Abstract:
The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art refrigeration line installation techniques by providing a line guide which, when properly mounted in the horizontal top plate of a structure, enables one person to properly install refrigeration lines. The line guide is adaptable to both wood and metal frame construction. 
     In one embodiment, the line guide has a unitary body comprised of an attachment bracket with a guide tube formed therein. The guide tube&#39;s axial orientation changes over its length. The guide tube&#39;s change in axial orientation may be fixed or variable. In addition, the guide tube may be detachable from the bracket enabling guide tubes of different fixed orientations to be used in combination with the same bracket. 
     In one embodiment, the line guide comprises a C-shaped bracket configured so as to be mounted in a notch formed in the horizontal top plate. In another configuration, the line guide comprises a U-shaped bracket which actually replaces a gap portion of the horizontal top plate. 
     In another embodiment, the line guide is adapted to soffit installations for use in retrofit applications. A guide tube is positioned through a hole formed in the soffit of the structure thereby allowing access to the overhead space. Annular bracket fittings help secure the guide tube in the soffit hole.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/104,174, filed on Mar. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,974 which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/277,863 filed Mar. 23, 2001 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/286,458, filed Apr. 27, 2001, the technical disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/417,131, filed on Oct. 10, 2002, the technical disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for improving the efficiency of installing refrigeration lines. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bracket guide and method for using same which facilitates a more efficient installation of refrigeration lines between a first and second unit. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The use of refrigerated air conditioning systems in commercial and residential property has become commonplace and ubiquitous. Indeed, particularly in the South and Southwest, it borders on being a necessity for ordinary life. Over the years, a variety of different air conditioning systems have been developed for cooling interior spaces. For example, in particularly arid regions, evaporative coolers are effective air conditioners, while large commercial buildings oftentimes rely upon air conditioning systems commonly known as chilled-water systems. Perhaps the most widely employed air conditioning system used today is what is commonly termed refrigerated air. 
   Refrigerated air conditioning systems, commonly found in such diverse products as refrigerators, automobiles, and buildings, all operate in accordance with the same general principals. A refrigerant gas (e.g., Freon) is compressed, causing it to become a hot, high-pressure gas. This hot gas is then directed through a first set of heat exchange coils to dissipate its heat and condense into a liquid. The liquid refrigerant is then directed to an expansion valve wherein it is allowed to evaporate becoming a cold, low pressure gas. This gas is then directed to a second set of heat exchange coils allowing the cold gas to absorb heat and in turn cool down air directed over the second set of coils. The refrigerant gas is then cycled back to the compressor to repeat the process once more. 
   While all refrigerated air conditioning systems operate in accordance with the same general principals, there are a multitude of specific systems adapted to particular uses. With regard to residential and smaller commercial building applications, one system in particular, commonly known as a “split-system,” has become quite prevalent. As its name implies, split-system air conditioners split the “hot” side from the “cold” side of the refrigerated cycle system. The hot side of the system, known as the condensing unit, is placed outside the building and comprises a compressor, heat exchange coil and a fan to disperse the heat generated by the system. The cold side of the system, comprising an expansion valve and evaporator coil, is generally placed in a furnace or some other air circulating device. The air circulating device blows air over the evaporator coil and routes the air throughout the building using a series of ducts. 
   Because the two components of a split-system air conditioner are remotely located from one another, connecting lines are used to link the two components together. These connecting lines, or refrigeration lines as they are commonly referred to, usually comprise a supply line, a return line, and a voltage control wire. The supply and return lines typically comprise copper tubing and one or both may include a wrapping of insulation (e.g., foam tubing). 
   Several problems arise during the installation of these refrigeration lines. The refrigeration lines must be laid between an exterior location and an interior location, thereby connecting the condenser unit with the evaporator coil. Consequently, this requires routing the refrigeration lines through an exterior wall and up into an attic or overhead space where the furnace or other air circulating device is located. Typically, the installation of refrigeration lines comprises forming an access hole in an exterior wall whereby the refrigeration lines can be fed through. Another hole or notch is formed in the vertical top plate allowing access to the overhead space. Special care must be taken when installing the refrigeration lines to ensure they are not damaged during the installation process. While flexible and durable, the copper tubing is prone to crimping. The wrapping of insulation and voltage control wire are also prone to tearing and chaffing. Thus, currently, the installation process usually requires two installers to complete in a satisfactory manner. Typically, one installer, positioned on the ground floor, feeds and routes and the refrigeration line up and through the hole formed in the to another installer located in the overhead space. The installer in the overhead space must carefully bend the refrigeration lines to avoid hitting the pitched roofline. Particular care must be taken throughout the installation process to ensure that the tubing does not crimp and that the insulation or wiring is not torn. 
