GB2424266A - Wall mounted height adjustable radiator bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

A wall mounted height adjustable radiator bracket whereby an adjustable fastener 16 is freely accessible comprises a first bracket 12 that supports a radiator and is moveable in vertical direction relative to a second bracket 14 that is fixed to a wall. The radiator is released from the first bracket 12 by rotating a head portion 17 of the adjustable fastener 16, which may be a screw or bolt and the radiator may sit on its plumbing fittings or rotated away from the wall by loosening the plumbing fittings. First bracket 12 may be connected to second bracket 14 by studs 11 with collars 13 that slide in adjustment slots 20. Fastener 16 co-operates with a fixed ledge 21 and a moveable ledge 19 mounted on the second bracket 14. Different types of first brackets 12 that the radiator is directly mounted on may be used (figs 8A - 9B). A serrated slotted bracket (41, figs 3A and 3B) may be adapted to be used with moveable first bracket 12. A bar may be used for height adjustment, e.g. bar (51, figs 4A and 4B) co-operating with a wall bracket (52) adjusted by a screw clamp (54), bar (61, figs 5A and 5B) mounted on a single wall mounted hook (63) adjusted by perforations (62), bar (72, figs 6A - 6D) released by sliding cap (73) permits rotation of a radiator and has adjustable suspension pick up points (74, 75), and a bar (81, figs 7A and 7B) having a rack moveable on a pinion in a bracket (82) that is adjusted by a screw (83).

Description

Quick Release Radiator Mounting Radiator mountings typically feature lugs

fitted to the rear of a radiator panel and configured to engage slotted fixed wall support brackets for wall mounting.

Radiator lugs are commonly bridge plates spanning between radiator body corrugations.

Wall brackets can be fabricated from thin wall sheet, with a fold to present a wall mounting surface, but a protruding blade edge to engage a radiator lug.

1 0 An alternative S'-shape format presents a turned face edge to a radiator lug.

Radiator lugs are generally a permanent fixture, and wall brackets are demountable by a wall fastener.

Typically, lugs are set in vertically aligned upper and 1 5 lower pairs at opposite radiator ends.

A simplest wall bracket fits a single radiator lug - so four brackets are required.

Also known are brackets for particular radiator types - so a single elongate vertical span bracket can address upper and lower lugs at either end.

Passive Weight - Lift Off Mounting security relies upon passive radiator and contents weight transferred through lugs to wall brackets.

Plumbing considerations aside, once radiator weight is supported, it can simply be lifted off its brackets. * S.

S However, absent drainage, a radiator and contents is * . quite heavy and a challenge to disturb without contents spillage.

:3O Plumbing Connections In practice, plumbing connection through (threaded) couplings at the base of each end of a radiator with : * * supply feed I return lines or loop must first be * I slackened, to release a radiator.

IS....

* 35 Operationally, disconnection would be the norm - given insufficient free movement in plumbing lines.

Even with such free play, lateral displacement from pipe runs would risk kinks and fractures.

Physical disconnection is prefaced by either radiator isolation and local or complete system drainage.

Radiator removal is thus laborious - a disincentive when rear access is sought for (re-)decoration.

A quick-release mounting with ongoing support 1 0 An ability (adjustability) to address different radiator sizes (bracket pair vertical spacing or span) would simplify user selection and retailer stocking.

Given a certain commonality of lug profile, a particular challenge is diversity in lug vertical depth spacing.

1 5 Horizontal lug spacing can simply be addressed by another bracket.

Cost would be comparable with that of a conventional bracket - not to deter adoption and substitution.

Prior Art

Diverse past attempts at quick-release radiator mountings - and even tilt support upon release - include GB2297828: pivotal radiator mounting bracket with release latch and sliding rod support strut; GB2374405: pivotal radiator mounting bracket with upper release clip and chain restraint; :.:: NL1011551: radiator bracket with adjustable locking plateS S...

DE4321 708: radiator bracket with height adjustment by disc rotation; *: EP1 420211: radiator mounting with fixed wall bracket and adjustable sliding clamping element; * : . GB2269659: radiator mounting comprising wall fixing * ....: connected to mounting element by adjustable * 35 support member - to allow adjustable spacing between wall and radiator; GB1 91 505329: radiator mounting has wall fixture and mounting element with protruding teeth for mutual engagement and height adjustment; DE4308970: radiator mounting with fixing rail and independently adjustable top and bottom bracket elements; DE41 09070: telescopic radiator bracket with inter- fitting adjustable upper and lower mounting elements.

