ZA200604153B - Heating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

‘ HEATING APPARATNUS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present Inveantion relates to a heating apparatus.

More particulariwy, the Invention relates to a heating apparatus utHlising liquid and/or gas fuel.

BACKGROUND “TO INVENTION

Various types of liquid and gas fuel heating stowes are known in Africe.

For example, ZA 1977/0491 discloses a petroleLum stove wherein inne r and outer flame sleeves of a burner sleeve are mounted to engage and disengage on an upper end of a wick guiding ssleeve for guiding a baurner wick.

ZA1996/9850 discloses a heating device In the form of a stove comprising a body defining a flow path extending vermture fashion betweer an adjustable air Inlet as provided by a swivellable ring displaying a plumrality of orifices whicFh are swivellable to a larg er or lesser extent into registration with crifices through the wall of the body.

ZA1988/8320 discloses a paraffin stove which includes a substantially closed housing wi thin which one or more reservoirs supporting burners are mounted, which Include burner adjustment | evers and the reserw/oirs

Include filler open ing which are closeable by means of filler caps.

ZA1994/3833 dis closes a cooking apparatus v=vhich includes a port able support adapted to support a cooking vessel, armd which s provided wi th a circular base plate supporting an electrically op-erable heating elemert in such a fashion th.at the heating element can ra diate heat upwardly from an upper side thereof into a first heating zone ass well as downwardly f.rom a lower side thereof Into a second heating zone.

WYO 2006/030376 RPCT/IB2005/052992 - ZA1988/3258 discloses a cookzing plate for a gas lamp which comprises a substantially flat support surface and a recess at the opposite side of the support surface for engagemert with the top end of a ga s lamp.

ZA2003/4198 discloses a combustion stove, typically fom use with a liquid or gas fuel such as paraffin. The stove includes a housirmg which defines a water tank, a palr of combust! on chambers located with in the water tank, and heating plates exposed to the combustion chambers _

ZA1998/9499 discloses a combustion apparatus which includes a substantially thick walled pEpe of combustible mat erial adapted to 100 operatively stand upright Inedependently so that al—-flow Is possible through the length of the innemr volume If the pipe, and rmeans t Ignite the operative lower Inner wall off the pipe so that comboustion thereof is

Initiated and continues by way of natural convection thro ugh the pipe.

ZA1998/5493 discloses a cookzing appliance comprising a concave burner 1s pan having a base and a p erlpheral side wall which together forma windshield and a gas burner di sposed within the concavity of the pan, and an engagement formation =dapted to mate with a corresponding engagement formation on a cooking surface, whereby such surface is releasably secured to the bumrner pan. A number of Inter-changeable cooking surfaces are disclosed which may be utllized In conjunction with the burner pan.

ZA1988/1637 discloses a coo king apparatus for cookl ng foodstuffs by steaming which includes a tubular body adapted to receiwe In its lower end region a lower perforated food support preferably a wire basket, and 2s having formation for supporting a vertically spaced upper foods perforated food support also preferable in “the form of a wire basket.

ZA1990/6526 discloses a compact cooker which Is easy to transport and adapted to burn low grade fue=l such as wood, wood chEps, waste paper, and relies on the efficient combustion of the fuel by tie provision of a

3 ) combustion chamber enclosed In an insulate=d shell in conjunction with aan

Inner liner hav ing holes and a lower cone formation designed to enhan ce air flow In to thee combustion chamber.

ZA2001/4826 «liscloses a cooking device fom use with a combustible gei- type fuel conta ined within a tin and that is combusted while so contained.

ZA1988/7310 discloses a paraffin-fired stov=e accessory in the form of a round tube open at its end. The lower edge of the tube makes a friction fit with the circumscribing wall of a conventional paraffin-fired stove and the upper edge supports the bottom of a round—bottomed cooking pot so thmat the bottom of the pot is sited over the burrer head of the stove and tie legs of the pot depend downwardly to the side of the burner head.

ZA1999/7565 discloses a gas cylinder stand which Includes a ring, whi=ch extends around the cylinder, means for clanmping the ring to the cylinder, and three legs which extend downwardly ancl outwardly from the ring amd which are relatBvely adjustable In length.

