Cabinet for a heating appliance with integrated viewing window

Abstract

A cabinet for a heating appliance. The cabinet has an integrated viewing window to permit inspection of the interior components of the appliance. The viewing window comprises an elongate transparent viewing member integrated into the cabinet. The viewing member is generally aligned with a burner or burner tray of the appliance such that the functionality and operation of the burner or burners can be viewed and inspected exterior to the cabinet. The viewing member is positioned at an angle relative to both the top and the front surfaces to facilitate the viewing and inspection of the burners through the viewing member and from an elevated position in front of the cabinet.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cabinet for a heating appliance, said cabinet having an integrated viewing window to permit inspection of the interior components of the appliance, the viewing window comprising an elongate transparent viewing member integrated into said cabinet, said viewing member generally aligned with a burner or burner tray of the appliance such that the functionality and operation of the burner or burners can be viewed and inspected exterior to said cabinet, said viewing member positioned at an angle relative to both the top and the front surfaces to facilitate the viewing and inspection of the burners through said viewing member and from an elevated position in front of said cabinet. 
     
     
         2 . The cabinet as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said viewing member transitions between the top and front surfaces of said cabinet. 
     
     
         3 . The cabinet as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said angle is from 20 to 70 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The cabinet as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said angle is from 30 to 60 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The cabinet as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said angle is 45 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The cabinet as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said viewing member is comprised of glass, transparent plastic or transparent polycarbonate. 
     
     
         7 . The cabinet as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said viewing member is hermetically sealed within said furnace cabinet. 
     
     
         8 . The cabinet as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said appliance is a gas furnace or boiler. 
     
     
         9 . The cabinet as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said viewing member is oriented laterally across said furnace or boiler cabinet, said viewing member permitting the simultaneous inspection of all burners of the furnace or boiler well as the igniter and gas valve. 
     
     
         10 . The cabinet as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said viewing member causes light generated by the burners of the furnace or boiler to be cast into the ambient surroundings of the furnace or boiler to act as a secondary light source.