GB2377620A

GB2377620A - A wall bracket assembly for supporting indoor and outdoor air conditioning units

Info

Publication number: GB2377620A
Application number: GB0113856A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alec Vincent Ainsworth
Original assignee: AINSWORTH REFRIGERATION
Current assignee: AINSWORTH REFRIGERATION
Priority date: 2001-06-07
Filing date: 2001-06-07
Publication date: 2003-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-07
Also published as: GB2377620B; GB0113856D0

Abstract

The assembly comprises a support surface 4 having hooks 4a to support the indoor part of the unit on the inner side of a wall 18, and a second support structure on the outer side of the wall, comprising vertical elements 6 and horizontal elements 8, which have extensible attachments 10 that affix a horizontally extending plate 12, generally a condensing plate, supporting the outdoor part of the unit. Surface 4 and elements 6 are secured to the wall by bolts 20, which pass the wall 18 clamping both elements simultaneously. Horizontal elements 8 also pass through the wall and are secured in place on one side by the holes 5 on surface 4, and on the other by element 6 that secures it through releasable fasteners at holes 7.

Description

Bracket Assembly The present invention relates to bracket assemblies suitable for the installation of air conditioning systems.

Air conditioning systems are installed in a wide variety of private and commercial premises, for example, conservatories, portacabins, caravans, mobile homes and rooms in buildings. Split air conditioning systems consist of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit which are mounted onto corresponding positions either on a wall, floor or ceiling of a room. The indoor unit carries out the"air conditioning"in the room in which it is mounted, and is connected to the outdoor unit by a set of pipes and cables which carry condensate, refrigerant, electricity and other utilities.

A major problem encountered when installing air conditioning systems is that a large number of components are involved. Furthermore, the indoor and outdoor units must be separately installed, accurately aligned and in separate positions so that the pipes and cables can be connected together which results in the installation process being very time consuming. Furthermore, in many situations, the wall or ceiling in which the air conditioning units are mounted tend to be thin and, therefore, structurally weak and so are unable to bear the considerable weight of the air conditioning units. As a result, the air conditioning units damage the wall or ceiling on which they are mounted and over a period of time, even tend to come away from their mounting. Finally, it is desirable in certain circumstances to be able to remove the air conditioning units from the wall, for

example, over the cooler months and this is not possible with traditional installation systems since they are permanently fixed to the wall.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to address the above problems and to provide an apparatus and method which facilitates and improves the installation of air conditioning systems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket assembly for the installation of an air conditioning system comprising first and second units onto first and second sides of a supporting surface, the bracket assembly comprising first support means by which the first unit may be supported on the first side of the supporting surface, second support means by which the second unit may be supported on the second side of the supporting surface, and alignment means operable to align the first and second units on either side of the supporting surface.

The supporting surface may be either an inner or outer wall or ceiling or floor of a building or any suitable surface where an air conditioning system may be required.

Preferably, the alignment means comprises at least one aperture, preferably, a plurality of apertures which extend through the first support means. Preferably, the alignment means comprises first and second sets of apertures which extend through the first support means and, preferably, into and, preferably, through the supporting surface.

Advantageously, the alignment means facilitates the alignment of the first and second support means with each other as they are installed onto either side of the supporting wall or ceiling.

Preferably, the first set of apertures are located substantially towards either side of the first support surface, preferably, towards the upper and lower regions region thereof. Preferably, the second set of apertures are located substantially towards either side of the first support surface, preferably, towards the lower region thereof.

Preferably, the first support means is attached to the first side of the supporting surface by fixing means, preferably, by bolts. Preferably, the fixing means extend through the first set of apertures and into, and preferably, through the supporting surface.

Preferably, the alignment means, preferably, the second set of apertures, is arranged to receive the second support means. The second set of apertures may be any shape but are, preferably, substantially square in crosssection.

Preferably, the first support means comprises attachment means by which the first unit of the air conditioning system may be attached thereto. Preferably, the attachment means comprises at least one hook on which the first unit may be supported, preferably, at least two hooks either side thereof, or as suitably provided on the first unit of the air conditioning system.

