Frame fitting arrangement for vehicle air conditioner

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11560036
  • Patent Number
    11,560,036
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, June 9, 2021
    3 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 24, 2023
    a year ago
Abstract
A frame is provided and is adapted to be installed in an opening and between the external unit and the roof or wall and having locating elements on each of a first side and an opposite second side of the frame, the locating elements or projections being configured together to locate the frame in the opening and to locate the frame in the external unit. The locating elements in the frame are positioned so that if the opening is the first type, the frame is adapted to be installed with the first side facing the roof or wall, and if the opening is the second type, the frame is adapted to be installed with the first side facing the external unit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments relate to air conditioners for vehicles including but not limited to recreational road vehicles such as caravans, mobile homes and the like, and in particular to an air-conditioner with an improved system of attachment to the vehicle.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a number of manufacturers of air-conditioners for recreational vehicles who supply air-conditioners which must be fitted to a range of recreational vehicles of different sizes. Many recreational vehicles are manufactured with square openings or cut-out sections in the roof ready for installation of an air-conditioner, which are typically one of two sizes—a square 360 mm on each side or 400 mm on each side. This presents a problem to the manufacturer of air-conditioners on how to adapt installation to 2 different opening sizes, at the same time as keeping manufacture and parts numbers at a minimum.


It is an object of the present embodiment to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.


It is an object, in at least one form, to provide an improved air-conditioner to overcome the above disadvantage, applicable to recreational and other vehicles.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first broad aspect, there is provided an air-conditioner adapted to be fitted to a vehicle, the air conditioner comprising:


an external unit containing a compressor and at least one heat exchanger element and having at least one air channel positioned for supplying conditioned air and at least one air channel positioned for receiving return air through an opening in a roof or wall of the vehicle, wherein the opening is either a first type or a second type having a different size from the first type;


a frame adapted to be installed in the opening and between the external unit and the roof or wall and having locating elements on each of a first side and an opposite second side of the frame, the locating elements being configured together to locate the frame in the opening and to locate the frame in the external unit;


wherein the locating elements in the frame are positioned so that if the opening is the first type, the frame is adapted to be installed with the first side facing the roof or wall, and if the opening is the second type, the frame is adapted to be installed with the first side facing the external unit.


In one embodiment, the locating elements on the first side of the frame comprise a projection adapted to engage with a side of the opening of the first type, and one of the locating elements on the second side is adapted to engage with a locating element in the external unit, when first side is facing the roof or wall.


In one embodiment, the locating elements on the first side of the frame comprise a first side projection adapted to engage with a side of the opening of the first type when the first side is facing the roof or wall, and the locating elements on the second side of the frame comprise a second side projection adapted to engage with a first external unit locating element in the external unit, when the first side is facing the roof or wall; and


the second side projection is adapted to engage with the side of the opening of the second type when the first side is facing the external unit, and the first side projection is adapted to engage with a second external unit locating element in the external unit when the first side is facing the external unit.


One or more of the first side projection, second side projection, first external unit locating element and second external unit locating element may comprise ridges engaging the sides of the opening. The ridges may be tapered to facilitate location with the sides of the opening or the external unit.


In one embodiment, one or more of the locating elements in the frame is a recess or hole adapted to engage with a projection in the external unit.


In one embodiment, the frame comprises a duct insert adapted to be installed in the frame in either of two orientations appropriate to installation in the first type or second type of opening respectively, the duct insert providing a duct for directing supply air into indoor componentry of the air-conditioner. Also included may be a telescopic duct size adjuster adapted to slidingly engage with the duct insert and to be fitted into the indoor componentry so as to telescopically adjust an operational length of the duct to accommodate different roof or wall thicknesses. The duct may be heat insulated to reduce heat to transfer between the supply air and the return air.


In one embodiment, also included is a ceiling plate adapted to be installed in an interior of the vehicle on the ceiling over the opening and fixed through the opening with bolts into the external unit. A fascia cover may be included which is adapted to be installed on the ceiling plate.


According to a second broad aspect of the embodiments there is provided a frame adapted to be installed in an opening in a roof or wall of a vehicle between an external unit of an air-conditioner and the roof or wall, the opening being either a first type or a second type having a different size from the first type, the external unit containing a compressor and at least one heat exchanger element and having at least one air channel positioned for supplying conditioned air and at least one air channel position for receiving return air through the opening;


wherein: the frame has locating elements on each of a first side and an opposite second side of the frame, the locating elements being configured together to locate the frame in the opening and to locate the frame in the external unit; and


the locating elements in the frame are positioned so that if the opening is the first type, the frame is adapted to be installed with the first side facing the roof or wall, and if the opening is the second type, the frame is adapted to be installed with the first side facing the external unit.


