US2978973A

US2978973A - Window air conditioner mounting assemblies

Info

Publication number: US2978973A
Application number: US626436A
Authority: US
Inventors: James M Sweedyk; Glen L Gleason
Original assignee: Hupp Corp
Current assignee: Hupp Corp
Priority date: 1956-12-05
Filing date: 1956-12-05
Publication date: 1961-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 1978-04-11

Description

April 11, 1961 J. M. swl-:EDYK ErAL 2,973,973

wINnow AIR coNDITroNER MouNTING'AssEn/IBLIES Filed Dec. 5, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April l1, 1961 J, M SWEEDYK ErAL 2,978,973

WINDOW AIR CONDITIONER MOUNTING ASSEMBLIES Filed Dec. 5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 "Il l@ n Jams Mft/660V# 58 @cw @mso/v 7//6 Z6 fB/Y w Wwat ATTORNEYS N 'y A lr April ll, 1961 J. M. swEr-:DYK ETAL 2,978,973

wINDow AIR CONDITIONER MOUNTING AssEMBLIEs Filed nec. 5, 195e s sheets-sheet s f 7 1 nil- 94 y? ATTORNEYS Unitedy safes Patent o WINDOW AIR CONDITIONER MOUNTING ASSEMBLIES James M. Sweedyk and Glen L. Gleason, Beiding, Mich., assignors to Hupp Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Virginia Filed Dec. 5, 1956, Ser. No. 626,436

2 Claims. (Cl. 98-94) This invention relates to air conditioner mounting assemblies and 4more particularly to assemblies for mounting and supporting air conditioning units in window openings.

Window air conditioning units are presently sold in a variety of styles and sizes for installation in a variety of window openings. The air conditioners presently range in size from one-third to two horsepower and the weight of the units, which may be several hundred pounds, requires a mounting assembly of considerable strength and rigidity. Many modern air conditioners are ush mounted, that is, with the inner end of the air conditioner substantially liush with the inner surface of the window frame. Accordingly, the air conditioner projects outwardly from the window and the center of gravity of the air conditioner is located at substantial distance outwardly of the window frame. stallations considerably more than half the weight of the air conditioner unit must be supported by the mounting assembly.

In most cases the mounting assemblies for such installations have included one or more braces running from the underside of the air conditioner to the side of the building below the air conditioner unit. While this construction provides the necessary rigid support, the installation of the mounting assembly requires working from the outside of the building and thus involves considerable risk and inconvenience when the air conditioner is installed in the upper stories of an oice building or apartment house. Further diiliculties are presented by such external braces in connection with the leveling of the air conditioner which must be done accurately t assure proper functioning of the unit.

The installation of external braces also often includes the attachment of the lower ends of the braces to brick or cement walls which is relatively diicult, costly, and time consuming and usually beyond the skill and equipment of the home owner. Any installation which includes external mounted braces also necessitates the defacement of the exterior wall of the building to such an extent that installations of this kind are often prohibited.

With the foregoing considerations in mind it is the principal purpose and object of the present invention to provide improved mounting assemblies for window air conditioning units which may be installed and adjusted entirely from within the building with simple techniques and tools.

In attaining this objective and others, the present invention provides a mounting assembly which includes a frame which encircles the air conditioner shell or housing at the window opening, the upper side of the frame assembly having extensible supporting members which are secured to the sides `of the window opening. In one form of the invention the upper portion of the frame also supports the upper inner ends of diagonal braces which are secured at their opposite ends to the lower side of the air conditioner housing to support the latter at points spaced a sucient distance outwardly of the In such inmounting assemblies which include provision for easyv adjustment to permit easy` and accurate leveling or inclination of the unit as desired from lthe interior of thev building.

It is an additional object to provide improved Window air conditioner mounting assemblies which permit installation of the air conditioner to dispose the inner end of the unit ilush with the interior of the window frame or projecting inwardly a substantial distance from the Window frame as desired. Y

lt is a further object to provide improved mounting assemblies for window air conditioner units which permit installation of the units either symmetrically or asymmetrically in window openings of Widely varying size and shape.

