IE20100451A1 - A gas fire - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a portable gas fire having a fuel bed, reflective screen and burner provided within a housing. The fuel bed is provided to the front of a reflective screen such that operably reflections of the fuel bed can be seen by a user of the fire located to the front of the fire. The fire comprises a platform located at a fixed position within the housing relative to the reflective screen and burner. The platform defines a seat for the fuel bed and is configured to receive and locate the fuel bed as required within the housing and relative to the reflective screen and burner. <Figure 1>

Description

The present invention relates to gas fires and in particular to portable gas fi res for use in a domestic environment to simulate the effect of a real-coal or wood burning fire.

Background Gas fires are well known for use in a domestic environment. They can be broadly classified into two general types. The first type is a permanent installation where the fire housing of the gas fire is installed permanently at a fixed location within the domestic dwelling. These types of permanent arrangements are typically used to replace the classic hearth arrangement and are often fuelled directly from a mains gas supply.

The second arrangement is a portable fire which can be transported by the user around the domestic dwelling to provide space heating in desired locations. These are typically standalone and are provided with a dedicated bottle gas supply that is typically located within an interior portion of the housing.

Traditionally these portable gas fires would have provided a mesh or other burning arrangement to allow for the generation of a flame that would be used in a heating of the local environment wherein the fire was located.

Various fuel bed arrangements have been provided in the permanent type fire. A permanent type fire typically has a flue and piped gas supply and the burning of the flame on the fuel bed will generally provide a full flame effect, which may for example, be configured the fire may be arranged to provide tall flames and/or yellow flames. A permanent fire may in addition to a gas supply connection have an electrical connection, for example, to power a light source to provide further lighting effects. Thus in the art, a variety of lighting and flame effects have been provided in the context of permanent type fires. However, such fuel beds or flame effects would simply not work in the context of a portable gas fire. issues that arise with the provision of a portable fire include provision of a housing to accommodate both a bottle gas cylinder and a burner in close proximity. The housing should be as compact as possible and in contrast to a permanent type heater is an end user device which is normally set up by the end user and handled by the end user. A portable gas fire must also necessarily be relatively lightweight, mobile and easy to handle. A portable gas fire must also meet the requirements of being robust — the heater is movable possibly across rough terrain or up and down steps. To meet operation and safety requirements it is clear that in comparison with the permanent type heaters, a portable heater must be to be strong and robust, compact and mobile.

Accordingly, as noted above in the prior art mobile or portable fires have typically included a mesh burner arrangement, which is a relatively simple arrangement in which the mesh is fixed at manufacture.

With changes in taste and desires by the public to have a real fire effect, there have been developments in providing a fuel bed through which flames are generated. This fuel bed does not burn itself but rather gives the impression to the user of the fire that they are watching the burning of an actual fire.

There is accordingly a need for an improved fuel bed arrangement which can be used provide an improved real fire effect in the context of a portable gas heater.

To improve the effect of the fire, it is known to locate a fuel bed in front of a reflective screen whereby a reflection of the fuel bed and the flames generated therein can be used to improve the overall aesthetic effect of the fire— typically by providing a pseudo three dimensional affect. Problems associated with these existing arrangements however are related to a tarnishing of the reflective surface of the screen through its exposure to the flames burning in front of the screen. With the passage of time this can result in a dulling of the surface with the resultant affect that the screen appears blackened and dirty. This is not appreciated by the users of the fire who wish the effect of the fire to be as good after extended use as it was on the day of first use.

There are therefore a number of problems with such arrangements.

Summary These and other problems are addressed by gas fire of the present specification and as defined in the claims.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a portable gas fire comprising a fuel bed, reflective screen and burner provided within a housing of the fire, the fuel bed being provided to the front of a reflective screen such that operably refiections of the fuel bed can be seen by a user of the fire located to the front of the fire, wherein the fire comprises a platform located at a fixed position within the housing relative to the reflective screen and burner and wherein the platform defines a seat for the fuel bed and is configured to receive and locate the fuel bed as required within the housing and relative to the reflective screen and burner.

