WO2002079698A1

WO2002079698A1 - Cover

Info

Publication number: WO2002079698A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/001467
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Chalmers, James, Thom
Priority date: 2001-03-30
Filing date: 2002-03-28
Publication date: 2002-10-10
Also published as: GB0107959D0

Abstract

A cover (10) for a domestic or industrial heater is provided that includes locating means in the form of pins (36) in one embodiment, the pins (36) engaging a surface of the heater to retain the cover in place. The cover (10) is simply lifted onto the heater, whereby the pins (36) engage the surface to releasably attach the cover (10) thereto, and lifted off of the heater, whereby the pins (36) disengage the surface to release the cover (10) therefrom.

Description

"Cover"

The present invention relates to a cover, and in particular to a cover for a domestic or industrial heater.

Heater covers per se are known. Conventional covers are typically fixed to a wall (e.g. using wall plugs and suitable screws) around the heater, and have an access panel that is releasably attached (e.g. via clips) to the cover. The access panel can be removed to allow access to the controls of the heater.

Conventional heater covers are generally used with industrial heaters (e.g. radiators) that are fairly large in size. The industrial heaters are typically fixed on a wall, and the heater cover itself is generally very bulky and can be difficult to handle and install because of its size. Further, the industrial (wall-mounted) heaters are usually provided with a thermostat valve and a shut off valve. The cover is generally closely fitted around the heater and the valves, and access to the valves that control the operation of the heater (i.e. the amount of heat and whether the heater is on or off) can be difficult, even with the access panel removed. This is because of the close tolerances between the extremities of the heater and the cover that surrounds it.

Furthermore, it is difficult to remove the conventional heater covers completely for decorating, or maintenance to or replacement of the heater.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cover for a heater, the cover being adapted to be releasably attached to the heater.

In preferred embodiments the cover has an opening for allowing access to the heater, e.g. in order to adjust controls of the heater.

The opening is preferably provided at or near the controls of the heater. However, the opening can be provided at any convenient location that allows access to the control (s) of the heater. Thus, a user can access the control (s) without having to remove a panel or the cover itself. The opening is typically large enough to allow easy access to the control (s). Additionally, the opening is typically large enough to allow heat from the heater to radiate therethrough.

The cover typically comprises first and second ends, and first and second panels that couple the first and second ends together. The first panel is typically a top panel, and can be used for display purposes e.g. for books, a clock, picture frames etc. The second panel is typically a lower panel or plinth.

The cover typically includes a front panel that is coupled to the first and second ends . The front panel can be decorative and typically comprises a metal mesh.

The opening typically extends between the first and second ends. The opening typically also extends between a top portion of the front panel and a lower portion of the top panel.

The cover typically includes a locating means for releasably attaching the cover to the heater. The locating means typically comprises two or more pins that engage a surface of the heater. The pins keep the cover located on the heater and prevent it from falling forward. In one embodiment, the pins extend from a back panel that is located between the first and second ends. The back panel is optionally coupled to the top panel. In an alternative embodiment, a first pin extends inwards from the first end, and a second pin extends inwards from the second end. It will be appreciated that the pins may be located at any convenient location so that they engage the heater.

In one particular embodiment, the pins comprise metal pins. The metal pins are typically made of a strong but lightweight metal (e.g. aluminium) . In an alternative embodiment, the pins comprise wooden dowels . It will be appreciated that the pins may be of any conventional type.

The locating means may comprise a bar that extends between the first and second ends for example, where the bar engages the heater to retain the cover in place. The bar could be of wood, metal or any other suitable material .

The locating means provides the advantage that the cover is not attached to a wall or the like and thus can be easily removed and installed, typically by simply lifting it on and off the heater. In this respect, it will be appreciated that the locating means may comprise any device (e.g. a bracket or the like) that is capable of engaging the heater.

The invention also provides a method of covering a heater, comprising hanging a cover from the heater via attachment means adapted to attach to the heater. Embodiments of the present invention shall now be descried, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a cover; Figs 2 to 4 are 'various isometric views of the cover of Fig . 1 ; Fig. 5 is an isometric inside view of the cover of Figs 1 to 4; Fig. 6 is a front view of the cover of Figs 1 to 5; Figs 7 and 8 are side elevations of the cover of Figs 1 to 6; Fig. 9 is a top view of the cover of Figs 1 to 8; Fig. 10 is a view from beneath of the cover of Figs 1 to 9; Fig. 11 is a further isometric view of the cover of Figs 1 to 10; Fig. 12 is an exploded view of an alternative cover; and Figs 13 to 18 are various isometric views of the cover of Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawings, Figs 1 to 11 show a first embodiment of a cover for a heater, generally designated 10. Cover 10 is particularly adapted for use with wall-mounted heaters or radiators, that is heaters that do not engage the floor. It will be appreciated that the word "heater" refers to any device that can supply heat, such as a radiator, convector etc. Additionally, heater cover 10 is particularly suited for use with conventional domestic radiators or heaters, such as those made by DIMPLEX™, CREDA™ and the like.

