The present invention relates to a flame simulating assembly adapted for storing objects and for affecting the temperature thereof.
In connection with recreational facilities such as pools or hot tubs (whether indoor or outdoor), there is a need to heat towels or other such articles for the convenience and comfort of those coming out of the recreational facility. The heated articles are made available conveniently proximal to the pool or hot tub, if possible.
However, especially in summer, there is also a need for cooling beverages or other food items until they are consumed in or near the recreational facility. Preferably, the items are cooled in a location convenient to a swimming pool, hot tub, or other recreational facility, which may be indoor or outdoor.
In the prior art, various devices are known, thermally insulated and otherwise, which are intended for use proximal to a recreational facility and adapted for maintaining an object's temperature within a desired temperature range (e.g., keeping a towel warm, or cooling a beverage). However, the known devices typically are not adapted for both heating and cooling, but rather are intended to either heat objects or to cool them. Also, such prior art devices are generally not aesthetically pleasing.
There is therefore a need for a device which mitigates or overcomes one or more of the defects of the prior art.
In its broad aspect, the invention provides a flame simulating assembly adapted for storing objects and for affecting the temperature of the objects. The flame simulating assembly includes a housing having a body portion with one or more chambers therein accessible via one or more apertures in the body portion, the objects being receivable in the chamber. Also, the flame simulating assembly includes a flame image subassembly for providing one or more images of flames and disposed at least partially in the housing. The flame image subassembly includes one or more light sources and a screen positioned in a path of light from the light source, the screen being adapted for transmission of the image of flames therethrough. In addition, the flame simulating assembly has one or more temperature-affecting elements for affecting the temperature of the objects positioned in the chamber. The housing additionally includes a cover portion for cooperating with the body portion to cover at least part of the chamber. Also, the cover portion is movable between an open position, in which the chamber is at least partially exposed, and a closed position, in which the chamber is at least partially covered.
In one of its aspects, the temperature-affecting element includes one or more heat sources adapted for heating the chamber.
In another aspect, the housing includes one or more openings through which the image of flames is viewable.
In yet another aspect, the flame simulating assembly additionally includes a mesh screen, the image of flames being at least partially viewable through the mesh screen.
In another aspect, the cover portion cooperates with the body portion to substantially close the aperture when the cover portion is in the closed position.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a flame simulating assembly adapted for storing objects and for affecting the temperature thereof. The flame simulating assembly includes a flame image subassembly for providing an image of flames, and a body with a chamber therein accessible via one or more apertures in the body. The objects are receivable in the chamber. The flame simulating assembly also includes one or more temperature-affecting elements for affecting the temperature of the objects positioned in the chamber, and a cover portion positionable on the body to cover the aperture.
In another aspect, the temperature-affecting element includes one or more heating elements adapted for heating the chamber.
In another of its aspects, the flame simulating assembly additionally includes one or more containers defining a cavity therein, the container being at least partially receivable in the chamber.
In yet another aspect, the temperature-affecting element includes a cooling element for cooling the cavity.
In another aspect, the temperature-affecting element includes a Peltier device for heating and cooling the chamber.
The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which:
Reference is first made to
Preferably, when the cover portion 40 is in the closed position, the cover portion 40 cooperates with the body portion 24 to substantially close the aperture 28, as will be described. It will be understood that the cover portion 40 may be mounted on the body portion 24 in any suitable manner. For example, the cover portion 40 may be attached to the body portion 24 by a hinge, about which the cover portion 40 is pivotable. Alternatively, the cover portion 40 may be detachable or removable from the body portion 24, i.e., when the cover portion 40 is in the open position.
The temperature-affecting element 37 may be any device for changing or maintaining the temperature of the object 21, 23 positioned in the chamber 26. (The object 23 (
As can be seen in
As shown in
Any suitable means may be used to prevent overheating of the objects 21. For instance, a self-regulating heating element (e.g., including material having a positive thermal coefficient of resistance) may be used. However, it is preferred for simplicity that this is achieved by limiting the amount of power provided to the heat source 48. For example, in practice, if the power provided to the heat source 48 is limited to about 75 watts, the heat source 48 provides adequate heat.
