MXPA99001225A - Device for supply of - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for assembling an article having a cabinet, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: connecting a tube structure having a tube with a shape preformed so that it fits around objects arranged in the article, a first Accessory in a first end of the tube, and a second attachment in a second end of the tube, the second attachment has a non-circular portion, to a burner structure using the first fitting, provide a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket defines a Non-circular clamp opening, the clamp opening is adapted to receive a non-circular, complementary portion of the second fixture, to substantially prevent the rotation of the second fixture to the clamp opening formed during assembly, securing the second fixture to the fixture. mounting clamp in a fixed condition to substantially prevent axial movement relat between the second fixture and the clamp, regardless of whether the second fixture is connected more, thereby providing a combination of tube / clamp structure assembled in a fixed condition, inserting the tube / clamp structure combination and the structure of the fixture. attached burner in a cabinet, such that the second fixture extends through an opening defined by the cabinet, attaching the mounting bracket to the cabinet, and securing the burner structure inside the cabinet

Description

DEVICE FOR GAS SUPPLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally related to a gas supply structure for an article energized by natural gas. The invention also provides a method for assembling the article. Many household items are energized, at least in part, with natural gas. This requires that the article be provided with a gas supply structure to connect the article to an external gas supply line and to feed the natural gas entering a burner structure. Various improvements to the gas supply structures have been made over the years. These improvements include the use of a double flange fitting as found in U.S. Patents. Nos. 4,871,199 granted on October 3, 1989, and 5,573,285 granted on November 12, 1996, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Another improvement is the use of a post or stake joint to join a pipe that transports gas with an accessory component. Examples of stake joints are found in U.S. Patents. Nos. 3,930,298 granted on January 6, 1976, 3,977,710 granted on August 31, 1976 and 4,126,929 granted on November 28, 1978, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Double flange fittings and stake joints have helped reduce the number of parts required by the article, and reduce the number of stages required to assemble the article. Despite these improvements, however, there is a need in the article manufacturing art to further improve the gas supply structure and the method of assembling the articles. It has been found that during installation, excessive torque is often applied to the parts comprising the gas supply structure. This excessive torque often results in fractured parts or separate joints that can allow the leakage of natural gas. Obviously, this condition is unacceptable and must be corrected before completing the assembly process. The repair or replacement of damaged parts, however, increases both the total cost and the assembly time of the items. In addition, the process of installing a gas supply structure in the article is prolonged and difficult. A number of factors contribute to this problem. These factors include the lack of space within the article to manipulate parts and tools, the difficulty in locating the gas supply structure around other sub-systems of articles, and the difficulty in holding one end of the gas supply structure while that the other is held. These difficulties also increase the total cost of the item. The present invention overcomes at least some of the above-noted disadvantages of the related art, by providing a gas supply structure for an article that makes the assembly process easier and faster while minimizing the number of damaged parts. This is achieved by providing a pre-configured gas supply structure having inter-locking components to support and prevent the rotation of the structure during installation. The gas supply structure can be connected to a burner structure outside the article where the manipulation of the parts is simple. The gas supply structure is constructed of lightweight parts that help reduce the total weight and shipping cost of the item. BRIEF COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a gas supply structure for an article includes a tube with a first end and a second end. The tube is preconfigured to fit around sub-systems of the article, thereby improving the installation of the gas supply structure in the article. The first end is provided with a first accessory and the second end is provided with a second accessory, the second accessory has a second form of accessory. The structure also has a mounting clamp defining a clamp opening for receiving the second attachment. The clamp opening has a shape complementary to that of the second form of attachment, such that the mounting clamp and the second attachment cooperate to substantially prevent the rotation of the tube. The present invention also provides a method for assembling an article having a cabinet. A tube structure includes a preformed tube configured to fit around objects in the cabinet, having the first fitting at a first end of the tube and the second fitting at the second end of the tube. The structure of the tube is connected to a burner structure using the first accessory. The tube structure and connected burner structure are then inserted into the cabinet, such that a first portion of the second fixture extends through an opening defined by the cabinet. The burner structure is then held inside the cabinet.

