Patent Application
20160131367
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to portable heating systems and more specifically to a portable heating system that can be used to simultaneously heat several rooms or areas of a building.
2. State of the Art
Portable space heaters are known in the art and typically comprise a heating element and fan that is used to draw air through the heating element and to circulate the heated air into the space being heated. Such small space heaters are typically used when the primary heating system is not adequate to heat the room or when use of a primary heating system, such as a furnace, is too costly to operate or is not available. In a situation where only a single room is to be heated, the use of a space heater to heat the room can be less expensive than using the primary heating system, which often requires heating multiple rooms in order to provide heat to the desired room. Space heaters can also be used to provide localized heating for individuals that may be cold sensitive, such as the elderly, so that the temperature of the entire structure does not need to be raised in order to accommodate the one person.
Space heaters typically have an average output of between about 10,000 Btu and 40,000 Btu per hour. Most residential space heaters use electrically powered heating elements. Some industrial space heaters use the combustion of propane or natural gas to heat the space. Of course, the combustion of gases results in the product of carbon monoxide, which can be deadline if the space and/or combustion gases are not properly ventilated.
While most space heaters work by convection by circulating air in a room, others utilize radiant heating. Some radiant heaters employ infrared heating elements that radiate heat toward a specific location, heating objects and people positioned directly in front of the heater. Convection type space heaters often utilize a heat transfer liquid, such as oil, that is heated by an electric element. The heat transfer liquid stores heat from the heating element and provides a relatively constant heat source. Such convection type space heaters, however, take a relatively long time to heat a room or space. Typical electric space heaters are generally more expensive to operate than combustion space heaters, but they are the only unvented space heaters that are generally safe to operate inside an enclosed space.
Space heaters are classified as either vented or ventless. Ventless combustion type heaters are not recommended for enclosed spaces because they produce carbon monoxide as a result of the combustion process. While many states have banned unvented kerosene, propane or natural gas heaters for use in the home, for more industrial applications where large unheated rooms require heating, combustion type heating units are often employed. Vented remits, such as a furnace, are designed to be permanently installed and include a flue gas vent installed through a ceiling or directly through a wall to the outside. Such heating units usually have a duct to bring outside air into the combustion chamber. Less expensive combustion units use the room air for combustion and exhaust combustion gases into the room. As a result, it is often the case that exterior windows or doors must be opened to prevent the buildup of harmful combustion gases causing them to be rather inefficient,
In each of the foregoing examples, the space heater is placed within a room or space to heat that particular room or space. If additional rooms or spaces require heating where a single space heater is insufficient, additional space heaters are required. As a result, the cost if multiplied by the number of space heaters required.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a portable heating unit that simultaneously provides heat to multiple locations within a building or structure. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide a portable heating unit that utilizes an electric heating unit so that no venting of combustion gases is required. It would also be advantageous to provide a high output portable heating unit that is easy to operate and can be used in buildings or structures where no other source of heat is provided. These and other advantages are provided by a portable heating unit according to the present invention set forth hereinafter by incorporating an electric furnace as the heat source for the portable heating unit.
Accordingly, the present invention overcomes many of the deficiencies and disadvantages of prior art space heater technologies by incorporating an electric furnace into the portable heating unit. A portable heating system of the present invention comprises a plenum chamber forming a base. The plenum chamber is formed from a plurality of side walls depending from a bottom panel and defining an upper opening. The plurality of side walls define a plurality of side openings, each side opening configured for attachment to an elongate flexible duct. A heating unit is coupled to the plenum and has an air intake opening for drawing air into the heating unit and an air vent opening for blowing warm air out of the heating unit and into the upper opening of the plenum chamber. A frame assembly is coupled to the plenum chamber and includes a handle for grasping by a user. A pair of wheels is rotatably coupled to the frame at a lower end thereof proximate a back end of the plenum chamber. Grasping the handle and tilting the frame assembly upon the wheels allows the user to maneuver the frame assembly and the heating unit with the wheels.
In one embodiment, the portable heating system includes a plurality of air duct attachment tubes, each air duct attachment tube coupled to one of the plurality of side openings of the plenum chamber.
In another embodiment, a plurality of caps are provided with each cap configured to be removably attached to one of the plurality of air duct attachment tubes to substantially prevent air entering the plenum chamber from exiting through the one of the plurality of air ducts to which the end cap is removably attached.
