GB2449925A

GB2449925A - Simulated fire comprising a demountable front panel

Info

Publication number: GB2449925A
Application number: GB0711073A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Betz; Wolfram Fischer; Gareth Murray
Original assignee: Basic Holdings
Current assignee: Basic Holdings
Priority date: 2007-06-08
Filing date: 2007-06-08
Publication date: 2008-12-10
Also published as: GB0711073D0; WO2008148565A3; WO2008148565A2

Abstract

A simulated fire apparatus 10 comprises a casing 12 having opposed side walls (20, 22; fig.3), a top wall 14, a bottom wall 16 and a rear wall 18 together defining an internal cavity 24, where the casing has an open front. A burning fuel and/or flame simulating means 26 is arranged, at least partially, within the cavity. A detachable front panel 46 is mounted to the front of the casing and comprises an aperture 48 or window through which a user may observe the simulated burning fuel and/or flame. A mounting means comprising co-operating engagement formations 56, (60, fig.3) is arranged respectively on the front panel and the casing so as to enable the front panel to be mounted and retained at the casing front. The mounting means are configured for mounting the front panel without access by an operator to the cavity. Preferably the front panel is made of wood, metal, glass or plastic. The apparatus may comprise a fan convection heater 50 to provide space heating.

Description

Simulated Fire The present disclosure relates to simulated fires, and

more particularly to simulated fires incorporated in to space heating apparatus or appliances, more especially for use in a domestic environment More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the Construction of casings or housings within which fire simulating means of such a fire are arranged Many types of simulated fire are known in the art, with various different means of providing a fire simulation Generally a fire simulation means is mounted in a housing Casing or cabinet which is configured either for mounting on a floor surface (such as when inset into a fireplace) or which is configured for attaching to a wall, above floor level The present disclosure seeks to provide a simulated fire apparatus which is simply constructed and which reduces the cost of manufacture, while maintaining or enhancing desirable qualities which appeal to a user. Furthermore the present disclosure seeks to provide a simulated fire apparatus which is suitable for mounting on a wall above floor level, or which may be floor mounted, such as when inset into a fireplace According to the present disclosure there is provided a simulated fire apparatus In a first aspect of the invention, the simulated fire apparatus comprises a casing comprising opposed side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a rear wall together defining an internal cavity, the casing having a substantially open front, a burning fuel and/or flame simulating means arranged at least partially within said cavity and, a front panel :. demountably attached to the front of the casing and comprising an aperture or window through which a user may observe the simulated burning fuel and/or flame S...

In a one preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the disclosure the front panel is :. 30 attached to the casing by means of mounting means comprising co-operating engagement formations arranged respectively on the front panel and the casing by means of which the front panel is mounted and retained at the casing front.

In another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the disclosure the front panel is attached to the casing by means of mounting means configured for mounting of the front panel without access by an operator to said cavity.

In a second aspect of the disclosure there is provided a simulated fire apparatus comprising a casing comprising opposed side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a rear wall together defining an internal cavity, the casing having a substantially open front, a burning fuel and/or flame simulating means arranged at least partially within said cavity, a front panel comprising an aperture or window through which a user may observe the simulated burning fuel and/or flame and mounting means comprising co-operating engagement formations arranged respectively on the front panel and the casing by means of which the front panel is mounted and retained at the casing front In a third aspect of the disclosure there is provided a simulated fire apparatus comprising a casing comprising opposed side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a rear wall together defining an internal cavity, the casing having a substantially open front a burning fuel and/or flame simulating means arranged at least partially within said cavity a front panel comprising an aperture or window through which a user may observe the simulated burning fuel and/or flame and mounting means by which the front panel is mountable at the front of the casing, the mounting means being configured for mounting of the front panel without access by an operator to said cavity.

In a further preferred embodiment the mounting means comprise at least a first projecting portion extending away from an internal surface of the front panel and at least one corresponding formation of an internal part of the casing on or by which said projecting portion is supported.

In another preferred embodiment, the mounting means comprise first and second such projecting portions. Preferably, said projecting portions are arranged at an upper portion of the front panel.

S **

: ,, In yet another preferred embodiment the or each projecting portion is adhered, directly S...

