FLAME SIMULATION APPARATUS

Abstract: The invention provides an improved simulated effect electric fire. An improved flame effect is created by providing a plurality of ribbons of for example silk cloth, cut to the shape of flames. The ribbons are attached to a base at their bottom ends but are otherwise free. The ribbons are in lifted, similar to flames, by a gentle air stream flowing from the base. This makes them flicker and flutter like flames. At the same time, light from LEDs is caused to fall on the ribbons, the light being of different colours corresponding to the different colours in real flames, giving a particularly realistic effect. When the air flow is switched off, the ribbons drop back by gravity into or onto the base.

Description: Flame Simulation Apparatus This invention relates to an apparatus in which flame simulation is effected. Apparatus in which flame simulation is effected typically may be an electric fire, or a flame effect fire not for heating, but simply for providing a focal point of a room. Another apparatus in which flame is simulated may be a decorative imitation flame torch. Specifically, in electric fires, the use of flame simulation provides a cheaper, cleaner, safer and more environmentally friendly method of heating and lighting, whilst maintaining the aesthetic appeal that a natural flame provides. Conventional electric fires incorporating flame simulation apparatus fall into two broad categories. The first of the two categories includes fires having a simulated coal or wood bed, typically made of fibreglass or plastic, beneath which a red light bulb is positioned with a spinning diffusion plate above it. The second of the two categories include fires having a plurality of ribbons suspended within the appliance, which are moved by air circulation means or mechanical means. The movement of the ribbons is back projected onto a screen in the form of a semi- transparent plate at the front of the appliance, to provide the appearance to a viewer of flickering natural flames. In some cases a combination of the abovementioned features are used to create a simulated natural flame appearance. Whilst conventional flame simulated electric fires and torches can appear semi-realistic in a darkened room, such appliances are in general not very realistic and lose all realism in brighter conditions. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide flame simulation apparatus having a more realistic flame appearance. The invention provides two independent aspects providing for more realism in simulating flames. Thee two aspects and a third aspect of the invention can be used together. According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for simulating at least one natural flame, said apparatus including means for creating an air stream, at least one flexible ribbon or the like supported so that it can be caused to flutter or flicker under the action of the air stream, and light source means which emits light of different colours to fall onto different parts of the ribbon as it flickers or flutters to simulate a multi coloured natural flame. Preferably the light source means comprises light emitting diodes (LEDs), each for emitting light of a different colour. Preferably the LEDs flash on and off repeatedly at a predetermined frequency. In one embodiment the LEDs flash at a frequency of approximately 50Hz. In one embodiment, the activation, deactivation and/or flashing frequency of each individual LED is variable and can be controlled by a user. In an alternative embodiment the activation, brightness, deactivation and/or flashing frequency of each LED, a group of LEDs and/or all the LEDs of the apparatus can be programmed at pre-determined time intervals, set by the user or manufacturer. It should be mentioned however, that the light sources means may comprise in the alternative, conventional, small sized, electric bulbs According to the second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for simulating at least one natural flame, said apparatus including means for creating an air stream, at least one flexible ribbon or the like which is supported so that it can be raised from a lowered position in which it is loosely draped, and caused to flutter or flicker under the action of the air stream, and when the air stream is stopped, it falls back to the lowered position. It is preferred that the ribbon be supported at a bottom end, and the other end is free to lift under the action of the air stream. In this second aspect, there will more usually be light source means to emit light to fall onto the ribbon as it flickers or flutters to simulate a natural flame. Preferably, the at least one flexible ribbon is an elongate member provided in a shape at least approximating a natural flame, and for example, the upper end of the ribbon may be tapered and/or the edges of the ribbon may be wavy. Preferably, and more usually, there will be a plurality of ribbons to create a plurality of natural flames. The apparatus is preferably such that the light falling on the ribbon/ribbons is reflected from the ribbon/ribbons directly through a screen or plate through which the flame effect is viewed, such screen in one embodiment being semi transparent, and in particular semi frosted. Preferably the means for creating an air stream is a fan, which may be of the tangential or axial type. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base and the base is provided with one or more apertures on an upper surface thereof. The fan may be located in an internal cavity defined by walls of the base to circulate air upwardly through the apertures . In an alternative embodiment, the fan is located adjacent the base and circulates air through the base and/or upwardly through the apparatus. In one embodiment the LEDs are located in the cavity of the base and the light emitted from the LEDs is directed upwardly through the apertures of the upper surface of the base and onto the ribbons. Preferably, the ribbons are attached to an internal surface of the base and/or the walls defining the one or more apertures of the base. Preferably, the ribbons are provided in planes arranged in a zigzag arrangement on the upper surface of the base, such planes typically being angled at 90° to one another. Preferably, a reflective surface is provided behind the ribbons to form a part or whole of a back and angled sides of the apparatus. Further preferably the reflective surface is provided with one or more ribs thereon. In one