WO2016023084A1

WO2016023084A1 - Heated furniture items

Info

Publication number: WO2016023084A1
Application number: PCT/AU2015/050462
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hayden O'KEEFE; Nick Cooper
Original assignee: Heated Industries Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-08-15
Filing date: 2015-08-14
Publication date: 2016-02-18

Abstract

A furniture item comprises an outer covering having a base, a top, first and second opposed sides, and first and second ends, and defining an interior space. The outer covering having apertures therein on at least the first side or the top. A first source of heated air is disposed within the interior space at or near the first end and a metal duct extends from the first source of heated air towards the second end. The duct has a plurality of openings therein.

Description

HEATED FURNITURE ITEMS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heated furniture item. In particular the invention is described with reference to a bench with a source of heated air disposed therein, suited to outdoor and semi-outdoor environments.

BACKGROUND

There are known heaters (heating apparatus) which are commonly used in outdoor or semi- outdoor applications, such as in patios, beer gardens, alfresco cafe and dining areas, public areas and the like. Amongst these heaters, are those where the heat source is close to the ground level, such as for example conventional gas and electric heaters, outdoor fireplaces, chiminea (Mexican patio) heaters, fire pits and fire baskets, just to name a few. Whilst many of these heaters provide an effective way of heating, they are in many instances avoided because of occupational health and safety issues, as public space managers and bar, cafe and restaurant owners, must ensure that the public are not put at a high risk of burns and injuries.

Heaters popularly used in outdoor or semi-outdoor applications areas include free standing portable patio gas heaters and electric infrared heaters capable of being mounted above patrons to walls, awnings or stands. As both these type of heaters are generating heat at an elevated height above the patrons, they rely on reflectors to direct or force heat downwardly, however there is a tendency of the heat to rise. As such a significant amount of heat is wasted. Another issue is that patrons sitting closer to such elevated heaters receive a significant amount of the heat, and some patrons will complain of "hot heads", whilst others will complain of cold feet. To deal with such complaints, public space managers and bar, cafe and restaurant owners are continually faced with being asked to turn heaters on and off to suit the comfort of patrons. In some instances rather than complain, some patrons will tamper with heater settings. Many of these heaters and the guards around them also take up valuable space.

The portable patio gas heaters typically utilise an LPG cylinder fitted to the base, and are fitted with small wheels. In some spaces multiple patio gas heaters are utilised and users must ensure that correct separation distances exist between the heaters according to manufacturer specifications, and that they do not become obstacles to patrons and staff alike. This is an occupational health and safety issue, particularly in an environment where alcohol is served, and/or inexperienced bar and restaurant staff move such portable heaters around. There have been attempts to provide heated seating arrangements. For example, US Patent No. 4,964,674 (Altmann et al.) describes a heated vehicle seat which contains a heating wire (element) disposed within the seat, with a cable delivering electric current thereto.

Another is US Patent 5,405,186 (Hanson et al.) describing an individual portable heated seat with a small propane gas burner being supplied from an external gas cylinder suited to heating a person outdoors partaking in fishing and hunting. This has the small burner near the base of the seat below the seated person, and the gas cylinder outside the seat. It relies on the burner heating the air inside the seat, so that it rises and exits via apertures near the seat support. Much of the heated air that the small burner produces would dissipate before getting near the hands and face of a user. Such seat with a burner below the seat of a user and external gas cylinder would not be acceptable for use in a bar, cafe or restaurant situation for a number of reasons, including safety issues and the need to continually change gas cylinders.

Another is International Patent Publication No. WO2013/033968 (Jiang) which describes a heating and ventilating module device in which a heating element is placed internally very close to surface of a seat or bed. Air is blown upwardly (vertically) past the heating element towards the surface upon which the person is seated or lying upon.

