Patent Abstract:
Snappable wheel holders for environmental control units such as radiators, heaters, fans and air conditioners. Wheel holders can attach wheels to brackets located underneath the units by mateably attaching male protruding ends into female slots. Plastic triangular pieces can snap into openings to lock the wheel holders to the brackets. The brackets can be attached underneath the units by clamping U-bars with wing nuts.

Full Description:
This invention relates to wheels, in particular to easily attachable and detachable mobile support wheels, structures, assemblies, devices and methods for supporting portable environmental control units such as heaters, radiators, fans, and the like, in order to allow these units to be mobile over floor surfaces. 
   BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
   Portable heaters have been growing in popularity in recent years. Making these devices easily mobile is useful for their versatility. Many portable heaters must be physically lifted and carried in order to be mobile. The lift and carry requirement is not very desirable when the heaters are often moved from place to place. 
   Placing wheels on portable heaters has been done over the years. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,253 to De&#39;Longhi and U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,200 to Dai. However, these device like many others requires generally large type wheels be permanently attached to axles underneath the heaters. The permanent type attachments do not allow for removing the wheels when needed. For example, the permanently attached wheels take up more space when the heater unit has to be packaged and shipped. 
   Even if these wheels were not initially attached to the heater, then the user must spend time to assemble the wheels by using tools such as but not limited to screw drivers, wrenches, and the like. So, later removing the wheels would also be a chore requiring additional manpower and time. Additionally, these large type wheels can be cumbersome to store. Additionally, these devices have many loose parts that can become lost overtime. 
   Attempts have been made to use smaller wheels underneath the portable heaters. See for example, U.S. Published Patent Application 2004/0245417 to De&#39;Longhi, which describes a support for a radiator. Although these wheels are generally smaller than those referenced in the other devices above, these wheel are not intended to be removed from beneath the heater. Instead these wheels fold up underneath the heater, and still take up added space when the heater is to be shipped and stored. Additionally, the folding action can break or jam along one of the hinges. If only one hinge breaks or jams, the entire heater is no longer rollable over a ground surface. 
   Still furthermore, all of the prior art devices listed above require their wheels be fixed along side each of the heater units, which means they are not pivotable. These fixed wheel orientations do not allow for the heaters to be easily turned as they are being rolled. 
   Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary objective of the invention is to provide wheels for environmental control units such as heaters and fans, that easily snap on and are removable with ease. 
   A secondary objective of the invention is to provide wheels for environmental control units such as heaters and fans, that can be assembled without much labor or time. 
   A third objective of the invention is to provide wheels for environmental control units such as heaters and fans, which can be disassembled without much labor or time. 
   A fourth objective of the invention is to provide wheels for environmental control units such as heaters and fans, where the wheels can turn and pivot in place. 
   A fifth objective of the invention is to provide wheels for environmental control units such as heaters and fans, that can attach and detach without using tools and having loose parts. 
   A sixth objective of the invention is to provide wheels for environmental control units such as heaters and fans, that do not fold up underneath the unit. 
   A seventh objective of the invention is to provide wheels for environmental control units such as heaters and fans, that when wheels are removed allow units to be shipped and stored with less space than previous units having wheels. 
   A mobile support apparatus for an environmental control units that includes a bracket attached to an environmental control unit, the bracket having a first slot on one end and a second slot on a second end opposite to the first end, a first wheel rotatably attached to a first wheel holder, the first wheel holder having a first protruding end, and a second wheel rotatably attached to a second wheel holder, the second wheel holder having a first protruding end, wherein the first protruding end of the first wheel holder is inserted into the first slot of the bracket, and the second protruding end of the second wheel holder is inserted into the second slot of the bracket, so that the environmental control unit is rollable on a floor surface by the first wheel and the second wheel, and the first and second wheel holders are removable from the bracket. 
   The bracket can include a first snapable portion that bends and attaches the first protruding end of the first wheel holder to the first slot of the bracket, and a second snapable portion that bends and attaches the second protruding end of the first wheel holder to the second slot of the bracket. The first snapable portion and the second snapable portion can each be members that protrude upward from the first protruding end and the second protruding end, respectively. 
   The apparatus can include a first horizontal edge on the bracket for catching the first snapable member of the first protruding end, and a second horizontal edge on the bracket for catching the second snapable member of the second protruding end. 
   The apparatus can include a first horizontal edge on the first protruding end for catching the first snapable portion member of the bracket, and a second horizontal edge on the second protruding end for catching the second snapable member of the bracket. 
   The first slot of the bracket and the second slot of the bracket can each include a pair of bent clips facing one another having a space therebetween wherein the space forms the first and the second slots. 
   The apparatus can further include a first pivot member between the first wheel and the first wheel holder for allowing the first wheel to pivot and rotate relative to the first wheel holder, and a second pivot member between the second wheel and the second wheel holder for allowing the second wheel to pivot and rotate relative to the second wheel holder. The first wheel and the second wheel can each include a pair of wheels with an axle therebetween, the axle being attached to each wheel holder so that the pair of wheels rotates relative to each wheel holder. 
   The first wheel holder and the second wheel holder can each include a clip having bendable edges for allowing the axle to be attached and removed from each wheel holder. 