None of these offers a simple, robust, intuitive in use solution.

Statement of Invention

A quick-release radiator mounting comprising 1 5 a radiator capture element a support (wall) mounting element a quick- release interconnection between capture and mounted elements an adjustable interconnection fastener at a freely accessible disposition and operable for quick release from a support after radiator installation upon the bracket.

In a particular construction, relatively movable bracket elements are configured for slidable interconnection with a mutual capture or entrainment fitting and an adjustment fastener operative there- between.

One (movable) element may be contrived by re-using .: .:.30 an existing fixed radiator bracket.

This would involve drilling through-holes for captive fasteners for entrainment to an new wall bracket.

* Quick release allows radiator tilt upon merely * 1 slackening plumbing connections. I..

Even if radiator removal is intended, the quick * * release bracket affords ongoing support - up to *:. . eventual release or decoupling whereupon * plumbing fittings should have been disconnected.

SI.... * .

Minor contents dribble leakage may arise - once isolated from supply feed and return paths.

Leakage can be stemmed by re-tightening connections once the radiator is at a desired tilt angle up to some 90 - 110 degrees, at which it is limited by floor contact - taking some of radiator weight.

It is assumed that stop taps are fitted to the plumbing connectors at each radiator end, allowing isolation from both supply and return loop feeds.

1 0 Moveable bracket elements could selectively comprise rods, strips, bars or straps and may be made of rigid metal / plastics materials or flexible fabric materials.

For an existing installation, conversion of a hitherto 1 5 fixed radiator bracket to a quick-release bracket set is an alternative to substitution with a new installation.

Embodiments

There now follows a description of some particular

embodiments of quick-release radiator mountings of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which: Figures 1 A through 1 C show sliding brackets with intervening screw fastener orientated for access from above; More specifically: Figure 1A shows intercoupled relatively slidable bracket elements with an intervening screw fastener; :.:. Figure lB shows adjustment of the mounting of Figure 1A; * S. S Figure 1 C shows an exploded view of the elements of Figures 1A and 1B; * Figures 2A and 2B show radiator installation and adjustment upon the brackets of Figures lA-C; More specifically: * : Figure 2A shows the rear of a radiator prior to installation upon twin wall mounted brackets; Figure 2B shows a front view of a mounted radiator with part cut-away view of bracket adjustment; Figures 3A through 3B show a bracket adaptation to accommodate diversity in radiator lug spacing, to allow mounting of different depth radiators; Figures 3A and 3B show radiator lug mounting upon discrete serrated bracket profiles - allowing variable span and (height) disposition; 1 0 More specifically Figure 3A shows radiator lugs juxtaposed with a pair of upper and lower serrated slotted wall brackets, offering choice of vertical position; Figure 3B shows a subsequent radiator lug fitment stageto Figure3B; Figures 4A and 4B show radiator lug mounting upon opposite ends of a slidable upright wall bar; More specifically Figure 4A shows radiator lugs juxtaposed with opposite ends of a slidable mounting strip, plate or rod captive in a wall fitting by a quick-release screw fastener connector; Figure 4B shows a subsequent radiator lug fitment stage to Figure 4A with strip end insertion into lugs and vertical adjustment in wall fitting upon release of fastener connector; Figures 5A through 5D show radiator mounting upon * a suspended upright bar with perforations to allow : * variant disposition upon a wall bracket fitment; * **. * S

