GB2558198A

GB2558198A - Gas fire apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2558198A
Application number: GB1619174.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Innes Craig; Price Andrew
Original assignee: Be Modern Ltd
Current assignee: Be Modern Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-11
Filing date: 2016-11-11
Publication date: 2018-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-11
Also published as: GB2558198B

Abstract

A gas fire 10 comprises a burner assembly 12. The burner assembly 12 comprises a combustion bed 14, and a gas flow control valve 16 which controls the flow of gas to a combustion space 18 above the bed 14. An inlet pipe 22 conveys gas from a gas supply to the valve 16 and a feed pipe (20, Fig. 3B) conveys gas from the valve 16 to the combustion space 18. An actuator 26 includes a handle 28 which is manually engaged by a user to move the actuator 26 and the assembly 12 between a plurality of control conditions. The handle 28 may be located below the level of the bed 14 and may slide horizontally towards and way from the bed 14. An actuator guide arrangement (36, Fig. 6) may provide tactile feedback to the user when the position of the actuator 26 corresponds to one of the control conditions. The control conditions may include off, minimum gas flow, maximum gas flow, and ignition conditions. A method of heating a room using a gas fire is also claimed.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Be Modern Limited

19-34 Bedesway, Bede Industrial Estate, Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, NE32 3BE, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Craig Innes Andrew Price

(51) INT CL:
F24C 3/12 (2006.01)	F24C 3/00 (2006.01)
(56) Documents Cited: GB 2521339 A GB 2512812 A GB 2462088 A GB 2323429 A	GB 2518874 A GB 2507253 A GB 2350886 A US 20030111073 A1
(58) Field of Search: INT CL F23N, F24C Other: EPODOC, WPI

(74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

IP-Active.com Ltd The TechnoCentre,

Coventry University Technology Park, Puma Way, Coventry, CV1 2TT, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Gas fire apparatus

Abstract Title: Gas fire with manual actuator controlling a gas flow control valve (57) A gas fire 10 comprises a burner assembly 12. The burner assembly 12 comprises a combustion bed 14, and a gas flow control valve 16 which controls the flow of gas to a combustion space 18 above the bed 14. An inlet pipe 22 conveys gas from a gas supply to the valve 16 and a feed pipe (20, Fig. 3B) conveys gas from the valve 16 to the combustion space 18. An actuator 26 includes a handle 28 which is manually engaged by a user to move the actuator 26 and the assembly 12 between a plurality of control conditions. The handle 28 may be located below the level of the bed 14 and may slide horizontally towards and way from the bed 14. An actuator guide arrangement (36, Fig. 6) may provide tactile feedback to the user when the position of the actuator 26 corresponds to one of the control conditions. The control conditions may include off, minimum gas flow, maximum gas flow, and ignition conditions. A method of heating a room using a gas fire is also claimed.

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Gas Fire Apparatus

The present invention relates to gas fire apparatus.

Conventionally, it is known to control the operation of a gas fire by use of a sliding control lever, which is usually located on the side of the fire at a relatively high position for user convenience. However, such control levers can look out of place when the gas fire is provided in the form of a traditional stove, for example, as a reproduction wood burning stove.

In this specification, the positional terms front, rear, above, below, etc are used in relation to a normal gas fire installation in which the fire is located on a ground surface or floor and the front of the fire faces into a room, so that below means towards the floor and front means towards the room.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided gas fire apparatus, the apparatus comprising a burner assembly, the burner assembly including a combustion bed, a gas flow control valve for controlling the flow of gas to a combustion space above the bed, a feed pipe for conveying gas from the valve to the combustion space, an inlet pipe for conveying gas from a gas supply to the valve, and an actuator for moving the assembly between a plurality of control conditions, wherein the actuator includes a handle which is manually engageable by a user to move the actuator and thereby to move the assembly between the control conditions.

Possibly, the handle is located below the level of the bed.

Possibly, the handle is arranged to slide towards and away from the bed, and may be arranged to slide in a substantially horizontal plane. Possibly, the handle includes a central longitudinal handle axis which may be substantially horizontal, and, possibly, the handle moves along the handle axis. Possibly, the bed includes a central vertical bed axis, which may lie in the same vertical plane as the handle axis.

