Abstract:
A baseboard radiator having notched fins, a mounting strip, a mounting clamp, and a cover is described. The resulting system offers ease of leveling and installation, secure mounting, reduced noise and wear, and is aesthetically pleasing.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Baseboard radiators, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,937 are mounted on a wall. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,033, incorporated herein by reference, notes the desire for easier installation of baseboard heaters, and the desire for attractive coordinating covers. CLAIMS 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,470 notes that present baseboard heaters are relatively complicated to install. 
     Baseboard heaters can be heavy and bulky. Flow of fluid in the pipes can be affected by improper leveling or the radiator during installation, and the radiator must be mounted above Floor level for proper air circulation. 
     Among the considerations for installation are is the need for an air space. For example, an article on Hydronic Baseboard Basics by John Siegenthaler, P. E. states, “When baseboard is installed before finish flooring, remember to leave at least a 1 inch space beneath the enclosure. This ensures that the finished floor will not block air coming into the enclosure.” Also to prevent noise, it suggests using hangers that flex as the pipe expands and which are coated for handing copper tubing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first objective of the present invention is to provide ease of leveling and installation. 
     A second objective of the present invention is to provide extra securement of a baseboard radiator to the wall. 
     A third objective is to provide a readily attachable, attractive radiator cover for a baseboard heater. 
     A fourth objective is to accommodate expansion and contraction of the heating elements to reduce noise and wear on the system. 
     Disclosed herein are a mounting strip, a mounting clamp, a baseboard radiator having notched fins and an easily installed attractive cover. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the mounting board. 
     FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the radiator cover. 
     FIG. 3B is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the radiator cover. 
     FIG. 3C is an isometric view of a third embodiment of the radiator cover. 
     FIG. 3D is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the radiator cover. 
     FIG. 3E is an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of the radiator cover. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the mounting clamp. 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an installed radiator and cover. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For ease of mounting, the fins  4  of a radiator having one or more pipes passing through apertures  6  have been provided with a rear notch  12  on the lower edge. For ease of attaching a cover  2 , a front notch  10  has been provided on lower edge. 
     To mount the radiator  4  of the invention, a mounting board  16  is first leveled on the wall  18  near the floor  14 . The mounting board  16  may rest on the floor  14  or be mounted slightly higher to leave room for a carpet. When leveled, the mounting board  16 , is attached to the wall  18  with screws  22 . With the mounting board  16  in place, mounting clamps  50  are secured to the wall  18  at intervals of about 40 inches, by one or more screws  52  through an elongated slot  54 . The slot  54  allows the mounting clamp  50  to be raised during placement of the radiator and lowered to secure the radiator. When lowered, the lower edge  66  of the mounting clamp  50  rests on the top of the back plate  28  of the mounting board  16 . With the mounting board  16 , and mounting clamps  50  in a raised position, the fins  4  of the radiator are placed against the wall  18  so that the rear notches  12  rest on the top edge of the mounting board  16 . If no cover  2  is to be added, the mounting clamps  50  are lowered, securing the fins  4  of the radiator in place. The radiator is the secured to the wall by screws  20  as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,937. If a cover  2  is to be installed, the rear notch  12  in the lower edge of the fin and/or the size of the mounting strip flange is chosen to that a space  80  is maintained between the wall and the rear flange of the radiator fin  4 , so that the radiator is mounted with a gap  80  between the wall  18  and the radiator. The cover  2  is placed over the fins  4  with the mounting clamps  50  raised, and the back flange  32  between the wall  18  and the radiator fins  4 . Then the securing edge  41  or edges  40 ,  42  are snapped into the notch  10  on the lower front edge of the radiator fins  4 . The mounting clamps  50  are then lowered, and the radiator is secured to the wall  18  by screws  20 . This method of installation means that the radiator does not have to be held up during installation, more firmly secures the radiator to the wall and insures that the radiator remains level during installation. By properly choosing the materials and design of the mounting strip  16 , the fins  4  of the radiator can slide to accommodate expansion during heating and contraction during cooling, since the point of contact is small. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting strip  16  is first formed from a strip of aluminium, which is light weight, and rapidly conducts heat. The top flange  24  and optionally the base flange  26  each make an angle of about 45° with the back plate  30 . This provides that force vectors are evenly distributed against the wall  18  and the floor  14 . A hole  28  is used for holding the mounting strip  16  during electrostatic powder coating. Such a coating provides an attractive, slick, heat and corrosion resistant finish. Suggested dimensions for the finished mounting strip  16  are: thickness 1 mm; depth of top flange  24  about 0.5 inches; depth of bottom flange  26  about 0.5 inches; height of back plate  30  about 1 inch; and the overall height about 2.75 inches. 
     FIGS. 3A to  3 E show a variety of radiator covers for use with the invention. They are provided with securing edges  40 ,  41 ,  42  to engage the front notch  10  on the lower edge of the flange. 
     The cover  2  shown in FIG. 3A has a back flange  32  that is placed between the radiator fins  4  and the wall  18 , a top surface  34 , an upper front surface  36 , front surface  38 , and lower securing edges  40  and  42  for engaging the front notch  10  shown in FIG.  1 A. The exposed surfaces are provided with a series of apertures  44  to allow for free air circulation. 
     The cover shown in FIG. 3B has a lower securing edge  41  for engaging the front notch  10  shown in FIG.  1 B. The large elongated apertures  46  are close together, and allow for the cover the be attached to the radiator prior to the securing of the radiator fins  4  to the wall  18   
     The cover shown in FIG. 3C is similar to that shown in FIG. 3B, however the apertures  48  are oval. 
     The cover shown in FIG. 3D has small multiple apertures in the upper front surface  36 . 
     The cover shown in FIG. 3E has a curved upper front surface  60 , eliminating corners on the exposed areas. 
     The mounting clamp  50  has a top section  56 , a front section  64 , and a rear section  62 . The rear section  62 , has a lower edge  66  and a slot  54  through which one or more screws  52  may be fastened. When in a lowered position, the top  56  and front sections  64  secure the radiator in place. 
     If desired, an end cap  70  may be placed on the end of the radiator.