GB2507045A

GB2507045A - A Radiator Mounting Template

Info

Publication number: GB2507045A
Application number: GB1218541.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Murphy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-16
Filing date: 2012-10-16
Publication date: 2014-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-16
Also published as: GB2507045B; GB201218541D0

Abstract

A template 1 for indicating the position of the wall fixing points for different radiator sizes comprises a substantially planar sheet 2 having a plurality of holes 7 arranged in an orthogonal grid pattern corresponding to different widths/heights of radiators. The sheet may have reference holes 8, 10 located near the edge of the sheet, these holes may have the height/width of the radiator indicated with each hole. The markings may be provided on both sides of the sheet, and there may be radiator-centre markings 9 near the upper edge of the sheet. The template may further include a spirit level, a handle or an aperture which extends across the sheet. An adjustable foot may be located on the lower edge of the template, which can be extended.

Description

Fixing Template

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a fixing template, Particularly one for locating fixing points for attaching a radiator or the like to a wall.

Background of the Invention

Fixing a central heating radiator or similar unit to a wall usually requires two fixing brackets that first need to he screwed to the wall. Once the brackets are fixed to the wall, the radiator can he hung or otherwise attached to the brackets. The brackets include pre-drilled holes and corresponding drill holes need to he made in the wall. G-reat care needs to he taken in locating the position of the drill holes, for example so that the radiator will correctly locate on each bracket, so that it will he level, so that it will not he too close or too far from the floor and that it is in the correct position along the wall, e.g. at the centre of a wall, not too close to a side wall and so on.

Conventionally, locating drill holes involves the time-consuming process of manually marking each location using a tape measure in accordance with the radiator manufacturer's measurement guidelines and/or architect's plans. Different length radiators require different inter-bracket spacings which can depend on whether they are single or double panelled. The required height of the brackets above the floor also depends on radiator width/height.

Radiators tend to be manufactured in standard si2es, typically with lengths ranging from 400mm to 1400mm (in 50/100mm increments) and with widths/heights ranging from 300mm to 700mm (in 50/100mm increments).

Summary of the Tnvention

A first aspect of the invention provides a fixing template for indicating the position ofwall fixing points for different radiator si7es, the template comprising a substantially planar sheet of material having a plurality of holes arranged in an orthogonal grid-like pattern each corresponding to a different respective width\vays and lengthways radiator dimension.

Such a template enables \vall fixing points to he marked, or drilled, relatively quickly and accurately by virtue of the grid-like pattern of holes xvhich are provided for a plurali of standard radiator sizes. By knowing the dimensions of the radiator, the appropriately marked holes can he identified and used.

The template may further comprising a widthways and lengthways row of reference holes provided respectively at or near different edges of the sheet.

Each hole of the widthways row of reference holes may have a marking associated with a radiator height and each hole of the lengthwavs row of reference holes may have a marking associated with a radiator length.

The holes of the row of widthways reference holes may for exarriple include markings for one or more of 500, 600 and 700 mm. The holes of the row of lengthways reference holes may include markings for one or more of 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1!00, t200, !300 and 1400 mm.

Thc template may further comprise markings at or near an upper lengthways edge of the sheet correspondhng to radiator centre positions.

Markings may be provided on both sides of the sheet of material.

The template may further comprise an aperture or recess extending lengthwise across the sheet.

The majority of the aperture or recess may be provided in the lower half of the sheet, below the orthogonal grid-like pattern of holes. The aperture or recess may be provided above the lengthways row of reference holes.

The template may further comprise an adjustable foot fixed or fixable to or near the lower lengthways edge of the sheet of material. The adjustable foot may be fixed at or near the centre of the lower lengthways edge. The foot is preferably adjustable in an axial direction by means oi for example, a screw-thread mechanism or a lever-type mechanism which can lock the foot at a requited extension length. A length gauge or markings may be provided to indicate the length of extension of the foot.

The template may further comprise one or more spirit levels.

The template may further comprise a handle.

A second aspect of the invention provides a fixing template for indicating the position of wall Fixing points for radiators, the template comprising a substantially planar sheet of material having a plurality of holes arranged in an orthogonal grid-like pattern, and an adjustable foot member fixed or fixable to the sheet and extending from the lower edge of the sheet.

