US3367412A

US3367412A - Wall mounted enclosure for an elongated heat exchanger

Info

Publication number: US3367412A
Application number: US519286A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert L Hagensick; Bruce K Johnson; Ronald P Wood
Original assignee: Modine Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Modine Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1966-01-07
Filing date: 1966-01-07
Publication date: 1968-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1985-02-06

Description

Feb. 6, 1968 R. L. HAGENSICK ETAL 7 3,367,412

WALL MOUNTED ENCLOSURE FOR AN ELONGATED HEAT EXGHANGER Filed Jan. 7, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 6, 1968 R. L. HAGENSlCK ETAL 3,357,412

WALL MOUNTED ENCLOSURE FOR AN ELONGATED HEAT EXCHANGER Filed Jan. 7, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent Ofiice 3,367,412 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 3,367,412 WALL MUUNTED ENiILUSURE FOR AN ELONGATED HEAT EXCHANGER Robert I... lia'agensick, Bloomington, IlL, Bruce K. Johnson, St. Paul, Minn, and Ronald P. Wood, Racine, Wis,

assignors to Modine Manufacturing, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed .Ian. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 519,286 6 Claims. (Cl. 165-56) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A wall mounted enclosure for an elongated heat exchanger such as a baseboard type heater in which a rigid elongated support strip is attachable to a wall and with the heat exchanger itself being supported from the support strip so that the elements of the enclosure can be mounted evenly and uniformly on the support strip regardless of whether or not the wall is uniform.

This invention relates to a wall mounted enclosure for an elongated heat exchanger such as a baseboard radiator for heating a room.

The wall mounted enclosure of this invention provides a rigid enclosure for the heat exchanger combined with a mounting means for the heat exchanger so that the entire structure may be easily mounted on a wall to present a uniformly level structure regardless of whether the wall itself is uniform or whether it is uneven.

One of the features of this invention is to provide a wall mounted enclosure for an elongated heat exchanger in which a rigid elongated support strip is attachable to a wall to extend horizontally therealong with the enclosure structure and the heat exchanger itself being supported from the support strip so that the elements of the apparatus can be mounted evenly and uniformly on the support strip regardless of whether or not the wall is uniform.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of certain embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a wall mounted enclosure embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective exploded view showing certain of the parts disassembled and illustrating how a plurality of enclosure members may be arranged in endto-end relationship.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating a second embodiment of the invention.

In the illustrated embodiments there is provided an elongated support strip which may be of metal such as extruded aluminum that may be mounted substantially horizontally on a supporting wall 11 as by a plurality of screws 12. The support strip 10 is mounted above the floor 13 for a baseboard type unit.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 3 the support strip 10 is provided with a rear section 14 adapted to be placed flat against the wall, a forwardly extending horizontal section 15 and a bottom section 16 also adapted to be placed against the wall. The bottom section 16 is shaped to provide an elongated cavity 17 in which is located an elongated resilient sealing gasket 18 which may be made of resilient polyurethane foam.

On the bottom of the support strip 10, as shown for example in FIGURE 4, there is provided a forwardly extending flange member 19 which extends forwardly of the wall 11 and which is used to attach the upper end of a heat exchanger support means in the form of elongated metal wire 20. The upper end of this wire 20 extends through the flange 19 and has threaded to it a nut 21 so that the position of the wire 20 may be adjusted vertically depending upon the extent that the nut 21 is screwed on the wire. The bottom of the support wire 20 is shaped to form a hook 22 which hooks under the heat exchanger pipe 23 of the customary type which as is usual carries a plurality of spaced heat exchange fins 24.

FIGURES 2 and 5 illustrate how the heat exchanger 23 may be positioned vertically to a desired position depending upon the length of the support wire 20.

The top rear section 14 and the forwardly extending section 15 of the support strip 10 are shaped to provide a pair of vertically extending horizontally spaced retaining means with a first retaining means 25 being closer to the wall 11 than is a second retaining means 26. The two retaining means define a cavity having an entrance therebetween and are so arranged that the rear top edge portion 27 of an enclosure member 28 may extend into the cavity and engage on its upper surface the first retaining means 25 and on its lower surface the second retaining means 26. Thus, a cantilever suspension is provided of the top of the enclosure member 28 from the support strip 10.

The top edge portion 27 of the enclosure member 28 is provided with an upward extension 29 in the form of a flange that is normally spaced rearwardly of the first retaining means 25 and forwardly of the wall 11. With this arrangement, the enclosure 28 may be adjustably positioned with respect to the support strip 10.

