WO2001075370A1

WO2001075370A1 - Device for supporting panel radiators

Info

Publication number: WO2001075370A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/002971
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pietro Luigi Bordignon; Arduino Bordignon
Original assignee: Mb S.R.L.
Priority date: 2000-04-04
Filing date: 2000-04-04
Publication date: 2001-10-11
Also published as: AU2000249124A1; EP1269086A1

Abstract

A device for supporting panel radiators comprising a plate (10) which can be fixed to a wall or to a floor by using anchoring means (14) and is provided with engagement means (16, 17) for a clamp (18) which is separate from the plate (10) and is composed of two jaws (19, 20) between which a portion (21) of a lower part of a radiator (22) is enclosed and locked.

Description

DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING PANEL RADIATORS Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bracket for supporting panel radiators. Background art Conventional devices for anchoring panel radiators to walls comprise a supporting bracket which can be fastened to the wall by using means of various kinds and is substantially as long as the radiator is high; the bracket has a lower end which is sha ed so as to form a fixed hook and is associated, at its upper end, with a movable hook which is supported by a shaped support which can slide in the bracket and cooperates with a locking element.

Although these devices are adequately functional and in particular allow to preassemble the bracket on the radiator since the bracket is separate from the wall anchoring means, they have significant drawbacks due in particular to the fact that the bracket runs along the entire height of the radiator, with a considerable use of material, and its configuration does not make it adaptable except to a small number of size variations, forcing manufacturers to produce it in a large number of models, each suitable for one type of radiator. This of course entails stock management problems for the manufacturer, for the dealer and for the radiator installer.

Conventional brackets for the wall anchoring of panel radiators comprise, in a mutual stable coupling, a plate which can be fixed to the wall and from which there protrude a first supporting wing and, substantially opposite the wing, an abutment tab, and a supporting arm in which one end is hinged to the supporting wing, and a free end which cooperates with the abutment tab for the clamp-like locking of part of the radiator by moving on a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plate.

This wall anchoring bracket, although being independent of the structural and dimensional configuration of the radiator, therefore eliminating the drawbacks of the above-described device, is affected by the drawback that it has to be fitted on the radiator only during the installation of the radiator, because it is necessary to have it uncoupled in order to prepare its anchoring to the wall. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for anchoring radiating elements to a wall which can be used at least for all heights, sizes and models of the main manufacturers currently on the market, further allowing to split into a plurality of steps the operations for installing radiators, making them easier.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a device which allows to sell the radiators already fully equipped with the installation means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is adjustable, from the point of view of position, even after it has already been applied to a wall and is optionally already working to support a radiator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is structurally simple and whose tooling costs for manufacture and production are reduced with respect to conventional devices. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which allows to automate the production cycle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is more compact than current devices and therefore leads to a reduction in costs for transport and storage in stock. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which allows to remove the packaging of the radiator only in the last step of the installation of the radiator, avoiding the risk of damaging it while it remains on site.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which allows faster removal and refitting of the radiator for testing the heating system.

This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for supporting panel radiators, characterized in that it comprises a plate which can be fixed to a wall or to a floor by using anchoring means and is provided with engagement means for a clamp which is separate from said plate and is composed of two jaws between which a portion of a lower part of a radiator is enclosed and locked. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of two embodiments thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front exploded perspective view of a device according to the invention, in a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a rear exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 1 during assembly;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 1 after wall- mounting;

Figure 5 is a partial rear view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 5 during assembly;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 5 after wall- mounting.

Ways of carrying out the invention With particular reference to Figures 1 to 4, a device for supporting panel radiators comprises a plate 10 made of sheet metal which is substantially rectangular and elongated and can be fixed to a wall, designated by the reference numeral 13, by means of an expanding screw anchor 14.

For this purpose, the plate 10 has at least one slotted hole 15 which runs along its longitudinal axis of symmetry. The plate 10 is provided with engagement means which are constituted by two pockets, designated by the reference numerals 16 and 17 respectively and likewise arranged along the longitudinal axis of symmetry, for a clamp 18 which is separate from the plate and is composed of two jaws 19 and 20 which are mutually articulated and between which a portion 21 (see Figures 3-4) of the lower part of a radiating panel of a radiator 22 can be enclosed and locked.

The pockets 16 and 17 are formed by cutting and plastic deformation of the plate 10, causing them to protrude with respect to the rest of its plane of arrangement, and are suitable to accommodate respective hooks 23 and 24 formed on a rear edge 25 of the jaw, designated by the reference numeral 19 in the figures, which is arranged, like the entire clamp 18, at right angles to the plate 10.

The bottom of one of the pockets, particularly the pocket 16, also forms an abutment step 26 for a washer 27 which has a polygonal profile (or the shape of an Archimedean spiral) and an axially offset hole 28 which cooperates with the slotted hole 15 for wall-mounting.

The slot in fact allows longitudinal adjustments, while the washer constitutes, together with the abutment step 26, a retainer having an adjustable width (distance between each one of its sides and the center of the hole 28) for the position of the screw anchor 14.

