PORTABLE THERMOSTATIC INFRARED HEATER AND SUPPORT ASSEMBLY THEREOF

Abstract

A portable heater is provided and comprises: a housing provided with a front opening; at least one pilot burner; at least one main burner unit provided within the housing and comprising a front portion facing the front opening of the housing; a gas pressure regulation system connectable to a portable supply of gas; a gas valve assembly mounted to the housing and comprising a gas valve controlling the flow of gas within the heater. Said gas valve assembly cooperating with at least one knob movable along and around an axis for selectively operating the gas valve, controlling the flow an air/gas mixture, and operating a means to ignite the gas/air mixture exiting from the at least one pilot burner. The gas valve being a thermostatic valve provided with means cooperating with a temperature sensor.

Claims

1. A portable heater comprising: a housing provided with a front opening; at least one pilot burner; at least one main burner unit provided within the housing and comprising a front portion facing the front opening of the housing, said at least one main burner unit being supported by at least a portion of the housing; a gas pressure regulation system connectable to a portable supply of gas; a first means adapted to form a first flow of an air/gas mixture, feed the at least one pilot burner with said first flow of the air/gas mixture and allow said first flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one pilot burner; a second means adapted to form a second flow of an air/gas mixture, feed the at least one main burner with said second flow of the air/gas mixture and allow said first flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one main burner; a gas valve assembly mounted to the housing and comprising a gas valve adapted to selectively: prevent the first flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one pilot burner and prevent the second flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one main burner; allow the first flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one pilot burner and prevent the second flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one main burner; or allow the first flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one pilot burner and allow the second flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from at least one main burner, said gas valve assembly cooperating with at least one knob movable along and around an axis for selectively operating the gas valve, controlling the flow of the second flow of the air/gas mixture, and operating a means to ignite the gas/air mixture exiting from the at least one pilot burner; a gas piping connecting the gas pressure regulation system to the gas valve, a gas piping connecting the gas valve to the first means adapted to form the first flow of an air/gas mixture, and a gas piping connecting the gas valve to the second means adapted to for the second flow of an air/gas mixture, the gas valve being a thermostatic valve, said thermostatic valve being provided with means cooperating with a temperature sensor and adapted to open and close the gas valve for the control of the flow of the second flow of the air/gas mixture exiting from the at least one main burner.

2. The portable heater according to claim 1, further comprising a support assembly comprising at least one first member provided with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adapted to be connected to the housing and the second portion defining a stop positioned close to a portion of the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob; and wherein the portion of the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob is adapted to engage the stop when a pressure is applied to the knob by a user to move said knob along the axis.

3. The portable heater according to claim 2, wherein the support assembly further comprises a cover surrounding at least in part a top portion, side portions and/or a rear portion of the at least one burner, said cover being further provided with means adapted to be connected to the housing and/or the at least one main burner unit.

4. The portable heater according to claim 3, wherein the support assembly further comprises at least one second member having at least one end connected to the second portion of the at least first member and at least another end connected to the cover.

5. The portable heater according to claim 3, wherein the cover comprises a top portion, side portions and a rear portion; wherein the top portion and side portions of the cover angularly extend from the rear portion of the cover, and wherein the side portions of the cover are adapted to be connected to the housing of the portable heater.

6. The portable heater according to claim 5, wherein the first portion of the at least one first member is a substantially flat platform provided with an opening adapted to receive the gas pressure regulation system therein, and wherein the first portion further comprises an outer edge extending therefrom, the outer edge being adapted to be connected to the housing of the portable heater.

7. The portable heater according to claim 6, wherein the first portion further comprises a shield extending downwardly therefrom.

8. The portable heater according to claim 7, wherein the second portion of the at least one first member is an elongated bracket provided with opposed first and second ends, the first end being connected to the first portion of the at least first member, and the second end of the second portion comprises the stop.