ZA1994/4088 discloses a kit for a portatosie gas appliance having an elongate stem of at least 150 mm In leng th for conveying gas from a disposable gass canister to a burner, a kit Includes an adaptor for connecting the disposable has canister to the stem, the adaptor beirg suitable dimenssioned to engage the elongate- stem so that the longitudirmal axes of the sterm and the canister are In line wwith one another.

ZA1980/4345 discloses a cooker havin g a combustion chamb er surrounded by a sleeve, and having an Inlet means consisting of a pip er passing through the sleeve and into the comioustion chamber.

ZA1983/6610 discloses a stove comprisineg one or more housing, a correspanding number of removable ventecd receptacles in the form of wire mesh baslcets which are adapted to rece=ive burning fuel. The baske ts are adapted for location in the housing above an alr vent formed therei n,

E2006 /041%3 v means being pmovided to supply additional aair under pressure into each housing and thea receptacle therein.

ZA1972/7770 d iscloses a liquid fuel combustl on device with an autoratic igniting device, comprising a combustion sle eve, a wick guide sleeve, a combustion wick and operating means, the operating means being so constructed tha=t one operation from the exter-ior of the combustion de=vice

Is adapted auto=matically to effect an operation for lifting the combusstion sleeve, for igni ting the combustion wick ex posed from the wick gwiide sleeve by the lifting operation, for locking the combustion sleeve afte r its ignition, and for releasing the lock.

ZA1981/3030 discloses a liquid fuel burner comprising a vaporizing chamber sealed except for a liquid fuel Inlet, @nd a fuel vapour outlet with combustion ope nings therein, the outlet being located sufficlently near the chamber to causse burning vapour in use to heat the chamber and vaporize fuel therein. -

ZA1971/5646 diuscloses a fuel container havirmg at least one concave -wall and having mea ns for Increasing the pressure -within the container.

ZA1973/8374 dr scloses a cooking device comprising a pan and a lid to fit on the pan so thmat a cooking space is defined between the pan and the lid, the pan having a side wall and a bottom and a tubular projection extending from &he bottom into the pan towards the lid and terminatinag in an aperture, ancd the Id having at least one verting aperture.

ZA1998/9854 di scloses a cooking device which comprises a hollow b-ody which defines arm enclosed compartment within which a cooking pot carm be 25s supported abovez a lamp. The hollow body is thermally insulated anc is disposed with wespect to the lam in a configuration in which h_eat generated by the2 lamp Is effectively trapped in the enclosed compartme=nt.

The heat so trampped can then serve to cool« foodstuffs contained ir a cooking port sup ported in the compartment.

’ ZA1997/2154 discloses a stove comprising a base and a fire box mounted in the base. The base comprises a tubular body and a pa ir of support plates or feet connected to t he lower end of the body so as to space the lower edge of the body fro th e ground. 5 Unfortunately, the known liquid fuel operated heating app-aratuses and stoves pose either a fire-darnger or are considered impractical as a result of their construction and wavy of design. This often results I n explosions, destructive fires and time wasting Impracticalities when transported, stored or operated at either campsites ad informal settlements or other indoor and outdoor environm ents where paraffin or other liqu id or gas fuel are used to operate the stoves or apparatus. None of the abeove inventive prior patent specifications solve this problem.

It is an object of the invention to suggest a heating ampparatus for overcoming the aforemention ed problems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the Invention, a heating apparatus includes a h ousing frame consisting of conduits for containing gas and/or liquid fuel and includes (a) supporting means for supporting an object to be heated; (b) burning means for heating the object supported on the supporting means; and (c) Inlet means for supplying the gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means.

Also according to the invention, a heating apparatus Includes (a) supporting means for supporting an object to be heated; =5 (b) burning means for heating the object suppor¥ed on the supporting means;

& ’ (c) Inlet means for supplying g as and/or liquid fuel to th e burning means; and (d) vaive means assoclated wlth the burning means, &nd being adapted to prevent the supsply of gas and/or liquid flLiel to the burning means If the supporting means is not subostantially harlzontal.

Yet further according to the invention _ a heating apparatus includes (a) supporting means for supporting an object to be heated ; (b) burning means for heatimg the object supported on the supporting means; (c) inlet means for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to thee burning means; and (d) valve means associated with the burning means, aand being adapted to prevent the sup ply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means If an object is not supported by the s upporting means.