As an alternative, it is possible to provide adjustment by means of a screw (not shown in the figures) which engages the plate 10 so as to lie parallel thereto and in abutment, with the end of its stem, against the abutment step 26.

A screw 29 engages a raised portion of the plate 10 at right angles thereto and in a position which is spaced from the hole 15 in order to constitute a wall support which allows adjustments of the verticality of the plate 10, for example if the wall 13 is not plumb. As regards the clamp 18, the jaw 19 is formed by an element which is made of metal plate and is blanked and bent into a U-shape and accordingly has two wings 19a and 19b between whose portions the jaw 20 is interposed and rigidly coupled; the jaw 20 is constituted by a simply blanked metal plate element. The mutual coupling is a hinge coupling provided by means of a rivet 30 which passes through respective holes, not shown in the figures.

The hooks 23 and 24 are formed in the regions that connect the two wings 19a and 19b by recesses 31 and 32 obtained by corresponding contoured blankings of the metal plate. The two jaws 19 and 20 have, at their free ends, elements 33 and 34 made of plastics for resting against the corresponding parts of the radiating panel of the radiator 22.

Of these, the element designated by the reference numeral 33 is T-shaped and therefore has a portion 33a which is enclosed between the wings 19a and 19b and a portion 33b which straddles portions of the edges of the wings.

Moreover, a locking pin 35 passes through both the portion 33a and the wings 19a and 19b.

Likewise, the resting element 34 is U-shaped, enclosing a portion of the jaw 20, and a locking pin 36 passes through both the resting element 34 and said portion.

The jaw 20 is cradle-shaped in its lower region so as to accommodate a lower edge 37 of the radiating panel of the radiator 22 and the cradle-shaped portion is clad with a U-shaped plastic element 38 in which the edge 37 is locked.

In a downward region with reference to the figures, between the wings 19a and 19b, there is a seat for a screw 39 for mutually locking the jaws 19 and 20.

The screw 39 in fact engages a complementarily threaded square nut 40 which is arranged transversely between the wings 19a and 19b, through respective slots 41 and 42, and rests on the edge of the jaw 20 that is arranged between the wings, lying on the same plane of arrangement.

The position of the screw 39 with respect to the jaw 20 is such that the jaw constitutes a first-class lever in which the force is located at the screw 39 and the load is located at the resting elements 33 and 34.

By tightening the screw 39, a mutual rotation of the jaws 19 and 20 is achieved until the radiating panel is locked.

As regards operation, one part of the fixing device, in practice the clamp 18, can be fixed already during production to the radiator 22, while the plate 10, which is disengaged from it, can be conveniently fixed independently to the wall in a preset position.

Mounting the radiator 22 therefore simply entails engaging the hooks 23 and 24 with the pockets 16 and 17.

Transverse retainers (not shown) can be provided in order to prevent upward movements of the radiator 22 from disengaging it.

As an alternative to wall-mounting, the plate 10 can protrude downward and can have a foot for resting and anchoring to the floor (for example with holes for expanding screw anchors).

With particular reference now to Figures 5 to 7, a device for wall- mounting panel radiators in a second embodiment is substantially equivalent to the preceding one, except for the means for engaging the plate, now designated by the reference numeral 110, and the clamp, now designated by the reference numeral 118, which is again composed of two jaws 119 and 120 which are mutually articulated and between which it is possible to enclose and lock a portion 121 of the lower part of a radiating panel of a radiator 122.

The engagement means are constituted by at least one circular hole 143 of the plate 110 which cooperates with a guillotine element 144 which is slidingly coupled to the plate 110 on the opposite side with respect to the side where the clamp 118 is arranged. For this purpose, the plate 110 is shaped so as to form two guiding edges for the guillotine element 144.

The guillotine element has a shaped hole 145 which has a circular upper part 145a whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the holes 143 and which blends with a wider bottom part 145b.

The part 145a lies inside the hole 143 in a position which is coaxial thereto.

The guillotine element 144 is pushed downward (with reference to the figures) by a spring 146 which acts between said guillotine element and the plate 110 and has a tab 147 which ends above the upper edge of the plate in order to allow manual traction in contrast with the action of the spring 146.

A pin 148 can be inserted and locked in the hole 143 and protrudes from the clamp 118.

In particular, the pin 148 has a diameter which is substantially equal to the diameter of the hole 143, except for a portion 149 where its diameter is smaller and is substantially equal to the diameter of the upper part of the hole 145a of the guillotine element 144.

Moreover, the pin 148 has a pointed free end.

The insertion of the pin 148 in the hole 143 causes a gradual upward movement of the guillotine element 144 by pushing, in contrast with the spring 146, the part 145a of the hole 145 until it is no longer located at the portion 149, where reverse motion and snap engagement occur.

Therefore, the hole 143 retains the clamp 118 in a vertical direction and the guillotine element 144 retains the clamp in a horizontal direction. In practice it has been observed that the present invention has achieved the intended aim and objects.

It should be noted that the use of the device according to the invention, particularly for radiators with a thermostatic valve, which have a right-hand or left-hand fitting configuration according to the position of said valve, eliminates the need to use rear secondary supports and therefore allows reversibility of the radiators, achieving significant reductions in the range of products required in order to meet installation requirements and halving the stock.

