Abstract:
An air conditioner condenser platform is described for supporting an air conditioner condenser installed on a roof. The platform provides a fixed base and an adjustable platform whereby the fixed base is installed on the roof and the adjustable platform is configured to provide a level platform on which to install the condenser. It provides a durable metal weather resistant platform on which to install the condenser, and a standard platform that may be quickly installed in a variety of roof slopes and configurations.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/124,669 filed Apr. 18, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Air conditioner condensers are utilized in air conditioning systems and, in many commercial buildings, and are typically installed on the roof of the building in which they are to be utilized. Such condensers must be installed on a level surface in order to ensure the proper operation of the condenser and the long term functioning of the system. Since the roofs of commercial buildings are often not completely flat, and may incorporate a certain slope to promote water runoff, the installation of air conditioner condensers on the roofs of commercial buildings often requires that platforms be constructed to provide a level surface on which to place the condenser. 
         [0004]    Generally the necessary platforms are constructed directly on the roof or on the job site to match the roof slope of the particular installation site. Varying roof slopes require each platform to be designed to and built to satisfy the specific installation site. The platforms are often constructed of wood and, as a result are subject to rot or to be otherwise compromised from exposure to the weather and elements. They are also not consistently built with a stable design, thus creating problems with the long-term quality and durability of the platforms. 
         [0005]    It is therefore desirable to provide an air conditioner condenser platform which allows for the efficient, cost effective, stable and durable mounting of an air conditioner condenser on roofs of varying slopes. It is further desired to provide an air conditioner condenser platform that may be pre-manufactured and adjusted for installation on a wide variety of roof slopes. If is further desired that the air conditioner condenser platform be constructed from materials that are weather resistant. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An air conditioner condenser platform is provided for mounting an air conditioner condenser to a roof in a horizontal position comprising a fixed base and an adjustable mounting platform. A fixed base is provided with support members for securely mounting the platform on roofs of varying slopes. A mounting platform is then adjustably attached to the fixed base to allow the mounting platform to be installed in a horizontally level position and then secured to the fixed base. The mounting platform then provides a secure, level platform for mounting the air conditioner condenser. 
         [0007]    The air conditioner condenser platform disclosed herein is constructed of metal or other similar durable and weather-resistant materials. It is also designed to provide for the quick and reliable installation of a level platform in a variety of roof settings and configurations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air conditioner condenser platform. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the air conditioner condenser platform installed on a roof. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the air conditioner condenser platform. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air conditioner condenser platform. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an embodiment of the air conditioner condenser platform  100  is shown. An embodiment of the condenser platform  100  comprises a fixed base  102  and an adjustable mounting platform  104 . The fixed base  102 , in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of support members  106 . In one embodiment the support members are formed of metal delineator posts, channel or tubing of varying cross-sections, including box and u-shaped channel members. The fixed base  102  further comprises support box  108  formed from sheet metal that is affixed to support members  106 . Support box  108  is composed of sheet metal folded into a lip  110  and sides  112  and further folded to form an open top and open bottom box  108 . When installed on a roof the support members  106  or the lip  110  are affixed to the roof to provide support to the air conditioner condenser platform  100  and to fix it in the desired location on the roof. In one embodiment of the air conditioner condenser platform, when the platform  100  is installed on a roof, support members  106  are disposed parallel to the gradient of the slope of the roof. 
         [0013]    The mounting platform  104  is formed from sheet metal into a top panel  114  of substantially rectangular shape, and side panels  116 . Side panels  116  are disposed along two opposing edges of top panel  114  and are disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of top panel  114 . The platform  104  may also incorporate formed or folded edges and other support elements to increase the rigidity and stability of the platform  104 . 
         [0014]    The platform  104  is rotateably attached to the fixed base  102  to provide for rotational adjustment of the mounting platform  104  along a first edge  118  of the mounting platform  104 . The rotateable attachment in one embodiment of the invention comprises bolts fastened through bolt holes  120  located at the corners of the mounting platform  104  in side panels  116  and in sides  112  of box  108 , however in other embodiments of the invention a hinge along edge  118 , pins or other rotateable connectors may be utilized with similar results. The bolt holes  120  provide a rotateable connection between side panels  116  and sides  112  of support box  108 . 
         [0015]    When the platform  100  is installed on a roof, the first edge  118  is disposed perpendicular to the gradient of the roof. This allows the mounting platform  104  to be rotateably adjusted with respect to base  102  so that the plane of the surface of top panel  114  is horizontal. 
         [0016]    The platform  104  is also releasably and adjustably attached to the fixed base  102  at corners  122  located near a second edge  124  of mounting platform  104  on side panels  116 . The releasable attachment between fixed base  102  and mounting platform  104  at corners  122  provides for the rotation of mounting platform  104  around first edge  118 . 
         [0017]    In one embodiment the releasable attachment comprises a curved slot  126  in side panels  116  and bolt holes  128  in corners  122  of support box  108 . The angular position of mounting platform  104  with respect to fixed base  102  may be altered by adjusting the relative angular position of mounting platform  104  with respect to fixed base  102  and fixing it in place by means of bolts affixed through slots  126  and holes  128 . 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a side view of the present invention is shown as installed on a roof  200 . Fixed base  102  is shown attached to the roof  200 . In this embodiment of the condenser platform  100 , it is installed with support members  106  parallel to the gradient of the roof  200 , however in other embodiments the support members  106  may be perpendicular to the gradient of the roof  200 . The first edge  118  must be perpendicular to the gradient of the roof  200 . 
         [0019]    After the base  102  has been secured to the roof  200 , the connections at corners  122  are released, and edge  124  of mounting platform  104  is raised or lowered until the top panel  114  is perfectly horizontal. The connections at corners  122  are then tightened by bolts, washers and nuts inserted through slots  126  and holes  128 . Once top panel  114  is level and mounting platform  104  is fixed in relation to the fixed base  102 , an air conditioner condenser  202  may be installed on the platform  100 . Any bolt holes or other mounting attachments for condenser  202  may be attached to the top surface  114  of platform  100 . 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention is shown. The elements of the embodiment are labeled and correspond to the elements discussed above in relation to  FIG. 2 . For purposes of clarity, the bolt and other fasteners that attach the various parts together are omitted. These fasteners may be of any type known for fastening sheet metal together, including, but not limited to, bolts, screws, welding, riveting. 
         [0021]    As may be seen more clearly in  FIG. 3 , the side panels  112  of fixed base  102  may be trapezoidal in shape. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , edge  300  of side panel  112  is shorter than edge  302  of side panel  112 . The angle of the trapezoidal side panel  112  reduces the angle that has to be compensated for by the adjustment of top panel  114 , thus allowing it to be used on a roof with a steeper gradient that might otherwise be possible. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a second perspective view provides a view of the bottom of the air conditioner condenser platform and the interior of support box  108 .  FIG. 4  also shows the two side panels  116  with releasable attachments at both corners  122  of edge  124  of mounting platform  104 . Support members  106  are shown situated parallel to sides  112 , but could also be mounted perpendicular to sides  112 .