Abstract:
A split air conditioning apparatus is readily installed at a window opening by accessible actuators. The apparatus is affirmatively prevented from falling from the window opening, both during and after installation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/707,973, filed Aug. 15, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to an air conditioning apparatus and its installation in a window opening and, more particularly, to a low-profile air conditioning apparatus in which indoor and outdoor sections are located at opposite sides of the window opening and are connected by a connector section resting on a window sill.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     A conventional room air conditioner for installation in a window opening typically comprises a single box-like housing comprising all the components of a refrigeration system. However, such air conditioners occupy valuable window space, are noisy, and are difficult to install due to their bulk and weight from the inside of a room.  
         [0006]     To avoid such drawbacks, the art has proposed so-called “saddle” or “split” air conditioners in which an outdoor section houses the refrigeration components for dissipating heat, for example, the condenser, an indoor section houses the refrigeration components for absorbing heat, for example, the evaporator, and a connector section rests on a window sill and maintains the indoor and outdoor sections apart at opposite sides of the window opening. The connector section has a minimal height above the sill, thereby increasing the window space and allowing more light to enter the room, as well as enabling the room occupants to have an increased field of view. The placement of at least some of the components outside the window opening lessens the noise within the room.  
         [0007]     Saddle-type air conditioners are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,268,451; U.S. Pat. No. 2,320,436; U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,474; U.S. Pat. No. 3,296,820; U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,546; U.S. Pat. No. 3,448,590; U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,131; U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,025; and U.S. Pat. No. D-341,880. Related air conditioners are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,760,354; U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,329; U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,726; U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,614; U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,485; U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,482; U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,334; U.S. Pat. No. D-112,881; and U.S. Pat. No. D-179,726.  
         [0008]     Experience has shown, however, that the known window-mounted, split air conditioning apparatus are not altogether satisfactory, especially in their installation from the interior of the room. The outdoor section tends to be relatively heavy. Unless installed properly, there is a risk that the apparatus may slide off the installer&#39;s hands and drop outside. Even if the apparatus does not fall from the window opening, the installer&#39;s hands can sometimes be pinched by the apparatus as it is being maneuvered into position. Furthermore, the apparatus is leveled and supported by point loads bearing on exterior and interior wall surfaces of the room wall through which the window opening extends. These point loads exert a great deal of pressure on the wall surfaces and typically mar and damage such wall surfaces. The exterior point loads are hard to reach from the room interior. In brief, the installation is difficult, often requires more than one skilled installer to perform the installation, and typically damages the exterior and interior wall surfaces of the room wall.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     Objects of the Invention  
       [0009]     Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to advance the state of the art of saddle-type air conditioning apparatus.  
         [0010]     More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to simplify the installation of such apparatus.  
         [0011]     Still another object of the present invention is to affirmatively prevent such apparatus from falling out of a window opening, both during and after installation.  
         [0012]     It is yet another object of the present invention to affirmatively prevent damaging the room wall through which the window opening extends.  
         [0013]     An additional object of the present invention is to configure the apparatus with different shapes so as to avoid interference with interior structures.  
       FEATURES OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     In keeping with the above objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in an air conditioning apparatus for installation at a window opening bounded by a sill and side jambs spaced apart by a predetermined distance, the window opening extending through a room wall having exterior and interior wall surfaces. The apparatus comprises an outdoor section for housing refrigeration components, e.g., a condenser and a compressor, for dissipating heat, an indoor section for housing refrigeration components, e.g., an evaporator, for absorbing heat, and a connector section for connecting the outdoor and indoor sections, the connector section resting on the sill.  
         [0015]     The outdoor section has a width less than said predetermined distance to enable the outdoor section to be inserted with mechanical clearance through the window opening. In accordance with one feature of this invention, the indoor section has a width greater than said predetermined distance for resisting the indoor section from passing through the window opening. The indoor section may either have a casing manufactured with this greater width, or the indoor section may be equipped with extensions movable from a retracted position within the indoor section to an extended position in which the extensions extend over a distance greater than said predetermined distance. The extensions may be moved to the extended position during installation, and then moved to the retracted position during use, or the extensions may be left in the extended position during use. The deployed extensions insure that the apparatus will not fall from the window opening.  
         [0016]     Another feature of this invention resides in mounting a movable bearing member on the outdoor section for movement relative thereto, and in actuating an actuator for moving the bearing member towards the exterior wall surface for engagement therewith in an installed position of the apparatus. The actuator is remotely mounted on the sections away from the bearing member and is within ready access of an installer. In contrast to the use of point loads in the prior art, the bearing member is preferably a clamping plate which engages the exterior wall surface over a wide surface area.  
         [0017]     To the same effect, a movable bearing member is mounted on the indoor section for movement relative thereto. Another actuator is remotely mounted on the sections away from the bearing member, again within ready access of the installer, for moving the bearing member towards the interior wall surface, preferably for surface area engagement therewith in the installed position, thereby resisting damage to the interior wall surface.  
