Miniature patio heater

• US 6,446,623 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GHP Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CFM-RMC International
• Inventors: Yoon, Sung Boo, Resmo, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): CLARKE, SARA SACHIE
• Application Number:
  US09/662,976
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 126/92.R, 126/92.AC, 126/92.B, 431/344, 119/310, 285/181, 285/272, 285/278, 285/280, 285/281
• US Class Current: 126/92.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 1/12 of circular shape
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86276 Movable tank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8807 Articulated or swinging flow conduit

Abstract

A miniature patio heater is provided which has a total height of approximately 3 ft. and which has a shroud with a diameter less than 2 ft. The patio heater includes a base having a vertically extending chamber, which is approximately 1.5 ft. high, for receiving a small gas bottle. A hollow post extends upwardly from the upper end of the chamber. A heater assembly and shroud are supported at the upper end of the post. A gas line extends along the inside of the hollow post between the heater assembly and the chamber. A connector assembly provides a pivotal connection between the end of the gas line and a regulator connected to a gas bottle within the chamber. The chamber is provided with an access opening for inserting and removing the gas bottle. Thus, the gas bottle, with attached regulator, can be swung from a vertical upright position within the chamber outwardly through the access opening to an angular position to facilitate removal of an empty gas bottle and replacement with a full gas bottle. The fall gas bottle can then be swung from the angular position to a vertical upright position within the chamber. A removable cover can be provided over the access opening.

Claims

1. A miniature patio heater having a base which includes a chamber for receiving a gas bottle, said chamber having a side wall, a post extending upwardly from said base, said post having a first lower end attached to said base and an upper end, a heater assembly attached to said upper end of said post, a shroud attached to said heater, a regulator in said chamber, a gas line extending from said regulator to said heater, the improvement comprising:

an access opening in said side wall of said chamber; and

a connector assembly attached to one of said regulator and said gas line and pivotally connected to the other of said regulator and said gas line so that the gas bottle can be swung from a vertical position within said chamber outwardly through said access opening to an angular position for replacement.

2. A miniature patio heater, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector assembly includes:

a first coupling half having a first end connected to said gas line and having a second end;

a second coupling half having a first end connected in fluid communication to said regulator and a second end which receives said second end of said first coupling half for rotational movement of said second coupling half about said second end of said first coupling half; and

at least one seal positioned between said second ends.

3. A miniature patio heater, as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said at least one seal includes a plurality of seals spaced along said second end of said first coupling half in frictional engagement with said second end of said second coupling half.

4. A miniature patio heater, as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said first coupling half is in the form of an elbow, said first end thereof includes a collar connected to said gas line; and

said second coupling half is in the form of a union, said first end thereof includes a threaded end connected to said regulator.

5. A miniature patio heater, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a removable cover positioned over said access opening.

6. A miniature patio heater having a base which includes a chamber for receiving a gas bottle, said chamber having a side wall, a post extending upwardly from said base, said post having a first lower end attached to said base and an upper end, a heater assembly attached to said upper end of said post, a shroud attached to said heater, a regulator in said chamber, a gas line extending from said regulator to said heater, the improvement comprising:

means for providing rotation between said regulator and said gas line enabling said gas bottle connected to said regulator to be selectively rotated between a first use position and a second angular replacement position.

7. A miniature patio heater, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for rotation comprises:

a first coupling half having a first end connected to said gas line and having a second end;

a second coupling half having a first end connected in fluid communication to said regulator and a second end which receives said second end of said first coupling half for rotational movement of said second coupling half about said second end of said first coupling half; and

at least one seal positioned between said second ends.

8. A miniature patio heater, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said at least one seal includes a plurality of seals spaced along said second end of said first coupling half in frictional engagement with said second end of said second coupling half.

9. A miniature patio heater, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said first coupling half is in the form of an elbow, said first end thereof includes a collar connected to said gas line; and

said second coupling half is in the form of a union, said first end thereof includes a threaded end connected to said regulator.

10. A miniature patio heater, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a removable cover positioned over said access opening.

11. A method of changing a gas bottle in a chamber formed in the base of a miniature patio heater in which the chamber has a side wall with an access opening, said method comprising:

pivoting a first bottle and a regulator attached thereto from a vertical upright position within the chamber to an angular position so that the first gas bottle extends through the access opening;

detaching the first gas bottle from the regulator;

attaching a second gas bottle to the regulator; and

pivoting the second gas bottle and regulator from the angular position back to a vertical upright position within the chamber.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 11, including the further steps of:

removing an access cover from the access opening prior to pivoting the first gas bottle and the regulator from the vertical upright position to the angular position; and

replacing the access cover over the access opening after pivoting the second gas bottle and the regulator back from the angular position to the vertical upright position.