GB2395550A

GB2395550A - Apparatus for heating or decorative optical effect

Info

Publication number: GB2395550A
Application number: GB0319511A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Rogers; Robert Sutton
Original assignee: WIDNEY LEISURE Ltd
Current assignee: WIDNEY LEISURE Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-22
Filing date: 2003-08-20
Publication date: 2004-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-20
Also published as: GB2395550B; GB0227302D0; GB0319511D0

Abstract

In some embodiments the apparatus is an electric fire with an upper canopy 2 having two hinges (figs 8,10) for easy access to controls of the fire in an open position. An electric tangential fan 8 in a lower part of the fire draws air from outside the fire through a heater 11 above the fan and out under the canopy 2. In other embodiments, with or without the heating aspect, the apparatus may have a decorative or moving flame effect projected on a semi-matt screen 12a by mirrored surfaces (15a, fig 6) of a spinner 16 with petals from bulbs 6,7. A coloured optical filter and comb 14 and fuel, coal or pebble effect (21, figs 1-3) are interchangeable for different effects, and additional decorative effects such as fuel (D, fig 12) can be between a front screen F and screen 12a and appear continuous with decorative effects in front of screen F and cast shadows which simulate smoke. A prismatic diffuser 5 brakes up the light under the effect 21, and screen F may have etched lines for diffraction. Screen 12a may be a wall of a heating duct 12.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO HEATING APPARATUS

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to heating apparatus and is more particularly, but not exclusively, related to electric fires capable of simulating a moving 5 flame effect.

Electric fires having an artificial coal or log effect located above an electric light source are well known. Also, it is well known for a rotating member or spinner to be provided adjacent to the light source in order to create movement or flickering of the light being 10 emitted from the light source, in a manner which simulates, at least to some extent, flickering of flames to create the illusion that the artificial coal or log effect is burning.

Early electric fires with moving flame effects utilised a spinner above the light source which was driven to rotate by the heat of the light bulb itself but later designs incorporate a drive motor that rotates angled mirrored surfaces located on a shaft, said 15 shaft being driven by the drive motor to rotate the shaft about its own axis.

Additionally, it is known for a fan heater to be located towards the bottom of the fire and hot air from the fan heater emitted through a grille located in front of the fan heater at the bottom of the fire. However, such an arrangement tends to be disadvantageous in 20 that the bottom of the fire and the floor or ground beneath it may get very hot (possibly damaging the floor which may be carpet) and the fire itself may be more bulky than need necessarily be the case, in order to accommodate the horizontal positioning of the fan heater. Further, positioning the fan heater in such a location means that a large gap will be visible towards the bottom of the fire for the hot air to be blown outwardly by 25 the fan and this gap tends to be unsightly in the overall design of the fire. The fan

heater could be positioned at the top of the fire but this requires a large space for mounting the heater and a large slot or opening at the top of the fire which might also be unsightly.

5 It is known for light from the aforementioned angled mirrored surfaces to be reflected off a rear panel on to a viewing screen located above the artificial fuel effect to give the appearance of flames, but it is believed other methods for simulating flames are possible, which methods may be more versatile or more controlled by the end user.

l O It is also known for the fuel effect to be of a purely decorative or abstract nature and for the moving light effect to be purely decorative or abstract rather than attempting to simulate coals/logs or moving flames as closely as possible or at all.

Whilst such fires may be quite successful in their own right, it is believed that there is 15 scope for improving design aspects thereof, in particular which may lead to a greater versatility in the flame effects or decorative moving light effects produced.

Additionally, it is believed that the design of such fires could be improved in their space-heating capacity or effect, more particularly by the design and positioning of fan 20 heater.

Generally, such fires are manufactured to produce only one particular moving flame or moving light effect, which effect may not always be desired by the end user or which may not be the only effect desired by the end user. In some circumstances, it is believed

that such a restriction tends to be disadvantageous since no freedom of choice of flame or decorative effect is given to the end user.

Additionally, it is known for various control knobs or switches to be generally hidden 5 from view under an upper cowl or canopy of the fire. Whilst it seems that such a location may well improve the general overall aesthetics of the fire, the control knobs or switches may not be readily and evidently accessible and, in any event, may have to be operated "blindly" i.e. without actually being able to see what a particular operation of a control knob or switch does or even where it is actually located. At best, the 10 operator may have to stoop to look directly upwards underneath the cowl or canopy in an attempt to ascertain the location of the control knobs or switches in order to operate them. Therefore, it is believed that such an arrangement tends to be disadvantageous lacking ease of use by the end user in many circumstances. Such fires may be exceedingly difficult for disabled persons to use, particularly those suffering from 15 arthritis or the like. Overall, it is believed that a more user-friendly arrangement is needed. An object of the present invention is to provide heating apparatus in which one or more of the aforementioned, or other, disadvantages is at least alleviated.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided heating apparatus having a moving flame or moving decorative light effect, said heating apparatus including a fan or the like at the bottom or lower part of the apparatus, arranged, in use, to blow heated or hot air through at least one opening in an upper part of said apparatus.