A further arrangement is shown in US Patent publication No. 2013/0026800 (Floyd Jr.) for a heated hollow bench seat with foot platform for use by coaches and players in outdoor stadiums. This arrangement relies on air heated in a heating unit externally of the seating device, and connected by a conduit to the interior hollow of the seat and foot platform, with the seat portion being heated by conduction and warm air exiting orifices in a foot platform and a tubular bar above the seat providing convection heating.

US Patent publication No. 2005/0161985 (Austin) discloses an electrically heated stone or composite material bench for use both inside and outdoors. It has an embedded electrical element in the backrest.

These prior art arrangements are not particularly suited to outdoor or semi-outdoor applications where patrons are using bars, restaurants and cafes. For example the arrangement of WO2013/033968 (Jiang) would require an individual heating and ventilating module assembly located at each location below where a person is seated, and would be quite expensive to manufacture and service.

In US Patent publication No. 2013/0026800 (Floyd Jr.) the heating unit is bulky and disposed externally and rearwardly of the seat. The heated air must travel to the seat via the conduit and be sufficiently pressurised in the interior hollow of the seat to evenly distribute the heated air. To do so the heat unit delivery system, namely a blower, must be quite substantive to deliver pressurised heated air to the interior hollow of the seat. Such externally disposed heating unit, foot platform and upright tubular bars would take up space and be expensive to run, and not suited to an outdoor or semi-outdoor bar, cafe or restaurant.

The electrically heated stone bench of US Patent publication No. 2005/0161985 (Austin) is not only heavy, but would be expensive to manufacture, and the size and cost make it unsuitable for outdoor or semi-outdoor bar, cafe or restaurant use. Also with such a bench it heats the back of a person adequately, and may contribute to heating an enclosed space when indoors, but it does not adequately provide comfortable heating to the hands and face of a user in an outdoor or semi-outdoor environment as the heat dissipates quickly.

Furthermore the prior art does not provide an easy way of controlling the heat being delivered to a large number of patrons in an outdoor or semi-outdoor bar, cafe or restaurant environment.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect the present invention consists in a furniture item comprising:

an outer covering and having a base, a top, first and second opposed sides, and first and second ends, and defining an interior space, and said outer covering having apertures therein in at least said first side or said top, wherein a first source of heated air is disposed within said interior space at or near said first end and a metal duct extends from said first source of heated air towards said second end, said duct having a plurality of openings therein.

Preferably said first source of heated air is at least a first blower and a least a first heating element, and said first blower supplies air to pass said first heating element and become heated air directed through said duct, said heated air exiting said duct via said plurality of openings, and then exiting said interior space by said apertures in said outer covering.

Preferably said duct extends from said first end to at or near said second end.

Preferably said openings are disposed at least on the upper portion of said duct substantially along the length thereof.

Preferably said furniture item is a bench, and said top is seat. Preferably said bench has a back support formed by an upward frame projection extending from said second side and covered by said outer covering.

Preferably at least a portion of said outer covering on said back support has apertures therein. Preferably said first source of heated air is operably connected to a heat control system allowing for control of said heating element and said blower.

Preferably said heat control system has sensors for reading ambient temperature and interior space temperature.

Preferably on/off control of heating element is based on threshold values of ambient temperature.

Preferably said heat control system will turn off when said interior space temperature reaches a predetermined value.

Preferably said heat control system has at least one proximity sensor to sense said furniture item being used.

Preferably a second source of heated air is disposed downstream of said first source of heated air, said second source of heated air is at least a second blower and a least a least a second heating element.

Preferably said furniture item is a table.

A furniture item as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said outer covering is made of timber.

Preferably said outer covering is a plurality of slats or planks attached to said frame, said slats or planks having elongate gaps there between, and said gaps are said apertures in said outer covering.

Preferably said duct is made from perforated or expanded mesh metal.

Preferably said blower may be operated without use of said first heating element, such that blower is used to circulate air for cooling purposes.

Preferably in one embodiment said furniture item has a metal frame supporting said outer covering.

