The present invention relates to a radiator and more particularly to a space heating skirting radiator that is fitted just above the floor and adjacent to the walls of a room. The present invention relates even more particularly to a skirting radiator that is suitable for use in a secure environment, such as a hospital.

Skirting radiators generally comprise one or more copper pipes that extend principally horizontally around the periphery of a room just above floor level and carry heated water. The pipes are fitted with heat-dissipating fins at intervals around the room and are enclosed behind a cover panel that is designed to have an appearance similar to a conventional skirting radiator.

The advantage of skirting radiators is that they do not occupy wall space like a conventional wall radiator thereby providing more flexibility in relation to the positioning of other furniture and fittings in the room.

It is important that skirting radiators are unobtrusive and complementary to the aesthetics of the room in which they are fitted.

WO 92/01847 (VILLA) discloses a skirting radiator comprising an elongate panel for mounting on a wall, having a first surface for facing said wall and a second surface for facing away from the wall, with a pair of longitudinally extending conduits attached to the first surface for carrying heating fluid. The first surface of the panel is connected to a wall by a central mounting bracket that is received between the conduits.

In secure environments, such as mental health hospitals, it is important that the radiator cannot be forcibly removed from the wall, for example by forcibly removing the panel from the mounting bracket. In the above known skirting radiator, the mounting bracket does not provide a strong enough attachment of the panel to the wall and so is unsuitable for use in such secure environments.

Furthermore, this radiator provides various ligature points that a person could use to try and forcibly remove the radiator panel from the wall, or otherwise to harm themselves.

In addition, in secure environments, it is necessary that radiators provide a certain level of heat output, while keeping the surface temperature of the radiator panel below a certain maximum temperature. This is in order to prevent patients accidentally, or deliberately, burning themselves. The panel of the above known radiator become unacceptably hot, for a certain level of heat output, and so the radiator is unsuitable for use in such secure environments.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for an improved radiator.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a radiator comprising a panel for mounting on a wall, the panel having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a first surface for facing said wall, an opposed second surface for facing away from said wall and at least one longitudinally extending conduit adjacent to said first surface and for carrying heating fluid, wherein the radiator further comprises first and second longitudinally extending rails, for attachment to a wall, which are spaced apart in the lateral direction, the panel is insertable between the first and second rails and is arranged such that when it is inserted between the first and second rails, the panel forms a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails.

This is advantageous in that the snap fit engagement of the panel between the first and second rails allows the panel to be attached quickly and easily to the rails. In addition, the use of first and second rails that are spaced apart in the lateral direction provides a strong attachment of the panel, across the lateral extent of the rails. Furthermore, the snap fit engagement of the panel between the first and second rails allows for thermal expansion of the panel, in the longitudinal direction, while still providing a strong attachment of the panel to the rails.

Preferably the panel comprises first and second engagement members, which form a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails respectively. Preferably the panel extends in the lateral direction between first and second sides that extend in the longitudinal direction and the first and second engagement members extend substantially along the length of first and second sides in the longitudinal direction.

The first and second engagement members may be formed separately with the panel.

Preferably the first and second engagement members are formed integrally with the panel. In this case, the panel is preferably folded along its first and second sides to form first and second lips that form said first and second engagement members respectively.

Preferably the first and second lips of the panel are provided with first and second formations respectively, the first and second rails are provided with first and second cooperating formations respectively and the first and second lips are resiliently biased such that when the panel is inserted between the first and second rails, the first and second formations of the first and second lips respectively form a snap-fit engagement with the first and second co-operating formations of the first and second rails.

Preferably the first and second lips are flexible and are resiliently biased into an unflexed position due to the rigidity of the panel. Preferably, the first and second lips of the panel and the first and second rails are arranged such that when the panel is inserted between the first and second rails, the first and second lips are urged to a flexed position and the rigidity of the panel acts to urge the first and second lips to form a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails. Preferably the panel is made from a heat conductive material, such as Aluminium, steel or a composite alloy polymer.

Preferably the radiator further comprises a first cover member which is attachable to the first rail. Preferably the first cover member is attachable to the first rail by a snap-fit engagement.

