AU2017289294B2

AU2017289294B2 - Mount improvements

Info

Publication number: AU2017289294B2
Application number: AU2017289294A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William Trevor THREADGOLD
Original assignee: AIR DIFFUSION AGENCIES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: AIR DIFFUSION AGENCIES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-06-30
Filing date: 2017-06-30
Publication date: 2023-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-30
Also published as: AU2017289294A1; AU2022100073A4; WO2018000017A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a mount assembly for engineering services such as, but not necessarily limited to, an air handling unit (AHU) of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. In one aspect, the mount assembly comprises a body comprising separable first and second body portions, and a mount of elastomeric material secured with respect to the first body portion. In one form, the mount comprises an external (i.e. male) screw thread adapted for threadable engagement with a female thread of the first body portion, so that the resilient element is screwed into the first body portion. In one form, the mount assembly further comprises a base of elastomeric material which is moulded over (i.e. overmoulded) at least a portion of the second body portion.

Description

MOUNT IMPROVEMENTS

PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001 ] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No.

2016902567 titled "MOUNT IMPROVEMENTS" and filed on 30 June 2016, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002 ] The following is a co-pending patent application:

PCT/AU2016/000062 titled "A MOUNT ASSEMBLY FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES" and filed on 26 February 2016 claiming priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015900683 filed 26 February 2015.

[0003] The content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a mount assembly for engineering services. In a particular form, the present disclosure relates to a mount assembly for an air handling unit (AHU) of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

BACKGROUND

[0005] An AHU of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is one example of engineering services for a building. AHU's are commonly mounted in elevated positions, such as on rooves or walls, or above ceilings.

[0006] In the event of seismic activity such as a tremor or an earthquake, it is known for engineering services to be dislodged from their mountings, with potentially disastrous consequences, such as falling from elevated mounting positions onto people below.

[0007] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

[0008] 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

10009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mount assembly for an engineering services item, the mount assembly comprising a body comprising separable first and second body portions, and a mount of elastomeric material secured with respect to the first body portion.

[0010] In one form, the first and second body portions are detachably attachable with respect to each other.

1001 1 ] In this way, if any part or portion depending from either of these first and second body portions fails, or is otherwise unfit for purpose, this can be changed without changing the entire mount assembly.

10012] In one form, the first and second body portions are detachably attachable by way of a sliding engagement between them. In an alternative, they are detachably attachable by way of a snap-fit between them. In a further alternative, they are detachably attachable by use of one or more fasteners.

10013] In one form, the mount assembly further comprises a base of elastomeric material secured with respect to the second body portion. In an alternative, the second body portion may comprise a base portion in the form of a mounting flange or the like.

10014] In one form, the base is moulded to the second body portion.

[0015] In one form, the base is moulded over (i.e. overmoulded) at least a portion of the second body portion.

[0016] In one form, the first body portion comprises an aperture therein, the aperture comprising an internal (i.e. female) screw thread, and the mount comprising an external (i.e. male) screw thread adapted for threadable engagement with the female thread of the first body portion, so that the mount is screwed into the first body portion.

[0017] In one form, in an alternative, the mount is moulded to the first body portion.

[0018 ] In one form, the mount comprises an item attachment point. The body of the mount interposes the item attachment point and the first body portion.

[0019] For the purpose of this specification, the term 'item attachment point' should be considered to encompass any part designed to carry an external load. [0020] In one fonn, the item attachment point comprises an attachment member, at least a portion of which is embedded in the mount.

[0021 ] In one fonn, the item attachment member comprises a bolt embedded by its head in the mount. In an alternative, the attachment member comprises a partially embedded threaded rod from which a load (engineering services item) can be suspended. In a further alternative, the attachment member comprises a nut embedded in the mount, which can be engaged using a bolt.

[0022] In one fonn, the first body portion comprises a collar which encircles the aperture, and which comprises at least a portion of the internal thread.

[0023] In one fonn, the first body portion comprises a flange which extends outwardly from the collar, and which substantially encircles the collar.

[0024] In one fonn, the flange comprises a rectilinear edge profile comprising a pair of opposing side edges from which there extends a pair of inwardly extending lips between which there is defined a slot.

10025] In one form, the second body portion comprises a first and second end portions, and a necked bridging portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion.

