Outdoor heating appliance with ground level heat

Abstract

An outdoor heating appliance for support by a surface may include a top portion configured for arrangement at a distance offset from the surface, a burner arranged in the top portion and configured for supplying a substantially open flame, and a reclaiming portion configured for absorbing energy from the flame, transferring the location of the energy, and emitting the energy in the form of heat at or near the surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outdoor heating appliance for support by a surface, comprising:
 a top portion configured for arrangement at a distance offset from the surface;   a burner arranged in the top portion and configured for supplying a substantially open flame; and   a reclaiming portion configured for absorbing energy from the flame, transferring the location of the energy, and emitting the energy in the form of heat at or near the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the reclaiming portion takes in surrounding air, heats the surrounding air, and emits the surrounding air near the surface. 
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the reclaiming portion comprises a heat exchanging portion. 
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the heat exchanging portion is arranged above the burner. 
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the heat exchanging portion is substantially exposed above the burner. 
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the heat exchanging portion is configured for increased residence time of a conveyed fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 6 , wherein the heat exchanging comprises a curve to for increased residence time of the conveyed fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance comprises a table and the top portion comprises a table top. 
     
     
         9 . The appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the table top comprises a frame and the burner is arranged within the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the reclaiming portion comprises a fluid routing system that routes fluid through the heat exchanging portion and to a location at or near the surface. 
     
     
         11 . The appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the surface comprises a ground surface and the fluid routing system comprises a ground tube. 
     
     
         12 . The appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the ground tube is arranged at or near the ground surface. 
     
     
         13 . The appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the ground tube comprises a slit. 
     
     
         14 . The appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the ground tube comprises a knife-blade-type exit port for forcibly directing the heated air toward the feet or legs of users. 
     
     
         15 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame for supporting the top portion. 
     
     
         16 . The appliance of  claim 15 , further comprising a housing. 
     
     
         17 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a gas supply. 
     
     
         18 . The appliance of  claim 17 , wherein the burner comprises a gas plenum. 
     
     
         19 . The appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the gas plenum is provided by an upper and a lower burner plate defining the gas plenum therebetween. 
     
     
         20 . The appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the upper burner plate comprises gas orifices arranged in a pattern.