US2862435A

US2862435A - Device for mounting air conditioning unit in a casement window

Info

Publication number: US2862435A
Application number: US465625A
Authority: US
Inventors: Buchenberger Leroy; Joseph R Hornback
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 1954-10-29
Filing date: 1954-10-29
Publication date: 1958-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 1975-12-02

Description

De@ 2, 19,58 l.. BUCHENBERGER Er AL- 2,862,435 DEVICE FOR MOUNTING AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IN A OASEMENT WINDOW Filed oct; 29. 1954 /NVENTORS BUCHE NBERGE R JOSEPH R. HORA/BACK BV p,

Idug O, P4B-Q LEROY ATTORNEY Safes Patent Office 2,862,435 Patented Dec. 2, 1958 DEVICE FOR MOUNTING AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IN A CASEMENT WINDOW Leroy Buchenberger, Evansville, and Joseph R. Hornback,

Hatfield, Ind., assignors, by mesne Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application October 29, 1954, Serial No. 465,625 3 Claims. (Cl. 9s94) This invention relates to air conditioning apparatus but more specically it is concerned with a mounting structure forsupporting a window-mounted type of air conditioning unit in a easement style window.

It is a principal object of the present invention to prowhich is positionable on a stool of a Casement-type, windowstructure and which is cooperative with the sash of said window for supporting Van -air conditioning unit therein. k

A yet still further object is to provide a means for supporting an air conditionlng unit in a Casement-,type Window which is readily installable and removable without deforming or marring any of the window structure.

Another important object is to provide an adjustable A' clamping device which may be locked ina plurality of positions and which is adapted for securing an`air conditioning unit adapter frame to a window sash frame.

A further important object is to provide a mounting' structure for an air conditioningunit which permits'a window-type unit to be mounted so that no part of the assignments, to l Y flow communication with the outside atmosphere.

unit extends outside of or beyond the window sash,`

frame. j

Further objects and advantages of the inventionV will be apparent from the full description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a easement window structure into which the proposed air conditioner adapter frame and clamprassembly have been mounted.;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l but shown with the air conditioner unit in place.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the proposed clampingy device.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view kof the clamping device shown in Fig. 3.

vice of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the clamping device and` shows clearly the gear rack along one edge portion and glazed throughout with conventional window glass V.60 Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the clamping de-v 15. The sash 12, as illustrated, is the well known casement type generally provided with a left-hand opening portion 12a and a right-hand opening portion 12b which meet at the center of the sash. VThe window structure generally includes also a trim member 16 located beneath the stool 11,and a sill 17 which extends outwardly from a wall 18 of the space to be air conditioned.

The air conditioning unit, which is shown generally by the reference numeral 19, may be enclosed by la single casing or housing 20, and, preferably, is the type that is provided with a rear wall opening 21 therein for air Such unit, additionally, is usually provided with a baiile (not shown) 'substantially in the center of said rear wall opening so that air from the outside may enter through one portion of said rear wall opening and exit through anportion thereof after having passed over the condenser and associated equipment in conventional fashion. Since air conditioning units of this general type are so well known, and since. many such units are available on the commercial markets, it is believed further descriptive detailing of the construction of the unit is unnecessary to a proper understanding of the proposed invention.

In accordance with the specific teachings of the present invention there is provided a bonnet or canopy-like adapter frame member 22 which is shaped and Idimensioned to snugly receive the end portion of the units casing 20 which generally encases the condenser portion of the cooling apparatus therewithin. The adapter frame as proposed herein may be formed with a peripherally extending flat outer rim member 23 fashioned to resemble a rectangle and having an inwardly directed ycontinuously extending flange member 24, the marginal edge of which delimits an opening 25 formed thereby..

Said opening 25, preferably, corresponds and registers' generally with the overall area of the combined openings 26, resulting from the removal of a pane of glass from each of the adjoining sash frame portions 12a and 12b of the sash 12, and also with the opening 21 in the rear wall of the units casing 20. It will be appreciated, of course, that the opening 25 generally should be dimensioned so as to provide a suitable sized attaching and reinforcing flange 24 without at the same time making it too large as to be unduly restricting or otherwise interfering with the flow of air from and to the outside atmosphere.