Preferably in another embodiment said outer covering is of self supporting monocoque construction.

Preferably said at least first blower and said at least first heating element are disposed within a removable housing.

Preferably said at least first blower is one or more axial fans. Preferably said removable housing can be operably inserted or removed from said furniture item via an access port therein.

According to a second aspect the present invention in consists in a bench seat comprising an outer covering and having a base, a seat, a back, a frontal wall, and first and second ends defining an interior space, and said outer covering having apertures therein in at least said frontal wall or said seat, wherein at least one blower and a least one heating element are disposed within said interior space at or near said first end and a metal duct extends from said blower and said heating element towards said second end, and said duct having a plurality of openings therein.

Preferably said blower and said heating element are operably connected to a heat control system.

Preferably at least said outer covering and ducting is provided in modular form, such that said bench seat can adjoin other like bench seats to form a bench seat assembly.

Preferably in one embodiment said bench seat has a metal frame supporting said outer covering.

Preferably said blower and said heating element are disposed within a removable housing, and said housing can be inserted or removed from said interior space via an access port in said bench seat.

Preferably said at least first blower is one or more axial fans.

According to a third aspect said present invention consists in a bench seat comprising an outer covering and having a base, a seat, a back, a frontal wall, and first and second ends defining an interior space, and said outer covering having apertures therein in at least said frontal wall or said seat, wherein at least one fan and a least one heating element are disposed within said interior space at or near said first end and a metal duct extends from said fan and said heating element towards said second end, and said duct having a plurality of openings disposed at least on the upper portion of said duct substantially along the length thereof, and said seat operably connected to a heat control system including at least a first temperature sensor disposed between said duct and said seat.

According to a fourth aspect said present invention consists in asn elongate bench comprising an interior space below an outer covering forming a seat portion, and said bench extending longitudinally between first and second ends, wherein said outer covering having a plurality of apertures therein, and at least one electrically powered heat source having at least one fan and a least one heating element is disposed within said interior space at or near said first end, and a metal duct extends substantially horizontally from said heat source towards said second end, and said duct having a plurality of openings disposed along a substantial length thereof.

Preferably said bench has a metal frame supporting said outer covering.

Preferably in one embodiment said bench has a metal frame supporting said outer covering. Preferably in another embodiment said outer covering is of self supporting monocoque construction.

Preferably said electrically heated powered source is housed in a removable housing that can be inserted into and removed from said interior space via an access port in said first end. According to a fifth aspect said present invention consists in a system for heating an outdoor or semi-outdoor environment, said system comprising:

a plurality of furniture items each of which has an interior space therein and an outer covering with apertures therein;

each said furniture item has first and second ends, and a duct disposed within its said interior space extending from at or near said first end towards said second end, said duct having a plurality of openings therein, and at least one source of heated air that is disposed within said furniture item at or near said first end and directed to pass through said duct and through said interior space and a heat controller to control said at least one source of heated air, said heat controller comprising at least a first temperature sensor to sense temperature within said interior space; and

a master control system operably connected to each said heat control controller and at least one ambient temperature sensor in said environment, said master controller able to control to each said heat controller to maintain a desired ambient temperature in said environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a bench in accordance with the present invention, with back cladding and side cladding grill removed.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the bench of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation schematic of the frame of the bench shown in Fig. 1 with heat source and duct disposed within the interior space of the frame.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the frame of the bench of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the frame of the bench of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the outer covering (lining) of the bench of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the outer covering (lining) of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the duct and source of heated air of the bench of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an elevation schematic of the heat source and duct of the bench of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is cross-sectional schematic of the heat source through A-A of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged end view of bench shown in Fig. 1 from the heat source end.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged end view of bench shown in Fig. 1 from the opposed end to the heat source end.

