U.S. patent application number 11/268871 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-10 for patio heater with directional control.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sunjoy Industries. Invention is credited to Jean Yao.
Application Number | 20070101983 11/268871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38002492 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070101983 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yao; Jean |
May 10, 2007 |
Patio heater with directional control
Abstract
The present invention provides a patio heater that has the
capability of heating an area in a desired direction rather than
heating all areas in all directions radially from the patio heater.
The disclosed patio heater has a heat source that sits upon an
elongated support member that spaces the heat source vertically
away from ground level to protect the user from accidentally coming
too close to the heat source. The heat source is enclosed in a
receptacle having one or a plurality of side walls that extend
above the heat source to form a heat exhaust opening directed
generally upward. The heat generated by the heat source is
reflected in a desired direction by a heat reflector located above
the heat exhaust opening and supportively connected to the
receptacle. A directional control mechanism is provided for angling
the heat reflector relative to the heat exhaust opening and, thus,
reflecting the heat in the desired direction.
Inventors: |
Yao; Jean; (Hangzhou,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RALPH F. MANNING, ESQ.;TUCKER ARENSBERG, P.C.
1500 ONE PPG PLACE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15222
US
|
Assignee: |
Sunjoy Industries
|
Family ID: |
38002492 |
Appl. No.: |
11/268871 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/92B |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 1/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/092.00B |
International
Class: |
F24C 3/04 20060101
F24C003/04 |
Claims
1. A patio heater with directional heat control comprising: a heat
source; an elongated support member for spacing the heat source
vertically away from ground level, said elongated support member
having an upper end; a receptacle that houses the heat source
attached to the upper end of the elongated support member; said
receptacle having one or a plurality of side walls that extend
above the heat source to form a heat exhaust opening directed
generally upward; a heat reflector located above the heat exhaust
opening for reflecting heat generated by the heat source in a
desired direction; said heat reflector being supportively connected
to the receptacle; and a directional control mechanism for angling
the heat reflector relative to the heat exhaust opening to reflect
the heat in said desired direction.
2. The patio heater of claim 1, wherein the directional control
mechanism comprises: a rotatable connector attached to both the
heat reflector and to one of the side walls of the receptacle to
enable the heat reflector to be rotated relative to the receptacle;
an elongated control rod positioned to engage the heat reflector
whereby vertical movement of the elongated control rod causes the
heat reflector to rotate about the rotatable connector such that
heat is reflected in the desired direction.
3. The patio heater of claim 2, wherein the elongated rod further
comprises an adjustment means for tilting the heat reflector to one
or a plurality of predetermined angles relative to the heat exhaust
opening.
4. The patio heater of claim 3, wherein the adjustment mechanism
comprises a guide mechanism attached to the elongated support
member; said guide mechanism being designed to slidably receive a
lower portion of the elongated rod; said lower portion having an
elevation lock means for temporarily locking the elongated rod at
one of a plurality of predetermined elevations.
5. The patio heater of claim 1, wherein the directional control
mechanism comprises an actuator connected to the heat reflector and
the receptacle in order to adjust that angle of the heat reflector
relative to the receptacle.
6. The patio heater of claim 5, wherein the actuator is
motorized.
7. A patio heater with directional heat control comprising: an
elongated support member for spacing a heat source vertically away
from ground level, said support member having an upper end; a
receptacle that houses a heat source; said receptacle having a heat
exhaust opening directed generally upward; a heat reflector
positioned directly above the heat exhaust opening for reflecting
heat generated by the heat source in a desired direction; said heat
reflector being attached to an upper outer edge of the receptacle
by a rotatable connector; said rotatable connector being rotatable
about a horizontal axis; a directional control rod having an upper
end and a lower end; said upper end connected to the heat reflector
to enable rotation of the heat reflector about the horizontal axis;
said lower end having adjustment means for fixing the directional
control rod at one or a plurality of vertical positions relative to
the elongated support member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] There are no related applications.
BACKGROUND--FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for heating
an outdoor area, such as a patio, and more particularly, to an
apparatus designed to permit the warming of a selected area in a
chosen radial direction distal from the apparatus.
BACKGROUND--DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0003] Patio heaters have traditionally been sold to restaurants
and bars in order to extend the usefulness of outdoor spaces such
as decks and patios when the weather is cold. Recently, such
heaters have also been sold to individuals for personal use on
decks or in back yard spaces for the same purpose. These types of
heaters usually comprise a base where the fuel source is located
and a support member extending upward from the base in order to
raise the heat generation mechanism to a height where it does not
pose a danger to persons walking under it or in the same area.
Having an elevated heat source also provides for more flexibility
in using the space to be heated because there are no areas that are
unsafe or uncomfortable whereas a heat source that is not elevated
would necessitate a that a certain safety radius be maintained,
thus taking up valuable space. These patio heaters are usually
fuelled by liquefied petroleum (LP) gases so that they do not need
to remain in a fixed location in order to operate in a beneficial
way. The mobility offered by an easily transportable fuel source
also offers flexibility in floor plans and outdoor activities.
[0004] One shortcoming of presently available free-standing heaters
is that they must be centrally placed in the area to be heated in
order to maximize the efficiency of the heat distribution and,
accordingly, fuel consumption. Because they provide heat in a
circular area having a pre-determined radius from the central point
where the heat generation occurs, many existing heaters cannot be
efficiently placed on the periphery of the seating area in a
restaurant setting, for example, because they will waste energy and
fuel by heating areas that do not generate income or are not being
used. In a home setting, it may not be safe for children to have
the heating device in the center of a patio where it could easily
be knocked over.
