Portable space heater

Abstract

A compact portable heater with enhanced functionality is provided. The invention includes a horizontal oscillation portion and a vertical oscillation portion with features that provide the end user with greater use flexibility and selections.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A portable heater comprising:
 a base supporting said portable heater relative to a support surface;   a horizontal oscillating portion rotationally connected to said base comprising;
 a support structure; 
 a vertical axis of rotation of said horizontal oscillating portion relative to said base; 
 a horizontal oscillation mechanism; 
   a vertical oscillating portion rotationally connected to said horizontal oscillating portion comprising;
 a housing defining an interior space; 
 a heating element located within said internal space; 
 an air generator located within said interior space comprising;
 a motor; 
 an impeller rotated by said motor; 
 
 a horizontal axis of rotation of said vertical oscillating portion relative to said horizontal oscillating portion; 
 a vertical oscillation mechanism; 
   a heated air stream exiting said housing;   wherein said heated air stream is directed in multiple directions relative to said support surface via a rotation of said horizontal oscillating portion and/or a rotation of said vertical oscillating portion.   
     
     
         2 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , wherein said vertical oscillation mechanism comprises
 an electric motor;   a link; and   a link arm.   
     
     
         3 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , wherein said vertical oscillation mechanism is substantially located within said internal space of said housing. 
     
     
         4 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , wherein said vertical oscillation mechanism is substantially located external to said internal space of said housing. 
     
     
         5 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , wherein said horizontal oscillation mechanism comprises
 an electric motor;   a link; and   a link arm.   
     
     
         6 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , wherein said horizontal oscillation mechanism is substantially located within said horizontal oscillating portion. 
     
     
         7 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , wherein said horizontal oscillation mechanism is substantially located within said base. 
     
     
         8 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller wherein said controller controls a rotational speed of said motor and/or a power level of said heating element. 
     
     
         9 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller wherein said controller controls an oscillation movement around said vertical axis of rotation and an oscillation movement around said horizontal axis of rotation. 
     
     
         10 . The portable heater of  claim 9 , wherein said control of said oscillation movement around said vertical axis of rotation is controlled independently from said oscillation movement around said horizontal axis of rotation. 
     
     
         11 . The portable heater of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a maximum height;   a maximum width;   a maximum depth; and   a calculated volume based on said maximum height, width and depth is less than 1,500 inches 3  (24,600 centimeters 3 ).   
     
     
         12 . The portable heater of  claim 11 , wherein said maximum height is less than 14 inches (35.5 centimeters). 
     
     
         13 . A method to direct a heated air stream along multiple axes of movement providing;
 a base supporting said method relative to a support surface;   a vertical axis of rotation;   a first oscillation portion moving around said vertical axis of rotation;   a horizontal axis of rotation;   a second oscillation portion moving around said horizontal axis of rotation including;
 a heat generator; 
 a motor; 
 an impeller; 
   rotationally connecting said second oscillation portion to said first oscillation portion along said horizontal axis of rotation;   a horizontal oscillation mechanism rotating said first oscillation portion and said second oscillation portion around said vertical axis of rotation relative to said base;   a vertical oscillation mechanism rotating said second oscillation portion around said horizontal axis of rotation;   directing said heated air stream in multiple directions relative to said support surface.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further providing:
 a maximum height;   a maximum width;   a maximum depth; and   a calculated volume based on said maximum height, width and depth is less than 1,500 inches 3  (24,600 centimeters 3 ).   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further wherein said maximum height is less than 14 inches (35.5 centimeters). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further providing a controller controlling said movement of said first oscillation portion around said vertical axis of rotation and controlling said movement of said second oscillation portion around said horizontal axis of rotation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 . further providing independent control of said movement of said first oscillation portion around said vertical axis of rotation relative to a control of said movement of said second oscillation portion around said horizontal axis of rotation.