Fig. 13 is a rear view of a panel that forms part of the outer covering of bench of Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a schematic of the heat control system of the bench of Fig. 1.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of bench assembly made up of a plurality of modular form benches of the type shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a duct and source of heated air for use in a second embodiment of a bench.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a duct and source of heated air for use in a third embodiment of a bench.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a bench in a second embodiment of the present invention utilising the duct and source of heated air of Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a plan schematic outline of the bench shown in Fig. 18, showing the internal location of duct and source of heated air.

Fig. 20 is an elevation schematic outline of the bench shown in Fig. 18, showing the internal location of duct and source of heated air.

Fig. 21 is an end schematic outline of the bench shown in Fig. 18, showing the internal location of duct and source of heated air.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a table in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 23 is an end view of the table shown in Fig. 22. Fig. 24 is an elevation view of the table shown in Fig. 22.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1 to 14 depict a first embodiment of a bench 1 and its heat control system suitable for use in an outdoor or semi-outdoor environment such as in a beer garden, alfresco cafe/restaurant and other public area.

Bench 1 in its simplest form comprises an aluminium frame 2 supporting an outer covering 3. In this embodiment timber slats 4 are held together by cross members 4a to form a panel 3a, which can be used as part of outer covering 3, see Figs. 6, 7 and 13. Gaps 13 of about 4-5mm are provide between timber slats 4 thereby providing a plurality of apertures in the outer covering 3. Bench 1 (and its frame 2) has a base 5, a top 6, first and second opposed sides 7, 8, first and second ends 9, 10, and an interior space 11. A back support 19 is formed by an upward frame projection extending from second side 8 and is covered by outer covering 3.

Bench 1 extends longitudinally between first and second ends, and has a height of about 450 mm from its base 5 to seat (top) 6.

A metal duct 12 is disposed within interior space 11 and extends longitudinally between first end 9 towards second end 10, as best shown in Figs. 1 to 3. Duct 12 has a plurality of openings 14 therein. In this embodiment, duct 12 is made from 1.6 mm thick perforated sheet steel, such as that marketed under GALVABOND™, and openings 14 are the perforations provided in such product. The perforations (openings 14) in this product provide about 50-64% open area. In this embodiment duct 12 is about 300 mm square in cross section.

A first source of heated air 15 is disposed within interior space 11 adjacent the end of duct 12 at or near first end 9. First source of heated air 15 comprises a blower (fan) 16 adjacent to heating element 17. Blower 16 may preferably be an axial fan. One suitable axial fan is 250- 300mm 12 Volt thermo fan. Heating element 17 could for instance be a 1.5kW-3kW finned heating element. In this embodiment the blower 16 is 12V but in other embodiments the blower may use a different voltage.

For the ease of reference and viewing the interior of bench 1, the cladding from back 8 and end 10 have been omitted, as has the grill cladding (air inlet) that is positioned at end 9 near blower 16. In operation blower 16 intakes air from first end 9 of bench 1 and blows air past heating element 17, thereby heating air as it is directed through duct 12. Once a stable hot air flow is established with both blower 16 and heating element 17 operating, and with an air intake temperature of about 5°C, an internal temperature of about 50°C-60°C is possible within duct 12. Hot air migrating from duct 12 through openings 14 and from the heat conductive metal of duct 12 will cool, and as it exits through gaps 13 in outer covering 3, it will have an exit temperature of about 40°C. Duct 12 with openings (perforations) 14 making up 50-64% open area and of the cross-sectional size as above described, has been found to be an effective means of getting pressurised heated air out of duct 12 using blower 16 and heating element 17 as above described.

A micro-controller 20 is preferably housed in a waterproof/sealed box 21, at or near the source of heated air 15. Micro-controller 20 is operably connected to blower 16 and heating element 17, as well as to an internal temperature sensor 25 within or near duct 12, and an external temperature sensor 26. In one preferred arrangement internal temperature sensor would be disposed between duct 12 and seat 6. Micro-controller 20 could be used to monitor and efficiently maintain desired target temperatures. The blower 16 could have multiple fan control settings and heating element 17 could have multiple power/heat settings, which could be controlled. Details of controller 20 will be provided in detail further on.

