AU2013205661B2

AU2013205661B2 - Support for Roof Top Utility

Info

Publication number: AU2013205661B2
Application number: AU2013205661A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gary Ryan
Original assignee: FF Seeley Nominees Pty Ltd; Seeley Interational Pty Ltd
Current assignee: FF Seeley Nominees Pty Ltd; Seeley Interational Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-03
Filing date: 2013-05-03
Publication date: 2017-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-03
Also published as: AU2023203352A1; AU2017203759A1; AU2019202014A1; AU2013205661A1; AU2021200733A1

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a support stand assembly comprising a plurality of columnar members, and a plurality of bridging members, where each bridging member spans a pair of spaced apart columnar members, and each columnar member comprises means for supporting at least one bridging member. In one form, each columnar member comprises means for supporting at least a pair of bridging members. In one form, each columnar member comprises an extensible strut. In one form, each strut is made extensible by way of comprising means for adjusting the length thereof. In one form, a columnar member for use at a corner of the support stand comprises means for supporting at least a pair of orthogonal bridging members. In one form, a columnar member for use at a position between corners of the support stand comprises means for supporting at least a pair of oppositely directed bridging members. In one form, the columnar member for use at a position between corners of the support stand comprises means for supporting a further bridging member which is orthogonal to each of the oppositely directed bridging members. In one form, each bridging member comprises means for adjusting the length thereof.

Description

-1- 2013205661 05 Jun2017

SUPPORT FOR ROOFTOP UTILITY

Technical Field [001] The invention relates to a support stand assembly for a utility such as an air handler of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, although applications for the invention are not so limited.

Background [002] An air handler, or air handling unit (often abbreviated to AHU), is a device used to condition and circulate air as part of an HVAC system. An air handler generally comprises a large box containing a blower, heating and/or cooling elements, air filters, dehumidifying equipment and other associated equipment. An air handler unit usually connects to a ductwork ventilation system that distributes the conditioned air through a building and returns it to the AHU. An air handler designed to be positioned external to the building which it services, such as on a roof thereof, is commonly referred to a packaged unit or a rooftop unit (RTU). Air handler units are typically mounted on a support stand. These support stands are generally custom fabricated to suit the application, as air handler units differ in size, and roof pitches vary.

[003] The completed support stands can themselves be large and heavy, creating problems associated with their movement and positioning. Further problems can arise when errors are made in the manufacture of a support stand, which are not discovered until installation is attempted.

[004] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome the above problems or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary [005] In accordance with a first main aspect there is provided, a stand assembly for supporting a utility above an angled roof in an assembled condition, the stand assembly including: a plurality of height adjustable columnar members arranged to -2- 2013205661 05 Jun2017 support a plurality of length adjustable bridging members that span between respective columnar members so as to define a platform to support the utility elevated above the angled roof; and at least two roof mounting rails arranged to extend along the angled roof; wherein the columnar members are adapted to be pivotally coupled between the roof mounting rails and the platform so as to allow height adjustment thereof to substantially horizontally level the platform in the assembled condition.

[006] In an aspect, the columnar members are each pivotally coupled to respective ones of the roof mounting rails.

[007] In another aspect, the stand assembly further includes a plurality of brackets adapted to couple between respective ones of the columnar members and respective ones of the roof mounting rails, the brackets supporting a pivotal coupling between respective ones of the columnar members and respective ones of the roof mounting rails.

[008] In yet another aspect, the columnar members each include respective struts arranged to support respective bridging members, a threaded shaft extending from the strut to a foot that is adapted to be pivotally coupled with respective ones of the roof mounting rails, wherein the height adjustability of the columnar members is effected by way of the threaded shaft.

[009] In yet another aspect, the stand assembly includes a plurality of brackets adapted to support a pivotal coupling between each foot of each of the columnar members with respective ones of the at least two roof rails.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the struts include collars arranged to support at least two of the bridging members orthogonally relative to one another.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the bridging members are coupled to the collars with bolts.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the bridging members are each telescopically extendable. -3- 2013205661 05 Jun2017 [0013] In yet another aspect, the bridging members each include a central length and two end lengths telescopically coupled to the central length, the two end lengths being coupled with respective ones of the columnar members.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the roof mounting rails are spaced apart from one another so as to be located substantially below opposing sides of the platform.

[0015] In yet another aspect, the roof mounting rails are relatively at least one of longer and wider than the platform.

[0016] In yet another aspect, at least one of the columnar members and bridging members support vibration damping mounts to which the utility is secured in the assembled condition.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the platform is a substantially rectangular frame.

[0018] In accordance with a second main aspect there is provided, a kit for forming a stand assembly to support a utility above an angled roof in an assembled condition, the kit including: a plurality of length adjustable columnar members; a plurality of length adjustable bridging members arranged to be coupled with and span between respective columnar members so as to define a platform to support the utility elevated above the angled roof in the assembled condition; and at least two roof mounting rails for supporting the columnar members; wherein the columnar members are adapted to be pivotally coupled between the roof mounting rails and the platform so as to allow height adjustment thereof to substantially horizontally level the platform in the assembled condition.

