GB2224427A

GB2224427A - Mounting radiators

Info

Publication number: GB2224427A
Application number: GB8923524A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Terence Crilly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-10-18
Filing date: 1989-10-18
Publication date: 1990-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-18
Also published as: GB2224427B; GB8923524D0; GB8824356D0

Abstract

A radiator arrangement comprising a radiator (10) having on its rear a pair of aligned fluid flow connections (13) and a bracket (11) for mounting the radiator (10) onto a wall. The bracket (11) allows the radiator (10) to pivot about the axis (14) of the flow connections (13) to permit access to the rear of the radiator (10) for cleaning and decorating without system drainage. <IMAGE>

Description

MOUNTING RADIATORS This invention relates to a radiator arrangement and to a bracket for mounting a radiator.

Central heating radiators are often mounted on walls by means of brackets. Because such radiators are disposed at a small distance (for example 70mm) from the wall, there is often an unsightly gap between the edges of such radiator and edges of the wall covering. To remove the radiator completely for decorating would involve the draining and disconnection of the central heating system and is usually too costly and difficult to contemplate.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiator assembly wherein the above described disadvantage is obviated or minimised.

It has been suggested to allow a radiator to pivot about aligned flow connections, whereby the radiator is supported by the flow connections.

Radiator flow connections are not strong enough to support a long radiator full of water.

The invention provides a radiator arrangement including a radiator, having, on its rear, a pair of aligned fluid flow connections, and a bracket including a first part adapted to be secured to a wall and a second part arranged to support the radiator, said two parts being connected together by a pivot in order to be capable of pivoting about an axis coincident with the axis of said flow connections.

Preferably there are two or more brackets supporting the radiator. The two parts of the bracket can be adapted to be locked together in a closedcondition thereof wherein the radiator is disposed adjacent the wall. Advantageously the two parts of the bracket are also adapted to be limitedly movable one relative to the other so that in an open condition the radiator is disposed at an angle to the wall. Said angle can be from 20 to 450, preferably from 30 to 35".

The invention further provides a radiator bracket comprising a first part adapted to be secured to a wall and a second part adapted to support a radiator, which has a pair of rear aligned fluid flow connections, the two parts being pivoted together about an axis which is so disposed relative to the radiator support means on the second part that when a radiator-is supported by said second part said axis is aligned with an axis of a flow fitting of the radiator.

Each said part can be L-shaped in cross-section.

The first part can comprise a flange adapted to be screwed to a wall and a web at right angles to the flange and pivotally connected to a comparable web of the second part. The second part can be L-shaped or Z-shaped in cross-section. A first flange of the second part can be provided with upwardly open hooks for receiving support straps on a radiator. A front edge of the web can have a first flange at right angles extending thereto. At the rear of the web a second flange can also extend at right angles thereto. Locking means for interconnecting the tops of the two parts can comprise a bolt mounted for longitudinal movement relative to one of the parts and adapted to engage with and secure the other part.

Alternatively, a web of one of the parts can be provided with an aperture and there can be a cooperating detent capable of locking them in their closed position.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred radiator arrangement of the invention in a first configuration thereof; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the arrangement in a second condition; Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the arrangement of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating a locking device of the arrangement of Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of bracket in accordance with the invention; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating an alternative form of locking mechanism; and Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the radiator assembly of Figs 1 and 2; Referring to the drawings a preferred radiator arrangement of the invention includes a radiator 10 and a bracket 11 which is also in accordance with the invention. The radiator 10 includes a shallow hollow body 12 with two or more rear flow connection bosses 13. In the embodiment shown two bosses 13 at the bottom of the radiator have been chosen as flow connections to the radiator. The two bosses 13 have an axis at 14 which is coaxial with associated fittings 15, each of which includes a nut 16. The rear of the radiator also has conventional mounting straps 17. The bracket 11 includes a first part 18 and a second part 19. Part 18 is made from sheet metal and has a web 20 and a flange 21 at right angles thereto. Flange 21 has a plurality of holes whereby it can be secured to a wall by screws 22.

The second part 19 of bracket 11 is also made of sheet metal and has a web 23 and a first flange 24 which gives rigidity to the second part. The second part 19 can also have a second flange 25 which also adds rigidity to the part 19.

