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(11) | EP 0 982 549 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | An arrangement in a radiator bracket |
| (57) The disclosure relates to an arrangement in a radiator bracket comprising a rail
(2) with a lower anchorage member which cooperates with a lower portion of the radiator
(3). In addition, the rail (2) has an upper anchorage member (5) which is movable
downwards under the action of a power unit (6, 7). A connection member (11) is disposed
to connect the upper anchorage member (5) with an upper portion (13) of the radiator
(1). In the region of the upper anchorage member (5), there is at least one support
surface (14, 15). The connection member (11) is urgable so as to be positionally aligned
thereagainst under the action of the upper anchorage member (5) when the anchorage
member (5) is subjected to a downward force and the connection member (11, 18) is
connected to the radiator (3). |
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement in such a radiator bracket as includes a rail with a lower anchorage member for cooperation with a lower portion of the radiator, an upper anchorage member which, under the action of a power unit, is movable downwards towards the first anchorage member, and a connection member which is disposed to connect the upper anchorage member with an upper portion of the radiator.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] It is becoming increasingly common that radiators are, for aesthetic or other reasons, provided with hoods or safety plates. As a rule, such radiators are twin units, i.e. they comprise a rear radiator located most proximal the wall and a front radiator which is disposed in parallel with the rear radiator. Covering encasement plates extend along the side edges of the radiators, while grids are provided on the underside and upper side of the radiators. Radiators of this type are permanently assembled and often include an integrated valve for connection to the conduits via which they are supplied.
[0003] If such a radiator is provided with specific anchorage yokes or stirrups on the rear side, they may readily be suspended using conventional radiator brackets. However, it is not possible to reverse such a radiator for left-hand or right-hand mounting, since in such an event both the front and rear must be of identical appearance. The above-mentioned anchorage yokes on the rear side of the radiator cannot, thus, be employed in such a situation.
[0004] It is also common to enable at least the grids on the upper side of the radiator to be dismounted for cleaning the interior of the radiator.
[0005] Solutions have been proposed in the art according to which the radiator bracket is connected via a short hook or catch which is suspended the upper welding seam of the radiator or an upper edge. Such solutions have been employed on both the upper side of the upper safety grid of the radiator, as a result of which this cannot be dismounted, and on the underside thereof, in which event the grid may readily be removed.
[0006] Such solutions have suffered from major drawbacks, partly because of instability and play in the connection between the radiator and the anchorage rail with which the bracket is provided, and which is secured in a wall. In addition, it has been necessary to make the bracket so tall that it is clearly visible from the upper side of the radiator, which may be an aesthetic disadvantage.
PROBLEM STRUCTURE
[0007] The present invention has for its object to design the arrangement described by way of introduction such as to obviate the drawbacks inherent in prior art methods and apparatuses. Thus, the present invention has for its object to realise an arrangement which affords a stable and close connection between the wall rail of the radiator bracket and the radiator proper. Furthermore, the present invention has for its object to realise an arrangement which permits reversal of the radiator for both right-hand and left-hand mounting. The present invention yet further has for its object to realise an arrangement which is aesthetically pleasing in that it is so short that it is concealed in behind the radiator. Finally, the present invention has for its object to realise an arrangement which is simple and economical to manufacture and convenient to use.
SOLUTION
[0008] The objects forming the basis of the present invention will be attained if the arrangement intimated by way of introduction is characterized in that there is provided, in the region of the upper anchorage member, at least one support surface against which the connection member is urgeable so as to be position-aligned under the action of the upper anchorage member when this is subjected to a downwardly directed force towards the lower anchorage member and the connection member is connected to the radiator.
[0009] Further advantages will be attained according to the present invention if the arrangement according to the invention is also given one or more of the characterizing features as set forth in appended Claims 2 to 13.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawings. In the accompanying Drawings:
- Fig. 1
- is a partial view of an upper region of a radiator which is fixedly mounted on a wall by means of the arrangement according to the present invention;
- Fig. 2
- is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 1, but prior to the clamping of the radiator in place;
- Fig. 3
- shows one embodiment of a connection member according to the present invention;
- Fig. 4
- is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 1, but showing a modified embodiment of the connection member; and
- Fig. 5
- is a view corresponding to that of Fig. 2 in the embodiment according to Fig. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] In the following disclosure, expressions such as "upper" and "lower" will be employed. These refer to the arrangement according to the present invention in that position which it normally assumes while in use. Correspondingly, terms such as "inner" and "outer", and "rear" and "front" will also be employed. In such instance, the terms "inner" and "rear", respectively, relate to a position close to the wall on which the arrangement according to the present invention is mounted, while the terms "outer" and "front", respectively, relate to a position a greater distance from the wall.
