EP0171780A2

EP0171780A2 - A device for positioning radiators, radiator valves and pipe connections in central heating systems

Info

Publication number: EP0171780A2
Application number: EP85110088A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alessandro Capuzzo
Original assignee: Fefi SNC Di Farina Erio E C
Current assignee: Fefi SNC Di Farina Erio E C
Priority date: 1984-08-14
Filing date: 1985-08-12
Publication date: 1986-02-19
Also published as: IT1199529B; EP0171780A3; IT8441621A1; IT8441621A0

Abstract

The device consists of a frame, manipulated by hand, which simulates a radiator and is provided with a pair of uprights (7) associated with a pair of mouldings (6) which extend to a given maximum height (H').

The two uprights are interconnected by a series of articulated parallelograms (12) the anchor struts of which hinge with the bottom of the uprights; the top ends of a pair of floating struts are integral with pads which slide internally of the uprights in order to permit of opening out the frame to its maximum width (nC). Three pairs of threaded sleeves (1, 2, 3) fitted to the ends of the frame at different heights provide reference seats for the two radiator valves. The device is hung from the pair of radiator wall-brackets by a pair of bosses (11 fitted to the top pair of sleeves (1). which face inward from the ends of the frame.

Description

Central heating system contractors follow a general practice of first hanging radiators on brackets sunk into or screwed to the wall, following which, the radiators themselves can be used as a guide for the positioning of pipes and relative fittings making up the heating system, In order to prevent disappearance of the radiators from an unguarded site, and to avoid their causing obstructions during final plastering and decoration, the radiators are then removed until the moment when they can be installed permanently on completion of other work"
Thus, when hung initially, the radiator serves simply as a template for the correct location of fittings (control and on-off valves) and of pipe connections; this being the case, its purchase prior to the moment of being put into service represents an unwarranted outlay of capital, and reflects an additional item of labour expenditure in view of the need for subsequent removal and refitment_x
In another method of installation, a few radiator panels only are employed together with a makeshift support, such as a length of pipe inserted into the bosses for alignment purposes, and offered thus in rudimental fashion to the wall-brackets, which will already be fitted. With such a method, gross defects in position are often encountered when hanging the radiators ultimately, and in order to make plumbing connections to the two valves which screw into the radiator, the need arises for bending pipes out of shape, thereby weakening the pipe material itself, compromising the end-result in professional terms, and costing the installer time and effort,
The device disclosed permits of installing a heating system without the need for using either radiators or radiator panels as templates for location of the fittings which connect with the water pipes of the heating circuit ; neither does such a device require auxiliary checking and measuring equipment, simulating the radiator as it does in every respect without involving the relative expense and the dead weight, whatever might be the size or type, or the material used in construction (cast iron, pressed steel or light alloy),
The device is hung directly on the wall-brackets as already located for ultimate installation of the radiators, An embodiment of the device will now be described by way of example with the aid of the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which: fig 1 is the front elevation of a radiator, illustrating certain dimensions which must be respected; fig 2 is the elevation of fig 1 viewed from the left showing the type of radiator, in this case a pressed steel design, provided with a transverse rail at the rear which is hung from a pair of wall-brackets; fig 3 is a front elevation of the device disclosed herein, showing dimensions which cover the different ranges of radiator size, and reference dimensions used for positioning purposes, including those for radiators of the type illustrated in fig 2; fig 4 is the elevation of fig 3 viewed from the left.
With reference to the drawing, B denotes half the depth of the radiator; C, the width of the single radiator panel; nC, the width of a radiator having n panels; H, the vertical distance between centres of top and bottom threaded bosses; M, the external diameter of the threaded boss; and A, the vertical distance between centres of the top threaded bosses and the axis of the transverse hanging rail of a radiator as in fig 2_x
The two outer ends of the device are provided with pairs of transversely-disposed sleeves having female threads: a top pair 1, a first bottom pair 2 covering the shorter range of centre distances denoted H, and a second bottom pair 3 covering the longer range H'. The two radiator valves are screwed into respective top and bottom sleeves, according to the positions selected for ultimate plumbing into the circuit _× 4 and 5 denote slots provided with reference marks, fitted to the upper section of a pair of vertical mouldings 6 which also have a reference mark and are slidable relative to a pair of respective graduated uprights 7 in order to permit vertical extension of the frame of the device_×
The alots 4 or 5 (upper or lower) accomodate a pair of sliding depth gauges 8, which are graduated and exhibit a right angle profile, and can be locked into position by relative clamps (see fig_x 4) such that the graduated arm may adapt to variations in dimension B occurring from radiator to radiator, particularly in the type hung by the method illustrated in fig, 2. It will be observed that, with the depth gauges 8 inserted in the lower pair of slots 5, one has correspondence with the centre distance A between the axis of the top bosses and the axis of the rail as in fig 2, whereas inserted in the upper pair of slots 4, the gauges lie at a distance A' from the threaded bosses which is shorter than A. The transverse arm of each gauge 8, provided at its innermost end with a notch at the bottom edge (see fig 3) which locates on the wall-brackets designed to accept radiators with a transverse support rail, serves to establish the E dimension, which is equivalent to C (fig 1) in the case of radiators not having the support rail _x 9 denotes the clamp securing each slidable moulding 6 to its relative upright 7_x 10 denotes a pair of depth stops which ensure that the bottom end of the device rests against the wall without swinging back and forth; dimension D in fig 4 is thus equal to B (half the depth of the radiator) plus clearance between the wall and the rear surface of the radiator _n 11 denotes a pair of bosses (fig 3) by which to hang the device in the case of a traditional radiator as in fig 1, generally in cast iron"
The bosses, fitted to the top pair of sleeves 1 and coaxial therewith, are interchangeable, and serve to hang the frame on the pair of wall-brackets; each boss adjusts through the angular and longitudinal directions in order to obtain the hanging reference point, and is locked in position thus, F denotes a preset distance, which is equivalent either to C or to a multiple of C, from the outer edge of the sleeve 1 to the groove of the reference boss in which the wall-bracket locates, 12 denotes a set of articulated parallelograms consisting of criss-crossed struts. The bottom ends of the two anchor struts are hinged to the bottom of the relative uprights 7, whereas the top ends of the two floating struts are integral with pads which slide internally of the uprights. Embodied thus, the set of parallelograms permits of opening out the device to match the width of the radiator, Maximum dimensions envisaged for the device when fully extended, are:

