Abstract:
This is an upright heater igniting combustible gas to induce a naturally aspirated flame within a glass tube. Air channels producing the naturally aspirated flame enters the glass tube in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the flame thus creating a twirling flame. Heat waves generated by the twirling flame within a glass tube rises to a heat concentrator and projected onto a parabolic heat shield thus reflecting the heat wave radially downward and outward.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention generally relates to a flame heater. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Outdoor heaters have become popular in recent years. They have been used in amusement theme parks, sports stadiums, restaurants, sidewalks and residential backyards. In addition to serving as heaters, they also serve as decorative furniture and fixtures. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. D619,231 features on directional heat radiation; U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,759 features a basic utilitarian design; U.S. Pat. No. D718,850 features decorative woven wicker as surface material pleasant to sight and touch; U.S. Pat. No. D634,412 features fancy appearance to make a patio heater a fashion statement in addition to its utility functions; U.S. Pat. No. D486,567 features a tree like design to assimilate surrounding environment; U.S. Pat. No. D634,412 features pyramid shape for aesthetic appeal; U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,522 features a table with an outdoor heater to combine convenience with utility; U.S. Pat. No. D532,501 departs the monotone of a single heater head design by having a double heater head; U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,424 features a twisting flame induced by an electric fan  40  inherent therewith is the danger of leaking combustible gas when flame  15  is extinguished by fan  40 . 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is a first object of the present invention to produce a twirling flame heater. 
         [0005]    It is a second object of the present invention to produced a twirling flame heater by natural aspiration rather than induced aspiration. 
         [0006]    It is a third object of the present invention to enhance the atheistic appeal of a patio heater. 
         [0007]    It is a fourth object of the present invention to eliminate a separately powered fan that may inadvertently extinguish a flame. 
         [0008]    It is a fifth object of the present invention to prevent leaking combustible gas while in operation. 
         [0009]    It is a sixth object of the present invention to prolong the length of time a twirling flame can be sustained by a limited gas supply. 
         [0010]    It is a seventh object of the present invention to produce a single flame that twirls. 
         [0011]    It is an eighth object of the present invention to eliminate the need to produce two separate flames to induce a flame twirling effect. 
         [0012]    It is a ninth object of the present invention to eliminate the need to construct a large patio heater to accommodate two separate flames to achieve the twirling effect. 
         [0013]    It is a tenth object of the present invention to increase transportability of a patio heater. 
         [0014]    Other objects of the present invention would become self evident upon a review of the following written specification, abstract, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the present invention with its door in an open position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows wheel mechanisms making the present invention transportable. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows how a body panel is affixed to the base of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  shows a perspective and exposed view of a central mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  shows a side exposed view of the central mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4C  shows a top exposed view of the central mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4D  shows a transparent glass tube of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4E  shows a perspective view of the central mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of the central mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A  shows a perspective and bottom view of the gas distributor of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6B  shows a side view of the gas distributor of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective and bottom view of the gas distributor mounting plate of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  shows another side view of the gas distributor of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  shows a bottom view of the central mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10A  shows a top view of a cage quadrant of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10B  shows a side view of a cage quadrant of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  shows a top view of a heat concentrator with its mounting plate of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  shows a top view of the heat shield of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  shows a twirling flame produced by the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  shows a door hook and latch of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]      FIG. 1  shows a completely assembled twirling flame heater  100 . It includes a base  102 , a set of transport wheels  104 ; a supporting body  106 ; an arc shape door  108 ; a central mechanism  110 ; a control knob  112 ; a setter  114 ; a protective cage  116 ; a transparent tube  118 ; a heat concentrator  120  and a heat shield  122 , a door latch  126 , a hinge mount set  126 , and a hook  314 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  shows detail mechanisms of transporting wheels on the side of the base. The set of transport wheels  104  is secured to the base  102  via a bracket  202  with an arc that matches the arc of the round base  102 . Both ends of bracket  202  are arms  204  with holes to accommodate a shaft  208 . Arms  204  are of lengths greater than the radius of wheels  206  thus leaving equal distance gaps between surface of the base  102  and surface of wheels  206  making rotation of wheels  206  possible. Wheels  206  are retained by the presence of nuts  210  threadable secured to shaft  208 . Bracket  202  is secured to based  102  by way of screws  212  with matching retaining nuts  214  on the interior side of based  102 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows a number of L-brackets  302  serving as the bridges that hold body  106  and base  102  together. A number of fastener set  304  secures the bracket  302  to the base  102  and a number of fastener set  306  secured the bracket  302  to the body  106 . On edge  308  of body  106  are a pair of hangers  310  with upward pointing shafts  312 . Shafts  312  are inserted into door hangers  126  forming a rotatable hinge allowing door  108  to swing open or closed about hinges  126 . On edge  318  is a hook  314  complimentarily receive latch  128  to keep the door  108  closed and secured. 
