GB2452338A

GB2452338A - Flame Effect Fire with Adjustable Flame Height

Info

Publication number: GB2452338A
Application number: GB0717068A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Jonathan Stokes
Original assignee: Valor Ltd
Current assignee: Valor Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-03
Filing date: 2007-09-03
Publication date: 2009-03-04
Also published as: GB0717068D0

Abstract

An electric flame effect fire incorporating a light source 36, a screen for displaying a flame effect 40 and a flame effect generator 42, the angle of illumination being alterable to alter the general height of the flames and therefore give a visual effect matching the heat output of the fire. The flame effect generator may be ribbons or strips of flexible material 42 arranged so as to move in an air current, which may be provided by a fan 34. The light source may be a collection of individual light sources, for example a strip of LEDs 38, moveable together to alter the angle of illumination. Alternatively the angle of illumination may be altered by a pivotable mirror situated between the light source and flame effect generator. The angle of illumination may be adjusted by tilting the light source using a lever 52. There may be reflective sheet 48 behind the flame effect generator. The heat source may be a fan heater 26.

Description

DESCRIPTION

DISPLAY MEANS FOR A FLAME EFFECT ELECTRIC FIRE

The present invention relates to display means for a flame effect electric fire and to an electric fire comprising such display means.

It is known to provide electric fires with a visual display which simulates the appearance of real flames.

This is often achieved by suspending a series of ribbons in a generally vertical orientation over a fan. When the fan is operated the ribbons flutter in the air current and if the ribbons are illuminated, usually from the front, the light reflected from the ribbons when seen through a translucent screen, gives the effect of moving flames.

It is known to adjust the fluttering of the ribbons and hence the rate at which the simulated flames appear to flicker, by adjusting the speed of the fan. For example, to enhance the realism, the fan may produce a slow current of air when the fire is outputting a relatively small amount of heat and a larger, faster current of air at higher heat outputs.

However, this arrangement suffers from the disadvantage that the height of the simulated flames remains constant, corresponding to the length of the ribbons, irrespective of the rate at which the ribbons are arranged to flutter. Therefore, the size of the simulated flames remains constant irrespective of heat output of the fire, which detracts from the realism of the effect.

In accordance with the present invention, a display means for a flame effect electric fire comprises a source of light, simulated flame effect means for interrupting said light to simulate flames and screen means capable of diffusely transmitting light, on and/or through which to view an image of the simulated flames, the apparatus further comprising means for adjusting the angle of illumination of the simulated flame effect means by said source of light in order to adjust the height of the image of the simulated flames.

By adjusting the angle of illumination of the source of light with respect to the simulated flame effect means, the illumination of the flame effect means, and hence the height of the simulated flames, can be adjusted, so that they correspond more closely with the heat output of a fire, thereby enhancing the realism.

In one embodiment, the source of light is displaceable, in order to adjust the angle of illumination of the simulated flame effect means.

The light means may be pivotally mounted.

The source of light may comprise a plurality of individual sources of light The individual sources of light may be moved together. For example, the individual sources of light may be mounted on a common substrate.

Preferably, the source of light is located below the simulated flame effect means.

Preferably, the source of light directs the light rearwardly, away from the screen means.

In one embodiment, the source of light comprises one or more light-emitting diodes.

The screen means may comprise a translucent viewing screen.

Preferably, the screen means diffusely transmits light, producing said simulated flame effect.

In one embodiment, the simulated flame effect means comprises a plurality of pieces of flexible material suspended so that they are capable of movement, and means for causing the said movement.

The pieces of flexible material may comprise a plurality of strips or ribbons, which are preferably arranged substantially parallel to one another and preferably arranged substantially vertically.

The means for causing movement of said pieces of flexible material may comprise means for generating a current of air, e.g. a fan.

Preferably, the fan is located at or below the lower end of the pieces of flexible material.

The display means preferably further comprises reflector means located rearwardly of the simulated flame effect means.

The present invention also includes a heating apparatus comprising an apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Preferably, the means for generating heat comprises a fan heater.

By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. I is a front view, partly cut away, of an embodiment of heating apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a cross-section looking in the direction of arrows II -II of Fig. 1.

The embodiment of heating apparatus in accordance with the present invention and shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a pressed steel housing 10 having a rectangular planar rear wall 12, two upstanding parallel planar side walls 14, 16, a base wall 18 and a top wall and a peripheral flange 22 extending from the side walls and the upper wall. The side walls, base wall and upper wall define a rectangular recess 24 which at its upper end receives a conventional fan heater 26 (whose outlet is covered by a cowling 28 with an outlet grille 30), at its central portion receives a moving flame effect means 32 (to be described further) and at its lower portion receives a conventional tangential fan 34 (which is arranged to blow an upwardly directed current of air over the flame effect means) and an elongate strip 36 of light emitting diodes 38 (LEDs) arranged generally parallel to the base wall, and arranged to direct their light output upwardly and rearwardly, toward the rear wall 12.