[0019] In accordance with a third main aspect there is provided, a method of forming a stand assembly to support a utility above an angled roof in an assembled condition, the method including: Connecting a plurality of length adjustable bridging members between a plurality of height adjustable columnar members so as to define a platform to fit with the utility; Mounting at least two roof mounting rails along a surface of the angled roof such that the columnar members are supportable thereon; Pivotally -4- 2013205661 05 Jun2017 coupling the columnar members between the roof mounting rails and the platform such that the platform is spaced apart from and above the angled roof; and Adjusting a height of the columnar members such that the platform is able to be substantially horizontally levelled in the assembled condition.

[0020] In another aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a support stand assembly comprising a plurality of columnar members, and a plurality of bridging members, where each bridging member spans a pair of spaced apart columnar members, and each columnar member comprises means for supporting at least one bridging member.

[0021] In one form, each columnar member comprises means for supporting at least a pair of bridging members.

[0022] In one form, each columnar member comprises an extensible stmt.

[0023] In one form, each stmt is made extensible by way of comprising means for adjusting the length thereof.

[0024] In one form, a columnar member for use at a comer of the support stand comprises means for supporting at least a pair of orthogonal bridging members.

In one form, a columnar member for use at a position between comers of the support stand comprises means for supporting at least a pair of oppositely directed bridging members.

[0025] In one form, the columnar member for use at a position between corners of the support stand comprises means for supporting a further bridging member which is orthogonal to each of the oppositely directed bridging members.

[0026] In one form, each bridging member comprises means for adjusting the length thereof.

[0027] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a bridging member for spanning a pair of spaced apart columnar members of a support stand assembly, -5- 2013205661 05 Jun2017 said bridging member comprising means for adjusting the length thereof.

[0028] In one form, each bridging member is comprised of at least a pair of telescoping portions.

[0029] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a columnar member for a support stand assembly comprising a plurality of columnar members, and a plurality of bridging members, where each bridging member spans a pair of spaced apart columnar members, said columnar member comprising means for supporting three bridging members, two of which are oppositely directed, and the third of which is orthogonal to each of the oppositely directed bridging members.

[0030] In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a kit of parts for a support stand assembly of the above described type.

[0031] In yet a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a method of assembling a support stand, said method comprising the step of joining pairs of columnar members with a bridging element that spans them.

[0032] In one form, said method comprises the further step of adjusting the length of each bridging member as required, prior to or post using this to join a pair of bridging elements.

[0033] In one form, said method comprises the further step of adjusting the length of each columnar member as required to create a level platform.

[0034] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. -6- 2013205661 05 Jun2017 [0035] The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] For a better understanding of this disclosure it will now be described with respect to an exemplary embodiment which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein: [0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support stand assembly; [0038] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a columnar member from the support stand assembly of Figure 1; [0039] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a support stand assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and [0040] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a columnar member from the support stand assembly of Figure 3.

[0041] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0042] Referring now to Figure 1, where there is illustrated a rectangular support stand assembly 1 having a pair of ends and a pair of longer sides joined at four comers, each corner being formed by a columnar member (hereinafter comer columnar member 2) comprising means for supporting at least a pair of orthogonal (with respect to each other) bridging members 4, where each bridging member 4 spans a pair of spaced apart columnar members.

[0043] Positioned along each of the sides of the support stand assembly 1 between two pairs of corner columnar members 2 is a columnar member 6 for use at a position between corners of the support stand 1 (hereinafter intermediate columnar member 6). Each of these intermediate columnar members 6 comprises means for supporting three -7- 2013205661 05 Jun2017 bridging members 4, two of which are oppositely directed, and the third of which is orthogonal to each of the oppositely directed bridging members.

[0044] Each of the bridging members 4 is a beam of square hollow section (SHS) steel.

[0045] Each columnar member 2 and 6 comprises a stmt 10 of SHS steel, and two (in the case of a corner columnar member) or three (in the case of an intermediate columnar member) collars 12 of SHS steel extending away from the stmt 10. Each of these collars 12 is sized to accept and thereby support an end of a bridging member 4. The end of a bridging member 4 can be secured in the collar 12 receiving this using bolts 14 passing through the overlapping portions of these.

[0046] Each columnar member 2 and 6 further comprises a foot 20 which is extendably mounted with respect to the stmt 10. This extendable mounting is effected by way of a threaded shaft 22 threadably mounted within the stmt 10. Each foot 20 is pivotably mounted to an attachment bracket 24 of Ή'-shaped cross section, which in turn nests over and is securable to (by bolting) a roof attachment rail 26 that is secured to roof supporting stmcture or the like. In this way, the length of each columnar member 2 and 6 can be individually adjusted to create a level platform for the air handler unit (or like) to be positioned thereon, and which is securable to most rooves, regardless of the pitch.