In order to retain solidly the bottom of the enclosure 28 there are provided a plurality of spaced bottom braces 30 each attached to the wall 11 as by means of a screw 31. Each brace is of sheet metal and is provided with side flanges 32 to give strength to the brace. Each brace carries of its forward end an attaching means in the form of a clamp 33 that may be held in position by a wing bolt 34 to clamp the lower upturned bottom edge 35 of the enclosure 28. The clamp 33 is movable along its bottom brace 30 in order to adjust its position also to compensate for uneven wall structures.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 4 the illustrated brace 30 is attached to a vertical locating strip member 36 whose upper end is attached to the bottom flange 19 of the support strip 10. This locating strip insures positioning the brace 30 a proper distance from the support strip 10.

FIGURE 4 also illustrates the use of a backing plate 37 that may define the rear of the enclosure. If desired, the locating strip 36 and backing plate 37 need not both be used simultaneously, as either may be used alone. Where the backing plate is used without the locating strip 36, the backing plate itself serves to locate the bottom braces 30 properly with respect to the support strip 10.

In the embodiment of this invention trim strips 38, as shown in FIGURE 4, and corner trim strips 39, as shown in FIGURE 1, are used. These trim strips serve to conceal the adjacent edges of enclosure members 28 to provide a continuous seal construction and to present a pleasing appearance. As is shown in FIGURE 4, the trim strips include a bottom foot 40 with an upturned inner flange 41 that will be located under and around the bottom flange 42 On the enclosure 28 when the trim strips are installed. The upper ends of the trim strips are held in the supporting strip 10.

As is illustrated in FIGURE 3, the

trim strips

38 and 39 are each provided with a spring catch means at the top releasably engaging the support strip 10. This spring catch means is hidden beneath the trim strip and is provided on its inner end with a catch portion 43 located behind the first retaining means 25 on the supporting strip 10. The catch portion 43 forms a part of a depressible leaf spring mounting portion 44 that is accessible through a small opening 45 immediately above the spring portion 44. Thus, when a downward force is applied through the opening 45 on the spring portion 44, as indicated by the arrow 46, the spring catch may be moved to its broken line position as shown in FIGURE 3 for ready removal of the

trim strips

38 and 39.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the enclosure member 28 may contain the usual air outlet louvers 47.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 1-4 inclusive, the enclosure member 28 is provided with a flat top. In the embodiment of FIGURE 5, on the other hand, the top is sloped downwardly.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 4, the enclosure members may contain internal bracing 48 for added rigidity. Also as illustrated in these figures, the enclosure member 28 may be provided with end inturned flanges 49 also for strengthening purposes. In actual construction these flanges will be hidden by the

trim strips

38 and 39 where theenclosures are arranged in end-to-end relationship or at the terminal end will be hidden by an end cap member (not shown).

In order to locate the rear top edge portion 27 of the enclosure member substantially immovably on the support strip 10 the top end flanges 49 may be provided with bottom notches 50, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, for resting on the top edge of the bottom second retaining means flange 26.

The enclosure apparatus of this invention has a number of very important functional advantages. Thus, the use of a support strip 10 which may be of extruded metal such as aluminum permits supporting the parts of the enclosure apparatus from this strip. Because the support strip itself is straight, the enclosure apparatus Will be straight when installed regardless of irregularities and variations in the wall on which the apparatus is mounted. In addition, the support strip 10 provides a top edge that extends above the cover member 28, as illustrated in the drawings, to provide a straight pleasing appearance to the top of the enclosure structure. The support strip also provides a very strong suspension mounting not only of the cover member 28 but also of the

heat exchanger

23 and 24.

The arrangement of the support strip 10 extending above and enclosing the rear edge of the cover member28 also serves to prevent exposure of raw metal edges and of screws and fasteners. Thus, this construction in combination with the

trim strips

38 and 39 hides all attaching means and gives a smooth over-all appearance. Because the cover member 28 as well as the sloped top cover member 51 of FIGURE are mounted at both top and bottom the cover members are very rigidly mounted. This rigidity is further inhanced by constructing both the top support strip and the bottom braces 30 to resist bending even when subjected to very strong forces. In addition, the adjustable clamp means 33 and 34 provides a strong connection of the bottom of the enclosure to the bottom brace 30.

With the catch construction previously described, the trim strips 38 and 39 are tightly held against the cover members to provide good air seal and neat appearance and to prevent the exposure of raw metal edges. However, the trim strips can be easily removed by merely releasing the top spring catch 44 in the manner previously described. Because the spring catches can only be released by force applied through the top openings 45, there is little danger of accidental release. Furthermore, because only a thin probe is required these openings can be quite small so as to attract little if any attention. Because the trim strips 38 and 39 overlap adjacent edges of adjacent enclosure members or panels, the spacing of these adjacent edges may vary without being noticeable from the exterior.