1200 mm vertical by 1600 mm horizontal_x

Claims

1_. A device for positioning radiators, radiator valves and pipe connections in central heating systems, characterised in that it consists of a hand-adjusted frame which simulates the radiator and comprises:

- a pair of graduated uprights (7) interconnected by a set of articulated parallelograms (12) the bottom ends of the two anchor struts of which are hinged to the bottom of the relative uprights, and the top ends of the two floating struts of which are integral with pads which slide internally of the uprights;

- a vertical moulding (6) associated with each of the uprights (7) and slidable relative thereto through a vertical path, which can be locked in position by way of a respective clamp (9);

- three pairs of transversely-disposed sleeves (1, 2 and 3) with female threads for location of the two radiator valves, positioned respectively thus: a top pair (1) at the upper section of the vertical mouldings (6), a first bottom pair (2) toward the lower end of the uprights (7), and a second bottom pair (3) at the extreme lower end of the uprights; and

- a pair of interchangeable bosses (11), associated slidaly with the top pair of sleeves (1), that serve to hang the frame in the place of the radiator on a pair of previously fixed wall-brackets located at a given distance (F) inwards from either end of the radiator that corresponds to the width of the single radiator panel (C) or a multiple thereof 2, Device as in claim 1 wherein, in simulation of the type of radiator having a transverse hanging rail at rear, the upper section of each one of the pair of vertical mouldings (6) is provided with two pairs of slots (4 and 5) accommodating sliding depth gauges (8) which exhibit a right angle profile and may be locked into position by relative clamps: and upper pair (4) serving to hang the frame at a given minimum vertical distance (A') from the axis of the pair of reference bosses (11), and a lower pair (5) serving to hang the frame at a vertical distance (A) greater than said minimum distance; and wherein the graduated arm of each depth gauge (8) reflects half the depth (B) of the radiator, whilst the transverse arm of each gauge is provided at the end innermost with a ndch at the bottom edge which locates on the wall-bracket when hanging the frame, and serves to establish a given distance (E) inwards from either end of the radiator that corresponds to the equivalent distance (C) for a radiator not having the hanging rail"

3. Device as in claim 1 wherein each upright (7) is provided at its lower end with a respective depth stop (10) which projects toward the wall at right angles from the centre axis of the frame through a given distance (D) that is equal to half the depth of the radiator (B) plus the clearance between the rear of the radiator and the wall.