         [0018]     An additional feature of this invention is the use of a pair of handles on an upper region of the sections, both handles extending between the outdoor section and the connector section. The handles are within ready access of the installer, preferably on an upper wall, and enable the installer to lift the apparatus and insert the outdoor section exteriorly of the window opening.  
         [0019]     Still another feature is embodied in a pair of seals mounted in the connector section for movement from a retracted position to an extended position in which the seals at least partially block air from flowing through the window opening.  
         [0020]     It is preferable that the indoor section has a recess into which the sill extends. Also, a pair of reinforcement members is preferably mounted within the sections. Each reinforcement member has one leg within the outdoor section, another leg within the indoor section, and a connecting leg within the connector section. The reinforcement members are spaced apart and generally prevent the outdoor and indoor sections from twisting relative to each other. It is also preferable if the indoor and outdoor sections are adjustably mounted for relative movement, thereby enabling the apparatus to accommodate room walls of different thicknesses.  
         [0021]     The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an air conditioning apparatus according to this invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an air conditioning apparatus according to this invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of an air conditioning apparatus according to this invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment installed at a window opening;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a broken-away sectional view taken on line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a broken-away sectional view taken on line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a broken-away sectional view taken on line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment installed at the window opening;  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken on line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an air conditioning apparatus according to this invention; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged, broken-away, sectional view taken on line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3  and  10  show respective embodiments of an air conditioning apparatus for installation at a window  10 , as best seen in  FIGS. 4-9 . The window  10  is framed by a generally horizontal sill  12 , a pair of vertical side jambs  14 ,  16  spaced horizontally apart by a predetermined distance, and an upper rail (not shown) parallel to the sill  12 . The window  10  bounds an opening in which an upper sash  18  (see  FIG. 5 ) and a lower sash  20  are each vertically slidable to open or close the window opening. The window opening extends through a room wall  22  having an exterior wall surface  24  (see  FIG. 5 ) and an interior wall surface  26 .  
         [0034]     Referring to the  FIG. 1  embodiment, the apparatus includes an outdoor section  28  or casing in which refrigeration components for dissipating heat are housed, an indoor section  30  or casing in which additional refrigeration components for absorbing heat are housed, and a connector section  32  for connecting the indoor and outdoor sections and for spacing the indoor and outdoor sections apart at opposite sides of the window in an installed position of the apparatus ( FIG. 4 ). The connector section  32  has a low profile, that is, a small vertical height, and rests on the sill  12  in the installed position.  
         [0035]     The refrigeration components are entirely conventional. The heat dissipating components include a condenser  34  (see  FIG. 9 ), a compressor  36 , and a fan (not illustrated) for forcing exterior air through the grille  38  to the condenser. The heat absorbing components include an evaporator  40  and a fan (not illustrated) for drawing interior air through the grille  42  across the evaporator. The condenser  34  is connected to the evaporator  40  via a rigid or flexible refrigerant line  44  in which an expansion valve (not illustrated) is mounted, and via another rigid or flexible refrigerant line  46  in which the compressor  36  is mounted. As best seen in  FIG. 9 , the refrigerant lines  44 ,  46  are arranged to extend between the inner and outer sections through the connector section  32 . Electrical wires  48 ,  50  are also routed through the connector section  32  between the inner and outer sections. Further details of the refrigeration system can be obtained, if desired, by reference to the above-identified patents.  
         [0036]     Returning to the  FIG. 1  embodiment, a planar upper wall  52  is common to all of the sections. At least one handle, and preferably a pair of handles  54 ,  56 , is secured to an upper region of the sections, preferably the upper wall  52 , for enabling an installer to grip and lift the apparatus and to insert the outdoor section through the window opening. For this purpose, the width of the outdoor section is less than said predetermined distance between the jambs  14 ,  16  for insertion of the outdoor section with mechanical clearance through the window opening. Each handle  54 ,  56  extends over a considerable distance over the upper wall  52  to enable the installer to readily reach the handles from the interior of the room. Each handle extends from the outdoor section to the connector section. The handles can be folded down onto the upper wall, or can be moved, or can be allowed to move, into or adjacent the outdoor section, when not being used.  
         [0037]     The indoor section  30  is designed to have a width greater than said predetermined distance to prevent the indoor section from passing through the window opening. In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, this greater width is achieved by a pair of extensions  58 ,  60  mounted on the indoor section for movement relative thereto between a retracted position and an extended position in which the extensions extend over a distance greater than said predetermined distance. The extensions are moved to the extended position during installation to prevent the apparatus from falling out of the window opening. The extensions can be left in the extended position during use as an air conditioner, but this is not preferred.  
         [0038]     In the  FIG. 2  embodiment, extensions  58 ,  60  are not needed, because the width of the indoor section  30 A is wider than said predetermined distance. The same is true for the indoor section  30 B of the  FIG. 3  embodiment. The  FIG. 3  embodiment is used for those applications where there are high obstructions, e.g., a radiator or furniture, underneath the window. The  FIG. 2  embodiment is used for those applications where the obstructions are not as high. The  FIG. 1  embodiment is used where there are no obstructions underneath the window.  
