GB2458216A

GB2458216A - Apparatus to simulate coal or wood burning domestic fire

Info

Publication number: GB2458216A
Application number: GB0904292A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Christopher Baird
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-12
Filing date: 2009-03-12
Publication date: 2009-09-16
Also published as: GB0904292D0; GB0804526D0

Abstract

A flame simulating assembly 10 includes a light source 28, a front screen 20, a rear screen 26, a flicker element 30, and a first 22 and second 24 simulated ember bed, located between front screen 20 and rear screen 26, and rearward of rear screen 26 respectively, wherein flicker element 30 is arranged to reflect light from source 28 trough ember beds 22, 24 such that light reflected through the second ember bed 24 is projected onto a back surface 25 of rear screen 26. Flicker element 30 may rotate to create a constantly changing reflection pattern on screens 20, 26 and be located to the rear of ember beds 22, 24, and below second ember bed 24 or vertically in line with first ember bed 22. Front 20 and rear 26 screens may be vertical. Assembly 10 may include an electric heat source, contained in the upper section (12, Figure 1) of assembly 10 with a controller (36, Figure 1) to control the heat source.

Description

FLAME SIMULATING ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to flame simulating assemblies, and in particular to a flame simulating assembly designed to simulate coal or wood burning domestic fires.

Flame simulating assemblies which simulate the appearance of burning fuel, often wood or coal, are well known in the art. These devices may be used on their own to give the visual appearance of a natural fire, or may be used in combination with a heat source, such as gas or electricity, to give the fire the appearance of a more traditional fuel burning fire.

Such flame simulating assemblies commonly include simulated embers which dissipate light to give the appearance that they are glowing, and often include a rear screen which either reflects light projected onto its front surface, or transmits light reflected onto its back surface.

An appearance of "dancing" light, as generated by the flames in a real fire, is also simulated by using a moving reflective element which reflects light off a number of different moving surfaces. This light is then projected onto the simulated embers and/or the screen.

However, the prior art devices, although going some way to simulating a real fire, have a * .. ?0 tendency to lack the depth that would be experienced with a real fuel burning fire. The reason for this is that although the simulated embers have a physical depth, there is little or no depth to the "dancing" light that projects onto or transmits through the rear screen. This problem limits the effectiveness of the fire in convincingly replicating the coal or wood burning fire effect. * **

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved flame simulating assembly. * * **** ** I

.: According to the invention there is provided a flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source, a front screen and a rear screen, a first simulated ember bed located between the front screen and the rear screen, a second simulated ember bed located rearward of the rear screen, and a flicker element arranged to reflect light from the light source through the first and second simulated ember beds, wherein the light reflected through the second ember bed is projected onto a back surface of the rear screen.

Advantageously the projection of a flickering image of the second ember bed onto the rear screen generates an impression of depth to the simulated flames which improves the similarity with respect to a conventional fire.

Preferably, the flicker element is located to the rear of the first and second ember beds.

Preferably, the flicker element is located below the second ember bed.

Preferably, the flicker element is vertically in line with the first ember bed.

Preferably, the flicker element rotates to create a constantly changing reflection pattern on the front and rear screens.

Preferably, the front screen is substantially vertical.

Preferably, the rear screen is substantially vertical.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following figures in which: S...

* : Figure 1 is an isometric view of a fire including the flame simulating assembly of the current :. invention; and **** " Figure 2 is a sectioned end view of the flame simulating assembly of Figure 1 sectioned along *:*.: the line Il-Il in Figure 1.

Referring to the Figures a flame simulating assembly in the form of a fire is indicated generally at 10. The fire 10 has a top section indicated generally at 12, a central section indicated at 14 and a lower section indicated at 16. The fire 10 has a housing 18 which encompasses each of the upper, middle and lower sections 12, 14, 16. The housing 18 has a front screen 20 arranged therein which allows a first ember bed 22 to be viewed externally to the fire. The middle section 14 includes a second ember bed 24 (not shown in Figure 1) which is arranged behind a rear screen 26 the purpose of which will be described in further detail shortly.

Beneath the ember beds 22,24 in the lower section 16 of the fire 10 is a light source in the form of first and second lamps 28, and a flicker source in the form of rotating spindle 30. The lower section 16 of the fire 10 is accessed by way of a door 32 which pivots downwardly to provide access to the lamps 28 and the spindle 30.

The spindle 30 defmes a series of radially extending metallic or imitation metallic elements which reflect light from the lamps 28 in a random manner when rotated. Accordingly, the light reflected from the spindle flickers in a manner similar to the light generated by a conventional fire.

Arranged within the upper portion 12 of the fire 10 is a heating element (not shows for clarity) which provides a heat source. The heat from the heat source passes by convection through a grill 34 arranged in the front of the upper section 12. A controller 36 is also provided to control the heat output of the electric element.

Turning now to Figure 2, and referring initially to the lower section 16 of the fire 10, it can be seen that the lamps 28 and the spindle 30 are arranged beneath the ember beds 22, 24 so as to permit light to pass through the ember beds 22, 24 thereby causing the embers carried thereon to glow.

S

:. In use, light from the lamps 28 is reflected by the rotating spindle 30 to generate a flickering light effect. This light then passes through the first and second ember beds 22, 24 causing the 5.5.

embers to glow simulating a conventional fire bed. Some of the light reflected off the spindle : 30 passes through the front screen 20 to give the impression of flickering light emanating from the first ember bed 22. The remainder of the light passes through the second ember bed 24 and projects onto a rear surface 25 of the rear screen 26. This effect provides the simulated flames with a feeling of depth in the eyes of the viewer. This impression of depth creates an improved simulation of a conventional flame.

Claims

CLAiMS 1. A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source, a front screen and a rear screen, a first simulated ember bed located between the front screen and the rear screen, a second simulated ember bed located rearward of the rear screen, and a flicker element arranged to reflect light from the light source through the first and second simulated ember beds, wherein the light reflected through the second ember bed is projected onto a back surface of the rear screen.
2. A flame simulating assembly according to claim I wherein the flicker element is located to the rear of the first and second ember beds.
3. A flame simulating assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the flicker element is located below the second ember bed.
4. A flame simulating assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the flicker element is vertically in line with the first ember bed. * . * S. * S...
5. A flame simulating assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the flicker * : element rotates to create a constantly changing reflection pattern on the front and rear screens. *S.. S..
6. A flame simulating assembly according to any precedmg claim wherein the front screen is S...substantially vertical.
7. A flame simulating assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the rear screen is substantially vertical.