Although the fixing template is particularly suitable for indicating the position of wall fixing points for radiators, it is also suitable for other wall mounted articles such as towel rails and electric heaters.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now he described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front plan view of a first embodiment template according to the inventhm; Figure 2 is the view of Figure 1 with four selected holes indicated which is useful for understanding the application of the invention; Figures 3(a) and 3Q) show front plan views of a second embodiment template including an

adjustable foot; and

Figure 4 is a rear plan view of the second embodiment template.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figure!, a fixing template t for a radiator is shown which comprises a substantially platiar sheet 2 of material, which can he wood, metal, plastics or other fonn of relatively rigid material. The outer shape is in this example rectangular.

The template! is in use Positioned flush against a wall and is used to indicate where on the wall four drill holes are to he marked (or directly drilled) to mount brackets for one of a number of different radiator sizes. Markings are provided on the sheet 2 corresponding to radiator length, width (or height) and centre, as will he explained below.

The template 1 is shown from a first side 3 and includes a window-like aperture 5 formed in a lower half of the sheet 2, close to the bottom lengthwise edge 17. The purpose of said aperture is to allow any exposed trunking, cabling or pipework projecting from a wall to pass through it to allow the template I to be held flush against the wall. The aperture 5 can he of any shape and is here elongated along the lengthwise (X) axis. Alternatively, a recess can he cut into one of the side walls to fulfil the same purpose.

On the upper part of the template 1, above the aperture 5, is provided a grid-like set of holes 7 which are orthogonal to one another. Each one of these grid holes 7 has an associated lengthways marking ranging from 400 to 1400 mm (in 100 mm increments) and an associated widthways marking ranging from 500 to 700 mm (in 100 mm increments). These markings correspond to a particular radiator dimension and do not necessarily represent inter-hole spacings on the template I. Two rows 8, 10 of reference holes are also provided: a first row 8 parallel with the lower lengthways edge 17 and a second row 10 adjacent the left-hand widthways edge. Both rows 8, 10 include a common corner hole Ii. Each hole of the first and second rows 8, 10 is aligned with a row of the grid-like set 7as shown.

The distance between a given hole of the grid-like set 7 and its two orthogonal reference holes is appropriate to a particular radiator size, represented by the markings. The markings do not necessarily represent the actual distance between the holes.

Four drill holes are required to mount two mounting brackets (two holes in each bracket) and the template I provides an easy and quick way of marking or directly drilling the four holes with the correct inter-hole spacings. Referring to Figure 2, for example, the dotted circles 20 indicate the four holes appropriate fir mounttng a radiator of size 1200 mm length by 600 mm width.

Note that the common, lower left-hand hole 11 is always used.

A set of centre markings 9 is provided adjacent to the top edge of the sheet 2. These markings 9 are appropriately placed relative to the lengthways holes of the grid 7. The centre markings 9 pro\Tide an indication of where the centre line between the two brackets (and therefore the centre of the radiator) will he on the wall. In the case of a 1200 mm length radiator, therefore, the "1200" tnarking indicates where the radiator centre will be. This is useful if the radiator is to be mounted centrally on a wall (equidistant from the two adjacent walls) or if an architect's plans require the radiator centre to be a specific distance from one adjacent wall. The required distance is first measured and marked using a tape measure and then the user applies the

S

template I to the wail, aligning the template marking to the wall marking 23 (see Figure 2) bef*re marking the holes.

Referring back to Figure 1, the distance I) between the first row 8 of reference holes and the bottom edge 17 of the sheet 2 sets the spacing between the bottom of the radiator and the floor.

However, if there is skirting board fixed to the bottom of the wall, the template I cannot be held flush against the wall unless it is placed above the skirting hoard, in which case the radiator will he mounted too high.

To overcome this problem, a second embodiment provides a template with a mechanism in the fonri of an adjustable foot.

