EP0611921A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for simulating flames or a solid fuel fire
Assignee: Basic Holdings
•
Filing: 1994-02-04
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2014-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A simulated solid fuel fire includes a rear reflector, which may be curved, a screen which diffusely transmits light and reflects light and a flag-like member positioned between a rear reflector and screen. Simulated fuel is positioned in front of the screen and means are provided to illuminate the fuel, the flag-like member and the rear reflector. A reflecting surface reflects light in such a way as to cause perception of colours. The rear reflector includes reflective regions situated below a darkened area. Luminous flame-shaped images, tinged with colour, can be perceived between shadows on the screen, the images emanating between the fuel and its reflected image. When the simulated fuel resembles logs, light illuminates the upper surfaces to promote realism.
Inventors
- 👤 Noel O'niell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:32
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24C; F24C7/00; F24C7/002; F24C7/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for simulating flames in a solid fuel fire, the apparatus comprising: rear reflecting means; means for simulating flames including a member or members and means for causing said member or members to move so as to simulate flames; a screen capable of diffusely transmitting light, said member or members being positioned between the rear reflecting means and the screen; simulated fuel positioned in front of the screen; and means for illuminating said simulated fuel, said member or members, and said rear reflecting means; said screen also being capable of reflecting light so that a reflected image of the fuel is visible in the screen; said illuminating means including a source of light which is randomly intercepted by movement of said member or members; said rear reflecting means including reflecting regions situated below a darkened or blackened area and also a reflecting surface which reflects said light in such a way as to cause a perception of colours; the arrangement being such that luminous flame-shaped images, tinged with colour, can be perceived between shadows on the screen, said flame-shaped images appearing to emanate from between the simulated fuel and its image on the screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said rear reflecting means is concave about a vertical axis and wherein said member is a flag-like member located centrally of the concave reflecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said member or members are apertured and shaped to assist in producing a flame shaped image on the screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the member is a flag-like piece of material which is generally coffin-shaped and has a slit and a diamond shaped aperture therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to any of the Claims 2-4, wherein the means for illuminating the simulated fuel includes a source of substantially white light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to any of Claims 2-6 in which the illuminating means includes a bulb or bulbs which are situated at the side or sides of the member and which are positioned to provide said flame-shaped images and shadows on said screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said reflecting surface comprises metallised film or foil which diffracts or refracts said white light in such a way as to enable said colours to be perceived.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, and further including means for simulating sparks in the simulated flames, the latter means including pieces of reflective material which move in the airstream from the fan and thereby reflect flashes of light onto the screen to simulate said sparks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims in which the simulated fuel is in the form of imitation logs and in which illuminating means also directs light onto an upper surface of the logs to promote realism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for simulating flames in a solid fuel fire, the apparatus comprising: simulated fuel; means for simulating flames including a fan and a member shaped and movable in an airstream from the fan so as to simulate flames; means for illuminating the simulated fuel and said member; and a screen positioned between the simulated fuel and said member, the screen being capable of both diffusely transmitting and reflecting light, whereby simulated flames are visible on the screen, which flames appear to emanate from between the simulated fuel and its reflected image in the screen; the apparatus further including rear reflecting means which are substantially concave about a vertical axis; said member being a flag-like piece of material located centrally in front of the rear concave reflecting means and shaped and positioned so that it randomly intercepts the light which illuminates the rear reflecting means, whereby the simulated flames are perceived at different positions along the width of the screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the concave reflecting means includes reflecting regions situated below a darkened or blackened area and also a reflective surface which reflects substantially white light in such a way as to cause a perception of colours, the arrangement being such that luminous flame-shaped images, tinged with colour, can be perceived between shadows on the screen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to Claim 10 or 11 and including means for simulating sparks in the simulated flames, the latter means including pieces of reflective material which move in the airstream from the fan and thereby reflect flashes of light onto the screen to simulate said sparks.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to any of Claims 10-12 in which the simulated fuel is in the form of imitation logs and in which illuminating means also directs light onto an upper surface of the logs to promote realism.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.