EP1420212A1

EP1420212A1 - Non-slip radiator bracket

Info

Publication number: EP1420212A1
Application number: EP03078020A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kenneth Nilsson
Original assignee: Sigarth AB
Current assignee: Sigarth AB
Priority date: 2002-10-03
Filing date: 2003-09-24
Publication date: 2004-05-19
Also published as: SE0202940L; SE0202940D0

Abstract

A radiator bracket has an upper and a lower engagement means for engagement with the upper and lower edges of the radiator or with upper and lower anchorages disposed on the radiator. The engagement means prevent a movement in the vertical direction of the radiator. A third engagement means (10) is provided at either of the upper or the lower engagement means, or both, for counteracting a movement in the lateral direction of the radiator.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a radiator bracket which has upper and lower engagement means for engagement with the upper and lower edges of a radiator or with upper and lower anchorages secured on the radiator, the engagement means preventing movement of the radiator in the vertical direction.

BACKGROUND ART

Innumerable different types of radiator brackets have long been known in the art for mounting a radiator in a space, typically a room. The brackets are designed for placing either on a floor or a wall.
A typical example of such a bracket is a wall-mounted bracket which grasps around the upper and lower edges of the radiator or alternatively around the edges of specifically provided anchorages on the radiator. Yet another alternative is that the bracket grasps, on the one hand around either one of the edges of the radiator and, on the other hand, around either one of the edges of the anchorages. In such instance, the movements of the radiator in the vertical direction are eliminated when finally mounted in place and the engagement means of the bracket grasp around the radiator. It is then not possible to lift off the radiator from the bracket unintentionally.
On the other hand, the brackets do not, to any major extent, prevent the radiator from moving in the lateral direction. Originally, radiators for water-borne heat were connected to the heating system via a construction steel pipe, but such designs are now unusual, in particular in new housing construction. The steel pipes enjoy the advantage that they assist in keeping the radiator in position in the lateral direction, since they are only slightly yieldable when the radiator is subjected to lateral forces.
Nowadays, connecting pipes of copper or plastic are more common. The cooper pipes are slightly weaker than the iron/steel pipes and consequently do not contribute as much in keeping the radiator in position. In principle, the plastic pipes make no contribution at all to stabilising the radiator. Thus, movements in the lateral direction of the radiator are possible when the connecting pipes consist of copper or plastic. This is a drawback not least because the pipes or their connections to the radiator run the risk of being damaged and possibly springing a leak if they are subjected to excessively high stresses because of the movements of the radiator in the lateral direction.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE

The present invention has for its object to design the radiator bracket so that movements in the lateral direction of the radiator are prevented and that the associated drawbacks are obviated.

SOLUTION

The object forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the radiator bracket intimated by way of introduction is given the characterising feature that a third engagement means is disposed at one or both of the upper or lower engagement means, for counteracting a movement in the lateral direction of the radiator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:

Fig. 1: is a straight side elevation of a bracket according to the present invention;
Fig. 2: is a detailed straight side elevation of a slide included in the bracket in engagement with an anchorage or a part of a radiator;
Fig. 3: is a top plan view corresponding to Fig. 2, but where one upper engagement means on the slide has been omitted; and
Fig. 4: is a detailed view in perspective of an engagement means included in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described with reference to a particular embodiment which includes a prior art bracket type. It should already at this point be observed that the present invention is not restricted exclusively to the embodiment which includes precisely this bracket.
Fig. 1 shows a bracket 1 for supporting a radiator (not shown). The bracket 1 has a lower engagement means 2 which, in the preferred embodiment, is in the form of a retainer with a recess 3 in which the lower edge of the radiator is intended to rest.
The bracket 1 further displays an upper engagement device 4 which is composed of a number of components. The engagement device includes a slide 6 movably disposed in a recess in the rail 5, the slide being pre-tensioned downwards by a spring 7. The slide 6 is provided with a gripping member 8 for drawing the slide 6 upwards in the opposite direction to the spring force delivered by the spring 7.
On the slide 6, there is also disposed an upper engagement means 9 which, in its rear portion, is also in engagement with the rail 5. The upper engagement means 9 is released when the slide 6 is drawn upwards and enters into engagement with the rail 5 when its forward end comes into engagement with a portion on the radiator, and the spring 7 at the same time draws the slide 6 downwards. The material in the bracket may vary, but typically the rail 5, the spring 7 and the upper engagement means 9 consist of metal, while the slide 6 is manufactured from plastic.
A bracket 1 according to the above description is previously known in the art and there is ample room for variations depending on the type of radiator model which is to be supported by the bracket 1.
In its most generic form, the present invention entails that, at the upper or lower engagement means 9 and 2, respectively, or at both, there is disposed an engagement means which, under the action of the natural weight of the radiator or the action of the spring 7 (or the like), is movable into engagement with the radiator or the anchorages provided thereon so as to prevent horizontal movement of the radiator in relation to the radiator bracket. The engagement may also be put into effect in the form of an accessory which is integrated with the radiator, for example a covering grid. In particular, the engagement means includes a contact device in the form of a sharp edge, projections, grooves, a tip, a zone of increased friction or the like, which, by wedge effect together with the upper and/or lower engagement means 9 and 2, respectively, is disposed by friction or mechanical engagement with (as in the form of impression into) the radiator or the anchorages provided thereon to prevent horizontal movement of the radiator.
Preferably, the engagement means has a vertically extending sharp edge or the like which, at the upper engagement means of the radiator bracket, constitutes a defining surface in an upwardly tapering space and which correspondingly, at the lower engagement means 2 of the radiator bracket, constitutes a defining surface in a downwardly tapering space.
In order to counteract undesirable lateral movements of the radiator, there is provided a third engagement means 10 on the slide 6 slightly below and inside the upper engagement means 9 so that they together define a cuneiform, upwardly tapering space wherein the edge of the radiator or its anchorage is insertable.
Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the slide 6 with the upper engagement means 9 and the third engagement means 10. In the Figure, an edge 11 of an anchorage 14 on a radiator has been inserted in the cuneiform space between the upper engagement means 9 and the third engagement means 10. The edge 11 is of such thickness that an insertion until the edge 11 comes into engagement with the engagement means 9 and 10 is possible. Moreover, the anchorage 14 is manufactured from a rigid material which makes for a permanent engagement. Typically, the anchorage 14 is manufactured from metal.
The spring 7, which is not shown in Fig. 2, applies a downward force on the slide 6. This implies that the edge 11 is moved in a maximum distance into the cuneiform space 12, or rather that the cuneiform space 12 is lowered a maximum distance over the edge 11. The upper engagement means 9 abuts against the upper portion of the edge 11 in such a manner that this is affected by a downward and inward force against the bracket. As a result, a wedge effect will be obtained for a powerful grip over the edge portion 11. The edge 11 abuts against the third engagement means 10 along at least one line. Since the third engagement means 10 is preferably manufactured from metal, like the edge 11, a metal-to-metal contact will be obtained. Those portions of the third engagement means 10, namely its edges which come into contact with the radiator or its anchorage, are sharp and possibly cut a minimum distance into the edge 11. This engagement is reinforced by the fact that the linear abutment of the sharp edges is directed in the same direction as the downwardly directed force from the upper engagement means 9. The engagement between the third engagement means 10 and the edge 11 will thus be extremely effective and a transverse movement in relation to the contact device of the third engagement means 10 in the form of sharp edges is eliminated.
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the slide and the third engagement means 10. For purposes of clarity, the upper engagement means 9 is not shown. The third engagement means 10 is shown clearly from its upper edge. It may also be seen how the sharp edges 13 abut against the surface of the edge 11 on the anchorage 14. Both side edges 13 of the third engagement means 10 are utilised for the engagement with the anchorage 14. This entails abutment in two lines for each anchorage 14, which affords improved stability compared with if the abutment had been only in a single line. It is important that the side areas 15 of the engagement means 10 be bent so that engagement of the edges 13 is obtained, since abutment with sharp edges maximises the contact pressure and thereby improves the engagement. The sharp edges may possibly also be realised by a minor cutting into the material of the edge 11 of the anchorage 14.
Finally, Fig. 4 is a detailed view of the third engagement means 10. In this view, the engagement means 10 is wholly released from the slide 6 on which it is mounted. As was previously mentioned, the side areas 15 of the engagement means 10 are bent inwards towards the centre of the engagement means 10. The angle between the inwardly bent side areas and the main portion 16 of the engagement means 10 lying therebetween is acute, so that a sharp edge 13 faces towards the edge portion 11 which is to be grasped when the engagement means 10 is located in the mounted position on the bracket 1. Naturally, other angles are possible than that shown in the Figure, as long as the sharp edges 13 may enter into engagement with the edge 11.
The engagement means 10 further has a recess 17 for securing the engagement means 10 on the slide 6. The recess is also provided with obliquely inclined side areas 18 and sharp edges 19 which may grasp and cut into the material of the slide 6, which is preferably of plastic.
The engagement means 10 also has obliquely inclined corners 20. The oblique inclination of the corners 20 substantially serves two purposes. Those comers that are uppermost in the mounted state will, if they are obliquely inclined, not obstruct the upper engagement means 9 in its downward movement. The lower comers are obliquely inclined principally so as to act as guides for the engagement means 10 when this is mounted in place. A right-angled comer requires greater precision in mounting, which is slightly more time-consuming. The oblique inclination also entails advantages as far as handling is concerned, since the obliquely inclined comers are not at sharp as right-angled comers. As a result, the risk of injury during manufacture and assembly is reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

