TABLE WITH HEATING DEVICE

The present invention relates to an improved table. In particular, the present invention relates to a heated table. The table of the present invention is operable to provide a warm atmosphere surrounding the table, to allow diners to remain at a comfortable temperature around the table when the ambient temperature is low. The table may be adapted for use inside or outside.

Patio heaters are well known. These devices may be electrically powered, or may work by burning fuel. The main purpose of the patio heater is to create a warm environment in the space immediately surrounding the heater, and as such it is usually made the focus of the outdoor activity. The patio heater provides a source of heat that is quick to initiate and does not require a large amount of space to be heated before its heat is felt effectively.

However, patio heaters emit heat in all directions, both radially and vertically, meaning that a lot of heat is lost to spaces where no persons are situated. The fuel burning efficiency of patio heaters is also low. For these reasons patio heaters are not efficient, and have developed a bad ecological reputation.

Furthermore, patio heaters can not be used safely indoors. Therefore, there is no quick and effective means of being able to heat an indoor space, for example a conservatory. Normally, conservatories are closed off and unused during cold weather, or are heated by radiators. However, radiators require a long time to provide a warm atmosphere in the room, since the heat source is usually located a relatively long distance away from where persons sit.

There exists a need for a heat source for indoor and/or outdoor use, which is quick and effective, whilst at the same time being efficient.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table comprising:

a table leg;

a table top; and

a heating device;

wherein the heating device is contained wholly within the table leg. Preferably, the table further comprises a directional member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table comprising:

a table leg;

a table top;

a heating device; and

a directional member.

Preferably, the heating device is wholly contained within the table leg.

Preferably, the table leg defines a central cavity. Preferably, the central cavity is operable to receive the heating device. Preferably, the table leg comprises at least one aperture extending into the cavity.

Preferably, the table leg comprises a base. Preferably, the base is a foot. Preferably, the base has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the table leg.

Preferably, the table leg comprises any suitable material. Preferably, the table leg is constructed from a wood material. Alternatively, the table leg may be constructed from a metal or plastics material or a combination of suitable materials.

Preferably, the table leg has a conic section shape. Alternatively, the table leg may have a cubiodal shape, pyramidal shape or any other suitable polyhedral shape.

Preferably, the table leg is adapted to be located substantially at a central point or at a focus of the table top. Preferably, the table leg comprises a longitudinal axis which extends along the centre of the table leg from the ground to the table top. Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the table leg is operable to be aligned with an axis of rotation of the table top, or a focus of the table top.

There may be more than one table leg. The table top may be any suitable shape. For example, the table top may have any regular or irregular polygonal-shape in cross section taken substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the table leg. Preferably, the table top is substantially regularly-polygonal in cross section taken substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the table leg.

The table top may be formed from any suitable material. For example, the table top may be formed from a wood, plastics, stone, metal, wicker and/or cane material and/or any combination thereof.

The heating device comprises a convection heater or heat exchanger. Preferably the heating device comprises a heating element and heat dissipation means.

Preferably, the heating device is surrounded by an insulating means. Preferably, the insulating means is an insulating jacket. Preferably, the insulating means comprises a foam material, or a glass wool material, or any other suitable insulating material. Preferably, the insulating means are operable to reduce heat conduction from the heat dissipation means to the table leg.

Preferably, the heating device comprises a fan. Preferably, the fan is operable to draw air through the or each aperture in the table leg to the heating means.

The heating device may be powered by any suitable source or fuel. For example, the heating device may be an electric heating device, a gas heating device or a liquid or solid fuel burning heating device. Preferably, the heating device is an electric heating device.

Preferably, the directional member is operable to direct warmed air rising from the heating device.

Preferably, the directional member extends from the table leg towards the periphery of the table top. Preferably, the directional member is located between the table leg and the table top. Preferably, the directional member comprises a sheet of material located between the table leg and the table top.

Alternatively, the directional member may be integrally formed with the table leg.

Alternatively or additionally, the directional member may be integrally formed with table top.

Preferably, the directional member comprises at least one directional channel to direct the warmed air from the heating device. Preferably, the or each directional channel extends outwardly from the central cavity of the table leg towards the periphery of the table top.

The present invention further extends to a directional member adapted to direct warmed air in the table according to either the first aspect or the second aspect of the invention.

Any of the above features of the present invention may be taken in any combination and with any aspect of the invention.

In order to illustrate the present invention in more detail, embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic, side view of a table according to a first aspect of the present invention;

Figures 2a and b show a plan view and a side view of the table leg of Figure 1 , respectively;

Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the directional member of Figure 1 ;

Figures 4a and b show schematic side and plan views, respectively, of a heater for use with the table of Figure 1 ; Figure 5 shows a plan view of a directional member according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 6 shows a plan view of a directional member according to a third aspect of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a table 2 suitable for use in low ambient temperatures is shown. The table 2 comprises a leg 4, a directional member 6 and a table top 8. The table 2 further comprises a heating device 10. The heating device 10 is adapted to be wholly contained within the table leg 4 when the table 2 is in use.

