Abstract:
A furnace protector has a normally caged frame structured to accommodate at least one selected component of a furnace and also enables access to and visibility of the furnace components being protected. Legs and mounting tabs are used to install the furnace protector into a position wherein it encompasses at least one selected furnace component to provide for protection such as to inhibit damage thereto during normal operation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates, generally, to Furnace Protectors. More specifically, the invention relates to Furnace Protectors that are purposed to be used to protect selected components of a furnace. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Furnaces, in particular oil furnaces, have many parts and associated components that require protection from moving articles. This is because damage to such parts or components may lead to an environmentally unfriendly situation, such as an oil spill. Some parts may include the oil filter, carburettor, motor and electrical components. An associated component may include an oil barrel which may be attached to a furnace. There is a need in today&#39;s society for Furnace Protectors that can be mounted to a furnace assembly or an affiliated region wherein sensitive components can be protected. The prior art has attempted to address this need. 
         [0003]    For example, Chinese Patent Application No. 2806464Y discloses a furnace protective device for coke furnaces comprising a door frame and protective plates for burning chamber, checker chamber and chute zone. The protective device has a reasonable structure, high strength, and provides good sealing effect and protection for the furnace body. 
         [0004]    Canadian Patent No. 1,105,976 discloses an electric heater assembly, having electric resistance heating elements and refractory structure for supporting the electric resistance elements. The refractory structure includes flanges that serve as shielding for the heating elements from material which may fall from above in the furnace. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,726 discloses an arrangement for protection against damage to electric motor lead wires during servicing of furnace components within the furnace cabinet. The invention contemplates the provision of an electrical junction box mounted on blower support plate and of a channel-shaped raceway provided with means for holding the electrical leads along the channel. 
         [0006]    Chinese Patent Application No. 201268676Y discloses a cover block for coke oven brace grooves. The cover blocks are connected and laid on the brace grooves so as to discharge the water deposited on the furnace top to prevent it from leaking into the furnace brace grooves. 
         [0007]    Chinese Patent Application No. 2205534Y discloses a protector for working in front of a metallurgical furnace comprising three truckles, upstanding protective wall, armrest handles and other means to satisfy various needs of working in front of a metallurgical furnace. 
         [0008]    The prior art as of yet does not envisage or indeed teach a Furnace Protector that:
       1. Provides protection of furnace parts and associated components that require protection from moving articles, while providing access to these parts/components;   2. Provides protection of furnace parts and associated components that require protection from moving articles, while providing visibility to these parts/components;   3. Provides a mountable means for protection.       
 
         [0012]    A furnace protector according to the present invention may be constructed to provide some protection for all of the elements of the furnace motor, not simply electrical connections or other single or limited elements as in the prior art. It is a construction which is an easily removable or adjustable device suited to a wide range of applications, and is not limited in use to industrial size applications. It provides better protection than the prior art. Unlike the greater part of the prior art it is useful in personal/residential, commercial or industrial environments. 
         [0013]    The optimal permanent mounting of the invention inhibits the possibility that the protector can itself cause damage through movement after being hit by a moving object. 
         [0014]    The furnace protector according to the present invention may in general be normally less weighty than the prior art and more convenient to install by a prudent individual of average ability and with diligent and purposeful application. 
         [0015]    The present invention was conceived and developed having regard to the known prior art and with the purpose of providing an improvement in the art of Furnace Protectors. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    An aspect of the present invention is to provide Furnace Protectors that addresses some of the deficiencies as found in the prior art. 
         [0017]    According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a Furnace Protector comprising, a caged frame shaped and dimensioned to provide protection for at least one selected furnace component, and a means for mounting the caged frame into a position suitable to protect at least one selected furnace component. 
         [0018]    According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a Furnace Protector as described above wherein the frame is partially open providing access for a selected furnace component to enjoy protection from damage by use of the present invention. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the frame is caged with wire mesh. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the Furnace Protector further comprises a means for accessing the at least one furnace component. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the means for accessing the at least one furnace component comprises a hinged door. 
         [0022]    Another aspect of the present invention is a furnace protector as described herein in which a portion of the frame can be opened to facilitate access to the working parts without having to dismantle the entire installation. 
