WO1998026220A1

WO1998026220A1 - Multi-purpose electrothermic radiating panel-type item of furniture

Info

Publication number: WO1998026220A1
Application number: PCT/IT1997/000087
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aldo Stabile; Giannino Sandrin
Original assignee: Cadif S.R.L.
Priority date: 1996-12-09
Filing date: 1997-04-18
Publication date: 1998-06-18
Also published as: ITMI962572A1; ITMI962572A0; AU2649897A; EP1007886A1; IT1286455B1

Abstract

Electrothermic item of furniture (231) in panel form (230) comprising one or more lamine (211, 212) that, with insulation, carry a continuous strip of copper of a constant width, of micrometric thickness, and one of more laminae (216) with decorations (218) of equal dimensions, placed one against another and held together by a frame (232), accessories (27) and additions, and means (240, 260) for placing the panel on the floor, wall or ceiling and using it in other ways, the strip of copper transforming the electric energy in thermic energy, diffusing through the decorated laminae (216), heat by radiation into the environment, thus creating an article of furniture and heating at the same time.

Description

MULTI-PURPOSE ELECTROTHERMIC RADIATING PANEL-TYPE ITEM

OF FURNITURE

The invention concerns the means for generating heat indoors by electric current.

Innumerable systems and means exist for using electric current to heat indoor spaces.

It is well known that these systems make use of highly-resistive materials that heat up to very high temperatures with a great concentration of heat when electric current is passed through them.

The temperatures reached are nearly always much higher than those required and it therefore becomes necessary to diffuse the calories by resorting to complex and expensive devices. The high temperatures in conductors require special supporting means and materials such as ceramics and the like, as well as fragile and complex insulation and covering structures.

Such structures wear out quickly on account of these high temperatures. Compared with other means of heating using fuels, thermal efficiency is very low because of the great difference in heat between the temperature of electric heating elements and that of the ambient.

The means of heating are also bulky and combining them with a room and its furniture presents aesthetic problems that it is almost impossible to solve satisfactorily. The comfort of an indoor environment is based on its furnishing, on the design and arrangement of its installations and furniture which must be both practical and decorative.

The usual types of equipment for warming a room are unlikely to harmonize with the furniture, their bulk being a necessity because their temperatures are so high.

It is almost impossible to build means of heating into walls, if electricity is being used, and in any case such procedures may cause problems when repairs or improvements are required. The above invention solves these difficulties by offering means of electric heating that have every right to be considered as items of furniture and therefore fit in well with the rest of the furnishing as will be explained below.

Subject of the invention is an electrothermic panel-type item of furniture for generating and diffusing heat: The panel comprises:

- one or more laminae that, adequately insulated, support a continuous thermo-radiating metal strip, of high electric conductivity, constant width, thickness expressed in microns, flat, reciprocally spaced with electrical insulation, with ends consisting of electric contacts; - one or more external laminae with decorated surface;

- means of positioning them on the floor, on walls and on the ceiling,

- specific accessories and extra parts for different uses.

The main panels - heating, insulating and decorative - are of the laminar type, equal in shape and size and joined together by a protective frame for stabilization and decoration.

Therefore, by connecting up the electric contacts to a source of electricity the thermo-radiating strip transforms electric energy into thermal energy and, through the decorated laminae, spreads heat throughout the environment by radiation, simultaneously providing an item of furniture and a source of warmth.

The external decorated laminae are of plastic material or of metal.

In one preferred execution the panel comprises an insulating electric lamina that supports the thermo-radiating strip, a sheet of heat-insulating foam material whose front faces matches with the rear face of said insulating electric lamina, a rear metal lamina laid on the rear face of the sheet of foam material and a foward lamina with a decorated front face whose rear face matches with the front face of the insulating electric lamina.

In another execution the panel comprises an insulating electric lamina that supports the thermo-radiating strip and two laminae with decorated outer front faces whose rear faces match respectively with the two faces of the insulating electric lamina. In another execution the thermo-radiating strip is laid on the rear face of a plastic lamina with a decorated front face.

In another execution the panel comprises an insulating electric lamina that supports a pair of thermo-radiating strips respectively on the two faces and two laminae with decorated outer faces whose rear face matches respectively with the two faces of the electric thermo-radiating lamina.