Additional objects and advantageswill become 'apparent as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of atypical installationA a'window air conditioner in accordance vwith the presof ent invention,` only the shell or housing of theair conditioner being shown;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of ure l;

the installation of Fig- Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of' the assembly of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken along line 4 4:

of Figure 3 showing details of construction;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the portionof the assembly shownY in Figure 4 with parts brokenside elevations of modified instal- Ordinarily only the shell is rigidly secured in place in the window and after installation of the shell the operating components are installed. Accordinglyyfor present` purposes, only the installation of the air conditioner shellV will be specifically illustrated.

Also for present purposes the mounting assembly of the present invention will be disclosed in connection with the mounting of the air conditioner in a standard sliding sash double hung window.

The shell indicated 2d and a louvered rear panel 28 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the side and top panels.

the bottom edges of the respective side walls 22 and 24 and support the evaporator, compressor, and motor assembly when the latter is installed. The shell assembly is completed by a extends across the forward portion of the shell `which is otherwise open along its bottom surface.

The window in which the air conditioner shell` is shown installed in Figure 1 includes the usual window sill or stool 36 the

side frames

38 and 40 andthe vertically movable' windwA indicated4 generally at 42. The prin- Pafenfedapr. 11, 1961.

generally at 20 includes louvered side walls 22 and 24 formed integrally with a top panel-

Rails

30 and 32 are welded or otherwise suitably securedv alongsheet metal bottom panel 34 whichV cipal components of the preferred form of the air conditioner mounting assembly are the frame assembly 44,

diagonal braces

46 and 48, the lower support channel 50 and the side sealing panels 52 and 54 and associated sealing structure. j

The frame assembly 44 includes symmetrically

opposite frame members

56 and 57 whichk extendv along the outer surface of the respective side panels of the shell and around the top corners ofthe shell. The frame member S7 is secured at one end to the lower edge of the side wall 24 by a screw 58. The frame member 56 is similarly secured to the lower edge of the side wall 22. The members r56 and 5,7 each comprise a pair of

legs

60 and 62 which are right angularlyV related. The former follows the contour of the shell assembly closely and compresses a sponge rubber sealing gaskat strip 64 against the o-uter surface of the side and top corners of the shell assembly. The` legs 62 form` continuous straight edged flanges extending along the sides of the shell from top to bottom.

Welded oraotheiwise suitably secured tothe portion 65 of the

frame members

56 and 57 and extending along the top surface'of the top shell panel 26 is a rectangular box channel 66, the opposite ends of which project outwardly slightly beyond the plane of the side walls 22 and 24. A sealing gasket 67 extends between the ends of the gaskets 64 and is compressed between the channel 66 and the top panel 26. Telescoped within the box channel 66 are mounting

brackets

68 and 70 which are each formed from U-shaped channel stock and are positioned in therbox channel 66 so that their open sides face, toward the rear as best shown in Figure 4. As also shown in Figure 4 the brackets iitrwithin the box channel 66 in close clearance relation so as to provide a free sliding tit. Integrally formed with the oppositeends of the

.brackets

68 and 70 are attaching

sections

72 and 74, respectively, which extend verticallyupward from the associated brackets.

As best shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5 the brace 48 extends diagonally along the outer surface of the side wall.V

The upper end of the brace is bent inwardly as at 76, reversely bent as at 78 andvagain bent inwardly as at 80 in such a manner that the upper free end of the brace is at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the main body of the brace. The upper bent end portion of the brace extends through a notch 82 in the flange 62 of the frame member 56 and through an opening 84 in the rear wall of the box channel 66.V When so installed the'brace is.

positively locked against inadvertent displacement.Y The brace 46 is mounted by a similar construction at the opposite side of the shell. Y