This is advantageous in that the snap fit engagement of the first cover member with the first rail allows the first cover to be attached quickly and easily to the first rail. In addition, the snap-fit engagement provides a strong attachment of the first cover member to the first rail, while allowing for thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction.

Preferably the first cover member extends from a first edge to a second edge along a substantially continuous curve. Preferably the first edge is for abutment against the wall and the second edge is contiguous with a first longitudinally extending side of the panel, when the first cover member is attached to the first rail.

This is advantageous in that no ligature points are presented by the first cover member, or by an interface of the first cover member and the panel. Preferably the cover member extends substantially along the length of the first rail in the longitudinal direction.

Preferably the first rail is provided with at least one mounting member for mounting a respective fastener to the first rail, so as to attach the first rail to said wall. Preferably the panel terminates in the lateral direction at a first side, a section of the first rail extends past the first side of the panel, in the lateral direction, and said section is provided with the at least one mounting member such that the at least one mounting member can be accessed from a side of the radiator that faces the second surface of the panel so as to mount a fastener to, or remove a fastener from the at least one mounting member.

Preferably said section of the first rail that extends past the first side of the panel, in the lateral direction, has a first surface for facing said wall and which is disposed the same distance, or further away from, the first surface of the panel than the remainder of the radiator.

This is advantageous in that the first surface of said section can be flush with the wall and attached to the wall directly, for example by passing one or more screws through said section.

Preferably the first surface of said section is disposed the same distance, or further away from, the first surface of the panel than the at least one conduit.

The at least one mounting member may comprise an aperture or socket for receiving a fastener, such as screw. Preferably said section of the rail that extends past the first edge of the panel, in the lateral direction, comprises a plurality of said mounting members, distributed along said section in the longitudinal direction.

The cover member is preferably arranged such that when it is attached to the first rail, it at least partially covers the at least one mounting member. This is advantageous in that the cover member acts to conceal the at least one mounting member from view of a person inside a room containing the radiator and also acts to prevent access to the at least one mounting member. Preferably, the cover member entirely covers the at least one mounting member.

The at least one conduit may be attached to the first surface may be integrally formed with the panel. Preferably the at least one conduit comprises a plurality of said conduits distributed in the lateral direction of the panel. Preferably there are at least four said conduits. More preferably there are four conduits.

This is advantageous in that the radiator panel has a lower surface temperature for a certain level of heat output (as compared to if there was only a single conduit), thereby making the radiator suitable for use in secure environments, such as hospitals. In this respect, the additional conduits allow for the increased flow of heating fluid through the radiator. Accordingly, the heating fluid, and therefore the panel, can be kept at a lower temperature to achieve the same level of heat output, than if a single conduit was used.

Preferably the first and second rails are disposed outwardly of the at least one conduit, in the lateral direction. This is advantageous in that it provides more room to increase the depth of the conduits, so as to provide a greater heat output while minimising the depth of the radiator (as compared to if the first rail, or a fixing bracket, was attached between the conduits). Therefore, the height of the radiator can be reduced, thereby making it less aesthetically obtrusive. Preferably the at least one conduit has a depth fined by the distance by which it extends rearwardly from the first surface of the panel and a height that is substantially perpendicular to the depth, the depth of the at least one conduit being less than its height, wherein the conduit defines an internal bore that is substantially oval or elliptical in cross section.

I n addition this allows the number of conduits to be increased, for a given lateral extent of the radiator. This is advantageous in that the radiator panel has a lower surface temperature for a certain level of heat output, which provides the above discussed advantages.

Preferably the radiator comprises a downwardly depending skirt that is attached to the second rail. This is advantageous in that the depending skirt prevents detritus from accumulating behind the panel. This helps to prevent the festering of bacterial germs behind the radiator. This is especially advantageous as radiators are a major cause of infections in hospitals, due to their warm temperature, which provides an ideal environment for the incubation of bacterial germs.

