Abstract: A heater assembly includes a housing which both channels air flowing around a heating element and provides support structure for the elements holding the heating element. In one embodiment, a lower U-shaped channel has recesses in opposed sidewalls to engage down-turned ends of holding elements. A second U-shaped channel is attached to form a hollow duct open at opposite ends. In a second embodiment, a U-shaped channel is made of flexible material so that the spacing between opposed sidewalls may be varied. A holding element is secured between the sidewalls by separating the sidewalls to allow insertion of the holding means.

Abstract: An electric heater incorporating simple support structure therefor. A frame is insulated from an electric resistance heater coil by insulator supports mounted within beam members of the frame. The supports incorporate structural features enabling the use of simplified supporting beams. The support insulators include additional structural features for retaining the resistance wire in place and for simplified engagement therewith. The insulators may project on both sides of the support beams and retain heater wires in two planes. The support insulators further provide an integrated structure easily fabricated and simply assembled to the frame.

Abstract: An insulator for an electric heater employs a central elongated slot and two guide surfaces. Below each guide surface is a notch for receiving an outer convolution of a heater coil, while the central slot terminates in a notch for receiving an intermediate convolution of the heater coil. The slot engages the central convolution of the heater coil before outer convolutions engage the guide surfaces to facilitate installation of the insulator. As the insulator is inserted into the heater coil, the guide surfaces engage the outer convolutions and direct them to respective notches for securely holding the heater coil. The insulator may support a single pass of the heater coil or may be arranged to have these surfaces and notches on opposite ends to support two passes of the heater coil.

Abstract: An electric heater incorporating simple support structure therefor. A frame is insulated from an electric resistance heater coil by insulated supports mounted within beam members of the frame. The supports incorporate structural features enabling the use of simplified supporting beams. The support insulators include additional structural features for retaining the resistance wire in place and for simplified engagement therewith. The insulators may project on both sides of the support beams and retain heater wires in two planes. The support insulators further provide an integrated structure easily fabricated and simply assembled to the frame.