A third aspect provides a method of installing the air conditioner in a roof or wall of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:


revealing or constructing an opening in the roof or wall of the vehicle, wherein the opening is either a first type or a second type having a different size from the first type;


fitting the frame into the opening, if the opening is the first type, the frame is installed with the first side facing the roof or wall, and if the opening is the second type, the frame is installed with the second side facing the roof or wall;


fitting a duct insert into a supply aperture of the frame;


fitting the external unit onto the frame over the opening using the locating elements;


fitting a telescopic duct size adjuster into the duct insert; and


fitting a ceiling plate to the external unit from inside the vehicle.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS


FIGS. 1A and 1B are side and end views respectively of an air-conditioner of an embodiment of the current invention installed in a roof of a recreational vehicle;



FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an external unit of an air-conditioner of the embodiment of FIG. 1 being installed on a roof of a recreational vehicle;



FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of separate components of the embodiment of FIG. 1;



FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the installation procedure of the embodiment of FIG. 1;



FIGS. 5A and 5B is a perspective view of first and second sides of a frame component of the embodiment of FIG. 1;



FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross sectional views showing the principle of operation of the frame component of the embodiment of FIG. 1;



FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross sectional views of an alternative embodiment; and



FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an underside of a base of an external unit of the embodiment of FIG. 1.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout. In the following description, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein have been omitted for conciseness and clarity.


Referring first to FIGS. 1A and 1B, side and end views respectively are shown of an external unit 10 installed on a roof 1 of a recreational vehicle, with indoor componentry 3 attached from below ceiling 2. External unit 10 contains a compressor and heat exchanger elements and has a base (FIG. 8) with air channels positioned for supplying conditioned air and receiving return air through an opening in a roof of the recreational vehicle.


Referring to FIG. 2, external unit 10 is shown in process of installation onto opening 70 in roof 1. Opening 70 may be a pre-manufactured opening, typically either of a first type having a smaller standard size of about 360 mm×360 mm, or of a second type having a larger standard size of about 400 mm×400 mm. Alternatively, opening 70 may be cut and formed in an intact roof to a first type dimension or a second type dimension according to methods known in the art.


Referring now to FIG. 3, various components of the external unit 10 are shown in separated form, including frame 20, duct insert 30, ceiling plate 40, fascia cover 50, telescopic duct size adjuster 31, and bolt 60. The components are typically manufactured primarily in plastic of the appropriate characteristics as is known in the art.


Referring now to FIG. 4, an exploded perspective view is shown depicting part of the installation procedure. After revealing or constructing the opening 70, shown disposed in the roof 1 which is represented as transparent for purposes of description, frame 20 is oriented with first or second side facing down toward the roof as described below appropriate to the size of opening 70 and is located into opening 70. It should be appreciated that opening 70 will located in a position on the roof that can support the static weight of the external unit 10 and the loads of the air conditioner when the vehicle is in motion. In this regard, the vehicle manufacturer may have already provided points where the opening for the installation of the roof air conditioner can be made without any risk of weakening the construction or cutting power cables. Alternatively, a flat and sufficiently level area at the center of the vehicle roof should be selected and ideally the roof inclination of the installation surface should not exceed 10°. In FIG. 4, opening 70 is of the smaller standard size. Duct insert 30 is fitted from above into supply aperture 24 before or after location of frame 20 in opening 70. External unit 10 is fitted onto frame 20 over opening 70 using locating elements to be described below. Weatherproof sealant may be used. Telescopic duct size adjuster 31 is fitted onto duct insert 30 from below, either before or after location of frame 20 in opening 70 and fitment of external unit 10. Telescopic duct size adjuster 31 is adapted to slidingly engage with duct insert 30 and to be fitted into the indoor componentry consisting of ceiling plate 40 which is maneuvered from below ceiling into place beneath opening 70. Duct insert 30 and telescopic duct size adjuster 31 are covered in insulating foam material in order to reduce heat transfer between the supply air in the duct and the return air which surrounds the duct. Ceiling plate 40 is fixed to external unit 10 using appropriately dimensioned bolts 60. Fascia cover 50 containing supply and return louvers and control and communication functions is then screwed onto ceiling plate 40 (not shown).


Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, first side 21 and opposite second side 25 respectively of frame 20 are shown in perspective view as if from below oriented as intended for use in an opening of the smaller standard size and the larger standard size respectively. Frame 20 comprises supply air aperture 24 (shown in both figures with duct insert 30 installed from above) and return air aperture 23. Referring in particular to FIG. 5A, extending around supply air aperture 24 and return air aperture 23 is a generally square ridge 22 disposed as a projection out of first side 21. Ridge 22 is generally parallel to sides of opening 70 and sized to fit snugly within opening 70 of the smaller standard size and performs the function of a locating element to locate frame 20 in opening 70 of the smaller standard size. Referring in particular to FIG. 5B, extending around supply air aperture 24 and return air aperture 23 is a similar generally square ridge 26 disposed as a projection out of second side 25. Ridge 26 is generally parallel to sides of opening 70 and sized to fit snugly within opening 70 of the larger standard size and performs the function of a locating element to locate frame 20 in opening 70 of the larger standard size.


When opening 70 is the larger standard size, first side 21 is disposed upwards in installation and ridge 22 serves as a locating element to locate frame 20 into unit 10, while ridge 26 serves as a locating element to locate frame 20 into opening 70. When opening 70 is the smaller standard size, second side 25 is disposed upwards in installation and ridge 25 serves as a locating element to locate frame 20 into unit 10 while ridge 22 serves as a locating element to locate frame 20 into opening 70.


Referring now to FIG. 8, where a base of the external unit 10 is seen from below, there are generally square ridges 11, 12, 13 provided which surround supply air fan outlet 15 and return air inlet 16. Also seen is a receiving channel 17 corresponding with duct insert 30.


Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the principle of operation of frame 20 is depicted. Referring first to FIG. 6A, which corresponds to the situation of FIG. 5A installing in an opening 70 of the smaller standard size, first side 21 is facing down toward the roof and projection 22 locates frame 20 against the roof 1 in the opening 70 and projection 26 locates the frame 20 in the base of the external unit against projection 12. Projections 22 and 26 in the frame 20 and projections 12 and 13 in the base of the external unit 10 are tapered to assist in the location process. Referring to FIG. 6B, which corresponds to the situation of FIG. 5B installing in an opening 70 of the larger standard size, first side 21 is facing upwards towards external unit 10 and projection 26 locates frame 20 against the roof 1 in the opening 70, while projection 22 locates frame 20 in the base of the external unit 10 against projection 13.


Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, an alternative embodiment is shown illustrating that different configurations are possible within the broadest scope of the invention. In particular, there can be provided matching protection 27 on second side 25 opposite projection 22 on first side 21, enabling projection 13 in the base of the external unit 10 to provide a common location point for both larger and smaller standard opening sizes, thereby providing the first external unit locating element and the second external unit locating element of the claims.


By providing a frame element for installation which can be used for two types of opening using different orientations, the invention simplifies manufacture and installation flexibly suited to two different market standards.


Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scopes of the invention, which is determined from the broadest scope and claims.


For example, while the locating elements shown above are all ridges, it will be appreciated that many other geometries are possible within the broadest scope of the invention. For example, incomplete ridges or multiple locating lugs not extending significantly in the third dimension are within the scope, as are recesses or holes in frame 20 shaped to engage with corresponding projections in the base of the external unit 10, and vice versa.


Further, while the example above applies to installation in a roof of a vehicle, the invention extends in its broadest aspects to installation in a wall.


Further also, the openings may be any shape and the claimed “different size” of the second type of opening compared to the first type of opening encompasses any different dimensional size of the opening. For example, in relation to rectangular openings the first and second types include different lengths, different widths or different lengths and widths.


In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. Further, any method steps recited are not necessarily intended to be performed temporally in the sequence written, or to be performed without pause once started, unless the context requires it


Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.