In another execution the panel comprises two insulating electric laminae that support thermo-radiating strips, a central insulating sheet placed between the two thermo-radiating laminae, two lamine with outer deco- rated faces whose inner faces match respectively with the two thermo- radiating laminae.

The thermo-radiating strip can be placed in the form of a serpentine or in some other form. The thermo-radiating strip can be obtained by an electro-plating process or by formation of a plastic laminate with a copper sheet on one or both faces and made by a photographic or silk-screening and photo-engraving process or by some other.

Advantageously the frame is made in two opposing parts of a constant angular section, their form and internal dimensions corresponding to the external ones of the main components of the panel and fitted with stable means fixing means.

According to the type of execution the shape of the panel may be square or circular or may present a variety of geometrical squares or curves Similarly, decorations on the exposed faces of the panels may be abstract or naturalistic designs.

The thermo-radiating strips may be of copper or some other highly conducting material. The lamina carrying the thermo-radiating strips may preferably be of fiberglass.

Decorations on the faces of the lamine are made by silk-screening or by other methods.

Advantageously, the frames are made in two pieces, a front and a rear, and their sides contain ribs and grooves on the edges, so placed that the ribs of one half of the frame fit into the channels of the opposing half and vice versa.

The means for holding the two parts of the frame stably together are screws that pass through holes in one part and screw into threaded holes in the other part.

At the ends of the opposing edges of the two parts of the frame is a thicker area in which the grooves are made.

In one execution the panel has a base with feet, there being at the top of said base upward-facing U-shaped means to hold the lower part of the panel, so forming a radiator that stands on the floor.

In another execution, at each of the two lower ends of the panel frame is a seat for a transversal shaft with wheels at each end forming a radiator that can slide across the floor.

The two shafts fit into the two seats by means of a coupling formed of a spherical body, through which one shaft passes, said spherical body being supported between the edges of two opposing apertures in said seats.

The apertures are truncated-cone shaped, converging inwards, and their edges are shaped according to a spherical surface whose diameter is the same as that of the spherical body.

The panel can thus be partially rotated on said spherical bodies and inclined one way or another from the vertical as preferred, inclination being limited by the taper of the two apertures in relation to the shafts that pass through them.

The spheres and therefore the panels can slide on the shafts that carry the spherical bodies overcoming the obstacle created by ridges made on said shafts on either side of their centres.

The position of the panel close to a first wheel on the shafts, is stabilized by the above ridges that are passed over after the panel has been made to slide.

In this way it can be inclined towards the second wheel of each shaft. Panel stability in relation to the floor is assured by the fact that its centre of gravity remains fully within the length of each shaft whatever way it is moved and inclined.

In one execution, externally and laterally there are three or more points on the frame and means for fitting vertical legs so that, on mounting said legs to the frame, a table is formed.

The panel is preferably square, the above means are placed at the four comers and contain threaded holes into which threaded pins at the upper ends of the legs can be screwed.

A chessboard is designed on the upper external lamina of the panel and on this a game of chess or draughts or some similar game can be played, the players at the same time benefiting from the warmth from the panel connected to a source of electricity.

The panel can be associated to others of the same or different shapes and sizes, electrically connected and mounted on walls or ceiling making possible realization of the desired decorative forms and preferred heating by placing the panels side by side or leaving spaces between them.

The panel may be rectangular and can be installed with advantage on a wall above the head of a bed, in place of a picture, providing decoration and also warmth by direct radiation onto the bed. In one advantageous execution the panel is used to form the upper surface of a food trolley, said panel being provided with independent electric feed to keep the food carried at the right temperature. In one execution the panel is fitted with independent electric feed and is of a suitable size to take the hot dishes on a dining table.

Electric heating can be provided by batteries inside a box included in the panel to keep the food hot during the meal. In preferred executions the panel is kept at a temperature slightly above ambient temperature.

In one type of execution advantageous values of electricity and heat are as follows:

Volt 220, Watt 150, temperature 70-80° C. The invention offers evident advantages.

In its various forms and associated to one or another of the accessories described, the panel can realize real items of furniture to whose structural and decorative effects comfortable, extremely versatile and efficient heating is associated enabling the user to benefit from greater wellbeing at the same time making a considerable saving compared with the means of heating at present in general use.

