GB2531501A

GB2531501A - Safety device for a gas fire

Info

Publication number: GB2531501A
Application number: GB1416224.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Barson Steven
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-15
Filing date: 2014-09-15
Publication date: 2016-04-27
Also published as: GB201416224D0

Abstract

A gas fire which is operated by a sliding mechanism (b fig 1) that regulates the flow of gas. The sliding mechanism also opens and closes a baffle g in the flue, which reduces the loss of heat when the fire is not lit. When lighting the fire, the lever moves the baffle to the open position and connects with a valve (e fig 1), which opens the gas supply. If the baffle is jammed shut the valve does not open, and a hook j on the baffle mechanism forces the baffle to the open position.

Description

Safety device for a gas fire This invention relates to a method of enhancing the safety of a gas fire. A new type of gas fire has been introduced which utilizes a lever on the side of the fire, which when slid up and down operates the valve and the ignition system to light it. When the lever is slid upwards firstly the gas is turned off and then the lever raises an arm which is attached to a baffle located in the flue way, when raised the baffle closes the flue way to close the opening and prevent heat loss from the room when the fire is not on.

When the lever is pressed down, firstly the bar attached to the baffle is allowed to lower which opens the flue way, then at the bottom end of the lever's travel, linkage attached to the lever opens the gas valve and operates the ignition system which lights the fire.

In this manner in theory the fire cannot be lit without the baffle being open first, if however the baffle or the bar become obstructed and their movement restricted, it is possible to light the fire with the flue way still closed. This could create a dangerous situation.

This invention is an improvement to the existing method as it provides a mechanical means to ensure that the flue way must be open before the fire can be lit.

The invention will now be described using the following diagrams.

Figure 1 shows a gas fire (a) with the sliding mechanism (b) attached to the side with the lever (c). When pressed down the linkage (d) attached to the sliding mechanism causes the valve (e) to move in and out therefore allowing or restricting the flow of gas. The ignition system is not show, but this activates and lights the gas when the sliding mechanism is at its lowest position at the bottom end of travel.

Figure 2 shows the current design of the top of the fire in more detail. The lifting bar (f) is attached to the hinged baffle (g) which is positioned in the passage to the flue (h) through which the combusted gasses are extracted. Figure 2 shows the baffle in the open position.

Figure 3 shows that the lever and sliding mechanism have been raised to their upper position which has lifted the bar and has therefore closed the baffle and the passage to the flue way.

Figure 4 shows the new improved sliding mechanism which is the subject of this invention. A hook (j) has been added to the top of the sliding mechanism. Figure 4 shows the sliding mechanism in its upper position.

Figure 5 shows that when the sliding mechanism is lowered, if the baffle or the baffle's operating arm have become jammed in the closed position, the hook (j) will connect with the operating arm and will physically force the baffle open before the operating arm reaches its lowest position when it lights the fire. In this manner it is now impossible to light the fire when the baffle is in the closed position.

One alternative method of achieving this (not shown) would be to have the sliding mechanism fitted with a rack and pinion, so as the mechanism is raised and lowered it engages with a cog which opens and closes the baffle.