GB2462628A

GB2462628A - Flame simulating assembly giving increased depth to the flames

Info

Publication number: GB2462628A
Application number: GB0814803A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul C Baird
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-13
Filing date: 2008-08-13
Publication date: 2010-02-17
Also published as: GB0814803D0

Abstract

A flame simulating assembly 10 comprising a light source 28, a simulated ember bed 22 located between a reflective mirror surface 26 and a partially reflective surface 20 that form an interior space (15, Figure 1), a flicker element 30 located beneath the ember bed 22 and arranged to reflect light into the interior space 15, and a housing (18, Figure 1) with vents (33, Figure 6) for permitting the reflected light to project onto an area adjacent to the assembly 10. The partially reflective surface 20 allows a portion of the reflected light to pass through so as to escape the interior space 15, and reflects a portion of the light back into the interior space cavity 15. Partially translucent screens on each side of the interior space 15 have light reflected onto the inwardly facing sides by the flicker element 30. Multiple partial reflections in a twin mirror design may be created within the interior space 15 to create an illusion of depth. The flicker element 30 may extend horizontally beyond the limits of the ember bed 22, the reflective surface 26 may extend behind the side screens and may be vertical, inclined (Figures 3 and 4) or in two angled portions (Figure 6). The partially reflective surface 20 may extend in front of the side screens and may be vertical. The flicker element 30 may rotate to create a constantly changing random reflection pattern.

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 andlor the screen.

However the prior art devices, although going some way to simulating a real fire, have a tendency to lack 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 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.

According to the invention there is provided preferably, a flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source, a simulated ember bed located between a reflective surface and a partially reflective surface, the reflective and partially reflective surfaces forming an interior space therebetween, and a flicker element located beneath the simulated ember bed, arranged to reflect light from the light source through the simulated ember bed into the interior space, wherein the partially reflective surface allows a portion of the reflected light to pass therethrough so as to escape the interior space, and reflects a portion of the light back into the interior space.

Advantageously this twin-mirror design generates an impression of depth to the simulated flames which improves the similarity to a conventional fire.

Preferably, multiple partial reflections within the interior space create an illusion of depth to the light escaping through the partially reflective surface.

Preferably, the flicker element extends horizontally beyond the limits of the simulated ember bed.

Preferably, the flame simulating assembly further comprises an at least partially translucent side screen on each side of the interior space, the side screens having an outwardly facing side and an inwardly facing side, and wherein the flicker element reflects light from the light source onto the inwardly facing side.

Preferably, the reflective surface extends behind the side screens.

Preferably, the partially reflective surface extends in front of the side screen.

Preferably, the flicker element rotates to create a constantly changing reflection pattern within said interior space.

Preferably, the reflective surface is substantially vertical.

Preferably, the partially reflective surface is substantially vertical.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a flame simulating assembly comprising: a housing, a light source positioned within the housing, a simulated ember bed, a flicker element positioned within the housing arranged to reflect light from the light source, vents in the housing for permitting the reflected light to project onto an area adjacent the flame simulating assembly.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following figures in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a fire including the flame simulating assembly of the current invention; Figure 2 is a sectioned end view of the flame simulating assembly of Figure 1 sectioned along the line 11-li in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectioned end view of the assembly of Figure 2 showing a rear mirror in an alternative position; Figure 4 is a section end view of the assembly of Figure 2 with the rear mirror in a yet further position; and Figure 5 is an isometric view of a fire including an alternative embodiment of the flame simulating assembly of the current invention.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of a fire including further alternative embodiment of the flame simulating assembly of the current invention.

Referring to Figure 1 a flame simulating assembly in the form of a fire 10 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 purposes of which will be explained in further detail shortly.

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 partially reflective window 20 arranged therein which allows an interior space in the form of a cavity 15 in the middle section 14 of the fire 10 to be viewed externally to the fire. The middle section 14 includes an ember bed 22 which supports a number of embers 24 positioned in the cavity 1 5. Arranged behind the embers 24 is a reflective mirror 26 the purpose of which will be described in further detail shortly.

