Space heater

Abstract

A space heater comprises a housing ( 4 ) having a rear wall ( 8 ) and a front wall ( 10 ). Located forwardly of the front wall is a solid fuel effect means ( 12 ). Heating means is provided, in conventional manner. Suspended within the housing ( 4 ) by an upper support ( 30 ) is a flame effect means which in a preferred embodiment is in the form of a sheet of lightweight flexible material, the sheet being provided with elongate openings ( 20 ). Means ( 18 ) is provided to cause the sheet ( 14 ) to move, specifically by directing a flow of air upwardly against the material, to cause the material to billow. Light is directed from a light source ( 28 ) against the flame effect means, some light being reflected from the flame effect means directly through a translucent screen ( 24 ), some light passing through openings ( 20 ) of the sheet ( 14 ) onto a reflector ( 32 ), and being reflected from the reflector back through the sheet ( 14 ), and through the screen ( 24 ).

1 . A space heater comprising a housing and flame effect means in the housing, the flame effect means comprising a source of light to illuminate the flame effect means in the housing, and a screen through which light is transmitted from the housing, characterised in that light is directed from the light source through the flame effect means onto a reflector, and reflected light passes again through the flame effect means onto the screen.  
   
   
       2 . A space heater according to  claim 1  wherein the flame effect means comprises a sheet of flexible material.  
   
   
       3 . A flame effect means according to  claim 2  wherein the sheet of flexible material is provided by a sheet of silky material.  
   
   
       4 . A space heater according to claims  2  or  3  wherein the sheet of flexible material is crepe-de-chine.  
   
   
       5 . A space heater according to claims  1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the flame effect means is provided with openings.  
   
   
       6 . A space heater according to  claim 5  wherein the openings are elongate.  
   
   
       7 . A space heater according to claims  1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the material providing the flame effect means is suspended loosely within the housing, and means is provided to cause the material to “billow”.  
   
   
       8 . A space heater according to  claim 1  wherein the flame effect means comprises ribbons, means being provided to cause the ribbons to move.  
   
   
       9 . A flame effect means according to claims  1 ,  2 ,  3  or  8  wherein light passing through the screen is provided at a number of different levels.  
   
   
       10 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       11 . (Canceled)