:. 30 or indirectly, to an internal face of the front panel.

In still another preferred embodiment the projecting portions are mounted on or depend from a common sub-panel which sub-panel is attached to an internal face of the front panel In a further preferred embodiment the sub-panel is configured at least partially to conform to the internal surface of the front panel and is adhered thereto.

In a further preferred embodiment the front panel is substantially planar.

In a still further preferred embodiment the front panel is at least substantially formed from wood, metal, glass or plastic In a yet further preferred embodiment the front panel includes an aperture arranged approximately at a middle portion through thereof the burning fuel and/or flame simulation is viewable by a user.

In another preferred embodiment the apparatus further comprises a heating means operable to provide an output of heat for space heating via said aperture. Preferably the heating means is a convection heater and in particular a fan heater.

In a further preferred embodiment the simulated fire apparatus further comprises at least one attachment formation disposed at a rear portion of the casing by means of which the casing may operatively be suspended from a building wall.

In a still further preferred embodiment at least one of said side walls, top wall and bottom wall include a flange at a front portion thereof extending at least approximately orthogonally with respect to the wall, to which an inner surface of the front panel is operatively opposed.

For a better understanding of the disclosure and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will be made to the following drawings in which: e.

Figure 1 is a partially exploded view of an apparatus according to the disclosure, Figure 2 is a vertical cross section through an apparatus according to the disclosure; *000..

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross section through an upper portion of the apparatus; Figure 4A is a rear plan view of the front panel of the apparatus of the disclosure, Figure 4B is a top plan view of the front panel of the apparatus of the disclosure; Figure 4C is a front plane view of the front panel of the apparatus of the disclosure; and Figure 40 is a rear perspective view of the front panel of the apparatus according to the

disclosure

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus 10 comprises a casing, cabinet or housing 12 which is defined by a top wall 14, bottom wall 16, rear wall 18 and side walls 20, 22.

The side walls 20, 22, the bottom wall 16 and the top wall 14 extend forwardly from the rear wall 18 and may depend therefrom or be integral therewith Thus the respective side walls 20, 22 are opposed to one another and the top waIl 14 and bottom wall 16 are opposed to one another The respective walls 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 together define an internal cavity 24 in which a flame and/or burning fuel simulating arrangement is disposed. A front panel 48 is mounted at the front of the casing, as will be described in more detail below The flame and/or burning fuel simulating arrangement 26 may, in generally, be of any known type, with preference given to the most realistic simulations In other embodiments of the disclosure, the flame and/or burning fuel simulation need not be used and other means of providing a visually appealing optical effect, such as an abstract illumination effect, may be substituted.

In one preferred embodiment of the disclosure as illustrated the flame and burning fuel simulating means 26 comprises a simulated fuel bed 28 which includes a plurality of real or simulated fuel elements 30 such as real or simulated coal or logs. The fuel bed 28 is illuminated from below by a suitable light source 32 to provide a glowing effect.

Preferably the light is coloured by suitable means such as translucent plastic supporting moulding 34, which is coloured in fire- like colours, typically predominantly orange and red. In alternative arrangements, the fuel bed 28 may be formed from a single plastic : *, moulding shaped and coloured to resemble burning fuel. In other alternative S. arrangements, pieces of real or simulated fuel may be retained on a openwork support member (in place of the moulding 34), and alternative means, such as colour filters, are provided for colouring the light from the light source 32. *5 * * a * * S.,

In order to provide a simulation of flames, on preferred embodiment of the disclosure includes a viewing screen 36 on which the flame simulation may be observed by a user The viewing screen 36 is preferably (but not necessarily) a planar member. The viewing screen is provided with means for diffusing light which passes therethrough, which assists in providing a more realistic flame simulation and also assists in preventing the user from observing distinctly internal components of the apparatus The screen 36 may be made diffusing by, for example, suitably abrading its surface, or by incorporating a diffusing material into the material of the screen. For example the screen 36 may include a fine particulate material such as titanium dioxide dispersed therethrough. In alternative arrangements, the screen may be provided with a separate diffusing layer, portion or component, preferably at the rear face 38 thereof, which may, or may not, be planar.

