This invention relates to the connection of air channeling apparatuses and, in particular, a mounting plate for quickly connecting air channeling apparatuses.
Air moving apparatuses, such as centrifugal fans, are conventionally connected to ducts, distribution boxes or other air directing apparatuses through fastening means such as nuts and bolts, or screws. These fastening means require that the connected parts include apertures for installing the fastening means to. It is possible for the apertures to be defectively machined so that they are misaligned and the connection becomes difficult or even impossible. Moreover, such methods of connection require an installer to use tools or to hold onto the parts for a prolonged period of time in order to keep them aligned while the connecting procedures take place. Furthermore, under conventional methods of connection, air directing apparatuses, such as ducts, must often be routed after the air moving apparatuses, such as fans, are connected and this can lead to an excessive amount of duct that can hinder the air flow through kinks or other restrictions.
There is a need for a simple and time-saving way to connect air moving/directing devices that is also less prone to machining defects and may allow for pre-routing of air directing apparatuses.
It is an aspect of the present invention to obviate the problems and shortcomings of conventional methods of connecting air channeling apparatuses.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a mounting plate for connecting a first air channeling apparatus and a second air channeling apparatus is provided. The first air channeling apparatus includes an air outlet and a flange projecting outward from the air outlet. The mounting plate is mounted to the second air channeling apparatus and comprises an opening, a first rail, alignment tabs, and a clamp member. The opening allows the air channeling apparatuses to be in fluid communication with one another. The first rail on the mounting plate projects toward the first air channeling apparatus. The alignment tabs project toward the first air channeling apparatus and are configured to align with the air outlet. The clamp member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally connected to the mounting plate and the clamp member includes a second rail. The flange of the first air channeling apparatus is secured between the first rail and the second rail as the clamp member is secured to the mounting plate.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the clamp member is rendered immovable about the mounting plate through a locking device.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the clamp member is rendered immovable at the second end and the locking device is a locking pin.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the first rail and the second rail each form a channel in which the flange of the first air channeling device can be peripherally inserted.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, at least one of the first and second rails resiliently grips the flange thereby holding the flange in place.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the alignment tabs encircle the opening.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the first and second rails substantially oppose one another when the second end of the clamp member is secured to the mounting plate.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the first and second rails limit movement of the outlet in a first direction and the alignment tabs limit movement of the outlet in a second direction, the first and second directions being substantially perpendicular.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the first and second rails limit movement of the outlet in a vertical direction and the alignment tabs limit movement of the outlet in a horizontal direction.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the alignment tabs are located peripherally with respect to the opening.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the mounting plate and the outlet are substantially rectangular.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the mounting plate and the outlet are substantially non-rectangular.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, at least one of the air channeling apparatuses is a fan.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a mounting plate assembly for connecting a first air channeling apparatus and a second air channeling apparatus is provided. The first air channeling apparatus includes an air outlet and a flange projecting outward from the air outlet. The mounting plate assembly comprises a mounting plate and a clamp member. The mounting plate is mounted to the second air channeling apparatus and includes an opening, a first rail, and alignment tabs. The opening allows the air channeling apparatuses to be in fluid communication with one another. The first rail on the mounting plate projects toward the first air channeling apparatus. Alignment tabs project toward the first air channeling apparatus and are configured to align with the outlet. The clamp member has a second rail. The flange of the first air channeling apparatus is secured between the first rail and the second rail as the clamp member is secured to the mounting plate.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the first rail and the second rail each form a channel in which the flange of the first air channeling apparatus can be peripherally inserted.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, at least one of the first and second rails resiliently grips the flange thereby holding the flange in place.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the first and second rails limit movement of the outlet in a first direction and the alignment tabs limit movement of the outlet in a second direction, the first and second directions being substantially perpendicular.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the mounting plate and the air outlet are substantially non-rectangular.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a mounting assembly for connecting air channeling apparatuses comprises a first air channeling apparatus, a clamp member and a second air channeling apparatus. The first air channeling apparatus includes a first opening and alignment tabs adjacent to the first opening. A first flange projects outward from the first opening and a first rail is located on the first flange. The clamp member has a first end and a second end and includes a second rail. The first end is pivotally connected to the first flange. The second air channeling apparatus includes a second opening and a second flange projecting outward from the second opening. The alignment tabs are configured to align with the second opening. The second flange is secured between the first rail and the second rail as the second end of the clamp member is secured to the first flange in a way that the first and second air openings are in fluid communication with one another.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Example embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of the present invention are described and illustrated in the drawings. These illustrated examples are not intended to be a limitation on the present invention. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices.
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In this embodiment, the first rail 40 and the second rail 60 will restrict vertical movement after the clamp member 68 is secured to the mounting plate 8. However, depending on the relative shape and position of the first rail 40 and the second rail 60, the manner in which the movement of the flange 10 is restricted by the rails 40, 60 will vary. Alternatively, it is possible for the first and second rails 40, 60 to restrict horizontal movement while the alignment tabs 22 restrict vertical movement. It would also be possible for the first and second rails 40, 60 to restrict movement in a first direction while the alignment tabs 22 restrict movement in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in which neither the first direction nor the second direction is vertical or horizontal. An example of such an embodiment would be if the alignment tabs 22 and the rails 40, 60 were substantially L-shaped and were located in diagonally opposite corners of the opening 14 and the mounting plate 8 respectively. If the shapes of the flange 10 and the mounting plate 2 were different, the location and geometry of the alignment tabs 22 and the first and second rails 40, 60 will change accordingly.
For this embodiment, the connection of air channeling apparatuses using the mounting plate 8 of the present invention is accomplished by first mounting the first side 16 of the mounting plate 8 onto an air channeling apparatus, such as an air distribution box, to which another air channeling apparatus, such as an air moving apparatus, must connect. Then, a portion of the flange 10 of the air moving apparatus 2 is inserted into the first rail 40 while aligning the air outlet 6 of the air moving apparatus 2 to the alignment tabs 22 of the mounting plate 8 (
In a different embodiment of the invention, it would be possible to have a mounting plate assembly in which the first end 62 of the clamp member 68 is not pre-attached through a pivoting connection to the mounting plate 8 and in which the first and second ends 62, 64 of the clamp member 68 are secured during connection of the air channeling apparatuses.
The present invention allows the air channeling apparatuses to be connected without the use of tools and without the trouble of having to hold the apparatuses for an extended period of time. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an alternative means of connecting air channeling apparatuses where the connection has become impossible due to defects in the apertures.
The invention has been described with reference to the example embodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Examples embodiments incorporating one or more aspects of the invention are intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.
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