The present invention relates to a heating device for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system that uses heat from a vehicle’s exhaust gases to heat a water tank and/or an oven disposed within the vehicle’s bumper.

Various heating devices for vehicles are known. For instance:

AU2007101226 “Heating water by utilizing a vehicle’s exhaust system”, US2,894,265 “Water heating devices”, US3,381 ,316 “Camper shower system”, US4,140,150 “Drinking water supply and conditioner for vehicles”, US4,771 ,822

“Automobile tire, radiator and brake cooling system with passenger compartment water heater”, US5,299,329 “Hot water camping shower” and US2006/0196955 “Domestic water pre-heating apparatus and method for a vehicle” describe a vehicle with a water tank, heated by either the vehicle’s cooling system of exhaust gases.

CN101870242 “Heat insulation tank using automobile tail gas”, GB2,482,331 “Improvements in and relating to heated mobile food ovens”, US1 ,757,448 “Food container”, US2, 318,422“Food warmer”, US3,590,802“Auto-food warmer, US3,809,059 “Coolant heated oven for use with vehicle engines”, US4,162,670 “Food warmer assembly for use with a vehicle engine”, US5,505,122“Apparatus for transport of warm foodstuffs”, US5,732,764 “Truck mounted utility box heater” and US2003/0052499 “Apparatus for keeping hot and for transporting dishes using a motor vehicle” describe a vehicle with a compartment, heated by either the vehicle’s cooling system or exhaust gas. EP0052239 “Heating device for meals and other foods, particularly in vehicles such as coaches”, US2,661 ,015 “Hot beverage unit for motor vehicles”, US2,975,797 “Water supply means for motor cars” and US4,274,390“Automotive hot water heater” describe a vehicle with a water tank and a compartment, heated by either the vehicle’s cooling system or exhaust gases. A drawback of known systems is that the water tank or compartment to be heated is located either:

• within the vehicle’s engine compartment where there is little space available, and where installers are reluctant to mount additional devices;

• on the vehicle’s roof, which affects the aesthetics of the vehicle and increases the vehicle’s drag;

• within the vehicle’s interior, where space is at a premium and installers are reluctant to mount additional devices, or

• within the vehicle’s trunk, where space is generally reserved for luggage, especially when undertaking a long journey.

It is also known to fix containers and cookers at a vehicle’s rear, protruding from the back of the vehicle. Such systems are described in JPH04268184“Thermally insulated box for delivery”, US1 ,109,734 “Combination provision and extensible table chest”, US4,756,457“Cargo and storage apparatus for vans and like vehicles” and US6,701 ,913 “Swingable apparatus attachable to a vehicle for transporting a cooking device and permitting access to the vehicle”. However, none of these containers or cookers utilise heat from the vehicle’s exhaust gases to increase the temperature of the container or cooker.

Furthermore, it is known for a food warmer that is heated by exhaust gases to be mounted to the back of motorcycles, behind the rider’s seat. Such arrangements are described in US5,582,095 “Food-warming arrangement for a food-delivering motor vehicle” and WO2018/055541 “Oven for the transport of food, installable in particular on motorcycles or the like”.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a water tank and/or oven that:

• is disposed within a vehicle’s bumper so that it does not: (i) materially impact the aesthetics of the vehicle; (ii) reduce the available space within the vehicle’s interior or trunk; or (iii) require installation within the vehicle’s engine bay; and

• is heated by the vehicle’s exhaust gases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a preferred embodiment of a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a heating device for securing to a vehicle, which heating device includes: a bumper; a tank disposed within the bumper, for storing a liquid; means for, in use, transferring heat from a vehicle’s exhaust gases to the interior of the tank; and bumper connectors for securing the heating device to corresponding bumper mounts on a vehicle.

Typically, the tank includes: an inlet with an inlet cover; and a port that, in use, equalises the internal pressure within the tank with ambient atmospheric pressure.

Generally, the heating device further includes a flexible tube with: a tube connector at a first axial end of the tube for connecting the flexible tube to the tank inlet; and a nozzle at a second axial end of the tube.

Preferably, the heat transfer means comprises a conduit that extends through the interior of the tank, and is, in use, connected to a vehicle’s exhaust for channeling vehicle exhaust gases thereaiong.

Typically, the heat transfer device further includes a coupling for connecting an axial end of the conduit to a vehicle’s exhaust.

Generally, the heating device further includes: a first container disposed within the bumper, the first container defining an internal chamber; a first door secured to the first container and movable relative to the first container between: (i) an open condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the first container is permitted from outside the first container; and (ii) a closed condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the first container is restricted from outside the first container; and wherein the conduit is in thermal conductive contact with the first container to transfer heat from a vehicle exhaust gases to the interna! chamber defined by the first container.