Possibly, the actuator comprises an actuator member, and the handle is attached to or comprises one end of the actuator member.

Possibly, the actuator includes a valve engaging part. Possibly, the valve engaging part is located at an opposite end of the actuator member to the handle.

Possibly, the valve includes an actuator engaging part which engages the valve engaging part of the actuator.

Possibly, the assembly includes an actuator guide arrangement. Possibly, the actuator guide arrangement provides a tactile feedback to the user when the position of the actuator corresponds to one of the assembly control conditions.

Possibly, the guide arrangement includes an actuator engagement member, which may engage the actuator. Possibly, the engagement member is movable between an increased resistance condition and a lower resistance condition. Possibly, in the increased resistance condition the engagement member provides more resistance to movement of the actuator than in the lower resistance condition.

Possibly, the guide arrangement includes a bias arrangement, which biases the engagement member towards the increased resistance condition. Possibly, the bias arrangement comprises a resiliently deformable member, which may comprise a coil spring.

Possibly, the engagement member comprises a convex engagement surface, which contacts the actuator. Possibly, the engagement surface is curved and may be at least part spherical. Possibly, the engagement member is spherical and may be in the form of a ball bearing.

Possibly, the guide arrangement includes an engagement member mounting, which permits movement of the engagement member as the actuator moves, and may permit rotational movement of the engagement member as the actuator moves.

Possibly, the mounting comprises the resiliently deformable member.

Possibly, the guide arrangement includes a guide formation, which may comprise part of the actuator and may be in engagement with the engagement member. Possibly, as the actuator moves, the guide formation moves in engagement with the engagement member. Possibly, the guide formation defines a hole in which the engagement member is partially located. Possibly, the hole is elongate. Possibly, the hole includes track portions and may include a plurality of spaced apart relatively enlarged portions, which may be separated by the track portions. Possibly, in the increased resistance condition, the engagement member is located in one ofthe enlarged portions. Possibly, in the lower resistance condition, the engagement member is located on one of the track portions.

Possibly, the track portions have a hole width. Possibly, each enlarged portion has a hole width, which may be greater than the track portion hole width. Possibly, in the increased resistance condition, the engagement member locates deeper into the hole than it does in the reduced resistance condition. Possibly, the increased hole width at the enlarged portions permits the engagement member to locate deeper into the hole.

Possibly, at the enlarged portions, the hole is part circular and the hole width is a diameter.

Possibly, the location of each enlarged portion corresponds to a predetermined one of the control conditions. Possibly, the location of one of the enlarged portions corresponds to a maximum gas flow (high flame) condition. Possibly, the location of one of the enlarged portions corresponds to a no gas flow (off) condition.

Possibly, other of the control conditions correspond to locations of the engagement member along the track portions. Possibly, one of the other control conditions is a minimum gas flow (or low flame) condition. Possibly, one of the other conditions is an ignition condition.

Possibly, the assembly includes an igniter for igniting the gas in the combustion space. Possibly, the igniter includes an ignition switch which is movable between an off condition and an ignition condition. Possibly, the switch includes a bias arrangement which biases the switch to the off condition. Possibly, the bias arrangement comprises a spring.

Possibly, as the actuator moves from the minimum gas flow condition to the ignition condition, the actuator moves the ignition switch from the off condition to the ignition condition. Possibly, the switch bias arrangement biases the actuator from the ignition condition to the minimum flow condition.

Possibly, in the ignition condition, the user has to hold the handle against the biasing force of the switch bias arrangement.

Possibly, in sequence, the actuator is movable from the ignition condition to the minimum flow condition, then to the maximum flow condition, then to the no flow condition.

Possibly, in the ignition condition, the engagement member is located at one end of the hole. Possibly, in the no flow condition, the engagement member is located at one end of the hole, which may be an opposite end to the ignition one end.

Possibly, the apparatus is for heating a room.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a fire front. Possibly, the fire front defines an aperture. Possibly, the actuator locates through the aperture so that the handle can be manually engaged by the user.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a housing which may define an interior in which the burner assembly may be located. Possibly, the fire front comprises a front wall of the housing.