The present invention also provides a method for assembling a device for gas supply. A tube, having a first end and a second end, is bent into a shape that improves the installation of the device in an article. A first accessory is connected to the first end of the tube. A second accessory that defines a second form of accessory is connected to the second end of the tube. A mounting clamp is provided to connect the device to a cabinet, the mounting clamp defines a clamp opening for receiving the second fixture. The clamp opening has a shape complementary to that of the second form of attachment. The mounting bracket is placed on the second fixture, such that the second fixture shape and the clamp opening shape cooperate to substantially prevent rotation of the tube relative to the second fixture. The cabinet is provided with a receiver for the mounting bracket and to prevent rotation of the mounting bracket. Therefore, rotation of the device as a whole is avoided to prevent damage to the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIVERSE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING These and additional features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a gas supply structure in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the gas supply structure of Figure 1 rotated ninety degrees; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on line 4-4 of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the detailed description that follows, identical components were given the same reference numbers, and in order to illustrate In a clear and concise manner the present invention, certain characteristics may be shown in a somewhat schematic manner. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the present invention provides a gas supply structure 10 for a gas-powered article. The illustrated article is a clothes dryer, but other types of articles energized with gas are within the scope of the present invention. The gas supply structure connects a burner structure that consumes natural gas to an external gas supply line 13. The burner structure 11 includes a multiple pipe 12 and other components such as a gas valve, such as a gas burner. , an ignition device and a burner mounting bracket 15. The article includes a cabinet 17 having at least one cabinet wall 14. Cabinet wall 14 is provided with an opening 16 (Figure 3) and as will be discussed with In greater detail below, a part of the structure of the gas supply 10 extends through the cabinet opening 16 (Figure 3). The gas supply structure 10 includes a tube structure 18 and a mounting bracket 52. The tube structure includes a tube 20, a first fixture or burner 24 and a second fixture or inlet 30. The parts of the structure of tube 18 are preferably made of lightweight non-ferrous material, such as aluminum, but can be any other suitable material such as steel. Said tube 20 is resilient, but also easily bent into a convenient shape, and is flexible, so that it will yield slightly during installation. This allows handling of the gas supply structure 10 relatively effortlessly when the components are placed and clamped in the article. The tube 20 is manufactured with a series of elbows 33, 34 and 35 at predetermined locations and with predetermined angles. The elbows 33, 34 and 35 are provided to allow the gas supply structure 10 to extend through the interior of the article -from the gas supply line 13 to the burner structure 11. Some elbows 33, 34 and 35 may also be required to guide the tube around other components in the article. While the illustrated tube has three elbows, other amounts locations and / or angles may be necessary for other items. The tube 20 has a first end 22 that is provided with the burner attachment 24. The burner attachment 24 is preferably a double-flange fitting, but may be other convenient types of accessories. The patents of the U.S.A. Nos. 4,871,199 granted on October 3, 1989, and 5,573,285 granted on November 12, 1996, both describe double flange type fittings and are incorporated herein by reference. The burner attachment 24 couples the burner structure 11 by the tube manifold 12 as best illustrated in Figure 2. The tube 20 has a second end 28 that is provided with the inlet fitting 30. The inlet fitting 30 also It is made of lightweight non-ferrous material, such as aluminum, but it can be any other suitable material. This type of material makes the input accessory 30 easy to machine and manufacture resulting in an economical product. The inlet fitting 30 is preferably attached to the tube 20, using a stake joint 32 (Figure 3), but can be joined by any convenient joint. Examples of stake joints 32 are described in U.S. Patents. Nos. 3,930,298 granted on January 6, 1976, 3,977,710 granted on August 31, 1976 and 4,126,929 granted on November 28, 1978, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Now