The air will usually be blown through the at least one opening positioned on the front of the fire but could alternatively or additionally be blown through an opening or openings at the side/e of the heating apparatus.

5 Usually the heating apparatus will include the fan and a heater (usually in the form of a fan heater unit) arranged generally vertically, the fan being positioned below a heating element or elements of the heater. Usually, the fan will draw air through the bottom of the fire onto the heating element/s and into a heating duct leading to said opening.

10 It is envisaged that the fan will usually be a tangential fan.

Preferably, the heating duct has a depth comparable with the width of the heating elementls which may be around 40+/- Smm.

I S Advantageously, said opening may be hidden from view underneath an upper canopy of the fire. Also preferably, the opening is provided with a baffle directing the air downwardly and outwardly from underneath the canopy.

Preferably, the upper canopy is hinged to the fire and may be moved from a closed 20 position to an open position in which various controls for the fire can be seen, said controls being hidden from view when the canopy is in a closed position.

Advantageously, the canopy may be arranged to move downwardly and forwardly between the closed and open positions with said controls being visible above the 25 canopy in the open position, in order to alleviate any difficulty in seeing and operating

the controls, which is believed, would be highly disadvantageous for any disabled person. In one embodiment of this aspect of the present invention a projection screen is 5 provided for a moving flame or decorative light effect and said screen may be a semi-

matt surface. The projection screen may be the front wall of the heating duct itself or a separate plate or member positioned adjacent thereto.

Preferably, the heating apparatus includes a light source positioned to project light 10 through an optical filter onto a moving flame effect means (spinner) prior to being projected onto said projection screen. The moving flame effect means may comprise facetted mirror surfaces positioned along a shaft that may be rotated by a motor, preferably at a speed of about 20 rpm, or any other suitable means.

15 The moving flame or decorative light effect projected onto said screen is, preferably, viewable through a front screen. The front screen may be a patterned, darkened diffraction grating. Preferably, the front screen is capable of masking the workings of the rear of the fire and of diffusing the shape of the flames or light projecting onto the rear screen, thereby lengthening said flame or decorative effect.

Where an optical filter is provided as aforesaid it is, preferably, interchangeable with at least one other filter comprising an alternative pattern and/or design and/or colour combination. In this way, it is envisaged that the end user may be able to select a particular moving flame or optical effect simply by changing the optical filter.

Also, preferably, the fire is provided with a removable fuel effect which could be replaced with a differently coloured or differently textured effect, preferably, to complement the choice of optical filter.

5 The fire may be provided with a front grille or the like on which an angled prismatic ledge may be supported which in turn may support said fuel effect.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided heating apparatus having a moving flame or moving light decorative effect, said heating 10 apparatus having:- a light source, a light filter, moving flame or moving decorative light effect means, and a viewing screen for viewing said moving flame or decorative light effect. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided heating apparatus 15 having a moving flame or moving light effect, said heating apparatus having an upper hinged canopy that can be moved from a closed position to an open position preferably by a downward and forward movement.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided (heating) apparatus 20 having one or more of the following features: a) A set of interchangeable optical filters, b) A vertically oriented fan heater comprising a (tangential) fan positioned underneath a heating element;

c) A heating duct for conveying heated air from the lower part of the apparatus to an opening in the upper part of the apparatus, a front face of the heating duct, preferably, being a projection screen; d) A prismatic effect in combination with a fuel effect resting thereon at the front 5 of the apparatus; e) A hinged canopy hiding control means for the apparatus when in the closed position and exposing same for use when in an open position; f) A prismatic diffuser attached or attachable to a front grille/member; g) An opening spaced from a bottom or lower part of the apparatus through which 10 heated air is blown, in use, and h) A fan or the like drawing air into the apparatus through a bottom or lower part of the apparatus and, preferably, blowing air out of an opening spaced therefrom. 15 Many advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

Am embodiment of heating apparatus in the form of an electric fire capable of simulating a moving flame effect will now be described, by way of example only, with 20 reference to the accompanying simplified drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a front elevational view of the fire with an upper canopy in a closed position, 25 FIGURE 2 shows a view similar to FIGURE 1 with the canopy in a lowered position;

FIGURE 3 shows a side view of the fire shown in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 4 shows a cross-sectional schematic layout of the fire shown in FIGURE 1; s FIGURE 5 shows a view of the fire similar to FIGURE 1 with various components removed; FIGURE 6 shows a view of the fire shown in FIGURE 1 inclusive of front screen, ] O which is a slightly upwardly angled view; FIGURE 7 shows an inverted plan view of the fire shown in FIGURES 5 and 6; FIGURE 8 shows a side view of the f re with canopy in an open position; FIGURE 9 shows a top view of the fire with canopy in the open position; FIGURE 10 show an enlarged more detailed view of the canopy in an open position, 20 FIGURE 11 shows a view of a prismatic component of the fire, and FIGURES 12 and 13 show views of a schematic layout of a modification to the fire shown in FIGURE 4.