Bench 1 in its simplest configuration can be provided in a "bench seat" modular form having a length of about 1.8 m. Where duct 12 extends over that length or substantially over that length, and has a blower 16 and heating element 17 as above described, it could readily generate the heat necessary to achieve the temperatures as above described. As heat source blower 16 and heating element 17 are inside duct 12 which is disposed within interior space 11 of bench 1, and because there is a space (gap) of about 30- 100mm between duct 12 and outer covering 3, there is minimal risk of burns and injury to patrons and those working in the vicinity of bench 1. This is because there are two layers, namely the outer covering 3 and duct 12 between the heating element 17 and a patron/user sitting on or in the vicinity of bench 1. The size of gaps (openings) 13 in outer covering 3 is small enough to prevent mishaps occurring.

As heat is generated by a first source of heated air 15 (blower 16 and heating element 17), duct 12 acts like a radiator to provide consistent heat and air within bench 1. Duct 12 and its openings (perforations) 14 in combination with gaps (apertures) 13 in the timber outer covering 3 disperses warm air at constant flow. The air which exits gaps 13 is primarily at the first side (frontal wall) 7 and/or top (seat) 6. As the heat generated is disposed relatively close to the ground that supports bench 1, the heated air rises as it exits gaps 13, thus heating the users of bench 1 in an efficient manner. Frame 2 and outer covering 3 also become warmer to add to the heating effect, but not as hot as duct 12 that carries the primary heated air along the length of bench 1.

A plurality of like modular form benches 1, can be placed end to end, or have adjacent ends to form a run of seating in the form of a bench assembly, as shown in Fig 15. In such

arrangement, second or additional sources of heated air (not shown) are required downstream of the first source of heated air 15. Any such second or additional sources of heated air may utilise a separate micro-controller. In order to form a run of seating in the form of a bench assembly, joiners (not shown) may be used to join modular form benches 1 together. Where a bench assembly requires a change of direction in the run of seating, duct connectors/elbows (not shown) may be used to connect "straight run" ducts 12.

It should be understood that whilst the abovementioned embodiment described is for a bench 1, it should be understood that other furniture items could utilise a similar heating

configuration. For example a table (not shown), could have an aluminium frame supporting an outer covering. In this embodiment timber slats (panels) similar to those used in bench 1 could be used. Like that of bench 1 a duct with heating source and micro controller could be used.

In particular bench 1 of the present embodiment is advantageous, because heating element 16 and blower 17 of the heat source 15 are disposed inside bench 1. Duct 12 advantageously directs a portion of the heated air along a substantial portion of the internal length of bench 1. Because duct 12 is made of metal it provides good transfer of heat along its length within the interior space and the perforations (openings) 14 therein allow for efficient distribution of heated pressurised air. Because there is a continual flow of heated pressurised air, it ensures the heated air will rise so that a number of persons seated on bench 1 can be heated in an efficient manner with comfortable heating of their hands and faces.

Bench 1 (or table) could have its micro-controller 20 individually set or operated by a remote control 29 or a wall mounted control panel (not shown). Micro-controllers 20 could be used to maintain benches 1 (and/or tables) and the surrounding environment at a desired heat comfort. For example, when the heating is in operation, a bench 1 may have its source of heating operable whenever the ambient temperature in its vicinity drops below a predefined threshold. For instance, the default settings may for instance be that should ambient temperature fall to 17°C heating turns on, and should it reach 24°C the heating switches off. Such settings could for instance be increased or decreased in 1°C increments using hand held or wall mounted remote control 29. Furthermore, the default setting for a fan 16 may be "low speed", but a user may also adjust the fan speed setting.