[0026] In one form, the first end portion comprises a rectilinear perimeter edge profile.

[0027] In one form, the rectilinear perimeter edge profile comprising a pair of opposing side edges, which are shaped for slidable engagement in the slot provided by the first body portion.

[0028 ] In one form, the base comprises a body of elastomeric material secured with respect to the second body portion by overmoulding of the necked bridging portion and the second end portion thereof.

[0029] In one fonn, the body of the base is generally cuboid, comprising a pair of sides, a pair of ends, a top surface, and a bottom surface, where each side of the body comprises a guide slot which extends between the ends.

10030] In one fonn, the guide slots create a neck portion for the body, which sits between a head portion and a tail portion of the body.

[0031 ] According to a further aspect, there is provided a mount assembly for an engineering services item, the mount assembly comprising a body comprising separable first and second body portions, where the first body portion comprises an aperture therein, the aperture comprising an internal (i.e. female) screw thread, the mount comprising an external (i.e. male) screw thread adapted for threadable engagement with the female thread of the first body portion, so that the mount is screwed into the first body portion, and a body of the mount interposes an item attachment point and the first body portion, the mount assembly further comprising a base of elastomeric material which is moulded over (i.e.

overmoulded) at least a portion of the second body portion.

[0032 ] According to a further aspect, there is provided a mounting assembly comprising the above described mount assembly, and a rail upon which the base of the mount assembly is adapted to slide.

[0033 ] In one fonn, the rail comprises a channel comprising a slot. In one form, both the channel and the slot extend in a direction of elongation of the rail.

[0034 ] In one fonn, the rail comprises a floor, a pair of opposing sides, and an inwardly directed lip depending from each of the opposing sides.

[0035] In one form, the base is cuboid, comprising a pair of sides and a pair of ends.

[0036] In one form, each of the pair of opposing sides of the base comprises a guide slot adapted to slidably receive one of the channel lips therein.

[0037 ] In one form, the rail comprises a metal channel.

[0038 ] 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.

[0039] In order to further understand the invention, preferred embodiments, will now be described. However, it will be realised that the scope of the invention is not to be confined or restricted to the details of the embodiments described below. Variations and alterations that would be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art are deemed as being incorporated within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

10040] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0041 ] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a mount assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

10042] Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of the mount assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0043] Figure 3 is a plan view of a mounting assembly comprising a rail and the mount assembly of Figures 1 and 2;

[0044] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane B-B of Figure 3; and

[0045 ] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane B-B of Figure 4.

[0046] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Referring now to Figures 1 through 5, where there is shown a mount assembly 1 for an engineering services item, such as an AHU of a H VAC system.

[0048] The mount assembly 1 comprises a body 2 comprising separable first and second body portions 2A and 2B respectively, which are detachably attachable with respect to each other, and a mount 10 of elastomeric material secured with respect to the first body portion 2A.

[0049] The first body portion 2A is made of a rigid material such as a metal or a rigid plastic material, and comprises a collar 20 with an internal (i.e. female) screw thread 22 (see Figures 4 and 5) encircling an aperture 24 (a circular bore), and a flange 26 which encircles the collar. The flange 26 comprises a rectilinear edge profile comprising a pair of opposing side edges from which there extends a pair of inwardly extending lips 28 between which there is defined a slot S.

[0050] The mount 10 comprises a solid body 12 of a resilient, elastomeric material such as rubber, a synthetic rubber or a thermoplastic vulcanisate. The solid body 12 comprises a cylindrical portion comprising an external (i.e. male) screw thread 14, where both the cylindrical portion and the external screw thread 14 are adapted for tlireadable engagement with (i.e. to screw into) the internal screw thread 22 of the collar 20.

[0051 ] Because they are moulded into the body 12 of the mount 10, the screw threads 14 are coarse threads, with some clearance provided between the male and female threads 14 and 22 respectively. [0052 ] The extent to which the mount 10 is screwed into the collar 20 can be selected as necessary to assist in levelling the AHU. Optionally, a pair of opposing flat surfaces could be created on the mount 10 to facilitate its rotation with a spanner or wrench. In this way, each mount assembly 1 comprises a means for adjusting a height of a support level for the AHU.

