Device for securing a radiator to a foundation

Abstract

 A device for securing to a substrate such a radiator as has at least two somewhat spaced apart, substantially vertical surfaces. The device (1) comprises a stand, which is securable in the substrate and is arranged to extend approximately vertically from the substrate and upwards between the vertical surfaces. The device (1) further comprises an adjustable lower anchorage device (4) for cooperating with a lower portion of the radiator surfaces, and an upper anchorage device (7) for cooperation with the vertical surfaces above the lower portions thereof. The stand is bifurcated, with two thereof, to accommodate an approximately horizontally extending tube at the lower portion of the radiator.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for securing to a substrate such a radiator as has at least two somewhat spaced apart, substantially vertical surfaces, the device comprising a stand, which is securable in the substrate and is arranged to extend approximately vertically from the substrate and upwards between the vertical surfaces, an adjustable lower anchorage device for cooperating with a lower portion of the radiator surfaces, and an upper anchorage device for cooperation with the vertical surfaces above the lower portions thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Radiators for water-borne heat can be designed as single section radiators or multiple section radiators, comprising a number of sections, forming double radiators, triple radiators, etc. Each section in such radiators have upper and lower, substantially horizontal water conduits between which vertical water conduits extend. In multiple section radiators it is not uncommon that convector plates are disposed between the radiator sections and on single section radiators convector plates may be disposed on the rear side of the radiator, facing the wall.

[0003] Due to the arrangement of the heating system in a house it is in many cases desirable to mount the radiator on anchoring apparatuses extending upwards from a substrate, i. e. the floor in a room.

[0004] EP0723118 and EP1031797 disclose two examples of such anchoring apparatuses, which operate according to the same general principles. A stand is provided with a base plate, which is intended to be secured onto the floor where the radiator is to be placed, e. g. beneath a window. The stand extends upwards, and its upper part is intended for insertion into the space between the panels. This space is in its turn divided into smaller sections by the convector plates. This configuration of the radiator defines the outer physical dimensions of the stand. The disclosed anchoring apparatuses are not wider than the distance between the two panels of the radiator, and not thicker than the distance between two adjacent convector plates, resulting in a fairly narrow and thin, flat, upwardly extending stand.

[0005] The prior art anchoring apparatuses are also provided, near their respective upper ends, with pivoting, clamping arms, which are extendable sideways, by pivoting, when the top of a flat rail contacts the pivoting arms. The means for operating the flat rail is variable, but could be an actuator device such as a cog wheel, cooperating with cogs on a straight line at the base of the rail, so that rotation of the cog wheel would raise the rail, thereby pivoting the clamping arms. Another option for operation of the flat rail is a spring means, for instance such a spring means as is disclosed in EP1031797.

[0006] According to the prior art, a lower anchorage device is arranged for cooperation with one or more lower edge portions of the radiator section or sections. The lower anchorage device is laterally adjustable for accommodating different types of radiators with different distances between sections.

[0007] The anchoring apparatuses according to the prior art are useful for many types of radiators. However, there is one general type of radiator where it is not possible to use either of the above mentioned anchoring apparatuses, i. e. radiators where a tube extends approximately horizontally along the underside of the radiator, providing different options for connecting the radiator to the heating system of the house. The tube blocks the access to the sections between the convector plates from below along all or parts of the radiator. Hence it may be impossible to insert the anchoring apparatuses according to the prior art, or at least not possible to achieve a symmetrical placement of the anchoring apparatuses, which would be highly desirable, both for esthetical and solidity reasons.

[0008] It may be observed that for at least a part of the extension of the tube, close to its sides, it is placed across the sections between the convector plates at an equal distance from each of the adjacent radiator sections, thereby providing a standardized construction for all radiators of this general type.

PROBLEM STRUCTURE

[0009] The object of the present invention is to design the apparatus intimated by way of introduction such that it is applicable to a radiator of the general type where a tube extends along at least a part of its underside. By offering the possibility to apply the anchoring apparatus at least where the position of the tube is known, it would be possible to achieve a symmetrical placement of the anchoring apparatuses.

SOLUTION

[0010] The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the apparatus intimated by way of introduction is characterized in that the stand is bifurcated, with two halves thereof, to accommodate an approximately horizontally extending tube at the lower portion of the radiator.