Referring to the FIGURES of the drawings, an electric fire 1 includes an upper hinged canopy 2 (see FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 and 10). The fire I includes a curved front, perforated, metal grille 3 (see FIGURES I, 2, 3, 4 and 1 1) that is attached to the front of the fire by means of two screws receivable in holes 3a in the metal plating 4 at the 5 front of the fire in a manner which should be self-explanatory (see FIGURE 5). The rear of the grille 3 is shaped to receive a curved, transparent or translucent prismatic member 5 (see FIGURE 11) which is secured thereto by means of two screws 5b in a manner which should be self-explanatory. Thus, the front grille 3 and prismatic effect 5 can be removed from the front of the fire together as a unit simply by unscrewing the 10 two screws located in holes 3a, in order to change light sources in the form of two light bulbs 6 and 7 (see FIGURES 4, 6) in a manner which, once again, should be self explanatory. FIGURE 5 shows a view of the fire 1 with grille 3, prismatic effect 5 and front screen F 15 removed. FIGURE 5 shows an electrically operated fan 8 mounted to rotate about horizontal axis 8a in order to draw air tangentially from outside of the fire 1 into the fire and there-through in directions of arrows A (see FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 4, 7). Thus, on suitable operation of the fan 8 air is drawn into the fire 1 through the seven elongate holes 9 in the bottom, metal plate M of the fire (see FIGURE 7) through the front 20 openings I O (see FIGURE I) at the bottom of the fire. Additionally, air is drawn under and over the front lower portion of the fire (see FIGURE 4) through the gap created between the front lower portion of the fire and curved member C into the blades of the fan 8. Thus, air is drawn into the fire I through the bottom and directed vertically upwardly in the direction of arrows A over a heating element 11 of the fan heater unit 25 8,11 positioned at the lower entrance of heating duct 12 (defined in part by front plate

12a having an exterior semi-mat surface, that, in use, fomms a projection screen for the simulated moving flame effect). The heating duct 12 has an exit opening 13 for hot air to be blown through the fire from underneath the canopy 2 and, advantageously, directed downwardly at an angle by baffle B ( see FIGURE 4).

It is an advantage of the afore-described arrangement, that the fan 8 can be located neatly in the bottom of the fire underneath the heating element 11 drawing air in through the fire 1 and vertically upwardly through the heating duct to be emitted from the entrance 13 at the top underneath the canopy 2. The vertical orientation of the fan 8 10 and element 11 ( the fan and heating element been aligned generally in the longitudinal direction of the fire) with accompanying vertical upward movement of air drawn into the fire l allows a much slimmer design of fire as the heating duct 12 itself needs only to have a depth which is comparable with the width of heating element (e.g. 40mm). In most circumstances, where a fan heater 8,11 is positioned towards the bottom of an 15 electric fire and blows hot air outwardly from the bottom of the fire the fan and heating element are positioned horizontally behind one another so that a greater depth and thus more bulky design of fire is required to accommodate such a fan and heater unit.

Providing such a vertically oriented fan and heater unit 8,11 as aforedescribed enables 20 a much more stylish and aesthetically pleasing slimline electric fire to be produced than would otherwise be the case.

Additionally, where a fan unit is positioned at the bottom of the electric fire a much larger hole or opening would be required at the bottom of the fire to blow the air 25 through which would seem rather unsightly.

Thus, it is believed that the vertical orientation of the tangential fan 8 and heating element 11 and air duct with exit 13 at the top of the fire 1 is extremely advantageous, leading to a greater versatility in fire design (more particularly where a slimmer design 5 of fire is required) as well as increasing the heating effect of the fire itself. It is believed that there will be a much more efficient heated air flow from the fire 1 because of the convection currents created from the top of the fire which would improve the heating effect over and above a design where the fan heater 8,11 blows air from the bottom of the fire.

