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(11) | EP 4 012 272 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | ANCHORING DEVICE FOR RADIATORS |
| (57) An anchoring device for radiators, including a bracket having a predominantly longitudinal
extension, the lower end of the bracket forming a fixed hook adapted to cooperate
with a movable hook associated with the upper end of the bracket, the movable hook
being supported by a support which is mounted slidingly on the bracket and can be
locked by a reversible locking means in a position chosen among predefined positions,
the locking means including a contoured body which translates integrally with the
support and is provided with at least one locking member which cooperates with elastic
means and with at least one release lever which acts in contrast with the elastic
means and is configured to move the locking member between a locking configuration,
in which it engages the bracket by being pushed by the elastic means, and a release
position, in which it is substantially disengaged from the bracket. The particularity
of the device resides in that it includes a plurality of protrusions which protrude
from the bracket so as to be selectively engageable by the locking member in the locking
configuration.
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[0002] As is known there are various kinds of devices designed for rapidly and reversibly mounting radiators on walls.
[0003] Known devices have an elongated bracket, having a length substantially corresponding to the height of the radiator. The bracket is bent at the lower end so as to form a fixed hook onto which the lower portion of the radiator is to be engaged.
[0004] A movable hook is slidingly associated with the upper end of the bracket and is generally mounted on an adapted support provided with position adjustment mechanisms.
[0005] This same Applicant owns patent applications regarding devices having a movable hook supported by a support which can slide within the bracket and cooperates with a locking member which is kept pushed against one or both of the internal walls of the bracket by an elastic means, which can be rendered inactive by a user through various tools.
[0006] Although they are advantageous with respect to the preceding devices, even these last devices, in some circumstances, have drawbacks related especially to the stability of the fastening.
[0007] The aim of the present invention is to provide an anchoring device for radiators that overcomes the drawbacks of the cited prior art.
[0008] Within the scope of this aim, a particular object of the invention is to provide a device that improves the reliability and stability of the fastening.
[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a device which is suitable for various dimensionally and/or geometrically different kinds of radiator.
[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a device that is substantially concealed from view when mounted.
[0011] This aim and these objects, as well as others which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an anchoring device for radiators, as claimed in the appended claims.
[0012] Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of an anchoring device for radiators according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of an anchoring device for radiators according to the invention;
Figure 3 is a front view of the device according to the invention;
Figure 4 is a side view of the device according to the invention;
Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of a component of the device according to the invention;
Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of a component of the device, according to a further aspect of the invention;
Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of the upper part of the device according to the invention;
Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of the upper part of the device according to a further aspect of the invention.
[0013] With reference to the cited Figures 1 to 10, an anchoring device for radiators, according to the invention, is generally designated by the reference numeral 1.
[0014] The device 1 includes a bracket 2, preferably made of metallic material, which has a longitudinal extension that is substantially similar to the height of a radiator to be anchored to a supporting wall.
[0015] The bracket 2 preferably has a C-shaped transverse cross-section and includes a base wall 2a. A first wing 2b and a second wing 2c protrude transversely from the lateral ends of the base wall 2a.
[0016] Advantageously, multiple contoured holes 3 are provided in the base wall 2a and allow to stably anchor the device 1 to the supporting wall, for example by expansion plugs.
[0017] The lower end of the bracket 2 is contoured so as to form a fixed hook 5, in cooperation with a member 4 preferably made of plastic material. The fixed hook 5 is adapted to engage the lower part of the radiator.
[0018] Advantageously, by virtue of its particular shape, the member 4 also acts as a guiding member for a correct and easy positioning of the radiator on the fixed hook 5.
[0019] The upper end of the bracket 2 has two containment edges 2d, 2e that allow the bracket to slidingly accommodate a support 6 for a movable hook 7, which is designed to cooperate with the fixed hook 5 in order to retain the radiator.
[0020] The support 6 and the movable hook 7 are preferably made of metallic material, for example by die casting and/or other machining processes.
[0021] In the specific case, the support 6 is constituted by an elongated member which includes a plate portion 6a. Two wings 6b, 6c protrude transversely from the lateral ends of the plate portion 6a.
[0023] The wings 6b, 6c are interrupted by openings 8, the usefulness of which will be explained better hereinafter.
[0024] A ledge 6d protrudes from one end of the support 6 and the movable hook 7 is detachably associated with the ledge 6d.
[0025] The position of the movable hook 7 may be adjusted for example by means of a bolt 9 inserted in corresponding contoured through holes formed in the two members.