The window 20 is constructed so as to act as a two way mirror, that is to say that tight is permitted to pass through the window from the exterior of the fire into the cavity 15, but light reflected off the rear mirror 26 back towards the front window 20 is reflected, all be it not entirely, back into the central section 14. Clearly a portion of that reflected light passes through the window 20 to the exterior of the fire to allow the viewer to see the light effect generated within the central section 14.

The cavity 15 also houses two curved screens 17 which provide further surface onto which the light is projected, thereby enhancing the simulated flame effect.

Beneath the ember bed 22, in the lower section 16 of the fire 10 isa 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 defines 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 bed 22 so as to permit light to pass through the ember bed 22 to cause the embers 24 to glow.

In use, light from the lamps 28 is reflected by the rotating spindle 30 to generate a flicker effect which passes through the ember bed 22 to cause the embers 24 to glow. Some of the reflected light passes between the embers 24 and into the cavity 15 in the central section 14 this light is then reflected between the rear mirror 26 and the partially reflective front window 20 to give the impression of the flickering light receding to infinity. This effect provides the simulated flames with a feeling of depth in the eyes of the viewer. This impression of depth creates a far more effective simulation of a conventional flame.

Turning now to Figures 3 and 4, the rear mirror 26 is shown in alternative first and second positions respectively where the mirror has been inclined either towards or away from the front window 20. This has the effect of altering the depth perception achieved by virtue of the reflection between the rear mirror 26 and the front window 20.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of fire 10' which lacks the curved screens 17 and has an extended ember bed 22'. In all other respects the fire 10' is identical to the fire 10.

In Figure 6 a further alternative embodiment of fire 10" is shown having a rear mirror 26" which is formed in two portions 27 having a centerline 29. The rear mirror portions 27 extend in a forward direction from the centre line to the outside edges 31 of the mirror 26". Thus the angle between the two portions 27 can range from 0 degrees to 45 degrees depending on the required design. This feature further accentuates the feeling of depth achieved by the cavity 16". The fire 10" also includes a series of vents 33 in the lower portion 16" which allow the reflected light from the spindle to project onto surrounding walls, floor and furniture to further promote the natural look of the fire.

It will be appreciated that the features of the vertically angled rear mirror of Figures 3 and 4, the absence or otherwise of the curved screen (17 in Figure 1), the vents (33 in Figure 6), and horizontally angled rear mirror (26" in Figure 6) may be provided in combination and isolation without departure from the invention.

Claims

CLAiMS 1. A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source, a simulated ember bed located between a reflective surface and a partially reflective surface, the reflective and partially reflective surfaces forming an interior space therebetween, and a flicker element located beneath the simulated ember bed, arranged to reflect light from the light source through the simulated ember bed into the interior space, wherein the partially reflective surface allows a portion of the reflected light to pass therethrough so as to escape the interior space, and reflects a portion of the light back into the interior space.
2. A flame simulating assembly according to claim I wherein multiple partial reflections within the interior space create an illusion of depth to the light escaping through the partially reflective surface.
3. A flame simulating assembly according to any proceeding claim wherein the flicker element extends horizontally beyond the limits of the simulated ember bed.
4. the flame simulating assembly further comprises an at least partially translucent side screen on each side of the interior space, the side screens having an outwardly facing side and an inwardly facing side, and wherein the flicker element reflects light from the light source onto the inwardly facing side.
5. A flame simulating assembly according to claim 4 wherein the reflective surface extends behind the side screens.
6. A flame simulating assembly according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the partially reflective surface extends in front of the side screen.
7. A flame simulating assembly according to any proceeding claim wherein the flicker element rotates to create a constantly changing reflection pattern within said interior space.
8. A flame simulating assembly according to any proceeding claim wherein the reflective surface is substantially vertical.
9. A flame simulating assembly according to any proceeding claim wherein the partially reflective surface is substantially vertical.
10. A flame simulating assembly comprising: a housing, a light source positioned within the housing, a simulated ember bed, a flicker element positioned within the housing arranged to reflect light from the light source, vents in the housing for permitting the reflected light to project onto an area adjacent the flame simulating assembly.