As the other examples clearly show, and in full cimpliance with the various effects obtained, the invention has every right to be considered as simultaneously providing warmth and decorative furnishing. The invention meets the needs of both body and mind, positively affecting main functions such as eating, sleeping, playing, as well as aesthetic satisfaction since, as already described, a suitable amount of warmth can be offered during meals, in bedrooms or for playing games in addition to its decorative effects. Characteristics and purposes of the disclosure will be made still clearer by the following examples of its execution illustrated by diagrammatically drawn figures.

Fig. 1 Radiating panel, perspective

Fig. 2 As above, an exploded view Fig. 3 Floor radiator, perspective

Fig. 4 A card-table with removeable legs, perspective

Fig. 5 Food trolley, perspective

Fig. 6 Panel as a picture over a bed, perspective Fig. 7 Decorative ceiling composition with associated panels, perspective Fig. 8 Table dish-warming panel, perspective Fig. 9 Details of the dish-warming panel

Fig.10 Decorative wall composition with associated panels, perspective Fig.1 1 Panels used for wall cladding and protection, perspective Fig.12 Two-sided radiation panels, exploded perspective Fig.13 Panel with decorative and radiating lamina, exploded perspective Fig.14 Panel with a pair of copper serpentines one on each side of a central lamina, exploded perspective Fig.15 Panel with two heat radiating sheets, exploded perspective Fig.16 Heat radiating sheet with photo-engraved copper serpentine Fig.17 Wheel mounted floor radiator with inclinable panel, perspective Fig.18 As above, with panel inclined, perspective Fig.19 As above with panel in centered vertical position, front view Fig.20 As above in two inclined positions, on either side, front view

Fig.21 Detail of the radiator in Fig.17 with panel standing vertically, cross section Fig.22 Detail of a radiator frame, showing the seat of a joint for the wheel- carrying shaft, cross section Fig.23 Detail of the ball that forms the joint between the frame and the wheel-carrying shaft, cross section Fig.24 The radiator in Fig. 21 with the panel inclined. The square panel 10 in Fig. 1 comprises the plastic lamina 1 1 with a front decorated face 15, the fiberglass lamina 20, the plastic foam sheet 30, the aluminium lamina 40, a frame 49 formed of a front part-frame 50 substantially equal to a rear part-frame 60.

The rear face 22 of the fiberglass lamina 20 exhibits a copper serpentine 23 of micrometric thickness made by an electroplating process, connected at both ends to flat contacts 24, 25, in turn connected to an electric cable 26 with plug 27 to go into a socket for main electric feed.

In Fig. 2 said serpentine 23 has been partly drawn as if the lamina 20 were transparent, but it extends over the whole rear face 22 of said lamina 20. The front face 31 of the sheet 30 of plastic foam matches with the rear face 22 of the lamina 20 and so with the serpentine 23.

The aluminium sheet 40 is applied to the rear face 32 of said sheet 30.

The front part-frame 50 presents an angular cross section and sides 51 . Internal dimensions of said part-frame correspond to the substantially equal external dimensions of the lamina 1 1 , the lamina 20 and sheet 30.

On the edges of the sides 51 there is extra thickness 52 to make room all round the frame for longitudinal grooves 53 aligned with longitudinal ridges 54. Internal dimensions of the grooves substantially correspond to external dimensions of the ridges 54.

At intervals on said sides are columns 57 with threaded internal holes 58.

Dimensions and features of the rear part-frame 60 are substantially the same as those of the part-frame 50. The sides 61 of said part-frame 60 are thickened 62 to allow for formation of the longitudinal grooves 63 and ridges 64.

The groovs 63 and ridges 64 respectively correspond to the ridges 54 and grooves 53 of the front part-frame 50.

Therefore by placing the two part-frames together they match in a stable manner, the ridges of the one entering the grooves in the other.

Placed at intervals along the sides 61 of the part-frame 60 are columns

67 with holes 68 passing through them. Said columns occupy positions corresponding to those of the columns 57 on the front part-frame 50.

It follows that the two part-frames can be stably connected by placing the screws 69 in the holes 68 and screwing them into the threaded holes 58 in the columns 57 on the front part-frame.

Matching up and fixing together the front and rear part-frames is done after matching up the laminae 1 1 , 20, and sheets 30 and 40, in the order shown in the exploded perspective view in Fig. 2, to ensure complete matching of said parts stablized by the opposing part-frames

50, 60 screwed together.