*** 30 More specifically * ** Figure 5A shows a perspective view of a slotted twin * bracket with slots for adjustable capture in a (single) * wall fitting; * . Figure SB shows a side elevation of the bracket of * : .. 35 Figure 5A juxtaposed with a wall fitting; S Se. S S - - Figure 5C shows the adjustable bracket arrangement of Figures 5A and 5B in action for both upper and lower lugs at one side of a radiator; Figure 5D shows adjustment of vertical disposition of a radiator mounted as in Figure 5C; Figures 6A through 6D shows radiator lug mounting upon a slidable upright bar (or rod) pivoted (by a crank offset to align with a plumbing connector axis) to a wall fixture to allow forward tilt for rear access; Figure 6A shows a side elevation of a wall mounted 1 0 bracket with slidable capture fitting for an upper radiator lug; Figure 6B shows radiator lugs juxtaposed with pre- set bracket capture fittings; Figure 6C shows a radiator mounted by the step of 1 5 Figure GB; Figure 6D shows release and tilt of a mounted radiator of Figure 6C; Figures 7A and 7B show a variant of Figures 4A and 4B with provision for screw fastener adjustment of mounting bar disposition; More specifically Figure 7A shows radiator lugs juxtaposed with opposite ends of a slidable wall bracket; Figure 7B shows ongoing adjustment of the wall bracket of a mounted radiator of Figure 7A, by means of a rotatable screw fastener, such as a threaded stud or even a rack and pinion arrangement; * .* Figures 8A through 8G depict conversion of an : , existing (fixed) bracket mounting to a quick-release * . .. 30 bracket, according to one aspect of the invention; More specifically: 4* Figure 8A shows an existing (fixed) bracket with rear face flange and drill holes in a web upstand for conversion to a movable bracket; * : . s Figure 8B shows a movable bracket element similar * to the fixed bracket of Figure 8A with conversion * holes drilled and rear flange omitted or removed; Figure 8C shows an alternative existing (fixed) bracket configuration with conversion drill holes depicted, retaining front and rear turned edge flanges; Figure 8D shows a fixed bracket element with fastener adjustment bearer ledge, for use with an movable bracket element of any of Figures 8A-8C; Figure 8E shows an upper plan view of the bracket of Figure 8A converted and fitted to the bracket 1 0 element of Figure 8D; Figure 8F shows an upper plan view of the bracket of Figure 8B fitted to the bracket element of Figure 8D; Figure 8G shows an upper plan view of the bracket of Figure 8C converted and fitted to the bracket 1 5 element of Figure 8D; Figures 9A through 9C show conversion of an S- shaped existing fixed bracket - to an movable bracket of the present invention; More specifically: Figure 9A shows the fixed bracket and screw adjustment elements of Figure 8D rotated through degrees; Figure 9B shows an existing (fixed) S-shaped bracket configuration with conversion drill holes; Figure 9C shows an upper plan view of the bracket of Figure 9B converted and fitted to the bracket element of Figure 9A.

:.: : Referring to the drawings t ae ** *. Paired juxtaposed relatively slidable brackets 12, 14 are mutually entrained by spaced capture studs 11 * with respective lock collars 13.

* A threaded fastener stud 16 reacts between ledges 19, 21 on brackets 12, 14 respectively.

* ** Fastener 16 threaded shank or stem 15 could mate * *1S: with complementary threaded apertures in one or * both ledges 19, 21.

In this case fastener 16 is a free running clearance fit in a clear aperture in fixed ledge 21 - which therefore serves as a reaction plate.

Fastener 16 head 17 is longitudinally captive with fixed ledge 21 by means of a locking washer (not shown).

Threaded interaction is only with the lower movable ledge 19 attached to movable bracket 12.

Thus fastener 16 shank rotation draws movable lower 1 0 ledge 19 in relation to fixed upper ledge 21.

Fastener 16 threaded stem 15 runs up or down in movable lower ledge 19.

Bracket 14 is mounted upon a support surface 40, such as a wall, by wall fasteners (not shown) inserted 1 5 through apertures 18 in a rear face set parallel to both wall and plane of a radiator 30 to be mounted.

Bracket 14 is thus a fixed element of the bracket assembly.

Bracket 12 is a movable element of the combination bracket assembly and is entrained with fixed bracket 14 by studs 11 with closure caps or captive grommets 13 running in adjustment slots 20.

Bracket 12 has an in-turned face 22 to mate with a corresponding outturned face 23 of fixed bracket 14.

Bracket 12 has an out-turned face 24 incorporating longitudinally-spaced elongate slots 25, 26 to engage spaced radiator lugs 31, 33 (shown in Figures 2A-B).

* * 30 Slots 25, 26 and lugs 31, 33 are vertically disposed : ** when a radiator 30 is orientated for installation. aS..

Slots 25,26 capture lugs 31,33 by vertical juxtaposition and travel from below. ** ** * S S

* An upper slot 25 is of minimal depth - just sufficient to * * 35 capture the lower edge 32 of an upper radiator lug 31.

** : :. A lower slot 26 is somewhat longer and prefaced by a * *IS S.

generous cut-out 27 sufficient to accommodate the depth of a lug 33, to allow insertion from front face 24.

The intention is to allow push-on I pull-off radiator 30 installation and removal respectively.

Universal Fit' Brackets An adaptation of movable bracket 12 to suit different radiator 30 depths and attendant lug 31, 33 spacing, would rely upon special profile of mounting face 24.

1 0 If not a universal fit, wide compatibility with different radiator 30 sizes and types could thus be contemplated.