embodiment the apparatus forms part of an electric fire and the base is a simulated fuel bed. In an alternative embodiment the apparatus forms part of a simulated flame torch for lighting purposes. An advantage of the first aspect of present invention is that the light of different colours emitted from the light source means can be directed to fall onto different parts of the ribbon corresponding to the colour(s) typically associated with different parts of a natural flame. For example, a natural flame is typically blue at or adjacent the bottom of the flame and is orange and/or yellow at or adjacent the top of the flame. This light arrangement, in combination with the flickering or fluttering of the ribbons, provides the simulated flames with a more realistic natural flame appearance than conventional simulated flames, due to the fact that they appear to emit light as a natural flame does. A further advantage of the present invention is that the ribbons are being viewed directly by a user to give a three dimensional appearance, thereby providing increased realism to the simulated flames. This is in contrast to many conventional flame simulation appliances where the flame images are back projected onto a screen, and it is the projected image which is viewed by a user, thereby providing a less realistic two-dimensional appearance. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figure, wherein: Figure 1 is an example of the flame simulating part of an electric fire (actual or simulated) according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the part shown in Figure 1. Referring to the Figures, there is illustrated the flame simulating part 2 of an electric fire, said part comprising a base 4, a fan 6, ribbons 8 and a reflective surface 10. The ribbons are shaped to at least approximate natural flames, with the top portion of the ribbons being tapered and pointed and the edges of the ribbons being wavy. In this embodiment, the ribbons are made of a synthetic silk material, with anti-static properties, being laser cut to prevent fraying. The base 4 is a rectangular box and has sidewalls 12, a bottom 14, and a front 15. The rear is open and registers with the outlet of the fan 6, whilst the top 16 comprises a margin 16A surrounding a letter-box aperture 18. It is useful to mention at this time that the box 4 may be for example of dimensions "w" of approximately 50 cm, "h" of approximately 8 cm, and "d" of approximately 10 cm, although these dimensions could be any suitable. Across the aperture 18 extend support wires 19 for carrying the ribbons 8. These wires 19 are arranged in a zig-zag pattern as shown in Figure 2, so that the ribbons 8 will be viewed at an angle rather than edge on when the simulated flames are viewed, giving appearance of depth of flame and more of a three dimensional effect. This disposition of the ribbons in itself forms yet another independent aspect of the present invention. The ribbons 8 are connected to wires 19 at one end (the bottom end) whist the other ends are free. The ribbons 8 are of delicate light silk, so that when the blower 6 is operative, it provides a gentle air flow, indicated by arrows 21 , which passes through the box 4, out of the letter box aperture 18 and then rises vertically, and in so doing, lifts the ribbons as shown in Figure 1, making them at the same time flicker and flutter like real flames. Because the ribbons are unsupported at the top, when the fan is turned off, which happens when the fire is turned off, the ribbons fall back into the box 4 and this also adds to the realism of the apparatus. The ribbons 8, which may be of a length in the order of 10 cm, because they are of light fabric, have no difficulty in lifting to the position shown in Figure 1 , when the fan again is turned on. There may be a grille mesh fitted to prevent the ribbons form falling into the fan. The lifting of the ribbons is very similar to the rising of natural flames when a fire is started. In modified embodiments the ribbons may be loosely supported above the bottoms, as long as they still rise as described above, when the air flow is on. In accordance with this embodiment, the ribbons are illuminated by a plurality of LEDs 22 located in the box 4 at any convenient location and in any desired number. Respective ones of the LEDs emit light of different colours and are positioned such that the light falls onto different parts of the ribbons 8 corresponding to the colour or colours typically associated with an equivalent part of a natural flame. For example, LEDs can be provided to emit blue light to fall onto bottom portions of ribbons 8, further LEDs can be provided to emit orange light to fall onto middle portions of ribbons 8 and yet further LEDs can be provided to emit yellow light to fall onto top portions of the ribbons. The visual effect provided by the coloured lights falling onto the ribbons, together with the flickering movement of the ribbons as a result of the circulation of air in the apparatus, increases the realism of the simulated flames. Any particular colour can be produced by an LED emitting a single light colour. Alternatively, a particular colour can be produced by two or more LEDs emitting light of different colours, the combination of emitted light when directed onto the same part of the ribbon producing a single colour. For example, green and yellow LEDs can be directed onto the bottom portion of a flame member to produce a blue colouration effect. It will be understood that variations of the number of the LEDs used, the colour of the LEDs used, the brightness of the LEDs and the position of the LEDs in the apparatus can be used to create a smooth transition between the different coloured portions of the ribbons and also allow the appearance of the ribbons to change for different heat settings of the fire 2. The LEDs are typically high brightness LEDs and flash at a predetermined frequency such that the flashing is not obviously detected by a human eye, but which in combination with ribbon movement, provides a flickering effect associated with natural flames. A typical frequency which can be used to simulate the flickering of a natural flame is 50Hz. The illumination effected by the simulated flames is increased by the provision of reflective surface 10 behind the ribbons. The reflective surface can be joined to the base 4 with conventional attachment means such as screws, nuts and bolts, clips, adhesive and/or the like. The reflective surface 10 can be provided with