GB2472001A

GB2472001A - A gas fire with an air channel between a simulated fuel bed and a reflective screen

Info

Publication number: GB2472001A
Application number: GB0912519A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph O'connell; Stewart O'connell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-20
Filing date: 2009-07-20
Publication date: 2011-01-26
Also published as: IE20100451A1; GB2472140A; IES20100452A2; GB201012147D0; GB0912519D0

Abstract

A gas fire housing contains a fuel bed 135 and through which flames are generated, and a reflective screen 136 so that reflections of the fuel bed can be seen by a user of the fire located to the font of the fire, the fuel bed 135 being spaced apart from the screen 136 to define an air channel 140 between the fuel bed and the screen to minimise oxidation and tarnishing. The fuel bed may be fuel elements 137 (such as coal or log effect pieces) on a platform 150, the platform being spaced from the screen by about 10mm. The air may enter the housing by an air vent 170 below the fuel bed. The gas fire may have a gas bottle and be portable.

Description

A gas fire

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to gas fires and in particular to gas fires for use in a domestic environment to simulate the effect of a real-coal or wood burning fire.

Background

Gas fires are well known for use in a domestic environment. They can be broadly classified into two general types. The first type is a permanent installation where the fire housing of the gas fire is installed permanently at a fixed location within the domestic dwelling. These types of permanent arrangements are typically used to replace the classic hearth arrangement and are often fuelled directly from a mains gas supply.

The second arrangement is a portable fire which can be transported by the user around the domestic dwelling to provide space heating in desired locations. These are typically standalone and are provided with a dedicated bottle gas supply that is typically located within an interior portion of the housing.

Traditionally these portable gas fires would have provided a mesh or other burning arrangement to allow for the generation of a flame that would be used in a heating of the local environment wherein the fire was located. With changes in taste and desires by the public to have a real fire effect, there have been developments in providing a fuel bed through which flames are generated. This fuel bed does not burn itself but rather gives the impression to the user of the fire that they are watching the burning of an actual fire.

To improve the effect of the fire, it is known to locate the fuel bed in front of a reflective screen whereby a reflection of the fuel bed and the flames generated therein can be used to improve the overall aesthetic effect of the fire-typically by providing a pseudo three dimensional affect. Problems associated with these existing arrangements however are related to a tarnishing of the reflective surface of the screen through its exposure to the flames burning in front of the screen. With the passage of time this can result in a dulling of the surface with the resultant affect that the screen appears blackened and dirty.

This is not appreciated by the users of the fire who wish the effect of the fire to be as good after extended use as it was on the day of first use.

There are therefore a number of problems with such arrangements.

Summary

These and other problems are addressed by a gas fire comprising a fuel bed through which flames may be generated, the fuel bed being provided to the front of a reflective screen such that operably reflections of the fuel bed can be seen by a user of the fire located to the front of the fire, and wherein the fuel bed is mounted so as to be spaced apart from the screen so as to define an air channel between the fuel bed and the screen.

By providing an air channel between the screen and the fuel bed air currents can pass between the screen and the fuel bed minimising any oxidation or tarnishing of the surface of the screen resultant from the operation of the gas fire.

The fuel bed is desirably provided on a platform located in a lower portion of the fire housing. The platform is spaced forwardly of the screen by a distance ofaboutlOmm Desirably the platform is configured to receive a plurality of fuel elements such as coal or log effects pieces which are stacked relative to one another to define the fuel bed.

The housing desirably comprises an air vent located below the fuel bed, the air vent being in fluid communication with the air channel such that air can enter into the housing and pass upwardly within the housing through the air channel.

The air vent is typically located to the front of the fire housing These and other features of the invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings which follow, which are provided to assist in an understanding of the teaching of the invention but not to be construed as limiting in any fashion.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section through a fire box portion of a portable gas fire in accordance with the present teaching.