Thus, say, multiple juxtaposed cut-outs 27 and slots, 25, 26 at successive incremental spacings, could be 1 5 employed.

These could be delineated as ready-to-displace knock-out elements, by prestamping or scribing.

Indeed, the overall length or span of bracket elements 12, 14 could be cut to suit in this way.

Radiator Installation For installation, a radiator 30 is offered up to bracket face 24, with lugs 31, 33 poised over slots 25, 26.

A lower lug 33 can enter cut-out 27 and so be poised over lower slot 26 just as an upper lug 31 is poised over upper slot 25.

The radiator 30 sits square to the bracket faces 22, 23 and support wall 40.

Base plumbing connectors are splayed to allow * ** radiator 30 movement, or manipulated individually to :.: * 30 allow fitment at each side.

* . : The radiator 30 as whole can then be lowered to settle lugs 31, 33 fully into slots 25, 26.

Plumbing connections can be made and tightened * * firmly to make water-tight joints.

* * 35 As with a conventional bracket, the weight of the : . radiator 30, plus eventual contents fill keeps it resting I.....

securely within slots 25, 26.

Radiator Removal For removal, with a radiator 30 supported by lower plumbing connections 34, movable bracket 12 can simply be lowered by rotation of fastener 16, to release lugs 31, 33 from both slots 25, 26.

In that sense, Figure 1 B can be regarded as an installed position of brackets 12, 14 with relative upper travel of bracket 12, while bracket 14 remains 1 0 fixed.

Figure 1A represents a neutral or released condition of brackets 12, 14.

In fact, the precise point of release depends upon radiator 30 and bracket 14 mounting disposition.

1 5 Rotation of fastener 16 moves ledges 19 and 21 apart or together according to rotational direction, in order to vary longitudinal offset of brackets 12, 14.

Fastener 16 thread pitch is set to give a desired mechanical advantage.

Relative disposition of movable bracket 12 in relation to radiator lugs 31, 33 and stationary bracket 14 is thus determined by fastener 16 action.

Head of fastener 17 is accessible from above, such as by the screwdriver 28 depicted or a socket spanner for a hexagonal head, when radiator 30 is installed.

Tool rotation progressively raises or lowers movable bracket 12 - to carry or release radiator 30, once captured by plumbing connectors.

* ** 30 Modest travel only of bracket 12 is required to :.: * release radiator 30 and allow it to sit on its plumbing fittings. * *

If plumbing fittings have been slackened, the radiator is also free to tilt forward to a desired angle.

* * 35 In doing so, access is given to wall surface 40 behind. * S

* :.. Plumbing fitting 34 can be re-tightened, if radiator 30 S..... S 10

removal is not intended.

For radiator 30 removal, given shut-off of both isolator valves (not shown), plumbing coupling fitting 34 disconnection is continued until separation.

Care is taken in radiator 30 handling, to minimise contents spillage.

Temporary blanking caps may be fitted (as a backup to valves) to secure plumbing connectors for long term radiator removal.

1 0 Otherwise radiator 30 contents could be emptied for disposal at a convenient point.

Universal A universal - or rather variable capacity or span - bracket, would provide spaced radiator lug 31, 33 1 5 capture with operative spacing adjusted to suit a particular radiator 30.

Vertical radiator 30 disposition might also be addressed.

Examples are depicted in Figures 3A through 7B.

Spacing aside, a generality of radiator lug 31, 33 profiles is either one of a thin walled plate slightly offset from a radiator 30 rear face, or at least bridging corrugations in a face profile with an intervening recess.

A thin wall turned plate bracket format presents minimal intrusion, with a slot forming a throat to receive a lug 31, 33 plate thickness.

Between bracket slot and lug 31,33 plate there is sufficient tolerance for a free sliding interfit without * * 30 admitting undue radiator 30 movement when :.: * mounted. *e..

* e* Serrated Mounting Face * As depicted in Figures 3A and 3B, a staggered or * serrated slot (mounting) face profile 41 could be *. 35 adopted fora movable bracket 12.

* * Expanding upon the traditional hanging bracket, by : . providing multiple hanging hooks, giving incremental *.**** height adjustability.

Figures 4A and 4B employ an adjustable position, in particular height, bar.

A hanging bar 51 is fixed to a wall 40 at one (bracket) point 52.

The bracket 53 has a screw clamp 54, loosened to allow height adjustment and tightened to secure the bar 51 at a designated height.

A radiator 30 can be hung upon the bar 51 either 1 0 before or after adjustment.