10 As previously mentioned, removal of the front grille 3 provides access to the opposing light bulbs 6 and 7 if they need to be changed or replaced by other bulbs. The bulbs 6 and 7 themselves are mounted underneath an optical filter 14 which is in the form of a semi- transparent or translucent plate that acts as a light filter comb. As shown in the drawings (see in particular FIGURES 5 and 6) the optical filter 14 has a pink 15 background colour with a blue zigzag pattern, and light from the light bulbs 6 and 7 can

shine through the optical filter onto faceted mirrored surfaces 15a provided by the moving flame effect means (spinner) 16 consisting of rigid mirrored triangular prism members 15 mounted along the rotatable drive shaft 17 driven by a motor 18 in a manner generally known in the art. The light that is emitted from the light sources 6 20 and 7 and which passes through the optical filter 14 to fall on the rotating mirrored surfaces 15a is projected onto the semi-matt screen surface 12a in order to produce a moving flame-like effect in which the flames appear to travel upwardly on said surface.

It is to be appreciated that the moving flame effect projected onto the screen 12a is not viewed directly but rather is viewed through a patterned, darkened or tinted front screen 25 F (see FIGURE 6) that acts as a diffraction grating in a manner known per se. The

front screen F is attached to the front of the fire 1 by means of screws f and the diffraction effect masks the workings of the rear of the fire 1 and diffuses the shape of the flame projected onto rear screen 12a and lengthens the flame effect by producing virtual images in a vertical direction.

It is believed that the combination of light sources emitting light onto a moving light effect means (spinner), which light is then projected onto a rear viewing screen is new and highly advantageous. It is believed that such an arrangement lends itself to both new simulated flame effects and also decorative more abstract light effects that are not 10 intended to simulate as closely as possible moving or burning flames. To this end, the optical filter 14 is easily replaceable by alternative designs and colours (e.g. red/amber or yellow) of optical filter (not shown) in order to achieve a greater range of effects that may well be controlled by the end user. The optical filter 14 is held in position in the fire by flexible metal hook members l9 and 20 that can be prised open in order to 15 remove the filter and then closed again to retain the filter in place in a manner which should be evident from FIGURE 6 of the drawings. Thus, many different patterns and colours could be provided in order to yield new exciting effects.

To a large extent the choice of decorative light effect or moving flame effect will be 20 influenced by the contemporary or traditional nature of the fire itself and in particular the nature of the coals (artificial fuel) 21 (see FIGURES 1 to 4 and 8). Where the fuel effect 21 comprises loose white pebbles it is envisaged that a contemporary version of the fire l may be presented e.g. in blue steel and the moving flame effect could be blue and white or blue and pink rather than a traditional moving flame effect. Alternatively,

the fire I could be a more traditional brass design with loose black coals in which case the moving flame effect could be orange, yellow and red.

It is envisaged that such a choice of optical filter and optionally a choice of different 5 fuel effect would be an exciting feature for the end user which has hitherto not been provided. It is important to note that the speed of the spinner 16, 17 needs to be adjusted or selected to be compatible with the optical filter 14 and it has been found that a speed of 10 20 +/- 2 rpm produces an aesthetically pleasing effect whilst speeds of 12 to 13 rpm have not provided a sufficiently optimised effect. It is to be noted that the diffuser 5 mounted on front grille 3 has an upper angled ledge 5a that, in use, supports the loose fuel effect 21 and it is believed that the diffuse prismatic nature of the diffuser 5 in combination with the coals 21 (that may be opaque, semi-translucent or transparent) 15 creates a novel, highly desirable aesthetic effect in itself. The diffuser 5 tends to break up the light and twinkles whilst disguising the appearance of the spinner itself and thus advantageously, has a dual effect.

Thus, the rear screen 12a has a semi-matt surface to act as a projection screen and is 20 sufficiently reflective to be lit but not so much that reflection of the spinner or light filter comb can be seen. Rays of light projected onto this screen 12a may appear as flames/smoke that are viewed through the front screen F. Front screen F has fine etched lines to act as a diffraction grating. The light filter comb 14 acts to split reflected light from the spinner up into individual rays and to colour these rays which 25 are projected onto the rear screen 12a. The motor driven spinner 15 has facetted mirror

surfaces 1 5a or petals that reflect light from the light bulbs 6 and 7 and the shape of the facetted surface or petals creates sideways motion and breaks in the flame as reflected light blocked by opaque areas of the light filter comb 14. A light baffle 22 (see FIGURE 4) is provided to prevent direct light from the light bulbs 6 and 7 washing out 5 reflected light from the light filter comb 14 on the projection screen 12.

Advantageously, the fire 1 is provided with an upper, hinged canopy 2.

As shown more particularly in FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 8 the semi-elliptical canopy 2 10 can be pulled outwardly and downwardly from the position as shown in FIGURE 1 to the position as shown in FIGURES 2 and 8 thereby exposing fire controls 23. The controls 23 are the usual controls associated with electric fires in order, for example, to switch on one or two bars of the heating element 11 that may comprise two kilowatt separately switched members. It is believed that the form and operation of the double 15 hinge mechanism 24 is extremely advantageous allowing easy use and access to the controls by the end user and particularly any disabled user that may be suffering, for example, from arthritis. The decorative horizontal, curved rod members 2a and 2b can be used as a handle for moving the canopy in between opened and closed positions.