Possibly, the apparatus is in the form of a traditional stove and may be in the form of a wood burning stove.

Possibly, the apparatus includes one or more items which are located on the combustion bed. Possibly, the item(s) is decorative and may simulate the appearance of stones or fuel such as logs or coal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of heating a room, the method including providing gas fire apparatus, the apparatus comprising a burner assembly, the burner assembly including a combustion bed, a gas flow control valve for controlling the flow of gas to a combustion space above the bed, a feed pipe for conveying gas from the valve to the combustion space, an inlet pipe for conveying gas from a gas supply to the valve, and an actuator for moving the valve between a plurality of control conditions, wherein the actuator includes a handle which is manually engageable by a user to move the actuator and thereby to move the valve between the control conditions.

Possibly, the apparatus includes any of the features described in any of the preceding statements or following description. Possibly, the method includes any of the steps described in any of the preceding statements or following description.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:6

Fig. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a gas fire apparatus, showing a burner assembly in a no gas flow (or off) condition, but with flames shown to indicate their location in a maximum gas flow (high flame) condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the front, above and one side of the burner assembly in an ignition condition;

Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are, respectively, a plan view, a view of one side, a front view and a view of an opposite side of the burner assembly of Fig. 2 in the no flow (off) condition;

Fig. 4 is relatively enlarged version of the view shown in Fig. 3D, namely, a view of an opposite side of the burner assembly of Fig. 2 in the no flow (off) condition;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 4 from above as indicated by the sectional line V-V in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side view of an actuator member in a disassembled condition;

Figs. 7A, 7B, and 7C are perspective views of the assembly from the front, below and the one side, showing the assembly in, respectively, a minimum gas flow (low flame) condition, a maximum gas flow (high flame) condition and the no flow (off) condition;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a front part of the fire apparatus; and

Figs. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are plan views of an enlarged detail of the front part of the fire apparatus shown in Fig. 8, showing the assembly in, respectively, an ignition condition, a minimum gas flow (low flame) condition, a maximum gas flow (high flame) condition and the no flow (off) condition.

Figs. 1 to 9 show gas fire apparatus 10 for heating a room, the apparatus 10 comprising a burner assembly 12. The burner assembly 12 includes a combustion bed 14, a gas flow control valve 16 for controlling the flow of gas to a combustion space 18 above the bed 14, a feed pipe 20 for conveying gas from the valve 16 to the combustion space 18, an inlet pipe 22 for conveying gas from a gas supply to the valve 16, and an actuator 26 for moving the assembly 12 between a plurality of control conditions. The actuator 26 includes a handle 28 which is manually engageable by a user to move the actuator 26 and thereby to move the assembly 12 between the control conditions.

Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus 10 includes an apparatus housing 74 which defines an interior 76 in which the burner assembly 12 is located. The apparatus housing 74 comprises a fire front 70 which comprises a front wall 78 of the apparatus housing 74. The fire front 70 defines an aperture 72. The actuator 26 locates through the aperture 72 so that the handle 28 can be manually engaged by the user.

The apparatus 10 is in the form of a traditional stove and for example could be in the form of a wood burning stove.

In the example shown, the handle 28 is located below the level of the bed 14. This simulates the appearance of a traditional stove more closely than conventional arrangements.

The apparatus 10 includes one or more items 80 which are located on the combustion bed 14. The item(s) 80 is decorative and for example, could simulate the appearance of stones or fuel such as logs or coal.

The burner assembly 12 includes a support member 86, which supports components of the burner assembly 12 and is mounted to the apparatus housing 74.

The handle 28 is arranged to slide towards and away from the bed 14 in a substantially horizontal plane. The handle 28 includes a central longitudinal handle axis 30 which is substantially horizontal, and the handle 28 moves along the handle axis 30. The bed 14 includes a central vertical bed axis 32, which lies in the same vertical plane as the handle axis 30.

The location of the handle 28 aligned below the middle of the bed 14 and the action of moving the handle 28 towards and away from the housing 74 simulates the appearance of a traditional stove more closely than conventional arrangements.

