GB392694A - Devices for producing imitation flame effects - Google Patents

Abstract

392,694. Imitation fires ; electric stoves. ROSS, F. A., 23, The Broadway, Tynemouth, North Shields. March 1, 1932, No. 6126. [Classes 39 (iii) and 126.] An apparatus for producing imitation flame effects comprises a moving member b-illuminated by a luminous element c, and a reflecting member or members a in which moving images of the member b, or of an image formed in it of the luminous element, appear. In the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the moving element comprises a twisted strip b of polished metal mounted vertically in bearings and rotated by a fan at the upper end of the spindle which is subjected to the air currents rising from a coloured lamp or luminous heating element c. Moving images are thus produced in the curved reflector a. Further reflectors a<1> are shown, in the form of perforated and corrugated pillars of U section, through which the images in the rear reflector a may appear in order to give the effect of flames passing up the pillars. Further moving members b may be provided, and the member b may have other positions, such as at b<1>. In a modification, the moving member is formed of spiral strips surrounding the luminous element. Fig 6 shows in plan another form of the apparatus in which the moving member comprises a number of parabolic reflectors b which rotate about the central vertical axis and reflect moving images of fixed luminous elements c into corrugated strip reflectors a. A heating element may be provided in the centre to rotate a hot air fan driving the reflectors b. Alternatively, the elements c may be rotated with the reflectors b by a motor or mechanical means. In a further form shown in Fig. 7 a bowl reflector a contains a moving member b formed of reflecting strips rotated about the heating element c by a fan d operated by the air stream passing through a tube n in the base of the bowl. Rods or tubes, indented, corrugated, or perforated, or refracting members, such as prisms or beads of quartz or glass, may be used for the moving members, and mechanical driving means may be employed instead of the hot air fans. The luminous elements may consist of gas or electric heating elements, or a separate luminous source may be used.