The viewing screen 36 is most preferably constructed so that a front side 40 thereof is partially reflective That is, the screen is configured to reflect at least a portion of the light which is incident upon it. In this way, a reflected image of the fuel bed 28 is seen be user in the screen 36. This has the effect of doubling the perceived depth of the fuel : ... 15 bed 28 and gives the impression that the flame simulation appearing in the screen 36 arises from the middle of the perceived fuel bed (that is, the combination of the actual : *. fuel bed 28 and its reflection). S...

SS

The flame simulation in the viewing screen 36 is in general provided by interposing means for modifying light from the light source 32 between the light source and the : screen 36. Such means may include one, or a plurality of different elements. In one * example, the means comprises a rod-like structure having a plurality of approximately radially extending reflective portions, together with means of rotating the rod about its axis Light from the light source strikes the reflective portions before being reflected 4,. 25 onto the screen. This provides "moving beams of light" incident on the viewing screen S * 36 which effectively simulates flames. In another arrangement, a flame simulating * .:. element is provided behind the screen which may typically comprise a web or sheet of material which is provided with apertures The rear wall 18 is provided on its front : surface with a reflector, so that light from the light source is reflected by the reflector through the apertures in the web or sheet onto the viewing screen 36. The effect of movement can be provided by the above-described rod and reflector arrangement, or by alternative means for interrupting the light form the light source 32. Where the sheet is **. : in the form of a fabric or the like, it may be suspended loosely in front of the rear wall 18 and caused to billow in a flow of air, thereby imparting movement to the light incident on the screen 36 The fabric may have reflective properties, for example where the fabric is silk or polyester or the like so that light from the light source is alternatively (or in addition) reflected onto the screen 36 by the billowing fabric.

In one preferred arrangement as illustrated, the flame simulating means 26 is provided by one or more flags or strips of material 40 which are loosely suspended behind the screen 36 and in front of the rear waIl 18. The flags 40 are made form a material with reflective properties such as silk, polyester or like materials. A blower 42 is arranged in a lower area of the casing 12 to direct a flow of air over the flags 40, so that they are caused to billow A reflector 44 is arranged behind the flags 40, most preferably on the rear wall 18. The reflector 44 is positioned to reflect light from the light source onto the screen 36 via the flags 40. The reflector ca be any suitable material, but is preferably of polished metal such as brass or a metallic substance or a brassy or silver colour. For example, the reflector 44 may be in the form of a polished metal plate attached to the rear wall 18, or may comprises a metallised plastic, for example. In a further alternative, .s. 15 a metallic film or layer may be printed or otheise attached to the rear wall 18. In S...

S....' preferred arrangements, the reflector may be cut, shaped or treated to resemble the * * shape of flames For example, in the case of a polished metal reflector 44, an upper portion thereof may be made matte or darkly coloured to leave a remaining reflective *.

area having the shape of flames. The flags 40 may also include cut-outs or apertures through which light may be transmitted onto the screen 36 after reflection by the reflector S. S 44. * S * *.

Various space heating means, or none at all, may be included in the apparatus 10 according to the present disclosure. In preferred arrangements, the space heating means is preferably a convection heating means and in particular fan heater. The fan heater is arranged to provide a flow of heated air exiting the apparatus, for example * .:. through a suitable grille. In some arrangements, the fan heater may be arranged at the *11' base of the fire apparatus so that heated air is expelled through a grille at a front portion : of the fire apparatus 10 towards the base. In an alternative arrangement, the fan heater may be mounted at an upper part of the fire and screened by a decorative canopy t4V4. extending forwardly from the front of the fire apparatus 10. This arrangement can have disadvantages in effectively extending the front to back dimension of the fire apparatus : In a preferred arrangement, the fan heater 50 is mounted at an upper part of the fire * apparatus 10 within the cavity 12 defined by the waIls 14, 16, 18, 20, 22. The fan heater 50 may, for example, be attached to the top wall 14 and/or the rear wall directly, or indirectly by means such as bracket 1 8b. The front panel 46 is provided with an aperture 48 and the fan heater is configured and mounted to provide a flow of air which exits through the aperture 48, for example in a diagonally downward direction. The relative positions of the fan heater 50 and the aperture 48 are such that the fan heater is disposed at least predominantly above the top edge 52 of the aperture, so that the fan heater 50 is not normally visible to a user. This arrangement of the fan heater 50, together with the preferred flame and fuel simulating arrangement as described herein, is particularly advantageous in minimising the overall front to back dimension of the simulated fire 10 This is especially important in the case of wall mounted simulated fires The front panel 46 is preferably substantially planar, but is not necessarily so The front panel 46 may be made from wood, metal, glass, plastic or other suitable material and may be coloured or otherwise decorated to be appealing to a user. The portions of the front panel 46 other than the aperture are preferably opaque so that the front panel hides at least front portions of the casing 12 from a user's view. It is particularly preferred that the front panel 46 is non-structural, that is, the apparatus is not reliant on : ** the front panel 46 for its structural integrity. The casing 12 is constructed to provide the * necessary strength and rigidity of the apparatus 10. By omitting any structural front wall *.* of the casing 12, the construction of the apparatus 10 is simplified, and there is also a significant saving of weight and materials. ** * * S S

