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A portable heater adapted for use in a recreational enclosure or temporary work enclosure includes a housing having an air inlet on the lower front face. A gas supply is partially enclosed by the housing which provides propane to the mouth of a burner venturi located within the housing. Air is drawn

A portable heater adapted for use in a recreational enclosure or temporary work enclosure includes a housing having an air inlet on the lower front face. A gas supply is partially enclosed by the housing which provides propane to the mouth of a burner venturi located within the housing. Air is drawn through the air inlet and also enters the mouth of the burner venturi. The air and gas are mixed thoroughly as they travel upwardly through the burner venturi. A chimney effect increases fresh air flow velocity into the burner venturi and allows the heater to operate at a reduced fuel gas pressure. Upon exiting the burner venturi, the air/gas mixture is to a plenum and radiant surface where combustion takes place. Any conventional means may be provided to ignite the air/gas mixture in order to cause combustion. The combustion products deflect off a deflector, which is cooled on a rear face by air flow through the housing, which decreases the temperature of the combustion products before exiting an outlet. An oxygen depletion system (ODS) shuts off the portable heater when oxygen levels begin to drop and consequently carbon monoxide levels begin to rise.

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1. A portable gas-fired infrared heater comprising:(a) a housing enclosing a burner assembly including a gas valve adapted to receive fuel from an associated fuel supply and communicating with an orifice, the orifice being located to direct fuel to a venturi for mixing with air which, in turn, commu

1. A portable gas-fired infrared heater comprising:(a) a housing enclosing a burner assembly including a gas valve adapted to receive fuel from an associated fuel supply and communicating with an orifice, the orifice being located to direct fuel to a venturi for mixing with air which, in turn, communicates with a rear face of a radiant surface where combustion occurs, the housing further including an air inlet for communicating air to the venturi; (b) said housing at least partially enclosing at least one fuel source; and (c) an oxygen depletion monitoring means inside the housing of said heater having a thermocouple which monitors the temperature of a flame operatively associated with the burner assembly for automatically shutting off the burner assembly at a predetermined content of at least one gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. 2. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) a handle spaced from the radiant surface. 3. The portable heater of claim 2 which further comprises(a) at least two legs that elevate the housing relative to an associated support surface. 4. The portable heater of claim 2 which further comprises(a) at least one recess in the housing for hanging the heater. 5. The portable heater of claim 4 wherein(a) the recess is a key-shaped opening. 6. The portable heater of claim 4 wherein(a) the recess is located on a surface of the housing spaced from the radiant surface. 7. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) an igniter secured to the housing for initiating combustion at the radiant surface. 8. The portable heater of claim 1 wherein(a) the housing is dimensioned to enclose at least an upper portion of said at least one fuel source. 9. The portable heater of claim 8 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is at least a one pound propane fuel tank. 10. The portable heater of claim 9 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is at least two one pound propane fuel tanks. 11. The portable heater of claim 10 wherein(a) said at least two one pound propane fuel tanks are completely enclosed within said housing. 12. The portable heater of claim 10 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on one side of said heater. 13. The portable heater of claim 10 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on a rear side of said heater. 14. The portable heater of claim 10 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on opposed sides of said heater. 15. The portable heater of claim 10 which further comprises(a) an igniter for each fuel source. 16. The portable heater of claim 15 which further comprises(a) a controller for each fuel source. 17. The portable heater of claim 8 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is completely enclosed within said housing. 18. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) a controller for selectively switching operation of the portable heater among at least discrete off, pilot, low, and high positions. 19. The portable heater of claim 18 wherein(a) the controller includes a control knob disposed in a housing recess for protecting against inadvertent contact. 20. The portable heater of claim 18 which further comprises(a) a piezo igniter. 21. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) a controller for continuous variable operation of the portable heater. 22. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) an extended length hose assembly for connecting the heater to an associated remote fuel source. 23. The portable heater of claim 22 which further comprises(a) a hose assembly recoil means. 24. The portable heater of claim 23 wherein(a) the hose assembly further comprises a positive fuel shutoff means at both ends of said hose assembly. 25. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) a swivel regulator for reducing pressure from an associated fuel source. 26. The portable heater of claim 25 wherein(a) the regulator limits the pressure of an associated fuel source to approximately eleven inches water column. 27. The portable heater of claim 1 wherein(a) said thermocouple monitors changes in temperature of a pilot flame associated with the radiant surface. 28. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) a shield secured to the housing in overlapping relation to the radiant surface. 29. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) at least one fan to increase air circulation through said heater; and (b) a power source for said at least one fan. 30. The portable heater of claim 29 wherein(a) said power source is selected from the group consisting of at least one dry cell battery, at least one battery pack and a power cord configured to plug into a source of electricity. 31. The portable heater of claim 30 wherein(a) said power source is rechargeable. 32. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) an access means to said at least one fuel source. 33. The portable heater of claim 32 wherein(a) said access means is a door in said housing. 34. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) at least one pivotable fitting for connection to a regulator for said at least one fuel source. 35. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) at least two wheels extending from a bottom of said housing. 36. The portable heater of claim 35 wherein(a) said at least two wheels is four wheels, each positioned at a corner of said bottom housing. 37. The portable heater of claim 1 which further comprises(a) at least two burner assemblies. 38. The portable heater of claim 37 wherein(a) said at least two burner assemblies are independently controlled. 39. A portable radiant heater comprising:(a) a housing having a handle for transporting the heater; (b) an air inlet in the housing; (c) a burner assembly mounted in the housing including at least one fuel valve adapted to operatively communicate with at least one associated fuel source and the air inlet; and (d) a radiant surface having a rear face communicating with a plenum chamber and wherein the radiant surface is recessed in the housing and disposed at an angle; and (e) an oxygen depletion system inside the housing of said heater having a thermocouple which monitors the temperature of a flame and operatively associated with the burner assembly for automatically shutting off the fuel valve in response to detection of a predetermined level of at least one gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. 40. The portable heater of claim 39 wherein(a) the plenum chamber is adjacent to the radiant surface for distributing an associated air/fuel mixture over the rear face of the radiant surface. 41. The portable heater of claim 40 which further comprises(a) a regulator for limiting the pressure of the associated fuel source to approximately eleven inches water column. 42. The portable heater of claim 41 which further comprises(a) a control knob for selecting various modes of operation of the heater, the control knob located in a recess of the housing for limiting inadvertent contact. 43. The portable heater of claim 42 wherein(a) the heater includes a controller for providing at least 4000 BTUs/hour in a first operative state and at least 9000 BTUs/hour in a second operative state. 44. The portable heater of claim 43 which further comprises(a) an elongated hose assembly for interconnecting the heater to an associated remotely located fuel source. 45. The portable heater of claim 44 which further comprises(a) a hose assembly recoil means. 46. The portable heater of claim 45 wherein(a) the hose assembly further comprises a positive fuel shutoff means at both ends of said hose assembly. 47. The portable heater of claim 39 wherein(a) the housing includes at least one cavity dimensioned for receiving at least one associated fuel source therein. 48. The portable heater of claim 39 which further comprises(a) a venturi interposed between the at least one fuel valve and the radiant surface for mixing the associated fuel with air. 49. The portable heater of claim 39 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is a one pound propane cylinder. 50. The portable heater of claim 49 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is at least two one pound propane cylinders. 51. The portable heater of claim 50 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on one side of said heater. 52. The portable heater of claim 50 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on a rear side of said heater. 53. The portable heater of claim 50 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on opposed sides of said heater. 54. The portable heater of claim 50 which further comprises(a) an igniter for each fuel source. 55. The portable heater of claim 54 which further comprises(a) a controller for each fuel source. 56. The portable heater of claim 39 wherein(a) said thermocouple monitors changes in temperature of a pilot flame associated with the radiant surface. 57. The portable heater of claim 39 which further comprises(a) a shield secured to the housing in overlapping relation to the radiant surface. 58. The portable heater of claim 39 which further comprises(a) at least one fan to increase air circulation through said heater; and (b) a power source for said at least one fan. 59. The portable heater of claim 58 wherein(a) said power source is selected from the group consisting of at least one dry cell battery, at least one battery pack and a power cord configured to plug into a source of electricity. 60. The portable heater of claim 59 wherein(a) said power source is rechargable. 61. The portable heater of claim 39 which further comprises(a) an access means to said at least one fuel source. 62. The portable heater of claim 61 wherein(a) said access means is a door in said housing. 63. The portable heater of claim 39 which further comprises(a) at least one pivotable fitting for connection to a regulator for said at least one fuel source. 64. The portable heater of claim 39 which further comprises(a) at least two wheels extending from a bottom of said housing. 65. The portable heater of claim 64 wherein(a) said at least two wheels is four wheels, each positioned at a corner of said bottom housing. 66. The portable heater of claim 39 which further comprises(a) at least two burner assemblies. 67. The portable heater of claim 66 wherein(a) said at least two burner assemblies are independently controlled. 