GB2404730A

GB2404730A - Flame effect device featuring ribbons

Info

Publication number: GB2404730A
Application number: GB0318524A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Miles Cuthbert James Foster
Original assignee: CREATIVE FIRES UK Ltd
Current assignee: CREATIVE FIRES UK Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-07
Filing date: 2003-08-07
Publication date: 2005-02-09
Also published as: GB0318524D0

Abstract

A flame effect device comprises a plurality of vertically hung ribbons 14, a fan 40, a light source 42 and a viewing screen 50, wherein each ribbon 14 is wider at its lower end than its upper end and has an aperture near its lower end. The viewing screen 50 may be provided with vertical abrasions on its front face 54. There may be provided five or seven ribbons 14 with alternate ribbons 14 off-set forward of adjacent ribbons 14 such that they overlap. End ribbons 14 may be provided that are generally elongate with no aperture. The light source 42 may be a source of white light and there may be provided a translucent coloured material 44 of uneven colour or shape to colour light emitted from the light source 42. The ribbons 14 may be coloured and reflective, they may be red, orange, yellow, blue or green. The back surface 52 of the viewing screen 50 may be screen printed.

Description

FLAME EFFECT DEVICE The present invention relates to flame effects and in particular to flame effects for electric fires. Many fires are manufactured having a flame effect and a separate source of heat. The flame effects for such fires often comprise the projection of a flickering light onto a reflective undulating surface, or to the projection of light onto moving narrow ribbons. The effect is then viewed though a screen having horizontal abrasions. The problem with these effects is that while a flickering effect is produced, it appears two-dimensional. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved flame effect device, in particular for use with an electric fire. According to the invention there is provided a flame effect device comprising: a back a plurality of ribbons hung vertically in front of the back; a fan to blow air over the ribbons; a light source projecting light onto the ribbons; and a viewing screen in front of the back and the ribbons; wherein the ribbons are significantly wider at their lower end than their upper end and have an aperture near their lower ends. In a further aspect of the invention, I have found that for use with the flame effect device of the first aspect, the use of a viewing screen having vertical abrasions, significantly enhances the flame effect. Preferably the five or seven ribbons are provided, with alternative ribbons being off-set forward of other ribbons. End ribbons may also be provided having an generally elongate shape with no aperture. While the light source may be a source of coloured light, generally the light source will be of white light. Typically the light source will be coloured by passing though a translucent coloured material. This material may be of even or uneven colour and/or shape. Usually the ribbons will be of a reflective or partially reflective material. Additionally the material may be white or they may be coloured. Typically red, orange or yellow, or any combination thereof. However, other colours, including blue and green may also be used. To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fire including the flame effect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the flame effect of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a front view of a ribbon according to the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, thereshown is a fire 1 including the flame effect 10 of the present invention together with a heater 2 and surround 4. In front of the flame effect are positioned coals 6 giving a traditional effect or stones to give a more modern effect. As shown in Figure 2, the flame effect has a back 12, in front of which ribbons 14 are suspended. Alternate ribbons, 16, 18, are set forward of other ribbons 20, 22, 24. The ribbons 14 are suspended from their tops 26 to a projection 28 from the fire back 12, via plastic strings 28. This allows the ribbons substantial movement. The ribbons 24 are attached at their bases 30 to studs 32 attached to the fire back 12. The forward ribbons 16, 18 have long studs 34, while the back ribbons 20, 22, 24 have short studs 36. The ribbons 14 are position to be overlapping. The degree of overlapping of the ribbons can vary but generally the front ribbons 16, 18 will provide one full layer of material, except for the apertures, and the back ribbons 20, 22 providing a further layer of material. Thus much more material is used in the ribbons 14 in this flame effect that in standard flame effects. Figure 3 shows an enlarged ribbon 14. The ribbon is elongate, with a substantially wider base portion 30 than top portion 26. The base portion 30 has an aperture 26. Thus the ribbons are essential the shape of an avocado pear. This shaping to the ribbons 14 encourages forwards and back movement of the ribbons, with the base portions curling forwards and backwards, giving a more realistic flame appearance. The ribbons are made from a yellow silk style material, although other materials could be used. The soft nature of the material allows movement of the ribbons 14 when in use. Outside ribbons, 32, 34 are provided, having a more uniform elongate shape and without an aperture. These are suspended from the same strings 28 as their neighbours, but have their own studs 32. This widens the base of the flame effect while keeping the top narrow, again increasing the realism of the flame effect. These outside ribbons 32, 34, move in the standard way of conventional ribbon fires, with a general rippling effect along the length of the ribbon. A fan 40 is position to blow air across the ribbons 14, when switched on. This airflow causes the movement of the ribbons described above. The airflow from the fan 40, causes a vigorous movement of the ribbons 14, with each ribbon curling forwards and backwards and each interacting with its neighbour during this motion. A light 42 is also positioned to shine upon the ribbons 14, both lighting the ribbons themselves and being partially reflected by the ribbons 14. The overlapping position of the ribbons 14 further causing shadows and the central apertures allowing penetration of some light to the back ribbons 20, 22. The light is a standard white light, light bulb, and a strip of translucent orange sheet 44 is positioned above the light, colouring the light. The sheet 44 is shaped to have teeth 46 of sheet colouring the light and spaces between the teeth allowing white light to reach the ribbons. This provides a further depth of colour to the ribbons, again increasing the realism of the flame effect.The ribbons 14 are of a yellow colour and the coloured light is of an orange colour, and this combination of colours, together with the shadows and reflections, resulting from the large amount of fabric comprising the ribbons, gives rise to a combination of colours similar to real flames. The flame effect is viewed on and though a viewing screen 50. Traditionally viewing screens have been abraded horizontally on their front face. This type of screen can be used with the flame effect described above. A more realistic flame effect that known ribbon fires is produced. However, according to the present invention, the flame effect can be further enhanced by the use of a viewing screen abraded vertically on its front face 54. Vertical abrasions make any vertical lines in the flame effect more difficult for a user to see and thus emphasise the horizontal movements of the ribbons giving a more realistic flame effect. Thus the vertical edges to the ribbons 14 are substantially obliterated. In standard flame effects, where the ribbons comprise a small quantity of fabric, and the movement of these ribbons is essentially a rippling movement up and down the length of the ribbons, use of a vertically abraded screen does not enhance the realism of the flame effect. Indeed the opposite result is achieved, with the individual ribbons becoming more visible and their movement less so. However, the ribbons 14 according to the present invention, comprise much more fabric, are in two layers, and have a flapping movement, curling forwards and backwards, the use of the vertically abraded screen significantly enhances the realism of the flame effect. As with standard viewing screens, the back surface 52 of the viewing screen 50 is screen printed, with a greater coverage of ink around the top and sides of the screen, and less coverage of ink in the centre and bottom of the screen. This prevents a user seeing the ribbons clearly when looking at the fire, and entirely prevents the user from seeing the strings holding the ribbons and the edges of the flame effect. The shape, size and arrangement of the ribbons 14, resulting in the new vigorous flapping movement, curling forwards and backwards, and casting shadows though the layers of ribbon results in a significantly improved flame effect. However, the combination of these ribbons 14, with the vertically abraded viewing screen 50 results in a further significant improvement of the flame effect appearance. The combination of these two features results in a 3-D appearance to the flames, The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the abovedescribed embodiment. For instance, the flame effect can be used without a heater, and with many different surrounds, or place directly in a cavity in a wall or existing structure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A flame effect device comprising: a back a plurality of ribbons hung vertically in front of the back; a fan to blow air over the ribbons; a light source projecting light onto the ribbons; and a viewing screen in front of the back and the ribbons; wherein the ribbons are significantly wider at their lower end than their upper end and have an aperture near their lower ends.