Yet further according to the invention, a method of heating aan object includes the steps (a) of supporting an object to be heated on supporting m=eans; (b) of providing gas and/or liquid fuel in a houslmg frame consisting of conduits; (c) of supplying gas and/or licquid fuel to burning means by valve means; and (d) heating the object supported on the supporting means by means of the burning meams.

Yet further according to the invemtion, a method of heating an object inclumdes the steps (a) of supporting an object to be heated on supporti:mng means; (b} of supplying gas and/omr liquid fuel to burning means by valve means only If an object Is being supported on #®&he supporting means and which valwe means Is adapted te prevent the supply of gas and/or I Iquid fuel to the burning means If an object is not supported by the supporting means ; and (c) heating the object sugpported on the support@ing means by means of the burning nmeans.

Yet further according to the invemntion, a method of hea%®ing an object inclumdes the steps (a) of supporting an object to be heated on supportimng means; (b) of supplying gas and/omr liquid fuel to burning means by valve means only If the suppeorting means Is substant3ally horizontal and which valve means Is adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to ®he burning means if the supporting means Is not substantia lly horizontal; and (c) heating the object supported on the supporting means by means of the burning maeans.

The heating apparatus may be provided with further valve means. asso ciated with the burning mears, and being adapted t o prevent the suppely of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if ar object Is not suppeorted by the supporting meanss.

The apparatus may be intended fo-r domestic use, indoor aand/or outdoor use. :

’ The fuel may be paraffin.

The object to be heated may include at least one cocking pot, other cooking contalner or utensil and/or food.

The apparatus may be provided with a base supporting structure.

The apparatus may be foldable.

The apparatus may be transportable and/or portable.

The housing frame may be disposable

The supporting means may be moveable relative to the bumrning means.

The valve means may include a ball valve, flow valve armd/or a pressure valve.

The supporting means may be associated with a lever ada pted to open the valve means when the supporting means moves downwwardly due to .an object placed on it. :

The supporting means may be associated with a lever adapted to operate the pressure valve to allow the supply of gas and/or liqu id fuel when the supporting means moves downwardly due to an object pla ced on it.

The apparatus may be provide with movable means for moving the supporting means and the burning means relatively aaway from each other.

The valve means may be integrated Into the Inlet means and/or the housing frame.

The inlet means may be removably connected to a gas aand/or liquid fuel container. .

The inlet means may be integrated into a housing frame.

V0 2006/030376 PCT/IB2005/052992 : The housing frame may consist of conduits for contai ning liquid and/or gas fuel.

The condults may Inciudee 16mm class II piping.

The Inlet means may inaclude a master valve for manually preventing the = supply of gas and/or liqueid fuel to the burning means.

The apparatus may inclu de illumination means.

The illumination means mmay be connected to the co nduits of the housing frame.

The Illumination means ray be adapted to be fuelled by the supplying gas and/or liquid fuel of the eating apparatus.

The apparatus may | nclude accessories and/or a combination of accessories for heating, cooking, transporting, st-oring and operating purposes.

The accessories may be rmoveable relatively to the housing frame, 1= BRIEF DESCRIPTION (BF DRAWINGS

The Invention will now bee described by way of exam ple with reference to the accompanying schem atic drawings.

In the drawings there is sshown in:

Figure 1: a sectional s ide view of a heating apparatus in accordance with a first ermabodiment of the invention;

Figure 2: a sectional sicle view of the heating appar-atus shown in Figure - 1, but with supporting means not substartially horizontal and the valve means in a close position;

Figure 3: a sectional side view of a heating apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the Invention;

Figure 4: a sectional side vievw of the heating apparatus shown in Figure 3, but without supporting an object to be heate d;

Figure 5: a perspective view of a heating apparatus in acecordance with a third embodiment off the invention;

Figure 6: a top view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow VI in

Figure 5;

Figure 7: a side view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow VII In

Figure 5;

Figure 8: a side view of the heating apparatus as seen rom arrow VIII in Figure 5;

Figure 9: a perspective view of the piping of the heamting apparatus shown in Figure 5;

Figure 10: a top view of the piping as seen from arrow X Im Figure 9;