As can be seen from Fig. 1 in particular, which is an exploded view of the heater cover 10, the cover 10 comprises two spaced-apart ends 12, 14 that are typically of wood (e.g. medium density fibreboard ( DF) ) . Each end 12, 14 has side beads 16, 18 coupled thereto using any conventional means, the beads 16, 18 typically also being of wood (e.g. MDF) . The cover 10 has a top rail 20 and a bottom rail 22 that are also coupled to the sides 12, 14 using any conventional means. It is preferred that the top and bottom rails 20, 22 are coupled to the ends 12, 14 so that the fixtures (e.g. screws) are not visible. The top and bottom rails 20, 22 are typically of wood (e.g. MDF) .

A top bead 24 and a bottom bead 26 (both beads typically being of wood (e.g. MDF)) are attached to the top and bottom rails 20, 22 respectively using any conventional means. The beads 16, 18, 24, 26 provide a structure onto which is attached a front panel 28. The front panel 28 can be, for example, a brass -effect panel or can be of any other design and can be attached to the beads 16, 18, 24, 26 using any conventional means. The front panel 28 can be made of metal e.g. brass, wood or any other suitable material. The ends 12, 14, the beads 16, 18, 24, 26 and the top and bottom rails 20, 22 can be of any particular wood finish, e.g. solid ash, but it will be appreciated that these components can be of metal or any other suitable material (e.g. plastic with an optional decoration (e.g. wood-effect)).

A back rail 30 is typically attached to the top rail 20 and a top panel 32 is attached to the top rail and also the ends 12, 14. Again, it is preferred that the back rail 30 and top panel 32 are attached to the ends 12, 14 using any conventional fixtures that cannot be seen from the exterior of the cover 10.

The cover 10 is structured and coupled together so that it provides an opening 34 that allows heat from the heater to radiate into the room in which the heater is located.

Notably, the opening 34 provides access to the controls (e.g. a control panel or the like) of the heater so that a user can insert a hand into the opening 34 to adjust the controls of the heater. It will be noted that providing the opening 34 to the control (s) obviates the need to have a removable panel or the like that facilitates access to the controls, as with the conventional radiator covers. Thus, there is no requirement to remove and replace an access panel each time the control (s) of the heater are adjusted. This is advantageous as the retaining means (e.g. clips) that are used to retain the access panel to the conventional covers may become worn out with continued usage, and thus the access panel may not be received and held properly.

The opening 34 in the embodiment shown is located at an upper portion of the cover 10 and extends between the sides 12, 14, the top panel 32 and the top rail 20. The control (s) for conventional heaters are typically located on an upper surface thereof, and thus the opening 34 aligns with the control (s) . Also, having the opening 34 at an upper portion allows the heat to rise and escape therethrough.

The location and size of the opening 34 can be varied so that the opening 34 allows access to the controls in the most convenient manner. For example, the opening 34 may be located at a lower portion of the cover, or down either side. Also, the opening 34 need not extend between the two sides 12, 14 and may be sized so that it is just large enough to allow the user to insert a hand therethrough.

In the embodiment shown in Figs 1 to 11, the back rail 30 is provided with a locating means that is used to releasably attach the cover 10 to the heater. The locating means typically comprises two or more pins 36 or dowels that extend away from the back rail 30 (see Figs 10 and 11 in particular) towards the front panel 28. The pins 36 are used to engage a surface of the heater so that the cover 10 is suspended on the heater by these pins 36. The pins 36 also prevent the cover from falling forward off the heater by latching behind an appropriate shoulder or the like on the heater. Thus, the cover 10 is attached and detached from the heater simply by lifting the cover 10 onto the heater to attach it, and lifting it off again to remove it. In this way, the cover 10 can be easily installed and removed when required (e.g. for decorating or maintenance to the heater) . The pins 36 thus provide the advantage that the cover 10 is not attached to the wall on which the heater is mounted. This provides significant advantages in that the cover 10 does not require to be coupled to the wall, thus making installation and removal much more simple and less time-consuming. Furthermore, there are also savings on costs because the cover 10 is easier and quicker to install than conventional covers.

It will be appreciated that although the pins 36 are shown as extending from the back rail 30, they may be located in any convenient place so as to engage the heater. For example, the pins 36 may extend inwardly from the sides 12, 14.

The pins 36 are typically metal pins, but can be of any suitable material. The particular size and shape of the pins 36 depends upon the weight of the cover 10 that they are required to support, and also on the particular design of heater and the location of the pins 36 on the cover 10. A resilient or protective material (e.g. rubber or the like) may be applied to the pins 36 if they are of material (e.g. metal) that may cause damage to the heater. The protective material offers the advantage that the heater will not be damaged (e.g. the paint chipped or scratched) as the cover 10 is installed, removed or accidentally moved.

The cover 10 is particularly suitable for use with wall-mounted heaters, and thus it is preferred that the pins 36 are metal so that they are capable of sustaining the weight of the cover 10 without deforming.