In one embodiment, the fuel bed is removably receivable on the platform.

In another embodiment, the fire comprises a gas bottle storage portion within the housing and the burner is connected to the gas both supply. Desirably, the fuel bed being located above and spaced at a separation from the burner.

Preferably the platform is configured to provide the required separation between the fuel bed and burner and the screen. Preferably the platform defines an air channel between the fuel bed and the screen. According to the specification, alternative fuel beds may be provided for use as required by the user. in one embodiment, the fuel bed comprises fuel effect pieces through which flames from the burner may be generated. Alternatively, the fuel bed may comprise a gel burner chamber which is operable to generate a flame effect without operation of the burner.

Preferably, the platform comprises front and rear platform portions. The platform may comprise an opening between the front and rear platform portions.

Preferably, he burner is located substantially centrally between the front and rear platform portions in the opening provided. Desirably, the platform and fuel bed are dimensioned for correspondence such that the fuel bed is receivable on the platform.

In one embodiment, the platform is configured to support the fuel bed at a predefined fixed vertical separation from the burner. Preferably, the fuel bed and the platform each comprises one or more corresponding connectors which operably co-operate to locate the fuel bed in place on the platform. Preferably, the corresponding connectors interengage when the fuel bed is received on the platform to prevent lateral movement of the fuel bed relative to the platform.

Desirabiy the front and rear platform portions are dimensioned and located to receive the fuel bed therebetween and configured to prevent any transverse movement of the fuel bed relative to the platform. Preferably, the front and rear platform portions each comprise a support portion for supporting the fuel bed from beiow and upstanding stop portions for preventing transverse movement of the fuel bed.

Advantageously, the gas fire of the specification is configured to enable an end user to remove and/or replace the fuel bed as required. The platform is configured to provide correct tocation of the fuel bed relative to the other components of the fire.

In one embodiment, the air channel is configured to allow air currents to pass between the screen and the fuel bed thereby minimising any oxidation or tarnishing of the surface of the screen resultant from the operation of the gas fire. Preferably, the fuel bed is provided on a platform located in a lower portion of the fire housing, the platform being spaced fonivardly of the screen by a distance of about 10mm. Preferably the fire comprises an air vent located below the fuel bed, the air vent being in fluid communication with the air channel such that air can enter into the housing and pass upwardly within the housing through the air channel. In one embodiment, the platform and housing together define an air passage within the interior of the housing below the fuel bed and between the air vent and air channel. Preferably, the air vent is located to provide a flow of air to the top of the burner. Preferabiy, the burner is located substantially centrally between the air vent and the air channel. Desirably, the burner operably provides an active movement of air within the air passage to the air channel. Preferably, the air vent is located to the front of the fire housing.

According to a second aspect, the specification provides portable gas fire comprising a removable fuel bed. Advantageously, there is provided a gas fire in which the end user may remove and replace the fuel bed as required, for example, the fuel bed may be selected in accordance with season and whether the user requires a heating and lighting effect output or a light effect output only.

Advantageousiy such an arrangement provides that the user may have the benefit of using the device year round and not only in the winter months.

These and other features of the invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings which follow, which are provided to assist in an understanding of the teaching of the invention but not to be construed as limiting in any fashion.