         [0038]    On the lower portion of the central mechanism  110  is a ridge  130  situated below main surface  132  yet above lip  134 . On the lip  134  are a number of holes complementary to holes  320  of the body  106 . As the central mechanism  110  is placed on top of body  106  whereby the holes on lip  134  aligns with holes  320  of body  106 , a set of fasteners may fasten the lip  134  and body  106  together. Once the fasteners are tightened, ridge  130  rests nicely on the top rim of body  106  jointly bearing the full weight of any parts resting there-above. On top of base  102  is an adjustable door stopper  316  that can be adjusted either inward or outward to accommodate door  108  so that the perimeter of door  106  can be flushed with the edge  308  and edge  318 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective exposed view of central mechanism  110 . There are two surface layers, a top layer  403  and a sub-layer  405 . Numerous air inlets  402  are located at selected areas of surface  132 . Numerous air channels  404  are behind air inlets  402 . Air outlets are shown as angle entry outlets  406 . Segments of lip  408 C and  408 L are shown on the central mechanism  110 , together forming air channels  404 . As shown, a portion of each segment is located along the edge following the curvature of the interior circle designated as  408 C and a portion of each segment extends linearly to the interior side of surface  132  designated as  408 L. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4B  shows a side exposed view of the central mechanism  110  and the layout of inlet  404  and gas distributor  506 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 4C  shows a top exposed view showing the layout of the air channels  404 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 4D  shows a glass tube  118  within which a twirling flame is lit. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4E  shows a perspective view of central mechanism  110  illustrating from a side angle  408 C and  408 L. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the central mechanism  110 . It shows a setter  114  fastened to the central mechanism  110  via a set of fasteners  502  located at locations along four quadrants. Once fastened, the setter  114  is raised by a set of legs  504  above the top surface of the central mechanism  110 . Also shown is a gas distribution chamber  506  and its base plate  508 . A set of fasteners  510  are used to hold the burner  506  to the central mechanism  110 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 6A  shows an underside of the gas distributor  506 . It has a chamber  602  connected to a gas tube  604  and connected to a male gas adapter  606 , respectively. A set of openings  608  is situated on both side of gas tube  604 . The junction where the male gas adapter  606  is connected to the end of the gas tube  604  are a set of openings  802  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The purpose of openings  608  and  802  is suctioning in oxygen by venturi effect when combustible gas is injected under pressure. Upon mixing combustible gas with oxygen within chamber  602 , the final mixture is let out via a set of gas distribution holes  610 . Given openings  608  and  802  are all located underneath the central mechanism  110 , the ambient air is drawn from open air communication between the interior chamber of body  106  via a body opening  322  and a door opening  136 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  shows the underside of a mounting plate  702  with a flange  704 , a central hole  706 , a rectangular opening  708 , a set of inner mounting holes  710  and a set of outer mounting holes  712 . The mounting plate  702  is installed onto the gas distributor  506  by inserting the gas tube  604  into central hole  706  and by aligning the inner holes  710  with a set of surface mount nuts  612  then insert a set of fasteners  714  to fasten the mounting plate  702  onto the gas distributor  506 . The set of surface mount nuts  612  concurrently serves as the spacers to maintain a proper gap between the mounting plate  702  from the gas distributor  506  to allow gas to escape from gas distribution holes  610 . The flange  704  is of sufficient height to accommodate the height of screw heads of the set of fasteners  714 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 6B  shows a side view after the mounting plate  702  is fully installed onto the gas distributor  506 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  shows a frontal view of the male gas adopter  606  with a combustible gas channel  804 . Surrounding the combustible gas channel  804  are a set of surrounding air inlets  802  for oxygen intake. When combustible gas under pressure is injected into the combustible gas channel  804 , oxygen from ambient environment is suctioned via the surrounding air inlets  802  and the set of openings  608  by venturi effect. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  shows an underside view of the central mechanism  110 . It shows an elongated elliptical opening  902  to allow the gas tube  604  to pass there-through. It shows a flexible tube  904  one end of which is a first female adapter  906  receivably connected to the male adapter  606 . 
