AIR HEATING DEVICE

Abstract

A universal air heating device that can be attached to an existing device. The universal air heating device includes a housing, one or more heating elements contained within the housing, one or more temperature regulating elements for controlling the heating element(s), and an attachment mechanism for attaching the air heating device to an existing device.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a universal air heating device that is capable of being attached to another existing device such as a restorative drying apparatus and/or a piece of janitorial equipment. Examples of apparatus and/or equipment that the air heating device of the present invention may be attached to include, but are not limited to, a fan, a filtration machine, a large electric heater, a dehumidifier, a desiccant dehumidifier, and a heat exchange unit. The air heating device of the present invention includes a housing, at least one heating element contained within the housing, at least one temperature regulating element for controlling the heating element(s), and an attachment mechanism connected to the housing for attaching the air heating device to an existing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the restoration industry, high volume fans or air movers are typically used along with heaters to dry building structures and other items that are contained within the building structures such as rugs, flooring, furniture, clothing, etc. when they become wet from flooding, accidents, or the like. In the pest elimination industry, heaters are used to kill insects and similar pests that have infiltrated defined areas, including living spaces.

Heaters alone provide heat with very little air movement. The addition of high volume fans or air movers used in combination with heaters circulates the air so that the heat transfers to wet materials causing faster evaporation. In addition, in the pest elimination industry, multiple heaters may be used to heat large contained areas or structures in order to kill insects or pests.

Heaters are designed to heat a reasonably sized drying area to a certain temperature. A heater typically has only one temperature controller for regulating the temperature in a given area. As a result, it is impossible to spread heat out evenly enough to overcome different drying environments or to achieve different drying requirements within the drying area. Areas with more water absorbed by the materials or materials with different conductivity require a significant difference in heat/energy to properly and quickly dry the materials.

The slow drying of materials can cause bacterial and mold growth. Having adequate temperature/energy is crucial to proper drying. Heat causes water to evaporate ensuring that materials dry expeditiously. The ability to dry different materials using the appropriate temperature ensures a safer and healthier indoor environment. Prior art methods of using high volume fans/air movers with separate heaters or heating devices do not provide the ability to attain different temperatures within a drying area. As a result, this causes some materials in the drying area to be over dried and some materials in the drying area to be under dried. Both under drying and over drying of materials causes additional damage to the materials.

Accordingly, there is a need for an efficient, inexpensive, and easy to use device that enables the drying of different structures and materials at different temperatures within a given drying area. There is also a need for an efficient, inexpensive, and easy to use device that can be used to increase temperature, increase heat output, increase exhaust temperature, and accelerate drying. In addition, there is also a need for an efficient, inexpensive, easy to use, and portable device that 1) can turn existing devices or equipment into heaters and/or 2) can make other devices or equipment perform better by creating additional energy (heat).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an air heating device that can be attached to other devices or equipment. The universal air heating device of the present invention can be attached to a variety of existing devices thereby turning an existing device or piece of equipment into a heater (in addition to the functions that the existing device is already capable of performing) or making an existing device or piece of equipment perform better by creating additional energy (heat).

For example, the universal air heating device of the present invention may be attached to a variety of fans or air movers including high volume fans or air movers used in the restoration industry to create a temperature controlled air and heating unit. The temperature regulating element of the universal air heating device can be used to set a high temperature limit and/or a low temperature limit for the heating element(s) contained in the universal air heating device to enable different structures and materials that are wet to be dried at different preferred temperatures within a defined drying area such as a building, containment, or enclosure.

In another exemplary use, the universal air heating device of the present invention may be attached to a filtration machine or device having a built-in fan or a fan that is in turn attached to a filter. In yet another exemplary use, the universal air heating device of the present invention can be used with larger electric heaters by attaching the universal air heating device to one or more fans and placing them in areas that need additional heat that is temperature controlled to create a more balanced temperature. In still another exemplary use, the universal air heating device of the present invention can be placed on the front, side, or back of an existing heater, depending on the existing heater type and style, to increase temperature or heat output. The universal air heating device of the present invention can be placed on existing industry heaters to preheat the air and boost heat output.