Preferably each micro-controller 20 provides overheat protection. Should internal sensor 25 detect an internal temperature exceeding 70°C then the associated heating element 17 providing that heat would then turn off, and the blower (fan) 16 would go to maximum power to reduce the temperature.

It should also be understood that blower (fan) 16 could be used in warmer months to circulate air, without heating element 17 turned on, to provide a cooling effect.

Where a number of furniture items exist in an outdoor or semi-outdoor environment, they may form part of a heating system. A master controller (not shown) may operably be connected to micro-controllers 20 in various furniture items (benches 1 and/or tables). With a real time clock and non volatile data log, a combination of internal temperatures sensed by sensors 25, and ambient temperature(s) sensed by one or more ambient temperature sensors 26, the master controller may be able to manage and control heating of the outdoor or semi-outdoor environment.

Proximity sensors (not shown) may be provided within or near various furniture items (benches 1, 1a and/or tables) and operably connected to micro-controllers 20 and the master controller to detect users are in the vicinity. Such proximity sensors may be used to turn on heating or possibly ramp up heating when users are detected. For example, in a "standby mode" the heat may be set to maintain ambient temperature of about 19°C-21°C, but when proximity sensors sense that users are present, the ambient temperature limit may be lifted to say 24°C.

The micro-controllers 20 and/or master controller will have the ability to log data in order to plot a record of ambient temperature, unit temperature, heaters settings throughout the day, blower (fan) settings throughout the day, and daily consumption in KWhours. Microcontrollers 20 and/or master controller may preferably be provided with a USB port 30, so that data in suitable format such as CSV format, can be written to USB memory stick. Alternatively, micro-controllers 20 and/or the master controller could be operably connected to a CPU/computer or the like (not shown) by wireless or like means so that data can be transferred to CPU/computer.

Analysis of data collected may assist in adjusting settings and mode of operation to more efficiently heat the particular environment.

The control system for the heating of bench 1, is shown in Fig. 14. In addition to earlier described components it also depicts, power supply 31, voltage regulator 32, heater element control relay 33, fan control relay 34 and LED status indicator 35.

Figs. 16, and 18 to 21 depict a second embodiment of a bench 101 also suitable for use in an outdoor or semi-outdoor environment like that of the earlier described bench 1. Bench 101 has a monocoque outer covering 103 made of plastic material, with a plurality of apertures 113 therein. Bench 1 has a base 105, a top 106, first and second opposed sides 107, 108, first and second ends 109, 110, a back support 119 and an interior space 111. The use of a monocoque outer covering 103 eliminates the need for a separate supporting frame as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment apertures 113 are in the top (seat) 106 and in the lower part of back support 119.

A metal duct 112 of rectangular cross section is disposed within interior space 111 and extends from first end 109 towards second end 110, as best shown in Figs. 19-21. Duct 112 as shown in Fig. 16 has a plurality of openings 114 in at least its upper portion. In this embodiment, duct 112 is made from 1.6 mm thick sheet steel, such as that marketed under GALVABOND™ and openings 114 in the upper portion are perforations provided in the perforated sheet steel version of this product.

A source of heated air 115 is disposed within interior space 111 at or near first end 109.

Source of heated air 115 comprises a blower unit made up of four axial fans 116 aligned in row and adjacent a heating element 117 within housing 123.

As bench 101 is of monococoque construction, duct 112 and the housing 123 carrying source of heated air 115 (fans 116 and heater element 117) are fitted into interior space 111 via access port 140, and supported in place by internal supports 141 and 142.

For ease of installation, removal and for servicing fans 116 and heating element 117, housing 123 may be a readily removable housing fitted within bench 101 via an access port 140. Fig. 17 depicts an alternative blower/duct arrangement, utilising a duct 212 of square cross section which could be used in modified versions of the abovementioned bench embodiments. Like the earlier ducts 12 and 112, duct 212 with a source of heated air 215 could be fitted into the interior space of a bench. In this embodiment a group of four fans 216 arranged two to a row are employed in "source of heated air" 215, with the duct sheeting arrangement having perforations like that described for duct 12 of the first embodiment.

