This invention relates to a radiator housing, in particular for mounting a central heating radiator within a WL:11 of a building.

The term radiator as used in this specification is taken to include storage heaters and the like heating devices.

Central heating radiators which are typically mounted on walls within a building can be somewhat unsightly and also cause an obstruction, particularly where space is restricted for example in hallways and in smaller sized rooms. It is known to provide a cabinet which is built around the radiator to conceal it. It is also known to mount the radiator in a niche or recess in a wall. However to form a niche in the wall is relatively time consuming and therefore expensive and the quality of finish can vary considerably.

The present invention is directed towards overcoming these problems.

It is an object of the invention to facilitate the formation of a niche or recess in a wall for reception of a ra iator in a simple and relatively inexpensive manner.

According to the invention, there is provided a prefabricated radiator housing for mounting a central heating radiator in a wall, comprising a rear panel with a forwardly extending radiator enclosing wall defining a recess or niche for reception of an associated radiator.

In one embodiment of the invention the radiator enclosing wall comprises a top wall and a pair of spaced-apart side walls extending downwardly from the top wall.

In another embodiment the radiator enclosing wall further comprises a bottom wall extending outwardly of the rear panel between the side walls and spaced-apart from the top wall.

Preferably, the top wall extends outwardly and upwardly of the rear panel. Ideally, the top wall is arcuate, curving upwardly and outwardly of the rear panel.

In another embodiment, the top wall is flat and is inclined upwardly and outwardly of the rear panel.

In a further embodiment, the bottom wall extends outwardly and downwardly of the rear panel. Ideally, the bottom wall is arcuate, curving outwardly and downwardly of the rear panel. Alternatively the bottom wall is flat and is inclined outwardly and downwardly of the rear panel.

In another embodiment, the housing incorporates a fireproof barrier. Conveniently, the fireproof barrier is formed by a fireproof panel mounted behind the rear panel. Alternatively the housing may be formed of a fireproof material.

In another embodiment, heat reflective means is provided within the recess. Conveniently the heat reflective means comprises a heat reflective metal coating provided on front faces of the rear panel and side walls.

In one embodiment, the heat reflective means comprises a heat reflective paint coating on front faces of the rear panel and side walls.

In another embodiment, the heat reflective means comprises a heat reflective sheet or panel mounted in front of the rear panel.

In a further embodiment, the heat reflective means comprises a foil sheet mounted on a front face of the rear panel.

In another embodiment, the housing has a closure means which is movable between an open position and a closed position across an inlet to the recess. Preferably, the closure means has a number of slots for air circulation through the closure means. Ideally, the closure means is a door or doors mounted on the side walls.

Conveniently, mounting means is provided on the housing for supporting a radiator on the housing within the recess.

In another embodiment, the bottom wall and/or top wall is height adjustable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the housing has an integrally formed rear panel, top wall, bottom wall and side walls. Advantageously, the housing is thus a one- piece unit which is relatively easy and cheap to manufacture.

In a further embodiment, the housing has an integrally formed rear panel, top wall and bottom wall.

In another embodiment the housing has an integrally formed rear panel and side walls.

In a further embodiment the housing incorporates thermal insulation. This may be provided for example by an

insulation panel mounted behind the rear panel or alternatively in some cases the housing itself may be made of a thermally insulating material.

In another embodiment the housing incorporates a structural support member. Preferably the structural support member comprises a lintel or beam mounted at a top of the housing. During construction the lintel or beam is built into the wall in which the housing is mounted.

In another aspect, the invention provides a prefabricated radiator housing as previously described in combination with a radiator which is mounted within the recess.

The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a radiator housing according to the invention, shown with a radiator mounted within the housing;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the radiator housing;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view of the housing, shown mounted within a wall;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another radiator housing according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a side, sectional, elevational view of the radiator housing of Fig. 4, shown mounted within a wall;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the radiator housing of Fig. 4 shown in use with a radiator mounted within the housing;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another radiator housing according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a side, sectional, elevational view of the radiator housing of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of a further radiator housing according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and _-= ^■ ?

Fig. 10 is a side, sectional, elevational view of the radiator housing of Fig. 9 shown mounted within a wall.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 3 thereof, there is illustrated a housing for a central heating radiator, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The housing 1 is for mounting within a wall 2 of a building and defines a niche 3 for reception of an associated central heating radiator 4.

The housing 1 is formec by an upright rear panel 6 with an integrally formed forwardly extending top wall 7 and bottom wall 8. It will be noted that the top wall 7 is inclined, extending outwardly and upwardly of the rear panel 6. Similarly, the bottom wall 8 extends outwardly and downwardly of the rear panel 6. This inclination of the top wall 7 and bottom wall 8 encourages good air circulation through the housing 1 over the radiator 4.

