GB2459923A

GB2459923A - Assembly for simulating flames by projecting a light source on a screen

Info

Publication number: GB2459923A
Application number: GB0808626A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Michael Wright
Original assignee: LFL GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: LFL GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 2008-05-13
Filing date: 2008-05-13
Publication date: 2009-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-13
Also published as: GB2459923B; GB0808626D0

Abstract

A visual flame effect device includes an upstanding light transmitting screen 1 and a light source (10, Figure 2) (e.g. LEDs of one or more colours) directed at screen 1 to produce a flame effect. Screen 1 (and therefore the flame effect) may be viewable from opposite (two) sides (freestanding in a room), or from only one side, whereby screen 1 allows viewing of a back wall or other structure behind it such as fuel simulating coals, logs. The light source(s) (10, Figure 2) may be directed at a lower portion of screen 1, which may include a region 9 of reduced transparency (translucent, textured, opaque, frosted, coloured) in the shape of flames. A base 2 may include a recessed area 7 which receives an insert (12, 12a, Figure 2) that supports real/simulated fuel elements and apertures 8, 8a above each light source (10, Figure 2) through which light projects onto screen 1. The device may include a heat source (e.g. electric fan heater).

Description

VISUAL FLAME EFFECT

This invention relates to a device which gives a visual flame effect for use in a simulated fire installation.

Simulated fire installations use a range of devices to give the visual effect of flames. With the aim of achieving a realistic effect, known devices can be complicated and/or require restricted positioning of the device. Thus, U.S. 6050011 describes a relatively complicated arrangement of light sources and fan-blown ribbons behind a partially reflective rear panel intended to be observed from a front position through the rear panel.

An object of the present invention is to provide a visual flame effect device which can be of relatively simple and inexpensive construction and which can give a pleasing visual flame effect without requiring undue restriction on positioning of the device.

According to the invention therefore there is provided a visual flame effect device comprising an upstanding light transmitting screen and a light source adapted to be directed at the screen to produce a flame effect thereon.

With this arrangement, the device can be of simple and inexpensive construction, and can give a pleasing visual flame effect without undue restriction on positioning of the device in so far as the light transmitting screen can permit viewing through the screen. In particular, the flame effect can be viewed from opposite sides of the screen, whereby the device can be used free-standing in the centre of a room, or as part of a divider within a room, or in a wall between two rooms or otherwise.

Thus, the arrangement is preferably such that the screen is exposed for viewing on opposite sides thereof. However, the invention is not restricted to this arrangement.

The screen may be exposed for viewing from one side only whereby the light transmitting nature of the screen advantageously allows viewing therethrough of a back wall or other structure at the other side thereof.

The light source may be directed at a lower region of the upstanding screen, particularly from a bottom edge thereof The light source may be directed at one or both side faces of the screen and or internally of the screen through an edge thereof.

The light source is preferably directed at a selected region of the screen which has visual properties which are different from adjacent regions of the screen. The selected region may be of reduced transparency or light dispersive or may be translucent or opaque or may be textured or frosted or coloured or otherwise configured e.g. by mechanical or chemical erosion or by surface coating or brushing or the like. The selected region may be shaped generally in the manner of one or more flames and thus may comprise one or more upwardly extending upwardly tapered areas preferably extending from the bottom edge of the screen.

The aforesaid selected region may be at one side face only of the light transmitting screen. Alternatively there may be a respective said region at each of the opposite side faces thereof, such regions preferably being of like size and shape and superimposed relative to each other.

The light source may comprise one or more LED lamps of one or more colours. The light source may be connected to a controllable power supply operable to vary illumination of the light source e.g. by intensity, colour, direction, and this variation may occur on a random or predetermined basis.

The screen may be supported on a base which is adapted to support real or simulated fire elements such as stones, coals, logs or the like, on one or both sides of the screen. The base may have a recessed area on the (or each) side of the screen to receive an insert with fire elements attached thereto to form an integral unit. The base may also have one or more apertures for the light source through which the light source can project, or through which light from the light source can be channelled to the screen.

The screen may be a clear, transparent screen and may comprise a clear glass or plastics pane or any other suitable structure. Alternatively, the screen may be translucent or semi-obscured so as to be of limited transparency. One or more further transparent panels may be provided in contact with or adjacent to and spaced from the screen at any or all sides thereof for protection and to prevent ingress of dust. If desired, the screen may be wholly enclosed or encapsulated.

The device may be used by itself in a simulated fire installation which is of a wholly decorative nature i.e. which does not have a real heat source. Alternatively, the device may be used with a real heat source such as an electric fan heater.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of one form of a visual flame effect device according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the device of Figure 1 shown installed.

As shown in the drawings, a visual flame effect device comprises a clear transparent glass pane 1 which is supported in vertical disposition on a horizontal base 2.

The base 2 comprises two like, rectangular straight-sided plates 3, 3a which are arranged with one long edge 4 of one plate 3 adjacent to one long edge 4a of the

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other plate 3a so that the plates 3, 3a are coplanar with their end edges 5, 5a and 6, 6a aligned.

The glass pane 1 is fixed between and in contact with the edges 4, 4a.

Each plate 3, 3a has therealong a respective rectangular recess 7, 7a which extends from the respective long edge 4, 4a to the central region of the plate 3, 3a.