Brief Description Of The Drawings The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1A and 1B are side view through a fire box portion of a portable gas fire in accordance with the present specification; in Fig. 1A the fuel bed has been omitted for clarity in illustrating the components and in Fig. 1B an exemplary fuel bed is shown; Figure 2 is a front view of the fire of Figure 1B; Fig. 3 is a top view of the fire box portion of the gas fire of Fig. 1A showing the platform components from above; Fig. 4 is a drawing showing a view of portion of a fire and fuel bed according to an embodiment of the present specification, in particular showing the interconnection of the fuel bed with the platform ; and Fig. 5 is a drawing of a gel burner according to an embodiment of the present specification.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a fire box portion of a gas fire 100 in accordance with the present teaching. The fire 100 comprises a tire housing 105 within which a gas bottle supply may be housed. it will be understood that in accordance with conventional art the gas supply bottle is typically housed behind the fire box portion 110, and as the location of the gas bottle is not relevant to the present teaching, the details of this are omitted from the discussion herein. lEi0045‘l The fire box portion 110 has a rear surface 120 separated from a front surface 125 by an interior volume 130. Located in a lower region 126 of the fire is a fuel bed 135 through which flames may be generated. The fuel bed is provided to the front of a reflective screen 136 which operably provides reflections of the fuel bed that can be seen by a user of the fire located to the front of the fire. The screen 136 is desirably provided in a vertical orientation such that it extends upwardly within the fire.

The gas fire 100 is a portable or mobile fire. it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the fire box portion 110 and the interior volume 130 thereof are necessarily constrained to provide a fire 100 that is as compact as possible.

The substantially vertical orientation of the screen 136 presents an arrangement that is economical from the point of view of space requirements.

The gas fire 100 comprises a burner means 400 located in the lower portion of the fire box 110. The burner 400 is connected to a gas bottle supply which is located within the fire housing 105 generaily to the rear of the fire box portion 110. The burner means 400 is located below the fuel bed 135. The burner means 400 is preferably located below the fuel bed with a space provided between the lower most part of the fuel bed and the burner 400.

Further it is noted that preferably the burner means 400 comprises an elongate form that extends in the direction across the width of the fire box from one side wall 121 to the other 122 or the width of the fuel bed from one side end to the other, and that it is located centrally between the front and back surfaces of the fire box or the front and back of the fuei bed. The burner means may incorporate a mesh defining a footprint substantially similar, albeit smalier, than the footprint defined by the fuel bed. If such a mesh is provided, the mesh will typically generate a distributed flame below and substantially across an area defined by the entire lower surface of the fuel bed.

The gas fire 100 is further a flueless device. The standards for operation of a burner means 400 and for control of burning and control of CO and CO2 levels within a flueless device are very strict, for example in comparison with a fire of the permanent type having a flue which has been described above in the background to the invention, The burner means 400 is configured in accordance with the applicable standards for portable or mobile gas fires. The burner means 400 is configured such that combustion of the fuel at the burner 400 is as complete as possible which results in operation in an output flame that is almost entirely blue, the flame is controlled and limited amounts of carbon monoxide and other undesirable gases are generated. The fuel bed 135 and reflective screen 136 are provided and configured to interact and cooperate with the burner 400 the output flame, and the fuel bed to provide an improved real fire effect.

The arrangement of the present fire 100, in particular of the burner 400 and fuel bed 135 and reflective screen 136, is in contrast to prior art arrangements of fires of a permanent type having a flue. In such prior art fires the fuel bed and burner may be arranged to provide directly a ‘‘real flame or fire effect" without the need for enhancement.

As noted above in the case of the exemplary fire 100 of the present specification, the screen 136 is substantially vertically oriented within the fire box portion 110. The fuel bed 135 is orientated substantially at right angles to the screen 136. This arrangement provides that the reflections of the fuel bed 135 and output flames are maximised to provide an enhanced flame as required.

The fuel bed 135 is mounted so as to be spaced apart from the screen 136 so as to define an air channel 140 between the fuel bed and the screen 136. In this way no one piece or component of the fuel bed abuts against the screen . By providing an air channel 140 between the screen 136 and the fuel bed 135 air currents can pass between the screen and the fuel bed minimising any oxidation or tarnishing of the surface of the screen 136 resultant from the operation of the gas fire. Maintenance of the screen quality provides for continued operation of the device with enhanced fire effects and flame effects over an extended period of type. In the event that the reflectivity of the screen diminished through use of the fire, as would result through a tarnishing of the surface, the overall effect of the fire would suffer. By providing such an air channel the possibility of occurrence of such problems is reduced.