The recess 24 is closed by a planar rectangular sheet of glass 40 which is frosted (i.e. translucent or semi-opaque) on its outer surface to form a screen, as will be explained.

The moving flame effect means 32 comprises a plurality of identical elongate strips or ribbons of material 42 arranged generally vertically and generally parallel to each other, secured at each end to upper and lower hooks 44, 46 projecting from the rear wall 12. The ribbons 42 are preferably slightly longer than the spacing between the upper and lower hooks 44, 46 so that they are slightly floppy. A reflective sheet 48 is also mounted on the rear wall 12, behind the ribbons 42. The sheet 48 is patterned in a flame-like pattern, in a known manner.

Therefore, as the fan 34 at the base of the housing is operated and blows an upwardly directed current of air, the ribbons 42 flutter in the current and when illuminated by the LEDs 38 -both directly and after reflection from the rear reflective screen 48 -they provide a realistic simulation of moving flames when used through the screen 40.

The strip 36 of LEDs 38 is pivotally mounted within the housing about an axis X-X which is horizontal to the base wall. One end of the LED strip 36 may conveniently be pivotally mounted on a power supply unit P for the heater located in the lower portion of the recess and the other end of the strip 36 of LEDs may conveniently be pivotally mounted on side wall 12 at pivot 50.

An adjusting lever 52 projects out of a slot 54 in the lower left-hand corner of the screen 40. The adjusting lever 52 is rigidly connected by means of an arm 56 to the strip 36 of LEDs, whereby upward movement of the adjusting lever 52 causes the strip 36 of LEDs 38 to pivot downwardly and downward movement of the adjusting lever causes the strip of LEDs to pivot upwardly. As best seen in Fig. 2, the angle of inclination of the strip of LEDs and therefore the angle at which the rear reflective plate 48 and therefore the fluttering ribbons are illuminated can be adjusted. By pivoting the LED strip 36 downwardly, the angle of illumination is as indicated by a solid arrow A in Fig. 2, which results in simulated flame of a relatively low height. On the other hand, if the strip 36 of LEDs is pivoted upwardly, the angle of inclination is changed, for example to that shown by the dotted arrow B in Fig. 2, with the result that the height of the simulated flames increases significantly.

By being able to adjust the height of the simulated flames to correspond with the heat output of the heater, the simulated flames can be made significantly more realistic.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. For example, in the embodiment illustrated the strip 36 of LEDs is movable to vary the angle of illumi9ation. However, it would be possible to have a fixed strip of LEDs and for the light output of those LEDs to be reflected from an elongate mirror which is pivotally mounted in a manner similar to that of the strip of LEDs in the embodiment, whereby adjustment of the inclination of the mirror would result in adjustment of the angle of illumination.

Moreover, although the embodiment refers to LEDs and although these are particularly favoured, the invention is not restricted to LEDs but is equally applicable to any light source.

Claims

1. A display means for a flame effect electric fire, comprising a source of light, simulated flame effect means for interrupting said light to simulate flames and screen means capable of diffusely transmitting light, on and/or through which to review a image of the simulated flames, the apparatus further comprising means for adjusting the angle of illumination of the simulated flame effect means by said source of light in order to adjust the height of the image of the simulated flames.

2. A display means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the source of light is displacable, in order to adjust the angle of illumination of the simulated flame effect means.

3. A display means as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light means is pivotally mounted.

4. A display means as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, wherein the source of light comprises a plurality of individual sources of light.

5. A display means as claimed in claim 4, wherein the individual sources of light are movable together.

6. A display means as claimed in claim 5, wherein the individual sources of light are mounted on a common substrate.

7. A display means as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, wherein the source of light is located below the simulated flame effect means.

8. A display device as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, wherein the source of light directs the light rearwardly, away from the screen means.

9. A display device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the source of light comprises one or more light-emitting diodes.

10. A display means as claimed in any of the proceedings claims, wherein the screen means comprises a translucent viewing screen.

11. A display means as claimed in claim 10, wherein the screen means diffusely transmits light, producing said simulated flame effect.

12. A display means as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, wherein the simulated flame effect means comprises a plurality of pieces of flexible material suspended so that they are capable of movement, and means for causing the said movement.

13. A display means as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pieces of flexible material comprise a plurality of strips or ribbons.

14. A display means as claimed in claim 13, wherein the strips or ribbons are arranged substantially parallel to one another.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the strips or ribbons are arranged substantially vertically.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 12 tO 15, wherein the means for causing movement of said pieces of flexible material comprises means for generating a current of air.

17. A display means as claimed in claim 16, wherein the means for generating a current of air comprises a fan.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the fan is located at or below the lower end of the pieces of flexible material.

19. A display means as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, further comprising reflector means located rearwardly of the simulated flame effect means.

20. A display means for a flame electrical fire, substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

21. A heating apparatus comprising a display means as claimed in any of the proceeding claims and further comprising means for generating heat.

22. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the means for generating heat comprises a fan heater.

23. A heating apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.