   While inherently difficult in new construction where the space between walls is usually accessible, the installation of refrigeration lines is further compounded in retrofit applications to existing housing where the space between walls is usually not easily accessible. 
   A need, therefore, exists for an improved method and device for installing refrigeration lines which would require only one installer. Further, a need exists for a method and device for improving the efficiency of installing refrigeration lines which is highly adaptable to a variety of building applications. Still further, a need exists for a method and device for improving the efficiency of retrofit installations of refrigeration lines in existing buildings. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art refrigeration line installation techniques by providing a line guide which when properly mounted in the horizontal top plate of a structure enables one person to properly install refrigeration lines. The line guide is adaptable to both wood and metal frame construction. 
   In one embodiment, the line guide has a unitary body comprised of an attachment bracket with a guide tube formed therethrough. The guide tube&#39;s axial orientation changes over its length. The guide tube&#39;s change in axial orientation may be fixed or variable. In addition, the guide tube may be detachable from the bracket enabling guide tubes of different fixed orientations to be used in combination with the same bracket. 
   In one embodiment, the line guide comprises a C-shaped bracket configured so as to be mounted in a notch formed in the horizontal top plate. In another configuration, the line guide comprises a U-shaped bracket which actually replaces a gap portion of the horizontal top plate. 
   In another embodiment, the line guide is adapted to soffit installations for use in retrofit applications. A guide tube is positioned through a hole formed in the soffit of the structure thereby allowing access to the overhead space. Annular bracket fittings help secure the guide tube in the soffit hole. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of an attachment bracket in an embodiment of the line guide of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1   c  is a reverse perspective view of the attachment bracket in an embodiment of the line guide of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1   d  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1   e  is a perspective view of the attachment bracket of the second embodiment of the line guide of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1   d;    
       FIG. 1   f  is a perspective view from below of the attachment bracket shown in  FIG. 1   e;    
       FIG. 1   g  is a perspective view from below of a variant of the attachment bracket shown in  FIG. 1   e;    
       FIG. 2   a  is a cross-sectional view of a typical frame construction structure illustrating a horizontal top plate installation of an embodiment of the line guide of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2   b  is a cross-sectional view of a typical frame construction structure illustrating a horizontal top plate installation of the second embodiment of the line guide of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c  are side views of alternate variations of an embodiment of the line guide of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 3   d ,  3   e , and  3   f  are side views of alternate variations of the second embodiment of the line guide of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a typical frame construction structure illustrating a soffit installation of an embodiment of the line guide of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the annular bracket fitting used in soffit installations of the line guide of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 5   b  is a side view of an embodiment of the annular bracket fitting used in soffit installations of the line guide of the present invention. 
   

   Where used in the various figures of the drawing, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference to  FIG. 1   a , a perspective view of an embodiment of the line guide  10  of the present invention is shown. The line guide  10  may be constructed either as a unitary piece or as a composite piece comprised of two or more interlocking pieces. The line guide includes a bracket element  12  and a guide tube  14 . 
   The bracket element  12  is used to attach the line guide  10  to a horizontal top plate. As shown in  FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c , the bracket element  12  includes a vertical side  20  bounded by two opposing horizontal pieces  22 ,  24  with apertures  26 ,  28  formed respectfully therein, and suitable for grasping and aligning the guide tube  14 . In the embodiment shown, the bottom horizontal piece  22  also includes a flange recess  22  formed around aperture  26  wherein one end of the guide tube  14  may be inserted and secured. The bracket element  12  also includes a groove  18  formed in the outer surface of vertical side  20  and suitable for holding a nailing plate  16  which facilitates the installation of the bracket element  12 . The nailing plate  16  may be a separate metal strip or a reinforced area comprised of thicker material. The bracket element  12  may also include pre-formed nail holes or other associated means for facilitating the installation of the bracket element  12 . 
