Electrical infrared radiant heater

Claim 1

An electrical infrared radiant heater comprising a heater assembly consisting essentially of an extruded dielectric refractory clay ceramic holder having a heat radiating surface said holder being provided with a plurality of first through holes disposed closely adjacent to each other in a first row immediately below said heat radiating surface of said holder and extending throughout the length of said holder, heating element wires extending axially through said first through holes, the diameter of said wires being slightly less than the diameter of said first through holes for substantially filling said first through holes said heating element wires being joined to provide an electrical resistance element, said wires in said first through holes and said heat radiating first through holes themselves being sufficiently close to said heat radiating surface that said wires heat said heat radiating surface to an infrared radiating condition when electricity is passed through said wires and means for connecting said electrical resistance element to a source of electricity, said holder being provided with a plurality of second through holes arranged in a second row said second through holes being unobstructed, whereby said unobstructed holes provide cells for insulating purposes said first row being between said second row and said radiating surface, said first row and said second row being disposed adjacent to each other and parallel to each other.