9. The portable heater according to claim 8, wherein the stop comprises at least one prong extending from the second end of the second portion, the at least one prong having an extremity being substantially perpendicular to the second portion, the extremity of the at least one prong being adapted to be engaged the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob.

10. The portable heater according to claim 9, wherein the second portion of the at least first member includes an elevated side edge along the second portion adapted to avoid buckling of said second portion.

11. The portable heater according to claim 10, wherein the portable heater is a portable thermostatic infrared heater.

12. A support assembly for a portable heater as defined in claim 1, wherein said support assembly comprises at least one first member provided with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adapted to be connected to the housing and the second portion defining a stop positioned close to a portion of the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob; and wherein the portion of the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob is adapted to engage the stop when a pressure is applied to the knob by a user to move said knob along the axis.

13. The support assembly according to claim 12, wherein the support assembly further comprises a cover surrounding at least in part a top portion, side portions and/or a rear portion of the at least one burner, said cover being further provided with means adapted to be connected to the housing and/or the at least one main burner unit.

14. The support assembly according to claim 13, wherein the support assembly further comprises at least one second member having at least one end connected to the second portion of the at least first member and at least another end connected to the cover.

15. The support assembly according to claim 14, wherein the cover comprises a top portion, side portions and a rear portion; wherein the top portion and side portions of the cover angularly extend from the rear portion of the cover, and wherein the side portions of the cover are adapted to be connected to the housing of the portable heater.

16. The support assembly according to claim 15, wherein the first portion of the at least one first member is a substantially flat platform provided with an opening adapted to receive the gas pressure regulation system therein, and wherein the first portion further comprises an outer edge extending therefrom, the outer edge being adapted to be connected to the housing of the portable heater.

17. The support assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first portion further comprises a shield extending downwardly therefrom.

18. The support assembly according to claim 17, wherein the second portion of the at least one first member is an elongated bracket provided with opposed first and second ends, the first end being connected to the first portion of the at least first member, and the second end of the second portion comprises the stop.

19. The support assembly according to claim 18, wherein the stop comprises at least one prong extending from the second end of the second portion, the at least one prong having an extremity being substantially perpendicular to the second portion, the extremity of the at least one prong being adapted to be engaged the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob.

20. The support assembly according to claim 19, wherein the second portion of the at least first member includes an elevated side edge along the second portion adapted to avoid buckling of said second portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a portable thermostatic infrared heater, according to an embodiment, showing a control knob;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the portable thermostatic infrared heater of FIG. 1, showing a compartment for a supply of gas;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the portable thermostatic infrared heater of FIG. 1, where a housing of the heater is removed to show a support assembly for internal components, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a support assembly for a thermostatic infrared heater, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] As will be explained below in relation to various embodiments, a portable heater for providing heat to the surrounding environment of said heater is provided. The heater includes a housing provided with a front opening and at least one main burner unit provided within said housing. Among other components that will be described hereinbelow, the portable heater further comprises a gas valve and a support assembly provided within the housing. The gas valve is a thermostatic gas valve and is operated by a knob movable along and around an axis. The support assembly is adapted to prevent movement of a plurality of components of the portable heater, as will also be explained below.