68. A portable radiant heater comprising:(a) a housing for enclosing said heater and at least partially enclosing at least a one pound fuel source; (b) an air inlet in the housing; (c) a burner assembly mounted in the housing including a fuel valve adapted to operatively communicate with said at least one fuel source and the air inlet; (d) a radiant surface having a rear face communicating with a plenum chamber and wherein the radiant surface is recessed in the housing and disposed at an angle; and (e) an automatic shutoff mechanism inside the housing of said heater having a thermocouple which monitors the temperature of a flame and operatively associated with the burner assembly for shutting off the fuel valve in response to a detection of a predetermined level of at least one gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. 69. The portable radiant heater of claim 68 wherein(a) the automatic shutoff mechanism monitors changes in a temperature of a pilot flame of the burner assembly indicative of changes in the concentration of a gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. 70. The portable radiant heater of claim 69 wherein(a) the automatic shutoff mechanism shuts off at approximately 100 ppm of carbon monoxide at approximately 18% oxygen levels. 71. The portable heater of claim 68 further comprises(a) an igniter secured to the housing for initiating combustion at the radiant surface. 72. The portable heater of claim 68 wherein(a) the housing is dimensioned to enclose at least an upper portion of said at least one fuel source. 73. The portable heater of claim 72 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is at least a one pound propane fuel tank. 74. The portable heater of claim 73 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is completely enclosed within said housing. 75. The portable heater of claim 72 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is at least two one pound propane fuel tanks. 76. The portable heater of claim 74 wherein(a) said at least two one pound propane fuel tanks are completely enclosed within said housing. 77. The portable heater of claim 75 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on one side of said heater. 78. The portable heater of claim 75 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on a rear side of said heater. 79. The portable heater of claim 75 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on opposed sides of said heater. 80. The portable heater of claim 75 which further comprises(a) an igniter for each fuel source. 81. The portable heater of claim 80 which further comprises(a) a controller for each fuel source. 82. The portable heater of claim 68 which further comprises(a) a controller for selectively switching operation of the portable heater among at least discrete off, pilot, low, and high positions. 83. portable heater of claim 82 wherein(a) the controller includes a control knob disposed in a housing recess for protecting against inadvertent contact. 84. The portable heater of claim 82 which further comprises(a) a piezo igniter. 85. The portable heater of claim 68 which further comprises(a) a controller for continuous variable operation of the portable heater. 86. The portable heater of claim 68 which further comprises(a) an extended length hose assembly for connecting the heater to an associated remote fuel source. 87. The portable heater of claim 86 which further comprises(a) a hose assembly recoil means. 88. The portable heater of claim 87 wherein(a) the hose assembly further comprises a positive fuel shutoff means at both ends of said hose assembly. 89. The portable heater of claim 68 which further comprises(a) a regulator for reducing pressure from an associated fuel source. 90. The portable heater of claim 89 wherein(a) the regulator limits the pressure of an associated fuel source to approximately eleven inches water column. 91. The portable heater of claim 68 which further comprises(a) a thermocouple that monitors changes in temperature of a pilot flame associated with the radiant surface. 92. The portable heater of claim 68 which further comprises(a) a shield secured to the housing in overlapping relation to the radiant surface. 93. The portable heater of claim 68 which further comprises(a) at least one fan to increase air circulation through said heater; and (b) a power source for said at least one fan. 94. The portable heater of claim 93 wherein(a) said power source is selected from the group consisting of at least one dry cell battery, at least one battery pack and a power cord configured to plug into a source of electricity. 95. The portable heater of claim 94 wherein(a) said power source is rechargeable. 96. The portable heater of claim 68 which further comprises(a) an access means to said at least one fuel source. 97. The portable heater of claim 96 wherein(a) said access means is a door in said housing. 98. The portable heater of claim 97 which further comprises(a) at least one pivotable fitting for connection to a regulator for said at least one fuel source. 99. The portable heater of claim 38 which further comprises(a) at least two wheels extending from a bottom of said housing. 100. The portable heater of claim 99 wherein(a) said at least two wheels is four wheels, each positioned at a corner of said bottom housing. 101. The portable heater of claim 68 which further comprises(a) at least two burner assemblies. 102. The portable heater of claim 101 wherein(a) said at least two burner assemblies are independently controlled. 103. A portable gas-fired infrared heater comprising:(a) a housing enclosing a burner assembly including a gas valve adapted to receive fuel from an associated enclosed fuel supply comprising at least one 1-lb. cylinder for said fuel supply and communicating with an orifice, the orifice being located to direct fuel for mixing with air which, in turn, communicates with a radiant surface where combustion occurs; and (b) an oxygen depletion monitoring means inside the housing of said heater having a thermocouple which monitors the temperature of a flame and operatively associated with the burner assembly for automatically shutting off the burner assembly at a predetermined content of at least one gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. 104. The portable heater of claim 103 which further comprises(a) a handle spaced from the radiant surface. 105. The portable heater of claim 103 which further comprises(a) at least two legs that elevate the housing relative to an associated support surface. 106. The portable heater of claim 103 which further comprises(a) at least one recess in the housing for hanging the heater. 