a number of ribs 24 to further increase the realism of the members 8. The reflector preferably has sides 10A which are bent at approximately 45° to enhance the 3D effect. A semi-transparent plate (not shown) can be provided in front of the base or ribbons through which the ribbons are viewed directly (as opposed to back projection as used in the prior art) by a user. The semi-transparent plate is typically made from frosted glass and softens the edges of the ribbons 8 to increase their realism as natural flames. This plate can have a semi- reflective finish, so that the inside of the apparatus cannot be seen, when the appliance is switched off. The apparatus may also be provided with a suitable casing to house the components, but in other cases the apparatus will be fitted into an existing hearth, when such a casing may not be needed. Since the angled ribbons are being viewed directly and lie at an angle to the viewer, and are not projected onto a screen, as is typically the case with some conventional flame simulation appliances, the ribbons provide a three dimensional natural flame effect and increase the realism of the simulated flames. There may be provided control means 26 to switch the fire on/off, to adjust the heat setting of the fire and provide other functions as indicated below. The control means 26 can also allow the user to control the flashing frequency of each LED individually, a group of LEDs and/or all the LEDs. The flashing frequency can be programmed to change at time intervals determined by the user or manufacturer. In addition, the activation and deactivation of each LED individually or a group of LEDs can be controlled and/or programmed. For example, different coloured LEDs can be programmed to be activated at different times to represent different heat settings of the fire or changes in the heat given off by the fire (when the apparatus functions as such). The ribbons 8 are typically made from a light flexible material having anti-static properties such as silk, polyester, satin, plastic and/or the like. The apparatus can be provided with an actual or simulated coal or wood pile, and when simulated, can be made from a plastics material or fibreglass. Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides flame simulation apparatus in which the realism of the appearance of the flame or flames is increased, thereby increasing the aesthetic appeal of the apparatus to customers.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for simulating at least one natural flame, said apparatus including at least one flexible ribbon or the like supported so that it can be caused to flutter or flicker, means for causing the ribbon to so flutter or flicker, and light source means which emits light of different colours to fall onto different parts of the ribbon as it flickers or flutters to simulate a multi coloured natural flame. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the said means for causing comprises means to create an air stream. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source means comprises light emitting diodes (LEDs), each for emitting light of a different colour. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the LEDs flash on and off repeatedly at a pre-determined frequency. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the LEDs flash at a frequency of approximately 50Hz. 6. An apparatus according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the activation, deactivation and/ or flashing frequency of each individual LED is variable and can be controlled by a user. 7. An apparatus according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the activation, brightness, deactivation and/or flashing frequency of each LED, a group of LEDs and/or all the LEDs of the apparatus is programmed at pre-determined time intervals, set by the user or manufacturer. 8. An apparatus for simulating at least one natural flame, said apparatus including means for creating an air stream, at least one flexible ribbon or the like which is supported so that it can be raised from a lowered position in which it is loosely draped, and caused to flutter or flicker under the action of an air stream, and when the air stream is stopped, it falls back to the lowered position. 9. An apparatus according to claim 8, including light source means to emit light to fall onto the ribbon as it flickers or flutters to simulate a natural flame. 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the light source means is according to any of claims 1 to 7. 11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one flexible ribbon is an elongate member provided in a shape at least approximating a natural flame, and for example, the upper end of the ribbon may be tapered and/or the edges of the ribbon may be wavy. 12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each ribbon is arranged to lie at an angle to the viewer. 13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein there are a plurality of ribbons to create a plurality of natural flames. 14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the apparatus includes a base and the base is provided with one or more apertures on an upper surface thereof and the air flow passes through the aperture/apertures to lift the ribbons . 15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the air flow is created by a fan, and the fan is either located in an internal cavity defined by walls of the base to circulate air upwardly through the aperture /apertures. 16. An apparatus according to claim 13 or any preceding claim when dependent upon claim 13 wherein the ribbons are provided in planes arranged in a zigzag arrangement, such planes typically being angled at 90° to one another. 17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein including a screen or plate through which the flame effect is viewed, such screen being semi transparent, and/or semi frosted. 18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a reflective surface is provided behind the ribbon or ribbons to form a part or whole of a back and angled sides of the apparatus 19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the reflective surface is provided with one or more ribs thereon. 20. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is an electric fire having a simulated fuel bed.

Inventors: GERRARD GRAHAME, GERRARD, GRAHAME
Applicants: GERRARD GRAHAME, WINTERWARM LTD, GERRARD, GRAHAME
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F24C7
IPC codes: F24C7