An adjustable clamping device for xedly and securely holding the adapter frame 22 against the sash frame 12, and in a registering position with respect to the adjoining openings 26 in said sash, is indicated generally by the reference numeral 27. The clamp, as illustrated, includes a stationary keeper or jaw-like body portion 28 and an adjustable jaw-like member 29 adapted for slidable positioning therewithin. The body portion 28 as fashioned resembles a C-shape in cross-section with a relatively at upper surface and having opposed inwardly turned depending

ilange members

30, 31 that are spaced and `dimensioned to provide a channel-like groove or track into which the Imovable jaw-like member 29 is snugly but not tightly slidable. Along the edge of the inwardly turned ilange member 31 and facing the ange 30 there is provided a toothed gear rack 32. Secured to and projecting upwardly from the upper surface `of the stationary member or body 28 there is an abutment or stop 33 which, preferably, is spaced inwardly from a forward edge thereof to provide a jaw-like member resembling the'iixed jaw of ya vise. It will be understood, of course, that such stop Aor jaw member may be fashioned integral with the body 28 or it may be separately fonmed and lixedly secured thereto by suitable conventional means, such as spot welding 33a.

The slide member 29, which may be said vto resemble 3. the movable jaw of a vise, is fashioned in the shape of a deformed L with a long horizontal arm 34 and a somewhat shorter arm 35 extending vertically therefrom and' havingthe arm 34 dimensioned to slide easily in. the tra'ck or channel of the non-slidable body portion 287.2/ A piniorrslsector'gear'3'6v isV rotatablyzmounted on.y a stud'or pin 37 which,l in.turn,-is affixed to or anchored inlthesl-idable member l29 in any suitable or conventional manner and is disposed proximate the` free end of the long armm` thereof. 36' by-spot welding 36dor other Vconventional means and'- adapted for"iotationY therewith is an actuating lever or'ha'ndle-'like'arm Sfwhich may be fashioned withfa turned-'nprendportionV 39'to facilitate manual rotative oper-ation thereof.

The pinion gear' 36, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, is fashioned-as any ellipticall'y-shapedmember in which gear teeth have `been providedv only inl a limited portionof the periphery thereof in order tov be 'able to affect disengagement ofthe pinion gear land the rack and thus permit the sliding member 29-to slide freely within the fixed' body member 28 at times wheny adjustment'is required.'- Since the rotationaldisplacement of the actuating armor lever SS-is limited or restricted, when the clamp is in place in a Windowstructure, by contact With the adapter frame 22, plus the additional fact thatthe pinion gear rnustbe disengaged at times from said-gear rack to permit free sliding of one -member within the A ramp-like ridge orrib is provided tok function as Aixed tov the'pinion gear a stop or a locking abutment d@ for the lever arm 38- and for thus maintaining said pinion gear and rack locked in any one of a multitude of diiferent positions. While the lever 38 is 'being rotated counterclockwise, to the position of Fig. 4, the resiliency of saidV arm permits it toyield and ridethe ramp to the endwhereupon" the resiliency thereof 'causes the arm to drop behind the'vertical yface of said stop and to prevent movement of the rack and pinion gear in the'reverse direction. These gears, in eifect; are thus' locked in position.

In utilizing the present invention the adapter frame 22 is positioned over the openings 26, formed when a glazed window vpane is removed from each of the two adjoining lsash frame portions 12a` and 12b of a casement window structure, anda strip-like sealing gasket 41; of suitable resilient' material such as sponge rubber or the like, is interposed between adjoining surfacesy of said'adapter' frame and said sash frame portions to minimize leakage' of air to and from the outside atmosphere and `deaden noise transmission therethrough. With the frame thus located; the clamping device 27 is then adjusted so that the-jaW-like portions thereof are spaced to grip the adapter frame and sash frame. the lever and gear 36 clockwise, as viewed in Figure 4, the meshing teeth on said gear and said rack are disengaged and the member 29 becomes freely slidable with the member 28. Now the abutment or stop 337 on the stationary or keeper portion 28 thereof, may be pressed tightly against the exterior surface of the window sash 12, while the vertical arm 35,of the slide member29, is slidably adjustedV to press tightly against the inner surface of the flange portie-U24 of said' adapter frame. Vifhen thus firmly positioned the actuatingiever or arm 33,' which has heretofore been in its' open position,V is then rotated counterclockwise, to the position By turning of Figure so as to cause the pinion gear 36 to rotate and thereby bring the teeth of the pinion gear 36 into meshing engagement with the tecthof the rack 32. As

the teeth'of pinion' gear 36 engage the toothed rack 32'theV together in a vise-like or gripping action thus forcing the adapted frame 22, sealing gasket 41 and sash frame 12 into a tightly clamped relationship. When the handle or lever arm 3S starts to rotate counterclockwise from its open or teeth disengaged position it contacts the ramp-like portion of the stop or locking member 40, and the resiliency of such arm permits it to yield axiallyas it rides up" this ramp.. Upon reaching the top thereof it then drops in behind the end of the stop and thereafter engages the'vertical surface of said stop to retain said pinion gear and rack meshed in a locked position. In order to release this locked relationship the llever arm 38' must manually be forced over the stop 40 and back down the ramp as it is rotated clockwise, to the position of Figure 4.