107. The portable heater of claim 106 wherein(a) the recess is a key-shaped opening. 108. The portable heater of claim 106 wherein(a) the recess is located on a surface of the housing spaced from the radiant surface. 109. The portable heater of claim 103 which further comprises(a) an igniter secured to the housing for initiating combustion at the radiant surface. 110. The portable heater of claim 103 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is at least two one pound propane fuel tanks. 111. The portable heater of claim 110 wherein(a) said at least two one pound propane fuel tanks are completely enclosed within said housing. 112. The portable heater of claim 111 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on one side of said heater. 113. The portable heater of claim 111 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on a rear side of said heater. 114. The portable heater of claim 111 wherein(a) said at least two fuel sources are positioned on opposed sides of said heater. 115. The portable heater of claim 111 which further comprises(a) an igniter for each fuel source. 116. The portable heater of claim 115 which further comprises(a) a controller for each fuel source. 117. The portable heater of claim 103 which further comprises(a) a controller for selectively switching operation of the portable heater among at least discrete off, pilot, low, and high positions. 118. The portable heater of claim 117 wherein(a) the controller includes a control knob disposed in a housing recess for protecting against inadvertent contact. 119. The portable heater of claim 103 which further comprises(a) a controller for continuous variable operation of the portable heater. 120. The portable heater of claim 103 which further comprises(a) an extended length hose assembly for connecting the heater to an associated remote fuel source. 121. The portable heater of claim 120 which further comprises(a) a regulator for reducing pressure from an associated fuel source. 122. The portable heater of claim 121 wherein(a) the regulator limits the pressure of an associated fuel source to approximately eleven inches water column. 123. The portable heater of claim 103 wherein(a) said thermocouple monitors changes in temperature of a pilot flame associated with the radiant surface. 124. The portable heater of claim 103 which further comprises(a) a shield secured to the housing in overlapping relation to the radiant surface. 125. The portable heater of claim 103 which further comprises(a) at least one fan to increase air circulation through said heater; and (b) a power source for said at least one fan. 126. The portable heater of claim 125 wherein(a) said power source is selected from the group consisting of at least one dry cell battery, at least one battery pack and a power cord configured to plug into a source of electricity. 127. The portable heater of claim 126 wherein(a) said power source is rechargeable. 128. The portable heater of claim 103 which further comprises(a) an access means to said at least one fuel source. 129. The portable heater of claim 128 wherein(a) said access means is a door in said housing. 130. The portable heater of claim 128 which further comprises(a) at least one pivotable fitting for connection to a regulator for said at least one fuel source. 131. A portable radiant heater comprising:(a) a housing for enclosing said heater (b) at least one 1-lb. fuel source in communication with said heater, said fuel source removable by pivotal movement from a first in-use position to a second replacement position; (c) an air inlet in the housing; (d) a burner assembly mounted in the housing including a fuel valve adapted to operatively communicate with said at least one fuel source and the air inlet; (e) a radiant surface in the housing where combustion occurs; and (f) an automatic shutoff mechanism operatively associated with the burner assembly for shutting off the fuel valve in response to a detection of a predetermined level of at least one gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. 132. The portable radiant heater of claim 131 wherein(a) the automatic shutoff mechanism includes a thermocouple that monitors changes in a temperature of a flame of the burner assembly indicative of changes in the concentration of a gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. 133. The portable radiant heater of claim 132 wherein(a) the automatic shutoff mechanism shuts off at approximately 100 ppm of carbon monoxide at approximately 18% oxygen levels. 134. The portable heater of claim 131 which further comprises(a) an igniter secured to the housing for initiating combustion at the radiant surface. 135. The portable heater of claim 131 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is at least a one pound propane fuel tank. 136. The portable heater of claim 135 wherein(a) said at least one fuel source is at least two one pound propane fuel tanks. 137. The portable heater of claim 131 which further comprises(a) a controller for selectively switching operation of the portable heater among at least discrete off, pilot, low, and high positions. 138. The portable heater of claim 131 which further comprises(a) a controller for continuous variable operation of the portable heater. 139. The portable heater of claim 137 wherein(a) the controller includes a control knob disposed in a housing recess for protecting against inadvertent contact. 140. The portable heater of claim 131 which further comprises(a) an extended length hose assembly for connecting the heater to an associated remote fuel source. 141. The portable heater of claim 140 which further comprises(a) a regulator for reducing pressure from an associated fuel source. 142. The portable heater of claim 141 wherein(a) the regulator limits the pressure of an associated fuel source to approximately eleven inches water column. 143. The portable heater of claim 131 wherein(a) said thermocouple monitors changes in temperature of a pilot flame associated with the radiant surface. 144. The portable heater of claim 131 which further comprises(a) a shield secured to the housing in overlapping relation to the radiant surface. 145. The portable heater of claim 131 which further comprises(a) an access means to said at least one fuel source. 146. The portable heater of claim 145 wherein(a) said access means is a door.