   The guide tube  14  is comprised of a length of tubing with a sufficient inner diameter to allow the refrigeration lines to easily move within its confines. The interior surface of guide tube  14  is generally smooth and may, in addition, be coated with a friction reducing compound. The outer diameter of the guide tube  14  is adapted to fit the apertures  26  and  28 , formed in the bracket element. The guide tube  14  also includes a bend  15  that smoothly changes the axial orientation of the guide tube  14 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2   a , the present invention is intended for use in the buildings of the type having conventional upstanding walls, such as the one shown at  50 , which includes vertical studs  52  connected by a horizontal top plate  54 . A roof  56  for the building is made up of roof framing members which include horizontal ceiling joists  58  and roof rafters  60  which incline upwardly from the ceiling joists  58 . Ceiling means  62  (e.g. dry wall or plywood) is fixed to the underside of the joists  58 , while roof sheathing  64  is fixed to the top side of rafters  60 . The wall board  62  and roof sheathing  64  define an attic or upper space  70  for the building. 
   The ceiling joists  58  and roof rafters  60  come together and are secured in the area of the wall top plate  54 . The roof rafters  60  extend beyond the wall top plate  54  and form eaves, such as the one shown at  66 . As is conventional, the eave  66  is hollow and is covered along the bottom by sheathing which forms the soffit  68  and along its side by a fascia board  72  that is oriented perpendicular to the soffit  68 . 
   The attic or upper space  70  and the hollow eaves  66  are connected by openings defined between the roof framing members, and specifically between adjacent pairs of ceiling joists  58  and roof rafters  60 , the wall top plate  54  and the roof sheathing  64 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2   a , the indoor unit  80  of a split-system air conditioner (i.e., the evaporator coil and expansion valve) is commonly placed in the attic or upper space  70  of a building. As previously mentioned, the condensing unit (not shown), is usually placed on the exterior of the building. In order to connect the two systems in the conventional manner, a line guide  10  of the present invention is installed in the horizontal top plate  54  thereby allowing the attic or upper space  70  of the building to be more easily accessed from below. 
   The line guide  10  is installed by cutting a suitably sized notch in the horizontal top plate  54  and securing the line guide  10  into the notch such that the inner surface of the vertical side  20  of the bracket element  12  is generally adjacent to and parallel with the vertical sides of the horizontal top plate  54  and the opposing horizontal pieces  22  and  24  of the bracket element  12  are disposed on the bottom and top horizontal surfaces of the horizontal top plate  54 . The line guide  10  is thereupon securely fastened to the horizontal top plate  54  using any suitable fastening means (e.g., nails, screws, rivets, or adhesives). 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   a , the guide tube  14  of line guide  10  includes a preformed bend which smoothly changes the axial orientation of the guide tube  14  from generally vertical at its lower end to an orientation which is generally parallel to the incline of the roof  56 . 
   Once installed in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 2   a , the line guide  10  enables a single installer to complete the installation of the refrigeration lines. In the typical installation, an installer will bundle the refrigeration lines (i.e., the supply and return line  82 ,  84  and the voltage control wire  86 ) into a single combined line. The installer then threads the combined refrigeration lines up and through the guide tube  14  of line guide  10  and into the attic or upper space  70 . The smooth change in the axial orientation of the guide tube  14  gently redirects the angular orientation of the refrigeration lines such that the lines are gently bent without crimping. Additionally, the smooth interior surface of guide tube  14  prevents the insulation layer on any of the refrigeration lines from chaffing being torn. Once a sufficient length of refrigeration line has been pushed up into the attic or upper space  70  to generally hold the refrigeration line in place, the installer may reposition to the attic or upper space  70  where the combined refrigeration line may be pulled the rest of the length. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c , alternate variants of the embodiment of the line guide  10  are illustrated.  FIG. 3   a  illustrates a line guide  10  which has a unitary body comprised of an attachment bracket  12  with a guide tube  14  formed therein. The guide tube  14  includes a fixed preformed bend  15  which smoothly changes the axial orientation of the guide tube  14  over its length. It is understood that numerous variations of this variant of the embodiment of line guide  10  may be constructed, each with a distinct and fixed preformed bend  15 . 
     FIG. 3   b  illustrates a line guide  10   a  comprised of an attachment bracket  12   a  and a detachable guide tube section  14   a . The guide tube section  14   a  includes a fixed preformed bend  15   a  which smoothly changes the axial orientation of the guide tube  14   a  over its length. However, because the guide tube section  14   a  is detachable, a variety of guide tube sections with distinct and fixed preformed bends  15   a  can be used in combination with the same attachment bracket  12   a . The guide tube section  14   a  may be affixed to the attachments bracket  12   a  by any suitable conventional means (e.g., friction fitting, adhesive gluing, opposing screw threads, rivets or screws). 
