Baseboard Heater Radiator Cover

Abstract

A radiator heater cover includes a cover formed of thermoplastic in a shape that fits over at least a portion of a radiator heater. The radiator heater cover defines a plurality of apertures in at least a portion of an outer surface of the cover that are dimensioned and spaced to provide desired convective heat transfer away from predetermined areas of the radiator heater.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A radiator heater cover comprising a cover formed of thermoplastic in a shape that fits over at least a portion of a radiator heater, the radiator heater cover defining a plurality of apertures in at least a portion of an outer surface of the cover that are dimensioned and spaced to provide desired convective heat transfer away from predetermined areas of the radiator heater. 
     
     
         2 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of apertures comprises rectangular apertures. 
     
     
         3 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of apertures comprises oval apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of apertures comprises circular apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the radiator heater comprises a baseboard heater. 
     
     
         6 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the radiator heater comprises a free standing radiator. 
     
     
         7 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic is at least partially conductive and provides conductive heat transfer away from the radiator heater in at least a portion of the radiator heater cover. 
     
     
         8 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic comprises a plastic polymer including at least one of liquid crystalline polymer, polyethylene, polyamide, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyphenylene sulfide, thermoplastic elastomer, copolyester elastomer, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetraflouroethylene, and poly (methyl methacrylate). 
     
     
         9 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the radiator heater cover is formed by at least one of injection molding, extrusion molding, and thermoform-molding. 
     
     
         10 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the radiator heater cover is infused with a colorant. 
     
     
         11 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the radiator heater cover defines a plurality of apertures over an entire area of the radiator heater cover. 
     
     
         12 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the radiator heater cover defines a plurality of apertures over less than one half of the area of the radiator heater cover. 
     
     
         13 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the radiator heater cover defines a plurality of apertures over less than one quarter of the area of the radiator heater cover. 
     
     
         14 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic cover is formed in a shape that defines a space where air flows directly into the radiator heater to enhance convective heat transfer into a room. 
     
     
         15 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic cover is formed in a shape that fits over substantially an entire area of the radiator heater. 
     
     
         16 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic cover is formed in a shape that fits over only a portion an area of the radiator heater. 
     
     
         17 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein a ratio of an area of a front panel to a sum of areas of angled and side portions is in a range of 0.33 to 2.25. 
     
     
         18 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 1  wherein a ratio of an area of a front panel to a sum of remaining areas is in a range of 0.4 to 6.0. 
     
     
         19 . A radiator heater cover comprising a cover formed of thermoplastic in a shape that fits over at least a portion of a radiator heater, the radiator heater cover defining a plurality of apertures in a portion of an outer surface of the cover that are dimensioned and spaced to provide non-uniform convective heat transfer away from predetermined areas of the cover. 
     
     
         20 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 19  wherein the plurality of apertures comprises rectangular apertures. 
     
     
         21 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 19  wherein the radiator heater comprises a baseboard heater. 
     
     
         22 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 19  wherein the radiator heater comprises a free standing radiator. 
     
     
         23 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 19  wherein the thermoplastic is at least partially conductive and provides conductive heat transfer away from the radiator heater in at least a portion of the radiator heater cover. 
     
     
         24 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 19  wherein the radiator heater cover is infused with a colorant. 
     
     
         25 . The radiator heater cover of  claim 19  wherein the thermoplastic cover is formed in a shape that defines a space where air flows directly into the radiator heater to enhance convective heat transfer away from the radiator heater.