It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims
  • 1. A frame adapted to be installed in an opening in a roof or wall of a vehicle between an external unit of an air-conditioner and the roof or wall, the opening being either a first opening of a first size or a second opening of a second size, different size from the first size, the frame comprising: projections on each of a first side and an opposite second side of the frame, the projections being configured together to locate the frame relative to the first opening of the first size and the second opening of the second size and configured to locate the frame relative to the external unit; andthe projections on the frame are positioned so that when the opening is the first opening of the first size, the frame is adapted to be installed with the first side facing the roof or wall, and when the opening is the second opening of the second size, the frame is capable of being rotated and installed with the first side facing the external unit.
  • 2. The frame of claim 1 wherein the projections on the first side of the frame comprise a projection adapted to engage with a side of the first opening of the first size, and one of the projections on the second side is adapted to engage with a projection in the external unit, when the first side is facing the roof or wall.
  • 3. The frame of claim 1 wherein the projections on the first side of the frame comprise a first side projection adapted to engage with a side of the first opening of the first size when the first side is facing the roof or wall, and the projections on the second side of the frame comprise a second side projection adapted to engage with a first external unit projection in the external unit, when the first side is facing the roof or wall; and the second side projection is adapted to engage with the side of the second opening of the second size when the first side is facing the external unit, and the first side projection is adapted to engage with a second external unit projection in the external unit when the first side is facing the external unit.
  • 4. The frame of claim 3, wherein one or more of the first side projection, the second side projection, the first external unit projection and the second external unit projection comprise ridges engaging the sides of the first opening or the second opening.
  • 5. The frame of claim 4, wherein the ridges are tapered to facilitate location with the side of the first opening, the second opening, or the external unit.
  • 6. The frame of claim 1 wherein one or more of the projections in the frame is a recess or hole adapted to engage with a projection in the external unit.
  • 7. The frame of claim 1 adapted to receive a duct insert to be installed in the frame in either of two orientations appropriate to installation in the first size or the second size of the opening respectively, the duct insert providing a duct for directing supply air into indoor componentry of the air-conditioner.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
2016900617 Feb 2016 AU national
CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This divisional patent application claims priority to and benefit of, under 35 U.S.C. § 121, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/078,478, filed Aug. 21, 2018 and titled “Vehicle Air Conditioner”, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 11,034,208 on Jun. 15, 2021, which claims priority to and benefit of, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), PCT application number PCT/AU2017/050153, filed Feb. 22, 2017, titled, “Vehicle Air Conditioner”, which claims priority to Australian patent application AU 2016900617, filed Feb. 22, 2016, all of which is incorporated by reference herein.

