GB2513117A

GB2513117A - A corner apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2513117A
Application number: GB1306771.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Gilmour
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-13
Filing date: 2013-04-13
Publication date: 2014-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-13
Also published as: GB201306771D0; GB2513117B

Abstract

A heater (radiator) corner apparatus 10 to cover a gap between a first heater 12 on a first wall 11 and a second heater 22 mounted on a second adjacent wall 21 and at an angle to the first wall. The apparatus comprises a front cover 30 with a first end 32 to contact a side 13 of the first heater along substantially its height and a second end 34 to contact a side 23 of the second heater along substantially its height. The apparatus further comprises a top cover 40 to cover a region between the top of the first and second heater and the top cover having a first and second end respectively adjoining the top of the first and second heater. The apparatus may comprise a rear corner cover 50 joined and detachable from the front cover. The angle between the adjacent walls may be a right angle. The heaters may be conventional panel radiators. The front cover may be curved so when viewed from the front may be concave or convex, may comprise first and second bend angles of 45 degrees. The apparatus may be used on internal or external corners (fig 2).

Description

A corner apparatus

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for providing heaters such as radiators mounted at the corner of a room, and in particular to apparatus for providing an enhanced aesthetic appearance for an arrangement of two radiators mounted either side of a corner. -

Background

It is known to mount a radiator on an extended wall of a room so as to give sufficient radiator area to meet the design specifications for heating. However, this occupies a large length of wall, can be inconvenient in terms of usage of wall area and can lead to loss of heating effectiveness in use, for example when a piece of furniture is placed next to the wall alongside the radiator. Conventionally radiators are not placed near or on both sides of corners as the mountings and pipework are unsightly.

However, mounting two smafler radiators one each side of the corner would be useful to overcome the disadvantages described above. Integrated radiator-based heating systems adapted to connect around corners in a room are known, but they are complex and costly solution to the problem, whereas a simpler apparatus to improve the appearance of a pair of corner-mounted radiators adapted to be usable with standard radiator and plumbing types would have practical and commercial value,

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: GB2468236 discloses a radiator or skirting radiatorcomprises an elongate panel for mounting on a wall. The panel has a first room facing surface and an opposed wall facing second surface, at least one longitudinal conduit adjacent the second surface communicating a heating fluid. A ported connector connects conduits of adjacent panels to interconnect the panels and retaining clips thereby retain the connector in the conduits. The retaining dip is a rigid plate stamped or bent from a single piece of material and comprises a planar body and a pair of integral outwardly extending deflectable wings that abut the ends of the panel when the clip is fully inserted.

Wings comprise apertures that receive pegs having ramped surfaces on the connector and serve to retain the connector in the conduits so that they are not forced out under water pressure. Adjacent panels may be dismantled by pulling back the wings 86 to release the pegs from the apertures.

This apparatus is an integrated design of skirting-positioned radiator heating apparatus that is distinct from the design and practice of conventional radiator-based heating designs and is intended to replace them. The apparatus comprises push fit water connections and specially shaped components that are intended to allow the apparatus to be linked around corners of a wall, providing an substantially uniform appearance from a first wall, around the corner, to a second. However, it does not solve the problem of a means to enhance the appearance and to facilitate installation and use of conventional radiator equipment at or near corners, and is not adapted to inter-fit with conventional radiators.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to enhance the aesthetic appearance of a pair of conventional radiators mounted adjacent to and each side of a corner in a building, for example by providing the appearance of a uniform radiator installation around a corner within a building, where a first and a second radiators are mounted on walls adjoining the corner.

According to the present invention there is provided a corner apparatus arranged to cover in use the gap between a first heater mounted on a first wall and a second heater mounted on a second wall positioned at an angle to the first wall, comprising: a corner front cover having a height, a first end adapted to contact a side of the first heater, a second end arranged to contact a side of the second heater, and a profile between the first end and the second end that presents the first end at an angle to the second end such that in use the first end adjoins the front face of the first heater along substantially the height of the radiator and the second end adjoins the front face of the second heater along substantially the height of the heater, and a corner top cover arranged to cover the region between the top of the first heater and the top of the second heater, having a first end arranged to adjoin a region at or proximate the top of the first heater, a second end arranged to adjoin a region at or proximate the top of the second heater, and a profile intermediate the ends having a front edge and a rear edge, such that in use with the front cover in position the front edge of the top cover is substantiafly parallel with or in contact with a top edge of the front cover.