20 Additionally, providing such a hinged canopy allows a greater versatility for top styling of the fire since the same basic design of fire could be provided with any number of different style canopies. The forward and drop down nature of the canopy 2 allows the controls to be viewed easily without stooping down so that the controls can be seen when operated unlike in some designs where the controls are hidden from view and 25 there is great difficulty in actually seeing the controls whilst they are being operated.

The double-acting hinged design 24 (see FIGURE 10) comprises a lower plate hi mounted to rotate about a first pivotal axis al and a second upper peripheral plate h2 mounted to rotate about a rearward pivotal axis a2 in such a manner that the canopy 2 can be swung outwardly and downwardly from the fire from the position as shown in 5 FIGURE 1 to the position as shown in FIGURES 2 and 8 and back again in reverse manner on lifting the canopy in a manner which should be self-evident.

It is to be appreciated that the present invention offers many improvements, which may be patentable individually or in combination. Further it is to be understood that 10 individual features, method or functions relating to the heating apparatus/ fire or any aspect thereof such as the optical means might be individually patentably inventive.

Any individual feature as aforementioned or as shown or implicit herein or combinations thereof, or functions or methods appertaining to, may be patentably 15 inventive and any specific term as used herein should not be construed as unnecessarily or unduly limiting: the scope of such a term should extend to, or may be replaced or supplemented by, any equivalent or generic expression. For example 'canopy' could be replaced by 'cover' or 'fan' could be replaced by 'impeller' or 'air suction or drawing means'. Additionally, any range mentioned herein for any parameter or any variable 20 shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub-range within that range or of

any particular value of the variable or parameter, within, or at an end of, the range or sub-range. Furthermore, use of the words 'upper', 'bottom' and 'vertical' are relative; such use is not intended to be unnecessarily restrictive and refers to general orientations of the apparatus in use.

Thus, it is possible in some instances that the present invention may relate to apparatus providing an optical effect e.g. as a feature or focal point in a room, possibly without a heating facility being provided.

Such optical display apparatus may comprise a light source, a light filter, moving flame or moving light effect means, a viewing screen for viewing said moving flame or moving decorative light effect andlor interchangeable optical filters and/or interchangeable fuel/pebble effect means.

Further according to the present invention there is provided apparatus components comprlsmg; a) a plurality of interchangeable optical filters of different characteristics andlor 15 b) a plurality of fuel/pebble effect means having different characteristics.

Said optical display apparatus components may be provided for heating apparatus e.g. a fire. 20 Additionally, it is possible that heating apparatus may be provided as in the first statement of invention on page 3 of this specification or as in the third statement of

invention on page 6 of this specification without a moving flame or moving decorative

light effect.

Although the double acting hinge 24, advantageously, allows the canopy 2 to be swung downwardly and forwardly to access controls 23, an alternative design of canopy may be utilised, for example, where the controls are located towards the bottom of the fire I instead of the position as shown in the drawings. Such a canopy design (not shown) 5 may be arranged to be moved upwardly and forwardly to the open position from the closed position (rather than downwardly and forwardly) and where a hinge similar in design to hinge 24 is used, such a hinge may be employed in an inverted position and the canopy itself may be a generally inverted form of canopy 24. It is also possible that the controls 23 may be arranged vertically rather than horizontally and that the canopy 10 be arranged on a side of the fire. In such an arrangement, the canopy may be arranged to be swung forwardly sideways (inwardly or outwardly) from an open position to a closed position instead of downwardly and forwardly.

Although not shown or discussed previously in this specification, it is possible that

15 fuel/decorative effect means may be positioned in between a front screen (e.g. F) and rear projection screen (e.g. 12a). The visual effect provide by this feature may be individually patentably inventive. Said fuel/decorative effect may be replaceably located in the heating means/fire (it may be loosely located or more securely held in position) and is, preferably, in addition to a fuel effect positioned in front of said front 20 screen (e.g. fuel effect 21).

FIGURES 12 and 13 show details of fuel/decorative means D positioned in between front screen F and rear projection screen 12a.

FIGURES 12 and 13 show the position of separate fuel pieces D, which would normally mimic the type of fuel 21 (decorative effect) placed in front of screen F (see FIGURE 1, for example), being generally positioned such as to simulate the direction 5 or build up of the front fuel if it were to pass through the screen F. Thus, the fuel pieces D may be arranged to appear substantially as a continuation of the front fuel 21 almost as if the front screen were not present or as if the front fuel extended through the screen.