Figures 5A through 5D reflect a suspension hook attached to wall.

A hanging bar 61 has multiple perforations 62 along its length.

1 5 The bar 61 is hung through selected perforations 62 upon a single, wall-mounted hook 63.

This allows height adjustment of a radiator 30 hung upon bar 61 by lug 31, 33 fitment into hooks 64, 65.

Spacer plate 66 abuts wall 40 to maintain vertical alignment of bar 61.

Figures 6A through 6D reflect a tilting, adjustable mount, fixed to wall 40 at lower pivot 71.

A hanging bar 72 is held vertical by a sliding cap 73 fixed to wall 40 at top of bar 72.

Suspension pick-up points 74, 75 can be adjusted by loosening screw fasteners 76, 77 and sliding capture hooks 74, 75 along (up and down) bar 72.

* *. In order to tilt a mounted radiator 30 away from a support surface or wall 40, sliding cap 73 is raised, * S. 30 allowing bar 72 to tilt forward away from wall 40 - as ** shown in Figure 6D.

* * Figures 7A and 7B depict an adjustable position (height) suspension bar 81 with rack' indentations 84, fixed to a support wall 40 by a single bracket 82.

* * 35 Bracket 82 has a top mounted screw pinion' : . adjustment achieved by rotating pinion screw 83, to S.....

raise or lower mated hanging bar 81 pinion' 84.

(Existing) Bracket Conversion Various fixed bracket configurations are depicted in Figures 8A and 8C.

These comprise wall mounting plate 90, spacer 91, (radiator plate) lug support slots 92 and 93, and cut- out 94.

As illustrated, lug retainment elements 95 and 96 may either extend outwardly of spacer 91 - as per 1 0 Figure 8A - or be in-turned - as per Figure 8C.

Conversion holes 97 are depicted in broken outline and, once drilled, facilitate movable mounting upon new wall bracket 100 of Figure 8D.

Figure 8B shows an movable bracket element similar 1 5 to that achieved by drilling holes 97 in the fixed bracket of Figure 8A.

As shown in Figure 9C, a fixed S'-shaped bracket may also be converted to an movable bracket - by drilling holes 97 and fitment to new wall bracket 100 when rotated by 180 degrees.

Mix n' Match

In the context of the overall disclosure and

consistent with the scope of the appended claims, features described may be variously mixed and matched to suit operational requirements.

It is not feasible to show every such permutation or combination of features.

Claim References * ** Phrases bracketed - vis { ... } - alongside claim :.: * 30 numbering - are for ease of reference and as such * * ** form no part of claim interpretation or scope. * S..

Component List 11 capture stud 1 2 (movable) bracket * 35 1 3 lock collar 14 (fixed)bracket * S * ** * 1 5 threaded stem 1 6 fastener stud 1 7 fastener head 18 aperture 1 9 (movable) ledge slot 21 (fixed) ledge 22 in-turned face 23 out-turned face 1 0 24 out-turned face slot 26 slot 27 cut-out 28 screwdriver 30 radiator 31 upper lug 32 lug lower edge 33 lower lug 34 plumbing connection 40 support wall 41 serrated slot bracket 51 hanging bar 52 fixing point 53 bracket 54 screw clamp 61 hanging bar 62 perforation 63 wall-mounted hook 64 lug hook 65 lug hook 66 spacer plate 71 pivot 72 hanging bar 73 sliding cap * ** 35 74 capture hook :.: * 75 capture hook *... 76 screw fastener 77 screwfastener 81 hanging bar * 40 82 wall bracket 83 screw 84 rack' indentations :. 90 wall mounting plate ** 14 91 spacer 92 upper lug slot 93 lower lug slot 94 cut-out 95 upper lug retainer 96 lower lug retainer 97 hole 1 00 fixed mounting bracket element * * a a.. * *. * * *S.. I. a. * . . a. . * a 11SS.

Claims (2)

1. Claims A quick-release radiator mounting comprising a radiator capture

   element a support (wall) mounting element a quick-release interconnection between capture and mounted elements an adjustable interconnection fastener at a freely accessible disposition 1 0 and operable for quick release from a support after radiator installation upon the bracket.
2. 2.

   A quick-release mounting of Claim 1, with relatively movable bracket elements 1 5 configured for slidable interconnection with a mutual capture or entrainment fitting and an adjustment fastener operative there-between. * * S * **S S * *** * S S... *S 5. * S 5 *

   S * S * . S

   *SSSSS