Radiant Heater

Abstract

A radiant heater includes means for delivery of heat by convection as well as radiation. A heater subassembly is formed by a tempered glass electric radiant heating panel supported in spaced relation to a mounting panel by flanges extending forwardly from the top and bottom margins of the mounting panel. The heater subassembly is suspended within a main frame member in spaced relation to the walls thereof by a plurality of spaced flange members extending rearwardly from the top margin of the mounting panel and engaged with projections stuck out from the main frame member. A plurality of spaced, articulated, rearwardly extending flange members are provided at the bottom margin of the mounting panel to properly position the subassembly relative to the main frame member. The arrangement allows first convection air flow path between the heater panel and the mounting panel and a second convection air flow path between the mounting panel and the main frame member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to radiant heaters of the kind disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,770,704 and 2,781,440. These patents disclose radiant heaters including a heating panel of tempered glass plate having a metallic grid heating element laminated to the glass plate. The heating panel is mounted on a sub-frame which is fitted into a support frame. The metallic grid heating element is electrically energized and radiates heat through the glass plate into a living space. Convection currents pass through spaces in the heater created by the assembly details of the sub-frame and the support frame. The convection currents serve to cool the rear portion of the heater and carry heat by convection from the heater into the living space.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in relation to the construction of double frame radiant heaters to provide a relatively simple and economic construction and to provide for efficient movement of convection air currents through the heater frame thereby to improve the effectiveness of the heater. Advantageously, the radiant heater is provided with a structure that allows a first path for a stream of air to flow directly between a space provided between the heater panel and the heater support panel and a second path for a stream of air between the heater support panel and the main frame of convection air currents for heating. In addition, the radiant heater is constructed with a heater support panel having flanges advantageously constructed to allow the flow of air through the spaces provided thereby.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiant heater having an improved double frame construction which promotes the effectiveness of delivery of heat to a living space, particularly regarding the delivery of convection air currents through the heater.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment described below or will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment has been chosen for describing and illustrating the principles of the present invention and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the radiant heater according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a section view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are detailed views illustrating the preferred arrangement for securing the support frames to each other in the radiant heater of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, the radiant heater according to the present invention, is constructed and designed for use in a living space or if desired in any other place in need of heat. The radiant heater may be mounted on a wall surface, for example under a window sill or it may be mounted overhead on a ceiling surface.

The radiant heater 10 comprises a double frame construction including a heater frame sub-assembly 12 and a main support frame 14 by which the heater may be mounted on a wall surface. A heating panel 16 is fitted into the heater frame sub-assembly 12 which is mounted on the main support frame 14. A grill 18 comprising vertical and horizontal rod members 20 and 22 covers the heating panel, protects the radiant heater from being contacted.

The heater frame sub-assembly 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3) includes the heating panel 16 which includes a tempered glass plate 26 backed by a suitable metallic grid heating element 28 which may be made of aluminum or other material for conducting electricity and for this purpose a suitable electrical connection 30 is attached to the metallic grid through a suitable conduit 31. The heat energy is supplied by resistance heating of the metallic grid 28 which radiates heat energy through the tempered glass plate and also heats the entire heater and ambient air so that convection currents carry heat from the heater into the living space.

The heater frame sub-assembly 12 also includes a mounting panel 32 comprising a plate of suitable sheet metal having forwardly directed flanges 34 and 36 at its upper and lower edges. These forward flanges receive resilient and heat resistant spacing members preferably silicone rubber grommets 38 in which the heating panel 16 is mounted. The silicone rubber spacing members allow for expansion of the glass plate from room temperature to its operative heating temperature which may be around 300.degree. Farenheit. By using silicone rubber spacing members it is possible to have a compact and tight assembly at room temperature thus to avoid rattling as well as at a high operating temperature.

A forward frame member 40 holds the heating panel 16 in position with respect to the supporting panel 32. The forward frame member includes an inwardly directed flange 42 portion which bears against the glass plate 26 to hold it in place. Suitable fastening means such as screws 44 illustrated in FIG. 4 secure the forward frame member 40 to the support panel 32 so to provide a compact heating heater frame sub-assembly. It will be observed that the heater frame sub-assembly 12 includes the front grill 18 which protects the heating element from inadvertent contact. Preferably the protective grill is spot welded or otherwise connected to the sub-assembly at spaced points 46 to allow for expansion of the grill and to reduce the required points of contact between the grill and the heater frame sub-assembly. Preferably the grill comprises a lattice-work vertical and horizontal rod members 20 and 22 suitably bent to provide for a reasonable spacing of the grill from the surface of the heater panel.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it will be observed that the support panel 32 further includes rearwardly directed flange members 48 and 50 at its upper and lower edges respectively. As best shown in FIG. 4, the forward 34 and rear 48 flanges are spaced from each other to allow for passage of air between the flanges so that convection currents may cool the rear portions of the radiant heater as more fully described below. It will be observed that the lower rear flange members 50 of the mounting panel include articulated downwardly and frontwardly extending panel portions 51 and 53. One lower flange member 50 supports a grommet 52 through which the electrical connection passes. The articulated panels 51 and 53 also function in assembling the heater as more fully described below.