Figure 2 is a front view of the fire of Figure 1.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings

Figures 1 and 2 show a fire box portion of a gas fire 100 in accordance with the present teaching. The fire 100 comprises a fire box housing 110 within which a gas bottle supply may be housed. It will be understood that in accordance with conventional art the gas supply bottle is typically housed behind the fire box portion, and as the location of the gas bottle is not relevant to the present teaching, the details of this are omitted from the discussion herein.

The fire box housing has a rear surface 120 separated from a front surface by an interior volume 130. Located in a lower region 160 of the fire is a fuel bed 135 through which flames may be generated. The fuel bed is provided to the front of a reflective screen 136 such that operably reflections of the fuel bed can be seen by a user of the fire located to the front of the fire. The screen is desirably provided in a vertical orientation such that it extends upwardly within the fire.

The fuel bed 135 is mounted so as to be spaced apart from the screen 136 so as to define an air channel 140 between the fuel bed and the screen. In this way no one piece or component of the fuel bed abuts against the screen 136.

As shown in Figure 1, the fuel bed 135 is desirably provided on a platform located in the lower portion 160 of the fire housing. The platform is spaced forwardly of the screen by a distance of about 10mm, although it will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the present teaching to one set of particular dimensions.

Desirably the platform is configured to receive a plurality of fuel elements 137 such as coal or log effects pieces which are stacked relative to one another to define the fuel bed.

The housing desirably comprises an air vent 170 located below the fuel bed, the air vent being in fluid communication with the air channel such that air can enter into the housing and pass upwardly within the housing through the air channel. The air vent is typically located to the front of the fire housing and in this exemplary arrangement of Figure 1 is to the bottom of the front portion of the fire.

It will be appreciated that what has been described herein is an exemplary arrangement of a gas fire which is specifically configured to minimise any tarnishing or oxidation of a reflective screen within the fire. By spacing the lighting portion of the fire away from a reflective screen an air gap is defined that surface to generate an air stream or curtain between the screen and the flames that are generated during operation of the fire.

The words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A gas fire comprising a fuel bed provided within a housing of the fire and through which flames may be generated, the fuel bed being provided to the front of a reflective screen such that operably reflections of the fuel bed can be seen by a user of the fire located to the front of the fire, and wherein the fuel bed is mounted so as to be spaced apart from the screen so as to define an air channel between the fuel bed and the screen.
2. The fire of claim 1 wherein the air channel is configured to allow air currents to pass between the screen and the fuel bed thereby minimising any oxidation or tarnishing of the surface of the screen resultant from the operation of the gas fire.
3. The fire of claim 1 or 2 wherein the fuel bed is provided on a platform located in a lower portion of the fire housing, the platform being spaced forwardly of the screen by a distance of about 10mm.
4. The fire of claim 3 wherein the platform is configured to receive a plurality of fuel elements such as coal or log effects pieces which are stacked relative to one another to define the fuel bed.
5. The fire of any preceding claim comprising an air vent located below the fuel bed, the air vent being in fluid communication with the air channel such that air can enter into the housing and pass upwardly within the housing through the air channel.
6. The fire of claim 5 wherein the air vent is located to the front of the fire housing.
7. A fire substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSClairris 1. A gas fire comprising a fuel bed provided within a housing of the fire and through which flames may be generated, the fuel bed being provided to the front of a reflective screen such that operably reflections of the fuel bed can be seen by a user of the fire located to the front of the fire, and wherein the fuel bed is mounted so as to be spaced apart from the screen so as to define an air channel between the fuel bed and the screen, the fuel bed being provided on a platform located in a lower portion of the fire housing, ,wherein the platform is configured to receive a plurality of fuel elements comprising coal or log effect pieces which are stacked relative to one another to define the fuel bed.2. The fire of claim 1 wherein the air channel is configured to allow air currents to pass between the screen and the fuel bed.3. The fire of claim 1 or 2 wherein the platform is spaced forwardly of the C\J screen by a distance of about 10mm.4. The fire of any preceding claim comprising an air vent located below the fuel bed, the air vent being in fluid communication with the air channel such that air can enter into the housing and pass upwardly within the housing through the air channel.5. The fire of claim 4 wherein the air vent is located to the front of the fire housing.6. A fire substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1.