Improved supporting framework for wall-mounted gas-fired boilers

Abstract: The supporting framework (10) for wall-mounted gas-fired boilers is adapted to be fixed to a wall and to support the various boiler components. It includes a pair of side uprights (11,12) and at least a crosspiece (13) for connecting the uprights (11,12) to each other and for increasing the strength of the supporting framework (10). The crosspiece (13) is arranged in the upper portion of supporting framework (10) and supports the expansion tank (14) of the boiler. A projecting plate (16) is provided at the lower portion of the supporting framework (10) for connecting the side uprights (11,12), for increasing the strength of the supporting framework (10) and for supporting the boiler fittings and gas valve.

Description: The present invention generally relates to the field of apparatus for preparing heating and/or sanitary hot water and, more particularly, a supporting framework for wall-mounted gas-fired boilers as defined in the preamble of claim 1. Such a supporting framework is known for instance from DE-A1-4223797. As known, wall-mounted gas-fired boilers are attached to wall by means of a strong metal framework supporting the various components of the boiler, i.e. the burner, the hood, the heat exchanger, the circulation pump, the valves, the boiler cover and all other ancillary parts enclosed thereunder. The framework is generally made of metal elements, e.g. uprights and crosspieces, which are shaped and then joined together by welding so as to form a supporting structure onto which the boiler components are mounted. Usually, the operations of shaping and welding together the elements of the supporting framework and the operation of assembling the boiler components onto the finished framework are accomplished at different times and in different places, so it is very important that the design of the supporting framework of the boiler takes into account also the requirements for an easy, ready and advantageous manufacture. A design adapted for manufacture is a directive principle which generally is impossible to leave out of consideration and represents a guideline followed in carrying out the present invention. The manufacture of boilers having a supporting framework designed according to the conventional configuration has some drawbacks. Mainly, the most serious drawback is that they require a relatively long manufacturing time because of the great number of framework parts to be shaped and then joined together. Another drawback of conventional supporting frameworks is that, once assembled, they result rather bulky and so their handling is hard to deal with from the point of view both of transport and arrangement of suitable spaces for their storage as intermediate products before the boiler components are mounted. Still another drawback of the supporting frameworks which are generally known in the art, is that they are assembled by welding and, when there are no conditions for automation, e.g. because production is not in large quantities and over a long period of time, this operation has a high component of labour cost. The object of the present invention is to provide a supporting framework for wall-mounted gas-fired boilers which is designed according to a more efficient and advantageous manufacturing standard. Another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting framework for wall-mounted gas-fired boilers which is formed of a rather small number of parts in comparison with the conventional frameworks. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting framework for wall-mounted gas-fired boilers which can be assembled without requiring a welding operation. A further object of the present invention is to provide a supporting framework for wall-mounted gas-fired boilers which can be assembled at the same time the boiler components are also assembled. The above mentioned objects are achieved by a supporting framework for wall-mounted gas-fired boilers, which is adapted to be fixed to wall and to support the boiler components, of the kind including a pair of side uprights and at least a crosspiece for connecting the uprights and for increasing the strength of the supporting framework, characterised in that the crosspiece is arranged in the upper portion of the supporting framework and supports the expansion tank of the boiler, and in that a projecting plate is provided for connecting the side uprights, for increasing the strength of the supporting framework and for supporting the boiler fittings and gas valve. According to a feature of the present invention, the crosspiece and the projecting plate are detachably connected to the side uprights. According to another feature of the present invention, the connection of the projecting plate to the pair of side uprights is adjustable so as to permit the projecting plate to be adapted to the different widths of the supporting framework. According to a further feature of the present invention, the expansion tank of the boiler is detachably connected to the crosspiece. These features and the advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a plan top view of a first embodiment of the gas-fired boiler with the supporting framework according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a partial plan bottom view of the boiler shown in Fig. 1: and Fig. 4 is a partial plan bottom view of the boiler shown in Fig. 2. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a gas-fired boiler C with the supporting framework according to the present invention, generally designated by 10 and intended to be fixed to a wall and to support the boiler components, i.e. the burner, the hood, the heat exchangers, the circulation pump, the valves, the boiler cover and other ancillary components enclosed thereunder. The supporting framework 10 is formed of a pair of side uprights 11 and 12 connected to each other by a crosspiece 13 which may have different lengths according to the width of the boiler. The crosspiece 13, in addition to acting as a strengthening element for the supporting framework 10, also provides a support for the expansion tank 14 of the boiler. For this purpose, the expansion tank 14 is provided in its upper portion with means, here represented by ordinary screws 15, for fastening it to the crosspiece 13. Figs. 3 and 4 are a partial bottom view of the boiler C with the supporting framework 10 of the invention. There can be seen that the pair of side uprights 11 and 12, in addition to being connected by the crosspiece 13, also are transversely connected to each other by a supporting plate 16 which projects outwardly and is intended for supporting the fittings and the gas valve (not illustrated) of the boiler C. In this case also, for the connection of the supporting plate 16 to the pair of side uprights 11 and 12 ordinary screws 17 are provided which are to be inserted in suitable holes or openings 18A, 18B provided at the lower portion of each side upright 11 and 12. The screws 17 will engage the inner hole 18A or the outer hole 18B of the side uprights 11,12 according to the width of the boiler C. By this system, it is possible to use the same supporting plate 16 also with boilers which have different widths. From the foregoing, it can be clearly understood that the fact of using only the crosspiece 13 and the supporting plate 16 as transverse elements for connecting the pair of side uprights 11,12 and for strengthening the supporting framework, as well as for supporting the boiler expansion tank and the boiler fittings and gas valve, respectively, permits the number of parts of the framework, particularly the transverse elements, to be drastically reduced without jeopardising the stoutness of the framework. Further, the pair of side uprights 11,12, the crosspiece 13 and the supporting plate 16 are less bulky than the conventional finished frameworks and are easier to handle, thus permitting their handling time and storage costs to be greatly reduced. Finally, the assembly of the supporting framework can be deferred to the time the other boiler parts are also assembled and it is no more necessary to weld together the parts of the supporting framework, as usually required, for making an intermediate product to which all the other boiler components are assembled. Thus, the manufacture of the boiler is easier, faster and less expensive compared to boilers having a conventional framework as known in the art.

Claims: A supporting framework (10) for wall-mounted gas-fired boilers, adapted to be fixed to a wall and to support the various boiler components, of the kind including a pair of side uprights (11,12) and at least a crosspiece (13) for connecting to each other the side uprights and for increasing the strength of the supporting framework, characterised in that : the crosspiece (13) is arranged in the upper portion of the supporting framework (10) and supports the expansion tank (14) of the boiler, and in that : a projecting plate (16) is provided at the lower portion of the supporting framework (10) for connecting said side uprights, for increasing the strength of the supporting framework and for supporting the boiler fittings and gas valve. Supporting framework according to claim 1, characterised in that the crosspiece (13) and the projecting plate (16) are detachably connected to said uprights (11,12). Supporting framework according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection of the projecting plate (16) to the pair of said uprights (11,12) is adjustable so as to permit the projecting plate (16) to be adapted to the different widths of the supporting framework (10). Supporting framework according to claim 1, characterised in that the expansion tank (14) of the boiler is detachably connected to the crosspiece (13).

Inventors: TAGLIAFERRI MARCO, TAGLIAFERRI, MARCO
Applicants: RIELLO SPA, RIELLO S.P.A.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F24H9
IPC codes: F24H9