Preferably the depending skirt comprises a batten which is attached to a lower surface of the second rail and extends downwardly and a second cover member which, in use, extends downwardly from the batten to a floor on which the radiator is supported and forms a generally U-shaped curve from the floor to the batten. The curved member may be formed integrally with the batten. Preferably the curved member is formed separately to the batten and is fixedly attached to the batten.

Preferably the radiator is provided with a retaining member that is resiliently biased against the depending skirt so as to prevent the depending skirt from being removed from the panel. Preferably the retaining member is formed by a portion of the second rail that is folded to form a lip, extends over a first surface of the depending skirt that faces away from the wall and is resiliently biased against the depending skirt so as to prevent the depending skirt from being removed from the panel.

Preferably the first and second rails are attached to a wall and the radiator is received between the first and second rails such that it forms a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails.

Preferably the radiator comprises a plurality of said panels connected end to end. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a radiator comprising a panel for mounting on a wall, the panel having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a first surface for facing said wall, an opposed second surface for facing away from said wall and at least one longitudinally extending conduit adjacent to said first surface and for carrying heating fluid, wherein the radiator further comprises a first longitudinally extending rail for attachment to a wall, the panel is attachable to the first rail and the radiator further comprises a first cover member which is attachable to the first rail.

Preferably the radiator comprises a second longitudinally extending rail, for attachment to a wall, which is spaced from the first rail in the lateral direction and the panel is insertable between the first and second rails so as to form a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing a radiator that comprises: a panel for mounting on a wall, the panel having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a first surface for facing said wall, an opposed second surface for facing away from said wall and at least one longitudinally extending conduit adjacent to said first surface and for carrying heating fluid, wherein the radiator further comprises first and second longitudinally extending rails, for attachment to a wall, the panel is insertable between the first and second rails and is arranged such that when it is inserted between the first and second rails, the panel forms a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails; the method comprising the steps of attaching the first and second rails to a wall such that they are spaced apart in the lateral direction and inserting the panel between the first and second rails such that the panel forms a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails.

Preferably the first rail is provided with at least one mounting member for mounting a respective fastener to the first rail, so as to attach the first rail to said wall and the method comprises the step of mounting a fastener to the at least one mounting member and attaching the fastener to a wall.

Preferably the radiator further comprises a first cover member which is attachable to the first rail by virtue of a snap-fit engagement and the method comprises the step of attaching the first cover member to the first rail by a snap-fit engagement.

Preferably the method comprises the step of attaching the first cover member to the first rail such that the first cover member at least partially covers the at least one mounting member and/or the fastener. Preferably the first cover member entirely covers the at least one mounting member and/or the fastener. Preferably the radiator comprises a depending skirt that is attachable to the second rail and the method comprises the step of attaching the depending skirt to the second rail. Preferably the depending skirt is attached to the second rail before the second rail is attached to the wall.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing a radiator that comprises: a panel for mounting on a wall, the panel having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a first surface for facing said wall, an opposed second surface for facing away from said wall and at least one longitudinally extending conduit adjacent to said first surface and for carrying heating fluid, wherein the radiator further comprises a first longitudinally extending rail for attachment to a wall, the panel is attachable to the first rail and the radiator further comprises a cover member which is attachable to the first rail; the method comprising the steps of attaching the first rail to a wall, attaching the panel to the first rail and attaching the cover to the first rail.

Preferably the radiator comprises a second longitudinally extending rail, for attachment to a wall and the panel is insertable between the first and second rails so as to form a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails and the method comprises the steps of attaching second rail to a wall such that it is spaced from the first rail in the lateral direction and inserting the panel between the first and second rails such that the panel forms a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a radiator system comprising a plurality of radiators according to the first aspect of the invention, interconnected at their respective conduits by ported connectors.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a radiator system comprising a plurality of radiators according to the second aspect of the invention, interconnected at their respective conduits by ported connectors.