In another exemplary use, the universal air heating device of the present invention may be used to boost the air temperature of existing wall and/or floor drying equipment to accelerate the drying process. In yet another exemplary use, the universal air heating device of the present invention can be attached to a dehumidifier to increase the exhaust temperature of the dehumidifier. In still another exemplary use, the universal air heating device of the present invention can be attached to the exhaust of a desiccant dehumidifier to increase the temperature of a building structure, containment, or enclosure. In yet another exemplary use, the universal air heating device of the present invention can be attached to a heat exchange unit or units to increase temperature of air coming into a structure.

The universal air heating device of the present invention can also be used to heat building structures and enclosures for the purpose of killing insects or pests. As previously mentioned, the universal air heating device of the present invention is capable of working with a variety of restorative drying and janitorial equipment by turning existing equipment into heaters and/or by making existing equipment perform better by creating additional energy (heat) for drying faster and more thoroughly.

In one exemplary embodiment, the universal air heating device of the present invention includes a housing, one or more heating elements contained within the housing, one or more temperature regulating elements for controlling the heating element(s), and an attachment mechanism connected to the housing for attaching the air heating device to an existing device. The universal air heating device may also include an activation switch for activating the air heating device and/or one or more activation switches for respectively activating each of the heating element(s) contained in the universal air heating device.

The universal air heating device may also include a tip sensor switch for switching the air heating device off when it senses that the air heating device has altered its position by a predetermined amount. In addition, the attachment mechanism of the universal air heating device may include a spring loaded mechanism for attaching the air heating device to an existing device. The one or more temperature regulating elements in the air heating device may be thermostats and the thermostats may be capable of setting a low temperature limit and a high temperature limit.

The universal air heating device may also include one or more safety elements capable of shutting off the air heating device itself and/or one or more of the heating elements contained in the air heating device upon reaching a preset temperature. The safety element may be a safety temperature regulating element that is in communication with an activation switch for the air heating device and/or an activation switch(es) for the heating element(s) contained within the housing. The safety temperature regulating element may be a thermostat.

In another exemplary embodiment, the universal air heating device of the present invention includes two or more heating elements contained within the housing. The air heating device may include a single temperature regulating element for controlling the two or more heating elements. Alternatively, the two or more heating elements may each have their own respective temperature regulating element for controlling their individual temperatures.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the universal air heating device of the present invention includes a housing, one or more heating elements contained within the housing, one or more temperature regulating elements for controlling the heating element(s), one or more power cords for connecting the air heating device to a power source, and an attachment mechanism connected to the housing for attaching the air heating device to an existing device. The universal air heating device may also include an activation switch for activating the air heating device and/or one or more activation switches for respectively activating each of the heating elements contained in the universal air heating device. The universal air heating device may also include a tip sensor switch for switching the air heating device off when it senses that the air heating device has altered its position by a predetermined amount. The attachment mechanism of the universal air heating device may include a spring loaded mechanism. In addition, the one or more temperature regulating elements in the air heating device may be thermostats and the thermostats may be capable of setting a low temperature limit and a high temperature limit. The universal air heating device may also include one or more safety elements capable of shutting off the air heating device itself and/or one or more of the heating elements contained in the air heating device when the heating element(s) reach a preset temperature.

The universal air heating device of the present invention allows a user to turn fans they already own into heaters. The universal air heating device of the present invention may have approximately ¼ to ⅓ the power of a typical industry heater. When the universal air heaters of the present invention are attached to existing fans, the combined fan/heater devices can be spread out to create an even distribution of heat with each universal air heating device having its own temperature regulating element to ensure all areas dry expeditiously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the universal air heating device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the universal air heating device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the universal air heating device shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows the exemplary embodiment of the universal air heating device shown in FIGS. 1-3 attached to an existing exemplary industrial fan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The universal air heating device of the present invention generally provides a housing, one or more heating elements contained in the housing, one or more temperature regulating elements for controlling the heating element(s), and an attachment mechanism connected to the housing for attaching the universal air heating device to an existing device. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the universal air heating device of the present invention. Air heating device 10 includes a housing 12, heating elements 14, 15 contained within housing 12, a temperature regulating element 16 for controlling the heating elements 14, 15 and an attachment device 18 connected to the housing 12 for attaching the air heating device 10 to an existing device.

