GB2414078A

GB2414078A - Fixing template

Info

Publication number: GB2414078A
Application number: GB0410558A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Lloyd Morgan; Andrew Rozenbroek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-12
Filing date: 2004-05-12
Publication date: 2005-11-16
Also published as: GB0410558D0

Abstract

A fixing template 1 for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template 1 comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark 2 thereon for indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, and a plurality of spacing sections 4 on at least one edge thereof. The spacing sections 4 may be individually removable and may include an arcuate part 9 as an alignment means. A central marking line 6 and level detection means such as a spirit level mounted in an aperture 7 may also be provided. The fixing template 1 may be constructed from a thermally insulating material, and a reflective outer sheet such as aluminium foil may be provided. The fixing template may be incorporated in protective packaging (21, fig. 2) of the radiator, such as by printing, preferably with a perforated edge to aid removal.

Description

Fixing Template The present invention relates to fixing templates and

particularly, although not exclusively, to fixing templates for the fixing of radiators to a surface.

Fixing a central heating radiator to a wall requires, depending on its size, at least two fixing brackets. On one face of the bracket is a series of pre-drilled holes to allow it to be fixed to the wall. On the other face are two small U shaped bracket cups positioned at the top and bottom of the bracket to allow the radiator to be hung from it. The radiator hangs from the bracket via a series of lugs on its back, which fit into the bracket cups. The brackets are inaccessible once the radiator has been hung.

After hanging the radiator the lugs are designed to allow a small amount of horizontal but no vertical radiator adjustment. The position of the brackets is therefore critical to the final position of the radiator.

If the brackets are incorrectly fixed to the wall the radiator may be too low for the floor, or may not be level, or may not fit onto the brackets, or may not reach or may be mix-aligned from the pipe-work.

It is one aim of embodiments of the present invention to address the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark thereon for indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, and a plurality of spacing sections on at least one edge thereof.

Advantageously, the spacing sections provide a set distance between the edge of the substantially planar sheet and a surface, such as an adjacent wall or a floor or skirting board.

Preferably, the fixing template is used for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a central heating radiator to a wall.

Preferably, the fixing template has a plurality of fixing marks thereon, each fixing mark preferably equating to a position of a radiator fixing point.

Preferably, the fixing template has at least one centre line marked thereon, said at least one centre line equating to a centre line of radiator.

Preferably, the plurality of spacing sections are adjacent.

Preferably and advantageously, at least one of the spacing sections are individually removable. More preferably, all of the plurality of spacing sections are individually removable.

Advantageously, the individually removable plurality of spacing sections are positioned to allow removal of one or several sections to provide a set distance between the edge of the substantially planar sheet and a surface, for example, a floor or wall.

Preferably, the fixing template comprises alignment means.

Preferably, the alignment means comprises an arcuate member.

Preferably, the alignment means is attached to at least one of the spacing sections.

Advantageously, the fixing template may be rested on the alignment means and then rotated, or rocked, to assist in ensuring horizontal alignment of the fixing plate and therefore radiator.

Preferably, the fixing template comprises level detection means, preferably a spirit level. In a particularly preferred embodiment the level detection means comprise an aperture adapted to accommodate a spirit level.

Advantageously, the level detection means allows accurate horizontal alignment of the substantially planar sheet on a fixing surface (such as a wall) which is transposed to accurate horizontal alignment of a radiator.

Preferably, the fixing template comprises at least one valve line which is preferably marked on the substantially planar sheet. Preferably, the at least one valve line corresponds to a position of pipework to which the radiator is to be attached.

The provision of the at least one valve line is particularly advantageous when using the fixing template to retrofit a radiator to existing pipework. For example, when replacing a faulty radiator.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark for indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, and level detection means operable to ascertain a horizontal level of the fixing template.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark thereon, said fixing mark indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, and alignment means operable to assist rotation or rocking of the substantially planar sheet about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the fixing template.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark thereon, said fixing mark indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, and valve indicating means.

Preferably, the valve indicating means comprise at least one flap, preferably on a peripheral edge of the substantially planar sheet.

Preferably and advantageously, the valve indicating means indicate the position of at least one radiator valve relative to a radiator.