[0011] Further advantages will be attained if the subject matter of the present invention is also given one or more of the characterizing features as set forth in the appended claims 2 to 14.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1

shows a plan view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention in a position where it is insertable between the convector plates of a radiator;

Fig. 2

is a view according to Fig. 1, in a position where the clamping arms are pivoted to a position where they may contact the adjacent surfaces of the radiator;

Fig. 3

is a view similar to Fig. 1, but where an outer plate of the stand has been removed;

Fig. 4

is a partial view, similar to Fig 3, but where an inner rail has been slightly raised to operate the clamping arms;

Fig. 5

is a view corresponding to that of fig 4, but wherein the clamping arms have reached an extended position; and

Figs. 6a-d

are sequential views of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, during the steps of mounting a radiator thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] Fig. 1 shows an anchoring apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The anchoring apparatus 1 comprises a stand 2 and a base plate 3. Supported on the stand 2, is a lower anchorage device 4, which is adjustable to accommodate different radiators with different distances between their sections.

[0014] The stand 2 is intended to be inserted into the space between two radiator sections, which may have convector plates between them. The lower edges of the radiator sections will bear against the lower anchorage device 4, when the stand 2 is fully inserted. For obtaining a fixation of the radiator on the anchoring device 1, there is provided a clamping device, including clamping arms 7a, 7b at the upper end of the stand 2, but in Fig. 1 the clamping arms 7a, 7b are not expanded, and they are hence not visible.

[0015] The upper part of the stand 2, down to the level of the lower anchorage device 4, is bifurcated, i. e. it comprises two halves 2a, 2b, with a gap 6 between them. The gap 6 serves the purpose of enabling the insertion of the stand 2 into the space between the radiator sections, even though there may be a tube extending approximately horizontally along the bottom of the convector plates. The halves 2a, 2b of the stand 2 will straddle the tube, and will be able to pass the tube, which is accommodated in the gap 6 of the stand 2.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows the anchoring apparatus 1, according to the invention in a state where two clamping arms 7a, 7b have been extended from the upper part of the stand 2, one from each half of the stand 2a, 2b. The pivoting of the clamping arms 7a, 7b, into the extended state takes place by the turning motion of the actuator 5, which will be described in greater detail below.

[0017] In the state where the clamping arms 7a, 7b are extended, they come into contact with the inner sides of the radiator sections, and any forces to which the radiator is subjected, will be transferred to the stand 2. Since the outer dimensions of the stand 2 is limited by the available space between the radiator sections, as well as the tube, which is to be accommodated, each of the two halves 2a, 2b of the stand is somewhat less robust than the single stand according to the prior art. In order to stabilize the stand 2 as a whole, two stabilizing devices 8a, 8b have pivoted into the position shown in Fig. 2, and connected with one another by way of complementary shapes of their respective contact surfaces 12a, 12b. The contacting stabilizing devices 8a, 8b transfer forces acting on one half of the stand 2a, 2b, to the other half, thereby creating a more stable anchoring apparatus 1. Hence the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b compensate for the weakness in the construction in which the gap 6 would otherwise result.

[0018] In Fig. 3 an outer plate of the stand is removed in order to reveal the inner construction of the stand 2 and its clamping arms 7a, b, as well as its stabilizing devices 8a, 8b. At the lower end, between the base plate 3 and the lower anchorage device 4, the actuator 5, in the form of a cog wheel, is visible. The actuator 5 is connected to the clamping arms 7a, 7b by means of an operating device, including a rail 9. The actuator 5 is directly connected to a series 10 of cogs in the rail 9 in the preferred embodiment of the invention. Rotation of the actuator 5 will hence result in a linear movement of the rail 9 upwards or downwards, depending on the direction of rotation of the actuator 5.

[0019] The rail 9 is bifurcated into two halves 9a, 9b, and the shape thereof overlaps the shape of the stand 2. The clamping arms 7a, 7b are shown in their inactive position, wherein it is possible to insert the stand 2 between the radiator sections, straddling the tube at the bottom of the radiator. In this position the clamping arms 7a, 7b are hanging down under the influence of gravity.