* Mounting means are provided by which the front panel 46 is attached to, and supported by, the casing 12 Preferably at least some, and more preferably all, of the walls 14, 16, 20, 22 are provided with a flange 14a, 16a, 20a, 22a extending substantially orthogonally 25 to the respective wall 14, 16, 20, 22. The front panel 46 is mounted so that its rear face 54 is opposed to the respective flanges 14a, 16a, 20a, 22a and preferably lies against * said flanges In preferred arrangements the mounting means are such that the front I *tf* 4** *1* fry:" panel 46 may be easily removed from the casing, for example to provide access to : components of the burning fuel and flame simulating means -such as for replacement *S** * 30 of a light source. Alternatively, the front panel may be removed by a user and exchanged for another panel of different appearance. For these and other reasons it is I ( :.?,. desirable that the front panel 46 is mountable and demountable without the use of *:*. fastening tools such as screwdrivers, spanners, crimpers and the like and/or without requiring access to the mounting means from the internal cavity 24.

In a preferred arrangement as illustrated mounting means are provided on the rear face 54 of the front panel 46 and are configured to cooperate with suitable formations (which might also be deemed elements of the mounting means) of the casing 12 to mount and retain the front panel 46 on the casing 12. The mounting means comprise upper projecting formations 56 which extend from the rear face 54 of the front panel 46 The projecting formations 56 include a downward facing indent, notch or hook-like portion 58 which receives a suitably placed projecting formation 60 of the casing 12. The front panel thus, in effect, hangs from the formations 60 via the projecting formations 56 The notches 58 ensure that the front panel 46 is securely retained and cannot be inadvertently removed or displaced. The front panel 46 is further provided with lower projecting formations which are received into suitably shaped recesses of the casing, for example slots defined immediately below the moulding 34 The lower projecting formations 62 may conveniently lie in use on top of a lower sub-assembly 64 contained within the lower part of the casing 12, which sub-assembly 64 contains the blower 42 .:: 15 and light source 32. The lower projecting formations 62 (and consequently the front panel 46) are thus supported by the lower sub-assembly 64. The lower projecting : *. formations 62 further assist in retaining the front panel 46 in its location of use. S... *..

The respective upper and lower formations 56, 62 may, in general, be attached to the front panel 46 by any suitable means. However, it is preferred to attach the respective formations by the simplest possible means using the fewest components. For this reason, it is preferred that the respective formations 56, 62 are adhered to the front panel 46 by a suitable adhesive. In a particularly preferred arrangement the upper projecting formations 56 are each attached to (and more especially are integral with and

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25 depend from) a supporting plate 66 which is in turn adhered to the rear face 54 of the front panel 46. The lower projecting formations 62 may be attached in a similar manner. S.. * S.. e".

i-I S. TTT: The fire simulating apparatus 10 of the present disclosure may be mounted in different : locations according to a user's preference. In some configurations the apparatus 10 S...