with reference to Figure 3, the entry fitting 30 is illustrated in cross section. The inlet fitting 30 is provided with a body portion 36. The body portion 36 is preferably configured such that it can be held by a wrench. For example, a hexagonal shaped body portion 36 will suffice. The entry fitting 30 has a front 40 at one end and a rear 42 at the other end. Extending from the front 40 is a first threaded portion 44 and a second threaded portion 46. The first threaded portion 44 is dimensioned for connection to the gas supply line 13 (Figure 1). The inlet fitting 30 defines a passage 50 extending from the front 40 to the back 42. The tube 20 which is preferably attached to the rear part of the inlet fitting 30, communicates with the passage 50, in such a way that Natural gas can flow from the gas supply line through the inlet fitting 30, through the tube 20, to the burner structure 11. As a person skilled in the art will appreciate, the tube 20 can alternatively be attached to a side of the input fitting 30 and communicating with a passage 50 that originates at the front 40 of the input fitting 30, by turning the input fitting 30 and ending at the side of the input fitting 30 where the tube is connected to the input fitting 30. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the mounting bracket 52 defines a clamp opening 54. The clamp opening 54 is dimensioned and configured to receive the input fitting 30, such that the clamp assembly 52 cooperates with a complementary input fitting shape 56. In this manner, the mounting bracket 52 and the input fitting 30 cooperate to minimize rotation of the tube 20. the interaction between the mounting bracket 52 and the input fitting 30 , also serves to support the tube inside the article. The shape of the inlet fitting 56 is preferably defined by the outer surface of the second threaded portion 46, but can be defined by the body portion 36 or the first threaded portion 44 with equivalent results. Once received by the mounting bracket 52, the entry fitting 30 is fastened to the mounting bracket 52. In the preferred embodiment, this is achieved by threadingly engaging a nut 60 in the second threaded portion 46. The mounting bracket 52 is provided with a recess 62 in the area around the clamp opening 54. The recess 62 adjusts the nut 60, allowing the mounting bracket 52 to be held level with the wall of the cabinet 14. In order to attach to the cabinet wall 14, the mounting bracket 52 and the cabinet wall 14 are provided with at least one threaded hole. A screw 64, or equivalently, a combination of nut and bolt, is employed in conjunction with the threaded hole to secure the mounting bracket 52 to the cabinet wall 14 (Figures 2 and 4). To improve alignment and secure capacity, the mounting bracket 52 can be provided with projections 66, preferably in the form of flanges on edges of the mounting bracket 52. To receive the projections 66, the cabinet wall 14 is provided with receivers 68. The receivers 68 are preferably in the form of slots for receiving the flanges. The projections 66 and the receivers 68 cooperate to align the. mounting bracket 52 and assist in retaining the mounting bracket 52 in position. With the use of projections 66 and receivers 68, the use of screws 64 for clamping the mounting bracket 52 becomes optional. This is due to the resilience of the components, ie the tube 20 and the inlet fitting 30, will keep the mounting bracket 52 in place, once the burner structure is held within the article. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the receivers 68 can be formed integrally with the cabinet wall 14 or on a separate receiver plate (not shown) that is fastened to the cabinet wall. An article incorporating the gas supply structure 10 according to the present invention can be assembled in an easy and time efficient manner. Two alternate assembly methods are contemplated. The first method of assembly begins with connecting the tube structure 18 to the burner structure 11 by securing the burner attachment 24 to the burner manifold 12. This stage of preference is performed outside the cabinet of article 17 where the parts are manipulated easily. Then, the mounting bracket 52 is placed in the input fitting 30 such that the shape of the input fitting 56 is in cooperation with the clamp opening 54. The mounting bracket 52 is then fastened to the input fitting 30 using the nut 60. Next, the tube structure 18 with the burner structure connected 11 and the mounting bracket 52, are inserted into the cabinet 17, such that the first threaded portion 44 extends through the opening cabinet 16 and the burner mounting bracket 15 is adjacent to a receiving point 72. Once the components are inserted and located in the article, the burner structure 11 is clamped inside the article when connecting the burner mounting bracket 15 