The assembly support member 86 defines an aperture 92 and includes horizontally extending upper and lower handle support members 88, 90 which are located above and below the aperture 92. The handle 28 is located through the aperture 92 and the upper and lower handle support members 88, 90 support and guide the handle 28 as it passes through the fire front aperture 72.

The actuator 26 comprises an actuator member 34, and the handle 28 is attached to or comprises one end of the actuator member 34.

The actuator member 34 defines mounting apertures 98 in the form of slots. The assembly 12 includes retaining fasteners 100 which are located through the mounting apertures 98 into the support member 86, and which permit sliding relative movement of the actuator 26 along the support member 86.

The actuator 26 includes a valve engaging part 106, which is located at an opposite end of the actuator member 34 to the handle 28. The valve engaging part 106 could comprise a bracket 102.

The valve 16 includes an actuator engaging part 108 which engages the valve engaging part 106 of the actuator 26. The actuator engaging part 108 could comprise a rod-like valve member 96 which is connected to the bracket 102.

The assembly 12 includes an actuator guide arrangement 36. The actuator guide arrangement 36 provides a tactile feedback to the user when the position of the actuator 26 corresponds to one of the valve control conditions.

The guide arrangement 36 includes an actuator engagement member 38, which engages the actuator 26. The engagement member 38 is movable between an increased resistance condition and a lower resistance condition. In the increased resistance condition, the engagement member 38 provides more resistance to movement of the actuator 26 than in the lower resistance condition.

The guide arrangement 36 includes a bias arrangement 40, which biases the engagement member 38 towards the increased resistance condition. The engagement member bias arrangement 40 comprises a resiliently deformable member 42, which, in the example shown, comprises a coil spring 44.

The engagement member 38 is spherical and, in the example shown, is in the form of a ball bearing, comprising a spherical curved convex engagement surface 46, which contacts the actuator 26.

The guide arrangement 36 includes an engagement member mounting 48, which permits rotational movement of the engagement member 38 as the actuator 26 moves. The mounting 48 comprises a hollow housing 94 and the resiliently deformable member 42 which is located inside the engagement member housing 94. The housing 94 is mounted to the assembly support member 86.

The guide arrangement 36 includes a guide formation 50, which comprises part of the actuator 26 (in the example shown, more specifically, the actuator member 34). The guide formation 50 is in engagement with the engagement member 38. As the actuator 26 moves, the guide formation 50 moves in engagement with the engagement member 38.

The guide formation 50 defines a hole 52 in which the engagement member 38 is partially located. The hole 52 is elongate, and in the example shown, includes two track portions 54 and two spaced apart relatively enlarged portions 56, which are separated by one of the track portions 54. In the increased resistance condition, the engagement member 38 is located in one of the enlarged portions 56 and, in the lower resistance condition, the engagement member 38 is located on one of the track portions 54.

The location of each enlarged portion 56 corresponds with one of the valve control conditions.

The track portions 54 have a hole width 58. Each enlarged portion 56 has a hole width 60, which is greater than the track portion hole width 58. In the increased resistance condition, the engagement member 38 locates deeper into the hole 52 than it does in the reduced resistance condition. The increased hole width 60 at the enlarged portions 56 permits the engagement member 38 to locate deeper into the hole 52.

At the enlarged portions, the hole 52 is part circular and the hole width 60 is a diameter.

In the example shown, the hole 52 is a through hole, but in other embodiments (not shown) could be a recess of a suitable depth and cross sectional profile.

The location of each enlarged portion 56 along the hole 52 corresponds to a predetermined one of the control conditions. In the example shown, the location of one of the enlarged portions 56 corresponds to a maximum gas flow (high flame) condition and the location of another one of the enlarged portions 56 corresponds to a no gas flow (off) condition. The no flow enlarged portion (designated with numeric reference 56D in Fig. 6) is located at the end of the hole 52 towards the handle 28. The maximum gas flow enlarged portion (designated with numeric reference 56C in Fig. 6) is spaced a relatively short distance along the hole 52 from the no flow enlarged portion 56D. There are no other enlarged portions. Thus the hole 52 comprises a relatively short track portion 54S between the maximum flow enlarged portion 56C and the no flow enlarged portion 56D, and a relatively long track portion 54L extending from the maximum gas flow enlarged portion 56C away from the handle 28.

