GB2449921A

GB2449921A - An electric fire having fire effect means and a slideable screen

Info

Publication number: GB2449921A
Application number: GB0711056A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur PURTON
Original assignee: Basic Holdings
Current assignee: Basic Holdings
Priority date: 2007-06-08
Filing date: 2007-06-08
Publication date: 2008-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-08
Also published as: WO2008148717A3; WO2008148717A2; GB2449921B; GB0711056D0

Abstract

An electric fire 100 comprises a fire effect means 105 with a slideable screen 125A, 125B located in front of the fire effect means 105 and being moveable relative to a housing 115, which houses the fire effect means 105. The fire effect 105 may comprise of a screen 110 and a fuel bed 120 may be located in front of this screen 110. The slideable screen 125A, 125B may be two or more individual segments and may be slidable to a rear 150 of the housing 115 on an upper 130A and lower 130B track or rail that define an arcuate path extending round the sides 145 of the housing 115. The screen 125A, 125B may be a segmented panel 310 permitting the individual segments (louvers) to roll onto one another, it may be located on an exterior surface or located within the housing 115 when the fire 100 is open, it may be hingeable, and may be provided with a smoked or mirrored effect. The screen (400, fig 4) may be moveable whereby it can be completely removed from the housing 115 via a non-hinging mechanism 410, 415 such as push button catches. The fire 100 may resemble a cupboard (figs 5 - 7) with glass, wood or plastics doors.

Description

Electric Fire

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electric fires and in particular to electric fires that are configure to simulate real fire effects.

Background

Electric fires are well known within the art and are useful in providing the simulated effects of a real fire without requiring actual combustion of a fuel.

Such fires are typically provided within a housing and by use of mechanical and/or optical effects simulated flame effects are generated and displayed on a screen within the housing. It is known to locate artificial fuel beds in front of the screen to increase the effect that the generated flames originate from a fuel bed.

When located within a house or apartment, such electric fires may be wall mounted, provided within an insert-an insert fire-or built into some furniture.

While the visible presence of the fire effects are pleasant during operation of the fire, it is not always desirable for the physical construct of the fire to be visible. It is commonplace that such fires are not used everyday but heretofore the screen and fuel bed are always visible. This can attract dust or dirt necessitating regular cleaning. Furthermore some people would like to have their fire hidden in some way during periods of non-operation. As the fire is typically permanently fixed to its location, it is not convenient to move the fire during periods of non-operation.

Summary

These and other problems are addressed in accordance with the teaching of the present invention by providing an electric fire having fuel effects means configured to generate a flame effect on a first screen within a housing and wherein the fire includes a second screen located to the front of and overlapping with the first screen, the second screen being moveable relative to the housing from a first position where it occludes at least a portion of the first screen to a second position where it is does not overlap with the first screen.

The second screen may be provided in two or more individual segments.

The second screen may be moveable on a track or rail provided in the housing, such that its path from the first to the second positions is defined. Such a track 1.. or rail may define an arcuate path from the front of the housing around to the side of the housing. The path may extend to the rear of the housing such that the second screen may be moveable to a second position where it is substantially located to the rear of the first screen.

In another arrangement the second screen is mounted on a roller mechanism that allows a rolling of individual segments of the second screen onto one another to effect an adoption of the retained screen in a rolled configuration.

The second screen may be provided with a smoked or mirrored effect to at least partially lessen the visibility of the first screen through the second screen.

These and other features will be better understood with reference to the following drawings.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electric fire according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a detail section showing an inter-engagement of a screen provided in accordance with the teaching of the invention with a housing of the fire.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an electric fire CO according to the teaching of the invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an electric fire according C) to the teaching of the invention.

0 Figure 5 is a view of another example of a fire provided in accordance with the i-teaching of the invention, the front screen provided as two moveable doors.

Figure 6 is a view of the fire of Figure 5 with the two doors open.

Figure 7 is a top view of the fire of Figure 6 with the top panel removed so as to show the location of the doors within the housing of the fire.

Figure 8 is an example of a door mounting arrangement that can be used with the fires of Figures 5 to 7.