Fans 116 and 216 shown in Figs. 16 and 17 may be small compact fans. Commercially available fans of the type used to cool computer hardware could be used. One such example is a Noctua™ 120mm NF-F12 PWM 1200 RPM fan using a 12 volt power supply.

Figs. 22 to 24 depict a table 301 also suitable for use in an outdoor or semi-outdoor environment. Table 301 is of monocoque construction with a hollow interior space made of plastic material and having a top 306 above an upright support 307. It has a plurality of apertures 313 in its upright support 307. It would employ a source of heated air 315 and duct 312 similar to source of heated air 115 and duct 112 of the second bench embodiment that could be inserted into the hollow interior space via an access port in end 309 of table 301. Source of heated air 115 comprising fans 316 could intake air from end 309.

Importantly in all of the abovementioned embodiments the source of heated air, namely blowers (fans) and heating elements and the ducts are all internally disposed within the interior space of the furniture items, which is both advantageous for occupational health and safety and for aesthetic reasons. Placing the blower and heating element at one end of the furniture means that air can readily be introduced to the blower, and as the duct is substantially horizontally disposed it ensures pressurised heated air is distributed along the length of the furniture item. As the duct is made of heat conductive metal and has perforations therein along its length, heated air is able to exit the duct in a steady state after a short while of the heating operation starting. The use of apertures in the outer coverings of the furniture items means that heated air can be delivered to the environment in which users are using the furniture items. Since the source of heated air emanates from the duct/interior of the furniture, it will rise through the outer covering to heat the hands and faces of users as well as the surrounding area. The power supply cabling (not shown) necessary for the blowers and heating elements can be provided from underneath, or behind the furniture items when they back onto a wall. Furthermore the internally disposed components are easily accessible for servicing. An outdoor or semi-outdoor restaurant, cafe or bar environment using the benches and other furniture items described in the abovementioned embodiments can provide effective heating to the patrons at about the third of cost of the prior art portable patio gas heaters and electric infrared heaters.

It should be understood that various components of the invention, may vary from that shown and depicted in the above described embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example in other not shown embodiments ducts 12, 112 and 212 could be of different cross-sections, for example circular and the perforations may be of different open area. Furthermore the duct or portions thereof could be made from expanded mesh metal. Also outer covering 3 of the first embodiment need not be made of timber slats and could for example be made of plastic material. Also bench 101 may in a modified version not employ a monocoque outer covering, and may instead be assembled from a number of components.

It should also be understood that the furniture items (benches and/or tables) as described above could be provided with adjustable feet.

The terms "comprising" and "including" (and their grammatical variations) as used herein are used in an inclusive sense and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A furniture item comprising:

2. A furniture item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first source of heated air is at least a first blower and a least a first heating element, and said first blower supplies air to pass said first heating element and become heated air directed through said duct, said heated air exiting said duct via said plurality of openings, and then exiting said interior space by said apertures in said outer covering.

3. A furniture item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said duct extends from said first end to at or near said second end.

4. A furniture item as claimed in claim 1 wherein said openings are disposed at least on the upper portion of said duct substantially along the length thereof.

5. A furniture item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said furniture item is a bench, and said top is seat.

6. A furniture item as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bench has a back support formed by an upward frame projection extending from said second side and covered by said outer covering.

7. A furniture item as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least a portion of said outer

covering on said back support has apertures therein.

8. A furniture item as claimed in claims 2 to 7, wherein said first source of heated air is operably connected to a heat control system allowing for control of said heating element and said blower.

9. A furniture item as claimed in claim 8, wherein said heat control system has sensors for reading ambient temperature and interior space temperature.

10. A furniture item as claimed in claim 9, wherein on/off control of heating element is based on threshold values of ambient temperature.