The resilient seal 18 between the support strip 10 and the wall 11 seals in the air and prevents soiling and streaking of the wall 11 and wall mounted draperies and the like. In addition, the cantilever construction not only provides a very strong suspension of the top of the enclosure members or panels but also itself provides a superior seal at the top rear of the enclosures.

As the bottom braces 30 are quite strong and extend forwardly a substantial distance from the mounting wall 11 these braces serve to absorb any heavy force applied to the enclosure, particularly at the top. Furthermore, the

clamps

33 and 34 lock the bottom of the enclosure against movement rearwardly or forwardly and thus gives added strength to the entire structure.

Having described our invention as related to the cmbodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it is our intention that the invention be not limited by any of the details of description, unless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

1. In a wall mounted enclosure with an elongated heat exchanger, apparatus comprising: a rigid elongated support strip attachable to a Wall to extend horizontally therealong; support means extending downwardly from said strip for supporting said heat exchanger; an enclosure member for said heat exchanger having a rear top edge portion; and means on said strip for retaining said rear top edge portion and thereby supporting said enclosure member from its said rear top edge portion, said means on said strip for retaining said rear top edge portion comprises a pair of horizontally spaced retaining means defining a cavity having an entrance therebetween, said rear top edge portion of the enclosure member extending into said cavity and having an upper surface and a lower surface and engaging on its upper surface a first of said retaining means that is closer to said wall and on its lower surface a second of said retaining means that is spaced from said wall to provide a cantilever suspension of said enclosure member from said strip.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first retaining means that is closer to said wall is spaced forwardly thereof to define a recess, and said top edge portion is provided with an upward extension in said recess normally spaced rearwardly of said first retaining means and forwardly of said wall for adjustable positioning therebetween.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said enclosure member has a terminal end, and a removable trim strip is provided for said end having a bottom fastening means releasably engageable with the bottom of said enclosure member and a spring catch means at the top releasably engageable with said support strip, said spring catch means being hidden by said trim strip and having a catch portion engageable behind said first retaining means and a depressible spring mounting portion accessible through an opening in said trim strip to move said catch portion out of engagement with said first retaining means preparatory to removal of said trim strip from said apparatus.

4. In a wall mounted enclosure with an elongated heat exchanger, apparatus comprising: a rigid elongated support strip attachable to a wall to extend horizontally therealong; support means extending downwardly from said strip for supporting said heat exchanger; an enclosure member for said heat exchanger having a rear top edge portion; means on said strip for retaining said rear top edge portion and thereby supporting said enclosure memher from its said rear top edge portion; and a bottom brace attachable to said wall to extend outwardly therefrom, said brace carrying attaching means for supporting said cnclosure member, the attaching means being movable along said brace to adjusted position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said brace is attached to a locating strip member extending downwardly from said support strip.

6. In a wall mounted enclosure with an elongated heat exchanger, apparatus comprising: a rigid elongated support strip attachable to a wall to extend horizontally therealong; support means extending downwardly from said strip for supporting said heat exchanger; an enclosure member for said heat exchanger having a rear top edge portion; means on said strip for retaining said rear top edge portion and thereby supporting said enclosure member from its said rear top edge portion, in which said support strip is provided with a flange member extending forwardly of said wall on which said heat exchanger support means is adjustably mounted, said means on said strip for retaining said rear top edge portion comprises a pair of horizontally spaced retaining means defining a cavity having an entrance therebetween, said rear top edge portion of the enclosure member extending into said cavity and having an upper surface and a lower surface and engaging on its upper surface a first of said retaining means that is closer to said wall and on its lower surface a second of said retaining means that is spaced from said wall to provide a cantilever suspension of said enclosure member from said strip, said first retaining means that is closer to said wall is spaced forwardly thereof to define a recess, and said top edge portion is provided with an upward extension in said recess normally spaced rearwardly of said first retaining means and forwardly of said wall for adjustable positioning therebetween, and a bottom brace is provided attachable to said wall to extend outwardly therefrom, said brace carrying attaching means for supporting said enclosure member, the attaching means being movable along said brace to adjusted position, said brace is attached to a locating strip member extending downwardly from said support strip.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,632,632 3/1953 Downs 55 2,722,403 11/1955 Guerra et al. 16567 X 2,796,238 6/1957 Sjoden 165-67 X 2,855,186 10/1958 Brinen 165-67 X 2,662,747 12/1953 Trane et al. 16555 2,670,935 3/1954 Arnold 165-55 FOREIGN PATENTS 951,619 3/1964 Great Britain.

EDWARD 1. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Examiner.

A. W. DAVIS, Assistant Examiner.