The wall 74 has an inner wall 75, and the floor 76 has an inner wall 77. The inner walls 75, 77 are positioned for direct contact with the objects 21 which are to be warmed. It is preferred that the inner walls 75, 77 are made of steel or any other suitable metal with good heat-conducting characteristics, and which is fairly durable. It is desirable that the inner walls 75, 77 conduct heat reasonably well from the heat source 48, to warm the chamber 26 (and the objects 21 therein) as efficiently as is practicable.
As can be seen in
The flame simulating subassembly 30 is for providing simulated flames for aesthetic effects, for example, like the flame simulating assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,580 (Hess et al.), the entire specification of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. As can be seen in
In one embodiment, the flame simulating assembly 20 additionally includes a front panel 44 positioned at the opening 42 (or in the opening 42, as the case may be) and in front of the screen 34, so that the image of flames 31 is at least partially viewable through the front panel 44. The front panel 44 is made of any suitable transparent or translucent material.
However, it is preferred that the flame simulating assembly 20 be provided without the front panel 44, because the lack of glass in the openings 42 appears to enhance the simulation of a real fire in the flame simulating assembly 20 (
The screen 34 includes a front surface 36 on which, or through which, the image of flames 31 is viewable. As shown in
In one embodiment, the front surface 36 is at least partially reflective, to reflect part of the simulated fuel bed 45, thereby providing the illusion that the simulated fuel bed extends behind the screen. The simulation effect is enhanced by a partially reflective front surface accordingly.
In an embodiment shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the housing 22 is made of sheet metal, metal parts, and/or suitable plastic components, shaped and fastened together by any suitable methods. As can be seen in
The cover portion 40 preferably cooperates with the body portion 24 to close the aperture 28 when the cover portion 40 is in the closed position. However, in normal use, it is not necessary that the aperture 28 be completely closed, e.g., an air-tight seal is not required. A more complete closure is desirable, to the extent that it would tend to limit heat transfer out of the chamber 26 via the aperture 28. But, in order to minimize manufacturing costs and for the convenience of the user, the fit of the cover portion 40 in or over the aperture 28 (as the case may be) preferably is not particularly tight.
As can be seen in
The container 50 may be made of any suitable materials. It is preferred that walls 80 be made of a suitable plastic because such plastic walls are relatively easy to manufacture (i.e., to form into a desired shape), relatively durable, relatively easy to clean after use, and relatively inexpensive. Those skilled in the art would be aware of the materials and techniques which are suitable.
When the container 50 is at least partially received in the chamber 26, the cover portion 40 is movable between an open position (
Preferably, the cavity 52 (and the objects 23 therein) are cooled by any suitable temperature-affecting element 37. In one embodiment, the temperature-affecting element 37 includes a cooling element 58 which may be positioned as required to cool objects positioned inside the container, i.e., in the cavity. For instance, in one embodiment, the container 50 is adapted to receive one or more cooling elements 58 for cooling the cavity 52. The cooling elements 58 preferably are portable cooling packs, as is known in the art. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the cooling elements 58 can be provided in many forms.
It is also preferred that the flame simulating assembly 20 includes one or more switches 60 for controlling an electric circuit 62 which includes the heat source 48 (
Preferably, the flame simulating assembly 20 includes a magnetic switch assembly 64 (
Preferably, the switch 60 includes a manual switch device 61 mounted for convenience on an exterior surface 63 of the housing 22 (
As can be seen in
As shown in
Preferably, the flame image subassembly 30 also includes a flicker element 38 for causing light from the light source to flicker or fluctuate, so that the image of flames 31 flickers, to simulate flames in a real fire. The flicker element 38 preferably includes a rod with reflective strips attached thereto and rotated by a motor, as described in the Hess et al. patent.