In most cases the air conditioner shell is of substantially less Width than the standard window opening. For example, many air conditioners are 'approximately 28- inches in width while the standard window opening is slightly over 39 inches. Accordingly, the panels 52 and 54 are provided at the opposite sides of the shell to seal the space between the sides of the shell and the adjacent vertical

window frame members

38 and 40. In accordance with the present invention the panels are preferably of one piece construction and are fabricated from fiberglass or a similar material. Each of the panels is provided along its outer and lower edges with off-

set ange sections

86 and 88 in which sponge rubber strip gaskets 89 are cemented. The gaskets 89 are, when relaxed, of greater depth than the depth of the flanges so that when the panels are installed a tight marginal seal is formed with the adjacent window structure.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 5 the inner edge of the panel 54 is assembled to the projecting flange 62 of the frame member 57 by an S spring clip'90 which extends upwardly from the top of the bottom panel flange 88 to the under surface of the extended, bracket 70. The panel 52 is similarly assembled to the ,liange 62 of the frame member 56. Y

The air conditioner shell may be installed in the followingv manner. lf it is desired to install the air conditoner in the usual manner in the center of the window opening a suitable center mark is made on the window sill and the shell is brought into position with the premarked center on the panel 34 in alignment with the mark on the window sill. The downwardly projecting flange 92 on a stool support member 94 which is rigidly secured to the under surface of the air conditioner shell adjacent the front edge thereof is brought into rm engagement with the outer surface of the window sill 36. 'Ihe window 42 is then lowered behind the

brackets

72 and 74 until the lower edge of the window contacts small tabs 96 struck from the ilanges 62. The shell is then secured to the window sill by four wood screws 98 which extend through the

rails

30 and 32. The spring clips 90 are then assembled to the flanges 62 on the frame members 56 and S7. The panels 52 and 54 are then put into place with their inner unflanged edges inserted into the spring clips and their outer and lower sealing strips in firm engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the window sill and frame. If desired the lower flanges may be secured in place by screws 100; lf the window opening is less than standard width or if it is desired to install the air conditioner asymmetrically, the inner unilanged edge of one or both of the panels may be cut away as required;v

After the panels are secured in place the bracket as

semblies

68 and 70 are moved outwardly to dispose the

tabs

72 and 74 in contact'with the

adjacent frame members

38 and 40 ofthe window and are rigidly secured to these members by screws 101.

Y Each side of the shell is then leveled by placing a level in the

channel members

30 and 32 and by adjusting nuts 102 by which the lower ends of the side braces 46 and 48 are secured to the cross member S0 which is pref erably secured to the

rails

30 and 32 by screws 103. The installation of the air conditioner is then completed by installing the operating components and inserting a sponge rubber sealing strip 106 between the window sill and the lower surface of the air conditionerfront panel shown partially in phantom lines at 107. Generally the seal between the window and the rear side of the box channel 66 and between the window `and the upper edges of the panels 52 and 54 will give satisfactory weather protection. However, if desired, these joints may be positively sealed With'caulking` compound or putty. In accordance with conventional practice a weatherproof sealing strip (not shown) is also preferably installed between the upper surface of the lower Window panel and the adjacent surface of the upper window panel.

' It has been found in practice that the mounting assembly thus far described will adequately support a load many timesthat imposed by the weight of the air conditioner and eectively maintains the air conditioner in its adjusted position.

In some cases because of space limitations, appearance considerations or other factors, it is desirable to install the air conditioner so that it is supported substantially at its mid-point on the window sill. A mounting of this kind is shown in Figure 6. The mounting assembly for this type of installation is the same in all respects as the mounting assembly previously described. For convenience a second supporting member 108 identical to the supporting member 94 is secured to the bottom surface of the shell kat the desired location for engagement with the window sill as shown in Figure 6. In order to accommodate the mounting assembly of Figures 1 5 for this type of installation it is necessary merely to remove the screws 58 and re-install the frame assembly in the position shown in Figure 6, and to similarly relocate the support channel 50 in the position shown.

Figure 7 shows a slightly modified mounting assembly which may be used to mount certain air conditioners nated and the

side frame members

56 and 57 are secured by screws 1110 to the side panels 112 of the shell 1-14 adjacent the upper edge thereof.

