IES80826B2

IES80826B2 - A parasol space heater

Info

Publication number: IES80826B2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Joseph O'connell; Alistair Tidey
Original assignee: Connell Joseph O; Alistair Tidey
Priority date: 1998-07-31
Filing date: 1998-07-31
Publication date: 1999-03-10
Also published as: EP0976979A1; DE69903892D1; ES2188090T3; IES980646A2; ATE227824T1; EP0976979B1

Abstract

A gas parasol space heating appliance is provided, comprising a base structure (51) for housing a bottle of gas, the base structure supporting a pole (52), the pole supporting a gas burner (53) arrangement with a dish deflector (54) supported thereon, in which the deflector dish (54) is collapsible and has a sufficient depth so as to extend substantially to or below the level of the base of the burner (53). The dish is preferably made in multiple sections (73, 82) which may be engaged together, or may be folded or fanned out to assemble the dish, or may be made of metal or metalized fabric in an umbrella structure. In another embodiment, the pole (2) is offset to one side of the base structure (1), and only the ground-engaging part (10) of the base structure is adapted to bear the load of the pole. The base structure has a top surface (59,9) which may be used as a small table or tray surface, and a larger extended table (30) may be fitted on top of this. All of the components, with the exception of the bottled gas and ballast for the base, which are supplied by the user, may be broken down and fitted into a single box for ease of shipping, and handling by the retailer and purchaser. <IMAGE> <IMAGE>

Description

A parasol space heater The present invention relates to a parasol space heater, in particular to an 5 improved gas parasol heater for outdoor use, for example to provide space heating outside restaurants and on garden patios.

Gas parasol heaters currently available comprise a base structure for housing a bottle of propane gas, supporting a pole through which the gas is piped to an overhead burner. The burner supports a radiant dish or parasol which io deflects heat from the burner downwards in an area generally surrounding the base. Gas parasol heaters have become popular in cooler climates throughout Europe and the U.S .A. Although over 2 metres in height, the parasol dish is generally less than one metre in diameter, and the overall structure resembles a lamp post, and is therefore relatively discreet and takes up little space.

For safety reasons, the base structure is normally weighted although wheels may be provided for moving the heater when not in use. In currently available gas parasol heaters, the base structure is therefore heavy and cumbersome. The cylindrical walls of the base structure are load-bearing, supporting the weight or some of the weight of the pole, which is always centrally located in the base, terminating at the top of the base structure. This means that there is limited space available in the cylindrical walls of the base structure for a door providing access to the space where the bottled gas is located. This makes it difficult to change a bottle of gas, or to turn on the gas or inspect the gas fittings. Furthermore, on account of the central location of the pole in the base, the top surface of the base structure is not a usable surface, and in many designs is formed by a convex top.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas parasol heater with a lightweight base structure, permitting moulding from plastics components, thereby reducing unit manufacturing costs. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a gas parasol heater with easier access to the bottle of gas which his held in the base compartment. It is further object of the invention to provide a base structure with a top surface which may be used as a small table or tray surface. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a gas parasol heater in which all of the components, with the exception of the bottled gas and ballast, which are supplied by the user, may be broken down and fitted into a single box for ease of shipping, and handling by the purchaser.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a gas parasol space heating appliance, comprising a base structure for housing a bottle of gas, the base structure supporting a pole, the pole supporting a gas burner arrangement with a dish deflector supported thereon, characterized in that the pole is offset to one side of the base structure, and that only the ground-engaging part of the base structure is adapted to bear the load of the pole.

Advantageously, the top and the walls of the base structure do not bear any substantial loading force from the pole. The top of the base structure is preferably moulded from plastics material and is preferably adapted so as to include an outer table or tray surface.

Preferably, the deflector dish comprises multiple sections which are adapted to engage together, when in use. Preferably, four sections are provided, wherein the diameter of the assembled dish is greater than one metre, most preferably about 1,2 metres.

Preferred embodiments of a gas parasol heater in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the assembled heater when in use; Figure 2 is a partial cross-section of the assembled heater when in use, in side elevation; Figure 3 is a cross-section of the moulded top part of the base structure, Figure 4 is a cross-section of the moulded bottom part of the base structure, Figure 5 is a plan view from above of the assembled dish or parasol, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative table arrangement.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a gas parasol heater in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a base structure 1, a pole 2, a gas burner 3 and a dish parasol 4. The gas burner 3 and gas regulator 5 are of known construction in conformance with European Standard EN 1643 and will not be described.