US Referenced Citations (201)
Number Name Date Kind
964146 Clark Jul 1910 A
RE24637 Wulle Apr 1959 E
3092009 Goettl Jun 1963 A
3115082 Sanoff Dec 1963 A
3528359 Robert et al. Sep 1970 A
3680468 Schueler Aug 1972 A
D226381 Harty Feb 1973 S
3727537 Harty, Jr. Apr 1973 A
3867486 Nagele Feb 1975 A
3974755 Honmann Aug 1976 A
4189987 Amberg et al. Feb 1980 A
D257637 Armbruster Dec 1980 S
4502368 Hempel Mar 1985 A
4502467 Smith Mar 1985 A
4550648 Eagle Nov 1985 A
D284025 Armstrong May 1986 S
4608834 Rummel Sep 1986 A
4637299 Harding Jan 1987 A
4641502 Aldrich et al. Feb 1987 A
4665804 Miyasaka May 1987 A
4672818 Roth Jun 1987 A
4690040 Barnett Sep 1987 A
4693174 Anderson Sep 1987 A
4709623 Roth et al. Dec 1987 A
D296583 Barradas Jul 1988 S
4760773 Pezzulli Aug 1988 A
D300777 Bales et al. Apr 1989 S
D306341 Venmar et al. Feb 1990 S
4995243 Ward Feb 1991 A
5005372 King Apr 1991 A
5056262 Schweiss et al. Oct 1991 A
5176570 Liedl Jan 1993 A
5203178 Shyu Apr 1993 A
D343894 Anderson Feb 1994 S
5307645 Pannell May 1994 A
5366149 Kline Nov 1994 A
5403183 Andersson et al. Apr 1995 A
D360681 Chopko Jul 1995 S
5435781 Kitchens Jul 1995 A
D367524 Waldschmidt et al. Feb 1996 S
5494244 Walton Feb 1996 A
5501083 Kim Mar 1996 A
5501634 Wilder Mar 1996 A
5531641 Aldrich Jul 1996 A
5556335 Holyoake Sep 1996 A
5588910 Hutter et al. Dec 1996 A
5632156 Takeo et al. May 1997 A
5643081 Klein Jul 1997 A
D391632 Thomas Mar 1998 S
5727998 Krueger et al. Mar 1998 A
5752877 Sun May 1998 A
5765383 Inoue Jun 1998 A
5771704 Nakajima et al. Jun 1998 A
5791156 Strautman et al. Aug 1998 A
5860856 Teich et al. Jan 1999 A
5863310 Brown et al. Jan 1999 A
5964910 Keele Oct 1999 A
D424184 Chang-Kwon May 2000 S
6066041 Hernandez et al. May 2000 A
6073456 Kawai et al. Jun 2000 A
6076370 Da Silva Jun 2000 A
D428480 Flanagan Jul 2000 S
6101829 Robinson Aug 2000 A
6149513 Lyu Nov 2000 A
D435639 Robert et al. Dec 2000 S
6171062 Bucher et al. Jan 2001 B1
D437396 Flanagan Feb 2001 S
6196914 Lyu Mar 2001 B1
6220045 Kim Apr 2001 B1
6234893 Meredith May 2001 B1
6241794 Jadran et al. Jun 2001 B1
6250373 Vecchi et al. Jun 2001 B1
6257976 Richardson, III Jul 2001 B1
6302780 Ahn et al. Oct 2001 B1
6339934 Yoon et al. Jan 2002 B1
D454625 Flanagan Mar 2002 S
6351957 Hara Mar 2002 B2
6367270 Niimi et al. Apr 2002 B2
6370899 Hobbs et al. Apr 2002 B1
6370906 Kuo Apr 2002 B1
6415622 Kim et al. Jul 2002 B2
6536222 Ahn et al. Mar 2003 B1
6554880 Northcutt Apr 2003 B1
6571572 Hobbs et al. Jun 2003 B2
6601356 Snyder Aug 2003 B2
6616523 Tani et al. Sep 2003 B1
6626003 Kortum et al. Sep 2003 B1
6745586 Reimann et al. Jun 2004 B1
D495041 Thomas Aug 2004 S
6814660 Cavett Nov 2004 B1
6857953 Malott Feb 2005 B2
6889762 Zeigler et al. May 2005 B2
7086740 Sample et al. Aug 2006 B2
7140192 Allen et al. Nov 2006 B2
7171822 Allen et al. Feb 2007 B2
D538413 Lyu et al. Mar 2007 S
7201010 Homan et al. Apr 2007 B2
D541917 Pfeiffer May 2007 S
7234315 Allen et al. Jun 2007 B2
7237397 Allen Jul 2007 B2
D554544 Englert Nov 2007 S
D560785 Galeazzi Jan 2008 S
7316119 Allen Jan 2008 B2
7334834 Hill et al. Feb 2008 B2
7441414 Zeihr et al. Oct 2008 B2
7448227 Zeigler et al. Nov 2008 B2
7454922 Zeigler et al. Nov 2008 B2
7468588 Yoo et al. Dec 2008 B2
7591143 Zeigler et al. Sep 2009 B2
7591303 Zeigler et al. Sep 2009 B2
D619151 Tsuji Jul 2010 S
7797958 Alston et al. Sep 2010 B2
7832221 Wijaya et al. Nov 2010 B2
D629094 Thomas Dec 2010 S
7845187 Patel et al. Dec 2010 B2
7934387 Lee et al. May 2011 B2
7963117 Allen et al. Jun 2011 B2
8015833 Cikanek et al. Sep 2011 B2
8096482 Dage Jan 2012 B2
8171866 Dunstan May 2012 B2
D661386 Bergin Jun 2012 S
8249749 Dage et al. Aug 2012 B2
D672450 Milks et al. Dec 2012 S
8453722 Zeigler et al. Jun 2013 B2
8504209 Gross et al. Aug 2013 B2
8535127 Malott Sep 2013 B2
8568209 Boxum Oct 2013 B2
D712531 Bergin Sep 2014 S
D715907 Bergin Oct 2014 S
D716925 Bergin Nov 2014 S
9494158 Pham et al. Nov 2016 B2
D782939 Allard Apr 2017 S
9631832 Malott Apr 2017 B2
D785771 Bergin et al. May 2017 S
D785772 Bergin et al. May 2017 S
D811566 Liu et al. Feb 2018 S
D817466 Moseley May 2018 S
D824499 Williamson et al. Jul 2018 S
10093152 Allard et al. Oct 2018 B2
D841138 Williamson et al. Feb 2019 S
D850609 Bergin Jun 2019 S
D862668 Moseley Oct 2019 S
D865926 Moseley Nov 2019 S
10675941 Olinda et al. Jun 2020 B2