[0012] In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 relates to a wall on which a rail 2 is mounted, preferably vertically directed. Reference numeral 3 relates to an upper portion of an inner or rear radiator. In one embodiment with a twin radiator, a second or outer radiator in Fig. 1 is located a distance from the radiator 3 to the right of it and parallel with it. Between the two radiators, there is normally disposed an upper covering grid which is illustrated by means of the broken line 4.
[0013] The Figure shows the upper end of the arrangement according to the present invention and an upper anchorage member 5 disposed there whose purpose is to positionally fix the upper portion of the radiator 3 in relation to the rail 2 and thereby also the wall 1.
[0014] At the lower end (not shown) of the rail 2, there is provided a lower anchorage member which supports the radiator 3 and holds it in position against and from the wall 1.
[0015] The upper anchorage member 5 disposed at the upper end region of the arrangement according to the present invention is manufactured from metal and interlocks metalically with the rail 2, as well as being shiftable in the longitudinal direction thereof. A power unit acts on the upper anchorage member 5 in a direction for downward movement along the rail 2. The upper anchorage member 5 and the rail 2 have a locking function, which implies that the upper anchorage member 5 is movable downwards under the action of the power unit, but as soon as the end of the upper anchorage member 5 facing away from the rail 2, the outer end, is obstructed in its movement, the anchorage member is locked and prevented from moving in the opposite direction in principle regardless of the magnitude of the lifting force acting on the outer end of the anchorage member. This implies that the anchorage member is self-locking in the locked position in engagement with a radiator or an anchorage mounted or disposed thereon. The construction is such that the only possibility of releasing the anchorage member for upwardly directed movement entails that the locking function must, in a manner which will be described below, be broken.
[0016] The arrangement according to the present invention further includes a runner 6 which is preferably manufactured from plastic and which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the rail 2 in a groove provided therein. The runner 6 is connected to a spring 7 which, with its lower end, is secured in the rail. The spring and the runner are included in the above-mentioned power unit.
[0017] The runner 6 has a through-going aperture 8 in which the upper anchorage member 5 is disposed. The aperture 8 has an upper/inner defining edge 9 which in Fig. 1, i.e. in the locked mounting position, urges against the inner end of the upper anchorage member 5 in a downward direction. Correspondingly, the aperture 8 has an inner/lower edge which, in Fig. 1, is located a distance beneath the upper anchorage member 5. On upward displacement of the runner 6, the inner, lower edge will come into abutment against the underside of the anchorage member and can lift it upwards along the rail 2 so that the locking function is broken. Hereby, the anchorage member may be released from the radiator or the anchorage disposed thereon.
[0018] In Fig. 1, the anchorage member 5 cooperates with a connection member 11 which extends in the vertical direction of the radiator a considerable distance from the upper edge of the radiator 3 and down on its rear side and which, in its upper end, has a catch or hook 12 which engages about the upper welded edge 13 of the radiator 3. The connection member 11 abuts against support surfaces 14, 15 on the runner 6 and is held urged against them under the action of the upper anchorage member 5 and the power unit. In addition, the connection member 11 is held positionally aligned by its urging against the support surfaces. The two support surfaces 14 and 15 are disposed in spaced apart relationship to and on either side of the anchorage member 5. In that the connection member 11 is, in this manner, urged against the runner 6 and under the action of the anchorage member 5 is drawn in a direction towards the rail 2, a metallic, close connection will be established between the rail 2 and the connection member 11. Any possible play between the runner 6 and the rail 2 is also eliminated, since the runner 6 is indirectly urged against the rail 2 under the action of the connection member 11.
[0019] It will be apparent from the foregoing that the rail 2, the runner 6 and the connection member 11 in the clamped position may be considered as a rigid, closed unit. The only play which may occur between the upper end of the radiator 3 and the rail 2 is the possible play which may exist between the hook 12 and the welded edge 13.
[0020] It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that the connection member 11 has, in its central region viewed vertically, an aperture 16 with a lower edge 17. It will be apparent from Fig. 1 that the upper anchorage member 5 has, in its outer end, a downwardly directed hook 18 which grasps about the edge 17 of the connection member 11. The hook 18 is obliquely inclined in relation to the vertical in such a manner that it, together with an imaginary line through the two support surfaces 14 and 15 (coinciding in Fig. 1 with the surface of the connection member 11 turned to face towards the wall 1), forms an upwardly tapering, cuneiform space 19. It is essential that this cuneiform space be dimensioned in such a manner that the edge 17 of the connection member 11 cannot come into abutment against the outwardly directed portion 20 of the anchorage member 5 which displays the hook 18 in its outer end. Given that the anchorage member 5 is urged in a downward direction, it will be perceived that the edge 17 of the connection member 11 will be urged into the increasingly narrower space 19 so that the connection member 11 with thereby be urged against the support surfaces 14 and 15 and be positionally aligned in conformity with them.