Further by providing an air channel 140 between the fuel bed 135 and the screen 136 and the rear surface 120 of the fire, the heat transfer between the fire box 110 and the gas bottle storage to the rear of the fire box portion 110 is controlied and minimised.

As shown in Figure 1, the fuel bed 135 is desirably provided on a platform 150 located in the lower portion 126 of the tire housing. The platform 150 is spaced fon/vardly of the screen 136 by a distance of about 10mm, although it will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the present teaching to one set of particular dimensions.

The housing 100 comprises an air vent 170 located below the fuel bed 135. Preferably the location of fuel bed 135 relative to the air vent 170 is also fixed as required by the configuration of the platform 150.

The air vent 170 is typically located to the front of the fire housing and in this exemplary arrangement of Figure 1 is to the bottom of the front portion of the fire. The relative locations of the platform, air vent and burner are all carefuliy controlled in the arrangement of the present specification to ensure that the burner is located spaced apart from and below the platform and to .0 E1554-51 ensure that the air vents are located to provide air flow directed to the top of the burner.

Referring to the drawings an air passage 145 is shown which provides for an air fiow from the inlet provided at air vents 170 and in proximity to the burner 400. The air passage 145 is provided within the housing and defined by the housing of the fire box and the platform 150 and fuel bed 135 supported on the platform to the air gap 140. The air vent 170 is in fluid communication with an air passage 145 provided below the fuel bed and the air channel 140 to the rear of the fuel bed such that air can enter into the housing and pass upwardly within the housing through the air channel. The burner is located in the air passage substantially between the air vent and the air channel. The burner operably provides an active movement of air within the air passage to the air channel The air gap 140 is configured to allow a flow of air from the air passage 145 between the screen 136 and the fuel bed 135. The air gap 140 also acts to prevent heat transfer between the fuel bed 135 of the fire box portion 110 of the gas fire 100 and the gas bottle storage housing to the rear of fire box portion.

It has already been noted that space is at a premium within the context of a mobile or portable fire. The platform 150 is configured to provide control of relative positions of components within the fire and control of spacing and separation between the various components of the fire.

The platform 150 comprises two main platfon'n portions, namely a rear support platform 151 and front support platfomrs 155 and 156.

The rear support platform 151 comprises a continuous L-shaped flange defining a ledge 152 for receiving and supporting the fuel bed 135 thereon and an upstanding or vertical wall or stop 153 for locating the fuel bed in position. In particular the wall 153 locates the fuel bed spaced apart from the screen and IEMM51 acts to prevent transverse movement of the fuel bed relative to the rear of the heater. The ledge 152 defines a substantially planar support and desirably extends across the width of the fire. In this way, the rear support platform 151 extends longitudinally from a first side wall 111 to the second side wall 112 of the fuel box portion 110. The rear support platform 151 is connected to the fire box housing 110 by connection means 154. In one configuration it is secured to each of the two side walls using a spot weld or other permanent fixing. A further fixing may be provided to the rear wall at one or more locations to increase the structural integrity of the ledge across the width of the fire and prevent any bowing of the ledge on receipt of the fuel bed thereon. However in many applications such attachment to the rear wall of the fire housing will be unnecessary. In each of the embodiments, an air gap 140 is defined between platform 150 and the screen 136 located to the rear of the fire box. If there is no connection to the rear wall, this may be a continuous gap across the width of the fire. if one or more couplings are provided between the platform and the screen, then the gap may not be continuous. The air gap 140 is effectively defined by the spacing between the rear support platform 151 and the housing.