[0020] At the upper ends of the rail halves 9a, 9b, the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b are pivotably arranged. At the initial, inactive position, shown in Fig. 3, the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b are arranged in a position within the outer contours of the two halves 2a, 2b of the stand 2, so that the insertion of the stand 2 is not impeded by the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b. In the position of Fig. 3, the inner and lower, curved contour of each of the clamping arms 7a, 7b is in contact with the upper, outer, curved contour of the respective stabilizing device 8a, 8b.

[0021] When the rail 9 moves upwards, under the influence of the actuator 5, the curved surfaces of the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b slide against the curved surfaces of the clamping arms, as shown in Fig. 4. Due to the weight of the hanging clamping arms 7a, 7b, and due to the fact that the point of contact with the respective stabilizing device 8a, 8b, is directly beneath the respective pivoting point 11a, 11b of the clamping arms 7a, 7b, their initial movement is insignificant.

[0022] The stabilizing devices 8a, 8b, are on the other hand pivoted at points 14a, 14b below their respective points of contact with the clamping arms 7a, 7b as well as below their mass centers. This will make them more susceptible to a pivoting force, resulting in a pivoting inwards, over the gap 6, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0023] As the rail 9 is moved further upwards, as shown in Fig 5, the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b are pivoted further inwards until they meet and interconnect at their contact surfaces 12a, 12b. The complementary shape of these surfaces 12a, 12b ensure a correct relative positioning of the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b, and prevent them from sliding out of contact, during use, when they are subjected to forces from the radiator.

[0024] While the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b are pivoted into contact, their points of contact with the clamping arms 7a, 7b, move along the curved surfaces thereof and will eventually pivot them outwards into the extended position shown in Fig. 5.

[0025] When the rail 9 is moved downwards, in order to retract the clamping arms 7a, 7b, the curved surfaces of the clamping arms 7a, 7b, will slide along the curved surfaces of the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b under the influence of gravity, and will be retracted as the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b move downwards.

[0026] For the pivoting back of the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b, when the stand is to be retracted, there are arranged guides or tabs 13a, 13b at the inner side of the two halves 2a, 2b of the stand 2. The tabs 13 a, 13b, are formed from the material of the outer plate of the stand, in the preferred embodiment, and they are bent into an approximately perpendicular position at the sides of the stand halves 2a, 2b adjacent to the gap 6. The stabilizing devices 8a, 8b will remain in contact with one another until the rail 9 has moved so far that the stabilizing devices 8 a, 8b come into contact with the tabs 13a, 13b. The movement of the rail 9, in combination with the contact of the tabs 13a, 13b on the lower straight contour of the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b provides a pivoting force on the stabilizing devices 8a, 8b, pivoting them back into their original position within the outer contours of the stand 2, and it will be possible to retract the stand 2 from the radiator, where it was inserted.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The anchoring apparatus 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described with an actuator 5 and an operating device 9, which bears similarities with the prior art according to EP0723118, mentioned above. One obvious modification of the preferred embodiment would be to utilize the prior art mechanism of EP1031797 for moving the rail 9 in the anchoring apparatus according to the invention.

[0028] In figures 6a-6d, a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The figures show four different stages in the mounting of a double radiator 14 on an anchoring apparatus 19 according to the second embodiment of the invention. Similar components of the two embodiments have been given the same reference numerals.

[0029] In figure 6a, the radiator 14 is lifted above the anchoring apparatus 19, but has not yet been lowered into a position where it has come into contact with the anchoring apparatus 19. The height of the anchoring apparatus 19 is adjustable by operation of the height adjusting device 23.

[0030] The stabilization device 8 is positioned in an upper position, where the gap 6 between the two halves 2a, 2b of the stand 2 is left open, in order that the tube or tubes 15 may be lowered into it. The stabilizing device 8 is folded double around one of the halves 2a of the stand 2, and two or more guide means 17, which in the shown embodiment are rivets, extend from one side of the stabilization device 8 towards the other. The rivets 17 extend into approximately parallel slits 16 in the half 2a of the stand 2, making the stabilizing device 8 slideable along the extent of the slits 16. Since the slits 16 are more or less parallel, the stabilizing device will only be able to perform a translational movement, along the direction of the slits 16, in a plane defined by the stand 2. The guide means 17 could also be a through-going bolt or an embossing in the stabilizing device 8, extending into each of the slits 16.

