Infrared heating system for patio umbrella
AssigneeHON Technology Inc.
InventorsThomas J. Bachinski, Douglas Mark Holm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to heating systems for umbrella-shaped structures. The heating system may include a shroud or umbrella-shaped structure defining an inner volume, and a plurality of electrical infrared heating elements positioned generally downward facing in the inner volume of the shroud. The shroud may include radially extending support structures to which the heating elements are mounted.
Claims35
A heating system, comprising:
- a collapsible shroud defining an inner volume when in an open position and comprising a heat resistant material;
- a plurality of tube-shaped electrical infrared heating elements oriented in a generally horizontal plane and positioned within the inner volume of the shroud, wherein the infrared heating elements provide substantially solely infrared heat and substantially no visible light;
- and
- a plurality of reflectors, each reflector being associated with a separate heating element and being positioned between all portions of the heating element exposed to the shroud and the shroud to direct the infrared heat away from the shroud, the reflectors being spaced apart from the shroud with an air insulative space there between.
A patio umbrella heating system, comprising:
- a patio umbrella including:
- a stand member;
- a plurality of webbing supports extending in a generally radial direction from the stand member;
- webbing extending between the webbing supports;
- a plurality of intermediate supports extending between the stand member and the webbing supports;
- and
- at least one heating element providing substantially solely infrared heat, the heating element being mounted to the intermediate supports.
A heating system, comprising:
- a stand member
- a plurality of webbing support members extending generally radially from the stand member;
- webbing extending between the webbing support members;
- a plurality of intermediate support members coupled between the radially extending support members and the stand member;
- and
- an infrared heating element secured to an outer surface of at least one of the intermediate support members, the infrared heating element providing substantially solely infrared heat.
A method of heating objects in proximity to a patio umbrella using an infrared heating element, the umbrella including a shroud, a plurality of elongate support ribs extending from a center of the shroud towards outer edges of the shroud and a stand member, the method comprising the steps of:
- opening the umbrella;
- supporting the infrared heating element wit the support ribs within an umbrella enclosure defined by the opened umbrella;
- orienting the infrared heating element in a generally downward direction;
- positioning the infrared heating element at a location within the umbrella enclosure spaced apart from the shroud with an air insulative spacing there between;
- and
- directing substantially solely infrared waves and substantially no light from the infrared heating element to the objects without heating air positioned between the objects and the infrared heating element.
A heated patio furniture set, comprising:
- a table;
- at least one chair;
- an umbrella comprising:
- a plurality of radially extending support members;
- webbing extending between the radially extending support members;
- and
- an infrared heating element secured to an outer surface of at least one of the radially extending supports in a generally downward facing direction to direct infrared waves toward the table and chairs, the infrared heating element being configured to produce substantially solely waves having wavelengths tat are absorbed by solid structures and not by air;
- and
- a heat sensor mounted to the table or to the chair, the heat sensor being configured to determine an amount of heat generated in the table or chair to which the heat sensor is mounted, the heat being generated by the directed infrared waves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.