[0021] It should be noted that, between the outer edge of the connection member 11 and the inner edge of the radiator 3, there is a space 21 which prevents rattling between the connection member and the radiator.
[0022] Fig. 2 shows the arrangement according to the present invention before the upper anchorage member 5 has entered into engagement with the edge 17 of the connection member 11. It will be apparent from this Figure that the connection member 11 hangs on its hook 12 on the welded edge 13, for which reason it is located in the same vertical position as according to Fig. 1. On the other hand, the runner 6 is raised to an upper position where the upper anchorage member 5 rests on the lower edge 10 of the aperture 8. In a comparison between Figs. 1 and 2, it will also be apparent that the spring 7 is considerably more tensioned in Fig. 2 than in Fig. 1. It will further be apparent that the hook 18 is located approximately in the centre of the recess or aperture 16, viewed in the vertical direction.
[0023] On release of the runner 6, this will move downwards, whereafter the upper edge 9 of the aperture contacts with the anchorage member 5 and drives this downwards, whereafter the catch or hook 18 enters into engagement with the edge 17 and draws the connection member not only downwards but also into abutment against the two support surfaces 14 and 15.
[0024] Figs. 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment where the connection member 11 has its side edges 22 (see Fig. 3) turned to face inwards towards the wall 1, i.e. in a direction opposite to that shown in Figs. 1-3. The side edges straddle the runner 6 and constitute a sliding guide in the vertical direction between the connection member 11 and the runner.
[0025] For fixedly retaining the connection member 11 on the runner 6, use is made of brackets 23 which permit displacement movements in the vertical direction between the runner and the connection member and which have no real function in the connected position illustrated in Fig. 4. Thus, the brackets 23 are substantially of the nature of "transport safety devices".
1. An arrangement in a radiator bracket including a rail (2) with a lower anchorage member
for cooperation with a lower portion of the radiator (3), an upper anchorage member
(5) which, under the action of a power unit (6, 7), is movable downwards towards the
first anchorage member, and a connection member (11) which is disposed to connect
the upper anchorage member (5) with an upper portion (13) of the radiator (3), characterized in that there is disposed, in the region of the upper anchorage member (5), at least one
support surface (14, 15, 24) against which the connection member (11) is urgeable
so as to be position-aligned under the action of the upper anchorage member (5) when
this is subjected to a downwardly directed force towards the lower anchorage member
and the connection member (11, 18) is connected to the radiator.
2. The arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that a support surface (14, 15) is disposed on either side of the anchorage member (5)
viewed in the vertical direction.
3. The arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the support surface (24) is substantially unbroken and has portions both above and
below the upper anchorage member (5).
4. The arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that there is formed, between an imaginary line which interconnects the support surfaces
(14, 15) and follows it (24), respectively, and the upper anchorage member (11, 18),
a cuneiform space (19) in which the connection member (11, 17, 25) may be wedged.
5. The arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support surfaces (14, 15, 24) are disposed on a runner (6) which is movable in
the longitudinal direction of the rail (2).
6. The arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper anchorage member (5) is, at its end facing away from the connection member
(11), in interlocking engagement with the rail (2).
7. The arrangement as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the upper anchorage member (5) extends through an aperture (8) in the runner (6)
from the rail (2) to the connection member (11).
8. The arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the force unit includes a lock which, on activation of the upper anchorage member
(5) upwards at its end (18) cooperating with the connection member (11), prevents
the upper anchorage member (5) from moving upwards but permits movement in the opposite
direction.
9. The arrangement as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that the lock is releasable on activation of the anchorage member with the runner (6)
in an upward direction.
10. The arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the connection member (11) is a separate part.
11. The arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the connection member (11) is connected to the runner (6) but movable in relation
thereto in the longitudinal direction of the rail (2).
12. The arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the runner (6) is urgeable to closed abutment against the rail (2) under the action
of the connection member (11).
13. The arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the connection member (11) and the upper anchorage member (5) are manufactured from
metal, whereby there is a metal connection between the rail (2) and the radiator (3).