     FIG. 3   c  illustrates a line guide  10   b  which may have either a unitary or composite body comprised of an attachment bracket  12   b  and a guide tube  14   b . The guide tube  14   b  of this variant includes a pull-out flexible convoluted section  14   b ′ similar in principle to those found in conventional flexible drinking straws. The convoluted section  14   b ′ may adjusted as necessary to obtain the desired change in axial orientation over its length. While, perhaps, not as rigid as the variants comprising preformed bends in the guide tube, the convoluted section  14   b ′ allows the guide tube  14   b  the flexibility to be formed into an infinite number of changes in axial orientation over its length. As mentioned previously, the utility of the pull-out flexible convoluted section  14   b ′ illustrated in  FIG. 3   c  may be combined with the utility of the variant illustrated in  FIG. 3   b . Thus, a further variation of the a line guide  10   a  illustrated in  FIG. 3   b  may further comprise a pull-out flexible convoluted section  14   b ′ formed in the detachable guide tube section  14   a.    
   As noted previously, the bracket element  12  is designed to position and secure the line guide  12  in a suitably sized notch formed in the horizontal top plate  54 . While the bracket element  12  may be sized to accommodate any size of guide tube  14 , in some instances the size of the refrigeration lines necessitates the use of a guide tube  14  with a diameter so large that all or almost all of the horizontal top plate  54  must be removed. For example the use of larger copper refrigerant lines due to refrigerant and efficiency changes, as well as increases in the size of insulation used to cover refrigeration lines necessitates the use of larger guide tubes  14 . While the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1   a , may be sized to accommodate a guide tube  14  having a diameter as large as the lateral width of the horizontal top plate  54 , in such instances it may be desirable to replace or strengthen the structural integrity of the breached horizontal top plate  54 . Thus, as depicted in  FIG. 1   d , a perspective view of another embodiment of the line guide  10 A of the present invention is shown which includes an alternate bracket element  12 A having enhanced strength characteristics. 
   As with the previously described embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment of the line guide  10 A may be constructed either as a unitary piece or as a composite piece comprised of two or more interlocking pieces. This line guide  10 A includes the alternate bracket element  12 A and utilizes the same guide tube  14  as described previously. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1   e ,  1   f  and  1   g , the alternate bracket element  12 A comprises a horizontal plate  20 A having an aperture  26 A formed therethrough, and bounded by two opposing planar side pieces  22 A,  24 A, which are arranged generally perpendicular to the horizontal plate  20 A. The aperture  26 A may be oval, circular, or any shape necessary to accommodate the guide tube  14 . In the embodiment shown  FIG. 1   g , the aperture  26 A in the bottom horizontal piece  20 A may include a flange  27  formed around aperture  26 A wherein one end of the guide tube  14  may be inserted and secured. The alternate bracket element  12 A may also include a series of pre-formed nail holes a, b, c and/or other associated means for facilitating the installation of the alternate bracket element  12 A. 
   As noted above, the second embodiment line guide  10 A uses essentially the same guide tube  14  utilized with the first embodiment. Thus, the guide tube  14  of line guide  10 A is comprised of a length of tubing with a sufficient inner diameter to allow the refrigeration lines to easily move within its confines. The interior surface of guide tube  14  is generally smooth and may, in addition, be coated with a friction reducing compound. The outer diameter of the guide tube  14  is adapted to fit through the aperture  26  formed in the alternate bracket element  12 A. The guide tube  14  also includes a bend  15  that smoothly changes the axial orientation of the guide tube  14 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2   b , the line guide  10 A is also intended for use in the buildings of the type having conventional upstanding walls, such as the one shown at  50 , which includes vertical studs  52  connected by a horizontal top plate  54 . A roof  56  for the building is made up of roof framing members which include horizontal ceiling joists  58  and roof rafters  60  which incline upwardly from the ceiling joists  58 . Ceiling means  62  (e.g. dry wall or plywood) is fixed to the underside of the joists  58 , while roof sheathing  64  is fixed to the top side of rafters  60 . The wall board  62  and roof sheathing  64  define an attic or upper space  70  for the building. 