11034208 Williamson et al. Jun 2021 B2
20010053668 Berger Dec 2001 A1
20020094714 Matsuda et al. Jul 2002 A1
20030162492 Caferro et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030220070 Orendorff Nov 2003 A1
20040005854 Shin Jan 2004 A1
20040038643 Katagiri et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040072532 Cho Apr 2004 A1
20050087332 Umeo et al. Apr 2005 A1
20050227609 Koessler Oct 2005 A1
20060026936 Paumier et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060052050 Malott et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060059932 Czechowicz Mar 2006 A1
20060083889 Schuckers Apr 2006 A1
20070000265 McEnaney et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070066215 Song et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070131408 Zeigler et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070156289 Altieri et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070157522 Hebert et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070227693 Allen et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070287374 Day et al. Dec 2007 A1
20070299560 LaHue et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080014852 Mielke et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080034767 Ziehr et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080146136 Degutis et al. Jun 2008 A1
20090098820 Yabu Apr 2009 A1
20100006257 Schutz Jan 2010 A1
20100089563 Sundhar et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100120345 Ryan May 2010 A1
20100224754 Khan et al. Sep 2010 A1
20110016894 Lemon et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110067420 Alston et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110146320 Tomiyama et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110302942 Birchard Dec 2011 A1
20120210733 Kolavennu et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120247131 Esch Oct 2012 A1
20120324927 Suzuki Dec 2012 A1
20130047648 Zeigler et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130109294 Tolinski et al. May 2013 A1
20130168064 Akiyoshi et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130205811 Esch Aug 2013 A1
20140033742 Esch Feb 2014 A1
20140188313 Huang Jul 2014 A1
20140223928 Esch Aug 2014 A1
20140260393 Siddiqui et al. Sep 2014 A1
20150087216 Stover et al. Mar 2015 A1
20150107814 Jeong Apr 2015 A1
20150251521 Brauer et al. Sep 2015 A1
20150352924 Allard et al. Dec 2015 A1
20160033185 Motokawa et al. Feb 2016 A1
20160076271 Reinking Mar 2016 A1
20160207372 Parry Jul 2016 A1
20170203632 Westendarp et al. Jul 2017 A1
20190047353 Williamson et al. Feb 2019 A1
20190047354 Williamson et al. Feb 2019 A1
20190315197 Williamson et al. Oct 2019 A1
20200298655 Williamson et al. Sep 2020 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (69)
Number Date Country
2007202766 Nov 2013 AU
367405 Mar 2016 AU
201612249 May 2016 AU
201613590 Jul 2016 AU
201613591 Jul 2016 AU
201613592 Jul 2016 AU
201613593 Jul 2016 AU
201712794 May 2017 AU
201712798 May 2017 AU
2017222698 Aug 2018 AU
2017222697 Sep 2018 AU
2019202512 Oct 2019 AU
1011592 Jun 1977 CA
2518348 Mar 2006 CA
2587994 Dec 2007 CA
2611822 May 2008 CA
2951956 Dec 2015 CA
165232 May 2016 CA
165233 May 2016 CA
167431 Feb 2017 CA
172872 Feb 2017 CA
172873 Feb 2017 CA
172874 Feb 2017 CA
202126056 Jan 2012 CN
203533804 Apr 2014 CN
105142941 Dec 2015 CN
204923367 Dec 2015 CN
106470856 Mar 2017 CN
109070688 Dec 2018 CN
305029216 Feb 2019 CN
305105066 Apr 2019 CN
305397384 Oct 2019 CN
10336767 Dec 2004 DE
202004017266 Apr 2006 DE
112017000915 Oct 2018 DE
102019205194 Oct 2019 DE
0180053 May 1986 EP
0064769 Aug 1986 EP
700801 Mar 1996 EP
1634740 Mar 2006 EP
1681517 Jul 2006 EP
1832452 Sep 2007 EP
1870270 Dec 2007 EP
1925889 May 2008 EP
2196390 Jun 2010 EP
003323740-0001 Jul 2016 EP
003421643-0001 Oct 2016 EP
003479179-0001 Nov 2016 EP
003479179-0002 Nov 2016 EP
3113965 Jan 2017 EP
3411250 Dec 2018 EP
2087220 Dec 1971 FR
2297157 Jul 1996 GB
S52137854 Nov 1977 JP
H01224484 Sep 1989 JP
2004125338 Apr 2004 JP
2009225552 Oct 2009 JP
2011038699 Feb 2011 JP
20070060394 Jun 2007 KR
20080065198 Jul 2008 KR
2004099681 Nov 2004 WO
2014143181 Sep 2014 WO
2015131235 Sep 2015 WO
2015134185 Sep 2015 WO
2017143393 Aug 2017 WO
2017143394 Aug 2017 WO
2019038023 Feb 2019 WO
2019097448 May 2019 WO