The table leg 4 comprises two surfaces, a first surface 12 adapted to abut the directional member 6 and a second surface 14 adapted to abut the ground or another support structure. The table leg 4 comprises a substantially circular based conic section connected to a foot 16. The second surface 14 of the table leg 4 is on the foot 16 of the leg 4. The conic section is inverted such that the leg 4 tapers from the first surface 12 to the foot 16.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the table leg 4 is approximately 700mm in length from the first surface 12 to the second surface 14. The cross-section of the first surface 12 of the table leg 4 has a diameter of approximately 190mm, and the cross-section of the conic section where it joins the foot 16 has a diameter of approximately 140mm. The second surface 14 of the table leg 4 has a diameter of approximately 440mm to provide a stable base to the leg 4.

The table leg 4 comprises a cavity 18. The cavity 18 extends from the first surface 12 of the leg 4 to a point above the foot 16.

The table leg 4 further comprises a plurality of apertures 20. The apertures 20 are arranged such that they are substantially equally spaced around the outer circumferential surface of the table leg 4. The apertures 20 open into a lower portion of the cavity 18 in the table leg 4. The apertures 20 allow air to travel from outside the table leg 4 into the cavity 18 inside the table leg 4. The apertures 20 are approximately 15mm wide by approximately 80mm high. The table leg 4 is preferably constricted from wood. The leg 4 may be constructed from a single piece of wood, or from a number of sections of wood.

The table leg 4 is preferably heat treated.

The cavity 18 inside the table leg 4 is adapted to receive the heating device 10. The heating device 10 of the first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4. The heating device 10 comprises a convection heater or heat exchanger. The heating device 10 comprises a heating element (not shown) surrounded by a heat sink.

The heating element 10 is embedded within the heat sink. The heat sink comprises two sections 22a,b. During the construction of the heating device 10, the heating element is placed between the two sections 22a,b of the heat sink. The two sections 22a,b of the heat sink are then brought together and secured together to form a single piece heating device 10. The two sections 22a,b are pressed together and are secured together by means of inserts 24a,b which are placed into the grooves formed along the length of the heat sink between the two sections 22a,b.

The heat sink is formed from aluminium. The aluminium may be extruded or cast into the grid shape of the heat sink.

The heating device 10 further comprises a fan 26. The fan 26 is adapted to direct air through the heat sink and past the heating element. The heating device 10 measures approximately 80mm by 80mm by 300mm. The length of approximately 300mm includes the length of the fan assembly 26, which is approximately 50mm.

The heating device 10 is adapted to sit within the cavity 18 in the table leg 4. The cavity 18 is provided with support blocks (not shown) to support the heating device 10 in the cavity 18 such that there is space below the heating device 10 and above the heating device 10 within the cavity 18. The support blocks are arranged such that, in use, the heating device 10 sits above the apertures 20 in the table leg 4.

The heating device 10 is wrapped in a heat resistant jacket (not shown) within the cavity 18. The heat resistant jacket is preferably made from a glass wool material. The heat resistant jacket acts as an insulator for the heating device 10 to ensure that a maximum temperature can be achieved, whilst keeping the outer surface as cool as possible to prevent any problems of heating of the table leg 4.

When the heating device 10 is in place in the table leg 4, there is a space above the heating device 10 and below the first surface 12 of the table leg 4. This space prevents the heating device 10 from stalling.

The first surface 12 of the table leg 4 provides a stable surface to support the directional member 6. The directional member 6 comprises a central channel 28 connected to a plurality of vent channels 30. The vent channels 30 extend radially outwardly from the central channel 28 towards the outer periphery of the directional member 6. The vent channels 30 have a regular angular spacing of approximately 90 ° around the directional member 6.

The vent channels 30 taper uniformly from approximately 95mm, towards the centre of the directional member 6, to approximately 100mm, towards the periphery of the directional member 6. The vent channels 30 then open out further to approximately 150mm at the periphery of the directional member 6. The directional member 6 has a diameter of approximately 460mm, and a height of approximately 25mm.

The directional member 6 directs the air flow that emerges from the heating device 10 in the table leg 4. The directional member 6 is constructed from a wood material, similarly to the table leg 4.

The table top 8 sits on the directional member 6. The table top 8 may form a wall of the vent channels 30 in the directional member 6. The table top 8 is a standard, substantially circular, table top, and may be constructed from any solid material, for example, wood, metal, marble, granite, and the like. In the present example, the table top 8 is approximately 700mm in diameter. Therefore, the table top 8 extends radially from the periphery of the directional member 6 by approximately 120mm in all directions.