Through holes 10 are provided at each end of the bottom wall 8 for through passage of heating water circulation pipes 11.

The rear panel 6 is mounted on an upright support panel 14 having forwardly extending flanged ends forming upright sidewalls 15. The top wall 7 and bottom wall 8 extend between the sidewalls 15.

Conveniently, the housing may be formed from panels of galvanised sheet steel bent to the desired shapes.

In use, the housing 1 is mounted within a recess in a wall 2 as shown in Fig. 3 during the building of the wall 2. Thus, the front of the housing is flush with a face of the wall 2. In this way, advantageously the radiator does not project into the room where it would be both somewhat unsightly and also form an obstruction.

A skirting board 20 (Fig. 3) can be mounted between a downwardly extending lip or skirt 22 at a front edge of the bottom wall 8 and a floor 21 of the room, an upper end of the skirting board 20 overlapping the skirt 22.

It is envisaged that in some cases a door or set of doors may be mounted on the housing 1 to close the front opening of the housing 1 when the radiator 4 is not in use. The doors may be decorative in nature. In an alternative arrangement each door may be louvred or perforated to allow air circulation through the door and over the radiator within the housing.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 6, there is illustrated another radiator housing, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30. The housing 30 is formed by an upright rear panel 31 with an integrally formed forwardly

extending top wall 32 and bottom wall 33. Both the top wall 32 and bottom wall 33 are arcuate, curving outwardly of the rear panel 31. Advantageously, this curving of the top wall 32 and bottom wall 33 enables the radiator 4 to be more closely fitted into the housing 30. At the same time, the curvature promotes good air circulation through the housing 30 over the radiator 4. A skirt 35 extends downwardly from a front edge of the bottom wall 33 with which it is integrally formed. Side walls 37, 38 extend upwardly at each side of the rear panel 31 defining, together with the rear panel 31, the top wall 32 and the bottom wall 33, a recess into which the radiator 4 locates. Through holes 39 are provided in the bottom wall 33 for through passage of heating water circulation pipes.

In use, as shown in Fig. 6, the housing 30 is mounted within a wall 2 such that a front of the housing 30 is flush with a front face of the wall 2. A skirting board 20 is shown overlapping the skirt 35.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, there is illustrated another radiator housing indicated generally by the reference numeral 40. The housing 40 is largely similar to the housing shown in Figs. 4 to 6 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, no bottom wall is provided, the rear panel 31 being extended to the floor. This housing 40 is suitable for recessing storage heater type radiators in a wall.

Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, there is illustrated another radiator housing indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. The housing 50 is formed by an upright rear panel 51 with integrally formed side walls 52, 53 extending forwardly at each side of the rear panel 51. An inclined top wall 55 extends outwardly and upwardly of the rear panel 51. Similarly, an inclined

bottom wall 56 extends outwardly and downwardly of the rear panel 51 between the side walls 52, 53. Through holes 58 for heating water circulation pipes are provided in the bottom wall.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides a housing for a central heating radiator or storage heater, the housing being of relatively simple construction facilitating relatively easy and cheap manufacture. The housing can conveniently be built-in to walls during construction of a building to neatly mount radiators or storage heaters on the walls of the building. Although not illustrated in the drawings, radiator mounting brackets may be mounted on the rear panel for ease of mounting a radiator within the housing.

It is envisaged that three principal types of radiator housing will be provided. A first type of radiator housing would be for insertion in a non-load bearing wall, e.g. a stud partition wall. In this case, a relatively thin-walled lightweight construction of housing can be provided, facilitating cheap manufacture and easy installation. A second type of housing is for mounting in a load bearing wall and may require a more robust construction and may incorporate a strengthening frame for structural support. A third type of housing is for mounting in an external wall and is of generally similar construction to the second type. In this case, however, the housing incorporates thermal insulation material. This may be provided by mounting an insulation panel at a rear of the housing or alternatively the housing may be made of a thermally insulating material.

The housing may have a built-in support member, for example a lintel or beam for mounting within the wall in which the housing is located.

Ideally, the rear panel is coated in a heat reflective paint or other reflective sheet or foil material or a heat reflective metal coating provided on front faces of the rear panel and side walls.

It will be appreciated that the housing may be formed in any suitable fashion for example, moulding, stamping or the like. It is particularly preferred that the housing is formed as a one piece unit.

It is envisaged that in some cases reinforcing projections or indentations may be provided on the rear panel. These projections or indentations can conveniently be formed during manufacture by stamping or moulding the rear panel to the required shape for example. Alternatively, reinforcing members may be attached to the rear panel by welding or riveting for example.

Ideally, the recess is sealed to provide a fireproof barrier or a fireproof panel is mounted behind the rear panel.

In some cases, a back panel may be mounted behind the rear panel extending between opposite sides of the housing and a top and bottom of the housing.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.