The front support platforms 155 and 156 are attached in proximity to the front 125 of the housing. As shown in the arrangement of Fig. 1 a space is provided between the front of the support platforms 155 and 156 and the front surface 125. The front support platforms of the exemplary arrangement of Fig. 1 are provided located on/connected to air vents 170. The front support platforms 155 and 156 are spaced apart relative to each other and to the side walls of the housing. The front support platforms have the form of L—shaped brackets with a support ledge 161 and upstanding wall 162. The support platforms 151, 155 and 156 are all located at the same vertical position relative to the floor of the fire box portion 110 and relative to the burner 400.

The provision of the air gap defined directly by the piatform arrangement 150 and the connection of the platform to the housing is advantageous, in lElG%5i5"l ensuring that the requirements for spacing and location may be met consistently and with ease by the installation and correct positioning of the platform.

The platform 150 further directly supports the fuel bed 135 spaced apart from the screen. The configuration of the platform further controls the orientation ofsthe fuel bed in the fire.

The platform 150 has been configured to define an opening 158 between the front support platforms portions 155, 156 and the rear platform portion151.

The burner means 400 will normally be located substantially centrally relative to the opening 158. The provision of the separate platform portions defining an opening 158 advantageously provides that the platform does not impinge on the burner 400 or on the flame of the burner providing space for combustion at the burner 400.

The platform 150 effectively provides a seat for the fuel bed and the co- operation of the fuel bed with the platform is such that the front and rear piatform portions prevent movement of the fuel bed relative to the platform by virtue of their spacing and relative location and the corresponding dimensions of the fuel bed. In particular the platform prevents transverse or vertical movement of the fuel bed relative to the platform. The connectors on the platform and fuel bed are configured to co-operate to prevent lateral movement of the fuel bed relative to the platform.

The platform 150 is configured to receive the fuel bed 135. The fuel bed may comprise a plurality of fuel elements 137 such as coal or log effect pieces which are stacked relative to one another to define the fuel bed 135. The fuel bed 135 may comprise fuel elements 137 provided located on a fuel bed support 138. The fuel bed support 138 is configured for interconnection and/or for a friction fit with the platform 150.

IE79fi451 The fuel bed 135 or fuel bed support 138 is dimensioned to fit directly and tightly onto the platform 150 defined by the rear ledge 151 and front support platform portions 155 and 156. The front support platform portions 155 and 156 may comprise connection means 157 configured to correspond with connection means 139 for example slots provided on the fuel bed support 138. The front support brackets 155, 156 may be tensioned to engage with connection stots on the fuel bed.

The fuel bed is correctly located relative to the platform and burner by interconnection of corresponding connection means. The same interconnection also looks the fuel bed in place. The fuel bed 135 or fuel bed support 137 is configured to be removable and replaceable. The fuel bed 135 is removable from the fire by opening the connection means.

The platform 150 and platform portions 151, 155 and 156 are fixed at manufacture as is the burner means 400, and the screen 136 within the housing. The platform 150 defines a support and Iocator for the fuel bed 135 and is configured to define the relative locations of the fuel bed from the screen 136 and front surface 125 and from the burner 400 both vertically within the housing and between the front and back of the housing. The platform is thus configured to ensure that the fuel bed is located both correctly and securely in the fire.

It is noted that in the case of the fire of the present specification, the fuel bed 135 is not connected or fixed directly to the housing or permanently fixed to the housing. Instead in the fire 100 the fuel bed is receivable on the platform 150, and it is the platform which is fixed directly to the housing. The fuel bed is thus removable and the fire is configured such that the tasks of removing or inserting a fuei bed can be carried out by an end user. The platform 150 being configured to control location of components in the fire, and the fuel bed and platform being configured for interconnection. lE‘l0945‘l The provision of the platform 150 is advantageous for a number of reasons. Firstly, as noted above the platform 150 defines the relative location of the fuel bed to the other components of the housing. Secondly, in the fire box portion, which as noted space is at a premium, the process of manufacturing the fire 100 is greatly simplified in that it is only necessary to connect the platform components to the housing rather that to connect the fuel bed directly to the housing. Thirdly, the platform 150 is further configured to enable the fuel bed 135 to be removed as required. For example, the fuel bed 135 may be removed to enable access for maintenance of the burner 400. The fuel bed 135 may be removed to enable replacement, as desired by the user.

