WALL MOUNTED VENTED HEATER
The invention relates to a gas fired vented heater preferably having a relatively thin profile adapted for mounting on or in a wall structure and having a heat radiant display surface with visible decorative refractory defining a rear wall of the combustion chamber.
The invention relates to a gas fired vented heater preferably having a relatively thin profile adapted for mounting on or in a wall structure and having a heat radiant display surface with visible decorative refractory defining a rear wall of the combustion chamber.
BACKGROUND OF THE ARTThe prior art of relevance includes gas fired fireplaces and radiant heaters which usually include a gas fired burner housed within a sheet metal enclosure lined with refractory or other heat resistant material to form a combustion chamber that intakes combustion air, exhausts combustion products through a flue and emits radiant heat through a front surface and possibly lateral or top surfaces as well.
Conventional wood burning fireplaces or stoves have the disadvantages of being a fire hazard and creating dust and ash waste which prior art gas fired appliances do not. However, converting an existing fireplace to receive a gas fired fireplace uses the existing chimney or flue, and is of limited application as a result. Stand alone gas fired fireplace appliances relieve this requirement but remain positioned on a floor surface requiring the protection of the floor surface with a stone, ceramic or metal apron. Gas fired unit heaters are used extensively to heat construction areas, barns, tents or other shelters usually on a temporary basis. Use of such heaters in homes, restaurants or commercial buildings is a limited application due to the risk of accidental contact, personal injury or fire.
The invention is directed to a novel gas fired vented heater adapted for mounting on or in a wall structure, that has a relatively thin profile to fit inside the wall with a display surface visible to the inside of the room, or directly hung on the wall like a flat screen television or artistic work for example. The positioning of the vented heater at a distance above the floor surface creates a novel visual effect closer to eye level, and in addition eliminates the need to protect the floor surface from heat exposure while placing the hot surfaces away from small children, pets and avoids other risks of accidental contact.
Further features of the invention will be apparent from review of the disclosure, drawings and description of the invention below.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONThe invention provides a gas fired vented heater preferably having a relatively thin profile adapted for mounting on or in a wall structure and having a heat radiant display surface with visible decorative refractory defining a rear wall of the combustion chamber.
Specifically the vented heater has an enclosure adapted for wall mounting with a front display surface, an interior chamber accessible through an access opening with a removable cover, an air inlet and exhaust outlet. A removable heat insulating liner is disposed within the interior chamber having a display opening aligned with the display surface of the enclosure, a lower air intake and an upper exhaust opening in communication with the exhaust outlet. A fuel burner within the liner has a fuel inlet, an igniter and a flame outlet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn order that the invention may be readily understood, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.
Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description included below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The trim frame 1 surrounds a display cover 7 with a central window revealing the combustion chamber 8. The back wall of the heat resistant insulating liner includes a visually appealing array of forwardly protruding relief portions 9 defining flame directing channels there-between. The flames emitted from the gas fired burner 10 may be in the form of a narrow sheet extending upwardly and flowing through these flame directing channels. The protrusions 9 and liner (best seen in
The enclosure 3 is adapted for wall mounting within an exterior shell 2 for example, as indicated in
The exterior shell 2 includes openings 12, 13 in side and back walls for roughing in electrical supply and gas supply conduits to the gas fired burner 10 (shown in
The components of the enclosure 3 are best seen in
To adapt the enclosure for flat wall mounting on or in a wall structure, the enclosure 3 may have a height “H”, a width “W” and a depth “D”, the depth D being less than 25% and optionally 15% of one of the width W or the height H. The depth D may be as little as 3-6 inches or less for example.
As seen in
As seen in
To add visual appeal and enhance the heat radiating capacity of the liner 22 the back wall 26 of the liner includes one or more forwardly protruding relief portions 9 defining flame directing channels there-between.
Although the above description relates to a specific preferred embodiment as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspect includes mechanical and functional equivalents of the elements described herein.
Claims
1. A vented heater comprising:
- an enclosure adapted for wall mounting having a front display surface, an interior chamber accessible through an access opening with a removable cover, an air inlet and exhaust outlet;
- a removable heat insulating liner within the interior chamber having a display opening aligned with the display surface of the enclosure, a lower air intake and an upper exhaust opening in communication with the exhaust outlet; and
- a fuel burner within the liner having a fuel inlet, an igniter and a flame outlet.
2. The vented heater according to claim 1 wherein the liner is disposed forwardly of a rear wall of the enclosure defining an air flow plenum between the air inlet of the enclosure and the lower air intake of the liner.
3. The vented heater according to claim 1 wherein the liner is removable from the enclosure via the access opening.
4. The vented heater according to claim 1 wherein the liner has a back wall, a top wall and side walls defining a combustion chamber.
5. The vented heater according to claim 4 wherein the liner has a front exhaust gas containment wall above the display opening.
6. The vented heater according to claim 4 wherein the back wall of the liner includes at least one forwardly protruding relief portion.
7. The vented heater according to claim 6 wherein the back wall includes a plurality of forwardly protruding relief portions defining flame directing channels there-between.
8. The vented heater according to claim 1 wherein the access cover comprises a display cover removably mounted over the display opening.
9. The vented heater according to claim 8 further comprising a trim frame removably mounted over the display cover.
10. The vented heater according to claim 1 further comprising an exterior shell disposed about the enclosure, the shell having an open front through which the enclosure can be removed.
11. The vented heater according to claim 10 wherein the shell and enclosure include releasable mounts.
12. The vented heater according to claim 11 wherein the mounts comprise protruding support brackets.
13. The vented heater according to claim 11 wherein the mounts comprise threaded studs.
14. The vented heater according to claim 1 wherein the enclosure has a height, a width and a depth, the depth being less than 25% of one of the width and the height.
15. The vented heater according to claim 14 wherein the depth being less than 15% of one of the width and the height.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 9, 2004
Publication Date: Jul 14, 2005
Inventor: Nicholas Barber (Maple Ridge)
Application Number: 10/753,381