[0005] It is known in the art to make one directional heaters or
heaters that heat a specified arc while rotating back and forth,
these types of heaters are usually powered by electricity and
generate radiant heat and are thus limited to a certain location on
the periphery of an area to be heated unless potentially dangerous
extension cords are used. It these heaters were placed in the
middle of an area to be heated, they suffer from the drawback that
they are not raised above the floor and thus also create a burning
hazard. Further, they do not have the capability of heating 360
degrees around the heat source, but rather must be pointed in a
pre-selected direction and rotated periodically and are thus not
suited for heating an area from the center of that area.
[0006] Accordingly, for the reasons set forth herein and for others
as may be reasonably apparent to those skilled in the art, there is
a need for a portable free-standing heater that can safely project
heat either radially or in a chosen direction depending on the
needs of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a patio heater is
provided which is improved in its economical use and distance and
direction of heat projection in a desired direction over prior
commercially available patio heaters. The concave heat reflector is
capable of being angled relative to the heat exhaust opening, which
is horizontal. Altering this angle permits heated gases and air to
be redirected in a desired direction with increased distance
capability. This improvement has the benefits of extending and
focusing the reach of the heat generated by the heat source
contained within the patio heater and, consequently, improving the
efficiency of the patio heater. Of course, should the user wish,
the patio heater of the instant invention can also be used in the
traditional 360 degree heating mode. The heater of the instant
invention can be placed either near a wall or in the center of a
space to be heated and can still deliver maximum efficiency.
[0008] Of course, other objects, advantages and features of the
present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the
following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments
hereof, given by way of example only with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a patio heater in
accordance with the present invention showing a concave reflector
raised to a 45 degree angle relative to the heat exhaust opening in
order to direct heat in a desired direction, and an elongated
control rod engaged with the concave reflector to enable angle
adjustment.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the patio heater of FIG. 1
showing the concave reflector in a lowered position parallel to the
heat exhaust opening in order to spread heat uniformly around the
patio heater.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of an upper portion
of a patio heater in accordance with the instant invention with the
concave reflector in a lowered position.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of an upper portion
of a patio heater in accordance with the instant invention with the
concave reflector in a raised position.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view showing the heat distribution of prior
existing patio heaters.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a view, similar to FIG. 6, showing the heat
distribution of the patio heater in accordance with the instant
invention with the concave reflector in a first raised
position.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a view, similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, showing the heat
distribution of the patio heater in accordance with the instant
invention with the concave reflector in a second raised
position.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a view, similar to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, showing the
heat distribution of the patio heater in accordance with the
instant invention with the concave reflector in a fully raised
position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION--PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a first
embodiment of the patio heater 2 of the instant invention,
comprising an elongated support member 10 with an upper end 12. The
upper end 12 supports the heat source 14, which heat can be
generated by combustion, resistance or some other means as the
circumstance or need may require.
[0018] In a first embodiment, fuel such as LP gas or propane is
stored in the enclosure 16 at the base of the elongated support
member 10. The elongated support member 10 is preferably hollow in
order to permit the fuel to safely travel from the enclosure 16 to
the heat source 14, where combustion or other heat generation
activity can occur. The shown embodiment also contains a clasp 8
that can be opened to access the LP gas or propane. Further, a set
of wheels 6 are included for ease of movement and increased
flexibility in floor-planning.
[0019] Once heat is generated in the heat source 14, it is directed
upward by the side wall 18 of the exhaust receptacle 20, where it
comes into contact with and is redirected by the heat reflector 22.
As demonstrated in this FIG. 1, the heat reflector 22 can be tilted
to an approximate 45 degree angle relative to the heat exhaust
opening 24 in order to direct the heat radiating off the heat
reflector 22 in a desired direction 26. While the preferred
embodiment of the heat reflector 22 in the instant invention is
concave in shape to assist in collecting and directing heat, other
configurations such as frustoconical or flat are possible as may be
required for a particular application.
[0020] In this embodiment, the position of the heat reflector 22 is
altered by moving the elongated control rod 28 in a vertical
direction. The elongated control rod 28 is engaged with the heat
reflector 22 at a slidable connector 32 in such a way that moving
the elongated control rod 28 in a vertical direction causes the
heat reflector 22 to rotate about a rotatable connector 30, said
rotation occurring solely about a horizontal axis. The slidable
connector 32 performs a function that may be performed by any
number of different embodiments as those skilled in the art will
recognize. To state it another way, the point of engagement between
the elongated control rod 28 and the heat reflector 22 must be
mobile, in this embodiment to permit travel when the angle of the
heat reflector 22 in relation to the heat exhaust opening 24 is
altered.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, the patio heater 2 of the instant
invention is shown with the heat reflector 22 in a fully horizontal
position fully parallel to the heat exhaust opening 24. Positioning
the heat reflector 22 parallel to the heat exhaust opening 24
results in the heat generated by the heat source 14 being evenly
distributed radially about the patio heater 2 as with existing art.
In this embodiment, alteration of the position of the heat
reflector 22 is accomplished by adjusting the elongated control rod
28 vertically. In the present embodiment, the elongated control rod
28 is kept in place through the use of one or a plurality of steps
40 cut into the elongated control rod at intervals. Each step
engages a positioning ring 42 to enable the heat reflector 22 to be
positioned at any desired angle relative to the heat exhaust
opening 24.
[0022] In FIG. 3-4, the movement of the heat reflector 22 via the
movement of the elongated control rod 28 is demonstrated in an
isolated view.
[0023] In FIG. 5-8, the pattern of heat distribution 50 is shown as
changing with the tilting of the heat reflector 22.
[0024] While the present invention is intended to increase the
versatility and safety of outdoor patio heating, other uses will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that
the above description of the present invention is susceptible to
various modifications, changes and adaptations, and that the same
are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of
equivalents of the appended claims.
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