter 12, a grill guard 13 is positioned around the emitter 12. As the emitter 12 is 20 omnidirectional, then in order to ensure that heat or light which would otherwise go in an unwanted direction and be lost to the area surrounding the heater, a rcficctor 14, seated on supports 15 is included. Although in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reflector 14 reflects radiation in a downward direction, it will be appreciated that this need not be the case, and reflection can be 25 in any desired direction. 'I'he reflector 14 is so sized to be suitable for the size of table to which the heater 10 is secured. Typically, the reflector 14 has a diameter of 50cm. A parabolic reflector is suitable to give good uniform reflection around a table.

( -5 To support the burner 11 at a suitable height, the heater 10 has a base unit 16 which its secured to a surface. A hollow post 17 is attached at a first end to the base unit 16 and at a second end to a housing 18 which houses the burner 11.

The fuel enters the heater 10 through a pipe 19 which passes through the base unit 5 16. Flow of fuel lo the burner is controlled by the user using a valve 20 operated by means of a control knob 21. In order to enable the burner 11 to be lit, a picz.o elcctric ignition switch 22 is provided. To protect the control components, a protective casing 23 surrounds them.

In order to secure the base unit 16 to the surface on which the heater 10 is to 10 stand, a threaded nut 24 engages the lower portion of the casing 23. The nut 24 can either be permanently welded to the base of the casing 23 or screwed into position employing co-operating threaded on the casing 23. Alternatively, the nut 24 can have a hollow spigot to engage the base unit 16 as the nut 24 is passed through. The nut 24 passes through an aperture in the surface to which the heater 15 10 is to be attached, a threaded fixing bolt 25 is then screwed onto the nut 24 tightening the heater 10 into position. Both the nut 24 and the bolt 2.S include an aperture to enable a fuel line to pass through them connecting the fuel source and the burner 11. The elements required to secure the heater 10 to the table can be adjustable or so sized to be usable on tables of differing thickness or size of 20 aperture. The method of attachment of a heater to a table is illustrated in Figure 3. A heater 30 having an inlet hose 37 having a narrow diameter attached to the valve 20 is shown in Figure 1. The free end of the hose is passed through the base unit 31 and then through an aperture 32 in the table 33. A fixing nut 34 is screwed onto 25 the bolt securing the heater 30 to the table 33. A gas regulator 35 is attached to the free end of the hose 37 and the regulator 35 itself then attached to the gas cylinder 36. The heater 30 is now ready for use. To facilitate connection and disconnection of the heater 30 from the gas cylinder 36 a bayonet, make / break, connector can be included in the hose 37 between the heater 30 and the cylinder 30 36.

( -6

The heater is lit by means of the controls on the panel 40 shown in Figure 4. With the control knob 41 in the off position (i.e. pointing to the large dot 42), the gas supply is turned on by means of opening the regulator 35. A check can be carried out for leaks in the usual manner, for example applying a soap solution to the 5 cylinder and regulator connection.

Once the safety check has been carried out, the control knob 41 is rotated to the large flame position 4.. The control knob 41 is then pressed in simultaneously and the piczo-electric lighter operated by pressing the button 44 repeatedly until the buracr 11 lights. Once the burner 11 is lit the control knob 41 is maintained in 10 depressed position for a further 30 seconds. The knob 41 can be released and the burner 11 should stay alight. The height of the flame in the burner can then be adjusted by rotation of the.knob 41 between the large flame position 43 and the small flame position 45.

Although the above description relates primarily to heaters using bottled gas fuel,

15 certain aspects of the invention relating to the grille guard and the means of securing the heater are also applicable to electric heaters.

Means for attaching a parasol or umbrella are provided so that the heater can be used even when it is raining.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific 20 details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

( Claims

A heating device having a base support portion to support the device on a surface such as a table-top and maintain the device in a stable orientation, the device also including 5 a conversion means to convert fuel energy to heat or visible radiation; a fuel conveyor to convey fuel from a source to the conversion means, the fuel conveyor passing through the base portion to the conversion means; a connector to link the conversion means to the base portion; and a stablising member to retain the base portion in a fixed position on a 1 0 surface.
2. A heating device according to Claim 1, wherein the fuel conveyor passes through the stabilising member to stow and direct the fuel conveyor.
3. A heating device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the fuel conveyor is a tube or hose to carry liquid fuels such as pressuriscd propane 1.=, and/or butane.
4. A heating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the heater has a reflection dish including a reflecting surface to reflect heat and or visible radiation in a generally downwards direction.
5. A heating device according to Claim 4, wherein the reflecting surface of 20 the reflection dish is parabolic in shape.
6. A heating device according to any preceding claim, wherein an emitter is located around the conversion means to modify the wave-length of the radiation being emitted.

-S - (
7. A heating device according to any preceding claim, wherein a cover member is included around the conversion means and/or emitter to protect the user from being burnt.
8. A heating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the stabilising S member includes a threaded member operably attached to the base portion of the heater, the threaded member in-use passing through the surface on which the heater is supported.
9. A heating device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.