[0047] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate additional embodiments of the invention. Since most of the parts of the support stand assembly 100 shown in the following Figures are identical to corresponding parts shown in the support stand assembly 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, they are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail.

[0048] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, where there is illustrated a support stand assembly 100 comprised of four comer columnar members 2 spanned by bridging members 4A. Each of bridging members 4A is comprised of a central length 40 of 50mm SHS steel, and two end lengths 42 of 45mm SHS steel which are telescopically mounted with respect to this central length so that the overall length of the bridging -8- 2013205661 05 Jun2017 members 4A may be varied. The length may be selected and then fixed using bolts 14 passed through one of four holes extending through each of the overlapping portions of the central 40 and end lengths 42 of bridging members 4 A.

[0049] The comer columnar members 2 each comprise a vibration dampening mount 50 to which the air handling unit can be secured.

[0050] The 50 x 50 sleeves (central length 40) also support two further vibration plates 52, which are provided where six points of attachment for the AHU are required.

[0051] Figure 3 also illustrates how selected columnar members 2 and 6 can be individually adjusted to account for roof pitch and create a level platform for the air handler unit (or like - eg solar panel array etc) to be positioned thereon.

[0052] A support stand according to the present invention can be assembled to suit the application and the AHU, at the installation site, from a kit of parts. As such, the method and system for forming a support stand discussed herein is versatile, so a support stand can be assembled in multiple different configurations (as discussed herein), reducing the requirement for custom built stands.

[0053] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0054] All publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A stand assembly for supporting a utility above an angled roof in an assembled condition, the stand assembly including: a plurality of height adjustable columnar members arranged to support a plurality of length adjustable bridging members that span between respective columnar members so as to define a platform to support the utility elevated above the angled roof; and at least two roof mounting rails arranged to extend along the angled roof; wherein the columnar members are adapted to be pivotally coupled between the roof mounting rails and the platform so as to allow height adjustment thereof to substantially horizontally level the platform in the assembled condition.
2. The stand assembly according to claim 1, wherein the columnar members are each pivotally coupled to respective ones of the roof mounting rails.
3. The stand assembly according to claim 2, wherein the stand assembly further includes a plurality of brackets adapted to couple between respective ones of the columnar members and respective ones of the roof mounting rails, the brackets supporting a pivotal coupling between respective ones of the columnar members and respective ones of the roof mounting rails.
4. The stand assembly according to claim 1, wherein the columnar members each include respective struts arranged to support respective bridging members, a threaded shaft extending from the strut to a foot that is adapted to be pivotally coupled with respective ones of the roof mounting rails, wherein the height adjustability of the columnar members is effected by way of the threaded shaft.
5. The stand assembly according to claim 4, wherein the stand assembly includes a plurality of brackets adapted to support a pivotal coupling between each foot of each of the columnar members with respective ones of the at least two roof rails.
6. The stand assembly according to claim 4, wherein the struts include collars arranged to support at least two of the bridging members orthogonally relative to one another.
7. The stand assembly according to claim 6, wherein the bridging members are coupled to the collars with bolts.
8. The stand assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bridging members are each telescopically extendable.
9. The stand assembly according to claim 8, wherein the bridging members each include a central length and two end lengths telescopically coupled to the central length, the two end lengths being coupled with respective ones of the columnar members.
10. The stand assembly according to claim 1, wherein the roof mounting rails are spaced apart from one another so as to be located substantially below opposing sides of the platform.
11. The stand assembly according to claim 10, wherein the roof mounting rails are relatively at least one of longer and wider than the platform.
12. The stand assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the columnar members and bridging members support vibration damping mounts to which the utility is secured in the assembled condition.
13. The stand assembly according to claim 1, wherein the platform is a substantially rectangular frame.
14. A kit for forming a stand assembly to support a utility above an angled roof in an assembled condition, the kit including: a plurality of length adjustable columnar members; a plurality of length adjustable bridging members arranged to be coupled with and span between respective columnar members so as to define a platform to support the utility elevated above the angled roof in the assembled condition; and at least two roof mounting rails for supporting the columnar members; wherein the columnar members are adapted to be pivotally coupled between the roof mounting rails and the platform so as to allow height adjustment thereof to substantially horizontally level the platform in the assembled condition.
15. A method of forming a stand assembly to support a utility above an angled roof in an assembled condition, the method including: Connecting a plurality of length adjustable bridging members between a plurality of height adjustable columnar members so as to define a platform to fit with the utility; Mounting at least two roof mounting rails along a surface of the angled roof such that the columnar members are supportable thereon; Pivotally coupling the columnar members between the roof mounting rails and the platform such that the platform is spaced apart from and above the angled roof; and Adjusting a height of the columnar members such that the platform is able to be substantially horizontally leveled in the assembled condition.