The fuel/decorative means D could, for example, be individual pieces of 3dimensional 10 form or a flat mask cut out of a metal plate. If a flat mask were employed as the fuel/decorative effect it would not be readilyrealized that said fuel/decorative effect is flat, because it would be viewed through the front diffraction screen F. In particular embodiments, it is important to the visual effect that there are open areas in the rear fuel D or between the pieces of fuel, for reflected light from the petal rotor 16 to pass 15 through. The light beams emanating from the lamp 6,7 and reflected off the petal assembly or spinner 16 are projected onto the screen F at varying heights or interrupted by the fuel pieces D. FIGURE 13 is a view of the lamp 6,7 petal assembly 16 and pieces of fuel D viewed 20 from the front ofthe fire 1. The screen F and optical filter 14 are not shown for clarity.

Light beams from the lamp 6,7 strike the rotating petal assembly 16 and because of the angled faces of the petals, are reflected in a varying sideways direction as well as a moving upward pattern. As drawn and at a point in time area 'A' would be in shadow, area 'B' would be in shadow but to the right and 'C' would be fully illuminated.

25 Consequently, there would be areas of constantly changing light and dark on the rear

projection screen F. Advantages of providing rear fuel/decorative effect D: 5 1. A more distinct effect because of contrast between light and dark.

2. A more realistic effect because the light areas tend to be separated from each other and appear e.g. as individual flames. In addition, the moving dark areas may be arranged to simulate smoke rising from coals.

l O The combination of a light source, filter, rotating reflector and optionally with fuel pieces to interrupt the light in the manner described may be patentably inventive.

Claims

1. Heating apparatus having a moving flame or moving decorative light effect, said heating apparatus including a fan or the like at the bottom or lower part of 5 the apparatus, arranged, in use, to blow heated or hot air through at least one opening in an upper part of said apparatus.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which said at least one opening is positioned

on the front of the fire and/or at the side/e of the heating apparatus.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 having the fan or the like and a heater arranged generally vertically, the fan or the like being positioned below a heating element or elements of the heater.

15

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which the fan or the like and heater are in the form of a unit.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which the fan or the like is adapted to draw air through the bottom of the fire onto the heating element/s and into a heating 20 duct leading to said at least one opening.

6. Apparatus as Claimed in Claim 5 in which the heating duct has a depth comparable with the width of the heating element/s.

2l

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 in which the width of the heating duct is about 40+/- 5mm.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the fan or the 5 like is a tangential fan.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims in which said at least one opening is hidden from view underneath an upper canopy of the fire.

10 10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which the at least one opening is provided with a baffle, in use, directing the air downwardly and outwardly from underneath the canopy.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim to in which the upper canopy is 15 hinged to the fire.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 in which the canopy can be moved from a closed position to an open position in which various controls for the fire can be seen, said controls being hidden from view when the canopy is in a closed 20 position.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which the canopy is arranged to move downwardly and forwardly between the closed and open positions with said controls being visible above the canopy in the open position,

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a projection screen is provided for a moving flame or decorative light effect.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 in which said screen is a semi-matt surface.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 or 15 in which the projection screen is the front wall of a, or the, heating duct.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15 in which the projection screen is 10 a separate plate or member positioned adjacent to a, or the, heating duct.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 including a light source positioned to project light through an optical filter onto a moving flame effect means (spinner) prior to being projected onto said projection screen.

19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 in which the moving flame effect means comprises facetted mirror surfaces positioned along a shaft.

20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 19 in which the shaft is rotatable by a motor.

21. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 20 in which the shaft is rotatable at a speed of about 20 rpm.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 21 in the moving flame or decorative light effect projected onto said screen is viewable through a front screen. 5

23. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 in which the front screen is a patterned, darkened diffraction grating.

24. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 or Claim 23 in which the front screen is capable of masking the workings of the rear of the fire and of diffusing the 10 shape of the flames or light projecting onto the rear screen, thereby lengthening said flame or decorative effect.

25. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 or any claim dependent therefrom in which the optical filter is interchangeable with at least one other filter comprising an 15 alternative pattern and/or design and/or colour combination.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having a removable fuel effect which is replaceable with a differently coloured or differently textured effect.

27. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 26 in which the removable fuel effect complements the choice of optical filter.

28. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 27 provided with a front grille or the like on which an angled prismatic ledge can be supported, which in turn can support said fuel effect.

5

29. Heating apparatus having moving flame or moving decorative light effect substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings or when modified in accordance with FIGURES 12 and 13 of the drawings.

10

30. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 having a prismatic ledge substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURE 11 of the accompanying drawings.

31. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 having a rear fuel/decorative effect substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 12 and 13 of the 15 accompanying drawings.