Preferably the corner apparatus is operable with and arranged for use with radiators, and further comprises a rear corner cover having a first end adapted to contact the side of the first radiator, a second end adapted to contact the side of the second radiator, and a shape that presents the first end at an angle to the second end such that the rear surface of the rear cover is substantially contiguous with the rear surfaces of the first and the second radiator, Preferably the said angle is substantially a right angle.

By front is meant the face of a radiator facing the room in use, when a radiator is mounted on a wall or other plane surface.

By rear is meant the face of a radiator facing a wall or other surface on which a radiator is mounted in use.

By angle between the front surfaces of the first and the second radiator is meant the angle between a plane representative of the front profile of the first radiator and a plane representative of the front profile of the second radiator. The radiator may be formed to have a pattern on the front face, for example a pattern of repeated raised and recessed regions, as known where the radiator comprises a plurality of parallel verticafly oriented tubes. In such a case the front plane may be represented by the plane passing through the extrernities of the raised portions, through the extremities of the recessed portions, or a mean position between the two.

The apparatus is preferably dimensioned and adapted to be used with standard radiators as known in the art, and according to the embodiment may be dimensioned to fit with a chosen height of radiator panel.

By shape is meant the profile of the front or the rear cover portion between the first and the second cover ends.

In a preferred embodiment the front cover is curved having a continuously curved profile having one or more radii of curvature.

In a further embodiment the front cover comprises a substantiafly flat planar region adapted to meet the front surfaces of the first and the second radiators at a first and a second bend angles.

In a preferred embodiment as above the first and the second bend angles are both degrees, In preferred embodiments at least the front cover is adapted to match one or more features of the appearance of the front one or both of the radiators: --In this way the radiator corner apparatus provides a cover for the gap between a first radiator mounted on a first wait of a room and a second radiator mounted on a second waD around a corner from the first. In a standard room installation the first and second walls are at right angles to one another, and face one another across internal concave corner. In an alternative installation, the corner is a convex corner and the radiators do not face one another. According to the embodiment the radiator corner apparatus is adapted to provide cover for one or the other of these situations.

Usually the radiators are substantially at a right angle one to another, but according to (he embodiment, and as required by the design of the room, the angle between them might differ from a right angle.

By providing that at least the front cover matches the appearance of one or preferably both of the radiators, the apparatus of the invention provides an enhanced aesthetic appearance of the radiators when mounted close together in a corner.

In use the first and second radiators are preferably connected together at their upper and lower water connections, such that they form a combined unit with parallel water flow pathways through the vertically oriented heating flow pathways in both the first and the second radiators. The front cover and top cover then act in use to cover the water connections and to provide a uniform appearance of a continuous surface leading from the front surface of the first radiator to the front surface of the second.

In some embodiments the front cover comprises a first and a second radiator contact portions joined by a link portion. By radiator contact portion is meant the region of a component of the apparatus adapted to come into contact with a region of a radiator in use. It will be understood that in order to achieve the objective of the invention it is advantageous to give the appearance of continuation of the front surface of the radiator where the front cover contacts it. Preferably the radiator Contact portion is adapted to overlap the front surface of the radiator when in place in use.

In some embodiments said contact and link portions may be adapted to pass, transfer or maintain heat therein, for example including insulation material and/or heat retentive material, such that in some embodiments the apparatus may include fluid retention or storage. In this way the apparatus further comprises an extension to the radiators.

The radiator contact portions are preferably substantially flat and comprise an end regions adapted to come into contact with a portion of a radiator in use. The radiator contact portions may comprise a raised or recessed region relative to the majority of the radiator contact portion. In a preferred embodiment such raised and/or recessed region may be provided so as to interfit with a raised andlor a recessed region on the radiator. In some embodiments the radiation contact portions of the front and the back covers are adapted to form a push or snap lit onto the front and back surfaces of a radiator.