Figure 9 is an example of the type of door slide mechanism that may be used with the mounting arrangement of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a lop view on section of an alternative arrangement for a moveable front screen in accordance with the teaching of the invention.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to exemplary embodimen thereof which are provided to assist in an understanding of the teaching of the invention but are not to be construed as limiting the invention in any way except as may be deemed necessary in the tight of the appended claims.

As shown in Figure 1, the invention provides an electric fire 100 having fuel effects means configured to generate a flame effect 105 on a first screen 110 within a housing 115 of the fire. The generation of flame effects within electric fires can be achieved through a number of different mechanisms and it is not intended to limit the application of the fire of the present invention to any one such arrangement. A fuel bed 120 may optionally be located to the front of the first screen-the fuel bed including one or more elements which are arranged to simulate the effect of a real fuel bed. The fire may also include an interior mounted heating element that provides heating through a grill 121 located to the front of the fire.

As shown in Figure 1, an electric fire in accordance with the teaching of the invention further includes a second screen 125 located to the front of and overlapping with the first screen. In the illustration of Figure 1 the first screen is provided in two parts or segments, 125A, 125B-each being substantially the same dimensions and configured to cover substantially half the first screen. The second screen is moveable relative to the housing from a first position where it occludes at least a portion of the first screen to a second position where it is does not overlap with the first screen. As shown in Figure 1, the first segment 125A is being moved, whereas the second segment has already being moved to its second position to the rear of the housing. It will be understood therefore that each of the segments may be moved independently of the other. The segments in this embodiment may be considered as individual doors, the two doors in a closed configuration providing the second screen 125.

To achieve the movement necessary to effect the adoption of the second position from the first position, the second screen may be moveable on a track or rail 130 provided in the housing, such that its path from the first to the second positions is defined. In the arrangement of Figure 1, the rail 130 has upper 130A and lower 130B portions each being configured to cooperate with a mounting member 135A, 135B provided on the second screen 125. As shown in the section of Figure 2, the rail 130 may be formed by defining an aperture in the housing within which the mounting member is received and retained. Movement of the mounting member within the rail guides the screen in its path about the housing. While Figure 1 shows upper and lower rails, each co-operable with upper and lower mounting members it will be understood that this is exemplary of the type of arrangement that may be provided to achieve inter-engagement of the second screen with the housing and allow relative movement of the two.

Such movement is achieved, it will be appreciated through a sliding of the second screen relative to the housing. This movement along the rails is in a non-hinged fashion. In contrast to hinged arrangements where a joint or flexible arrangement is provided that allows the pivoting of a part, such as a door or lid, on a stationary frame, such a non- hinged arrangement allows movement of the entire door relative to the housing..

Such a track or rail may define an arcuate path from the front 140 of the housing around to the side 145 of the housing. The path may extend to the rear of the housing 150 such that the second screen may be moveable to a second position where it is substantially located to the rear of the first screen-as shown with screen segment 125B Figure 1 shows an arrangement where the screen moveable on an outer surface of the housing. In another arrangement such as that shown in Figure 3 the second screen is moveable within a housing 301. In this specific arrangement to achieve the necessary movement around side portions 302, the screen is segmented further such that left and right portions of the second screen each include individual panels 310. By providing a plurality of individual panels the second screen can move in a tighter radius of curvature than that provided by a larger panel and as such can be moved around the corner of the side portions 302, while still being retained within the housing.

C) In this example, the second screen is mounted and moveabje within a channel 315A, 315B that allows a movement of the second screen away from its -occlusion of the interior portion of the fire and the first screen located therein to a position where it is retained within the housing. Such a retention could be an extension of the second screen around and to the back of the housing or the housing could include a roller mechanism-similar in concept to a shuttering arrangement used on shop fronts, with the segments mounted on the roller mechanism to allow a rolling of individual segments of the second screen onto one another to effect an adoption of the retained screen in a rolled configuration. In either arrangement, the adoption of the second position allows a viewer to the front of the fire clear and unobstructed viewing access to the fire elements-the flame effect and fuel effect. It will be appreciated that this roller mechanism still is in effect a sliding of the second screen relative to the housing-the sliding being in the channel 315A, 315B.