Other of the control conditions correspond to locations of the engagement member 38 along the track portions 54. Thus, one of the other control conditions is a minimum gas flow condition and another one of the other conditions is an ignition condition.

In the example shown, the assembly 12 includes a pilot arrangement 84 which provides a pilot flame 110 in the combustion space 18.

The assembly 12 includes an igniter 62 for igniting the gas in the combustion space 18 and in this example ignites the pilot flame 110 of the pilot arrangement 84. The igniter 62 includes an ignition switch 64 which is movable between an off condition and an ignition condition. The switch 64 includes a bias arrangement 66 which biases the switch 64 to the off condition. In the example shown, the switch bias arrangement 66 comprises a coil spring 68.

As the actuator 26 moves from the minimum gas flow condition to the ignition condition, the actuator 26 moves the ignition switch 64 from the off condition to the ignition condition. The switch bias arrangement 66 biases the actuator 26 from the ignition condition to the minimum flow condition.

In the ignition condition, the user has to hold the handle 28 against the biasing force of the switch bias arrangement 66.

The handle 28 includes upward facing indicator markings 104 which indicate the assembly control conditions.

In sequence, in pushing the handle 28 inwards, the actuator 26 is movable from the ignition condition to the minimum flow condition, then to the maximum flow condition, then to the no flow condition.

In the ignition condition, the engagement member 38 is located at one end of the hole 52. In the no flow condition, the engagement member 38 is located at an opposite end to the ignition one end.

In use, the assembly 12 is initially in the no flow (off) condition, in which the handle 28 is pushed as far in to the apparatus housing 74 as it will go (Figs 7C and 9D) and the engagement member 38 is located in the no flow enlarged portion 56D.

To start the apparatus 10 and initiate combustion, the handle 28 is pulled outwardly (ie out of the apparatus housing 74) to the ignition condition. As the handle 28 is moved outwardly, the engagement member 38 firstly moves out of the no flow enlarged portion 56D.

The enlarged portion 56D and the deeper location of the engagement member 38 in the hole 52 at the enlarged portion 56D means that a degree of effort is required by the user to overcome the increased resistance in order to move the actuator 26 out of the no flow condition.

The engagement member 38 then moves along the short track portion 54S. On the track portions 54, the engagement member 38 does not locate so deeply into the hole 52 and so a reduced resistance to movement is provided and less effort is required by the user in comparison with the amount of effort required to move out of the enlarged portions 56.

At the end of the short track portion 54S, the spring 44 biases the engagement member 38 into the maximum flow enlarged portion 56C. The action of the engagement member 38 locating into the maximum flow enlarged portion 56C provides positive tactile feedback to the user that the maximum flow condition has been reached. Again the user will feel increased resistance to movement of the handle 28 away from the maximum flow enlarged portion 56C.

As outward movement of the handle 28 continues, the engagement member 38 then moves along the long track portion 54L at a reduced resistance to movement relative to the resistance experienced by the user in moving out of the maximum flow enlarged portion 56C.

At the minimum flow condition, the engagement member 38 is located at a location 54B on the long track portion 54L. In this condition, further outward movement is opposed by the switch bias arrangement 66 which thus provides the user with tactile feedback relating to the minimum flow condition.

The user then moves the handle 28 to the ignition condition against the bias of the switch bias arrangement 66. In the ignition condition, the engagement member 38 is at or towards the end of the hole 52 remote from the handle 28 in a location on the long track portion 54L indicated by numeric reference 54A in Fig. 6. Up to this point, gas flow has not been initiated. In the ignition condition, gas flows to the pilot arrangement 84 and the igniter 62 operates to ignite the pilot flame 110.

In the ignition condition, outward movement of the handle 28 is limited either by the ignition switch 64 or the end of the hole 52, which provides tactile feedback to the user that the ignition condition has been reached.

The user holds the handle 28 in the ignition condition against the bias of the switch bias arrangement 66 until the pilot flame 110 is established, which might take a period of 15 to 20 seconds. When the pilot flame 110 is established, the user releases the handle 28 and the switch bias arrangement 66 moves the actuator 26 back to the minimum flow condition. In this condition a minimum gas flow is provided to the combustion space 18 which is ignited by the pilot flame 110.