In preferred embodiments the front cover and the iop cover are mounted together in one unit and are adapted to mount together onto the fIrst and the second radiators.

Preferably the apparatus comprises joining means attaching the front and. the rear covers together. In a preferred embodiment the joining means is detachable and the front cover may be detached from the rear cover.

In this way the rear cover may be mounted in place on the radiators and the front cover may be mounted on the joining means.

Preferably the apparatus comprises attachment means to attach the apparatus to the first and the second radiators.

According to the embodiment, such attachment means may comprise clip means to attach the apparatus to an end of a radiator.

In a preferred embodiment the radiator corner apparatus is adapted to clip onto the neighbouring ends of both the first and second radiators.

Preferably the clip means comprises a portion of the front cover and a portion of the rear cover held spaced a distance apart and defining a gap between them into which the radiator may slot in use.

In some embodiments the front cover radiator contact portions are adapted to be bonded to the front faces of a radiator. Such bonding may be done for example by a heat resistant decorators' mastic or sealant.

In a preferred embodiment the front corner cover is concave as. viewed from its front face and the rear corner is convex as viewed from the rear. Such an embodiment is adapted for use in a concave internal corner, In an alternative embodiment the front corner cover is convex as viewed from its front and the rear corner is concave as viewed from the rear. Such an embodiment is adapted for use in a convex internal corner.

In some embodiments the front face of the front corner cover is shaped to match the front profile of a radiator. In some embodiments the top cover is shaped to match the top profile of a radiator, In this way the radiator corner apparatus is adapted to match the appearance of the first and the second radiators so as to produce an aesthetically pleasing effect. In some embodiments the rear corner cover, where present, may be plain and without patterning as it will be out if sight in use-In a preferred embodiment the radiator corner apparatus is provided as a kit of parts comprising a front corner cover and a top corner cover. Optionally a rear corner cover is also provided. Preferably the front corner cover and the top cover area adapted to interfit together, for example by means of push in interference fittings, snap-in fittings, screw fittings or other means as known in the art.

In a preferred embodiment the front corner cover is sized to match the height of the radiator, so as to match the appearance of the front face of the radiator and to extend that appearance around the corner in use. In preferred embodiments the front corner cover is sized to match a standard full height wall-mounted radiator. The front corner cover is preferably dimensioned in a range of sizes to fit the standard sizes of radiator as available on the niarket.

According to a further aspect the invention provides a corner radiator unit comprising a first and a second radiator, joined by a top pipe between the upper water connections of the radiators and a bottom pipe between the lower water connections, the radiators being disposed at an angle one to the other to suit a known angie of corner, and a radiator corner apparatus as described herein mounted in contact with the neighbouring sides of the first and second radiators. Such a corher radiator unit may be preformed to suit standard situations, for example a first and a second radiators mounted on facing walls around an internal right angle corner.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of covering the gap around a corner between a first radiator and a second radiator mounted on surfaces at an angle one to the other comprising the steps of: Providing a radiator corner apparatus as described herein Mounting the front corner cover in contact with the neighbouring sides of the first and the second radiators, and Mounting the top cover in contact with the front corner cover.

In one embodiment the method comprises the step of assembling a first and a second radiators at an angle one to the other and joined by a top water pipe between the upper connections on the radiators and a bottom water pipe between the lower connections, mounting the radiator corner apparatus on the first and the second radiators, and then mounting the first and the second radiators on the first and second walls.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a three quarter view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention adapted for use at a concave corner.

Figure 2 shows a three quarter view of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention adapted for use at a convex corner.

Figure 3 shows a top view of a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention adapted for use at a concave corner.

Figure 4 shows a top view of a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention adapted for use at a convex corner.

Figure 5 shows a top view of an apparatus according to the invention with the top cover removed.