Preferably, the bracket assembly comprises drainage means and, preferably, cable means and, preferably, refrigerant pipes for connecting the first and second units of the air conditioning system together. Preferably, the drainage means and, preferably, the cable means and, preferably, the refrigerant pipes extend through the alignment means, preferably, the second set of apertures. Preferably, fluid may be drained from the first unit to the second unit via the drainage means. Preferably, refrigerant may be circulated between the first and second units via the refrigerant pipes.

Preferably, the second support means comprises support means which are arranged substantially parallel to, and substantially perpendicular from, the supporting surface.

Preferably, the parallel and perpendicular support means are operable to be attached to the second side of the supporting surface.

Preferably, the perpendicular support means comprises at least two perpendicular members which may be attached to the second side of the support surface. Preferably, the two perpendicular members are operably attached to the alignment means, preferably, the second set of apertures which extend through the supporting surface.

Preferably, the parallel support means comprises at least two parallel members which may be in operable communication with the at least two perpendicular support members. Preferably, the parallel support means are attached to the second side of the support surface by fixing means which are received by the alignment means, preferably, the first set of apertures. Preferably, the

first and second support means are attached to the supporting surface by the same fixing means.

Preferably, the second support means comprises condensing means to which the second unit of the air conditioning system may be attached. Preferably, the condensing means is a condensing plate.

Preferably, the bracket assembly comprises positioning means to operable to position the second unit at a predetermined distance from the second side of the supporting surface. Preferably, the positioning means comprises at least one positioning assembly which is in operable communication with the second support means, preferably, the at least one perpendicular support means.

Preferably, the positioning means comprises two positioning assemblies, one to be arranged with each perpendicular support means.

Preferably, the positioning assembly comprises a body and a positioning arm extending outwardly therefrom, the body, preferably, being attached to the perpendicular support means. Preferably, the positioning arm extends away from, preferably, substantially perpendicular from the second side of the supporting surface. Preferably, the positioning arm is of a pre-determined length.

Preferably, the condensing means is operably attached to the positioning assembly, preferably, the positioning arm.

Preferably, lugs extending from the condensing means extend through apertures, preferably, elongate slots in the perpendicular support means. Preferably, the second

unit of the air conditioning system is attached to the condensing means.

Advantageously, the positioning means maintains the second unit of the air conditioning system at the correct distance from the support surface and, therefore, at the correct temperature during operation allowing correct air volume to the second unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing an air conditioning system comprising first and second units onto a supporting surface, the method comprising the steps of :- (i) attaching a first support means of a bracket assembly onto a first side of the supporting surface and attaching the first unit thereto; (ii) aligning a second support means of the bracket assembly with alignment means on a second side of the supporting surface and attaching said second support means thereto; (iii) attaching positioning means of the bracket assembly to said second support means; and (iv) attaching the second unit to the positioning means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a bracket assembly for the installation of an air conditioning system comprising first and second units onto first and second sides of a supporting surface, the bracket assembly comprising first support means by which the first unit may be supported on the first side of the supporting surface,

second support means by which the second unit may be supported on the second side of the supporting surface, and alignment means operable to align the first and second units on either side of the supporting surface.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of components of a bracket assembly; Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the bracket assembly mounted onto a wall; Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the bracket assembly; Figure 4 shows a schematic front view of the bracket assembly; Figure 5 shows a schematic rear view of the bracket assembly; and Figure 6 shows a partial side view of the bracket assembly.

Referring to Figure 1, there are shown individual components of a bracket assembly 2 used for the installation of an air conditioning system (not shown).

The air conditioning system is not shown but comprises inner and outer units that may be obtained from manufacturers such as Fujitsu and Daikin. Figure 1 shows the components spaced apart but in their respective positions when mounted onto a support surface.

Figure 2-6 show the components of the bracket assembly 2 in position with respect to one another as they are installed onto a wall 18. The assembly 2 consists of inside and outside components with respect to the wall 18.