Figure 2 illustrates more clearly how the pole 2 is offset from the centre of the base structure, extending through the base structure and to one side of a bottle io 6 of propane gas which is held in a compartment therein. A supply conduit 7 is led up the pole from the bottle 6 to the gas burner 3 in a known manner. The offset positioning of the pole 2 is advantageous because it allows the top section 8 of the base to present a useful surface area 9 which may be adapted as a small table or tray surface.

The top section 8 may be moulded in plastics material, and is non-loadbearing.

The bottom section 10 of the base 1 (see Fig. 1) may also be moulded in plastics material. A tubular part 11 houses the pole 2 and bears sideways loading stresses by means of top gussets 12 and bottom gussets 13. For additional strength, a metal plate, with a hole to accommodate the pole, may be bolted to the underside of the bottom section 10, if required. A compartment 14 is formed by walls 15 into which ballast in the form of sand or concrete is placed by the user, for safety reasons and for supporting the pole. Five ground-engaging legs 16 support the entire structure, but a ground-engaging jockey wheel 17 may also be provided, for moving the heater when tipped to one side, to disengage the legs 16.

Surprisingly, the offset positioning of the pole does not substantially affect the centre of gravity or stability of the gas parasol heater, as compared with currently available models.

The cylindrical side wall 18 of the base may be made of flexible plastics sheeting or thin flexible metal, such as aluminium sheeting, seated in a groove 19 in the bottom section 10 of the base. The top section 8 of the base has depending side walls 20, with a corresponding groove 21 for housing the wall 18. (see Figure 3) Thus, the lightweight wall 18 may be made in two half sections, one of which is adapted as a sliding door in an appropriate groove, allowing easy access to the bottle 6 of gas. The bottle of gas is seated on a base plate 22 of metal, which includes a hole through which the pole 2 may pass, and is adapted to sit on top of the bottom section 10 of the base (see Figure 2). io The deflector dish 4 or parasol is also shown in Figure 5. This is made in at least two, and preferably four identical sections 23, which have flanges 24 on the inside (see Figure 1) by which the sections 23 may be secured together, for example by screws. This means that the dish may be of relatively large diameter, for example greater than one metre, and preferably about 1.2 metres, but easily broken down into four parts for packing and shipping. Preferably, the outer circumferential flange 25 forms a small skirt, which may be scalloped or otherwise provided with a decorative finish (not shown). As it is possible to easily provide a larger diameter dish than heretofore, it will readily be appreciated that the heat output which is deflected downwardly is greatly increased.

The use of plastics and lightweight components for the base structure means that the components of the base may be manufactured at substantially lower unit cost, making the unit more affordable to the home user. Also, the use of lightweight components, and components which may easily be packed into a single box measuring approximately 1 metre by 0.3 metres by 0.15 metres is possible, which makes the unit more manageable for shipping purposes and purchase by a home user. The parts are easy to assemble and the whole unit may be disassembled if desired.

Figure 6 illustrates another aspect of the invention, not limited to a gas parasol heater with an offset pole as described above. A table 30 extending over the edge of the base structure may be moulded in plastics as part of the base structure or as a separate table top which rests on top of the base structure, made in plastics or metal. The table top may be split in sections prior to assembly.

Claims

1. A gas parasol space heating appliance, comprising a base structure (1) for housing a bottle of gas, the base structure supporting a pole (2), the pole 5 supporting a gas burner (3) arrangement with a dish deflector (4) supported thereon, characterized in that the pole is offset to one side of the base structure, and that only the ground-engaging part (10) of the base structure is adapted to bear the load of the pole.

2. A heating appliance according to claim 1, in which the top (8) of the base io structure is provided with or is adapted so as to include an outer table or tray surface (9).

3. A heating appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the top (8) of the base structure and the walls (18) thereof do not bear any substantial loading force from the pole (2), and are preferably made of lightweight 15 materials.

4. A heating appliance according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the deflector dish (4) comprises multiple sections (23) adapted to be engaged together when in use.

5. A gas parasol space heating device according to any of claims 1 to 4, 20 and/or substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.