   The ceiling joists  58  and roof rafters  60  come together and are secured in the area of the wall top plate  54 . The roof rafters  60  extend beyond the wall top plate  54  and form eaves, such as the one shown at  66 . As is conventional, the eave  66  is hollow and is covered along the bottom by sheathing which forms the soffit  68  and along its side by a fascia board  72  that is oriented perpendicular to the soffit  68 . 
   The attic or upper space  70  and the hollow eaves  66  are connected by openings defined between the roof framing members, and specifically between adjacent pairs of ceiling joists  58  and roof rafters  60 , the wall top plate  54  and the roof sheathing  64 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2   b , the indoor unit  80  of a split-system air conditioner (i.e., the evaporator coil and expansion valve) is commonly placed in the attic or upper space  70  of a building. As previously mentioned, the condensing unit (not shown), is usually placed on the exterior of the building. In order to connect the two systems in the conventional manner, a line guide  10 A of the present invention is installed in the horizontal top plate  54  thereby allowing the attic or upper space  70  of the building to be more easily accessed from below. 
   The line guide  10 A is installed by cutting a suitably sized notch in the horizontal top plate  54  and securing the line guide  10 A in the notch. It is understood that the notch may be of such a dimension as to create an actual gap in the horizontal top plate  54 . The line guide  10 A is installed by raising it into position such that the inner surface of horizontal plate  20 A is adjacent to the bottom horizontal surface of the horizontal top plate  54  and the inner surfaces of the two opposing planar side pieces  22 A,  24 A are generally adjacent to and parallel with the vertical sides of the horizontal top plate  54 . The line guide  10 A is thereupon securely fastened to the horizontal top plate  54  using any suitable fastening means (e.g., nails, screws, rivets, or adhesives). For example, the line guide  10 A may be tacked into place using pre-formed nail holes c through the horizontal plate  20 A, whereupon suitably sized nails may be hammered through the series of pre-formed nail holes formed through the sides of the two opposing planar side pieces  22 A,  24 A (e.g., a, b), thereby securing the line guide  10 A to the horizontal top plate  54 . 
   As with the first embodiment, the guide tube  14  of the line guide  10 A shown in  FIG. 2   b  includes a preformed bend which smoothly changes the axial orientation of the guide tube  14  from generally vertical at its lower end to an orientation which is generally parallel to the incline of the roof  56 . 
   Once installed in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 2   b , the line guide  10 A enables a single installer to complete the installation of the refrigeration lines. In the typical installation, an installer will bundle the refrigeration lines (i.e., the supply and return line  82 ,  84  and the voltage control wire  86 ) into a single combined line. The installer then threads the combined refrigeration lines up and through the guide tube  14  of line guide  10 A and into the attic or upper space  70 . The smooth change in the axial orientation of the guide tube  14  gently redirects the angular orientation of the refrigeration lines such that the lines are gently bent without crimping. Additionally, the smooth interior surface of guide tube  14  prevents the insulation layer on any of the refrigeration lines from chaffing being torn. Once a sufficient length of refrigeration line has been pushed up into the attic or upper space  70  to generally hold the refrigeration line in place, the installer may reposition to the attic or upper space  70  where the combined refrigeration line may be pulled the rest of the length. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3   d ,  3   e , and  3   f , alternate variants of the embodiment of the line guide  10 A are illustrated.  FIG. 3   d  illustrates a line guide  10 A which has a unitary body comprised of an attachment bracket  12 A with a guide tube  14  formed therein. The guide tube  14  includes a fixed preformed bend  15  which smoothly changes the axial orientation of the guide tube  14  over its length. It is understood that numerous variations of this variant of the embodiment of line guide  10 A may be constructed, each with a distinct and fixed preformed bend  15 . 
     FIG. 3   e  illustrates a line guide  10 A′ comprised of an attachment bracket  12  A′ and a detachable guide tube section  14   a . The guide tube section  14   a  includes a fixed preformed bend  15   a  which smoothly changes the axial orientation of the guide tube  14   a  over its length. However, because the guide tube section  14   a  is detachable, a variety of guide tube sections with distinct and fixed preformed bends  15   a  can be used in combination with the same attachment bracket  12  A′. The guide tube section  14   a  may be affixed to the attachments bracket  12  A′ by any suitable conventional means (e.g., friction fitting, adhesive gluing, opposing screw threads, rivets or screws). 