11. A furniture item as claimed in claim 9, wherein said heat control system will turn off when said interior space temperature reaches a predetermined value.

12. A furniture item as claimed in claim 8, wherein said heat control system has at least one proximity sensor to sense said furniture item being used.

13. A furniture item as claimed in claim 2, wherein a second source of heated air is

disposed downstream of said first source of heated air, said second source of heated air is at least a second blower and a least a least a second heating element.

14. A furniture item as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said furniture item is a table.

15. A furniture item as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said outer covering is made of timber.

16. A furniture item as claimed in claim 15, wherein said outer covering is a plurality of slats or planks attached to said frame, said slats or planks having elongate gaps there between, and said gaps are said apertures in said outer covering.

17. A furniture item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said duct is made from perforated or expanded mesh metal.

18. A furniture item as claimed in claim 2, wherein said blower may be operated without use of said first heating element, such that blower is used to circulate air for cooling purposes.

19. A furniture item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said furniture item has a metal frame supporting said outer covering.

20. A furniture item as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer covering is of self

supporting monocoque construction.

21. A furniture item as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least first blower and said at least first heating element are disposed within a removable housing.

22. A furniture item as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least first blower is one or more axial fans.

23. A furniture item as claimed in claim 21, wherein said removable housing can be

operably inserted or removed from said furniture item via an access port therein.

24. A bench seat comprising an outer covering and having a base, a seat, a back, a frontal wall, and first and second ends defining an interior space, and said outer covering having apertures therein in at least said frontal wall or said seat, wherein at least one blower and a least one heating element are disposed within said interior space at or near said first end and a metal duct extends from said blower and said heating element towards said second end, and said duct having a plurality of openings therein.

25. A bench seat as claimed in claim 24, wherein said blower and said heating element are operably connected to a heat control system.

26. A bench seat as claimed in claim 24, wherein at least said outer covering and ducting is provided in modular form, such that said bench seat can adjoin other like bench seats to form a bench seat assembly.

27. A bench seat as claimed in claim 24, wherein said bench seat has a metal frame

supporting said outer covering.

28. A bench seat as claimed in claim 24, wherein said outer covering is of self supporting monocoque construction.

29. A bench seat as claimed in claim 24, wherein said blower and said heating element are disposed within a removable housing, and said housing can be inserted or removed from said interior space via an access port in said bench seat.

30. A bench seat as claimed in claim 24, said at least first blower is one or more axial fans.

31. A bench seat comprising an outer covering and having a base, a seat, a back, a frontal wall, and first and second ends defining an interior space, and said outer covering having apertures therein in at least said frontal wall or said seat, wherein at least one fan and a least one heating element are disposed within said interior space at or near said first end and a metal duct extends from said fan and said heating element towards said second end, and said duct having a plurality of openings disposed at least on the upper portion of said duct substantially along the length thereof, and said seat operably connected to a heat control system including at least a first temperature sensor disposed between said duct and said seat.

32. An elongate bench comprising an interior space below an outer covering forming a seat portion, and said bench extending longitudinally between first and second ends, wherein said outer covering having a plurality of apertures therein, and at least one electrically powered heat source having at least one fan and a least one heating element is disposed within said interior space at or near said first end, and a metal duct extends substantially horizontally from said heat source towards said second end, and said duct having a plurality of openings disposed along a substantial length thereof.

33. An elongate bench as claimed in claim 32, wherein said bench has a metal frame

supporting said outer covering.

34. An elongate bench as claimed in claim 32, wherein said wherein said bench has a metal frame supporting said outer covering.

35. An elongate bench where said outer covering is of self supporting monocoque construction.

36. An elongate bench as claimed in claim 32, wherein said electrically heated powered source is housed in a removable housing that can be inserted into and removed from said interior space via an access port in said first end.

37. A system for heating an outdoor or semi-outdoor environment, said system

comprising: