Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a parasol space heater, in particular to an improved
gas parasol heater for outdoor use, for example to provide space heating outside restaurants
and on garden patios.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Gas parasol heaters currently available comprise a base structure for housing a bottle
of propane gas, supporting a pole through which the gas is piped to an overhead burner.
The burner supports a radiant dish or parasol which deflects heat from the burner
downwards in an area generally surrounding the base. Gas parasol heaters have become
popular in cooler climates throughout Europe and the U.S.A. Although over 2 metres
in height, the parasol dish is generally less than one metre in diameter, and the
overall structure resembles a lamp post, and is therefore relatively discreet and
takes up little space.
[0003] In prior art gas parasol heaters, the radiant dish is made from a single piece of
pressed aluminium or the like, and on account of its size and bulk relative to the
other components, must be packed separately, for delivery to a retailer and prior
to assembly by the purchaser. This increases transport and shipping and warehousing
costs, and ultimately the cost to the purchaser. Moreover, this method of manufacture
of the dish makes it difficult to exceed a certain depth for the dish, with the result
that in prior art gas parasol heaters, when assembled for use, the dish is relatively
shallow and the rim of the dish does not extend to or below the level of the base
of the gas burner. With this design, it has been found that, when a sudden or severe
gust of wind comes from the side, when the burner is lit, "flame lift-off" can occur,
with very dangerous consequences. In less windy conditions, heat is still lost to
each side and not deflected downwardly to a sufficient extent, over the relatively
small area below the heater where people may be sitting. It is thus an object of the
present invention to provide an improved dish design in a gas parasol heater, which
overcomes all of these difficulties. An important objective is therefore to provide
a gas parasol heater with a dish which has sufficient depth to extend to or below
the level of the base of the burner, in use, for protecting the burner when lit from
side gusts of wind. A particular objective is also to provide a gas parasol heater
in which all of the components, with the exception of the bottled gas and ballast,
which are supplied by the user, may be broken down and fitted into a single box for
ease of shipping, and handling by the retailer and purchaser.
[0004] For further safety reasons, the base structure is normally weighted although wheels
may be provided for moving the heater when not in use. In currently available gas
parasol heaters, the base structure is therefore heavy and cumbersome. The cylindrical
walls of the base structure are load-bearing, supporting the weight or some of the
weight of the pole, which is always centrally located in the base, terminating at
the top of the base structure. This means that there is limited space available in
the cylindrical walls of the base structure for a door providing access to the space
where the bottled gas is located. This makes it difficult to change a bottle of gas,
or to turn on the gas or inspect the gas fittings. Furthermore, on account of the
central location of the pole in the base, the top surface of the base structure is
not a usable surface, and in many designs is formed by a convex top.
[0005] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, an objective is to provide a gas parasol
heater with a lightweight base structure, permitting moulding from plastics components,
thereby reducing unit manufacturing costs. It is also desirable to provide a gas parasol
heater with easier access to the bottle of gas which his held in the base compartment.
[0006] In another embodiment, it is an objective to provide a base structure with a top
surface which may be used as a small table or tray surface. The table or tray surface
may be fitted as a separate component, over and resting on the base structure, and/or
may be formed by a specially adapted flat surface on the top of the base structure.
Summary of the Invention
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention provides a gas parasol space heating appliance,
comprising a base structure for housing a bottle of gas, the base structure supporting
a pole, the pole supporting a gas burner arrangement with a dish deflector supported
thereon, characterized in that the deflector dish is collapsible and sufficient depth
so as to extend substantially to or below the level of the base of the burner, when
in use and when mounted over the gas burner..
[0008] Preferably, two to six separate dish sections are provided, which may be engaged
or hinged together wherein the diameter of the assembled dish is greater than one
metre, preferably about 1.1 to 1.2 metres, most preferably 1.125 metres. The depth
of the assembled dish is preferably in the range of about 180 to 240 millimetres.
The top of the assembled dish preferably includes a flat surface.
[0009] In another embodiment, multiple curved dish sections are provided prior to assembly
already attached at the apex, adapted to be folded or fanned out to form a rigid dish
structure in the assembled heating appliance.
[0010] In a further embodiment, the deflector dish is comprised of a collapsible umbrella
structure, made of metallic fabric or metal-coated heat-resistant fabric.
[0011] In a yet further embodiment, the pole is offset to one side of the base structure,
and only the ground-engaging part of the base structure is adapted to bear the load
of the pole. Advantageously, the top and the walls of the base structure do not bear
any substantial loading force from the pole, and may be made of lightweight materials.
The top of the base structure is preferably moulded from plastics material and is
preferably adapted so as to include the outer table or tray surface.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0012]
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a first embodiment of a gas parasol heating appliance
in accordance with the invention, with a central pole, and with the base shown in
cross section;
Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the gas parasol heating appliance of Figure
1, showing an assembled dish made of six sections;
Figure 3 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a gas parasol heating
appliance in accordance with the invention, with an offset pole;
Figure 4 is a partial cross-section of the gas parasol heating appliance of Figure
3, in side elevation;
Figure 5 is a cross-section of the moulded top part of the base structure of the embodiment
shown in Figures 3 and 4;
Figure 6 is a cross-section of the moulded bottom part of the base structure of the
embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5;
Figure 7 is a plan view from above of the assembled dish comprising four sections,
in the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative table arrangement, in which a separate
extended table surface is shown in solid outline placed over the base in the embodiment
shown in Figures 3 to 7, and in dashed outline in respect of the embodiment shown
in Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 9 is a plan view from above of a third embodiment of a gas parasol heater in
accordance with the invention, with a fold-out dish; and
Figure 10 is a side elevation of a fourth embodiment of the gas parasol heater in
accordance with the invention, with a collapsible umbrella dish.
Detailed description
[0013] Preferred embodiments of a gas parasol heater in accordance with the present invention
will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014] With reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, which show a particularly preferred
embodiment of the invention, comprises a base structure 51, a centrally located pole
52, a gas burner 53 and a dish parasol 54. The gas burner 53 and gas regulator 55
are of known construction in conformance with European Standard EN 1643 and will not
be described. It is preferable that the gas burner is in the shape of an inverted
cone, and is internally insulated, for example with gypsum, for greater heat output
and for deflecting more heat downwardly. The centrally located pole 52 and rigid pole
supports 81 inside the base structure 51 are all of known construction. The pole 52
supports the burner 53 and dish 54 and is hollow, providing a conduit for the gas
supply from a bottle of propane gas (not shown) housed within the base 51, in use.
The novel features of the illustrated design include a dish made from six separate
like components 73 which are fastened together to provide the hexagonal parasol dish,
when viewed from above, as seen in Figure 2. A smaller flat hexagonal section 82 forms
a crown and holds the six sections 73 together. From Figure 1 it will be seen that
the assembled dish extends to near the level of the base of the burner 53, when viewed
from the side. In tests, this advantageous dish configuration has resisted dangerous
"flame lift-off" with side wind speeds of up to 10 metres per second.
[0015] The pole 52 protrudes through the centre of the top section 58 of the base to present
a useful surface area 59 which may be adapted as a small table or tray surface.
[0016] With reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, a gas parasol heater in accordance
with a another embodiment of the invention comprises a base structure 1, an off- centre
pole 2, a gas burner 3 and a dish parasol 4.
[0017] Figure 3 illustrates more clearly how the pole 2 is offset from the centre of the
base structure, extending through the base structure and to one side of a bottle 6
of propane gas which is held in a compartment therein. A supply conduit 7 is led up
the pole from the bottle 6 to the gas burner 3 in a known manner. The offset positioning
of the pole 2 is advantageous because it allows the top section 8 of the base to present
a useful surface area 9 which may be adapted as a small table or tray surface.
[0018] The top section 8 may be moulded in plastics material, and is non-load-bearing.
[0019] The bottom section 10 of the base 1 (see Fig. 3) may also be moulded in plastics
material. A tubular part 11 houses the pole 2 and bears sideways loading stresses
by means of top gussets 12 and bottom gussets 13. For additional strength, a metal
plate, with a hole to accommodate the pole, may be bolted to the underside of the
bottom section 10, if required. A compartment 14 is formed by walls 15 into which
ballast in the form of sand or concrete is placed by the user, for safety reasons
and for supporting the pole. Five ground-engaging legs 16 support the entire structure,
but a ground-engaging jockey wheel 17 may also be provided, for moving the heater
when tipped to one side, to disengage the legs 16.
[0020] Surprisingly, the offset positioning of the pole does not substantially affect the
centre of gravity or stability of the gas parasol heater, as compared with currently
available models.
[0021] The cylindrical side wall 18 of the base may be made of flexible plastics sheeting
or thin flexible metal, such as aluminium sheeting, seated in a groove 19 in the bottom
section 10 of the base. The top section 8 of the base has depending side walls 20,
with a corresponding groove 21 for housing the wall 18. (see Figure 5) Thus, the lightweight
wall 18 may be made in two half sections, one of which is adapted as a sliding door
in an appropriate groove, allowing easy access to the bottle 6 of gas. The bottle
of gas is seated on a base plate 22 of metal, which includes a hole through which
the pole 2 may pass, and is adapted to sit on top of the bottom section 10 of the
base (see Figure 4).
[0022] The deflector dish 4 or parasol is also shown in Figure 7. This is made in at least
two, and preferably four identical sections 23, which have flanges 24 on the inside
(see Figure 3) by which the sections 23 may be secured together, for example by screws.
This means that the dish may be of relatively large diameter, for example greater
than one metre, and preferably about 1.2 metres, but easily broken down into four
parts for packing and shipping. Preferably, the outer circumferential flange 25 forms
a small skirt, which may be scalloped or otherwise provided with a decorative finish
(not shown). As it is possible to easily provide a larger diameter, and deeper, dish
than heretofore, it will readily be appreciated that the heat output which is deflected
downwardly is greatly increased.
[0023] The use of plastics and lightweight components in the alternative embodiment described
above for the base structure means that the components of the base may be manufactured
at substantially lower unit cost, making the unit more affordable to the home user.
Also, the use of lightweight components, and components which may easily be packed
into a single box measuring approximately 1 metre by 0.3 metres by 0.15 metres is
possible, which makes the unit more manageable for shipping purposes, storage by the
retailer and purchase by a home user. The parts are easy to assemble and the whole
unit may be disassembled if desired.
[0024] Figure 8 illustrates another aspect of the invention, not limited to a gas parasol
heater with an offset pole of lightweight construction as described with reference
to Figures 3 to 7 above, but also to heaters with a central pole of standard, heavier,
construction, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A larger, extended table 30 extending over
the edge of the base structure may be moulded in plastics as part of the base structure
or as a separate table top which rests on top of the base structure, made in plastics
or metal. The table top is preferably split in sections prior to assembly, for instance
into two clip together sections.
[0025] In alternative embodiments, multiple curved dish sections are provided which may
be attached together, or may already be attached at the apex and adapted to be folded
or fanned out to form a rigid dish structure in a dome shape. Metallic fabric, foil,
or metal-coated heat-resistant fabric may be used to open out the dish structure like
an umbrella. It is essential that the dish be collapsible, not necessarily provided
in multiple sections.
[0026] Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment in which the dish 154 is made of thin curved metal
segments 173 which overlap and which are attached at the apex 182, so as to fold out
or fan out into a multiple section dish configuration. This is easier to assemble
and is more readily collapsible.
[0027] Figure 10 shows a further embodiment in which like parts are shown with like reference
numerals as shown and described above with reference to Figure 1. However, the dish
254 is constructed as an umbrella, firmly attached to the crown of the burner, and
made of metal or metalized fabric, or metal coated heat - resistant fabric, collapsible
in the manner of a conventional umbrella or parasol.
[0028] Different sized diameter umbrellas may be provided for attachment to the burner to
deflect heat over different areas, with the possibility of providing heat to one,
two, or three or more tables below the heater. Further advantages of making the dish
as an umbrella are lighter weight for reducing shipping costs, and the possibility
to print patterns or advertising material on the fabric.
1. A gas parasol space heating appliance, comprising a base structure (51) for housing
a bottle of gas, the base structure supporting a pole (52), the pole supporting a
gas burner arrangement (53) with a dish deflector (54) supported thereon, characterized
in that the deflector dish (54) is collapsible, and has a sufficient depth so as to
extend substantially to or below the level of the base of the burner (53), when assembled
in use and when mounted over the gas burner.
2. A heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the dish (54) comprises multiple
sections (73, 82) adapted to engage or be hinged together.
3. A heating appliance according to claim 2, comprising two to six separate dish sections.
4. A heating appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diameter of
the assembled dish (54) is greater than one metre.
5. A heating appliance according to claim 4, wherein the diameter of the assembled dish
(54) is about 1.1 to 1.2 metres, most preferably 1.125 metres.
6. A heating appliance according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the depth of the assembled
dish (54) is in the range of about 180 to 240 millimetres.
7. A heating appliance according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the top of the assembled
dish includes a flat surface (82).
8. A heating appliance according to claim 1, comprising multiple curved dish sections
(23) which prior to assembly are already attached at the apex, and adapted to be folded
or fanned out to form a rigid dish structure in the assembled heating appliance.
9. A heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the deflector dish (54) is comprised
of a collapsible umbrella structure, made of metallic fabric or metal-coated heat
resistant fabric.
10. A heating appliance according to any of claims 1 to 9, comprising a base structure
(1) for housing a bottle of gas, the base structure supporting a pole (2), the pole
supporting a gas burner (3) arrangement with a dish deflector (4) supported thereon,
wherein in that the pole (2) is offset to one side of the base structure, and wherein
only the ground-engaging part (10) of the base structure is adapted to bear the load
of the pole.
11. A heating appliance according to claim 10, in which the top (8) of the base structure
and the walls (18) thereof do not bear any substantial loading force from the pole
(2), and are made entirely of lightweight materials.
12. A heating appliance according to any of claims 1 to 11, in which the top (58,8) of
the base structure (51,1) is provided with or is adapted so as to include an outer
table or tray surface (59,9).
13. A heating appliance according to claim 12, comprising in addition, an extended table
surface (30), adapted to rest upon the said top (58,8) of the base structure (59,9).