         [0039]     Each of the embodiments has a movable bearing member, preferably a clamping plate  62 , mounted on the outdoor section  28  for movement relative thereto toward the exterior wall surface  24  (see  FIG. 5 ) for surface area contact therewith. As best seen in  FIG. 5 , an actuator, including a pair of knobs  64 ,  66  is remotely mounted on the upper wall  52  within ready access of the installer. The knobs can be located anywhere on the sections as long as the installer can reach them. Turning each knob turns a pair of respective vertical shafts  68  each having a gear  70  which meshes with a respective threaded horizontal shaft  72  to which the clamping plate  62  is attached. The broad surface area engagement insures that the relatively heavy weight of the outdoor section, which is cantilever mounted on the window sill, does not ruin the exterior wall surface  24 . Each knob can be locked in place.  
         [0040]     To the same effect, a pair of movable bearing members  75  is mounted on the indoor section  30  for movement relative thereto toward the interior wall surface  26  (see  FIG. 5 ) for surface area contact therewith. As best seen in  FIG. 8 , an actuator, including a pair of screws  74 ,  76  is mounted on a front wall  78  of the indoor section within ready access of the installer. The screws can be located anywhere on the sections as long as the installer can reach them. Turning each screw  74 ,  76  moves the bearing members  75  toward the interior wall surface  26 . The surface area engagement insures that the bearing members do not ruin the interior wall surface  26 . Each screw can be locked in place.  
         [0041]     Once installed, a pair of seals  80 ,  82  is movable from a retracted position, preferably within the connector section  32 , to an extended position in which the seals at least partially block air from flowing through the window opening. As best seen in  FIG. 6 , each seal has a pair of linear slots  84  in which respective pins  86  are received for guiding the seals. As best seen in  FIG. 7 , a pair of foam strips  88  is positioned above the seals to block air flow between the lower sash  20  and the seals. Another pair of foam strips  90  is positioned below the seals to block air flow between the sill  12  and the seals.  
         [0042]     As best seen in  FIGS. 4-5 , the indoor section has a recess  92  into which the sill  12  extends to as to bring the lower portion of the indoor section closer to the interior wall surface  26 . A pair of reinforcement members  94 ,  96  is spaced apart of each other within the sections. As shown for representative reinforcement member  96  in  FIG. 5 , each reinforcement member has one leg  98  within the outdoor section  28 , another leg  100  within the indoor section  30 , and a connecting leg  102  within the connector section  32 . The reinforcement members prevent the sections from twisting relative to one another, especially during installation.  
         [0043]     Turning to  FIGS. 10-11 , this embodiment is identical to that of  FIG. 1 , except that the indoor and outdoor sections are adjustably movable relative to each other. A pair of slots  104  is formed at opposite sides of one portion of the connector section  32 , and a pair of turnable locks  106  is mounted at opposite sides of another portion of the connector section  32 . When the locks are turned in one direction, the two portions of the connector section are free to move linearly with a shaft of each lock being received in a corresponding slot  104 . When the locks are turned in the opposite direction, the two portions are locked together preventing their relative movement. Thus, the indoor and outdoor sections can be moved toward and away from each other to a selected position, and then locked in this selected position. In this way, the apparatus can be accommodated to fit on room walls of various thicknesses. The refrigerant lines and the electrical wires are looped within the connector section to accommodate the adjustment.  
         [0044]     Installation generally proceeds as follows. The installer grips and lifts the apparatus by the handles  54 ,  56  and inserts the outdoor section  28  through the window opening. The connector section  32  is rested on the sill  12 . In the case of  FIG. 1 , the extensions  58 ,  60  are pulled out to the extended position. Next, the actuators  64 ,  66  are turned to move the clamping plate  62  toward the exterior wall surface  24 . Then, the actuators  74 ,  76  are turned to move the bearing members  75  toward the interior wall surface  26 . Foam strips  90  are laid on the sill, and the seals  80 ,  82  are pulled out to the extended position. Foam strips  88  are laid on top of the extended seals  80 ,  82 , and the lower sash  20  is slid down onto the upper planar wall  52 . In the case of the  FIG. 10  embodiment, the distance between the indoor and outdoor sections is adjusted prior to actuating the actuators  64 ,  66 ,  74 ,  76 .  
         [0045]     The placement of the handles  54 ,  56  enables the installer to insert the outdoor section through the window opening without having to overextend his arms. The placement of the actuators  64 ,  66  within ready access of the installer enables remote adjustment of the clamping plate  62  without the installer having to extend very far out of the window opening. Also, the front placement of the actuators  74 ,  76  enables ready adjustment of the bearing members  75 . The installation has been so simplified that only one installer is needed and, indeed, the installer need not be a professional installer, but could be the homeowner.  
         [0046]     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, also may find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.  
         [0047]     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a window-mounted split air conditioning apparatus and method of installation, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0048]     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.