Conventional radiator supporting hook formations 26 are formed in the web 23/flange 25 to engage with mounting straps 17 of the radiator body 12. Web 20 and web 23 are interconnected by a rivet 28 to be pivotable relative to each other. Relative pivotable movement is restricted via a second rivet 40 which extends from web 23 through an arcuate slot 41 in web 20. As best seen in Fig. 4, a lever 29 is pivotally mounted at pivot 30. The lever is movable between a first closed position as shown in Figure 4a and a second open position as shown in Figure 4b.

The end 32 on the lever 29 can engage within the slots 31a and 31b to secure the two webs together in the closed position of the bracket. The upper end of the lever 29 is provided with a handle 33.

As an alternative to the arrangement of Fig. 4 the two webs 20 and 23 (see Fig. 6) can be provided with a detent arrangement which includes a pair of apertures 34, 35 in the respective webs which are aligned when the bracket is closed. A spring loaded bolt 36 can pass through the holes 34,35 and secure the bracket parts against pivoting movement. The pin 36 is urged by a spring 37 into its locking position and can be lifted by means of a handle 38 to release the webs. The free end of the pin 36 can be inclined to give a latch effect.

It will be appreciated that the bracket of the invention, in combination with an appropriate radiator whose fluid flow connections are aligned along an axis outside the body of the radiator can provide a particularly convenient mounting which enables the radiator to be lowered to a certain degree, for example, 300 to enable decoration to be easily effected behind the radiator. In order to effect the lowering of the radiator it is merely necessary to slacken the nut 16 very slightly (so slightly that the system does not need to be drained and there is little or no leakage from the slackened nut 16) and then lower the radiator. The stop constituted by the parts 40, 41 limits pivoting of the radiator to a certain degree. Of course, other alternative angle limiting methods, for example a ligament connecting the upper ends of the bracket could be used.

The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing and variations may be made thereto. For example, the or each part of the bracket(s) could be made from materials other than sheet metal and could be of different forms and shapes. The pivot between the two parts of the twopart bracket could be provided by the first part having an upwardly open notch and the second part having a part which rested in that notch and was pivotal relative thereto. This would eliminate the need for the provision of a rivet. A convenient means can be used for interconnecting the top parts of the two brackets to secure the radiator in its normal use condition.

Many other variations are possible.

Claims

1. A radiator arrangement comprising a radiator,having on its rear, a pair of aligned fluid flow connections, and a bracket including a first part adapted to be secured to a wall and a second part arranged to support the radiator, said two parts being connected together by a pivot in order to be capable of pivoting about an axis coincident with the axis of said flow connections.

2. A radiator arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two or more brackets supporting the radiator.

3. A radiator arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the two parts of the bracket are adapted to be locked together in a closed condition thereof wherein the radiator is disposed adjacent the wall.

4. A radiator arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two parts of the bracket are adapted to be limitedly movable one relative to the other so that in an open condition the radiator is disposed at an angle to the wall.

5. A radiator arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein said angle is from 20 to 45".

6. A radiator arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein said angle is from 30 to 350.

7. A radiator bracket comprising a first part adapted to be secured to a wall and a second part adapted to support a radiator which has a pair of rear aligned fluid flow connections, the two parts being pivoted together about an axis which is so disposed relative to radiator support means on the second part that when a radiator is supported by said second part said axis is aligned with an axis of a flow fitting of the radiator.

8. A bracket as claimed in claim 7 wherein each said part is L-shaped in cross-section.

9. A bracket as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first part comprises a flange adapted to be screwed to a wall and a web at right angles to the flange and pivotally connected to a comparable web of the second part.

10. A bracket as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein the second part is L-shaped or Z-shaped in cross-section.

11. A bracket as claimed in claim 10 wherein a first flange of the second part can be provided with upwardly-open hooks for receiving support straps on a radiator.

12 A bracket as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein a front edge of the web has a first flange extending at right angles thereto.

13. A bracket as claimed in claim 12 wherein at the rear of the web a second flange extends at right angles thereto.

14. A bracket as claimed in claims 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein locking means for interconnecting the tops of the two parts can comprise a bolt mounted for longitudinal movement relative to one of the parts and adapted to engage with and secure the other part.

15. A bracket as claimed in claims 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein a web of one of the parts are provided with an aperture and there is a cooperating detent capable of locking them in their closed position.

16. A radiator arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A radiator bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.