[0031] In figure 6b the radiator 14 has been lowered a certain distance, so that the stand 2 is inserted into the space between the sections of the radiator 14. The tubes 15 at the bottom of the radiator 14 have been inserted into the gap 6 between the halves 2a, 2b of the stand 2. The stabilization device 8 remains in its position, in register with that half 2a of the stand 2 whereon it is positioned, so that the radiator 14 is able to pass by most of it without being impeded thereby.

[0032] In figure 6c, the radiator 14 has been lowered further, and has come into contact with a contact surface 18, extending sideways, at an angle, from the stand 2. The contact between the radiator 14 and the angled contact surface 18 will push the stabilization device 8 downwards along the slits 16. As the slits 16 are arranged diagonally to the main extension of the stand 2, and to the direction of movement of the radiator 14 in the figure, the stabilization device 8 will also move towards the center of the stand 2, partly covering the gap 6. However, the contours of the stabilization device 8 are arranged to allow the tubes 15 to pass, before the stabilization device 8 is pushed across the gap 6 by the lowered radiator 14.

[0033] In figure 6d the radiator has reached its lowermost position, and is resting with its sections on the lower anchorage device 4. The stabilization device 8 has moved to a position within the outer contours of the stand 2, thus allowing the insertion of the stand 2 between the sections of the radiator 14. The stabilization device 8 has moved so far sideways that it is now in contact with the opposite half 2b of the stand 2, thus connecting the two halves 2a, 2b of the stand.

[0034] In order to stabilize the anchoring apparatus 19 against any forces perpendicular to the plane of the stand 2, tabs 20 are arranged at the side of the stabilization device 8 facing the opposite half 2b of the stand 2. The tabs 20 overlap the edge portion of the opposite half 2b of the stand 2, thus distributing any forces acting directly on only one of the two halves 2a, 2b of the stand 2, and keeping them in approximately the same plane with one another.

[0035] The halves 2a, 2b of the stand 2 are dimensioned such that they fit snugly against the inner surfaces of the sections of the radiator 14, and they hereby fulfil the task of the clamping arms 7a, 7b of the embodiment previously described. The lower anchorage device 4 is adjustable, and in figure 6d, two movable clamping arms 4a, 4b have been adjusted, by tightening of a screw 21 and its corresponding nut 22, into a clamping action against the insides of the sections of the radiator 14.

[0036] Other modifications of the invention, resulting in further embodiments, may be made within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Device for securing to a substrate such a radiator (14) as has at least two somewhat spaced apart, substantially vertical surfaces, the device (1) comprising a stand (2), which is securable in the substrate and is arranged to extend approximately vertically from the substrate and upwards between the vertical surfaces, an adjustable lower anchorage device (4) for cooperating with a lower portion of the radiator surfaces, and an upper anchorage device (7) for cooperation with the vertical surfaces above the lower portions thereof, characterized in that the stand (2) is bifurcated, with two halves (2a, 2b) thereof, to accommodate an approximately horizontally extending tube (15) at the lower portion of the radiator (14).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a stabilization device (8) is arranged for a mutual connection of the two halves (2a, 2b) of the stand (2), in a position where the radiator (14) is mounted on the device (1).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper anchorage device (7) has a clamping device (7a, 7b) for lateral expansion, and an actuator device (5) beneath the lower anchorage device (4), connected to the upper anchorage device (7), by means of an operating device (9), for expanding the clamping device (7a, 7b) of the upper anchorage device (7) to a position wherein the radiator is retained.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the operating device (9) is bifurcated, with two halves (9a, 9b) thereof.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the operating device (9) includes two pivotable stabilization devices (8a, 8b) for stabilizing the bifurcated operating device (9) in the position where the clamping arms (7a, 7b) of the clamping device are expanded.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the stabilization devices (8a, 8b) are interlockable in the position where the clamping arms (7a, 7b) of the clamping device are expanded.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the stabilization devices (8a, 8b) each has an upper, curved cam surface for interaction with corresponding curved cam surfaces on the clamping device (7a, 7b) in order to pivot the stabilization devices (8a, 8b) into contact with one another and to pivot the clamping arms (7a, 7b) of the clamping device into their expanded position, when the operating device (9) is moved upwards.