It will be appreciated that steps of the above methods do not have to be performed in the specific order that the steps are presented above.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of one panel of a radiator according to the present invention (where conduits of the radiator are shown in dotted outline for illustrative purposes);

Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the panel of the radiator shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side elevanational view of the panel of the radiator shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 shows an enlarged perspective view of section A of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows an enlarged perspective view of section B of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation in plan view of a radiator system according to the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, a radiator space heating system 401 comprises a plurality of interconnected elongate skirting panels 1 that are mounted on respective walls 400 of a room just above floor level (see Figure 6). The skirting panels 1 are connected by ported connectors 403. The interconnected skirting panels 1 have an appearance similar to that of a conventional skirting board.

Figure 1 shows one such skirting panel 1. The skirting panel 1 comprises a generally elongate panel 2 for mounting on a wall (not shown). The panel 2 extends in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction about respective longitudinal and lateral axes 3, 4 respectively. The longitudinal axis 3 is substantially perpendicular to the lateral axis 4.

The panel 2 has a first surface 7 for facing the wall a nd an opposed second surface 8 for facing away from the wall. The first and second surfaces 7, 8 are substantially rectangular. The panel comprises opposed first and second side edges 21, 22 (see Figure 3) that extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3 of the panel 2. The panel 2 is folded towards each of its first and second side edges 21, 22, along respective axes that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 3 of the panel 2, to form first and second lips 18, 19 respectively. The first and second lips 18, 19 extend away from the first surface 7 of the panel 2, i.e. towards the wall, in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to said first surface 7.

Towards the first edge 21 of the panel 2, the first lip 18 is folded to form a first formation 34 (see Figure 4) that is generally hook shaped. Specifically, the first lip 18 is folded to have a generally 'C-shaped' cross-sectional shape (when viewed in the longitudinal direction 3) comprising a first flange 72 that extends inwardly in the lateral direction 4 from the first lip 18, a web 71 that extends from an end of the first flange 72 that is distal to the first lip 18, away from the first surface 7 of the panel 2 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first flange 72 and a second flange 73 that extends from an end of the web 71 that is distal to the first flange 72 in a direction that is perpendicular to the web 71.

Similarly, towards the second edge 22 of the panel 2, the second lip 19 is folded to form a second formation 35 (see Figure 5), that is generally hook shaped. Specifically, the second lip 19 is folded to have a generally 'C-shaped' cross-sectional shape (when viewed in the longitudinal direction 3) comprising a first flange 82 that extends inwardly in the lateral direction 4 from the second lip 19, a web 81 that extends from an end of the first flange 82 that is distal to the second lip 19, away from the first surface 7 of the panel 2 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first flange 82 and a second flange 83 that extends from an end of the web 81 that is distal to the first flange 82 in a direction that is perpendicular to the web 81.

The panel 2 is extruded in thin sheet metal or a composite alloy polymer.

Due to the folding of the panel 2, the panel 2 extends in the lateral direction 3 between first and second sides 201, 202.

The panel 2 is provided with four substantially parallel conduits 9 that are integrally formed on the first surface 7 of the panel 2 and extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3 of the panel 2. The conduits 9 extend in the longitudinal direction 3 along the full length of each panel 2 and are spaced in the direction of the lateral axis 4 of the panel 2. The conduits 9 are designed such that, in use, they circulate heated water delivered from a suitable supply (not shown) around the room and back to the supply.

As best seen in figure 3, the internal bore 10 of the conduit 9 is defined by a substantially elliptical cross-section with its major axis, A, extending parallel to the wall and the predominant part of the second surface 8 of the panel, and a minor axis, B, extending in a direction perpendicular to the major axis. The height of the bore (the major axis of the ellipse) is greater than its depth (the minor axis of the ellipse).

Externally, the conduits 9 each have a generally elliptical shape provided with a flat surface 11 that faces an opposed flat surface 11 of a laterally adjacent conduit 9. The depth of the conduit 9 is narrower than its height and is designed to be as shallow as possible to ensure that the skirting panels 11 do not protrude from the wall so as to be visually obtrusive.

The use of four conduits 9 is advantageous in that the panel 2 has a lower surface temperature for a certain level of heat output (as compared to if there was only a single conduit), thereby making the radiator suitable for use in secure environments, such as hospitals. In this respect, the additional conduits allow for the increased flow of heating fluid through the radiator and so the heating fluid, and therefore the panel 2, can be kept at a lower temperature to achieve the same level of heat output, than if a single conduit was used. This prevents patients from accidentally, or deliberately, burning themselves on the panel 2.