The main support frame 14 comprises a generally dish-shaped sheet metal plate 54 having a rear panel member 56 and upstanding bottom 58 and top wall 60 portions as well as end wall portions 61 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. The main support frame is suitably dimensioned to receive the heater frame sub-assembly. The upper portion 60 of the main frame as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is outwardly curved to provide a smooth path for the convection current passing through the spaces between the various portions of the heater. The bottom wall 58 of the main support frame has an outwardly extending rib member 62 which cooperates with an assembly plate 64 to secure both frame members together. The assembly plate 64 includes main panels 65 and 67 disposed perpendicular to each other. The main panel 65 includes a groove 69 which engages the rib 62 for securing the heater frames together. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the main frame 54 includes depressed fingers 66 in the rear panel which receive the rearward extending flanges 48 of the heater frame sub-assembly.

To assemble the radiant heater according to the present invention, the rear flanges 48 of the heater frame sub-assembly are fitted onto the rear panel fingers 66 of the main frame. The assembly plate 64 engages the rib 62 and snaps into place against reversed flanges 50 to retain the lower portion of the heater frame with respect to the main frame. Suitable fastening means such as machine screws 68 secure the assembly plate 64 to retainer plates 70. The retainer plates 70 preferably are lateral extensions of the end walls 61 as shown in FIG. 1.

When assembled it will be observed that a clear passage for convection currents is maintained between the heater element sub-assembly and the main frame. That is to say, convection air is free to pass under the heater frame as indicated by arrows and to divert into a first stream through the space defined by the heater panel 16 and its support panel 32 and a second convection current between the sub-assembly support panel 32 and the main frame 56. This natural draft convection current flows from the top of the radiant heater through the curved channel 60 defined by the top wall of the heater. As best shown at FIG. 4, passage of the convection current is provided because of the spacing of the forwardly and rearwardly directed flanges 34 and 48 of the sub-assembly panel. It is to be observed that the upper and lower flanges of this panel are spaced in similar relation to each other to provide such passage of air.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the present invention that applicant has provided an improved radiant heater which provides economic construction with more effective use of convection currents for heating.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A radiant heater comprising a sub-assembly frame having a generally rectangular mounting panel with a top marginal portion and a bottom marginal portion, a first set of flanges extending frontwardly from the top and bottom marginal portions of said mounting panel for receiving and supporting a heating panel in spaced relation to said mounting, panel said flanges being arranged to allow convection currents to flow across front of said mounting panel, spacing elements fitted into said frontwardly extending flanges, an electric heating panel mounted on said spacing elements in rattle-free relation in said mounting panel, a frame member cooperating with said first set of flanges for retaining the heating panel in sub-assembly with respect to said mounting panel, said mounting panel further having a second set of flanges extending rearwardly from its top and bottom marginal portions, said second set of flanges including a plurality of flange members at said top and bottom margins spaced laterally from each other to allow for flow of convection currents past the rear of said mounting panel and between the flange members; main frame member comprising a panel having forwardly extending top, bottom, and end wall portions, the panel of said main frame member being provided with projections stuck out from the forward surface thereof, said second set of flanges along the top margin including downwardly directed portions which engage said projections to thereby suspend the sub-assembly in the main frame member in spaced relation thereto whereby two convection air passages are, the first between said heating panel and said mounting panel member, and the second between the mounting panel member and the main frame member, the flanges of the second set along said bottom margin further including articulated downwardly and frontwardly extending portions for cooperating in the assembly of the heater, and being adapted to abut against the forward face of the panel of said main frame member, and an assembly plate engaging the articulated portions and the bottom wall of the main frame for retaining the sub-assembly and the main frame in assembled relationship with respect to each other, said sub-assembly being mounted with respect to the main frame so that convection currents may pass between the sub-assembly and the main frame.

2. The radiant heater as defined in claim 1 wherein the top wall portion of the main frame member is curved to define a convection channel for heated air passing through the heater.

3. The radiant heater of claim 1 which further includes a protective grill mounted over the front of the heating panel.