Figure 11: a side view of the piging as seen from arrow XI In Figure 9;

Figure 12: a side view of the piging as seen from arrow XIX In Figure 9;

Figure 13: a perspective view of the heating apparatus shoswn in Figure 5, but in a folded-away~ position;

Figure 14: a top view of the heating apparatus as seen fro m arrow XIV in

Figure 13;

Figure 15: a side view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow XV in

Figure 13;

Figure 16: a siade view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow XVI in Figure 13;

Figure 17: a pearspective view of a heating apparatus In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 18: a to-p view of the heating apparatus a s seen from arrow XVIII in Flgure 17;

Figure 19: a slade view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow XIX in Fligure 17;

Figure 20: a sicle view of the heating apparatus as seen from arrow XX In

Figumre 17;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring to Figmure 1 and Figure 2 of the drawingss, a heating apparatus in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral : 10, is shown.

The heating appmaratus 10 includes (a) a houssing frame 12 consisting of conduits for containing gas and/or liquid fuel, (b) supporting means 14 for supporting an oloject 16 to be heated; (c) burning means 18 for heating the object 16 supported on the supporiking means 14; . (d) Inlet m-eans 20 for supplying gas and/or Iiquid fuel to the burning means 18; and (e) valve means 22 associated with the inlet means 20, and which is adaptecd to close off the inlet means 20 &f the supporting means 14 Is not substantially horizontal.

’ Either the inlet means 20 or the housing frame 12 are removably

Connected to a gas and/or liqu id fuel container (not showm). The fuel is mainly paraffin.

T he object 16 to be heated can be a cooking pot, other cooking container or utensil and/or food.

T he heating apparatus 10 Is also transportable, portable and disposable.

T he valve means may be integrated into the inlet means.

T he conduits of the housing frarme include 16mm class II pip ing.

T he inlet means 22 Is Integrated into the housing frame 12.

The inlet means 22 includes a master valve (not shown) for manually closing off fuel flow to the burnirg means 18.

T he heating apparatus 10 generally intended for domestic use and alms to reduce the danger of fires, in that the inlet means 20 are closed-off by means of the valve means 22 should the heating apparatus 10 is tilted a nd whereby the object 16 can fall as It Is not located on & substantially h orizontal supporting means 14.

T hus the heating apparatus 10 provides means for heating &n object with the following steps (a) of supporting the object 16 to be heated on the supporting means 14; (b) of opening the inlet means 20 for supplying the gass or liquid fuel to the burning meanss 18 by valve means 22 only if the supporting means 14 iss substantially horizontal anc which valve means 22 is adapted to close off the inlet means 20 if the supporting means 14 is not substantially horizontal; and

’ (c) of he=ating the object 16 supporteed on the supporting means 14 by maeans of the burming means 18 .

In addition, tie heating apparatus 10 has aa lower centre of gravity due to the constructzion of the housing frame 1.2 consisting of condmuits and containing tle gas and/or liquid fuel. Whe heating apparatu s 10 is therefore mor—e stable and Increases the safety factor thereof.

Referring to Flgure 3 and Figure 4 of the drawings, a heating app=aratus in accordance wwith the invention, generally irdicated by reference numeral 30, is shown.

The heating a-pparatus 30 includes (a) a housing frame 32 consisting osf conduits for contairing gas and/ or liquid fuel, (b) supp orting means 34 for supporting an object 16 to be heaated; (c) burning means 38 for heating thee object 36 supported on the supp orting means 34; (d) Inlet means 40 for supplying gas a nd/or liquid fuel to the burning mears 38; and (e) valve means 42 associated with th e inlet means 40, and which is adap-ted to close off the inlet means 40 if an object is not supp orting by the supporting mean s 34.

Either the imalet means 40 or the housi ng frame 32 are re movably connected to a gas and/or liquid fuel container (not shown). Th-e fuel is mainly paraffl n.

The object 36- to be heated can be a cooking pot, other cooking c ontainer or utensil and_/or food.

The heating apparatus 30 is also transportable.

The supporting means 34 Is moveable relative to the burning means 38 by means of movable me=ans (not shown) for moving the supporting means 34 and the burning me=ans 38 relatively away from e&ch other.