Housing 12 preferably comprises a strong, durable, heat resistant, fire-safe material. For example, housing 12 could be made of a heat-resistant metal or a heat-resistant, fire-safe plastic or polymer capable of withstanding high temperatures. An exemplary embodiment of housing 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes a front side 17, a back side 27 (see FIG. 2), a top 29, and a bottom 31 (See FIG. 3). The front side 17 may include an extended upper front side 37 having a generally rectangular shape which extends outward from a bottom front side 47 having a generally rectangular shape. The heating elements 14, 15 are contained behind the bottom front side 47 of the housing 12 and temperature regulating element 16 and other elements of the air heating device 10 are contained behind the upper front side 37 of the housing 12.

Heating elements 14, 15 convert electricity into heat and may comprise metal, ceramic, or other composites. The heating elements may take any number of forms including, but not limited to a wire, ribbon, strip, or coil. Housing 12 contains openings 19 which lie adjacent to the heating elements 14, 15 contained within the housing 12 so that heat produced from the heating elements 14, 15 can escape from the housing 12. Universal air heating device 10 may include one or more heating elements 14, 15 and one or more temperature regulating elements 16. In air heating devices having more than one heating element, a single temperature regulating element may be used to control all of the heating elements or each heating element may be controlled by its own separate temperature regulating element. The exemplary embodiment of the air heating device shown in FIG. 1 includes two heating elements 14, 15 that are both controlled by one temperature regulating element 16.

The temperature regulating element 16 shown in FIG. 1 includes an up/down button 20 for setting high and low temperature limits and a set button 22 which facilitates setting the low and high temperatures using the up/down button 20. For example, if a user wanted to set an initial high temperature for heating, the user would press the set button 22 and then press the up/down button 20 until the desired high temperature is displayed on the LED display 24 of the temperature regulating device 16. This procedure can then be repeated for setting a low temperature limit or for changing the upper and lower temperature limits. The LED display 24 may display the ambient air temperature when it is not being used to set high and low temperature limits.

The air heating device 10 may also include an activation switch for the air heating device and/or one or more activating switches for activating each of the heating elements 14, 15. FIG. 1 shows a first activation switch 34 for activating heating element 14 and a second activation switch 35 for activating heating element 15 thereby enabling a user to employ one or both of the heating elements 14, 15. Bolts 38 or other attachment means may be used to hold housing 12 together and/or to secure heating elements 14, 15, to housing 12, and/or to secure attachment mechanism 18 to housing 12, and/or or to secure any other elements contained within the housing 12 to housing 12. The air heating device 10 may also include a tip sensor switch 13 contained within the housing 12 that is preset to switch the air heating device 10 and/or heating elements 14, 15 off if the air heating device 10 alters its position by a predetermined amount. For example, the tip sensor switch may be preset to an angle thereby switching off the air heating device 10 and/or the heating elements 14, 15 if the air heating device 10 or sensor contained within the air heating device 10 moves more than a set number of degrees, such as a 30 degree angle, for example. The tip sensor switch 13 is a safety feature of the air heating device 10 which switches the device 10 and/or the heating elements 14, 15 off if the air heating device 10 tips or falls thereby reducing the chances for the air heating device 10 to cause a fire by coming into contact with another material or structure.

A rear perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the universal air heating device 10 depicted in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, openings 19 in housing 12 are included on both the front and back sides of housing 12 to ensure that heat produced by heating elements 14, 15 lying adjacent to the openings 19 is capable of being released from the housing 12. Further, as can also be seen in FIG. 2, attachment mechanism 18 includes a spring mechanism that enables the air heating device 10 to be attached or secured to another existing device. Attachment of air heating device 10 of the present invention to an existing exemplary industrial fan is shown in FIG. 4. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that attachment mechanism 18 may comprise any type of mechanism or structure that is capable of attaching air heating device 10 to another existing device.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the universal air heating device shown in FIG. 1. The air heating device 10 of the present invention may also include another safety feature such as a safety element 40 capable of shutting off the air heating device 10 and/or the heating elements 14, 15. Safety element 40 may comprise one or more safety temperature regulating elements that are in communication with an activation switch for the air heating device 10 and/or an activation switch(es) for the heating element(s) 14, 15 contained within the housing 12. The safety temperature regulating elements 40 may comprise thermostats such as snap disc thermostats or bimetal thermostats, for example.