In a further embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second screen 400 is provided as a single piece and is moveable completely away from the housing. This relative movement is achieved by providing a frame 405 within the housing that is dimensioned to receive the second screen. Co-operable mounting members 410 on the housing interact with mounting members 415 on the screen to achieve inter-engagement and securing of the second screen in its first position in front of the first screen. Examples of the type of mounting members that may be useful in achieving this interengagement include push button catches where on presentation of the second screen to the frame, the mounting members interact and secure the two relative to each other. To achieve separation the CO second screen is pushed towards the frame in a manner that effects a release of the two mounting members from one another and allows a removal of the C) screen. This arrangement, while not allowing for a movement of the second screen within a path defined by the housing, does allow for a removal of the screen from a location where it overlaps with the first screen.

Figures 5 to 7 show a further arrangement wherein a fire housing 500 is configured to resemble a cupboard, a conventional storage area accessed by doors. In this arrangement the front screen heretofore described is provided as two moveable doors 501,502. The doors may be provided from a glass, similar to that described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or could be provided from any conventional material that is used in the manufacture of furniture such as wood or plastic. While it may be desirable to provide a level of transparency for a viewer to the exterior of the housing to view interior portion of the fire, certain other implementations may be served by having completely opaque doors such that when the doors are closed, the viewer to the outside of the fire is provided with no inclination as to the purpose of the cupboard. Desirably each of the doors are provided with handles 503, 504 to facilitate the opening and closing of the doors but other catch mechanisms such as push button arrangements could be used.

The housing 500 is provided with two side walls 505, 506 a top planar surface 507 and a rear surface 508. The walls and surfaces define an interior portion 509 of the fire within which the fire mechanisms are locatable. Such mechanisms or components may include a fuel bed 510 which is arranged to rest against a partially mirrored screen 512 which is substantially parallel to the side walls of the housing. A grill 515 may be provided to the front of the housing through which heated air which is generated within the housing may be exhausted to the front of the housing.

The arrangement shown in Figures 5 to 7 includes a front screen 511 which is located to the front of the fuel bed and through which the fire is visible once the doors are opened. This screen 511 provides protection for the interior portion 509 of the fire, and restricts access through to the individual elements of the fire mechanism. Such a screen may be lightly tinted to enhance the aesthetic effect of the fire generated within the housing.

The arrangement of Figures 5 to 7 operates on two movements; firstly a door mechanism that allows the individual doors 501, 502 to hinge through 90 degrees and then secondly a slide mechanism that allows the doors to slide within the housing to adopt their open position. Figures 8 and 9 show a portion of the door 502 and a mounting mechanism 800 that may be used to achieve this movement. The door segment which forms a portion of the moveable screen is provided as a glass door and is mounted to a piano hinge 805 through use of an adhesive. A piano hinge is advantageously used in that it provides a long narrow hinge with a pin running the entire length of its joint and therefore provides support along the entire length of the door. Other pivot means could also be used to achieve this necessary 90 degree movement. The door may be silk screened black to mask the adhesive that is used to effect adherence of the door to the hinge. The hinge 805 is secured to a slider 810 that is configured to inter-engage and slide along a corresponding slide runner 815 that is provided in a rebate 905 provided on an inner surface 910 of the side wall 506. The side wall 506 is also provided with a mounting member 900 on which the top surface (not shown) may be rested. 0 10

C') By using such a mounting arrangement it is possible for a user to open the Q individual doors 501, 502 and rotate them through 90 degrees so that their planar surface moves from an orientation substantially perpendicular to the side walls to one substantially parallel. The adoption of this second orientation facilitates the sliding of the individual doors rearwardly into the interior portion 509 of the housing -shown in Figure 7. The depth of travel inwardly is defined by an abutment of the door handles 503,504 against the side walls of the housing. Once located within the housing a viewer to the front of the fire has clear unobstructed vision of the fire elements.

As discussed above advantageously the second screen may be provided with a smoked or mirrored effect to at least partially lessen the visibility of the first screen through the second screen when the second screen is located to the front of the first screen. In the arrangement of Figures 5 to 9, the second screen may be tinted or coloured to match the colouring used on the side walls of the housing to disguise the fire more.