32. Heating apparatus having a moving flame or moving light decorative effect, said heating apparatus having:- a light source, a light filter, moving flame or moving decorative light effect means, and a viewing screen for viewing said 20 moving flame or decorative light effect.

33. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 32 in which the viewing screen is a projection screen provided for the moving flame or decorative light effect.

25

34. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 33 in which said screen is a semimatt surface.

35. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 33 or 34 in which the projection screen is the front wall of a heating duct.

S

36. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 33 or Claim 34 in which the projection screen is a separate plate or member positioned adjacent to a heating duct.

37. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 36 in which the light source is positioned to project light through the filter onto the moving flame effect or 10 moving decorative light effect means prior to being projected onto said projection screen.

38. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 37 in which the moving flame or moving decorative light effect means comprises facetted mirror surfaces positioned 15 along a shaft.

39. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 38 in which the shaft is rotatable by a motor.

40. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 39 in which the shaft is rotatable at a speed of 20 about 20 rpm.

Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 32 to 40 in which the moving flame or decorative light effect projected onto said screen is viewable through a front screen.

42. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4l in which the front screen is a patterned, darkened diffraction grating.

43. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 41 or Claim 42 in which the front screen is 5 capable of masking the workings of the rear of the fire and of diffusing the shape of the [lames or light projecting onto the rear screen, thereby lengthening said flame or decorative effect.

44. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 43 in which the filter is 10 interchangeable with at least one other filter comprising an alternative pattern andlor design and/or colowr combination.

45. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 44 having a removable fuel effect which is replaceable with a differently coloured or differently textured 1 5 effect.

46. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 45 in which the removable fuel effect complements the choice of optical filter.

20

47. Heating apparatus having a moving flame or moving light effect, said heating apparatus having an upper hinged canopy that can be moved from a closed position to an open position preferably by a downward and forward movement.

48. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 47 in which various controls for the fire are hidden from view when the canopy is in the open position, said controls being visible in the open position, preferably, above the canopy.

S

49. Heating apparatus having an upper hinged canopy moveable from a closed position to an open position by a downward and forward movement.

50. Heating apparatus having a canopy moveable from a closed position to an open position by a downward and forward or upward and forward movement or 10 sideways and forward movement.

51. Apparatus having one or more of the following features: a) A set of interchangeable optical filters, 15 b) A vertically oriented fan heater comprising a (tangential) fan positioned underneath a heating element; c) A heating duct for conveying heated air from the lower part of the apparatus to an opening in the upper part of the apparatus, a front face of the heating duct, preferably, being a projection screen; 20 d) A prismatic effect in combination with a fuel effect resting thereon at the front of the apparatus; e) A hinged canopy hiding control means for the apparatus when in the closed position and exposing same for use when in an open position; f) A prismatic diffuser attached or attachable to a front grille/member;

g) An opening spaced from a bottom or lower part of the apparatus through which heated air is blown, in use, and h) A fan or the like drawing air into the apparatus through a bottom or lower part of the apparatus and, preferably, blowing air out of an opening spaced S therefrom.

52. Heating apparatus having a canopy moveable from a closed position to an open position by a downward and forward or upward and forward movement or sideways and forward movement.

53. Apparatus components comprising; a) a plurality of interchangeable optical filters of different characteristics and/or b) a plurality of fuel/pebble effect means having different characteristics.

54. Components as claimed in Claim 53 for heating apparatus.

55. Heating apparatus including a fan or the like at the bottom or lower part of the apparatus, arranged, in use, to blow heated or hot air through at least one 20 opening in an upper part of the apparatus.

56. Heating apparatus having a fuel/decorative effect means positioned in between a front screen and rear projection screen.

57. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 56 in which said fuel/decorative effect means is replaceably located in the heating apparatus.

58. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 57 in which an additional fuel/decorative effect 5 is positioned in front of said front screen.

59. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 58 in which the ffiel/decorative effect means appears as a continuation of the additional ffiel/decorative effect.

10 60. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 56 or any claim dependent therefrom in which the fuel/decorative effect means is positioned in between a moving flame/ decorative effect means or spinner and rear projection screen.

61. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 60 in which, in use, moving dark areas are 15 provided which simulate smoke.

62. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 56 or any claim dependent therefrom in which the fuel/decorative effect means is 2-dimensional.

20 63. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 56 and substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.

64. Apparatus as claimed in Claim I or Claim 32 or Claim 47 or Claim 49 or Claim 50 or Claim 51 or Claim 52 or Claim 53 or Claim 55 or Claim 56 having any novel 25 feature derivable from this description and drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 3

1. Heating apparatus having a moving flame or moving decorative light effect, said heating apparatus including a fan or the like at the bottom or lower part of 5 the apparatus, arranged, in use, to blow heated or hot air through at least one opening in an. upper pad of said appa, anus.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim] in which said at least one opening is positioned on the front of the fire and/or at the side/e of the heating apparatus.

