Patent ID: 7637538
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: B60H,F16L,F28F

Abstract:
1. A heater core assembly comprising: a heater core; said heater core having first and second tube stubs projecting therefrom; first and second heater tubes engaging said first and second tube stubs, respectively, so as to define respective abutting interfaces therewith; said first tube stub and said first heater tube defining a first stub/tube pair and said second tube stub and said second heater tube defining a second stub/tube pair; a clamp for coupling said heater tubes to corresponding ones of said tube stubs; said clamp including: a first bracket half defining a plane and having two arcuately-shaped openings formed therein for accommodating said first and second stub/tube pairs, respectively, at the corresponding abutting interfaces thereof so as to permit said stub/tube pairs to extend transversely to said plane; a second bracket half disposed in said plane and being hinge connected to said first bracket half so as to permit said clamp to be opened and closed; said second bracket half having two arcuately-shaped openings to accommodate said stub/tube pairs, respectively, when said second bracket half is pivoted onto said first bracket half; said arcuately-shaped openings being matched to the diameters of corresponding ones of said stub/tube pairs for snugly holding the same in said clamp when said clamp is closed; said first and second bracket halves having a thickness measured in the longitudinal direction of each of said stub/tube pairs to extend beyond said abutting interfaces so as to permit said clamp to hold said stub/tube pairs at both sides of each of said abutting interfaces thereby laterally supporting said stub/tube pairs and preventing bending of said stub/tube pairs at the respective abutting interfaces thereof; latch means for latching said first bracket half and said second bracket half to each other when said clamp is closed; said first bracket half having a support extending between the two arcuately-shaped openings thereof; said latch means comprising at least one latch unit including an insert element disposed on said support between the two arcuately-shaped openings of said first bracket half; and, a catch being formed on said second bracket half between the two arcuately-shaped openings thereof for catching and holding said insert element when said clamp is closed.