A series of apertures 8, 8a are provided along each edge 4, 4a within the confines of the respective recess 7, 7a.

The recesses 7, 7a are of like dimensions and are aligned with each other. The apertures 8, 8a are also of like dimensions and are aligned with each other.

The pane 1 has regions 9 which are lightly brushed with corrosive, or abrasive or coating material so as to change the optical characteristics of the glass from clear transparent to have light dispersive, i.e. frosted or textured or translucent, properties.

These regions 9 extend upwardly from the bottom edge of the pane 1 and are upwardly tapered, simulating the shape of a flame. The regions 9 may be on one or both faces of the pane 1 and each is aligned with a respective aperture 8, 8a.

Beneath the plates there are LED light sources 10, one or more for each aperture 8, 8a. Alternatively the light sources 10 may be within or above the apertures 8, 8a. The arrangement may be such that one or more light sources 10 are provided for each aperture 8, 8a on each side of the pane 1, or on one side only, or centrally of the pane 1.

The light sources 10 are arranged so that, when illuminated, they direct light on to the associated light dispersive region 9. Thus, the light sources 10 may be arranged at appropriate positions beneath the plate 3, 3a so that light reaches the regions 9 through the bottom edge of the pane 1 andIor through the apertures 8, 8a.

Alternatively or additionally tubular light guides 11 or the like may extend from the light sources 10 through or above the apertures 8, 8a directed at the regions 9.

The light sources 10 may be of different colours. The light sources 10 are connected by leads to a controllable power supply (not shown) which may be mains or battery powered.

For each recess 7, 7a, there is a respective display unit 12, 1 2a (not shown in Figure 1) which comprises a strip-shaped base member having fixed thereto, e.g. by bonding or plastic encapsulation, a pile of elements simulating stones or coals or logs or the like. The base member fits tightly into the respective recess 7, 7a so as to leave clear the apertures 8, 8a. There is therefore a gap between the elements of the units 12, 12a and the pane 1, at least in the vicinity of the apertures 8, 8a which leaves space for light transmission to the regions but conceals the light sources 10.

In use, the device so far described may be mounted within an opening in a partition wall 13 of a room of a domestic or other building. An electric fan heater (not shown) may be mounted beneath the device at a concealed position. Clear transparent glass panes 14 may be provided across the opening, one on each side of the pane 1 for protection and to prevent ingress of dust.

The light sources 10 can be operated to give variable illumination of the regions 9 to simulate flickering or moving flames. If desired, the electric fan heater can be switched on to provide room heating.

The simulated flames are produced in the pane I between the piles of elements of the units 12, 1 2a. This can give a very realistic effect. The pane 1 provides clear vision through the pane from each side. This helps realism in so far as it gives the effect of free flames, rather than flames against a surface. Also, the flames can be viewed from different positions in the room.

The device so far described relies on use of a relatively small number of simple, ready constructed components whereby it can be manufactured easily and inexpensively and is convenient to assemble and install. There is the possibility of manufacturing the device on a ready-to-use basis requiring little, or no, assembly on site.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of

example only.

Claims

Claims 1. A visual flame effect device comprising an upstanding light transmitting screen (I) and a light source (10) adapted to be directed at the screen (1) to produce a flame effect thereon.
2. The visual flame effect device according to claim 1, wherein the screen (1) is exposed for viewing on opposite sides thereof, and the flame effect is viewable from opposite sides of the screen (1).
3. The visual flame effect device according to claim 1, wherein the screen (1) is exposed for viewing from one side only, and whereby the light transmitting nature of the screen (1) allows viewing therethrough of a back wall or other structure at the other side thereof. S.. * S *

::. *:
4. The visual flame effect device according to any preceding claim, wherein the light **..
5. source (10) is directed at a lower region of the upstanding screen (1). **5* 5. The visual flame effect device according to claim 4, wherein the light source (10) is * :.: 20 directed at a selected region (9) of the screen (1) which has visual properties that are different from adjacent regions of the screen (1).
6. The visual flame device according to claim 5, wherein the selected region (9) is of reduced transparency, light dispersive, translucent, opaque, textured, frosted, or coloured.
7. The visual flame effect device according to any preceding claim, wherein the light source (10) comprise one or more LED lamps of one or more colours.
8. The visual flame effect device according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen (1) is supported on a base (2) which is adapted to support real or simulated fire elements on one or both sides of the screen (1).
9. The visual flame effect device according to claim 8, wherein the base (2) has a recessed (7, 7a) area on the or each side of the screen (1) to receive an insert (12, 12a) with fire elements attached thereto to form an integral unit.
10. The visual flame effect device according to any preceding claim, wherein one or :. 15 more transparent panels (14) are provided in contact with or adjacent to and spaced *::::: from the screen (1) at any or all sides thereof for protection and to prevent ingress of dust. * ** * . a a. * a
11. The visual flame effect device according to any preceding claim, wherein the * : *.: 20 device is used in a simulated fire installation which is of a wholly decorative nature not having a real heat source.
12. The visual flame effect device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is used with a real heat source.
13. A visual flame effect device as substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. * S * SS * I'... * * .5 I. S ** *S 5*5 * 5* S S S * * *dSS..... S q