Portable thermostatic infrared heater and support assembly thereof

Abstract

A portable heater is provided and comprises: a housing provided with a front opening; at least one pilot burner; at least one main burner unit provided within the housing and comprising a front portion facing the front opening of the housing; a gas pressure regulation system connectable to a portable supply of gas; a gas valve assembly mounted to the housing and comprising a gas valve controlling the flow of gas within the heater. Said gas valve assembly cooperating with at least one knob movable along and around an axis for selectively operating the gas valve, controlling the flow an air/gas mixture, and operating a means to ignite the gas/air mixture exiting from the at least one pilot burner. The gas valve being a thermostatic valve provided with means cooperating with a temperature sensor.

1 . A portable heater comprising:
 a housing provided with a front opening;   at least one pilot burner;   at least one main burner unit provided within the housing and comprising a front portion facing the front opening of the housing, said at least one main burner unit being supported by at least a portion of the housing;   a gas pressure regulation system connectable to a portable supply of gas;   a first means adapted to form a first flow of an air/gas mixture, feed the at least one pilot burner with said first flow of the air/gas mixture and allow said first flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one pilot burner;   a second means adapted to form a second flow of an air/gas mixture, feed the at least one main burner with said second flow of the air/gas mixture and allow said first flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one main burner;   a gas valve assembly mounted to the housing and comprising a gas valve adapted to selectively:
 prevent the first flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one pilot burner and prevent the second flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one main burner; 
 allow the first flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one pilot burner and prevent the second flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one main burner; or 
 allow the first flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from the at least one pilot burner and allow the second flow of the air/gas mixture to exit from at least one main burner, 
   
       said gas valve assembly cooperating with at least one knob movable along and around an axis for selectively operating the gas valve, controlling the flow of the second flow of the air/gas mixture, and operating a means to ignite the gas/air mixture exiting from the at least one pilot burner;
 a gas piping connecting the gas pressure regulation system to the gas valve, 
 a gas piping connecting the gas valve to the first means adapted to form the first flow of an air/gas mixture, and 
 a gas piping connecting the gas valve to the second means adapted to for the second flow of an air/gas mixture, 
 
       the gas valve being a thermostatic valve, said thermostatic valve being provided with means cooperating with a temperature sensor and adapted to open and close the gas valve for the control of the flow of the second flow of the air/gas mixture exiting from the at least one main burner. 
     
     
         2 . The portable heater according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support assembly comprising at least one first member provided with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adapted to be connected to the housing and the second portion defining a stop positioned close to a portion of the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob; and
 wherein the portion of the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob is adapted to engage the stop when a pressure is applied to the knob by a user to move said knob along the axis.   
     
     
         3 . The portable heater according to  claim 2 , wherein the support assembly further comprises a cover surrounding at least in part a top portion, side portions and/or a rear portion of the at least one burner, said cover being further provided with means adapted to be connected to the housing and/or the at least one main burner unit. 
     
     
         4 . The portable heater according to  claim 3 , wherein the support assembly further comprises at least one second member having at least one end connected to the second portion of the at least first member and at least another end connected to the cover. 
     
     
         5 . The portable heater according to  claim 3 , wherein the cover comprises a top portion, side portions and a rear portion; wherein the top portion and side portions of the cover angularly extend from the rear portion of the cover, and wherein the side portions of the cover are adapted to be connected to the housing of the portable heater. 
     
     
         6 . The portable heater according to  claim 5 , wherein the first portion of the at least one first member is a substantially flat platform provided with an opening adapted to receive the gas pressure regulation system therein, and wherein the first portion further comprises an outer edge extending therefrom, the outer edge being adapted to be connected to the housing of the portable heater. 
     
     
         7 . The portable heater according to  claim 6 , wherein the first portion further comprises a “shield” extending downwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         8 . The portable heater according to  claim 7 , wherein the second portion of the at least one first member is an elongated bracket provided with opposed first and second ends, the first end being connected to the first portion of the at least first member, and the second end of the second portion comprises the stop. 
     
     
         9 . The portable heater according to  claim 8 , wherein the stop comprises at least one prong extending from the second end of the second portion, the at least one prong having an extremity being substantially perpendicular to the second portion, the extremity of the at least one prong being adapted to be engaged the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob. 
     
     
         10 . The portable heater according to  claim 9 , wherein the second portion of the at least first member includes an elevated side edge along the second portion adapted to avoid buckling of said second portion. 
     
     
         11 . The portable heater according to  claim 10 , wherein the portable heater is a portable thermostatic infrared heater. 
     
     
         12 . A support assembly for a portable heater as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said support assembly comprises at least one first member provided with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adapted to be connected to the housing and the second portion defining a stop positioned close to a portion of the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob; and
 wherein the portion of the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob is adapted to engage the stop when a pressure is applied to the knob by a user to move said knob along the axis.   
     
     
         13 . The support assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the support assembly further comprises a cover surrounding at least in part a top portion, side portions and/or a rear portion of the at least one burner, said cover being further provided with means adapted to be connected to the housing and/or the at least one main burner unit. 
     
     
         14 . The support assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the support assembly further comprises at least one second member having at least one end connected to the second portion of the at least first member and at least another end connected to the cover. 
     
     
         15 . The support assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the cover comprises a top portion, side portions and a rear portion; wherein the top portion and side portions of the cover angularly extend from the rear portion of the cover, and wherein the side portions of the cover are adapted to be connected to the housing of the portable heater. 
     
     
         16 . The support assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the first portion of the at least one first member is a substantially flat platform provided with an opening adapted to receive the gas pressure regulation system therein, and wherein the first portion further comprises an outer edge extending therefrom, the outer edge being adapted to be connected to the housing of the portable heater. 
     
     
         17 . The support assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the first portion further comprises a “shield” extending downwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         18 . The support assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein the second portion of the at least one first member is an elongated bracket provided with opposed first and second ends, the first end being connected to the first portion of the at least first member, and the second end of the second portion comprises the stop. 
     
     
         19 . The support assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the stop comprises at least one prong extending from the second end of the second portion, the at least one prong having an extremity being substantially perpendicular to the second portion, the extremity of the at least one prong being adapted to be engaged the thermostatic gas valve opposite to the knob. 
     
     
         20 . The support assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the second portion of the at least first member includes an elevated side edge along the second portion adapted to avoid buckling of said second portion.