In yet another embodiment, the frame assembly comprises a pair of upwardly extending frame members coupled to and upwardly extending from a back end of the plenum chamber to proximate the handle.
In yet another embodiment, the frame assembly has a pair of downwardly extending legs coupled to a front end of the plenum chamber for supporting the plenum chamber above a support surface.
In still another embodiment, the frame assembly includes a pair of laterally extending frame members, each extending from a respective side of the plenum chamber proximate a front end thereof to a respective end of the handle and attached to an upper end of a respective upwardly extending frame members.
In another embodiment, the portable heating system includes a support panel coupled to and extending between the pair of upwardly extending frame members for providing lateral support to the frame assembly.
In yet another embodiment, an axel is coupled to and extending between the lower ends of the pair of upwardly extending frame members with the pair of wheels rotatably attached to the axel.
In another embodiment, a filter coupled to the air intake opening of the heating unit. The heating unit may comprise a commercially available electric furnace. A filter housing may also be included that is comprised of a sleeve configured to fit at least partially over a top portion of the heating unit and a lid configured to attach to the sleeve an hold a filter between the heating unit and the lid.
The present invention also includes a method of heating a building having a number of interconnected rooms utilizing a portable heating system according to the present invention. The method includes placing the heating system within a building to be heated having a plurality of interconnected rooms, connecting the heating unit to a source of electricity, coupling a plurality of elongate flexible ducts to a plurality of the plurality of side openings, extending a free end of each of the plurality of elongate flexible ducts into one of the plurality of rooms and turning on the heating unit to heat each of the plurality of rooms containing the free end of the plurality of flexible ducts. The plurality of air ducts are connected to the plurality of side openings of the plenum chamber. The handle of the portable heating system can be grasped by the handle of the frame assembly to maneuver the heating system.
To store the electrical cable, it can be wrapped around a plurality of support hooks attached to the frame.
Inserting a filter into the air intake opening of the heating unit provides filtered are from the heating unit, which may be a commercially available electric furnace, to the plenum. The filter may be attached with a filter housing having a sleeve configured to fit at least partially over a top portion of the heating unit and a lid configured to attach to the sleeve an hold a filter between the heating unit and the lid.
The foregoing advantages and characterizing features will become apparent from the following description of certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. The above-described features and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional features and advantages, will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the detailed description that follows and in the appended claims. The novel features which are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth in the attached claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the present invention may be learned by the practice of the invention, or will be obvious to one skilled in the art from the description, as set forth hereinafter.
The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for carrying out the invention. When considered in connection with the following illustrative figures, a more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments of the present invention in the drawings.
Aspects and applications of the invention presented here are described in the drawings and in the following detailed description of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description of the present invention is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons including, without limitation, combinations of elements of the various embodiments. Various representative implementations of the present invention may be applied to any heating system.
Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. It is noted that the inventor can be his own lexicographer. The inventor expressly elects, as his own lexicographer, to use the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise in which case, the inventor will set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such statements of the application of a “special” definition, it is the inventor's intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.
The inventor is also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.
Further, the inventor is fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description of the Invention or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f) to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for” and the specific function (e.g., “means for heating”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for . . . ” or “step for . . . ” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventor not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f) are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the illustrated embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.
In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. Thus, the full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.
The portable heating system 10 is comprised of a base 12 having a plenum chamber 14 upon which is coupled a heating unit 16, such as a commercially available electric furnace such as those commonly used in mobile homes. A frame assembly 18 is coupled to the base 12 and includes at least one set of wheels 20 and 22 for maneuvering the heating system 10 to a desired location. The frame assembly 18 also includes a handle 24 for grasping by a user to allow a user to push or pull the heating system 10 to a desired location. The frame assembly 18 includes a pair of upwardly extending rear members 30 and 32 that form the back corners of the frame 18 and a pair of downwardly extending legs (only leg 34 of which is visible) that form the front corners of the frame assembly 18. Angled members 36 and 38 extend along respective sides of the heating system 10 between upper ends of the legs, such as leg 34, and the rear members 30 and 32, respectively. Lateral stability between the rear members 30 and 32 is provided by a panel 40 of wire mesh that is attached to and between the rear members 30 and 32.