15 4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which the fan or the like and heater are in the form of a unit.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10 in which the upper canopy is 15 hinged to the fire.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 in which the canopy can be moved from a closed position to an open position in which various controls for the fire can be seen, said controls being hidden from view when the canopy is in a closed 20 position. 13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which the canopy is arranged to move downwardly and forwardly between the closed and open positions with said controls being visible above the canopy in the open position,

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim] 4 in which said screen is a semi-matt surface.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 or 15 in -which the p,-ojection sc,ee.1 is tier front wall of a, or the, heating duct.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 21 in the moving flame or decorative light effect projected onto said screen is viewable through a front screen. 5 23. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 in which the front screen is a patterned, darkened diffraction grating.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having a removable fuel effect which is replaceable with a differently eoloured or differently textured effect.

5 29. Heating apparatus having moving flame or moving decorative light effect substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 1 1 of the accompanying drawings or when modified in accordance with FIGURES 12 and 13 of the drawings.

10 30. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 having a prismatic ledge substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURE 11 of the accompanying drawings.

31. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 having a rear fuel/decorative effect substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 12 and 13 of the ] 5 accompanying drawings.

25 34. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 33 in which said screen is a semimatt surface.

S 36. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 33 or Claim 34 in which the projection screen is 1^ - lab -;:^ ^;^^ t t ^; ^+ a separate p ate 31 Illelll en pose "=J"en 0 a lll.lg "am.

41. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 32 to 40 in which the moving flame or decorative light effect projected onto said screen is viewable through a front screen.

5 b 42. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 41 in which the front screen is a patterned, darkened diffraction grating.

43. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 41 or Claim 42 in which the front screen is 5 capable of masking the workings of the rear of the fire and of diffusing the shape of the flames or light projecting onto the rear screen, thereby lengthening said flame or decorative effect.

44. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 43 in which the filter is 10 interchangeable with at least one other filter comprising an alternative pattern and/or design and/or colour combination.

45. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 44 having a removable fuel effect which is replaceable with a differently coloured or differently textured 15 effect. 46. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 45 in which the removable fuel effect complements the choice of optical f lter.

20 47. Heating apparatus having a moving flame or moving light effect, said heating apparatus having an upper hinged canopy that can be moved from a closed position to an open position preferably by a downward and forward movement.

3 1 48. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 47 in which various controls for the fire are hidden from view when the canopy is in the open position. said controls being visible in the open position, preferably, above the canopy.

5 49. Heating apparatus having an upper hinged canopy moveable from a closed ^ it ^ +^ ^ an;+; d - are ^ ^ =+ peso ivrl in all Vpll pV;'IL)Oll V) a ovvr'vval" all" All viva" lllVV'lllllL.

1. Apparatus having one or more of the following features: a) A set of interchangeable optical filters, 15 b) A vertically oriented fan heater comprising a (tangential) fan positioned underneath a heating element; c) A heating duct for conveying heated air from the lower part of the apparatus to an opening in the upper part of the apparatus, a front face of the heating duct, preferably, being a projection screen; 20 d) A prismatic effect in combination with a fuel effect resting thereon at the front of the apparatus; e) A hinged canopy hiding control means for the apparatus when in the closed position and exposing same for use when in an open position; f) A prismatic diffuser attached or attachable to a front grille/member;

g) An opening spaced from a bottom or lower part of the apparatus through which heated air is blown, in use, and h) A fan or the like drawing air into the apparatus through a bottom or lower part of the apparatus and, preferably, blowing air out of an opening spaced 5 therefrom. 52 Heating apparatus having a canopy moveable from a closed position to an open position by a downward and forward or upward and forward movement or sideways and forward movement.

54. Components as claimed in Claim 53 for heating apparatus.

56. Heating apparatus having a fuelldecorative effect means positioned in between a front screen and rear projection screen.

59. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 58 in which the fuel/decorative effect means appears as a continuation of the additional fuel/decorative effect.

10

60. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 56 or any claim dependent therefrom in which the fuel/decorative effect means is positioned in between a moving flame/ decorative effect means or spinner and rear projection screen.

20

63. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 56 and substantially as herein described with reference to FIGIURES 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.

64. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 32 or Claim 47 or Claim 49 or Claim 50 or Claim 51 or Claim 52 or Claim 53 or Claim 55 or Claim 56 having any novel 25 feature derivable from this description and drawings.

65. Heating Apparatus having a moving flame or moving decorative light effect, said heating apparatus having a fan or the like at the bottom or lower part of the apparatus, arranged, in use, to blow heated or hot air through at least one opening in an upper part of said apparatus, said at least one opening being 5 hidden from view underneath an upper canopy of the fire.