The user can then push the handle 28 inwards, increasing the gas flow and the height of flame 82, until the engagement member 38 locates into the maximum flow enlarged portion 56C. The action of the engagement member 38 locating into the maximum flow enlarged portion 56C provides positive tactile feedback to the user that the maximum flow condition has been reached. The enlarged portion 56C and the deeper location of the engagement member 38 in the hole 52 at the enlarged portion 56C means that slightly more effort is required by the user to overcome the increased resistance in order to move the actuator 26 out of the maximum flow condition.

From the maximum flow condition, the handle 28 can be moved outwardly (ie out of the apparatus housing 74) back towards the minimum flow condition to reduce the flame height or inwardly to the no flow condition.

In the no flow condition, the engagement member 38 is located in the enlarged portion 56D which provides tactile feedback to the user that the no flow condition has been reached.

The handle 28 sliding into and out of the housing 74 at a level below the bed 14 provides the gas fire apparatus 10 with a traditional look and operational character. The actuator 26 provides positive tactile feedback to the user at each of the burner assembly conditions giving the user reassurance and confidence, while being mechanically simple, reliable and robust.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The apparatus, the burner assembly and the various components thereof could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material (within the scope of the specific definitions herein).

In other embodiments (not shown), the actuator 26 could be orientated 5 differently. In one example, the orientation of the actuator 26 could be such that the movement of the handle 28 required to operate the burner assembly 12 could be horizontal across the fire front 70, or in/out or across (up/down or side to side) in a vertical or horizontal direction on one side of the housing 74, or on the top of the housing 74.

There is thus provided gas fire apparatus with a number of advantages over conventional arrangements.

Claims

1. Gas fire apparatus, the apparatus comprising a burner assembly, the burner assembly including a combustion bed, a gas flow control valve for controlling the flow of gas to a combustion space above the bed, a feed pipe for conveying gas from the valve to the combustion space, an inlet pipe for conveying gas from a gas supply to the valve, and an actuator for moving the assembly between a plurality of control conditions, wherein the actuator includes a handle which is manually engageable by a user to move the actuator and thereby to move the assembly between the control conditions.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the handle is located below the level of the bed.

3. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which the handle is arranged to slide towards and away from the bed.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the handle is arranged to slide in a substantially horizontal plane.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the handle includes a central longitudinal handle axis, and, in use, the handle moves along the handle axis.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which, in use, the central longitudinal handle axis is substantially horizontal.

7. Apparatus according to claims 5 or 6, in which the bed includes a central vertical bed axis, which lies in the same vertical plane as the handle axis.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the actuator comprises an actuator member, and the handle is attached to or comprises one end of the actuator member.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the actuator includes a valve engaging part.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 8, in which the valve engaging part is located at an opposite end of the actuator member to the handle.

11. Apparatus according to claims 9 or 10, in which the valve includes an actuator engaging part which engages the valve engaging part of the actuator.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly includes an actuator guide arrangement.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the actuator guide arrangement provides a tactile feedback to the user when the position of the actuator corresponds to one of the assembly control conditions.

14. Apparatus according to claims 12 or 13, in which the guide arrangement includes an actuator engagement member, which engages the actuator.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the engagement member is movable between an increased resistance condition and a lower resistance condition, wherein, in the increased resistance condition the engagement member provides more resistance to movement of the actuator than in the lower resistance condition.

16. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 15, in which the guide arrangement includes a bias arrangement, which biases the engagement member towards the increased resistance condition.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, in which the bias arrangement comprises a resiliently deformable member, which may comprise a coil spring.

18. Apparatus according to claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the engagement member comprises a convex engagement surface, which contacts the actuator.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, in which the engagement surface is curved and may be at least part spherical.

20. Apparatus according to claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the engagement member is spherical and may be in the form of a ball bearing.

21. Apparatus according to claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the guide arrangement includes an engagement member mounting, which permits movement of the engagement member as the actuator moves, and may permit rotational movement of the engagement member as the actuator moves.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, in which the mounting comprises the resiliently deformable member.