Two exemplary fuel beds 135 have been described above. Referring to Fig. 5, the arrangement of the present specification further provides that the fuei bed 135 comprises a gel burner chamber 600.

The gel burner chamber 600 comprises a container 601 having a cover portion 602 and an opening 603. A gel 604 is provided in the container. The container 601 is dimensioned and configured for location on and interconnection with the platform 150. In particular the container 601 may comprise connection means 607 for example slots corresponding to connection means 139 for example, brackets, provided on the front platform portions 155 and 156 to enable an interconnection of the gel burner 600 to the platform.

Secure connection and locking of the container 601 in place is achieved for example using a snap fit. A quenching device 700 shaped for conformity with the gel burner container may also be provided. it will be appreciated that the provision of a gas fire having a support platform 150 configured to receive a fuel bed 135 or a gel burner 600 as required, is advantageous for a number of reasons. First of all it is noted that a user normally only uses a gas fire in cold weather. The fire is not normally ‘H9945: used in the warmer summer months and indeed may need to be stored.

However, the present fire 100 comprises an enhanced flame effect, which may be appreciated by the user as providing an improved real flame effect and lighting effect in the space in which the fire is located. The provision of an alternative gel burner chamber and the configuration of the fire and in particular the platform to support a removable fuel bed and in particular to support different fuel bed for example gel burner or the fuel bed 135 as described above provides a fire that may be used in two alternative modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the fuel bed 135 is located on the platform 150 in the fire box 110 and the fire operated to provide both heating and lighting effect outputs. In a second mode of operation, the fuel bed 135 is removed from the fire box 100 and the gel burner chamber 600 is located on the platform 150.

The gel burner chamber is located on the platform in front of the refiective screen as described above. The gel burner chamber is operable to provide a lighting effect or lighting output without operation of the burner means 400.

The provision of a gas fire with an enhanced light effect in accordance with the present specification in which a platform is provided to interchangeably receive a fuel bed or gel burner advantageously allows a user to convert the gas fire from a heating device usable when heating is required to a fire that may be used in all seasons to provide lighting only.

The fire 100 is further an end user device. In comparison with prior art fires for example of the permanent type, which are installed into a permanent location by a registered installation expert, it is intended that an end user with little or no experience of gas fires will themselves operate the fire 100 of the present specification. As discussed above, the device 100 is also a mobile device and thus the end user is also likely to move and transport the device.

The fire has been configured to provide a platform to support a fuel bed at predefined locations relative to the other fire components. The locations of the IE1ee451 components are predefined to ensure safe operation of the fire by the end user.

The platform is configured such that the fuel bed may be received and located correctly and such that the fuel bed is removable. The provision of the platform allows the end user themselves to remove and replace the fuel bed as desired. it will be appreciated that what has been described herein is an exemplary arrangement of a gas fire which is specifically configured provide a gas fire that is portable and mobile and may be deployed in all seasons, as required by the end user device. The device is advantageously an end user device which may be adjusted by the end user as provided. The careful configuration of the platform of the fire and the corresponding fuel bed or gel chamber ensures that the end user may adjust the fire without comprising safety. The platform is configured to locate the various elements of the fire with precision as required, -The fire 100 is configured to provide an enhanced fire effect within the context of a mobile or portable fire. There is provided a fuel bed in proximity to a reflective screen. The reflective screen is configured to interact with the fuel bed and in particular on the flame output to provide an enhanced fire effect. The fire 100 is advantageously portable and a compact device the spacing of components is very carefully controlled and carefully fixed.