[0026] Advantageously, a locking means 10 allows, reversibly, to prevent the support 6 from sliding in one direction with respect to the bracket 2 and to instead allow it to slide in the opposite direction.
[0027] In the specific case, the locking means 10 has a contoured body 11, which is substantially flat and preferably made of plastic material and translates integrally with the support 6.
[0028] A first tab protrudes laterally from the contoured body 11 and is shaped to form a locking member 12 which has a sharp edge 13. In a locking configuration, the sharp edge 13 is designed to engage for example the first wing 2b of the bracket 2 and to move unidirectionally thereon.
[0029] Advantageously, a reinforcement member 14 is integrated in the locking member 12. The reinforcement member 14 preserves the integrity of the sharp edge 13 and makes the engagement of the locking member 12 with the bracket 2 more stable and safe.
[0030] The reinforcement member 14 is a plate body, which is preferably made of metallic material, and is interposed between the contoured body 11 and the plate portion 6a of the support 6. The reinforcement member 14 is shaped so as to cover at least part of the surfaces of the locking member 12.
[0031] Also, a second tab protrudes laterally from the contoured body 11 and is arranged on the side that is opposite to the side where the locking member 12 is arranged. The second tab defines an elastic means 15 configured to push the locking member 12 against the first wing 2b of the bracket 2, in the locking condition.
[0032] The second tab is inclined so as to diverge with respect to the contoured body 11 and has a shape which progressively becomes narrower along the direction away from the contoured body 11, so as to define a substantially flexible free end which is designed to rest, for example, against the second wing 2c of the bracket 2, which is opposite the first wing 2b on which the locking member 12 engages.
[0033] However, it is evident to the person skilled in the art that nothing would change from a functional standpoint if the roles of the two wings 2b, 2c were reversed.
[0034] Also, according to an embodiment of the invention, which is not shown in the figures, the locking member 12 is constituted by two matching tabs that protrude from opposite sides of the contoured body 11 and are configured to act on both wings 2b, 2c.
[0035] Likewise, the elastic means 15 also can be constituted by two matching tabs that protrude from opposite sides of the contoured body 11 and are configured to act on both of the wings 2b, 2c.
[0036] Since the first and second tabs of the contoured body 11, that in the specific illustrated case constitute respectively the locking means 12 and the elastic means 15, protrude beyond the lateral space occupation of the support 6 substantially formed by the two wings 6b, 6c, the tabs, when the contoured body 11 is joined to the support 6, are arranged substantially at the openings 8 so as to be able to make contact respectively with the first wing 2b and with the second wing 2c of the bracket 2.
[0037] The contoured body 11 also has a third tab which is extended axially, on the side where the locking member 12 is positioned, forming a release lever 16 which allows to overcome the thrust of the elastic means 15 and to disengage, in a release configuration, the locking member 12 from the first wing 2b of the bracket 2.
[0038] Advantageously, the shape of the release lever 16 is such as to allow a user to act on its free end in order to pass from the locking configuration to the release configuration even when the radiator is attached to the device 1.
[0039] The person skilled in the art may recognize that, according to a further embodiment not shown in the figures, there may be two release levers 16, constituted by two matching tabs that protrude from opposite sides of the contoured body 11.
[0040] It should be noted that the transition from the locking configuration to the release configuration is determined not only by the elastic deformation of the contoured body 11 but also by a slight movement of the latter with respect to the support 6.
[0041] In this regard, it should be noted that the contoured body 11 has a first pivot 17 which protrudes from its face directed toward the support 6 and enters a respective hole 18 provided in the support 6.
[0042] The contoured body 11 also has a second pivot 19 which protrudes from its face that is opposite the one from which the first pivot 17 protrudes and enters a respective slot 20 provided in the bracket 2.
[0043] The coupling between the second pivot 19 and the slot 20 allows to limit the stroke of the support 6 with respect to the bracket 2 between a minimum position and a maximum position.
[0044] According to the present invention, the device 1 includes a plurality of protrusions 21 that protrude from the bracket 2 and can be selectively engaged by the locking member 12 in the locking configuration.
[0045] In greater detail, the protrusions 21 are substantially rectilinear in shape and are formed on the internal face of at least one of the two wings of the bracket 2, for example the first wing 2b.
[0046] However, the person skilled in the art will recognized that, according to a further embodiment shown by way of example in Figures 11 and 12, in which the bracket is designated by the reference numeral 102 and the components that are identical and/or equivalent to the ones shown in Figures 1 to 10 are designated by the same reference numerals increased by 100, the protrusions 121 may be provided both on the first wing 102b and on the second wing 102c of the bracket 102.