In an alternative embodiment, the fixing template may be made from a thermally insulating material. Preferably, the fixing template comprises a reflective outer sheet.

Preferably, the reflective outer sheet comprises aluminium foil or the like.

In the present embodiment the fixing template may be fixed between the radiator and a wall, such that the fixing template remains between the radiator and wall while the radiator is in use. Advantageously, the fixing template prevents heat loss into a wall to which it is affixed by reflecting the heat back toward the space which the radiator is intended to heat.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark thereon, said fixing mark indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, wherein the fixing template is constructed from a thermally insulating material.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark thereon, said fixing mark indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, wherein the substantially planar sheet comprises a reflective material on a portion of at least one face thereof.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiator outer protective packaging comprising a fixing template according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the fixing template is incorporated in protective packaging of the radiator.

The fixing template may be removable from the protective packaging.

Preferably, the protective packaging has a perforated edge -to aid removal of the fixing template therefrom.

Preferably and advantageously, the fixing template and the at least one fixing mark thereon as described in any of the first to fifth aspects equate to the radiator fixing points of the radiator contained in the radiator protective packaging.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of attaching a radiator to a fixing surface, the method comprising using a fixing template as defined in any of the preceding aspects to mark the position of at least one radiator fixing point on the fixing surface, and using the fixing marks to attach the radiator to the fixing surface.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a fixing template) and Figure 2 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the fixing template forming part of a side of a radiator protective packaging.

A radiator-installer wants to avoid the problems identified above. He must take great care and time to transpose a series of measurements from a radiator into the position of brackets on a wall. It has been realised that the care and time required can be reduced by using a template, as described below.

Figure 1 shows a fixing template 1, with fixing marks 2 that equate to the position of fixing positions for brackets which are used to hang a radiator on a wall. The fixing marks 2 are arranged in pairs and positioned toward the four corners of the fixing template 1. The fixing marks 2 are used to indicate the exact position of where the radiator bracket fixing holes are required on a wall on which the radiator is to be hung. The radiator- installer can therefore place the fixing template 1 on the wall, and by marking the wall from the fixing marks 2 on the fixing template 1, can see where the radiator fixing brackets should be placed on the wall.

The fixing template 1 comprises a central marking line 6, this marking line 6 can be used to align the radiator centrally with a pre-determined point on a wall.

The fixing template 1 also comprises a plurality of adjacent spacing sections 4, these spacing sections 4 being individually removable. As the sections are of known measurements they can be used to determine the distance from a surface, for example a floor or skirting board, to the bottom of the radiator. The spacing sections 4 also have an arc 9 at the centre of the base thereof. This arc 9 enables the fixing template to rotate or rock on the arc 9 about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the fixing template 1. In this manner, the fixing template 1 can be rested on a surface, such as a floor or skirting board and adjusted until it is horizontally aligned.

The fixing template 1, also comprises a marked push-out section 7, this marked push-out section 7 can be perforated to allow removal and subsequent insertion of a spirit level vial 'bubble'. The spirit level bubble allows accurate and simple horizontal alignment of the fixing template 1 when placed on the wall. This ensures that the fixing template 1 is level prior to the radiator- installer marking the wall, and therefore ensures that the radiator is level when it is hung on its fixing brackets.

Furthermore, in conjunction with the arc 9 at the centre of the base of each spacing section 4, the fixing template l can be offered up to the wall while sitting on the floor or skirting board, and by rotating or rocking the template 1 on the arc 9 the horizontal alignment can be ascertained by reference to the spirit level bubble.

A particular problem faced by radiator installers occurs when retrofitting a radiator to existing pipework, for example, when replacing a faulty radiator. Radiator pipes are normally made from resilient materials such as copper.

Consequently, they are not easily bent or twisted into place after they have been fitted and joined together.

Therefore, fitting a radiator to a surface where the pipework already exists requires an extremely high degree of accuracy.

To address this problem the fixing template 1 further comprises a valve line 5. The valve line 5 corresponds to a position of attachment points for a radiator to be fixed to a wall, for example, pipework to which the radiator must be attached. The valve line 5 can be used in a retro fitting situation, for example, to align a new central heating radiator with existing pipe-work and/or valves.