The screen is arranged spaced apart from the fuel bed by the platform to minimise any tarnishing or oxidation of a reflective screen within the fire. By spacing the lighting portion of the fire away from a reflective screen an air gap is defined that surface to generate an air stream or curtain between the screen and the flames that are generated during operation of the fire. The tire box portion is arranged to minimise heat transfer to the gas bottle storage area.

The words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers , steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims (27)

Claims

1. . A portable gas fire comprising a fuel bed, refiective screen and burner provided within a housing of the fire, the fuel bed being provided to the front of a refiective screen such that operably reflections of the fuel bed can be seen by a user of the fire located to the front of the fire, wherein the fire comprises a platform located at a fixed position within the housing relative to the refiective screen and burner and wherein the platform defines a seat for the fuel bed and is configured to receive and locate the fuel bed as required within the housing and relative to the reflective screen and burner.

2. A fire as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fuel bed is removably receivable on the platform.

3. A fire as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the fire comprises a gas bottle storage portion within the housing and the burner is connected to the gas both supply.

4. A fire as claimed in any preceding claim the fuel bed being located above and spaced at a separation from the burner.

5. A fire as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the platform is configured to provide the required separation between the fuel bed and burner and the screen.

6. A fire as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the platform defines an air channel between the fuel bed and the screen.

7. Afire as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fuel bed comprises fuel effect pieces through which flames from the burner may be generated.

8. A fire as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fuel bed comprises a gel burner chamber which is operable to generate a flame effect without operation of the burner.

9. A fire as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the platform comprises front and rear platform portions.

10.A fire as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the platform comprises an opening between the front and rear platform portions.

11.A fire as claimed in claim 10 wherein the burner is located substantially centrally between the front and rear platform portions in the opening provided.

12.A fire as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the platform and fuel bed are dimensioned for correspondence such that the fuel bed is receivable on the platform.

13.A fire as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the platform is configured to support the fuel bed at a predefined fixed vertical separation from the burner.

14.A fire as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fuel bed and the platform each comprises one or more corresponding connectors which operably co—operate to locate the fuel bed in place on the platform.

15.A fire as claimed in claim 14 wherein the corresponding connectors interengage when the fuel bed is received on the platform to prevent lateral movement of the fuel bed relative to the platform.

16.A fire as claimed in claims 9 to 15 wherein the front and rear platform portions are dimensioned and located to receive the fuel bed therebetvveen and configured to prevent any transverse movement of the fuel bed relative to the platform.

17.A fire as claimed in claim 16 wherein the front and rear platform portions each comprise a support portion for supporting the fuel bed from below and upstanding stop portions for preventing transverse movement of the fuel bed.

18.A fire as claimed in any of claims 6 to 17 wherein the air channel is configured to allow air currents to pass between the screen and the fuel bed thereby minimising any oxidation or tarnishing of the surface of the screen resultant from the operation of the gas fire.

19. ‘l9.The fire of any preceding claim wherein the fuel bed is provided on a platform located in a lower portion of the fire housing, the platform being spaced fonlvardly of the screen by a distance of about 10mm.

20.The fire as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an air vent located below the fuel bed, the air vent being in fluid communication with the air channel such that air can enter into the housing and pass upwardly within the housing through the air channel.

21.The fire as claimed in claim 20 wherein the platform and housing together define an air passage within the interior of the housing below the fuel bed and between the air vent and air channel.

22.The fire as claimed in claims 20 or 21 wherein the air vent is located to provide a flow of air to the top of the burner.

23. The fire as claimed in claim 22 wherein the burner is located substantially centrally between the air vent and the air channel

24.The fire as claimed in claim 23 wherein the burner operably provides an active movement of air within the air passage to the air channel

25.The fire as claimed claims 20 to 24 wherein the air vent is located to the front of the fire housing.

26.A fire substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

27.A portable gas fire comprising a removable fuel bed.