[0047] In this case, the locking member 12 should be preset preferably to act on both of the wings 102b, 102c, and likewise also the elastic means 15, as already described previously.
[0048] Preferably, the protrusions 21 are arranged transversely to the axis of extension of the bracket 2 and are substantially equidistant and substantially mutually parallel, so as to form a knurling.
[0049] In the specific case, the protrusions 21 have, in transverse cross-section, a substantially squared profile which is obtained for example by die casting and/or other machining processes.
[0050] The person skilled in the art will recognize that, according to a further embodiment, the protrusions 21 may be different in terms of shape and position; for example, they may have, in transverse cross-section, a substantially saw-toothed profile or may be configured as small hemispheres.
[0051] The operation of the anchoring device for radiators according to the invention is simple and intuitive.
[0052] The movable hook 7, the support 6 and the locking means 10 are generally provided as a single preassembled assembly, which the user simply has to insert in the bracket 2 until the second pivot 19 enters the slot 20.
[0053] In this circumstance, the elastic means 15 pushes the locking member 12 to engage one of the protrusions 21 of the first wing 2b, so as to allow the support 6 to move unidirectionally on the bracket 2.
[0054] Mounting proceeds by fixing the bracket 2 to the wall, subsequently engaging the lower part of the radiator with the fixed hook 5 and engaging the upper part of the radiator with the movable hook 7 which is pushed toward the fixed hook 5.
[0055] The locking means 10 ensures that, in the locking configuration, it is not possible to extract the support 6 from the bracket 2 and consequently the radiator remains locked to the device 1.
[0056] If it is necessary to detach the radiator from the device 1, it is sufficient to press the release lever 16 until the thrust of the elastic means 15 is overcome, causing the disengagement of the locking member 12 from the protrusion 21 with which it interfered, so as to allow the support 6 to slide in both directions.
[0057] By virtue of the presence of the protrusions 21, the locking member 12 engages the bracket 2 in a manner that is even safer and more stable than the case in which the first wing 2b is completely smooth.
[0058] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, an anchoring device for radiators having been provided which improves the reliability and the stability of the fixing that can be obtained with known systems.
1. An anchoring device for radiators, comprising a bracket having a predominantly longitudinal
extension, the lower end of said bracket forming a fixed hook adapted to cooperate
with a movable hook associated with the upper end of said bracket, said movable hook
being supported by a support which is mounted slidingly on said bracket and can be
locked by a reversible locking means in a position chosen among predefined positions;
said locking means comprising a contoured body which translates integrally with said
support; said contoured body being provided with at least one locking member, which
cooperates with elastic means, and with at least one release lever, which acts in
contrast with said elastic means and is configured to move said locking member between
a locking configuration, in which said locking member engages said bracket by being
pushed by said elastic means, and a release position, in which said locking member
is substantially disengaged from said bracket; said device being characterized in that it comprises a plurality of protrusions that protrude from said bracket; said protrusions
being engageable selectively by said locking member in said locking configuration.
2. The device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said protrusions are formed on the internal face of at least one first wing of said
bracket; said bracket comprising a base wall from the opposite lateral ends of which
said first wing and a second wing protrude.
3. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protrusions are formed also on the internal face of said second wing of said
bracket.
4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protrusions are substantially equidistant from each other.
5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protrusions have a substantially rectilinear shape and are arranged transversely
with respect to the axis of extension of said bracket.
6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protrusions are substantially parallel to each other.
7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protrusions have a substantially squared shape in transverse cross-section.
8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protrusions have a substantially saw-toothed shape, in a transverse cross-section.
9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking member comprises at least one first tab which protrudes laterally from
said contoured body; said first tab having a sharp edge adapted to engage selectively
one of said protrusions in said locking configuration.
10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking member comprises at least one reinforcement member which is associated
with said first tab substantially at said sharp edge.
11. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic means comprises at least one second substantially flexible tab which
protrudes laterally from said contoured body, on the opposite side with respect to
said first tab; a free end of said second tab being adapted to rest against at least
one of said wings of said bracket.
12. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said release lever comprises at least one third tab which protrudes axially from
said contoured body, on the side of said locking member; a free end of said third
tab being available to the action of a user so that it can be pushed against the action
of said elastic means until it causes the disengagement of said locking member from
said protrusions.
13. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contoured body comprises at least one first pivot adapted to engage in a respective
hole formed in said support.
14. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contoured body comprises a second pivot adapted to engage in a respective slot
formed in said bracket so as to limit the stroke of said support with respect to said
bracket between at least one minimum position and a maximum position.