The plenum chamber 14 is generally a rectangular or square box-shaped structure having a plurality of openings (not visible) formed in the sides thereof to each of which, as will be shown and described in more detail herein, a flexible duct can be attached. As shown in
The heating unit 16 rests upon the plenum chamber 14 and is coupled to the plenum chamber 14 with a plurality of latch mechanisms, such as latch mechanisms 42-45. Each latch mechanism 42-45 is comprised of a hook portion, such as hook portion 42′ and a latch portion 42″. If desired, one or more latch mechanisms, such as latch mechanism 44, can be locked together with a pad lock 46. Coupling the heating unit 16 to the base 12 allows the heating system to be maneuvered to a desired location without the heating unit 16 becoming dislodged from the base 12.
A plurality of J hooks 50-53 are mounted to the upright members 30 and 32, with the upper J hooks 50 and 52 oriented in one direction and the J hooks 51 and 53 oriented in the opposite direction (i.e., rotated 180 degrees). The J hooks 50-53 are provided, as will be described in more detail to wrap a power cord for the heating unit 16 around the J hooks 50-53.
The lower ends of the upright members 30 and 32 support an axel 54 to which the wheels 20 and 22 are rotatably coupled. Because the handle 24 is positioned rearwardly of the wheels 20 and 22, a user can tip or tilt the heating system 10 back on the wheels 20 and 22 to raise the front legs, such as leg 34, in order to maneuver the heating system 10 to any desired location. In addition, because the wheels 20 and 22 are located at the back end of the heating system 10, the heating system 10 can be relatively easily pulled up or lowered down a flight of stairs (not shown) by grasping the handle 24.
The heating unit 16 includes an outer housing 60 having an upper end 62 and a lower end 64. The upper end 62 defines an upper intake opening 64 through which air is drawn by the heating unit 16, heated and then the warm air is forced into the plenum 14 through a lower vent opening (not visible) for distribution out of the plenum 14. A filter 66 is positioned within the upper opening 64 to filter air being drawn into the heating unit 16. This is particularly important for industrial or other work settings, such as a construction site, where the heating system of the present invention might be employed. In such environments, there is likely to be airborne particles, such as saw dust and the like, that would otherwise enter the heating unit 16 and be deposited on the heating element and/or heat exchanger (not visible). By filtering the air with the filter 66 before it enters the heating unit 16, build up of airborne particles within the heating unit 16 can be avoided or at least reduced.
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Referring now to
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A plenum 130 according to the principles of the present invention can be formed from a single sheet 140. The sheet 140 is cut into a T-shaped configuration as shown and a plurality of holes 131-138 forming the openings of the plenum 130 are cut into the portions that will form the side walls of the plenum 130. The sheet may be comprised of sheet metal, such as galvanized sheet metal typically used for residential ducting for heating and air conditioning. Once the sheet is formed as shown with the holes 131-138 cut therein, the sheet is folded approximately 90 degrees along lines 150-153 until the adjacent edges, such as edges 150 and 151, of each portion that will form the side walls abut one another. The edges can then be welded to form an airtight seam between the edges 150 and 151. The outer ends 152-155 are folded inwardly folded 90 degrees along lines 157-160, respectively, to form the upper support surface upon which a heating unit will rest. Of course, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the plenum 130 could be formed from a number of individual overlapping pieces that are formed and joined together by various methods known in the art such as welding, rivets or other fasteners.
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The lid 306 is held to the sleeve 302 with a plurality of biased fasteners, such as fastener 310 shown in
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In the foregoing specification, the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, not restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. For example, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any benefit, advantage, solution to problem, or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components of any or all the claims.
The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variations of such terms, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
It would be apparent to those skilled in the art that other heat sources, or other modifications could be employed in a similar manner for portable heating without departing from the inventive concepts herein. Thus, while there have been described various embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further changes and modifications may be made thereto without department from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention. It is also understood that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. While various methods and structures of the present invention are described herein, any methods or structures similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. In addition, while the foregoing advantages of the present invention are manifested in the illustrated embodiments of the invention, a variety of changes can be made to the configuration, design and construction of the invention to achieve those advantages including combinations of components of the various embodiments. Hence, reference herein to specific details of the structure and function of the present invention is by way of example only and not by way of limitation.
