AU2015100677A4 - Condenser mounting improvements - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support for an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning system. According to a first aspect, there is provided a support assembly comprising a support member comprising a channel comprising a slot, and a mount for the outdoor unit, the mount comprising a body of resilient (elastomeric) material and a mounting hard point, wherein in use, the body of the mount is adapted for retention by the channel so that it is slidable along the slot, and interpose the mounting hard point and the support member. According to a further aspect, there is provided a support arrangement comprising at least a pair of the support assemblies. \22 3 22c 22a 22b-b 2222a 2a) Figure I

Description

1 CONDENSER MOUNTING IMPROVEMENTS PRIORITY DOCUMENTS [0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2013904977 titled "CONDENSER MOUNTING IMPROVEMENTS" and filed on 19 December 2013, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to a support for an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning system, although it not so limited in this application. BACKGROUND [0003] Split system air-conditioning systems comprise an "outdoor unit" which is physically separated from a functionally related "indoor unit". [0004] Currently there are a number of methods conventionally used for mounting an outdoor unit. [0005] For residential applications the outdoor unit is frequently mounted on a steel bracket which is bolted to an exterior surface of the building. However, the different brands of outdoor unit vary widely in shape and size, making it difficult to stock a range of mounting brackets which is suitable for all outdoor units. [0006] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed. [0007] Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. SUMMARY [0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided a support assembly for an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system, the support assembly comprising a support inember comprising a channel comprising a slot, and a mount for the outdoor unit, the mount comprising a body of resilient material and a mounting hard point, wherein in use, the body of the mount is adapted for retention by the channel so that it interposes the mounting hard point and the support member, and it is movable along the slot.

2 [0009] For the purpose of this specification, the term 'hard point' should be considered to encompass any part designed to carry an external load. [0010] In one form, the support assembly is adapted to, or forms part of, an assembly adapted to depend the outdoor unit from an exterior of a building. [0011] In one form, the support member comprises a rail, and both the channel and slot extend in a direction of elongation of the rail. [0012] In one form, the body of the mount is generally cuboid, comprising a pair of sides and a pair of ends. [0013] In one form, the hard point comprises a male attachment portion such as a bolt or pin, a portion of which is embedded in the elastomeric body of the mount. In one form, in an alternative, the hard point comprises a female attachment portion such as a nut or bush, a portion of which is embedded in the elastomeric body of the body of the mount. [0014] In one form, the channel comprises a floor, a pair of opposing sides, and an inwardly directed lip depending from each of the opposing sides. [0015] In one form, wherein each of the pair of opposing sides of the body of the mount comprises a guide slot adapted to slidably receive one of the channel lips therein. [0016] In one form, the or each mount comprises a body of elastomeric material. [0017] In one form, the or each mounting hard point comprises a bolt embedded head first in the body of the mount. [0018] In one form, the or each bolt comprises a rectilinear (in one form square) head to resist rotation of the bolt in the elastomeric body. [0019] In one form, the or each mounting hard point further comprises a rectilinear (in one form square) washer secured to the bolt and embedded in the elastomeric body of the mount to resist rotation of the bolt in the elastomeric body. [0020] In one form, the support member comprises a metal channel. [0021] In one form, in an alternative, the or each mount comprises a non-resilient portion, and a resilient portion which engages the support.

[0022] In one form, the support assembly comprises a plurality of mounts. In one form, each mount runs slidably along the slot. [0023] According to a further aspect, there is provided a support assembly for an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system, the support assembly comprising a support member comprising a channel member comprising a slot, and at least one mount for the outdoor unit, the or each mount comprising a body of vibration dampening material, and at least one mounting hard point via which the outdoor unit is to be secured to the mount, the or each mounting hard point being at least partially embedded in the body of the mount, and wherein in use, the body of the or each mount is adapted for retention by the channel member in such a way that it locates in, but is moveable along the slot, and interposes the mounting hard point and the channel member. [0024] According to a further aspect, there is provided a mount for an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning system, the mount comprising a body of resilient (elastomeric) material and a mounting hard point, wherein in use, the body of the mount is adapted to slidably engage a support member and interpose the mounting hard point and the support member. [0025] According to a further aspect, there is provided a support arrangement for depending an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning system from an exterior of a building, the support arrangement comprising at least a pair of the above described support assemblies. [0026] According to a further aspect, there is provided a support arrangement for depending an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning system from an exterior of a building, the support arrangement comprising at least a pair of support assemblies, each support assembly comprising a support member comprising a channel comprising a slot, and at least a pair of mounts for the outdoor unit, each mount comprising a body of resilient (elastomeric) material and a mounting hard point, wherein in use, the body of each mount is adapted for retention by the channel so that it is moveable along the slot, and interpose the mounting hard point and the support member. [0027] In one form, both of the support assemblies depend from a common base adapted to mount the support assembly with respect to the building exterior. [0028] In one form, the base comprises a rail, and at least one of the support assemblies is adapted to move along the rail. [0029] In one form, in an alternative, each support assembly comprises a base adapted to mount the support assembly with respect to the building exterior.