to the receiving point, with screws 74 or the like. Finally, the mounting bracket 52 is attached to the cabinet wall 14 with the bolt 64 or to align the projections 66 to be received by the 68 or Arabic receivers. It will be noted that the projections 66 and the receivers 68 can already be aligned as a result of the placement and insertion procedure. It will also be noted that the order of many of the stages can be changed. For example, the mounting bracket 52 can be attached to the input fitting 30 before the burner structure 12 is attached to the tube structure 18. The second assembly method also begins with connecting the tube structure 18 to the structure of burner 11 when holding burner attachment 24 to manifold burner 12. This stage of preference is performed outside the cabinet of article 17, where the parts are easily handled. Next, the mounting bracket 52 is attached to the cabinet wall 14 using the bolt or screws 64, such that the clamp opening 54 is aligned with and adjacent to the cabinet opening 16. At this point, the projections 66 should be coupled to the receivers 68, if the mode is chosen using the projections 66 and the receivers 68. It will be noted that the step of connecting the tube structure 18 to the burner structure 11 and the step of holding the Mounting clamp 52 can be driven in an opposite order with equivalent results. Next, the structure of the tube 18, with the connected burner structure 11 is inserted into the cabinet 17, such that the first threaded portion 44 extends through the cabinet opening 16, the shape of the input fitting. 56 is in cooperation with the clamp opening 54 and the burner mounting clamp is adjacent to the receiving point 72. Once the components are inserted and located in the article, the burner structure is clamped inside the article when connecting the burner. Burner mounting clamp 15 to the receiving point with screws 74 or the like. Finally, the mounting bracket 52 is fastened to the entry fitting 30 as the nut 60 passes over the first threaded portion 44 and through the cabinet opening 16 then when the nut 60 is threadedly engaged in the second threaded portion 46. In case of that this method of assembly method is employed, the cabinet opening 16 must be large enough to allow the nut 60 and a tool to butt-tighten the nut 60. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the order of many The previous stages can be changed with equivalent results. For a number of reasons, both of these methods help greatly in making the assembly of the article easy and economical. A main reason is that the components are assembled in places where it is simple to work the parts. For example, the stop structure 18 is connected to the structure of the burner 11 outside the cabinet of the article 17 instead of inside the cabinet 17, where space is limited and the handling of the parts and tools is difficult. Another reason is that before the entry fitting 30 and the mounting bracket 52 and the mounting bracket 52 and the cabinet wall 14 are permanently fastened, they all interlock together with cooperating shapes to support and prevent rotation of the tube structure, while the burner structure 11 is clamped. Once the structure of the burner 11 is held, the remaining parts can be held with little effort. Another reason is that the selection of the material of the tube 20 contributes to flexibility to the gas supply structure 18. This allows easy handling of the components during the location and fastening of the burner structure 11 and the combination of inlet fitting 30 / mounting clamp 52. Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited correspondingly in scope, but includes all changes and modifications that fall within the spirit and terms of the claims here attached.

Claims (28)

1. CLAIMS 1.- Method for assembling an article that has a cabinet, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: connecting a tube structure having a tube with a preformed shape so that it fits around objects arranged in the article, a first accessory in a first end of the tube, and a second accessory at a second end of the tube, to a burner structure using the first accessory; and inserting the tube structure and the burner structure connected to the cabinet, such that a first portion of the second accessory extends through an opening defined by the cabinet; and fasten the burner structure inside the cabinet.
2. 2. - The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: providing a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket defines a bracket opening, the bracket opening is adapted to receive the second fitting, and the the clamp opening and the second attachment have cooperating shapes to substantially prevent rotation of the second attachment; Attach the second accessory to the mounting bracket and attach the mounting bracket to the cabinet.