Figure 6 shows a top view of an apparatus as shown in figure 5 with the top cover in place.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to figure 1, an embodiment 10 of a radiator corner apparatus adapted for use at a concave corner in which a first radiator 12 is mounted on a first wall 11 and a second radiator 22 is mounted on a second wall 21 comprises a front corner cover having a first end 32 adapted to contact the proximal side 13 of the first radiator, a second end 34 adapted to contact the proximal side 23 of the second radiator, and a shape that presents the first end at an angle to the second end such that the front surface 36 of the front cover is substantially contiguous with the front surfaces 15 of the first radiator and 25 of the second radiator as they abut at joins 33 and 35, and a top corner cover 40 contiguous with the front cover when in position in use and at an angle to it, adapted to cover the region between the top 17 of the first radiator and the top 27 of the second radiator.

Preferably the radiator corner apparatus further comprises a rear corner cover 50 having a first end 52 adapted to contact the end 13 of the first radiator, a second end 54 adapted to contact the end 23 of the second radiator, and a shape that presents the first end at an angle to the second end such that the rear surface 56 of the rear cov!r is substantially contiguous with the rear surfaces 19 of the first and 29 of the second radiator.

In the embodiment in figures ito 6 the said angle is substantially a right angle.

In the embodiment in figure 1 the front cover comprises a substantially fiat planar region 35 adapted to contact the front surfaces of the first and the second radiators at a first bend angle 60 and a second 62, both equal to approximately 45 degrees.

Referring to figures 1 and 6 the rear corner cover 50 comprises a first radiator contact portion 55, a second radiator contact portion 56 and a link portion 57 joining the two.

The radiator contact portions are preferably substantially flat and are adapted ( come into contact with a region of a radiator in use. The radiator contact portions may comprise a raised or recessed section relative to the majority of the radiator contact portion. In a preferred embodiment such raised and/or recessed-section may be provided 50 as to interfit with a raised and/or a recessed region on the radiator.

Figure 2 shows a further embodiment 100 of an apparatus according to the invention adapted for use on a convex corner with radiator and wall features denoted by the same numerals as for figure 1. In this embodiment the front cover is substantially in the form of one quarter of a cylindrical shell extending the full height of the radiators, the first and the second ends being substantially at a right angle one to another. The rear cover 50 is of similar form and smaller radius of curvature. Preferably the front and rear covers have a parallel profile such that the width of the top cover 40 is constant around the curve.

It will be understood from figures 1 and 2 that such a curved profile may be used for a concave corner with the front cover then having a smaller radius of curvature than the rear cover.

Referring to figures 3 apparatus suitable for a concave corner is shown in top view, in which the front cover 30 is adapted to meet the front surfaces of the first and second radiators at an angle, here substantially a right angle, with convex curvature of the front cover as opposed to concave curvature as shown in figure 2. In figure 4, for a convex corner, the rear cover is convex and meets therear surfaces at an angle, here substantially a right angle. As shown in both figures 3 and 4 the top covers 40 are preferably patterned in a way to match the appearance of the radiators when view from above.

Referring to figures 5 and 6, the first and the second radiators are preferably joined by a top water flow pipe 70 between the upper connection 72 of the first radiator and the upper connection 74 of the second radiator. Referring to figure 1, they are preferably joined similarly by a bottom water flow pipe 80 between the lower connetion 82 of the first radiator and the lower connection 84 of the second. In this way the first and the second radiators have their upper and lower flow pathways each ccnnected together so as to form a common radiator flow arrangement with the vertical heating flow pathways in both radiators in parallel, in contrast with the usual arrangement where the first radiator as a whole is placed in series in the heating circuit with respect to the second. Such water connections may be made for example with 15mm male adaptors and copper tube.

Referring to figure 6, the top cover 40 is preferably adapted to resemble the top appearance of the radiators, here a slotted appearance. The top cover 40 may be adapted to clip onto the front and the rear covers.

S The apparatus is preferably matched to different types of radiator, according to the embodiment, for example single. deluxe, double or 1<2 type radiators.

The components of the apparatus may be formed from engineering polymers, for example extruded and finished, or from metal,