Apparatus for simulating flames
AssigneeBasic Engineering Ltd.
InventorBrian J. Butterfield
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Simulated flame effect means, such as suspended ribbons moved by a forced stream of air from a fan, receive light from a source which is then reflected onto a diffusing screen. The screen, which is both transparent and partly reflective, is situated in front of means for simulating combusting fuel. The light reflected by the flame effect means, which gives the appearance of flames, thereby appears to emanate between the simulated fuel and its image reflected in the screen.
Claims19
Apparatus for simulating flames, the apparatus comprising a source of light, simulated flame effect means for reflecting said light to simulate flames, simulated fuel means to simulate a bed of combusting fuel, and screen means on which to view an image of the simulated flames, said screen means being positioned between said flame effect means and said simulated fuel means, said screen means being capable of diffusely transmitting light reflected by said flame effect means and also being capable of reflecting light from said simulated fuel means so that the simulated flames appear to emanate between the simulated fuel means and an image of the latter means reflected in said screen means.
Apparatus for simulating flames, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a light source,
- (b) flame effect means, said flame effect means including a plurality of ribbons for simulating flames, means supporting the ribbons in a substantially vertical-spaced relationship, said supporting means enabling the ribbons to move in response to a current of air, and means to provide said air current,
- (c) screen means having a partially reflecting surface and a diffusing surface, said ribbons extending adjacent an inner side of said screen means whereby light reflected from the ribbons produces an image on the screen means which simulates moving flames, and
- (d) simulated fuel means located adjacent an outer side of said screen means and provided to simulate a bed of combusting fuel, the outer side of the screen means having a partially reflective surface whereby an image of the simulated fuel means is visible on the screen means, the arrangement being such that the simulated flames appear to emanate between the simulated fuel means and its image in the screen means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.