The skirting panel 1 further comprises first and second rails 12, 13 for attachment to a wall. The first and second rails 12, 13 extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3 of the panel 2 and are spaced apart in direction of the lateral axis 4 of the panel 2. The first and second rails 12, 13 are attached to the first and second lips 18, 19 respectively, as described below.

The first rail 12 has a generally 'C-shaped' cross-sectional shape (when viewed in the longitudinal direction 3). The first rail 12 comprises a web 23 that extends in the direction of the lateral axis 4 of the panel 2 and opposed ends of the web 23 are bounded by first and second flanges 24, 25 which extend away from the web 23, at substantially right angles to the web 23, towards the first surface 7 of the panel 2 (see Figure 4). The first rail is extruded from a plastic material as a single piece, with the web 23 and the first and second flanges 24, 25 formed integrally with each other.

An end portion of the second flange 25 that is distal from the web 23 is provided with a first formation 27. The first formation 27 comprises a planar front surface 55 that is substantially parallel to the lateral axis 4 and first and second inclined front surfaces 51, 52 that are inclined relative to the planar front surface 55 and extend rearwardly from the planar front surface 55 towards the web 23. The first and second inclined front surfaces 51, 52 extend laterally outwardly from laterally opposed surfaces of the second flange 25 and are connected to said laterally opposed surfaces by respective first and second rear surfaces 53, 54 that protrude in a laterally outward direction either side of said laterally opposed surfaces, at substantially right angles to said surfaces respectively. The first formation 27 extends substantially along the length of the first rail 12, in the longitudinal direction 3.

An end portion of the first flange 24 that is dista l from the web 23 is folded in an inwardly lateral direction, at substantially right angles to the remainder of the first flange 24 to form a second formation in the form of a lip 28. The lip 28 extends substantially along the length of the first rail 12, in the longitudinal direction 3.

A laterally inner surface of the first rail 12 is provided with a lower web 100 that extends from the said inner surface, substantially perpendicular to said inner surface, in the laterally inward direction 4. The web 23 of the first rail 12 extends laterally outward of the first edge 21 of the panel 2. The first rail 12 is provided with a plurality of mounting members, in the form of bores 26 (see Figure 2) which are distributed along the web 23 in the longitudinal direction 3. Each bore 26 passes from a front face of the web 23, through the thickness of the web, to a rear face of the web 23. The bores 26 are for receiving fasteners, in the form of screws (not shown).

The rear face of the web 23 is disposed further away from the first surface 7 of the panel 2 than the conduits 9. In use, the rear face of the web 23 is placed against the wall and screws are passed through the front face of the web 23, through said bores 26 and into the wall.

The bores 26 are provided laterally outward of the first edge 21 of the panel 2.

Accordingly, the bores 26 can be accessed from a side of the skirting panel 1 that faces the second surface 8 of the panel 2 so as to mount a fastener to, or remove a fastener from the bores 26, i.e. from inside of the room (when the cover member 40 is not attached to the first rail 12 (see below)), without the panel 2 preventing this access.

The second rail 13 has a generally 'L-shaped' cross-sectional shape (when viewed in the longitudinal direction) and extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3 of the panel 2. The second rail 13 comprises a laterally extending web 30. A lower end of the web 30 is provided with a flange 31 that extends away from the web 30 at substantially right angles to the web 30 towards the first surface 7 of the panel 2. An end of the flange 31 that is distal from the web 30 is provided with a second formation 33. The second formation 33 comprises a planar front surface 60 that extends in the lateral direction 4 and an inclined front surface 61 that is inclined relative to the planar front surface 60 and extends rearwardly from the planar front surface 60 towards the web 23. The inclined front surface 61 is connected to a laterally inner surface of the flange 31 by a rear surface 62. The rear surface 62 is substantially perpendicular to said laterally inner surface of the flange 31. The second formation 33 extends substantially along the length of the second rail 13, in the longitudinal direction 3.