2019229706 Dec 2019 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (67)
Entry
Design U.S. Appl. No. 29/682,265 entitled “Air Conditioning Apparatus” filed Mar. 4, 2019.
Utility U.S. Appl. No. 16/722,938 entitled “Roof Top Air Conditioner Unit, Methods for Producing, Assembling and Installing the Roof Top Air Conditioner Unit and Vehicle with the Roof Top Air Conditioner Unit” filed Dec. 20, 2019.
Utility U.S. Appl. No. 16/384,376 entitled “Air Distribution Apparatus” filed Apr. 15, 2019.
Design U.S. Appl. No. 29/660,094 entitled “Air Distribution Box” filed Aug. 17, 2018.
Design U.S. Appl. No. 29/645,887 entitled “Mobile Air Conditioner” filed Apr. 30, 2018.
U.S. Appl. No. 62/819,711 entitled “Mobile Air Conditioner” filed Mar. 18, 2019.
Utility U.S. Appl. No. 16/744,584 entitled “Parking Cooler” filed Jan. 16, 2020.
Examination report Issued in AU Patent Application No. 2017222698 dated Dec. 13, 2021.
Corrected Notice of allowance Issued in U.S. Appl. No. 16/895,813 dated Jul. 14, 2022.
10-Minute Tech, Trailer Life, Jul. 1996, pp. 69-70 dated Jul. 1, 1996.
American RV Company, Dometic 459530 Duo Therm 13,500 BTU Brisk Air Conditioner High Efficiency Upper Unit Trailer Camper RV, Mar. 23, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140323013456/http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Dometic-459530-Duo-Therm-13500-BTU-Brisk-Air-Conditioner-High-Efficiency-Upper-Unit-Trailer-Camper-RV Mar. 23, 2014.
American RV Company, Dometic 541815 High Performance 13,500 BTU Air Conditioner Upper Unit CCC2 Required Electronics Pre-Installed Camper Trailer RV, http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Dometic-541815-High-Performance-13500-BTU-Air-Conditioner-Upper-Unit-CCC2-Required-Electronics-Pre-Installed-Camper-Trailer-RV Mar. 23, 2014.
American RV Company, Dometic 541816 High Performance 15,000 BTU Air Conditioner Upper Unit CCC2 Required Electronics Pre-Installed Camper Trailer RV, http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Dometic-541816-High-Performance-15000-BTU-Air-Conditioner-Upper-Unit-CCC2-Required-Electronics-Pre-Installed-Camper-Trailer-RV Mar. 23, 2014.
American RV Company, Dometic 541916 High Performance 15,000 BTU Air Conditioner Upper Unit Single Zone LCD Thermostat Required Electronics Pre-Installed Camper Trailer RV, http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Dometic-541916-High-Performance-15000-BTU-Air-Conditioner-Upper-Unit-Single-Zone-LCD-Thermostat-Required-Electronics-Pre-Installed-Camper-Trailer-RV.
American RV Company, Dometic 551816 High Performance 15,000 BTU Heat Pump for Comfort Control Center II Camper Trailer RV, http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Dometic-551816-High-Performance 15000-BTU-Heat-Pump-for-Comfort-Control-Center-II-Camper-Trailer-RV Mar. 23, 2014.
Boyang(BOYARD), Rotary compressor KFA102Z220 for air conditioning, http://www.hvacrcompressor.com/boyangboyard-rotary-compressor-kfa102z220-for-air-conditioning.
Dirna Bergstrom: Parking Coolers—No-Idle Electrical A/C—MiniCool Compact 1.4; http://www.dirna.com/parking-coolers-no-idle-electrical-ac-compact/ Mar. 17, 2015.
Dirna Bergstrom: Slim Cool; http://www.dima.com/files/dirna-manuals/220RE00183.pdf May 21, 2014.
Domestic Corporation, Dometic High Performance Air Conditioners, 2 pages, Jan. 1, 2011.
Dometic Duo-Therm, p. 140.
Dometic Group: “Climate Control”, http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/RV-Products/climate, 2 pages.
Dometic Waeco Coolair RT 880; http://www.dometic.co.uk/product/waeco-coolair-rt-880-2/ May 14, 2015.
EBERSPACHER Cooltronic Parking Coolers with High Efficiency with the Engine OFF; http://www.eberspacher.com/products/air-conditioning/cooltronic-truck-parking-coolers.html Jun. 23, 2015.
Indelb; WO Oblo'; Sleeping Well Oblo; http://www.indelb.com/products/parking_air_cooler/sleeping_well/sw_oblo Apr. 1, 2016.
Samsung, 360 Cassette, All-round Cool, http://www.samsung.com/au/air-conditioning/fjm-air-conditioners/NJ050DHXEAXSA.html.
WEBASTO: Rooftop air conditioning systems: Rooftop 3.5-9.9 kw; http://www.eberspacher.com/products/air-conditioning/cooltronic-truck-parking-coolers.html May 14, 2014.
WEBASTO; Truck parking cooler: Cool Top Vario 10 E; http://www.webasto.com/GB/markets-products/truck/air-conditioning/products/cool-top-vario/ Apr. 25, 2016.