[0036] Moreover, components of the portable heater, associated accessory(ies)/component(s)/part(s) thereof and/or steps of the method(s) described herein could be modified, simplified, altered, omitted and/or interchanged, without departing from the scope of the present invention, depending on particular applications which the present invention is intended for, and the desired end results, as briefly exemplified herein and as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, a portable heater 10 (hereinafter simply heater) for providing heat to the surrounding environment of said heater is shown. In this embodiment, the heater 10 is illustratively provided with a housing 12 adapted to contain and/or support other components of the heater 10. The housing 12 has a front surface 14, a rear surface 16, and two sides (left side 18, right side 20) joining said front and rear surfaces. In some embodiments, the heater 10 can be provided with a top handle 21 to facilitate transportation of the heater 10 and/or to allow hanging from a hook or other supporting means, for example. The housing 12 further comprises a recess 22 provided on one of the sides for receiving a controller knob 24 therein. In this embodiment, the controller knob 24 is configured for controlling the temperature at which the heater 10 operates by turning said knob 24 in different positions. The controller knob 24 can have at least 4 predetermined positions (not shown): Off, Pilot, Minimum and Maximum, and allows for personalized temperature control by positioning the controller knob 24 anywhere between the Minimum and Maximum positions. Additionally, the controller knob 24 can also be used as an igniter button for activating the heater 10. More specifically, turning the controller knob 24 from the Off position to the Pilot position provides the initial spark needed to activate the heater. To do so, a user must first press down on the controller knob 24, moving it along an axis, before turning it around said axis, this security feature prevents the involuntary production of sparks by accidentally turning the knob 24. FIG. 2 is an illustration of the left side 18 of the housing 12, said housing comprising a pivotable door 25 for accessing a compartment 26 adapted to at least partially house a supply of gas 28. Said supply of gas can be connected to a gas pressure regulation system in a manner that will be explained further below. The supply of gas 28 can be a one-pound portable propane cylinder, a ten-pound propane tank, or any other suitable type and/or size of gas containers. It is appreciated that gas containers larger than the aforementioned one-pound cylinder may not fit within the compartment 26 of the heater 10. As such, the heater 10 can be provided with an extension hose (not shown) for connecting large gas containers with the gas pressure regulation system.

[0038] In this embodiment, the front surface 14 of the heater 10 is provided with a front opening 32 adapted to communicate with at least one main burner unit 34 provided within the housing 12. Additionally, said front surface 14 is illustratively provided with protective means 46 adapted to effectively protect the other components of the heater 10 and prevent the user and/or other objects from contacting the heated portions of the front surface 14. In the present embodiment, the protective means 46 is a metallic cage or grid mounted to the front surface 14 of the housing 10, but can alternatively be any other suitable means for protecting the heater 10 and/or preventing contact therewith, such as a screen for example.

[0039] In addition to FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 3 illustrates the heater 10 without the rear and side surfaces of the housing 12 in order to illustrate the inner components of the heater. In the present embodiment, the at least one main burner unit 34 can be supported by at least a portion of the housing 12 and comprise a front portion facing the front opening 32 so as to effectively provide heat to the surrounding environment. More specifically, the main burner unit 34 comprises a plenum (not shown) adapted to receive an air/gas mixture for combustion, and a radiant surface 38 adapted to be heated by said combustion of the air/gas mixture. The heated radiant surface 38 then exchanges heat with the surrounding environment, in a method that is well known in the art of heaters. Furthermore, the heater 10 is provided with at least one pilot assembly 40 comprising a pilot burner 42 and an igniter 44 adapted for providing the initial spark needed to operate the heater 10 and thus allow combustion of the air/gas mixture, within the plenum. Said at least one pilot assembly being at least partially supported by the housing 12, near a lower portion of the front surface 14 and being activated by the controller knob 24, as described above. It should be understood from the above characteristics that the heater 10 can be an infrared heater, according to a possible embodiment.

[0040] Still referring to FIG. 3, the heater 10 can be provided with a first means 48 adapted to form a first flow of air/gas mixture and feed said first flow to the pilot burner 42 of the at least one pilot assembly 40. The first flow of air/gas mixture then exits the pilot burner 42 so as to be ignited by the igniter 44 (shown in FIG. 1) by operating the controller knob 24. In this embodiment, the first means is a pilot tube 49 but can alternatively be any other suitable means for supplying fluid (i.e. the air/gas mixture) to the pilot burner 42. Additionally, the heater 10 can further comprise a second means 50 adapted to form a second flow of air/gas mixture and feed said second flow to the at least one main burner unit 34 for combustion, as described above. In this embodiment, the second means is a venturi burner 52 located within the housing 12 of the heater 10 and being in fluid communication with the plenum of the at least one main burner unit 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the venturi burner 52 has a generally cylindrical and hollow body, and is open to the outside air so as to allow said air to mix with the gas from the supply of gas 28 within the plenum of the main burner unit 34.

[0041] The heater 10 further comprises a gas valve assembly 54 mounted to the housing 12 and is effectively provided with a gas valve 56 adapted for selectively controlling the first and second flows of air/gas mixture. More specifically, the gas valve assembly 54 cooperates with the controller knob 24 which is adapted to selectively control the first and second flows of air/gas mixture by turning said controller knob 24 in the various positions described above. In this embodiment, when the controller knob is in the Off position, the gas valve 56 is adapted to prevent the first flow of the air/gas mixture from exiting the pilot burner 42 and simultaneously prevent the second flow of the air/gas mixture from exiting the at least one main burner unit 34. In the Pilot position, the gas valve 56 allows the first flow of the air/gas mixture from exiting the pilot burner 42, while still preventing the second flow of the air/gas mixture from exiting the at least one main burner unit 34. Finally, anywhere from the Min position to the Max position, the gas valve 56 allows the first flow and the second flow of the air/gas mixture to exit the pilot burner 42 and the at least one main burner unit 34 respectively.

[0042] Still referring to FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the gas pressure regulation system 30 is a regulator 31 adapted to regulate and/or control the flow of gas being fed to the gas valve 56 from the supply of gas 28. Said regulator 31 is illustratively connected to the gas valve assembly 54 via a top gas piping 58 adapted to allow gas to be fed to the gas valve 56. In the present embodiment, the gas valve 56 is further connected to the pilot tube 49 via a pilot gas piping 60, and to the burner venturi 52 of the at least one main burner unit 34 via a burner gas piping 62. In this embodiment, the gas valve 56 is a thermostatic gas valve. As such, it should be understood that the thermostatic gas valve 56 is provided with means for cooperating with a temperature sensor 64 so as to control and adjust the flow of air/gas mixture exiting the gas valve 56 via the burner gas piping 62 towards the at least one main burner unit 34. For example, when the temperature sensor 64 reads a surrounding temperature above a predetermined temperature, via the positioning of the controller knob, the flow of air/gas mixture being provided to the at least one main burner unit will be reduced and/or completely shut off so as to lower the heat distribution of the heater to effectively lower said surrounding temperature. In this embodiment, the gas valve 56 can be attached to the housing 12 via any suitable fastening means, such as screws extending through the recess 22 containing the controller knob 24 for example.

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a support assembly 100 adapted to effectively support and protect a plurality of components located within the housing 12 of the heater 10. Referring to said FIG. 4, in addition to FIGS. 1 to 3, the support assembly 100 can be adapted to support the regulator 31 and protect the thermostatic gas valve 56, among others, in a manner that will be explained hereinbelow. In the present embodiment, the support assembly 100 comprises a first member 110 which is attached to the housing 12, a cover piece 120 attached to an inner side of the front surface 15 of the housing, and a second member, or connecting member 160, effectively connecting the first member 110 to the cover piece 120. More specifically, the first member 110 comprises an end defining a stop 112 positioned opposite a portion of the thermostatic gas valve 56 which is connected to the controller knob 24. The stop 112 is adapted to prevent unwanted movement of the thermostatic gas valve when activating the heater 10. More specifically, when the controller knob 24 is pressed to activate the heater, the thermostatic gas valve 56 is simultaneously pushed towards the center of the housing and thus engages the stop 112, therefore preventing damage to the components of the heater. As such, the stop 112 prevents movement of the valve 56 and facilitates operation of the controller knob 24 when activating the heater.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first member 110 of the support assembly 100 comprises a first portion 114 and a second portion 130. The first portion 114 can be a substantially flat platform 115 for supporting the regulator 31. In some embodiments, the platform 115 has an opening 116 generally centered thereon for receiving the regulator 31 and to allow the supply of gas to be connected thereto from below the platform 115. Furthermore, said platform can be adapted to receive and secure a restraint 118 (shown in FIG. 3) thereon for effectively securing the regulator 31 and the top gas piping 58 within the housing. Additionally, the first portion 114 comprises an outer edge 120 extending from the flat platform 115 and being adapted to be connected to the housing 12. As such, the support assembly 100 is at least partially secured within the housing 12. In this embodiment, the first portion 114 further comprises a shield 122 downwardly extending from the platform 115 and being adapted to protect the interior of the housing 12 when opening the pivotable door to access the compartment 26 in order to connect the supply of gas to the regulator 31. Moreover, a lower portion of the shield 122 can also be connected to the housing to further secure the first portion 114 thereto.