____ 30 may be mounted in a fireplace, that is, so that at least a portion of the casing 12 is arranged within the space at the foot of a real (or simulated) chimney which would t S., typically in the past have been occupied by a real solid fuel fire. In this arrangement the *:*. casing 12 may be supported on suitably sized legs or other suitable supporting means In other configurations a user may choose to mount the apparatus 10 on a wall, normally somewhat above floor level To facilitate wall mounting, the casing 12 is provided with at least one attachment formation disposed at a rear portion of the casing 12 by means of which the casing 12 may be suspended from a building wall. In a preferred embodiment as illustrated the attachment formation comprises a bracket 68 in the form of a panel, such as of metal, which is attached to the side of the rear wall 18 of the casing 12. The bracket 68 includes a portion 70 which is somewhat spaced apart from the rear wall 18 and which therefore may be accommodated in or on a complementary bracket portion fastened to the wall, the simulated fire apparatus thus being held on the wall by the respective brackets. Brackets 72 may also be provided at a lower portion of the casing 12 for further security of attachment of the casing 12 to the wall.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

: *** 15 S...

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses : ** the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite art,cle S. * is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the disclosure are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. 1J/

S. **S rt,, * S.. S.. :*. S... *SS*

S..... * S *5 5 * S S S.5

Claims

1. A simulated fire apparatus comprising a casing comprising opposed side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a rear wall together defining an internal cavity, the casing having a substantially open front a burning fuel and/or flame simulating means arranged at least partially within said cavity and a front panel demountably attached to the front of the casing and comprising an aperture or window through which a user may observe the simulated burning fuel and/or flame.

2 A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the front panel is attached to the casing by means of mounting means comprising co-operating engagement formations arranged respectively on the front panel and the casing by means of which the front panel is mounted and retained at the : *. casing front. S...

S **5

3. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the front panel is attached to the casing by means of mounting means configured for * : * mounting of the front panel without access by an operator to said cavity.

4. A simulated fire apparatus comprising a casing comprising opposed side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a rear wall together defining an internal cavity, the casing having a substantially I"' open front ftr1 a burning fuel and/or flame simulating means arranged at least partially within said cavity : a front panel comprising an aperture or window through which a user may S...

* 30 observe the simulated burning fuel and/or flame and i.:. mounting means comprising co-operating engagement formations arranged 1 sq respectively on the front panel and the casing by means of which the front *:*. panel is mounted and retained at the casing front.

5 A simulated fire apparatus comprising a casing comprising opposed side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a rear wail together defining an internal cavity, the casing having a substantially open front a burning fuel and/or flame simulating means arranged at least partially within said cavity a front panel comprising an aperture or window through which a user may observe the simulated burning fuel and/or flame and mounting means by which the front panel is mountable at the front of the casing, the mounting means being configured for mounting of the front panel without access by an operator to said cavity.

6. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the mounting means comprise at least a first projecting portion extending away :. from an internal surface of the front panel and at least one corresponding * 15 formation of an internal part of the casing on or by which said projecting * S. S S..... portion Is supported. * ..

5::.

7 A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in clam 6 wherein the mounting means comprise first and second such projecting portions. * 20

8 A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said projecting portions are arranged at an upper portion of the front panel.

9 A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein the or each projecting portion is adhered, directly or indirectly, to an internal face of the front panel

I

10. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein the projecting * portions are mounted on or depend from a common sub-panel which sub-* ** * S...

panel is attached to an internal face of the front panel. *S:.

11 A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sub-panel is * . : configured at least partially to conform to the internal surface of the front * panel and is adhered thereto.

12. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the front panel is substantially planar

13 A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the front panel is at least substantially formed from wood, metal, glass or plastic.

14. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the front panel includes an aperture arranged approximately at a middle portion through thereof the burning fuel and/or flame simulation is viewable by a user.

15. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises a heating means operable to provide an output of heat for space heating via said aperture

16. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the heating means : * is a convection heater. S... I..

17. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or 16 wherein the heating means is a fan heater. S. S * S S

*

18. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising at least one attachment formation disposed at a rear portion of the casing by means of which the casing may operatively be suspended from a...

yi 25 a building wall

19. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one of said side walls, top wall and bottom wall include a flange at a front : portion thereof extending at least approximately orthogonally with respect to S...

the wall, to which an inner surface of the front panel is operatively opposed. *SS. St * .4

20. A simulated fire apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 4 or 5 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 4D