The assembly 2 described herein relates to a bracket assembly used for installing an air conditioning system on a wall 18 (interior or exterior) of a building. However, it should be appreciated that the bracket assembly 2 may also be used for the installation of an air conditioning system onto a ceiling of a room.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a side view of the bracket assembly 2 mounted onto the wall 18. The inside components of the assembly 2 consist of a mounting bracket 4 having apertures 3 extending therethrough (see Figure 1). In order to attach the mounting bracket 4 onto the interior of the wall 18, the bracket 4 is first held against the wall 18 at an appropriate position. The wall 18 is then marked accordingly with positions where holes need to be drilled. Once the holes have been drilled, the bracket 4 is then firmly secured to the inside of the wall 18 by bolts 20 which pass through the apertures 3.

The mounting bracket 4 has two additional apertures 5a, 5b extending therethrough which are present to accommodate drain pipe 16 and electric/pipe cables 14 (shown in Figure 1). Figure 1 also shows the outside components of the

bracket assembly 2, ie. two vertical supports 6, two horizontal supports 8, a condensing unit plate 12 and two positioning assemblies 10.

Once the mounting bracket 4 has been mounted onto the inside of the wall 18 (see Figures 2 & 4), the horizontal supports 8 are offered up to the appropriate position of the exterior of the wall 18 to be aligned with the holes 5a, 5b.

The horizontal supports 8 are pushed through the holes 5a and Sb and are fixed in position. Once the horizontal supports 8 are in position, apertures 7 at the base of the vertical supports 6 are aligned with elongate slots 9 extending along the horizontal support 8 (see Figures 2 & 5). The upper part of the vertical support 6 is then aligned with the exterior side of bolts 20.

The positioning assemblies 10 are then offered up to the underside of the horizontal supports 8. Apertures in the positioning assemblies 10 are aligned so that they may be screwed onto the horizontal supports 8. Each positioning assembly 10 consists of a body section lOa and an elongate section lOb. The length of the elongate section lOb is predetermined and of a fixed length of about 15cm.

Once the positioning assembly 10 is secured to the horizontal support 8, lugs 24 extending out of the condensing plate 12 (see Figure 1) may be passed through slots 22 in the horizontal support 8 and through to apertures 10c of the positioning assembly 10 as shown in Figure 6. The condensing unit plate 12 may then be securely attached at the correct distance away from the

external surface of the wall 18. This is necessary in order to keep the outdoor unit of the air conditioning system at the correct distance as shown as arrow X in Figure 3 from the wall 18 and, therefore, at the correct air flow temperature during operation.

The inside and outside components of the bracket assembly 2 are now in position and ready to accept the indoor and outdoor units of the air conditioning system (not shown).

The indoor unit is hooked onto hooks 4a either side of the mounting bracket 4 (see Figure 2) and the outdoor unit is secured to the condensing plate 12 in the appropriate manner. The importance of the positioning assembly 10 will now be appreciated since irrespective of the width of the wall 18, the outdoor unit will always be at the predetermined distance of about 15cm from the outside of the wall 18 as shown in Figure 3.

Once the indoor and outdoor units of the air conditioning system are in position, the drain pipe 16 from the inner unit may be passed through aperture 5a in the mounting bracket 4 and wall 18, and extended along the underneath of the horizontal support 8 and away from the outside of the wall 18 so that any drainage fluid may be removed.

The drain pipe 16 can be fixed to the horizontal support 8 or allowed to hang freely. The electric/pipe cables 14 may extend from the indoor unit of the air conditioning system through to the outdoor unit through aperture 5b in the mounting bracket 4 and wall 18, and along the underside of the corresponding horizontal support 8. Both ends of the electric/pipe kit are connected to the inner and outer units by suitable means, for example, snap-fit couplings (not shown).