     FIG. 3F  illustrates a line guide  10 A″ which may have either a unitary or composite body comprised of an attachment bracket  12  A″ and a guide tube  14   b . The guide tube  14   b  of this variant includes a pull-out flexible convoluted section  14   b ′ similar in principle to those found in conventional flexible drinking straws. The convoluted section  14   b ′ may adjusted as necessary to obtain the desired change in axial orientation over its length. While, perhaps, not as rigid as the variants comprising preformed bends in the guide tube, the convoluted section  14   b ′ allows the guide tube  14   b  the flexibility to be formed into an infinite number of changes in axial orientation over its length. As mentioned previously, the utility of the pull-out flexible convoluted section  14   b ′ illustrated in  FIG. 3   f  may be combined with the utility of the variant illustrated in  FIG. 3   e . Thus, a further variation of the a line guide  10 A′ illustrated in  FIG. 3   e  may further comprise a pull-out flexible convoluted section  14   b ′ formed in the detachable guide tube section  14   a.    
   Thus, as best shown in a comparison of  FIGS. 3   a - 3   f , the first embodiment of the line guide  10  comprises a C-shaped bracket element  12  having a guide tube  14  formed therethrough, the second embodiment of the line guide  10  comprises a U-shaped bracket element  12 A having the guide tube  14  formed therethrough the two horizontal. Whereas the C-shaped bracket element  12  includes only a single vertical side  20  bounded two opposing horizontal pieces  22 ,  24 , the U-shaped bracket element  12 A includes two vertical sides  22 A,  24 A, bounding a single horizontal plate  20 A. Thus, in accordance with basic engineering principles, the design of the alternate bracket element  12 A is inherently stiffer to vertical loads along its longitudinal length than the bracket element  12  of the first embodiment of the line guide  10 . This allows an installer of the present invention to utilize all of the lateral space in a horizontal top plate of a frame wall, while restoring any structural integrity lost due to forming a notch in the top plate. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of the line guide  110  is illustrated which is adapted for use in retrofit applications. This embodiment of the present invention is also intended for use in buildings of the type having conventional upstanding walls as described previously and illustrated in FIG.  2 . However, in retrofit applications, the problems associated with installing refrigeration lines are further compounded by the restricted access to interior wall spaces. Typically, interior walls  90  and exterior walls  92  prevent easy access to interior wall spaces. Thus, the installation of refrigeration lines through the horizontal top plate  54 , as discussed previously, is oftentimes not practicable in retrofit applications. 
   The alternate embodiment of the line guide  110  comprises a guide tube  114  and two annular bracket fittings  112 . The guide tube  114  is similar in every respect to the guide tube  14  of the previously discussed embodiment of the line guide  10 . As shown in one embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , the annular bracket fittings  112  are designed to fit snugly over one end of the guide tube and hold the guide tube securely in place. 
   The alternate embodiment of the line guide  110  is installed by cutting a suitably sized hole in the soffit  168  and positioning the guide tube  114  in the hole such that the exit end of the guide tube is able access the attic or overhead space  70  via the hollow eave  66 . The two annular bracket fittings  112  are coaxially positioned on the guide tube  114 , one on the exterior of the soffit  168  and one on the interior of the soffit  168 . The annular bracket fittings  112 , and consequently the line guide  110 , are thereupon securely fastened to soffit  168  using any suitable fastening means (e.g., compression fittings, opposing screw threads, screws, nails, rivets, or adhesives). 
   Once installed in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the line guide  110  also enables a single installer to complete the installation of the refrigeration lines in a manner similar to that specified previously. It is also understood that all of the alternate variants of the embodiment of the line guide  10  disclosed previously, and illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c , are also applicable to the alternate embodiment of the line guide  110 . 
   It is further understood that the present invention may be formed out of any suitable thermoplastic or composite material. Indeed, certain Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) plastic materials with self-lubricating properties might be particularly suited to certain applications. 
   It will now be evident to those skilled in the art that there has been described herein an improved apparatus and method for improving the efficiency of installing refrigeration lines. Although the invention hereof has been described by way of a preferred embodiment, it will be evident that other adaptations and modifications can be employed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, while the illustrations depict a single story building, the principals discussed with respect to the use and employment of the present invention are equally applicable to multistoried buildings. Similarly, while the illustrations depict the condensing unit being located below the evaporator coil, it is understood that, especially in light commercial applications, the condensing unit may be positioned above the evaporator coil (e.g., on the roof of the building). The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation; and thus, there is no intent of excluding equivalents, but on the contrary it is intended to cover any and all equivalents that may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.