2. A flame effect device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viewing screen is provided with vertical abrasions.

3. A flame effect device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein five or seven ribbons are provided, with alternative ribbons being off-set forward of other ribbons.

4. A flame effect device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein end ribbons are provided having an generally elongate shape with no aperture.

5. A flame effect device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the light source is a source of white light.

6. A flame effect device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the light source is coloured by provision of a translucent coloured material.

7. A flame effect material as claimed in claim 6, wherein the translucent coloured material is of even or uneven colour and/or shape.

8. A flame effect device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ribbons are of a reflective or partially reflective material.

9. A flame effect device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ribbons are coloured.

10. A flame effect device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ribbons are coloured red, orange or yellow, or a combination thereof.

11. A flame effect devices substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings.

11. A flame effect device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ribbons include the colours blue and green.

12. A flame effect devices substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follow? CLAIMS:

1. A flame effect device comprising: a back a plurality of ribbons hung vertically in front of the back, the ribbons being significantly wider at their lower end than their upper end and having an aperture near their lower ends; a fan to blow air over the ribbons; a light source projecting light onto the ribbons; and a viewing screen in front of the back and the ribbons; wherein the viewing screen is provided with vertical abrasions.

2. A flame effect device as claimed in claim 1, wherein five or seven ribbons are provided, with alternative ribbons being off-set forward of other ribbons. 3. A flame effect device as claimed in any one of claims 1, or claim 2, wherein end ribbons are provided having a generally elongate shape with no aperture.

4. A flame effect device as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the light source is a source of white light.

5. A flame effect device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the light source is coloured by provision of a translucent coloured material.

6. A flame effect material as claimed in claim 5, wherein the translucent coloured material is of even or uneven colour and/or shape.

7. A flame effect device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ribbons are of a reflective or partially reflective material.

8. A flame effect device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ribbons are coloured. 9. A flame effect device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ribbons are coloured red, orange or yellow, or a combination thereof.

10. A flame effect device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ribbons include the colours blue and green.