When the unit is mounted in the all-the-way-in position as shown in Figure 7, additional braces 115 secured to the underside of the shell 114 and running to the wall or floor of the room are preferably provided. In all other positions external braces are not required.

Additional screw holes 115 are provided to permit the attachment of the mounting frame in alternate positions so the shell 114 may be mounted in the Hush or half-in position shown in Figures 2 and 6.

When the air conditioners are mounted as shown in Figures 2 and 6 the position of the center of gravity is such that if the units are not securely installed they tend to rotate in a clockwise direction about the stool 36.

However, this movement is prevented by the abutment of the tubular member 66 against the inside of the lower window sash member which wedges the latter in its tracks to prevent its upward movement thus positively preventing further rotation of the air conditioner out of the window.

This action provides an effective auxiliary safeguard in the event of careless or incomplete installation or removal of the screws holding the brackets '74 in place before removal of the motor and compressor assembly from the shell.

As an additional safeguard a bracket may be provided for positively holding the window sash in the position shown in Figure l.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the above stated objects and advantages of the present invention have been attained by the provision of air conditioner mounting assemblies of relatively simplied construction which may be installed with the convenience and ease not heretofore possible.

The invention may be embodied in other specic forms Without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein,

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

l. An apparatus for mounting an air conditioner having a shell-like housing enclosing a condenser, `a comv pressor and an evaporator and adapted to be positioned in the opening of a sliding sash window comprising a' hollow tubular frame member extending across the top of said housing at said window opening forwardly of the window sash, bracket members slidably mounted within said tubular frame member and projecting .from the opposit'e ends of said tubular frame member, cooperating means on said tubular member and said bracket members to prevent rotation ofsaid bracket members with respect to said hollowtubular frame member, vertically extending attaching portions formed integrally with the outerv ends of said bracket members and adapted to be attached to the sides of said window opening above said frame member and forwardly of said window sash, side members rigid with said frame member and extending downwardly closely adjacent the opposite sides of said shelllike housing, means securing said side members to the lower portion of said housing, a bottom frame member rigid with the bottom of said housing `and having a downwardly projecting flange engageable with the outer edge of the window sill, brace members extending diagonally along the opposite sides of said housing and pivotally attached at one end to said tubular frame member, and means adjustably attaching the opposite end of said ldiagonal brace members to the lower portion of said housing outwardly of said opening.

2. Apparatus for mounting an air conditioner having a shell-like housing enclosing a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator and adapted to be positioned in the opening of a sliding sash window comprising a hollow tubular frame member of rectangular section extending across the top of said housing at said window opening forwardly of the window sash, bracket members having angularly related surfaces slidably mounted within said tubular member and projecting from the opposite ends of said tubular member, said surfaces cooperating withV the interior of said hollow tubular frame member for preventing rotation of said bracket members with respect to said hollow 'tubular frame member, vertically extending attaching members formed integrally with the outer ends of lsaid bracket members and adapted to be attached to the sides of said window opening above said hollow tubuliar frame members forwardly of said window sash, side members rigid with said hollow tubular frame member and extending downwardly closely adjacent the opposite sides of said shell-like housing, a flange projecting toward the side of said window opening from each of said side members, means securing said side members to the lower portion of said housing, a bottom frame member rigid with the bottom of said housing and having a downwardly projecting flange engageable with the outer side of the window sill, brace members extending diagonally along the opposite sides of said housing and pivotally attached at one end to said hollow tubular frame member, means adjustably attaching the opposite end of said diagonal brace members to -the lower portion of said housing outwardly of said opening, `imperforate panels filling the l spacebetween the sides of said housing and the sides of said window opening, and clips extending substantially the full length of said anges on said side members securing said panels to said anges.

References Cited in the le of this patent l UNITED STATES PATENTS Hord Jan. 7, 1958 .y i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No, 2,978,973 April` ll, 1961 I James M; Sweedyk et al.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below;

Column 5, line L57, for "tubular member" read tubular frame member column 6, line 29, for "members" read -5- portlons Signed and sealed this 10th olay of October 1961.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD y Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer' USCOM M-DC