The valve means may be integrated Into the inlet me ans.

The conduits of the howusing frame include 16mm classs II piping.

The inlet means 42 is | ntegrated into the housing frarme 32.

The inlet means 42 imcludes a master valve (not shown) for manually closing off fuel flow to the burning means 38. :

The heating apparatus 30 generally Intended for domestic use and aims to reduce the danger of fires, in that the inlet means 40 are closed-off by means of the valve means 42 should the heating aspparatus 30 fall over whereby the object 336 is not supported by the supporting means 34 anymore. 1s Thus the heating appamratus 30 provides means for Meating an object with the following steps (a) of supportingg the object 36 to be heate d on the supporting means 34; " (b) of opening the inlet means 40 for supplying the gas or liquid fuel to the burning means 38 by valve means 42 only if the object 36 is being supp-orted on the supporting mean s 34 and which valve means 42 is adapted to close off the inlet means 40 if the object 36 is not supported by the supporting meanss 34; and (c) of heating the object 36 supported on the supporting means 34 by means of the burning means 38.

In addition, the heating apparatus 30 has & lower centre of gravity duee to the construmction of the housing frame 332 consisting of conduits and containing the gas and/or liquid fuel. ~The heating apparatus 30 Is therefore m ore stable and increases the safety factor thereof.

Referring to Figures 5 to 16 of the drawings, a heating apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, generally Indicted by reference= numeral 50, is shown.

The heating apparatus 50 includes (a) a hhousing frame 52 consisting of conduits for containing gas an«d/or liquid fuel, (b) supoporting means 54 for supportireg an object 56 to be heateds; (c) bumning means 58 for heating time object 56 supported on the supporting means 54; and’ (d) Inlet means 60 for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the bureing means 58.

The fuel is rmainly gas/liquid fuel such as paraffin.

The object 56 to be heated Is a cooking par.

The heatin g apparatus 50 Is foldable to be compact to facili tate transporting the heating apparatus 50 (c.f. Figures 13 to 16).

The conduit:s of the housing frame include 6&0 to 120 mm tubing/piping .

The inlet means 60 includes a master valve (not shown) for mantually closing off f uel flow to the burning means 5 8.

The heatincw apparatus 50 generally intendead for domestic use and airs to reduce the danger of fires, in that the heating apparatus 50 has a lower centre of «gravity due to the construction of the housing frame 52 consisting of piping and containing the gas and/or liquid fuel. The heating apparatus 50 Is therefore rwnore stable and increases the safety factor thereof, while the shape of the housing frame enables warious practical modular accessories to be connected therewith and facilitating transporting, storing and ope rating of the heating apparatuas 50.

Referring to Figures 17 to 20 of the drawings, a heatirg apparatus In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, gererally Indicated by reference numeral 70, is sshown.

The heating apparatus 70 includes (a) a housing frame 7 2 consisting of conduits for containing gas and/or liquid fuel, (b) supporting means 7 4 for supporting an object (n ot shown) to be heated; : (c) burning means 76 for heating the object supported on the supporting means 7-4; (d) Inlet means 78 for supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means 76; and (e) illumination means 380

The fuel is mainly paraffin.

The heating apparatus 70 is foldable to be compact to facilitate transporting the heating app aratus 70.

The conduits of the housing Frame 72 include 32mm class II piping.

The Inlet means 78 include=s a master valve (not shown) for manually closing off fuel flow to the buaming means 76.

) The heating a pparatus 70 generally intendecH for either camping a nd domestic use and alms to ensure stability, saafety and practicality a nd reduce the damger of fires, In that the heating apparatus 70 has a lower centre of grawity due to the construction of the housing frame 72 consisting of piping and containing the gas and/or liquid fuel, which together with the Inherent space frame de sign allows for a single accessory or @ combination of accessories (“which could also inclu de extensions) to be store, transported and operated as a practical modu lar concept.

The heating apparatus 70 is therefore rmore stable and practica I.