8. Device according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that each of the pivotable stabilization devices (8a, 8b) is arranged on the operating device (9) so as to be movable between a first position in register with the contours of the bifurcated stand (2), and a second position where the stabilization devices (8a, 8b) are pivoted into contact with one another.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the stand (2) has guides (13a, 13b) for pivoting the stabilization (8a, 8b) devices from the second position to the first position, when the operating device (9) is moved downwards.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that each guide (13a, 13b) comprises an edge portion of the bifurcated stand (2), for contact with a respective one of the pivotable stabilization devices (8a, 8b).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the edge portion forms an angle to a main plane of extension of the bifurcated stand (2).

12. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the stabilization device (8) is slidably arranged on either half (2a, 2b) of the stand (2).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the stabilization device (8) is provided with guide means (17), which extend into mutually parallel slits arranged on the stand (2), for connection of the stabilization device with the stand (2).

14. Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the stabilization device (8) is provided with an inclined contact surface for contact with the radiator (14) during the mounting of the radiator (14) on the device (1).

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. Device for securing to a substrate such a radiator (14) as has at least two somewhat spaced apart, substantially vertical surfaces, the device (1) comprising a stand (2), which is securable in the substrate and is arranged to extend approximately vertically from the substrate and upwards between the vertical surfaces, an adjustable lower anchorage device (4) for cooperating with a lower portion of the radiator surfaces, and an upper anchorage device (7) for cooperation with the vertical surfaces above the lower portions thereof, wherein the stand (2) is bifurcated, with two halves (2a, 2b) thereof, to accommodate an approximately horizontally extending tube (15) at the lower portion of the radiator (14), and a stabilization device (8) is arranged for a mutual connection of the two halves (2a, 2b) of the stand (2), in a position where the radiator (14) is mounted on the device (1), characterized in that the contours of the stabilization device (8) are arranged in a position within the outer contours of the two halves of the stand during insertion of the stand (2) in the radiator (14), to allow passage of the tube (15).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper anchorage device (7) has a clamping device (7a, 7b) for lateral expansion, and an actuator device (5) beneath the lower anchorage device (4), connected to the upper anchorage device (7), by means of an operating device (9), for expanding the clamping device (7a, 7b) of the upper anchorage device (7) to a position wherein the radiator is retained.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the operating device (9) is bifurcated, with two halves (9a, 9b) thereof.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the operating device (9) includes two pivotable stabilization devices (8a, 8b) for stabilizing the bifurcated operating device (9) in the position where the clamping arms (7a, 7b) of the clamping device are expanded.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the stabilization devices (8a, 8b) are interlockable in the position where the clamping arms (7a, 7b) of the clamping device are expanded.

6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the stabilization devices (8a, 8b) each has an upper, curved cam surface for interaction with corresponding curved cam surfaces on the clamping device (7a, 7b) in order to pivot the stabilization devices (8a, 8b) into contact with one another and to pivot the clamping arms (7a, 7b) of the clamping device into their expanded position, when the operating device (9) is moved upwards.

7. Device according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that each of the pivotable stabilization devices (8a, 8b) is arranged on the operating device (9) so as to be movable between a first position in register with the contours of the bifurcated stand (2), and a second position where the stabilization devices (8a, 8b) are pivoted into contact with one another.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the stand (2) has guides (13a, 13b) for pivoting the stabilization (8a, 8b) devices from the second position to the first position, when the operating device (9) is moved downwards.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that each guide (13a, 13b) comprises an edge portion of the bifurcated stand (2), for contact with a respective one of the pivotable stabilization devices (8a, 8b).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the edge portion forms an angle to a main plane of extension of the bifurcated stand (2).

11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stabilization device (8) is slidably arranged on either half (2a, 2b) of the stand (2).

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the stabilization device (8) is provided with guide means (17), which extend into mutually parallel slits arranged on the stand (2), for connection of the stabilization device with the stand (2).

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the stabilization device (8) is provided with an inclined contact surface for contact with the radiator (14) during the mounting of the radiator (14) on the device (1).

Drawing