[0053] In addition to facilitating height adjustment, the rigid collar 20 encircles and provides lateral support for the mount 10, and thus supports the mount 10 against premature failure due to sideways loads of the type created in an earthquake, while not diminishing the vibration dampening of the mount 10.

[0054 ] The mount 10 comprises an item attachment point 30 comprising an item attachment member 32 in the form of, in this embodiment, a bolt embedded head 34 first in the solid body 20 of the mount 10 (with shank 36 outwardly projecting), and thus held captive by the mount 10. A washer 38 is disposed over the shank 36 of the bolt 32, and embedded in the body 12 to help resist the bolt 32 being pulled from the body 12 of the mount 10.

[0055 ] Referring now to the second body portion 2B, which is made of a rigid material such as a metal or a rigid plastic material, and which comprises a first and second end portions 40 and 42, and a necked bridging portion 44 extending between the first end portion 40 and the second end portion 42. The first end portion 40 comprises a rectilinear perimeter edge profile comprising a pair of opposing side edges 46, which are shaped for slidable engagement in the slot S provided by the first body portion 2A.

[0056] The second end portion 42 of the second body portion 2B comprises a flange 48 which extends outwardly from, and surrounds, the necked bridging portion 44, and which comprises a pair of hexagonal collars 49, each of which is sized and shaped to receive a nut 50.

[0057] The mount assembly 1 further comprises a base 60 comprising a body 62 of elastomeric material secured with respect to the second body portion 2B by overmoulding of (i.e. so that the body 62 encapsulates) the necked bridging portion 44 and the second end portion 42 thereof.

[0058] As before, this elastomeric material may comprise a rubber, a synthetic rubber or a thermoplastic vulcanisate.

[0059] The nuts 50 will be embedded in the body 62 of the base 60 along with the necked bridging portion 44 and the second end portion 42 of the second body portion 2B. In use, countersunk bolts 52 will be passed through aligned apertures A in each of the first body portion 2A, the second body portion 2B, and the base 60, and screwed into the nuts 50 to provide additional securement of the mount assembly 1 components with respect to each other. [0060 ] The body 62 of the base 60 is generally cuboid, comprising a pair of sides, a pair of ends 62b, a top surface 62c, and a bottom surface 62d. Each side 62a of the body 62 comprises a guide slot 64 which extends between the ends 62b. The guide slots 64 create a neck portion N for the body 62, which sits between a head portion H and a tail portion T of the body 62.

[0061 J With reference to Figures 3 through 5, where there is illustrated a mounting assembly 100 comprising the above described mount assembly 1 , and a rail 80 upon which the base 60 of the mount assembly 1 is adapted to slide.

[0062 ] The rail 80 is made of a metal material, and comprises a substantially constant cross-sectional shape throughout its length. This cross-sectional shape comprises a floor 82, a pair of opposing sides 84, and an inwardly directed and downwardly curled lip 86 depending from each of the opposing sides. There are a plurality of through apertures 88 (slots in this embodiment) in the floor 82 of the rail. These apertures 88 permit drainage of any water that might be caught in the channel.

[0063 ] In use, the mount 60 slidably engages the rail 80. In doing so, the lips 86 of the rail 80 locate in the guide slots 24, which undercut the tail portion T so that this (i.e. the tail portion T) becomes captured by the rail 80, while the head portion H of the base 60 sits proud of the rail 2.

[0064] So it is that the mount 20 is slidably retained by the rail 2, and in this way its position along the support rail 2 can be quickly and easily adjusted as required.

[0065 ] In the event of seismic activity causing vibration of the ground and the rail 80 in turn, both the mount 10 and the base 60 will elastically deform without failing, while absorbing at least some of this vibration, so that not all is transmitted to the attachment point 30, and the AHU. In this way, the likelihood of the AHU breaking free of its mounts and being damaged, or possibly even injuring others, is decreased. Moreover, during normal use, both the mount 10 and the base 60 will absorb noise and vibration created by the rotating components of the AHU, such as a motor and a fan, and reduce transmission of these vibrations to the rail 80.

[0066] Although the foregoing description describes use of the mount assembly 1 as a mount for an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning system, its application is not so limited. For example, the base could be used for pumps, motors or other appliances that require anti-vibration and support levelling, hence the use of the term 'engineering services'.