         [0050]    A main controller  908  with a first male adapter  910 , a second male adapter  912 , a third male adapter  914  and a control knob  112 . The first male adapter  910  is connected to a second female adapter  918 . The second male adapter  912  is connected to a main flexible gas line  922  via a female adapter  920 . The main flexible gas line  922  is connected to a tank of combustible gas supply, such as a propane tank. 
         [0051]    A spark module  924  is mounted on the underside of the central mechanism  110 . A bump safety switch  926  is also mounted on the underside of the central mechanism  110 . A first wire  928 W initiated from a female adapter  924  receivably connected to the male adapter  914  is connected to a first terminal  928  of the bump safety switch  926 . A second wire  930  initiates from a second terminal  932  is connected to a hot side of the spark module  924 . A third wire  934  connected to the cold side of the spark module  924  is connected to the main controller  908 . 
         [0052]    The bump safety switch  926  makes a connection between terminals  928  and  932  only when the twirling flame heater  100  stands in its upright position. When the ignitor within the main controller  908  is initiated via knob  112 , a sparks appears between the hot terminal  514  and the cold terminal  512 . Should the twirling flame heater  100  be toppled for any reason, the bump safety switch  926  internally causes a disconnection between terminals  928  and  932  thus an open circuit. Hence, even if the ignitor within the main controller  908  is initiated for any reason, a spark would not be produced to ensure safety. 
         [0053]    A cylindrical glass tube  118  is insertable set into setter  114  and rest on top of landing  516 . On the outer skirts of a top layer  403  of the central mechanism  110  are a set of holes  518 A. A set of matching holes  518 A shown in  FIG. 5  are at the same locations on the sublayer  405  shown as holes  518 B in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 10A  shows one of four quadrants when all put together form the cage  116 . Each quadrant has long stem ends  1002  and a short stem ends  1004  as shown in  FIG. 10B . Long stem ends are inserted into holes  518 A and  518 B to be fastened by a set of nuts. 
         [0055]      FIG. 11  shows the heat concentrator  120  with a mounting platform  1102  each containing a set of holes  1104  upon which short end stems  1004  may pass there-through to receive a set of nuts  1106 . The complete fastening of which would show a fully formed cage  116 . 
         [0056]    A set of spacing studs  1108  are mounted on the heat concentrator  120 . Top threaded ends  1110  are to penetrate a set of holes  1202  to be fastened by a set of wingnuts  1204 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0057]    In operation, one would turn the control knob  112  which will allow combustible gas from a tank under pressure to pass through combustible gas channel  804  into the gas tube  604  sucking by venturi effect oxygen from openings  802  and  608  producing a mixture in chamber  602 . The mixture is distributed via gas distribution holes  610 . A spark is produced between hot terminal  512  and cold terminal  514  to ignite the mixture. Once the mixture is ignited, hot air in the glass tube  118  rises thus creating a suctioning effect to draw oxygen from the ambient environment via the air channels  404 . Given the ambient air being suctioned into the glass tube  118  via a set of angle entries  406  which enters in directions perpendicular to the rising direction of the flame. Hence, by the suctioning action of the rising hot air and perpendicular air intake via the angle entries  406 , a naturally aspirated circular air turbulence is created in the glass tube  118  and that air turbulence turns what otherwise be a normal flame into a twirling flame, creating both a thorough burn through air turbulence and an intriguing flame  1302  mesmerizing to the viewer, as shown in  FIG. 13 . The hot air rises within the glass tube  118  into the heat concentrator  120  and radially gush upwardly and outwardly via radial openings  1120 . As the heat shield  122  is of a parabolic shape, heat waves reaching the heat shield would then be parabolically reflected downwardly and outwardly into the ambient environment. 
         [0058]    In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. 
         [0059]    Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The inventions defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.