Figure 2 shows a fixing template 20, forming part of an outer surface of a radiator protective packaging 21. The fixing template 20 can therefore be printed on the outer surface of the radiator packaging 21, and the fixing template 20 can have a perforated edge to allow easy removal from the radiator protective packaging 21. The fixing template 20 has fixing marks 22 which correspond to the position of fixing positions for the specific radiator enclosed in the protective packaging 21. The radiator- installer can therefore remove the fixing template 1 from the radiator protective packaging 21 and use it to mark the position of the fixing points of the radiator fixing brackets on the wall. The fixing template 1 can then be removed from the wall prior to the fixing of the radiator fixing brackets and the radiator.

A further feature, not shown in the drawings is the provisions of flaps on the sides 31, 32 of the fixing template 1, 20. These flaps would have the position of radiator valves thereon (usually 40mm from the edge of the radiator). This would allow a radiator-installer to mark the positions of the pipes to be fitted through the floor.

In an alternative embodiment, the fixing template may be made from a thermally insulating material.

In this embodiment, the fixing template would remain on the wall after the radiator were attached thereto (i.e. the template would be sandwiched between the radiator fixing brackets and the wall). In this embodiment, the side of the fixing template which faces the radiator in use would be covered in a reflective material, such as a layer of aluminium foil or the like. By providing a reflective layer, the heat emanating from the radiator would be reflected into the room in which it were installed, rather than being absorbed by the surface to which the radiator is fixed. Furthermore, the use of an insulating material would reinforce this.

The description above is directed to use of the fixing template for fixing of radiators on to walls. The fixing template is not restricted by the examples given, and could be used in alternative applications for marking the location of fixing points for an object which requires fixing to a fixing surface.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, s the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark thereon for indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, and a plurality of spacing sections on at least one edge thereof.

2. A fixing template according to claim 1, wherein the fixing template is used for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a central heating radiator to a wall.

3. A fixing template according to either of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fixing template has a plurality of fixing marks thereon.

4. A fixing template according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing template has at least one centre line marked thereon.

5. A fixing template according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of spacing sections are adjacent.

6. A fixing template according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the spacing sections are individually removable.

7. A fixing template according to any preceding claim which further comprises alignment means.

8. A fixing template according to claim 7, wherein the alignment means comprises an arcuate member.

9. A fixing template according to either of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the alignment means is attached to at least one of the spacing sections.

10. A fixing template according to any preceding claim which further comprises level detection means.

11. A fixing template according to claim 10, wherein the level detection means comprise an aperture adapted to accommodate a spirit level.

12. A fixing template according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing template comprises at least one valve line marked on the substantially planar sheet.

13. A fixing template according to claim 12, wherein the at least one valve line corresponds to a position of pipework to which the radiator is to be attached.

14. A fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark for indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, and level detection means operable to ascertain a horizontal level of the fixing template.

15. A fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark thereon, said fixing mark indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, and alignment means operable to assist rotation or rocking of the substantially planar sheet about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the fixing template.

16. A fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar lo sheet having at least one fixing mark thereon, said fixing mark indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, and valve indicating means.

17. A fixing template according to claim 16, wherein the valve indicating means comprise at least one flap.

18. A fixing template according to either of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the valve indicating means indicate the position of at least one radiator valve relative to a radiator.

19. A fixing template according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing template comprises a reflective outer sheet.

20. A fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark thereon, said fixing mark indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, wherein the fixing template is constructed from a thermally insulating material.

21. A fixing template for indicating the location of fixing points for fixing a radiator to a fixing surface, the fixing template comprising a substantially planar sheet having at least one fixing mark thereon, said fixing s mark indicating a position of a radiator fixing point, wherein the substantially planar sheet comprises a reflective material on a portion of at least one face thereof.

lo

22. A radiator outer protective packaging comprising a fixing template according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing template is incorporated in protective packaging of the radiator.

23. A radiator outer protective packaging according to claim 22, wherein the protective packaging has a perforated edge to aid removal of the fixing template therefrom.

24. A method of attaching a radiator to a fixing surface, the method comprising using a fixing template as defined in any of claims 1 to 21 to mark the position of at least one radiator fixing point on the fixing surface, and using the fixing marks to attach the radiator to the fixing surface.

25. A fixing template substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A method of attaching a radiator to a fixing surface substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.