With the clamping device 27 locked in position the adapter frame 22 is iixedly secured and is ready to receive the air conditioning unit 19V andits enclosing casing.20 therewithin. Openings 46 in the adapter frame 22 may be provided for accommodating suitable securing means, suchas the screws 43, which, in turn, may be threadably receivedvin the casing 20 for maintaining or holding said unitxedly positioned within said adapter frame. Although two clamping devices, one for each of the sash portions 12a and 12b, and three securing screws have been shown as being employed in the illustrated embodimentv it will be appreciated that deviations from this number may be made and still be withinvthe concepts of the present invention.

From the foregoing it should now be apparent that a 'novell and improvedlmountingV means has been shown and described for use in mounting an air conditioning unit in a easement window structure, It Will be appreciated also that the` proposed device is simple and inexpensice to fabricate and that it may be used without deforming-orotherwise marringv the window structure and yet permit the unit to be mounted entirely Within the space being cooled. It should be understood, of course, that changes may be made in the construction shown herein without departing from the spirit of the invention' or the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A mounting structure for supporting an air conditioning unit having an opening in one wall thereof ina window frame structure having a sash portion from which panes of--glassf have been removed to provide openings -for air communication between the units wall opening and the-outside atmosphere, comprising: an adapter frame having a inwardly directed continuously extending flange whose marginal edge delimits an opening that substantially coincidesand registers with the Y overall areaof the openings in the window sash when said adapter is positioned in close association therewith; a sealing gasket interposed between proximate surfaces of said adapter frame and the window sash; -a channeledv member having anabutment projecting from an upper surface thereof adapted for positioning against an outer surface of the window sash; said channeled member having a gear; rack fashioned along one side if the channel thereof; an angle member slidably positionable within said channeled member and adapted for positioning against an inner surface of said adapter frame flange; a gear member rotatively aixed to said angle member and disposed so as to engage thegear rack of said channeled member, and effectivefor urging said channeled member and said anglemember toward each other upon rotation of the gear in one direction and away from each other upon rotation of the gear in the other directionyand removable means Vfor maintaining an air conditioningunit fixedly positioned within said adapter frame.

2. A clamping device for xedly positioning an air conditioning unit adapter frame mounting in a window frame structure, comprising: 'a channeledmember having an abutment thereon adapted for positioning against the outer surface of a window sash frame; said channeled member having gear teeth formed on one side of the channel thereof; an angularly-shaped member slidably positionable within said channeled member and adapted for positioning against the inner surface of an adapterv frame disposed in close proximity to a window sash frame; a toothed gear member rotatively secured to said angularly-shaped member and disposed so that when rotated in one direction the teeth thereon engage the gear teeth of said channeled member and urge said angularly-shaped and channeled members toward one another, and away from one another when rotated in another direction; an actuating lever aiixed to said toothed gear member; and stop means on said angularly-shaped member and disposed so as to engage said actuating lever in a locking relation for iixedly positioning said channeled member with respect to said angularly-shaped member.

3. A tightening and securing clamp for holding an air conditioning unit against the frame of a window opening comprising, a member provided with a body having a fixed jaw for engaging one side of the window frame and having a movable jaw for engaging the other side of the movable frame, a rack and pinion connection carried by said body for actuating said jaws relative to each other and for drawing the air conditioning unit against the window opening frame, said pinion comprising a partial gear having its teeth ending at a portion of the pinion which permits free sliding movement between said jaws to make a rough adjustment between the jaws, and an actuating member for said pinion adapted thereafter to bring the teeth of the pinion into engagement with the rack and to move the pinion far enough to move the air conditioning unit tightly against the Window frame, said actuating member being adapted to engage a`stop shoulder in the holding position, said stop shoulder being carried by said body, and comprising a beveled member resiliently engaged by the actuating member during the tightening action, and engaged by said actuating member at said stop shoulder in the holding position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 63,468 Card Apr. 2, 1867 529,765 Weyhe Nov. 27, 1894 854,091 Hilberg May 21, 1907 1,760,346 Correa May 27, 1930 2,294,664 Hubbard Sept. 1, 1942 2,322,904 Williams n June 29, 1943 2,448,671 Hord Sept. 7, 1948 2,667,765 Harris et al. Feb. 2, 1954 2,717,508 Loveley et al. Sept. 13, 1955