[0067] Because the first and second body portions 2A and 2B are separable and detachably attachable with respect to each other, a damaged or unsuitable part of the mount assembly 1 can be changed without need for changing the entire mount assembly 1.What is more, there may be different types and sizes of upper and lower body portions 2A and 2B intended for different applications and loads, and these can be mixed and matched as required.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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

1. A mount assembly for an engineering sendees item, the mount assembly comprising a body comprising separable first and second body portions, and a mount of elastomeric material secured with respect to the first body portion.

2. The mount assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second body portions are detachably attachable with respect to each other.

3. The mount assembly as in either of the preceding claims, further comprising a base of elastomeric material secured with respect to the second body portion.

4. The mount assembly of claim 3, wherein the base is moulded over (i.e. overmoulded) at least a portion of the second body portion.

5. The mount assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first body portion comprises an aperture therein, the aperture comprising an internal (i.e. female) screw thread, and the mount comprising an external (i.e. male) screw thread adapted for threadable engagement with the female thread of the first body portion, so that the mount is screwed into the first body portion.

6. The mount assembly of claim 5, wherein the first body portion comprises a collar which encircles the aperture, and which comprises at least a portion of the internal thread.

7. The mount assembly of claim 6, wherein the first body portion comprises a flange which encircles the collar.

8. The mount assembly of claim 7, wherein the flange comprises a rectilinear edge profile.

9. The mount assembly of claim 8, where the rectilinear edge profile comprises a pair of opposing side edges from which there extends a pair of inwardly extending lips between which there is defined a slot.

10. The mount assembly of claim 9, wherein the second body portion comprises a first and second end portions, and a necked bridging portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion.

11. The mount assembly of claim 10, wherein the first end portion comprises a rectilinear perimeter edge profile.

12. The mount assembly of claim 1 1, wherein the rectilinear perimeter edge profile comprises a pair of opposing side edges, which are shaped for slidable engagement in the slot provided by the first body portion.

13. The mount assembly as in any one of claims 10 through 12, wherein the base comprises a body of elastomeric material which is moulded over the necked bridging portion and the second end portion thereof.

14. The mount assembly of claim 13, wherein the body of the base is generally cuboid, comprising a pair of sides, a pair of ends, a top surface, and a bottom surface, where each side of the body comprises a guide slot which extends between the ends.

15. The mount assembly of claim 14, wherein the guide slots create a neck portion for the body, which sits between a head portion and a tail portion of the body.

16. The mount assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an attachment member, at least a portion of which is embedded in the mount.

17. The mount assembly as in any one of claims 10 through 16, wherein the second body portion comprises a flange, which extends outwardly from, and surrounds, the necked bridging portion.

18. The mount assembly of claim 17, wherein the flange comprises a pair of hexagonal collars, each of which is sized and shaped to receive a nut.

19. The mount assembly of claim 18, further comprising countersunk bolts passed through aligned apertures in each of the first body portion, the second body portion, and the base 60, and screwed into the nuts.

20. The mount assembly as in any one of claims 2 through 7, wherein the first and second body portions are detachably attachable by way of a snap-fit.

21. A mount assembly for an engineering services item, the mount assembly comprising a body comprising separable first and second body portions, where the first body portion comprises an aperture therein, the aperture comprising an internal (i.e. female) screw thread, the mount comprising an external (i.e. male) screw thread adapted for threadable engagement with the female thread of the first body portion, so that the resilient element is screwed into the first body portion, and interposes an item attachment point and the first body portion, the mount assembly further comprising a base of elastomeric material which is moulded over at least a portion of the second body portion.

22. A mounting assembly comprising a mount assembly comprising a body comprising separable first and second body portions, and a mount of elastomeric material secured with respect to the first body portion, the mounting assembly further comprising a rail upon which the base of the mount assembly is adapted to slide.

23. A mounting assembly comprising a mount assembly comprising a body comprising separable first and second body portions, where the first body portion comprises an aperture therein, the aperture comprising an internal (i.e. female) screw thread, the mount comprising an external (i.e. male) screw thread adapted for threadable engagement with the female thread of the first body portion, so that the resilient element is screwed into the first body portion, and interposes an item attachment point and the first body portion, the mount assembly further comprising a base of elastomeric material which is moulded over at least a portion of the second body portion, the mounting assembly further comprising a rail upon which the base of the mount assembly is adapted to slide.