LEST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 heating apparatus 12 housing frame 14 supporting means 16 object to be heated 18 burning means 20 inlet means 22 valve means 30 heating apparatus 32 housing frame : 34 supporting means 36 object to be heated 38 burning means 40 inlet means - 42 valve means : 50 heating apparatus 52 housing frame 54 supporting means 56 object to be heated 58 burning means 60 inlet means 25s 70 heating apparatus 72 housing frame 74 supporting means 76 burning means 78 inlet means 80 illumination means

Claims (26)

Am ended pages as filed on 13" Junem 2006 \r . JohrL. Spicer nN} p Patent AtComey ] 20 . PATENT CLAIMS

1. A heating apparatus, which includes (a) a housing frame serving as a fuel reserve and consisting of conduits for containing the complete gas and/or liquid fu el supply for the heating apparatus, said Rousing frame beimg adapted to act as a base supporting struecture for the heatirmg apparatus and providing the heating apparatus with a low centre of gravity; (b) supporting means connected to the housing frame for supporting an object to be heated: (c) burning means for heating the object supported on thee supporting mears; and (d) inlet means con nected to the conduits of the housing frame and for supplying the gas and/or liquid fueal from the conduits 1s of the housing frame to the burning means .

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which includes valve means ay associated with the burning means, and being adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the bu rning means if the supporting means is not substantially horizontal.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which includes valves means associated witha the burning means, and being adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to thee burning means if an object is not supported by the supporting mears.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is intended for domestic u se, indoor and/or outdoor use.

Amended pages as filed on 13" June 2006 Patent Attorney A 21

5. An appa ratus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which ; the fuel is paraffin. .

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the object to be heated includes at [east one cooking pot, any type of cookin g container or utensil and/or food.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a base supporting structure. oy

8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, im which : the housing frame and/or accessories are foldable relative to each other.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any one o=f the preceding claims, wshich is transportable, portable and/or disposable.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any on e of the preceding claims, in which the supporting means is moweable relative to the b urning means.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding clairms, in CO) which the valve means includes a ball valve, flow valve and/or a pressure valve.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the Supporting means is associated with a lever adapted to open the valve means when the Supporting means moves downwardly" due to an object placed on it. :

13. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claim Ss, in which the sapporting means is associated with a lever adapted to operate the pressure valve to allow the supply of gas and/or l¥quid fuel when the supporting means moves downwardly due to an object placed on it.

Amended pages as filed on 13" June 2006 Patemant Attomey k 22

14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which E includes movable means for moving the saupporting means arad the burning means relatively away from each other.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any one of tthe preceding claims, in which the valve means is integrated into th e inlet means and/omsr the housing frame. -

16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of t he preceding claimss, in which the inlet means is integrated into the Rousing frame.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the conduits include 16mm class II pip ing.

18. An apparatus as claimed in any one of thae preceding claimss, in which the inlet means includes a master valve for manuwmally preventing the supply of gas and/or liquid fue I to the burning means.

19. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the pereceding claims, which includes at least ore cooking, heating and/or Ellumination means.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, in whic h the cooking, heat ing 3) and/or illuminatiom means is connected to the conduits of Ehe housing frame.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, in which t he cooking, heating arwd/or illumination means is adapted to be fuelleed by the supplying gas and/or liquid fuel of the heating apparatus.

22. A method of heating an object, which includes the steps (a) of Supporting an object to be heated On supporting mearg connected to tke housing frame; (b) of providing gas and/or liquid fuel in a housing frame servin g as a fuel reserve and consisting of cormduits, said housing

Amended pages as filed on 13" June 2006 Patent Attorney k 23 ) frame being adapted to act as a base supporting structure for the heating apparatus and providing the heating apparatus : with a low centre of gravity; (©) of supplying gas and/or liquid fuel from the conduits of the Ss housing frame to burning means by valve me=ans connected to the conduits of the housing frame; and (d) heating the object supported on the supporting means by means of the burning means. :

23. A method as claimed an claim 22, which includes the steps of supplying gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means by the valve means only if the supporrting means is Substantially horizontal and which valve means is adapted to prevent the suppl y of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burnireg means if the Supporting means is not substantially horizontal.

24. A method as claimed in claim 22, which includes the steps of supplying gas and/or liqu id fuel to the burning mears by the valve means only if an object is being supported on the supporting means and which valve means is adapted to prevent the supply of gas and/or liquid fuel to the burning means if an object iss not supported by the supporting means.

25. A heating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the drawings.

26. A method of heating am object Substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the drawings.