Preferably, the heating device further includes: a second container disposed within the bumper, the second container defining an internal chamber; and a second door hingediy movable relative to the second container between: (i) an open condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the second container is permitted from outside the second container; and (ii) a closed condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the second container is restricted from outside the second container.

Typically, the heating device further includes a pump or air compressor for, in use, conveying liquid from the interior of the tank along the flexible tube, and wherein the: flexible tube; nozzle; and pump or air compressor, are stored in the second container when not in use.

Generally, the heating device is secured to a vehicle by connecting the heating device bumper connectors to corresponding bumper mounts on the vehicle.

Preferably, both the tank and the first container are at least partially surrounded by an insulating layer.

Typically, the tank further includes an outlet with an outlet cover.

According to a preferred embodiment of a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a heating device for securing to a vehicle, which heating device includes: a bumper; a first container disposed within the bumper, the first container defining an internal chamber; a first door secured to the first container and movable relative to the first container between: (i) an open condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the first container is permitted from outside the first container; and (ii) a closed condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the first container is restricted from outside the first container; means for, in use, transferring heat from a vehicle’s exhaust gases to the internal chamber defined by the first container: and bumper connectors for securing the heating device to corresponding bumper mounts on a vehicle.

Typically, the heat transfer means comprises a conduit that is in thermal conductive contact with the first container and is, in use, connected to a vehicle’s exhaust for channeling vehicle exhaust gases therealong. Generally, the heating device further includes: a tank disposed within the bumper, for storing a liquid; and wherein the conduit extends through the interior of the tank. Preferably, the tank includes: an inlet with an inlet cover; and a port that, in use, equalises the internal pressure within the tank with ambient atmospheric pressure.

Typically, the heating device further includes a flexible tube with: a tube connector at a first axial end of the tube for connecting the flexible tube to the tank inlet; and a nozzle at a second axial end of the tube. Generally, the heating device further includes a coupling for connecting an axial end of the conduit to a vehicle’s exhaust.

Preferably, the heating device further includes: a second container disposed within the bumper, the second container defining an internal chamber; and a second door hingediy movable relative to the second container between: (i) an open condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the second container is permitted from outside the second container: and (ii) a closed condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the second container is restricted from outside the second container. Typically, the heating device further includes a pump or air compressor for, in use, conveying liquid from the interior of the tank along the flexible tube, and wherein the: flexible tube; nozzle; and pump or air compressor, are stored in the second container when not in use. Generally, the heating device is secured to a vehicle by connecting the heating device bumper connectors to corresponding bumper mounts on the vehicle.

Preferably, both the tank and the first container are at least partially surrounded by an insulating layer.

Typically, the tank further includes an outlet with an outlet cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of a heating device according to a preferred embodiment of first and second aspects of the invention; and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the heating device in Figure 1 . DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a heating device 10 is provided for heating water and foodstuff using heat from a vehicle’s 12 exhaust gases. The vehicle may be a passenger vehicle or a truck. The heating device 10 includes a bumper 14, a tank 16 for storing a liquid (e.g. water), a first container 18 for heating / cooking foodstuff (not shown), a second container 20 for storage of goods therein, and a heat transfer means 22 for, in use, heating: the liquid in the tank 16; and the foodstuff in the first container 18. The heat transfer means 22 comprises a conduit 22 in the form of a pipe, sized to correspond in internal diameter with the internal diameter of a vehicle’s 12 exhaust pipe 24. The conduit 22 defines an inlet at a first axial end, passes through the tank 16, and is in thermal conductive contact with the first container 18. The phrase“thermal conductive contact” is intended to mean that the conduit 22 contacts the first container 18, and that the materials between the conduit 22 and the first container 18 at the point of contact are thermally conductive, in use, to transfer heat from the conduit 22 to the first container 18. Various heat transfer systems are descrived in the prior art referred to in the Background section, and these prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. The Figures show the conduit 22 enveloping a portion of the first container 18, defining an annular gap therebetween. In use, exhaust gases from the conduit 22 pipe flow through the annular gap defined between the conduit enveloping portion and the external surface of the first container 18, transferring heat to the first container 18.