An engagement means similar to that described in the foregoing as the third engagement means 10 may naturally also be included in a large number of other types of brackets fulfilling the same function. The above-described bracket is to be considered merely as one among many examples of radiator brackets.
The engagement means 10 may have other designs than that described above, where it consists of a separate metal plate. In one conceivable embodiment, the engagement means 10 is integral with the upper engagement means 9 in that it is of one piece manufacture therewith. Possibly, the opposing area of the slide 6 may need to be reinforced in order to give the desired reliable engagement. Thus, for example sharp edges may be disposed along opposing sides of the upper engagement means 9 in that its side portions are bent inwards.
Similarly, it is possible to give the engagement means 10 other positioning, such as at the lower engagement means. What is decisive for the suitability of any positioning is whether the engagement means 10 is pressed forcibly against the radiator or its anchorage so that lateral movement is prevented.
The present invention may be varied without departing from the scope of the appended Claims.

Claims

A radiator bracket which has upper and lower engagement means for engagement with the upper and lower edges (11) of a radiator or with upper and lower anchorages (14) disposed on the radiator, the engagement means (2, 9) preventing movement of the radiator in the vertical direction, characterised in that a third engagement means (10) is disposed at one or both of the upper or lower engagement means (2, 9), for counteracting a movement in the lateral direction of the radiator.
The radiator bracket as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the third engagement means (10) includes at least one contact member (13) for engagement with the radiator or the anchorage (14) disposed thereon.
The radiator bracket as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the third engagement means (10) is of one piece manufacture with either of the upper (9) or the lower (2) engagement means.
The radiator bracket as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the contact member (13) is directed transversely in relation to the direction in which it is intended to counteract movement.
The radiator bracket as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the third engagement means (10), together with one of the other engagement means (2, 9), defines a cuneiform accommodation space (12), in which the radiator or its anchorage (14) is insertable.
The radiator bracket as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the third engagement means (10), together with a support surface on the radiator bracket, forms a cuneiform accommodation space (12) in which the radiator or its anchorage (14) is insertable.
The radiator bracket as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the third engagement means (10) comprises a metal plate whose side areas (15) are bent.
The radiator bracket as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the contact between the third engagement means (10) and the radiator or a device (14) disposed thereon is a metal-to-metal contact.