Advantages of the bracket assembly 2 reside in the efficient installation of an air conditioning system. The assembly 2 results in the accurate respective positioning of the indoor and outdoor units due to the apertures 3 and 5a, 5b in the mounting bracket 4. In addition, the assembly 2 may be mounted onto the wall 18 either permanently, or temporarily, for example, if the air conditioning system is required only over the summer months. Finally, the bracket assembly 2 greatly improves the structural strength of the mounting of air conditioning systems in any part of a building, ie either on a horizontal wall or higher up the wall 18 or even on a ceiling or floor of a room.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each

feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A bracket assembly for the installation of an air conditioning system comprising first and second units onto first and second sides of a supporting surface, the bracket assembly comprising first support means by which the first unit may be supported on the first side of the supporting surface, second support means by which the second unit may be supported on the second side of the supporting surface, and alignment means operable to align the first and second units on either side of the supporting surface.
2. A bracket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the supporting surface is either an inner or outer wall or ceiling or floor of a building or any suitable surface where an air conditioning system is required.
3. A bracket assembly according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the alignment means comprises at least one aperture which extends through the first support mans.
4. A bracket assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the alignment means comprises first and second sets of apertures which extend through the first support means.
5. A bracket assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first set of apertures are located substantially towards either side of the first support surface.
6. A bracket assembly according to either claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the second set of apertures are located

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substantially towards either side of the first support surface.
7. A bracket assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first support means is attached to the first side of the supporting surface by fixing means.
8. A bracket assembly according to claim 7, wherein the fixing means extend through the first set of apertures and into the supporting surface.
9. A bracket assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the alignment means is arranged to receive the second support means.
10. A bracket assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first support means comprises attachment means by which the first unit of the air conditioning system is attached thereto.
11. A bracket assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket assembly comprises drainage means and/or cable means and/or refrigerant pipes for connecting the first and second units of the air conditioning system together.
12. A bracket assembly according to claim 11, wherein the drainage means and/or the cable means and/or the refrigerant pipes extend through the alignment means.
13. A bracket assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second support means comprises support means

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which are arranged substantially parallel to, and substantially perpendicular from, the supporting surface.
14. A bracket assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the perpendicular support means comprises at least two perpendicular members which are attached to the second side of the support surface.
15. A bracket assembly according to claim 14, wherein the two perpendicular members are operably attached to the alignment means.
16. A bracket assembly according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the parallel support means comprises at least two parallel members which are in operable communication with the at least two perpendicular support members.
17. A bracket assembly according to claim 16, wherein the parallel support means are attached to the second side of the support surface by fixing means which are received by the alignment means.
18. A bracket assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second support means comprises condensing means to which the second unit of the air conditioning system is attached.
19. A bracket assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket assembly comprises positioning means operable to position the second unit at a predetermined distance from the second side of the supporting surface.

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20. A bracket assembly according to claim 19, wherein the positioning means comprises at least one positioning assembly which is in operable communication with the second support means.
21. A bracket assembly according to claim 20, wherein the positioning assembly comprises a body and a positioning arm extending outwardly therefrom the body being attached to the perpendicular support means.
22. A bracket assembly according to claim 21, wherein the positioning arm extends substantially perpendicularly away from the second side of the supporting surface.
23. A bracket assembly according to either claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the positioning arm is of a predetermined length.
24. A bracket assembly according to any of claims 20 to claim 23, wherein the condensing means is operably attached to the positioning assembly.
25. A method of installing an air conditioning system comprising first and second units onto a supporting surface, the method comprising the steps of :- (i) attaching a first support means of a bracket assembly onto a first side of the supporting surface and attaching the first unit thereto; (ii) aligning a second support means of the bracket assembly with alignment means on a second side of the supporting surface and attaching said second support means thereto;

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(iii) attaching positioning means of the bracket assembly to said second support means; and (iv) attaching the second unit to the positioning means.
26. A kit of parts comprising a bracket assembly for the installation of an air conditioning system comprising first and second units onto first and second sides of a supporting surface, the bracket assembly comprising first support means by which the first unit may be supported on the first side of the supporting surface, second support means by which the second unit may be supported on the second side of the supporting surface, and alignment means operable to align the first and second units on either side of the supporting surface.
27, A bracket assembly substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.
28. A method substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.
29. A kit of parts substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.