Alternatively, the table top 8 may be substantially square is shape. In this case, the table top 8 is arranged such that the corners of the square lie at 45° angles to the centre of the two neighbouring vent channels 30. The square table top 8 would have a size of approximately 700mm by approximately 700mm to allow for an extension of 120mm of the table top 8 from the periphery of the directional member 6 at the centre of each vent channel 30.

Referring now to Figure 5, a directional member 106 for a six-seater table is shown.

In this embodiment, the table leg is as shown and described in respect of the first embodiment of the invention above. The table top in this embodiment is similar to that shown and described in relation to the first embodiment of the invention, and differs only from the first embodiment in terms of dimensions. The table top in the present embodiment of the invention has a diameter of approximately 1 100mm.

The directional member 106 of the present embodiment of the invention comprises six vent channels 130. The vent channels 130 have the same dimensions as those described in relation to the first embodiment of the invention. The vent channels 130 have an equal angular separation of approximately 60 °.

The directional member 106 of the present embodiment of the invention has a diameter of approximately 860mm, to allow for a 120mm radial extension of the table top from the periphery of the directional member 106 in all directions.

Referring now to Figure 6, a directional member 206 is shown for an eight- seater table.

In this embodiment, the table comprises two table legs. Each table leg is as shown and described in respect of the first embodiment of the invention above. The two table legs are positioned at approximately ¼ and approximately ¾ of the way across the length of the directional member 206 in the elongate direction. In this case, each table leg is located substantially at a focus of the table top.

The table top in this embodiment is similar to that shown and described in relation to the first embodiment of the invention, and differs only from the first embodiment in terms of shape and dimensions. The table top in the present embodiment of the invention may be either substantially elliptical or rectangular. The directional member 206 of the present embodiment of the invention comprises eight vent channels 230. The vent channels 230 have the same dimensions as those described in relation to the first embodiment of the invention. The eight vent channels 230 are arranged such that there are four vent channels 230 extending radially from each table leg.

Three vent channels 230a per leg are arranged at equal angular spacings of approximately 90°. The remaining vent channel 230b per leg forms an angle of approximately 45° to one neighbouring vent channel 230a, and approximately 135° to the other neighbouring vent channel 230a. The ends of these two vent channels 230b on the periphery of the directional member 206 are substantially opposite each other at a mid-point of the length of the directional member 206.

The two vent channels 230b may extend from the table legs to the periphery of the directional member in a straight line, or may follow a curved path (shown in phantom).

In use, the user activates the heating device 10 by connecting a power supply cable (not shown) to a power supply (not shown). The heating element inside the heating device 10 then heats up, and heat begins to be conducted by the heat sink.

The fan 26 draws air into the table leg 4 through the apertures 20 and directs it through and past the heating device 10. The fan 26 is operable to draw air through the apertures 20 and past the heating device 10 at a flow rate of 1 .8ms ^"1 .

As the air moves past the heating device 10 it is heated. The heating device 10 is operable to heat the air to a temperature of approximately 86 'Ό. The heating device 10 may have a temperature control to allow the user to control the temperature to which the heating device 10 heats the air. The insulating jacket prevents the heating device 10 from causing damage to the table leg 4. The insulating jacket keeps the temperature of all the parts of the heating device 10 that are in contact with the table leg 4 below a temperature of 65 °C.

The warmed air then moves into the space above the heating device 10 in the cavity 18 of the table leg 4. The warm air is drawn out of the cavity 18 along the vent channels 30,130,230 in the directional member 6,106,206. This is due to a pressure difference between the higher-pressure, warm air in the cavity 18 and the lower- pressure, cool air surrounding the table 2. By the time the air has reached the ends of the vent channels 30,130,230, its temperature will have decreased slightly. For example, air at a temperature of approximately 86 'Ό immediately after heating, will have a temperature of approximately 80 °C at the ends of the vent channels 30,130,230.

The warm air being drawn out of the cavity 18 along the vent channels 30,130,230 is useful to keep diners warm as they sit or stand around the table 2. This is especially true when the diners are arranged around the table 2 such that one diner is seated or standing at the end of each vent channel 30,130,230.

The present invention provides a table which may be used to allow people to sit or stand and eat or drink outside for longer parts of the year. Since the diners can be warmed whilst they sit or stand around the table, they can remain outside when the ambient temperature drops in the evening, or at cooler times during the year, for example in Spring and Autumn.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an effective alternative to conventional heating to allow people to sit or stand in conservatories during cooler months of the year. The device of the present invention can be used to keep people warm around a table even if the rest of the space in the conservatory is cool. Therefore, using the device of the present invention, there is no need to plan in advance to heat up a conservatory, or other cooler indoor space, prior to its inhabitation.

The present invention directs warmed air at seating positions such that the warmed air reaches each diner effectively. Furthermore, since the warmed air is directed towards each diner, the efficiency of the heating device is improved in that no heat escapes in an unwanted direction. If there are fewer diners than vent channels around the table, any unused vent channels may be closed ff to prevent air being directed in unused directions, thus increasing the efficiency of the invention even further.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.