The second rail 13 is provided with a plurality of mounting members; in the form of bores 29 which are distributed along the web 30 in the longitudinal direction 3 (see Figure 2). Each bore 29 passes from a front face of the web 30, through the thickness of the web 30, to a rear face of the web 30. The bores 29 are for receiving fasteners, in the form of screws (not shown). In use, the rear face of the web 30 is placed against the wall and screws are passed through the front face of the web 30, through said bores 29 and into the wall. The panel 2 is insertable between the first and second rails 12, 13 so as to form a snap- fit engagement with the first and second rails 12, 13. During installation the first and second rails 12, 13 are fastened to the wall, by passing fasteners through the bores 26, 29 in the first and second rails 12, 13 into the wall, and are spaced apart in the lateral direction 4 by a distance that is substantially corresponds to the lateral extent of the panel 2. As the panel 2 is inserted between the rails 12, 13 the first formation 34 of the first lip 18 engages the first formation 27 of the first rail 12. Specifically, the first formation 34 of the first lip 18 bears against the second inclined front surface 52 of the first formation 27 of the first rail 12 and is forced in the inward lateral direction 4. This causes the first lip 18 to flex in the inward lateral direction from it's at rest position, which is substantially perpendicular to the first surface 7 of the panel 2. Once the second flange 73 of the first formation 34 of the lip 18 passes the second inclined front surface 52, the first lip 18 is free to flex back to its at rest position, causing the first formation 34 of the first lip 18 to move laterally outwardly such that the second flange 73 of the first formation 34 is engages behind the second rear surface 54 of the first formation 27 of the first rail 12. In this way, the rigidity of the panel causes the first lip 18 to be resiliently biased into it's at rest position, which is substantially perpendicular to the first surface 7 of the panel 2. This biasing causes the first formation 34 of the lip 18 to form a snap-fit engagement with the first formation 27 of the first rail 12, as the panel 2 is inserted within the rails 12, 13.

Similarly, the second formation 35 of the second lip 19 engages the second formation 33 of the second rail 13. The second formation 35 of the second lip 19 bears against the inclined front surface 61 of the second formation 33 of the second rail 13 and is forced in the inward lateral direction 4. This causes the second lip 19 to flex in the inward lateral direction from it's at rest position, which is substantially perpendicular to the first surface 7 of the panel 2. Once the second flange 83 of the second formation 35 of the lip 19 passes the inclined front surface 61, the second lip 19 is free to flex back to its at rest position, causing the second formation 35 of the second lip 19 to move laterally outwardly such that the second flange 83 of the second formation 35 is engaged behind the rear surface 62 of the second formation 33 of the second rail 13. In this way, the rigidity of the panel 2 causes second lip 19 to be resiliently biased into its at rest position, which is substantially perpendicular to the first surface 7 of the panel 2. This biasing causes the second formation 35 of the second lip 19 to form a snap-fit engagement with the second formation 33 of the second rail 13, as the panel 2 is inserted within the rails 12, 13. Accordingly, as the panel 2 is inserted within the rails 12, 13, the first and second lips 18, 19 of the panel 2 form a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails 12, 13 respectively. This snap fit engagement of the panel 2 between the first and second rails 12, 13 is advantageous in that it allows the panel 2 to be attached quickly and easily to the rails 12, 13 and therefore to the wall. In addition, the use of first and second rails 12, 13 that are spaced apart at opposed lateral sides 201, 202 of the panel 2 provides a strong attachment of the panel 2, across the lateral extent of the panel 2.

Furthermore, once the panel 2 has been engaged between the first and second rails 12, 13, the panel 2 is fixedly attached to the rails 12, 13 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the wall, thereby preventing the panel 2 from being removed from the panel 2. However, the snap fit engagement of the panel 2 between the first and second rails 12, 13 allows for thermal expansion of the panel 2, in the longitudinal direction.

The radiator further comprises a first cover member 40 that is attachable to the first rail 12 by virtue of a snap-fit engagement. The first cover member 40 is elongate and extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3 of the panel 2.