By plugging in the plug 27 to an electric socket, the serpentine 23 will heat up moderately to a temperature of about 100°C, for example, and the heat generated will pass through the fiberglass 20 and front plastic lamina 11 and will radiate from the front face of the panel out into the room as indicated by the arrows 16.

The plastic foam sheet 30 and aluminium sheet 40 create a perfect heat insulating screen at the rear of the panel.

With the silkk-screened decoration 15 and generally pleasing form of the panel, this will become an object at once decorative and of practical use. Heat passes into the ambient with great comfort and efficiency. Fig. 3 illustrates a radiator 80 created by association of the panel 10 to a base 81 composed of a bar 82 that connects the two supports 83 comprising the feet 84 and fork 85 connected by the column 86. The lower side of the panel 10 is inserted inside the fork 85 with adequate stability. Fig. 4 illustrates a table 91 obtained by association of a panel 90, similar to the panel 10 already described, to the tubular legs 95.

Said legs can be mounted onto the frame 92 of said panel by internally threaded 97 connections 96 fixed to the lower part 98 of said frame 92. There is a threaded hole 99 at the upper end of each leg 95. On the front face of the panel 90 is a lamina with a silk-screened chess board pattern on which to play a game of chess or some other.

Fig. 5 illustrates a food trolley 1 12 comprising the usual folding structure 1 1 1 and a surface formed of a panel 110, similar to those already described, with an upper decorated lamina 1 13. Electric feed is obtained from batteries 1 14 stowed inside the drawer 115 under the panel 1 10.

Said drawer has a door 1 16 to open for changing the batteries.

Said trolley 122 can clearly ensure arrival of food from the kitchen kept at the right temperature for satisfactory consumption.

Fig. 6 shows a bedroom 120 and the bed 121 in it. Above the head 122 of the bed is a rectangular picture 126 formed of a panel 125 of practically the same characteristics as the panels described above, the only difference being that it is rectangular instead of square and has a different graphic composition on the front surface. The picture can diffuse a pleasant amount of warmth towards the occupants of the bed, who can adjust it for their greatest comfort. Fig. 7 illustrates a room 130 to whose ceiling 131 an annular rectangular composition 136 has been applied around a centrally hung lamp 132, said composition being formed of a set of panels 135 substantially the same as those already described, the only difference being that an internal frame 137 and an external one 138 have been added for greater stability and to increase the ornamental effect of the whole artistic composition 139. In Fig. 8 we have a dining table 150 laid with plates 151 each placed on a food warming "table mat" 153; these "mats" consist of panels 152 substantially the same as those described above except that they are much smaller both in extension and thickness to suit them to this different use. Said "table mats" 153 placed underneath a plate containing hot food, keep its temperature at the desired level so solving a widespread and often unresolved problem of being able to finish the food at the right temperature.

There are in fact two main temperatures for cooked food:, cooking temperature and eating temperature. Obviously the two temperatures are not the same and food is usually served without any concern for this difference and the temperature cools down between kitchen and table. With the food heaters subject of the invention, for the first time a means is provided to enable diners to take their meal while at the most suitable temperature, neither too hot nor too cold. As seen from the detail in Fig. 9, the panels 152 have a compartment 154 for holding batteries 155 protected by the lid 156.

Fig. 10 illustrates a decorative and practical composition 163 for the panels subject of the invention, mounted on the wall 160 of a room. This composition is formed of four panels 162, substantially the same as those already described, whose front laminae are decorated in a way suitable to the environment, the effect being increased by aesthetic interaction of their symmetrical arrangement. The effect is clearly ornamental while the seated person feels the comfort afforded by the warmth irradiated from the composition 163. Fig. 11 illustrates a protective decorative "wainscot" effect for heating 171 consisting of a set of panels 170, similar to the thermo-radiating panels already described, placed side by side and fitted to the lower part of a wall 175 of a room 176.

Fig. 12 illustrates a panel 180 comprising a central fiberglass lamina 20, with copper serpentine 23 connected to the source of electric current by the wire 26 and plug 27, placed between two laminae of plastic material 181 and 182 whose outer faces are decorated 183. Assembly is made by the part-frames 50 and 60.

Fig. 13 illustrates a thermo-radiating panel 190 comprising a plastic lamina 191 with decoration 192 on the external face and carrying the copper serpentine 194 on the internal face. Use is here made of elements already described in the preceding types, like the plastic foam sheet 30, the rear metal lamina 40 and the part- frames 50, 60.