YOUTUBE; Viesa Kompressor; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPK17XEvVLO May 22, 2012 https://www.google.com/?gws_rd-ssl#q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DSPK17XEvVLO&spf-1495819902591).
Extended European Search Report for EP Patent Application No. 17755646.1 dated Sep. 4, 2019.
Non-Final Office Action for Design U.S. Appl. No. 29/573,473 dated May 9, 2017.
Non-Final Office Action for Design U.S. Appl. No. 16/078,464 dated Sep. 27, 2019.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Office Action for App. No. 167431 dated Oct. 8, 2016.
Notice of Allowance for Design U.S. Appl. No. 29/573,473 dated Oct. 16, 2017.
Notice of Allowance for Design U.S. Appl. No. 29/573,473 dated Jan. 12, 2018.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for for PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2013/065458 dated Jan. 29, 2014.
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/AU2017/050154 dated Apr. 13, 2017.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT Patent Application No. PCT/AU2017/050153 dated Aug. 28, 2018.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT/AU2017/050154 dated Aug. 28, 2018.
AU Provisional Patent Application No. 2016900617 entitled “Vehicle air conditioner” filed on Feb. 22, 2016.
AU Provisional Patent Application No. 2016900627 entitled “Air-Conditioner Control” filed on Feb. 22, 2016.
Australian Patent Application 2017200186 entitled “Parking Cooler” filed Jan. 11, 2017.
Canadian Patent Application 2,906,348 entitled “Modular Air Grill Assembly” as filed Sep. 14, 2015 (national stage entry date).
Chinese Patent Application 201710040123.1 entitled “Parking Cooler” filed Jan. 18, 2017.
European Design Patent Application No. 003300219 entitled “Air Shroud Assembly” filed Jul. 8, 2016.
European Patent Application 17152275.8 entitled “Parking Cooler” filed Jan. 19, 2017.
Design U.S. Appl. No. 29/552,019 entitled “Air Shroud Assembly” dated Jan. 19, 2016.
Design U.S. Appl. No. 29/581,176 entitled “Air-Conditioning Unit” dated Oct. 17, 2016.
Design U.S. Appl. No. 29/594,476 entitled “Shroud Assembly” filed Feb. 17, 2017.
Design U.S. Appl. No. 29/604,433 entitled “Air Conditioning Apparatus” filed May 17, 2017.
Utility U.S. Appl. No. 15/407,709 entitled “Parking Cooler” filed Jan. 17, 2017.
Intention to Grant for European Application No. 17755646.1 dated May 27, 2020.
Examination report DE Patent Application No. 112017000915.4 dated Jun. 16, 2020 (Summary in English attached).
U.S. Appl. No. 16/895,813 entitled “Air-Conditioner Control” filed Jun. 8, 2020.
Decision to Grant mailed in EP Patent Application No. 177556461 dated Sep. 21, 2020.
Corrected Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 16/078,478 dated May 7, 2021.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 16/078,478 dated Jan. 14, 2021.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/078,478 dated Jun. 9, 2020.
Non Final Office Action Issued in U.S. Appl. No. 16/895,813 dated Feb. 28, 2022.
Notice of Acceptance Issued in AU Patent Application No. 2017222697 dated Jun. 6, 2022.
Notice of allowance Issued in U.S. Appl. No. 16/895,813 dated Jun. 15, 2022.
Australian Patent Office, International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/AU2017/050153 dated Apr. 19, 2017.
Truma, Aventa Comfort (Australia) Operating Instructions Installation Instructions, Oct. 21, 2013, pp. 1-16 [retrieved from internet on Aug. 21, 2018], https://www.truma.com/downloadcenter/aventa_comfort_operation_installation_aus.pdf.
“Aventa Comfort Operating Instructions Installation Instruction” Retrieved From https://suncoastcaravanservice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Truma-Aventa-Comfort-Installation-Manual.pdf, Published by Leisure-Tec Australia Pty. Ltd, Feb. 2020, 8 Pages.
Office Action for CN Patent Application No. 201780024147.6 dated Apr. 6, 2021.
Examination report Issued in AU Patent Application No. 2017222697 dated Jul. 13, 2021.
Notice of Grant issued in AU Patent Application No. 2017222698 dated Sep. 29, 2022.
Office Action for German Patent Application No. 112017000915.4 dated Oct. 20, 2022.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20210354526 A1 Nov 2021 US
Divisions (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 16078478 US
Child 17342723 US