A significant reduction in manufacturing cost is also achieved. Another advantage that is achieved is constituted by the smaller volume of the device according to the present invention with respect to conventional devices, with a consequent reduction in the cost for transport and storage in stock.

The cost of the systems for manufacturing the device is also reduced. Another considerable advantage is the fact that the radiators can be sold fully equipped and with the clamps already pre-fitted.

The device is furthermore universal, since it has a single configuration for all heights and dimensions of the radiators and substantially for all models of the main manufacturers on the market. This leads to a further reduction in production costs, allows to automate the cycle, further reduces stock costs, unifies raw materials and packaging, etcetera.

As regards the installer and his viewpoint, the device according to the invention allows to split the mounting operation into a plurality of steps, making it easier, faster and more precise.

The mounting operation in fact consists in fitting the clamps to the radiator, mounting the plates on the wall and then mutually engaging the parts.

In this regard, attention is drawn to the fact that by prefitting the clamps on the radiator it is not necessary to remove the packaging of said radiator until final mounting.

This allows to protect radiators from any damage occurring on site.

Moreover, the device reduces the time required to remove and refit the radiator after system testing. Attention is also drawn to the fact that the arrangement of the plates is free, and therefore overcomes the preceding constraints caused by the secondary supports provided in simple curtain walls provided with mutually spaced internal structural elements.

Finally, the overall aesthetics is improved, since the device is practically concealed.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

Thus, for example, it is possible to provide, between the jaws, a coupling other than the hinge type, for example a sliding coupling for mutual spacing and approach.

All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements and the radiators on which it is installed may also be of a type other than the radiating-panel type.

In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the contingent use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

Claims

1. A device for supporting panel radiators, characterized in that it comprises a plate which can be fixed to a wall or to a floor by using anchoring means and is provided with engagement means for a clamp which is separate from said plate and is composed of two jaws between which a portion of a lower part of a radiator is enclosed and locked.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said two jaws are mutually articulated.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said anchoring means for fixing said plate to the wall are constituted by at least one slotted hole which runs along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of said plate.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that said anchoring means comprise an abutment step which is arranged on said plate above said slotted hole and adjustable spacer means with a polygonal profile and an axially offset hole or with an Archimedean-spiral profile or a screw which is rigidly coupled to said plate so as to lie parallel thereto, said spacer means being adapted to abut against said abutment step.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said anchoring means are constituted by at least one foot which protrudes downward from said plate for resting on the floor, said foot being provided with holes for anchoring means such as a screw anchor.

6. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that said engagement means are constituted by at least one pocket which is arranged along said axis of symmetry of said plate, said pocket being adapted to accommodate a corresponding hook formed in one of the jaws of said clamp.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that said engagement means comprise pins or equivalent transverse elements which engage said at least one pocket and the corresponding hook.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said engagement means comprise at least one circular hole of said plate which cooperates π with a guillotine element which is slidingly coupled to said plate on the opposite side with respect to the side where said clamp is arranged, said guillotine element having a shaped hole with a circular upper part whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the hole of said plate and blends with a wider lower part, said upper part of said hole of said guillotine being located within said hole of said plate, said guillotine element being pushed downward by a spring which acts between it and said plate, said engagement means further comprising a corresponding pin which protrudes from said clamp and has a diameter which is substantially equal to the diameter of said hole of said plate except for a portion where its diameter is substantially equal to that of said upper part of said hole of said guillotine, said pin having a pointed free end.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that said guillotine element ends above or below said plate in order to allow manual movements in contrast with the action of said spring.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a first one of said jaws of said clamp is formed by an element which is U-shaped and accordingly has two wings between a portion of which a second one of said jaws is interposed and rigidly coupled, said first one of the jaws being constituted by a flat element, the mutual coupling being a hinge coupling.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that said jaws, made of metallic material, have, at their free ends, elements made of plastics for the resting of corresponding parts of said radiator that they enclose.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the resting element of said jaw that has a U-shaped cross-section is T-shaped and therefore has a portion which is enclosed between said wings and a portion which straddles portions of their edges, a locking pin passing through said wings and the corresponding portion of said resting element.

13. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that said resting element of said plate-like jaw is U-shaped and encloses a portion thereof, a locking pin passing through both.

14. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that one of said jaws is cradle-shaped in a downward region in order to accommodate said lower edge of the part of said radiator that is enclosed between said jaws.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that said jaw, made of metallic material, is clad with a plastic element in the cradle-shaped region.

16. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mutual locking of said jaws of said clamp is provided by means of a screw which rotatably engages a first one of said jaws, lies parallel to a second one of said jaws and acts by pushing against a portion of said second one of the jaws.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that the position of said screw with respect to a fulcrum between said jaws and with respect to regions for locking against said plate is such as to form a first-class lever.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that said plate is provided with a screw which engages a portion thereof and is perpendicular thereto, in order to constitute a wall resting element which allows to adjust the verticality of said plate.