The tank 16 is a water tank that defines an inlet 26 and includes an inlet cap 28 for covering / closing the inlet 26. In use, the inlet 26 permits the tank 16 to be charged with water. In addition, a tube (described later) may be inserted into the tank 16 via the inlet 26 to extract water from the tank 16. The tank 16 also defines a port 30 that, in use, equalises the internal pressure within the tank 16 with ambient atmospheric pressure. Such equalisation may be required where: the vehicle 12 changes altitude; the water level in the tank 16 varies; the temperature in the tank 16 fluctuates; or the water in the tank 16 boils. Near its operative base, the tank 16 further defines an outlet 32 for draining water from the tank 16. An outlet cap 34 covers / closes the outlet. The tank 16 is preferably, covered by an insulating layer (not shown) to retain heat within the tank 16. The first container 18 is substantially cuboid and defines an internal chamber within which foodstuff may be received and cooked. A first door 36 is secured to the first container 18 and movable relative to the first container 18 between: (i) an open condition, in which access io the internal chamber defined by the first container 18 is permitted from outside the first container 18; and (ii) a closed condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the first container 18 is restricted from outside the first container 18. Preferably, the first door 36 is hingediy secured to the first container 18 The first container 18 is also typically covered by an insulating layer (not shown) to retain heat within the first container 18. More specifically, the first container 18 is partially enveloped by the conduit 22, defining an annular gap therebetween, in use, to permit exhaust gases to flow along the annular gap; and the insulating layer covers the first container 18 and and enveloping conduit 22

The second container 20 similarly defines an internal chamber for storing goods therein. The second container 20 is not in thermal conductive contact with the conduit 22, and is not intended to be heated thereby. A second door 38 is secured to the bumper 14 and hingediy movable relative to the second container 20 between: (i) an open condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the second container 20 is permitted from outside the second container 20; and (ii) a closed condition, in which access to the internal chamber defined by the second container 20 is restricted from outside the second container 20. Alternatively, the second door 38 may be hingediy secured to the second container 20.

The bumper 14 is designed to mirror the external shape of the original bumper for the vehicle 12. Typically, the bumper is linear or U-shaped to extend along the rear of the vehicle 12, and defines a channel in longitudinal cross-section, closed at both axial ends. The bumper 14 is effectively a hollow shell, and excludes the foam and other impact absorbing material that is normally disposed within the bumper 14.

The tank 16, first container 18 and second container 20 are disposed within the bumper 14, i.e. at least partially disposed within the channel defined by the bumper 14.

The heating device 10 further includes a flexible tube 40 with: a tube connector at a first axial end of the tube 40 for connecting the flexible tube 40 to the tank inlet 26; and a nozzle 42 at a second axial end of the tube 40. Preferably, the nozzle is a shower nozzle. A pump or air compressor 44 is also provided to convey water from the tank 16, along the tube 40 and out of the nozzle 42. When not in use, the flexible tube 40 (with nozzle) and the pump / air compressor 44 are stored within the second container 20. A coupling 46 couples the first axial end of the conduit 22 to the outlet of a vehicle’s 12 exhaust 24.

Bumper connectors 48 are also provided for securing the heating device 10 (more specifically, the bumper 14 (containing the tank 16 and first and second containers 18 and 20)) to corresponding bumper mounts on a vehicle 12.

In use:

• A heating device 10 is provided, with the tank 16 and first and second containers 18 and 20 disposed therein and connected thereto.

• A vehicle’s 12 original (OEM) bumper is removed from the vehicle 12.

• A first axial end of the conduit 22 is coupled to the exhaust 24 outlet of the vehicle 12 via the coupling 46, such that exhaust gases exiting the vehicle’s 12 exhaust 24 enters the conduit 22 and is conveyed there along.

• The heating device 10 (more specifically, the bumper 14) is secured to the vehicle, by securing the bumper connectors 48 to the original bumper mounts on the vehicle 12.

• Running the vehicle’s 12 engine generates hot exhaust gases that travel along the vehicle’s 12 exhaust 24 and are conveyed along the conduit 22. With the conduit passing through the tank 16, the heated conduit 22 warms the water in the tank 16 (i.e. heat is transferred from the vehicle’s 12 exhaust gases to the water within the tank 16). Furthermore, with the conduit 22 being in thermally conductive contact with the first container 18, the heated conduit 22 also warms the internal chamber of the first container 18, warming / cooking foodstuff contained therein.

• Should the exhaust gases overheat water in the tank 16, the port 30 permits venting of the steam / gases from within the tank 16.

• Should a user wish to take a warm shower, the user may remove the flexible tube 40 with nozzle 42 from the second compartment 20, connect the flexible tube 40 to the tank 16 inlet 26, and operate the pump / air compressor 44 to cause warm water to exit the tank 16, flow along the tube 40 and be discharged via the nozzle 42. The warm water may also be used for cooking or to make a warm beverage.

• Furthermore, foodstuff stored within the first container 18 may, during a journey, be cooked / kept warm, to provide a snack along the way.

• At the end of the trip, water within the tank 16 may be drained by removing the tank outlet 32 cap 34. It will be appreciated that, by disposing the tank 16, the first container 18 and the second container 2Q within the bumper, a heated water reservoir 16 and an oven / food warmer 18 may be added to a vehicle 12 without impacting the vehicle’s: electieai system; cooling system; internal space; engine bay space, or trunk storage space. Furthermore, since the bumper 14 is may be designed to mimick the vehicle’s original bumper, these additions need not materially affect the aesthetics of the vehicle 12