Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Electrical device making
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-11
2001-04-17
Young, Lee (Department: 3729)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Electrical device making
C219S463100, C219S467100, C029S831000, C029S848000, C029S860000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216334
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a flexible electric heater and a method of manufacturing such a heater.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
GB-A-1 569 588 (E.G.O. Elektro-Gerate Blanc u. Fischer) describes an electrical radiation heater for a glass ceramic plate in which anchoring tabs formed at the lower edge of a heating conductor strip pass entirely through an annular sheet and are bent over in a region below a notch formed in each tab in order to hold the heating conductor strip against the sheet. The annular sheet has the structure of a relatively strong cardboard material made from a high temperature-resistant insulating material. The material of the sheet is a fibrous insulating material which is combined with a ceramic binder to form an insulating board, such as that sold under the Registered trade Mark FIBERFRAX. The tabs are sufficiently strong to pierce the board-like material of the annular sheet and a rotary tool is then used to press down the lugs formed beyond the notches against the underside of the annular sheet.
The disadvantage of such a bound fibrous support is that it is brittle and lacks flexibility. Therefore the support tends to break if any attempt is made to flex the same.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric heater which is relatively flexible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a flexible electric heater comprising a heat resistant support of sheet or tape form having at least one electrical resistance heating element secured thereto, the at least one heating element comprising a ribbon of electrical resistance material provided with a plurality of integral tabs extending therefrom, the tabs having been pressed through the support, wherein the support is flexible and comprises a woven fabric material or a non-fibrous material.
The tabs of the ribbon may protrude from a rear surface of the support and may be deformed at that rear surface, such as by being bent, twisted or buckled.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a flexible electric heater comprising:
providing a heat resistant support of sheet or tape form;
providing at least one electrical resistance heating element comprising a ribbon of electrical resistance material provided with a plurality of integral tabs extending therefrom; and
urging the tabs of the ribbon through the support to secure the heating element to the support
wherein the support is flexible and comprises a woven fabric material or a non-fibrous material.
The tabs may be urged through the support from a front surface thereof such that they emerge from a rear surface of the support and are deformed at the rear surface, such as by bending, twisting or buckling.
During urging of the tabs of the ribbon through the support, plate means may be provided in contact with the rear surface of the support, the emerging tabs being deformed against the plate means.
The plate means may comprise a substantially firm or hard material, such as metal, plastics or rubber.
The ribbon may be provided with the plurality of tabs extending edgewise therefrom.
The tabs may be arranged such that the ribbon is secured edgewise to the support.
The ribbon may be provided of corrugated form.
The support may be of any suitable flexible heat resistant sheet or tape form material, of woven fabric material or non-fibrous material, capable of having the tabs of the heating element pressed therethrough and capable of withstanding the operating temperature conditions of the heater.
The support may comprise flexible non-fibrous mica or may comprise woven glass fabric or woven ceramic fabric.
The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 600057 (1898-03-01), Ball
patent: 3680207 (1972-08-01), Belmonte et al.
patent: 5369874 (1994-12-01), Mcwilliams
patent: 5477605 (1995-12-01), Mcwilliams et al.
patent: 9313218 (1993-10-01), None
patent: 540955 (1941-11-01), None
patent: 1569588 (1980-06-01), None
European Search Report.
Ceramaspeed Limited
Dorman Ira S.
Smith Sean
Young Lee
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