         [0023]    As another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a furnace protector, comprising: a substantially parallelepiped shaped frame to at least partially surround at least one furnace component; meshing means affixed to the frame for filling at least one side of the frame; and mounting means for rigidly affixing the frame to a furnace or a floor; wherein at least one side of the frame is unmeshed for providing the at least one furnace component an opening to be surrounded by the furnace protector. 
         [0024]    As another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a furnace protector, comprising: a frame adapted to at least partially surround at least one furnace component and defining a plurality of sides; meshing means affixed to the frame for filling at least one side of the frame; and mounting means for rigidly affixing the frame to a furnace or a floor; wherein at least one side of the frame is unmeshed for providing the at least on furnace component an opening to be surrounded by the furnace protector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention encasing components of an oil filter; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention encasing components of an oil barrel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    A better understanding of the present invention and its advantages will become apparent to those skilled in this art form the following detailed description, wherein there is described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the description should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the furnace protector  1  preferably comprises a cage framed  2  that is preferably made of ½ inch angle iron and closed in with 1 inch square iron mesh on three lateral sides and the top. Optionally, the bottom may also be closed in with iron mesh. The use of a mesh-type cover that cages the frame provides visibility to component(s)  3  surrounded by the cage. Preferably the top comprises a hinged door  7  to provide access to the components surrounded by the cage. The furnace protector may be of variety of shapes and sizes, however, it is preferred that adapted to a size appropriate to encase at least one component  3  of the Furnace for which it is intended for.  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment that is rectangular in shape, however this should not be considered limiting. 
         [0030]    The present invention is intended to protect furnace components such as carburettors, oil filters and the electrical components for all oil furnaces from being damaged accidentally with moving hard objects. It is therefore constructed and/or adapted to a size appropriate to encase at least one component of the Furnace for which it is intended for. 
         [0031]    The present invention further comprises a means for mounting the caged frame in a position suitable to protect the component(s). For example, the caged frame may be secured to the floor and/or to the furnace with bolts and nuts, however, are not limited to such means. The frame may comprise tabs  4  whereby the bolts can go through. Bolts or other fasteners may be used to run through the angle iron. The present invention may also comprise leg members that may be used to stabilize the furnace protector upon mounting. The leg members may be bolted the ground. Optionally, the leg members may extend out in a substantially horizontal manner whereby they may be fastened to a structure such as a wall. Other means for mounting the caged frame in a position suitable to protect the component(s) may be possible. In some embodiments the present invention may be bolted to the floor via bolt and tabs  4 . 
         [0032]    In operation, the furnace protector is positioned in a region wherein it encases a furnace component that needs protection and is then secured to the floor and/or to the furnace with a mounting means. Legs  5  may also be used to facilitate stabilization of the furnace protector when mounted. Optionally, the installation of the present invention is effected by a trained technician, whereby the installation may have to be inspected by an outside regulatory body. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the furnace protector  1  is intended and adapted for an associated component such as an oil barrel  6  which may be attached to a furnace. This embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The present invention may be intended to protect components such as shut-off valves and oil filters from being damaged accidentally with moving hard objects. It is therefore adapted to a size appropriate to encase at least one component of the Furnace for which it is intended for. Other embodiments may be adapted for protection of exposed mechanical and electrical components of fuel feeding part such as oil-fired hot water heaters. 
         [0034]    The furnace protector can be readily adapted to the protection of any exposed mechanical device, particularly one with an external fuel feed. The present invention may also be used for gas and propane furnaces. Furthermore, the present invention may also be collapsible or foldable for shipping and storing purposes. 
         [0035]    While one (or more) embodiment(s) of this invention has (have) been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described above, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essence of this invention. All such modifications or variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto. 
         [0036]    Furthermore, the features and elements of the embodiments described and illustrated may be combined providing other embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0037]    The present invention is useful in a residential setting as compared to other developments more suited toward an industrial setting. It is useful for protecting exposed components of a furnace such as oil couplings and environmentally hazardous connections and components. It is also possible to be used for the protection for larger commercial heating devices. The present invention&#39;s simple design facilitates its use over a wide range of applications.