Heretofore we have described a moveable second screen which is provided as a planar surface whose movement may be in defined planar paths or in an arcuate path. Figure 10 shows yet a further arrangement for an electric fire 1000 where the second screen is provided as two curved doors 1001, 1002 who are configured to travel or slide in a circumferential path along the side of the housing 1005. The two doors are individually moveable and when opened travel towards one another until end portions 1006, 1007 abut against one another to the rear of the fire housing. In this way, the opposing end portions 1007, 1009 have moved away from one another to allow a viewing of the fire within an interior portion 1010 of the fire housing. C)

By providing a moveable front screen, the second screen of the fire heretofore described, a number of advantages are achieved. For example: 1/In an arrangement with the second screen closed in front of the first screen and with the fire switched off, the viewer is presented with a clean finish to the front of the housing, , i.e. no dead fuel visible. This is even more so where the screen is tinted or coloured to the same colouring as used on the housing façade.

2/ With a tinted second screen located in its closed position-ie the first position and with the fire switched on, the user is presented a toned down image of the fire, for a calm mood setting.

3/ Adoption of the second position, with the second screen moved away from its occlusion of the first screen and with the fire switched on, the user is presented with a vigorous lively flame effect fire.

4/If the second screen is moved to its second position away from its first position where it overlaps with the first screen and the fire is turned off, the user is presented with a view of the fuel bed unhit.

Furthermore the provision of the second screen in its closed position ensure that the fuel elements of the fuel bed and the first screen are kept in a relatively clean environment which results in a reduction in the frequency of cleaning Co required for these components of the fire.

C) It will be appreciated that what has been described herein are exemplary embodiments of an electric fire that is provided with a moveable front screen which may be retained to the side or rear of the fire so as to not occlude the i-viewing of flame or fuel effects generated within the housing of the fire.

Desirably the movement is achieved through a relative sliding of the screen to the housing. While specific features or components have been described such features or components are not intended to limit the invention in any way in that they are provided to assist in an understanding of the teaching of the invention, any limitation being determined with reference to the claims that follow.

Furthermore features or elements described with reference to one Figure could be interchanged for those of another Figure as each of the exemplary Figures described are intended to provide guidance to the teaching of the invention but not to limit the invention in any fashion except as may be deemed necessary in the light of the appended claims.

The words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Co C)

Claims

Claims 1. An electric fire having fire effect means configured to

generate a simulated fire effect within an interior portion of a housing of the fire and wherein the fire includes a slideable screen located to the front of the fire effect means, the slideable screen being moveable relative to the housing.
2. The fire of claim 1 wherein the slideable screen is moveable from a first occluding position where it occludes at least a portion of the interior portion from the front of the fire to a second non-occluding position
3. The fire of claim 2 wherein the fire effect is generated on a first screen within the housing, the slideable screen being a second screen of the fire, and wherein on adoption of the first position by the slideable screen, the slideable screen is substantially parallel to and overlapping with the first screen.
4. The fire of claim 3 wherein on adoption of the first position the moveable screen is located to the front of the first screen.
5. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the slideable screen is slideable to a position to the rear or side of the housing.
6. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the slideable screen is provided in two or more individual segments.
7. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the slideable screen is moveable on a track or rail provided in the housing, such that its movement relative to the housing is defined.
8. The fire of claim 7 wherein the track or rail defines an arcuate path from the front of the housing around to the side of the housing, the path optionally being extended to the rear of the housing such that the slideable screen may be moveable to a position where it is substantially located to the rear of the first screen. 0 10

0')
9. The fire of claim 6 wherein the screen is mounted on a roller mechanism that allows a rolling of individual segments of the slideable screen onto one another to effect an adoption of the retained screen in a rolled II-configuration.
10. The fire of claim 2 wherein on adoption of the second position the slideable screen is located on an exterior surface of the housing.
11. The fire of any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein on adoption of the second position the slideable screen is located within the housing.
12. The fire of claim 1 wherein the slideable screen is additionally hingeable relative to the housing.
13. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the housing includes a protective screen located between the slideable screen and the generated fire effect.
14.The fire of any preceding claim wherein the slideable screen is provided with a smoked or mirrored effect.
15.An electric fire having fire effect means configured to generate a simulated fire effect within an interior portion of a housing of the fire and wherein the fire includes a moveable screen located to the front of the fire effect means, the moveable screen being moveable relative to the housing through a non-hinging mechanism from a first position where it occludes at least a portion of the interior portion from the front of the fire to a second position where the interior portion is visible from the front of the fire.

1
16.A fire substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.