An outer surface of the first cover member 40 extends downwardly from an upper edge 301 to a lower edge 302 along a substantially continuous curve 303. The outer surface of the first cover member 40 is curved downwardly such that it has a cross sectional shape (when viewed in the longitudinal direction 3) that describes a section of a convex curve that circumscribes the first rail 12.

In use, the upper edge 301 abuts the wall. The lower edge is contiguous with the first side 201 of the panel 2, when the first cover member 40 is attached to the first rail 12. The first cover member 40 extends substantially along the length of the first rail 12 in the longitudinal direction.

The above arrangement is advantageous in that no ligature points are presented by the first cover member 40, or by an interface of the first cover member 40 and the panel 2. The first cover member 40 conceals and prevents access to any ligature points that might be presented by the first rail 12 and does not provide any ligature points itself, which a person could use to try and gain purchase of the radiator so as to damage the radiator or themselves. Furthermore, the first cover member 40 conceals and prevents access to the bores 26, 29 in the first and second rails 12, 13 and to the heads of fasteners that are received within said bores 26, 29 so as to attach the rails 12, 13 to the wall. In addition, the first cover member 40 forms an impervious seal with the wall. This prevents liquids, and any other detritus, from accumulating behind the panel 2, i.e. between the panel 2 and the wall. This helps to prevent the festering of bacterial germs, which is especially advantageous as radiators are a major cause of infections in hospitals, due to their warm temperature, which provides an ideal environment for the incubation of bacterial germs.

The first cover member 40 comprises first and second webs 41, 42 that project inwardly from an inner surface of the first cover member 40. The first and second webs 41, 42 are spaced in the lateral direction 4 and extend substantially parallel to each other in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the first cover member 40.

An end of the first web 41 that is distal to the inner surface of the first cover member

40 is provided with a first lip 43 that extends substantially perpendicular to the first web 41 in the outward lateral direction 3. An end of the second web 42 that is distal to the inner surface of the first cover member 40 is provided with a second lip 44 that extends substantially perpendicular to the second web 42 in the inward lateral direction 3.

In order to attach the first cover member 40 to the first rail 12, the first and second webs 41, 42 of the first cover member 40 are inserted between the first and second formations 27, 28 of the first rail 12.

As first cover member 40 is inserted, the first lip 43 of the first web 41 engages the second formation 28 of the first rail 12. Specifically, the first lip 43 of the first web 41 bears against the second formation 28 of the first rail 12 and is forced in the inward lateral direction 4. This causes the first web 41 to flex in the inward lateral direction from it's at rest position, which is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the first cover member 40. Once the first lip 43 of the first web 41 passes the second formation 28 of the first rail 12, the first lip 43 is free to flex back to its at rest position, causing the first lip 43 to move laterally outwardly such that the first lip 43 engages behind the second formation 28 of the first rail 12. In this way, the rigidity of the first cover member 40 causes the first lip 43 to be resiliently biased into its at rest position, which is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the cover 40. This biasing causes the first lip 43 to form a snap-fit engagement with the second formation 28 of the first rail 12, as the first and second webs 41, 42 of the cover 40 are inserted between the first and second formations 27, 28 of the first rail 12.

Similarly the second lip 44 of the second web 42 bears against the first inclined front surface 51 of the first formation 27 of the first rail 12 and is forced in outwardly in the lateral direction 4. This causes the second web 42 to flex outwardly in the lateral direction from it's at rest position, which is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the cover 40. Once the second lip 44 passes the first inclined front surface 51 of the first formation 27 of the first rail 12, the second lip 44 is free to flex back to its at rest position, causing the second lip 44 to move inwardly in the lateral direction such that the second lip 44 engages behind the first rear surface 53 of first formation 27 of the first rail 12. In this way, the rigidity of the first cover member 40 causes the second lip 44 to be resiliently biased into it's at rest position, which is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the first cover member 40. This biasing causes the second lip 44 to form a snap-fit engagement with the first formation 27 of the first rail 12, as the first and second webs 41, 42 of the cover 40 are inserted between the first and second formations 27, 28 of the first rail 12.