Fig. 14 shows a panel 200 comprising a cenral fiberglass lamina 201 that carries on one face the copper serpentine 202 and on the other face another copper serpentine 203, said lamina being placed between two laminae 204, 205 of plastic material with decorations 206 on the external faces. The panel therefore diffuses heat from both faces. Fig.15 illustrates a panel 210 comprising two radiating laminae of fiberglass 21 1 , 212 with serpentines 213 and 214 on their respective internal faces. The sheet 215 of electrically insulating material is placed between these two laminae.

Applied to the external faces of the radiating laminae are the laminae 216 and 217 with decoration 218 on their external faces. The part-frames 50, 60 complete this panel that radiates from both faces. The described panels use strips of copper for transforming electric energy into thermal energy and these may be obtained by various well known processes. Electroplating processes have been found advantageous and also another process like that indicated in Figure 16.

The radiating panel 225 is obtained from a plastic laminate 220 at least one face 221 of which is a sheet of copper. The serpentine 222 is made from the sheet of copper by a process comprising a photographic or silk-screened print of a design corresponding to that of the serpentine.

The sheet is then treated with an acid solution that removes the copper left unprotected by the print thus giving life to the serpentine 222. Figs. 17-24 illustrate realization of a moveable radiator 231 that can be oriented as preferred, using a thermoradiating panel 230 substantially the same as that illustrated in the explosive perspective view of Fig. 15. Round said panel 230 is a square frame 232 composed of part-frames 237, 238 thickened internally at the lower corners 233 to allow space for the seats 234 to hold a ball joint formed of a spherical body 250 inside which a shaft 240 is inserted carrying wheels 260. Said spherical bodies are fitted into the above seats 234 when the two part-frames 237 and 238 are being put together. Shape of said seats 234 is that of ciricular mouths 235 whose tapering lips converge inwards and whose edges 236 are shaped according to a spherical surface 242 corresponding to the spherical body 250. At the end of the diametral hole 251 passing through the spherical body there is an annular rim 252 that makes contact against the two ridges 245 on the shafts 240, placed one on either side of said shafts' vertical axis of symmetry, reciprocal distance corresponding substantially to the width of the frame 232.

Said ridges 245 stabilize the panel 230 substantially central to the shafts 240, but by applying pressure the panel can be pressed towards one or other end of the shafts 240 overcoming said ridges 245 that give way due to the holes 246 made for the purpose in said shafts 240.

At the ends of said shafts 240 are annular ridges 241 that with a moderate amount of pressure can be pressed inside the annular grooves 261 made inside the wheels 260 that comprise a surrounding edge 262 and slightly convex sides 263.

By pressing the panel 230 towards one of the two ends of the shafts 240, as shown in Fig. 24, said panel will be situated a short distance from one of the pair of wheels on each shaft and can be inclined towards the opposite wheel, as seen in Figs 20 and 24, so that said panel's centre of gravity is substantially central between the two wheels 260 at the two ends of the shaft 240.

The ridges 245 referred to above stabilize the panel in its new position as seen in Fig. 24.

The panel can of course be moved towards the opposite wheel and inclined in the other direction so as to offer a second radiating surface.

Claims

1 . Electrothermic item of furniture (10, 80, 91 , 1 12, 126, 136, 153, 163, 171 , 231 ) for generation and diffusion of heat, characterized in that it comprises one or more electrothermic radiating panels (10, 90, 1 10, 125, 135, 152, 162, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 230), means (26, 27, 115, 1 16, 154, 156) for connecting them to a source of electric current, means (80, 1 11 , 137, 138) for placing them in position, as required, on the floor, on a wall, on the ceiling for practical and aesthetic association, accessories and various additions (95-96, 99, 1 1 1 , 240, 250, 260) according to use, each panel comprising one or more laminae (20, 191 , 201 , 21 1 , 212) that, with adequate electrical insulation, carry a continuous metal thermo-radiating strip (23, 194, 202, 203, 213, 214), of high electrical conductivity, of a constant width, of a thickness expressed in microns, extending flat with lengths placed side by side at a reciprocal distance for electrical insulation, with ends consisting of electric contacts(24, 25), one or more external laminae (1 1 , 40, 93, 113, 181 , 182, 191 , 204, 205), with or without decorated faces (15,183, 192, 206), with or without heat-insulating sheets (30, 215), the various main components of the panels, thermic, insulating and for decoration, of a laminar type, being of the same shape and size and held together by a protective, stabilizing and decorative frame (49, 92, 232) so that by connecting the electric contacts to a source of electric current, the thermo-radiating strip transforms electric energy into thermic energy and, through the decorated laminae, diffuses heat into the environment by radiation thus creating an object (10, 80, 91 , 1 12, 126, 136, 153, 163, 171 , 231 ) which simultaneously heats and provides an item of furniture .

2. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the external, possibly decorated laminae (1 1 , 40, 93, 1 13, 181 , 182, 191 , 204, 205) of the panels (10, 90, 110, 125, 135, 152, 162, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 230) are of plastic material.

3. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the external possibly decorated laminae (1 1 , 40, 93, 1 13, 181 , 182, 191 , 204, 205) of the panels (10, 90, 1 10, 125, 135,152, 162, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 230) are of metal.

4. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , charcterized in that the panel (10) comprises an electrically insulating lamina (20) that carries the thermo-radiating strip (23), a sheet (30) of thermically insulating foam material whose front face (31) matches with the rear face of said electrically insulating lamina (20), a rear metal lamina (40) placed against the rear face of the sheet (30) of foam material and a front lamina (1 1 ) with decorations (15) on its front face and whose rear face matches with the front face of the electrically insulating lamina (20).

5. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the panel (180) comprises an electrically insulating lamina (20) that carries the thermo-radiating strip (23) and two laminae (181 , 182) whose external front faces (183) are decorated and whose rear faces respectively match with the two faces of the electrically insulating lamina (20).

6. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the thermo-radiating strip (194) of the panel (190) is placed over the rear face (193) of a lamina (191) of plastic material with decorations (192) on its front face.

7. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the panel (200) comprises an electrically insulating lamina (201) that carries a pair of thermo-radiating strips (202, 203) one on each face, and comprises two laminae (204, 205) with decorations (206) on their external faces and matching their respective rear faces with the two faces of the electric thermo-radiating lamina (201 ).

8. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the panel (210) comprises two electrically insulating laminae (21 1 , 212) that carry thermo-radiating strips (213, 214), a central insulating sheet (215) placed between the two thermo-radiating laminae (21 1 , 212), two laminae (216, 217) decorated on their external faces and matching with the respective internal faces of the two thermo-radiating laminae (21 1 , 212).

9. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the thermo-radiating strip (23, 194, 202, 203, 213, 214) is laid in the form of a serpentine.

10. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the thermo-radiating strip is obtained by an electroplating process.

1 1 . Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the thermo-radiating serpentine (222) on a thermo- radiating lamina (225) is obtained by formation of a plastic laminate (220) with a sheet (221) of copper on one or on both faces and a photographic or silk-screening and photo-engraving process.

12. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 characterized in that the frame (49, 92, 232) is formed of two part-frames (50, 60, 98, 237, 238) of a constant angular section, one opposite another, their internal shapes and sizes corresponding to the external shapes and sizes of the main elements forming the panels and provided with means for holding them stably in position.

13. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the shape of the panels (10, 90, 1 10, 125, 135, 152,

162, 170, 180, 190, 210, 230) is square.

14. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the shape of the panel is circular.

15. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the panels (10, 90, 1 10, 125, 135, 152, 162, 170, 180, 190, 210, 230) present geometrical squared or curved shapes.

16. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that decorations of the panel (10, 90, 1 10, 125, 135, 152, 162, 170, 180, 190, 210, 230) are of an abstract or naturalistic type.

17. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claiml , characterized in that the thermo-radiating strips on the panel (10, 90, 1 10, 125, 135, 152, 162, 170, 180, 190, 210, 230) are of copper.

18. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the lamina (20, 191 , 201 , 21 1 , 212) of the panel (10, 90, 1 10, 125, 135, 152, 162, 170, 180, 190, 210, 230) that carries the thermoradiating strip is of fiberglass.

19. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the laminae with decorated faces on the panel (10, 90, 1 10, 125, 135, 152, 162, 170, 180, 190, 210, 230) are obtained by silk-screening or by other methods.

20. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that the frame (49) is composed of two part-frames (50, 60, 237, 238) on whose sides (62) are ribs (54, 64) and grooves (53, 63) so placed that the ribs on one part-frame (50, 237) fit into the grooves on the opposing part-frame (60, 238) and vice versa.

21. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 . characterized in that the means of stably connecting the part-frames (50, 237) are screws (69) that pass through the holes (68) in one part-frame and screw into opposing threaded holes (58) in the other part-frame (60, 238).

22. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that at the ends of the edges (62) of the opposing part- frames (50, 60, 237, 238) are enlarged areas (52) to allow space for the grooves (53, 63).

23. Electrothermic item of furniture (80) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the panel (10) is supported by a base (81) with feet (84) placed uppermost on upward-facing forks (85) to hold the lower part of the panel (10), and enable a radiator to stand on the floor.

24. Electrothermic item of furniture (231) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the panel (230) exhibits a frame (232) at each of whose lower ends (233) is a seat (234) for a transversal shaft (240) at whose ends are wheels (260) so creating a radiator that slides across the floor.

25. Electrothermic item of furniture (231) as in claim 24, characterized in that the two shafts (240) fit into the two seats (234) by a joint formed of a spherical body (250), through which passes a shaft (240) supported between the edges (237) of two mouths (235) opposite to said seats (234), said truncated-cone shaped mouths (235) converging inwards and having edges (237) shaped according to the spherical surface (238) of a diameter corresponding to that of the spherical body (250) it being thus possible by partially rotating the panel (230) on said spherical bodies (250) to incline it to one side or the other of the vertical position within the value established by tapering of said mouths (235) in relation to the shafts (240) that pass through them.

26. Electrothermic item of furniture (231) as in claim 25, characterized in that the spherical bodies (250) and therefore the panel (230) can slide on the shafts (240) that support the spherical bodies (250) overcoming the obstacle created by the ridges (245, 246) existing on said shafts (240) one on each side of the shaft's centre, position of the panel being kept stable close to a first wheel (260), by the above ridges (245, 246) that are overcome, after sliding the panel (231), it being thus possible to move the panel (231 ) towards the second wheel (260) on each shaft (240), stability of the panel being assured in relation to the floor by the fact that its centre of gravity is amply comprised within the length of each shaft (240), this being so whichever way the panel (231) has been inclined and moved.

27. Electrothermic item of furniture (91 ) as in claim 1 , characterized in that externally and laterally on the frame (92) are two or more points furnished with connections (96) to vertical legs (95) so that on fitting said legs (95) to the frame (92) a small table is formed.

28. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 27, characterized in that the panel (90) is of a square shape, that the means of connection (96) are placed at the four corners and contain threaded holes (99) in which to screw the legs (95) at whose upper ends are threaded pins (97) and in that, on the upper external lamina (93) a chessboard is drawn so that a real game of chess, draughts or the like can be played at the same time benefiting from the warmth offered by the panel connected to a source of electric current.

29. Electrothermic item of furniture (136, 163, 171) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the panel (135, 161 , 170) is associated to others of the same or different shapes and sizes, electrically connected and mounted on the walls (160, 175) or on the ceiling (131) of rooms to permit realization of the decorative forms desired and of the heating preferred by placing the various panels together or by leaving spaces between them.

30. Electrothermic item of furniture (126) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the panel (125) is of a rectangular shape and is mounted on a wall (120) above the head of a bed (121 ), as might be a picture, providing at the same time a decorative object and warmth by radiation which may also be directed onto the bed (121).

31 . Electrothermic item of furniture (1 12) as in claim 1 , characterized in that the panel (1 10) is used to form the top surface of a food trolley, said panel (1 10) being provided with an independent means (1 14) of electric feed, to keep the food carried at the right temperature.

32. Electrothermic item of furniture (153) as in claiml , characterized in that the panel (152) is fitted with independent means (155) of electric feed and is of a size to be conveniently placed under plates (151 ) on a dinner table to permit, by the electric heating produced by independent electric feed provided by batteries (155) inserted in a compartment (154) inside the panel (152), the food to be maintained at the right temperature during the meal.

33. Electrothermic item of furniture as inclaim 1 , characterized in that the panel (10, 90, 1 10, 125, 135, 152, 162, 170, 180, 190, 210, 230) is kept at a temperature slightly above room temperature.

34. Electrothermic item of furniture as in claim 1 , characterized in that one execution, electric and thermic values of the panel are: Volt 220, Watt 150, temperature 70°-100° C.