4 [0030] 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. [0031] 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 DRAWINGS [0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0033] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a support assembly; [0034] Figure 2 is an end view of the support assembly of Figure 1; [0035] Figure 3 is an isometric view of a mount from the support assembly of Figures 1 and 2; [0036] Figure 4 is an end view of the mount of Figure 3; [0037] Figure 5 is a top view of a support member or rail from the support rail assembly of Figures 1 and 2; [0038] Figure 6 is an isometric view of a support arrangement or stand according to a first embodiment, comprising the support assembly of Figures 1 and 2; and [0039] Figure 7 is an isometric view of a support arrangement or stand according to a second embodiment, comprising the support rail assembly of Figures 1 and 2. [0040] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0041] Referring now to Figure 1, where there is shown a support assembly 1 for an outdoor unit (not shown) of an air-conditioning system (not shown), the support assembly I comprising a support member in the form of a steel rail 2 comprising a channel 4 comprising a slot 6, and a mount 20 for the outdoor unit. [0042] The support rail 2 comprises a substantially constant cross--sectional shape throughout its length. This cross-sectional shape comprises a floor 2a, a pair of opposing sides 2b, and an inwardly directed and downwardly curled lip 3 depending from each of the opposing sides. There are a plurality of through apertures 5 (slots in this embodiment) in the floor 2a of the support rail 2. These apertures 5 permit drainage of any water that might be caught in the channel 4. [0043] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the mount '20 comprises a body 22 of resilient (elastomeric) material. This body 22 is generally cuboid, comprising a pair of sides 22a, a pair of ends 22b, a top surface 22c, and a bottom surface 22d. Each side 22a of the body 22 comprises a guide slot 24 which extends between the ends 22b. [0044] The mount 20 further comprises a mounting hard point 30. In this embodiment, this hard point 30 is created by embedding a head of a bolt with a square washer (not visible) secured thereto (such by welding) in the elastomeric body 22 at the time of its manufacture, so that a shank 32 of the bolt extends and protrudes from the top surface 22c of the body '22. The square washer will resist rotation of the bolt 30 in the elastomeric body 22 when a nut is tightened on the shank of the bolt 30 to secure an outdoor unit thereto. [0045] The guide slots 24 create a neck portion N for the body 22, which sits between a head portion H and a tail portion T of the body 22. [0046] In use, the mount 20 slidably engages the support rail 2. In doing so, the lips 3 of the support rail 2 locate in the guide slots 24, which undercut the tail portion T so that this (i.e. the tail portion) becomes captured by the support rail 2, while the head portion H of the mount 20 sits proud of the support rail 2. [0047] So it is that the mount 20 is slidably retained by the support rail 2, and in this way its position along the support rail 2 can be quickly and easily adjusted as required. [0048] Referring now to Figure 6, where there is illustrated a support arrangement or frame 100 for an outdoor unit (not shown) of an air-conditioning system (not shown). This frame 100 comprises an 6 attachment rail 102 via which the frame 100 can be secured to a wall or roof using screws 104 passing through slots 106 in the attachment rail 102. [0049] A pair of vertical channels 110 are slidably disposed on the attachment rail 102 at spaced apart positions on the attachment rail 102. An upper end of each vertical channel 110 depends from the attachment rail, and a lower end of each vertical channel 110 pivotably supports a support assembly I comprising two (2) mounts 20. This pivotable attachment permits adjustment of the angle subtended between the support assembly 1 and its respective vertical channel 110. [0050] In use, the spacing between the vertical channels 110 can be adjusted to match spacing between pairs of feet at opposing ends of an outdoor unit, by sliding the vertical channels 110 along the attachment rail 102. Similarly, the spacing between the two mounts 20 supported on a support rail 2 can be adjusted to match spacing between feet at each end of the outdoor unit, by sliding the mounts 20 along the rail 2. [0051] Referring now to Figure 7, where there is illustrated a support arrangement or frame 200 for an outdoor unit (not shown) of an air-conditioning system (not shown). This frame 200 comprises a mounting plate 202 via which the frame 200 can be secured to a wall or roof using screws passing through holes 206 in the mounting plate 202. [0052] Extending from the mounting plate at a right angle (i.e. 900) is a support assembly 1 comprising two (2) mounts 20. A diagonal brace 208 extends between the rail 2 of the support assembly 1 and the mounting plate 202 to strengthen and stiffen the frame 200. [0053] In use, a pair of frames 200 will be secured to a wall with a spacing selected to match a spacing between pairs of feet at opposing ends of an outdoor unit. The spacing between the two mounts 20 supported on a support rail 2 can be adjusted to match spacing between feet at each end of the outdoor unit, by sliding the mounts 20 along the rail 2. [0054] It will be apparent from all of the above that the present invention provides a mount which provides each of vibrational dampening, thermal and electrical insulation of the outdoor unit from its support rail, and further provides both a support assembly and arrangement providing a high degree of adjustability, so that they can thereby accommodate a wide range of outdoor units. [0055] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

7 [0056] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. [0057] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed., but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims (5)

1. A support assembly for an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning system, the support assembly comprising a support member comprising a channel member comprising a slot, and at least one mount for the outdoor unit, the or each mount comprising a body of vibration dampening material, and at least one mounting hard point via which the outdoor unit is to be secured to the mount, the or each mounting hard point being at least partially embedded in the body of the mount. and wherein in use, the body of the or each mount is adapted for retention by the channel member in such a way that it locates in, but is moveable along the slot, and interposes the mounting hard point and the channel member.

2. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the body of the mount comprises a pair of sides, each of which comprises a guide slot adapted to slidably receive a portion of the channel member.

3. The support assembly as in either one of the preceding claims. wherein the or each mount comprises a body of an elastomeric material.

4. The support assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each mounting hard point comprises a bolt embedded head first in the body of the mount.

5. The support assembly of claim 4, wherein the or each mounting hard point further comprises a rectilinear washer secured to the bolt and embedded in the body of the mount to resist rotation of the bolt in the body.