It is also preferred that the flame image subassembly 30 additionally includes a flame effect element 73 positioned in the path of light 35 from the light source 32 between the flicker element 38 and the screen 34 (
The front panel 44 may be made of glass, if preferred. If the front panel 44 is included in the flame simulating assembly 20, then the front panel 44 preferably is tinted to improve the flame simulating effect. In practice, however, and as noted above, it is preferred that the flame simulating assembly 20 not include the front panel 44.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various devices could be used in the flame simulating assembly 20 as the temperature-affecting element 37 for heating and/or cooling objects. For example, in one embodiment, the temperature-affecting element 37 includes one or more Peltier devices 90 (
As is known, the Peltier device 90 is operated using direct current, and the direction of the heat transfer effected by the Peltier device 90 is changed by changing polarity. For example, if heat is transferred from a first side 91 to a second side 92 when the current is flowing in a first direction, then heat is transferred from the second side 92 to the first side 91 when polarity is reversed. As is known in the art, this is preferably achieved via operation of a manual switch (not shown). It is also known in the art that suitably sized fans (not shown) preferably are provided to distribute heat, in order for the Peltier device to function properly. For instance, if the Peltier device 90 is installed in a wall of the chamber (not shown), a means is required for distributing heat (or the lack thereof, as the case may be) generated by the device inside the chamber 26, and another means is required to dissipate heat (or the lack thereof) to the ambient environment. Such means may be any suitable means, for example, a heat sink, or a fan, as is known in the art. Also, where the temperature-affecting element 37 includes the Peltier device 90, the walls of the chamber 26 preferably are insulated. Peltier devices are well known in the art. The details of how the Peltier device 90 is used in the flame simulating assembly 20 would be readily determinable by one skilled in the art, and therefore it is not necessary to provide further details regarding the use of the Peltier device 90 in the flame simulating assembly 20.
In use, the flame simulating assembly 20 is activated via the main switch 65, resulting in activation of the flame image subassembly 30. The image of flames 31 appears to rise from the simulated fuel bed 45 (
If it is intended to cool objects, then the container 50 is placed in the chamber 26, and objects 23 to be cooled are positioned therein, with cooling elements 58. The cover portion 40 is normally closed, to minimize heat transfer into the cavity 52.
If it is intended to heat objects, then the container 50 is removed from the chamber 26 (
As can be seen in
Alternative embodiments of the flame simulating assembly of the invention are disclosed in
An alternative embodiment of a flame simulating assembly 120 of the invention is disclosed in
In addition, the flame simulating assembly 120 preferably includes a temperature-affecting element 137 which includes a heat source 148, as shown in
The flame simulating assembly 120 preferably also includes a container 150 which is receivable in the chamber 126 (
It will be understood that the cover portion 140 is shown in the open position in
After the container 150 is positioned in the chamber 126, the cover portion 140 is pivoted upwardly to close the aperture 128. The cover portion 140 preferably is latched to, or otherwise suitably releasably attached to, the body portion 140 at a top end 125 thereof. Similarly, when the container 150 is not received in the chamber 126, the cover portion 140 preferably is latched to the body portion at the top end 125, to close the aperture so that objects (not shown) in the chamber 126 may be heated, if desired.
Another alternative embodiment of the flame simulating assembly 220 of the invention is disclosed in
Although the cover portion 240 is shown as being attached to the body portion 224 by a hinge 241, it will be understood that the cover portion 240 is not necessarily attached to the body portion 224, when the cover portion 240 is in the open position.
In addition, the flame simulating assembly 220 preferably includes a container 250 which is receivable in the chamber 226. The container 250 at least partly defines a cavity 252 therein. It is preferred that the container 250 is moved into the chamber 226 when the container 250 is pushed in the direction indicated by arrow “E” in
It will be understood that the cover portion 240 is shown in the open position in
After the container 250 is positioned in the chamber 226, the cover portion 240 is pivoted upwardly to close the aperture 228. The cover portion 240 preferably is latched to, or otherwise suitably releasably attached to, the body portion 240 at a top end 227 thereof. Similarly, when the container 250 is not received in the chamber 226, the cover portion 240 preferably is latched to the body portion at the top end 227, to close the aperture so that objects (not shown) in the chamber 226 may be heated, if desired.
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can take many forms, and that such forms are within the scope of the invention as claimed. For instance, in the drawings herein, the aperture providing access to the chamber has been shown as being located at the top, the front, and the back of the housing. Although not disclosed in the enclosed drawings, it would be evident to those skilled in the art that the aperture could be located on either side (or both sides) of the housing. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred versions contained herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/779,966, filed Mar. 8, 2006.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60779966 | Mar 2006 | US |