The universal air heating device 10 of the present invention may also include one or more power cords 42 for connecting the air heating device 10 to a power source. For exemplary embodiments of the air heating device 10 of the present invention that contain more than one heating element, a separate power cord may be used to provide power to each of the heating elements.

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein shows various exemplary embodiments of the invention. These exemplary embodiments and modes are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following disclosure is intended to teach both the implementation of the exemplary embodiments and modes and any equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art. Additionally, all included examples are non-limiting illustrations of the exemplary embodiments and modes, which similarly avail themselves to any equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art.

Other combinations and/or modifications of structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the instant invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, can be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the scope of the instant invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure.

Unless specifically noted, it is the Applicant's intent that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given the commonly accepted generic meaning or an ordinary and accustomed meaning used by those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. In the instance where these meanings differ, the words and phrases in the specification and the claims should be given the broadest possible, generic meaning. If any other special meaning is intended for any word or phrase, the specification will clearly state and define the special meaning.

Claims

1. An air heating device comprising: a housing having a front side with a plurality of openings contained therein;at least one heating element for heating air contained within the housing such that it lies adjacent to the plurality of openings in the front of the housing;at least one temperature regulating element contained within the housing for controlling said at least one heating element; andan attachment mechanism connected to the housing for attaching the air heating device to an existing device wherein the existing device includes at least one of a fan, an air mover, a heating device, a dehumidifier, a filtration device having a fan, and a heat exchange unit.

2. The air heating device of claim 1 further comprising an activation switch for activating the air heating device.

3. The air heating device of claim 1 further comprising a tip sensor switch for switching the air heating device off when it senses that the air heating device has altered its position by a predetermined amount.

4. The air heating device of claim 1 further comprising a safety element capable of shutting off at least one of the air heating device and said at least one heating element contained within the air heating device upon reaching a preset temperature.

5. The heating device of claim 4 wherein the safety element comprises a safety temperature regulating element in communication with at least one of an activation switch for the air heating device and an activation switch for the one or more heating elements contained within the housing.

6. The heating device of claim 5 wherein the safety temperature regulating element comprises a thermostat.

7. The air heating device of claim 1 wherein said at least one temperature regulating element comprises a thermostat.

8. The air heating device of claim 7 wherein the thermostat is capable of setting a low temperature limit and a high temperature limit.

9. The air heating device of claim 1 wherein the air heating device includes at least two or more heating elements contained within the housing.

10. The air heating device of claim 9 wherein a single temperature regulating element is used for controlling said at least two or more heating elements.

11. The air heating device of claim 9 wherein said two or more heating elements each have their own respective temperature regulating element for controlling the temperature of each of said two or more heating elements.

12. The air heating device of claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a spring loaded mechanism.

13. The air heating device of claim 9 further comprising one or more activation switches for respectively activating each of the one or more heating elements.

14. An air heating device comprising: a housing;at least one heating element for heating air contained within the housing;at least one temperature regulating element contained within the housing for controlling said at least one heating element;at least one power cord for connecting the air heating device to a power source; andan attachment mechanism connected to the housing for attaching the air heating device to an existing device wherein the existing device has its own power cord for connecting the existing device to the power source.

15. The air heating device of claim 14 further comprising at least one of an activation switch for activating the air heating device and one or more activation switches for respectively activating each of the one or more heating elements.

16. The air heating device of claim 14 further comprising a tip sensor switch for switching the air heating device off when it senses that the air heating device has altered its position by a predetermined amount.

17. The air heating device of claim 14 further comprising a safety element capable of shutting off at least one of the air heating device and said at least one heating element contained within the air heating device upon reaching a preset temperature.

18. The heating device of claim 14 wherein said at least one temperature regulating element comprises a thermostat.

19. The heating device of claim 18 wherein the thermostat is capable of setting a low temperature limit and a high temperature limit.

20. The heating device of claim 14 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a spring loaded mechanism.