23. Apparatus according to claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the guide arrangement includes a guide formation, which comprises part of the actuator and is in engagement with the engagement member.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, in which as the actuator moves, the guide formation moves in engagement with the engagement member.

25. Apparatus according to claims 23 or 24, in which the guide formation defines a hole in which the engagement member is partially located.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, in which the hole is elongate.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, in which the hole includes track portions and a plurality of spaced apart relatively enlarged portions, which are separated by the track portions.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27 when dependent on claim 15 or any claim dependent thereon, in which in the increased resistance condition, the engagement member is located in one of the enlarged portions and, in the lower resistance condition, the engagement member is located on one of the track portions.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, in which the track portions have a hole width, each enlarged portion has a hole width which is greater than the track portion hole width, whereby, in the increased resistance condition, the engagement member locates deeper into the hole than it does in the reduced resistance condition, the increased hole width at the enlarged portions permitting the engagement member to locate deeper into the hole.

30. Apparatus according to any of claims 27 to 29, in which at the enlarged portions, the hole is part circular and the hole width is a diameter.

31. Apparatus according to any of claims 27 to 30, in which the location of each enlarged portion corresponds to a predetermined one of the control conditions.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31, in which the location of one of the enlarged portions corresponds to a maximum gas flow (high flame) condition.

33. Apparatus according to claims 31 or 32, in which the location of one of the enlarged portions corresponds to a no gas flow (off) condition.

34. Apparatus according to any of claims 31 to 33, in which other of the control conditions correspond to locations of the engagement member along the track portions.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34, in which one of the other control conditions is a minimum gas flow (or low flame) condition.

36. Apparatus according to claims 34 or 35, in which one of the other conditions is an ignition condition.

37. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the assembly includes an igniter for igniting the gas in the combustion space.

38. Apparatus according to claim 37, in which the igniter includes an ignition switch which is movable between an off condition and an ignition condition.

39. Apparatus according to claim 38, in which the switch includes a bias arrangement which biases the switch to the off condition.

40. Apparatus according to claim 39, in which the bias arrangement comprises a spring.

41 .Apparatus according to claims 39 or 40 when dependent on a combination of claims 35 and 36 or any claim dependent on the same combination, in which the switch bias arrangement biases the actuator from the ignition condition to the minimum flow condition.

42. Apparatus according to claim 41, in which, in the ignition condition, the user has to hold the handle against the biasing force of the switch bias arrangement.

43. Apparatus according to any of claims 38 to 42, in which as the actuator moves from the minimum gas flow condition to the ignition condition, the actuator moves the ignition switch from the off condition to the ignition condition.

44. Apparatus according to claim 43, in which in sequence, the actuator is movable from the ignition condition to the minimum flow condition, then to the maximum flow condition, then to the no flow condition.

45. Apparatus according to claim 36 or any claim dependent thereon, in which in the ignition condition, the engagement member is located at one end of the hole.

46. Apparatus according to claim 45 when dependent on claim 33 or any claim dependent thereon, in which in the no flow condition, the engagement member is located at one end of the hole, which is an opposite end to the ignition one end.

47. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is for heating a room.

48. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a fire front, which defines an aperture, wherein the actuator locates through the aperture so that the handle can be manually engaged by the user.

49. Apparatus according to claim 48, in which the apparatus includes a housing which defines an interior in which the burner assembly is located and the fire front comprises a front wall of the housing.

50. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is in the form of a traditional stove and may be in the form of a wood burning stove.

51. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes one or more items which are located on the combustion bed, wherein the item(s) is decorative and may simulate the appearance of stones or fuel such as logs or coal.

52. A method of heating a room, the method including providing gas fire apparatus, the apparatus comprising a burner assembly, the burner assembly including a combustion bed, a gas flow control valve for controlling the flow of gas to a combustion space above the bed, a feed pipe for conveying gas from the valve to the combustion space, an inlet pipe for conveying gas from a gas supply to the valve, and an actuator for moving the valve between a plurality of control conditions, wherein the actuator includes a handle which is manually engageable by a user to move the actuator and thereby to move the valve between the control conditions.

53. A method according to claim 52 in which the apparatus includes any of the features defined in any of claims 1 to 51.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched:

GB1619174.4 1 & 52