Decorative wall hanging heater

• US 5,138,134 A
• Filed: 12/22/1988
• Issued: 08/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mearl E. Ellison
• Original Assignee: Mearl E. Ellison
• Inventors: Ellison, Mearl E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Evans, Geoffrey S.
• Application Number:
  US07/289,984
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 219/345, 219/343, 219/358, 340/551, 340/552, 340/553, 340/547, 340/568, 340/571, 340/652, 40/152.1, 248/551, 248/475.1, 248/476, 248/495, 248/542
• US Class Current: 392/448
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/0616 Ornamental frames, e.g. with illumination, speakers or decorative features
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/0655 with anti-theft means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/1606 comprising a wall member cooperating with a corresponding picture member
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/043 Stoves
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 13/022 resistances incorporated in construction elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/00 Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]

Abstract

A wall hanging incorporating a heater is characterized by a low temperature thermostatically controlled heating panel being aesthetically concealed behind a decorative surface, and being configured to be hung on an ordinary wall. The device includes a safety shut-off switch activated by excessive temperature build-up, alarm systems to deter theft, and a wall mounting bracket which permits rapid and level mounting of the wall hanging.

Claims

1. A combination decorative wall hanging and panel heater, comprising:

a front panel surface formed as a sheet having decorative coloring and a flange formed to extend generally at right angles from the edges thereof;

a frame formed to surround the front panel and for securement to the flange;

a layer of material having heat conducting and electrical insulating properties juxtaposed to the front panel;

a second layer of material having dielectric properties juxtaposed to the first layer of material;

a heater element including a layer of graphite saturated fabric having a pair of busses positioned along a pair of opposite edges of the layer of graphite saturated fabric;

means for supplying electrical current to the busses for application to the heating element;

a thermal cut-off switch connected to the heater and in series with the means for supplying electrical current;

thermostat means for variably regulating the heat output of the panel heater;

a backing panel having a flange adapted to be secured to the frame;

an electrically conductive bracket adapted to be attached between the front panel and the backing panel;

a junction box having a plurality of vents for allowing air circulation therethrough attached to the backside of the heater for housing the thermostatic means;

bracket means for supporting the wall hanging to a vertical surface; and

alarm means for providing a warning whenever the frame is removed from the vertical surface;

said bracket means comprising a mounting plate formed to be secured to a vertical surface;

a supporting plate integrally formed with and extending perpendicularly from said mounting plate sized to capture a portion of said frame;

a level means located on said mounting plate for indicating the relationship of said supporting plate to the horizontal; and

a pair of vernier adjusting means located on said supporting plate for adjusting the level of said frame relative said supporting plate after said frame is captured by said supporting plate.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said level means comprises a bubble level.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said vernier adjusting means comprises a pair of threaded fasteners extending through said supporting plate and positioned to support a portion of said frame and cant said frame relative said supporting plate.