Thus, there is provided a heater cover 10 that can be easily attached and detached from the heater, and also provides an opening 34 through which the user can easily adjust the control (s) of the heater without having to remove any access panels, or the cover itself. The cover 10 provides a particular advantage in that there are no fixings to the wall that are required to be attached, making installation of the cover more simple and less time- consuming. Additionally, the cover 10 does not include a portion that is permanently attached to the wall and which must be removed to facilitate re- decorating or maintenance to the heater.

Referring now to Figs 12 to 18, there is shown an alternative cover 100 that is substantially the same as cover 10, but is particularly adapted for use with a floor-standing heater. Like features have been referenced with the same reference numeral prefixed "1".

The main difference between cover 100 and cover 10 is that the ends 112, 114 are extended downwardly so that they can engage the floor of the room in which the heater is located. A front plinth 138 is provided in addition to the bottom rail 22. The front plinth 138 can be of any material (e.g. MDF) and can be of any particular design.

In this particular embodiment, the two pins or dowels 136 extend inwardly from the ends 112, 114. but like the previous embodiment, the pins 136 are used to engage a surface of the heater and substantially locate the cover 100 over the heater. Additionally, the pins 136 prevent the cover 100 from falling forward in use.

Although the pins 136 are shown as extending inwardly from the ends 112, 114 in the embodiment shown in Figs 12 to 18, they may be located at any convenient place to engage the heater. For example, they may extend inwardly from a back rail (not shown in Figs 12 to 18) as with the previous embodiment.

As the cover 100 extends down to the floor, the pins 136 need not support the weight of the cover 100, and can thus be wooden dowels, rather than metal pins. However, metal pins may also be used. As a further alternative, the pins 136 may be replaced by a metal, wooden or other bar that extends between the sides 112, 114, where the bar engages the radiator to prevent the cover 100 from falling forward and/or to support the weight of the cover.

The covers 10, 100 provide a number of advantages over conventional radiator covers. In particular, access to the control (s) of the heater is made much simpler by providing an opening through which the user can insert a hand to adjust the control (s) . This does not require the removal and re-fitting of an access panel. Furthermore, the cover 10 is generally suspended on the heater itself whereas the cover 100 can engage the floor and can also be suspended on the heater. In either case, the covers 10, 100 are easily fitted around the heater and removed when access to the heater (e.g. for maintenance) is required, or for when the room is being re-decorated. Furthermore, the covers 10, 100 do not require a portion to be^' mounted or fixed to the wall, thus making installation and removal of the covers 10, 100 simpler and less time consuming.

Modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cover for a heater, the cover (10, 100) being adapted to be releasably attached to the heater.

2. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover (10, 100) includes locating means (36, 136) for releasably attaching the cover (10, 100) to the heater .

3. A cover according to claim 2, wherein the locating means comprises two or more pins (36, 136) that engage a surface of the heater.

4. A cover according to claim 3 , wherein the cover (10, 100) includes first and second ends (12, 14, 112, 114), and first and second panels (22, 32, 132, 138) that couple the first and second ends together.

5. A cover according to claim 4, wherein a first pin (136) extends inwards from the first end (112), and a second pin (136) extends inwards from the second end (114) .

6. A cover according to claim 4, wherein the pins • (36) extend from a back panel (30) that is located between the first and second ends (12, 14) .

7. A cover according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the pins (36) comprise metal pins.

8. A cover according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the pins (136) comprise wooden dowels.

9. A cover according to claim 4, wherein the locating means comprises a bar that extends between the first and second ends (12, 14, 112, 114).

10. A cover according to any one of claims 4 to 9 , wherein the cover (10, 100) has an opening (34, 134) for allowing access to the heater.

11. A cover according to claim 10, wherein the opening (34, 134) facilitates adjustment to one or more controls of the heater.

12. A cover according to claim 11, wherein the opening (34, 134) is provided at any convenient location that allows access to the control (s) of the heater.

13. A cover according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the opening (34, 134) allows heat from the heater to radiate therethrough.

14. A cover according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the opening (34, 134) extends between the first and second ends (12, 14, 112, 114).

15. A cover according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the first panel is a top panel (32, 132) • and the second panel is a lower panel (22) or plinth (138) .

16. A cover according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the cover includes a front panel (28, 128) that is coupled to the first and second ends (12, 14, 112, 114) .

17. A cover according to claim 16, wherein the front panel (28, 128) comprises a metal mesh.

18. A cover according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the opening (34, 134) also extends between a top portion of the front panel (28, 128) and a lower portion of the top panel (32, 132) .

19. A method of covering a heater, comprising hanging a cover (10, 100) from the heater via attachment means (36, 136) adapted to attach to the heater.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the method includes the additional step of engaging the attachment means (36, 136) with a surface of the heater.

21. A method according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the method includes the additional step of removing the cover (10, 100) from the heater.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of removing the cover (10, 100) from the heater includes the additional step of lifting the cover off the heater.