3. 3. - The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of connecting the structure of the tube to the burner structure is performed outside the cabinet.
4. 4. - The method according to claim 2, wherein the second accessory is attached to the mounting bracket with a nut that engages a second portion of the second accessory, the second portion has an outer surface that defines the cooperating form of the second accessory.
5. 5. A gas supply structure for an article having a cabinet, characterized in that it comprises: a tube with a shape for improving installation in the article having a first end and a second end, the first end is provided with a first accessory and the second end is provided with a second accessory, the second accessory has a second accessory form; a mounting bracket defining a clamp opening for receiving the second fixture, the clamp opening having a clamp opening shape complementary to that of the second fixture form, such that the mounting clamp and the second fixture cooperate to substantially prevent rotation of the tube.
6. 6. - The structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the mounting bracket is provided with a projection that couples a receiver in the cabinet.
7. 7. - The structure according to claim 6, characterized in that the projection is a flange and the receiver is a slot.
8. 8. - The structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the mounting bracket is fastened to the cabinet with a screw.
9. 9. - The structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the tube has a bend to allow the tube to extend from a burner adjacent to the first end to an opening defined by the cabinet adjacent to the second end.
10. 10. The structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the second accessory has a back and a front, and the tube is connected to the back of the second accessory.
11. 11. - The structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the tube is connected to the second accessory by a stake joint.
12. 12. - The structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the first accessory is a double flange fitting.
13. 13. - The structure according to claim 10, characterized in that the second accessory defines a passage that extends from the back to the front of the second accessory and the tube communicates with the passage.
14. 14. - The structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the second accessory has a body portion, a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion, the second threaded portion defines the second form of attachment.
15. 15. - The structure according to claim 14, characterized in that the body portion is hexagonal.
16. 16. - The structure according to claim 15, characterized in that the assembly clamp is fastened to the second accessory.
17. 17. The structure according to claim 14, characterized in that the mounting bracket is fastened to the second accessory with a nut that engages the second threaded portion.
18. 18. - The structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the tube and the second accessory are made of lightweight non-ferrous material.
19. 19. - The structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the tube and the second accessory are made of aluminum.
20. 20. - The structure according to claim 14, characterized in that the first threaded portion is dimensioned for connection to a line for gas supply.
21. 21. Method for assembling a device for gas supply, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) bending a tube in a shape to improve the installation of the device in an article, the tube has a first and a second end; b) connecting a first accessory to the first end of the tube; c) connecting a second accessory to the second end of the tube, the second accessory defines a second form of attachment; d) providing a mounting bracket for connecting the device to a cabinet, the mounting bracket defining a bracket opening for receiving the second fixture, the clamp opening having a clamp-opening shape complementary to that of the second fixture form; and e) placing the mounting bracket on the second fixture, such that the second fixture shape and the shape of the clamp opening cooperate to substantially prevent the rotation of the tube relative to the second fixture.
22. 22. - The structure according to claim 21, characterized in that it also comprises the step of providing the cabinet with a receiver for the mounting bracket and preventing rotation of the mounting bracket and the device as a whole, thus avoiding damage to device.
23. 23. - The structure according to claim 22, characterized in that the step of providing a mounting bracket includes forming a projection for coupling the receiver.
24. 24. - The structure according to claim 23, characterized in that the projection is a flange and the receiver is a slot.
25. 25. The structure according to claim 21, characterized in that it also comprises the step of providing the first accessory with a double flange used to connect the gas supply device with a burner structure.
26. 26. The structure according to claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises the step of providing the second accessory with a body portion, with a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion.
27. 27. The structure according to claim 26, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of dimensioning the first threaded portion for connection with a gas supply line and forming the second threaded portion to define the second form of accessory.
28. 28. The structure according to claim 21, characterized in that it also comprises the step of fastening the mounting bracket with the second accessory with a nut.