[0045] Still referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the second portion 130 of the first member 110 is a substantially elongated bracket 131 having opposed first and second ends. The first end 132 of the bracket 131 being connected to the first member 110 and the second end 133 of the bracket comprising the stop 112 as described above. In this embodiment, the stop 112 comprises at least one prong 113 extending from the second end of the elongated bracket 131 for engaging the thermostatic gas valve 56. More particularly, the at least one prong 113 has an extremity being substantially perpendicular to the elongated bracket 131 so as to abut against the portion of the thermostatic gas valve 56 opposite the controller knob 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop comprises two prongs 113, but can alternatively comprise a single prong, three prongs or any other suitable number of prongs. Moreover, the elongated bracket 131 can comprise a side-edge 134 extending vertically from the bracket along a length thereof. Said side-edge 134 being adapted to provide additional sturdiness to the bracket and to avoid buckling thereof resulting from the pressure of the thermostatic gas valve 56 against the stop 112.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the cover piece 140 of the support assembly 100 is adapted to at least partially cover the main burner unit 34 thus reflecting heat generated from the combustion taking place within the plenum towards the front of the heater 10. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the cover piece 140 has a top portion 142, side portions 144 and rear portion 146 to effectively cover corresponding top, sides and rear portions of the main burner unit. In this embodiment, the side portions 144 of the cover piece 140 each include an upper section 148 extending above and engaging the top portion 142. Each upper section 148 being adapted to be fixedly attached to said top portion. Furthermore, each side portion 144 includes a lateral section 150 extending from corresponding side portions and being adapted to abut against the inner side of the front surface 15 of the housing 12. Each side portion of the cover piece 140 can be fixedly attached to the housing using any suitable means such as screws, bolts and/or rivets, among others. Moreover, one of the side portions 144 can be provided with a side opening 152 adapted to allow the venturi burner 52 to connect with the plenum of the main burner unit 34. In this embodiment, the cover piece 140 can be made from a single piece of material, such as a pattern cut from a sheet of said material, bent and/or assembled into the above-described shape.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting member 160 connects the first member 110 to the cover piece 140 and is configured for improving structural stability of the support assembly 100 within the housing 12. Therefore, the connecting member 160 has a first end attached to one of the first member and the cover piece, and a second end attached to the other one of the first member and the cover piece. In this embodiment, the connecting member is a pair of braces 162 provided at opposed ends of the second portion 130 of the first member 110. Alternatively, the second member can be a single brace having any suitable width and/or length, or any other suitable means for connecting the first member to the cover piece.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the components of the support assembly 100 are made from the same material, preferably a metallic material because of the frequent changes in temperature occurring from activating/deactivating the heater 10. In alternate embodiments, the support assembly 100 can be made from more than one material, for example the cover piece can be made from a ceramic and the first and second members can be metallic. It will be appreciated that in conjunction with the above-described embodiments, the various components of the heater 10 and/or the support assembly 100 can be connected to one another using any suitable fastening means. For example, the fastening means can be any suitable type of welding technique and/or mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. or a combination thereof.

[0049] It should be understood that the elements of the accompanying drawings are not necessarily depicted to scale, since emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the elements and structures of the present embodiments. In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several reference numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are given for exemplification purposes only.