Referring to Figure 3(a), the second embodiment template!0t is identical to the first except that its width/height is shorter, the lowermost edge!17 of the sheet 2 being cut closer to the first row S of reference holes, which also makes the template I ilghter and easier to carry around. At the centre of the lowermost edge is provided a foot 13 extending downwardly from the lower edge 117 and having an axial length that can he adjusted for example using a screw-thread mechanism or locking lever-release mechanism. \Vhen fully extended, as shown in Figure 3(a), the distance D is the same as that for the first embodiment and is appropriate where there is no skirting board to ensure the radiator's height above the ground is correct. Refening to Figure 3Q), where there is skirting board 121 present, the foot 13 can be retracted along its axial length by an amount equal to the height of the skirting board so that the template 101 can be held flush against the wall and the foot located on the top of the skirting hoard. This ensures that the distance D remains the same.

A gauge or series of markings can he provide to indicate die degree of extension/retraction of the foot 13.

Additionally, one or more spirit levels (not shown) can be provided on the template 1, 101 to allo\v the user to ensure the template is level. One reason for using a single, centrally-mounted foot 13 in the second embodiment is because the floor of a room, or the upper edge of the skirting board, may not be level and hence along with the spirit level(s) the user can easily make small adjustments to die template using die foot as pivot point to ensure it is level.

A handle (not shown) may also he provided on the template 1, 101 so that the user can carry it from place to place, and easily hold it in position against a wall.

Further, the aforementioned template embodiments 1, 10! are preferably marked on both sides.

Figure 4 shows the reverse side of the second embodiment and it will be seen that the markings are referenced from the right-hand side rather than the left-hand side. This is useful \vhere a radiator is to he mounted close to a right-hand adjacent wall and its position is referenced from said wall, e.g. on architect's plans or simply because it is easier to measure from the right-hand side.

It will he appreciated that the nurriher of holes, markings arid their i icrernents mentioned above are examples and can he modified. For example, a further set of holes can he provided to cater for double-panelled radiators in addition to the current set of holes for single-panelled radiators.

The markings for each type of radiator can he in different colours to clearly distinguish them.

It will he appreciated that the above described embodiments are purely illustrative and are not limiting on the scope of the invention as should he apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present application.

Moreover, the disclosure of the present apphcaflon should be understood to include any novel features or any novel combination of features either explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein or any generalization thereof and during the prosecution of the present apphcation or of any application derived therefrom, new claims may be formulated to cover any such features and/or comhinathn of such features.

Claims

Clam-is 1. A fixing template for indicating the position of wall fixing points for different radiator sizes, the template comprising a substantially planar sheet of material having a plurality of holes arranged in an orthogonal grid-like pattern each corresponding to a different respective widthways or lengthways radiator dimension.
2. A fixing template according to claim I, further comprising a widthways and lengthways row of reference holes provided respectively at or near different edges of the sheet.
3. A fixing template according to claim 2, wherein each hole of the widthways row of reference holes has a marking associated with a radiator height and each hole of the lengthwavs row of reference holes has a marking associated with a radiator length.
4. A fixing template according to claim 3, wherein holes of the row of widthways reference holes include markings for onc or more of 500, 600 and 700 mm.
5. A fixing template according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein holes of the row of lengtliways reference holes include markings for one or more of 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300 and 1400 mm.
6. A fixing template according to any preceding claim, further comprising markings at or near an upper lengthways edge of the sheet corresponding to radiator centre positions.
7. A fixing template according to any preceding claim, wherein the markings are provided on both sides of the sheet of material.
8. A fixing template according to any preceding claim, further comprising an aperture or recess extending lengthwise across the sheet.
9. A fixing template according to claim 8, wherein the majority of the aperture or recess is provided in the lower half of the sheet, below the orthogonal grid-like pattern of holes.
10. A fixing template according to claim B or claim 9 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the aperture or recess is provided above the lengthways row of reference holes.
ii. A flxing template according to any preceding claim, further comprising an adjustable foot fixed or fixable to or neat the lower lengthways edge of the sheet of material and which can be extended and retracted with respect to said edge.
12. A fixing template according to claim 11, wherein the adjustable foot is fixed at the centre of the lower lengthways edge.
13. A fixing template according to any thng claim, further comprising one or inure spirit levels.!4. A fixing template according to any preceding claim, further comprising a handle.13. A fixing template for indicating the position of wall fixing points for radiators, the template comprising a substantially planar shect of material having a plurality of holes arranged in an orthogonal grid-like pattern, and an adjustable foot member fixed or fixable to the sheet and extending from the lower edge of the sheet.