Patent ID: 7132626

Claim:
A radiant electric heater comprising at least first and second adjacent heating zones, the first heating zone including a first heating element portion and the second heating zone including a second heating element portion, and terminal means provided at a periphery of the heater for connecting the first and second heating element portions to a source of electrical energy and including first, second and third electrical connectors, the third electrical connector being positioned intermediate the first and second electrical connectors and a radially inner region of each of the first and second electrical connectors extending generally circumferentially of the heater in a direction away from the terminal block, wherein the heating element portions are integral with conjoined ends connected to the first electrical connector, with one free end connected to the second electrical connector, and with another free end connected to the third electrical connector, the first, second and third electrical connectors including means for connecting to the heating element portions in such a way that the heating element portions are not deflected from their intended path to any substantial extent.