Abstract: A heater assembly for an electrical appliance such as a portable hair dryer. The heater assembly includes an elongated flexible foil resistance element having opposite longitudinal edge portions mounted on spaced disc support members. T-shaped tabs extend from the foil edges and are seated in recessed portions or notches located in the periphery of the discs with the T-end portions thereof locked to the discs by detent means provided on the discs.

Abstract: A generally rectangular, self-supporting, unitary high temperature electrical resistance heater adapted for generally horizontal suspension within a high temperature furnace in which the heating element is composed of a flat resistor ribbon folded to form a series of continuous and substantially parallel beam-like heater segments disposed in grate-like fashion. The ribbon heater segments are retained in their parallel configuration by a plurality of refractory insulators disposed between and supported solely by the beam-like segments. The resulting furnace heater offers advantages of light weight, high radiation efficiency and minimum thermal inertia.

Abstract: A support member for an electric heating assembly of the type having a plurality of heating elements supported by electrical insulators. The support member comprises channel-like strips sized to receive the electrical insulators and includes tab-like portions integrally formed from at least one of the walls of the strip and lying across the opening of the channel defined by the strip. Adjacent ones of the tab-like portions lock the insulators in position on the support member.

Abstract: A high temperature unitary electrical resistance heater which is mechanically supported throughout its active length but spaced from a refractory base with the heating element being substantially free of the supporting structure to provide an efficient heater having relatively low thermal inertia while being rigidly supported for high temperature operation. A flat continuous electrical resistor ribbon is folded in a multiple loop helix-like configuration formed of a plurality of straight segments and a repetitive array of folded, overlapped corner portions. A strut is interposed within each folded corner and welded therein, outwardly extending end portions of each strut being rigidly secured in a refractory base structure with the resistor ribbon being spaced along its active length from the base structure.

Abstract: A high temperature unitary electrical resistance heater which is mechanically supported throughout its active length but spaced from a refractory base with the heating element being substantially free of the supporting structure to provide an efficient heater having relatively low thermal inertia while being rigidly supported for high temperature operation. A flat continuous electrical resistor ribbon is disposed in a multiple loop configuration having a plurality of spaced heater segments with flat confronting surfaces and a plurality of legs outwardly extending from an edge of the ribbon and secured within a refractory base to support the ribbon in spaced relation to the refractory base.

Abstract: An electrical heating mat comprises an electrical resistance heating wire arranged in a loop formation with substantially straight leg portions between curved portions. A plurality of spaced apart spacer strips made of thermoplastic material are provided to hold the heating wire its looped formation. Each spacer strip comprises an elongated narrow strip body having a plurality of spaced open-sided were receiving loops having an inner dimension assuring snap-fit reception of the wire therein. One end of each strip body is provided with a snap-in coupling member dimensioned to snap-fit into a wire receiving loop at the end of an adjacent spacer strip to enable a plurality of mats to be interconnected together to form a larger unit. Spacer lands extending generally parallel to the leg portions of the heating wire may connect the spacer strips together.

Abstract: In a copying machine a toner-image-bearing copy carrier moves in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path. A fixing arrangement fixes toner images by fusing the toner thereof. The fixing arrangement includes a heating winding having a plurality of turns and a holding arrangement for holding the heating winding. The holding arrangement comprises a plurality of discrete holding units each engaging and holding at least one respective one of the turns of the winding. The discrete holding units are arranged in two spaced groups. The turns of the heating winding extend in a plurality of stretches from one group of holding units to the other in the direction of the transport path and serve to heat the toner on copy carriers passing therealong.

Abstract: A pair of strips having spaced cutouts therein are placed in lapping relation so the cutouts form openings to receive insulating bushings having circumferential grooves therearound at least some of the end margins of the intervening webs between the cutouts being retroverted to take the form of barbs which in the assembled relation face corresponding barbs of the other strip.

Abstract: A support strip for insulating bushings has spaced cutouts therein to receive the bushings. A locking bar which closes the open side of the cutouts to hold the bushings in place is arranged so that it interengages with the web portions between the cutouts by being received on first one side and then the other side of successive webs.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a support structure for an electric heating assembly from a single piece of metal. The piece of metal is advanced progressively through a plurality of work stations. At a first station, excess material is removed from the piece of metal to provide a strip of metal extending transversely between second and third strips of metal. At a next station, the transversely extending strip is formed into a channel-like member. Thereafter, insulators to mount the heating element are loaded onto the channel-like member. The second and third strips of metal are bent at right angles to the first strip to provide integral side supports for the support structure of the assembly.

Abstract: Our invention relates to open coil electric heating elements of conventional construction but treated to resist corrosion and to electrically insulate exposed metallic surfaces. In accordance with the invention, the component parts of the heater, except the coiled resistance wire and in some cases the supporting insulating bushings, are assembled and then coated with a silicone resin-based coating composition. The composition is applied in a flowable state to cover all exposed surfaces and fill all cracks and crevices to thereby prevent accumulation of moisture thereat.

Abstract: A ceramic insulator having sidewalls, a front wall and a back wall with an outwardly extending mounting shoulder at the upper end of the front and back walls; a passageway extending between the sidewalls of the insulator to form an open interior portion within the insulator which receives a ribbon heating element and a slot in the front wall connecting with the open interior portion of the insulator for insertion of a ribbon heating element into the open interior portion; a bearing surface within the open interior portion to support a ribbon heating element; and an elongated radiused rib extending outwardly from each sidewall below the bearing surface to provide curved contact surfaces for a ribbon heating element.