Accordingly, as the first and second webs 41, 42 of the first cover member 40 are inserted between the first and second formations 27, 28 of the first rail 12, the first and second webs 41, 42 form a snap-fit engagement with said first and second formations 27, 28 of the first rail 12.

The skirting panel 1 further comprises a depending skirt 110 that extends downwardly from a lower surface of the second rail 13 and extends substantially along the length of the lower surface of the second rail 13 in the longitudinal direction. The depending skirt 110 comprises a batten 111 and a second cover member 112.

The batten 111 is a generally elongate block of generally rectangular cross sectional shape having a first surface 114 for facing the wall and an opposed second surface 115 for facing away from the wall. An upper surface of the batten 111 is attached to a lower surface of the flange 31 of the second rail 13. The batten extends from said lower surface to a floor on which the skirting panel 1 is supported and extends substantially along the length said lower surface in the longitudinal direction 3. The batten is made of wood. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable material may be used.

The second cover member 112 curves upwardly from the floor to the second surface 115 of the batten 111 and extends substantially along the length of the batten 111. The second cover member 112 is formed separately to the batten and is fixedly attached to the batten by gluing. The second cover member 112 is made from a plastic material. This is advantageous in that it is able to flex so as to accommodate any unevenness in the floor. The second cover member 112 provides an impervious seal with the floor. This prevents liquids, and any other detritus, from accumulating behind the panel 2, i.e. between the panel 2 and the wall. This helps to prevent the festering of bacterial germs, which is especially advantageous as radiators are a major cause of infections in hospitals, due to their warm temperature, which provides an ideal environment for the incubation of bacterial germs.

An end of the flange 31 of the second rail 13 is folded downwardly along its length, in the lateral direction 4, to form a retaining member in the form of a lip 90. The lip 90 extends substantially along the length of the batten 111 in the longitudinal direction 3. Due to the rigidity of the second rail 13, the lip 90 is resiliently biased so as to bear against the second surface 115 of the batten 111.

In order to install the skirting panel 1, the first and second rails 12, 13 are fastened to the wall as described above and are spaced apart in the lateral direction 4 by a distance that is substantially corresponds to the lateral extent of the panel 2. The panel 2 is then inserted between the first and second rails 12, 13 so as to form a snap-fit engagement with the first and second rails 12, 13, as described above. The depending skirt 110 is attached to the second rail

13, i.e. by attachment of the batten 111 to the laterally outward surface of the second rail 13.

Preferably this is done before the second rail 13 is attached to the wall, as this may be difficult to do once the second rail 13 has been attached to the wall, due to the proximity of the floor.

The process is then repeated for adjacent said skirting panels 1 to form the radiator system. Adjacent skirting panels 1 are interconnected at the conduits 9 by specially adapted ported connectors 403 such that the panels are contiguous and the outward facing surfaces 8 thereof are substantially coplanar, as described in WO 2008/009899 (The Discrete Heat Company Limited). Since such a system of interconnecting skirting panels 1 is known, it will not be described in any further detail.

In light of the above, it can be seen that the skirting panels 1 provide an unobtrusive skirting radiator that can be quickly and easily installed, is securely attachable to a wall, doesn't have any ligature points, prevents detritus from accumulating behind the radiator and provides a relatively low surface temperature of the panel 2, for a desired level of heat output.

Accordingly, the skirting radiator is particularly suited for use in secure environments, such as hospitals.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications to the above described design may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, in the described embodiment of the invention, the skirting panel 1 is mounted against a wall such that the conduits 9 extend in a substantially horizontal direction. In this case, the longitudinal axis 3 of the panel 2 is in the substantially horizontal direction and the lateral axis 4 of the panel 2 is in a substantially vertical direction. However, it will be appreciated that skirting panel 1 may be oriented differently. For example, the panel 2 may be oriented such that the conduits 9 extend in a substantially vertical direction. In this case, the longitudinal axis 3 of the panel 2 is in the substantially vertical direction and the lateral axis 4 of the panel 2 is in a substantially horizontal direction. In this case, it will be appreciated that the depending skirt 110 may be omitted from the panel