   The environmental control unit can be a portable heater, a portable radiator, and/or be a portable fan. 
   The invention can include a novel method of attaching and detaching wheels from a bracket that is attached to an environmental control unit, that can include steps for: providing an environmental control unit, providing a first wheel and a second wheel, attaching the first wheel to the environmental control unit by inserting a first protruding member into a first socket; attaching the second wheel to the environmental control unit by inserting a second protruding member inserts into a second socket, and rolling the environmental control unit on a floor surface by the first wheel and the second wheel. 
   Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a front end and right side perspective view of an environmental control unit such as a portable radiator, with snapable wheels of a first embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front end view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is another view of  FIG. 1  with wheels removed from the environmental control unit. 
       FIG. 5A  is an enlarged view of one snapable wheel of  FIG. 5  with the unit. 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the first embodiment with wheels tilted relative to the unit. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the first embodiment of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a partial cross-sectional view of a single snapable wheel with protruding end of  FIG. 7  spaced apart from the unit. 
       FIG. 8B  is another view of  FIG. 8A  showing the protruding end of the wheel starting to be inserted into a socket on the unit. 
       FIG. 8C  is another view of  FIG. 8A  showing the protruding end of the wheel snappably attached within the socket on the unit. 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged side view of  FIG. 3  with wheels attached and unattached from unit. 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1  of the snapable wheels and brackets. 
       FIG. 11  is an upper enlarged view of an assembled bracket with attached snapable wheels. 
       FIG. 12  is another view of  FIG. 11  with snapable wheels separated therefrom. 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the components of  FIGS. 11-12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a lower view of the assembled bracket with attached wheels of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 15  is a lower view of the snapable wheels separated from bracket of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 16  is an exploded lower view of the components of  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of a single snapable wheel holder and wheel. 
       FIG. 18  is bottom perspective view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 19  is a front view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIGS. 17-18 . 
       FIG. 20  is a side view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIG. 19 . 
       FIG. 21  is rear view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIGS. 19-20 . 
       FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIGS. 19-21 . 
       FIG. 23  is a top view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIGS. 19-22 . 
       FIG. 24  is a bottom perspective view of the main bracket used for attaching the wheels thereto of the preceding figures. 
       FIG. 25  is a top view of the main bracket of  FIG. 24 . 
       FIG. 26  is an end view of the main bracket of  FIGS. 24-25 . 
       FIG. 27  is a side view of the main bracket of  FIGS. 24-26 . 
       FIG. 28  is a top perspective view of the retainer clip for use with main bracket of the preceding figures. 
       FIG. 29  is a side view of the retainer clip of  FIG. 28 . 
       FIG. 30  is an end view of the retainer clip of  FIG. 29 . 
       FIG. 31  is a bottom view of the retainer clip of  FIGS. 28-29 . 
       FIG. 32  is a top view of the retainer clip of  FIGS. 28-30 . 
       FIG. 33  is a front end and right side perspective view of an environmental control unit such as a portable radiator, with snapable wheels of a second embodiment. 
       FIG. 34  is a bottom perspective view of  FIG. 33 . 
       FIG. 35  is a side view of  FIG. 33 . 
       FIG. 36  is a front end view of  FIG. 33 . 
       FIG. 37  is another view of  FIG. 33  with wheels removed from the unit. 
       FIG. 37A  is an enlarged view of one snapable wheel of  FIG. 37  with the unit. 
       FIG. 38  is a bottom view of the second embodiment with wheels tilted relative to the unit. 
       FIG. 39  is a top view of the second embodiment of  FIG. 38 . 
       FIG. 40A  is a partial cross-sectional view of a single snapable wheel with protruding end of  FIG. 39  spaced apart from the unit. 
       FIG. 40B  is another view of  FIG. 40A  showing the protruding end of the wheel starting to be inserted into a socket on the unit. 
       FIG. 40C  is another view of  FIG. 40A  showing the protruding end of the wheel snappably attached within the socket on the unit. 
       FIG. 41  is an enlarged side view of  FIG. 35  showing a single wheel attached on the unit. 
       FIG. 42  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 33  of the snapable wheels and brackets. 
       FIG. 43  is an upper enlarged view of an assembled bracket with attached snapable wheels. 
       FIG. 44  is another view of  FIG. 43  with snapable wheels separated therefrom. 
       FIG. 45  is an exploded view of the components of  FIGS. 43-44 . 
       FIG. 46  is a lower view of the assembled bracket with attached wheels of  FIG. 43 . 
       FIG. 47  is a lower view of the snapable wheels separated from bracket of  FIG. 44 . 
       FIG. 48  is a lower view of the exploded view of components of  FIG. 45 . 
       FIG. 49  is a top perspective view of a second embodiment snapable wheel holder &amp; wheel. 
       FIG. 50  is bottom perspective view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIG. 49 . 
       FIG. 51  is a front view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIGS. 49-50 . 
       FIG. 52  is a side view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIG. 51 . 
       FIG. 53  is rear view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIGS. 51-52 . 
       FIG. 54  is a bottom view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIGS. 51-53 . 
       FIG. 55  is a top view of the snapable wheel holder and wheel of  FIGS. 51-54 . 
       FIG. 56  is a top perspective view of the main bracket used for attaching the wheels thereto 
     of the preceding figures for the second embodiment. 
       FIG. 57  is a top view of the main bracket of  FIG. 56 . 
       FIG. 58  is an end view of the main bracket of  FIGS. 56-57 . 
       FIG. 59  is a side view of the main bracket of  FIGS. 56-58 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               10 
               First Embodiment Heater unit such as radiator with Snapable 
             
             
                 
               wheels 
             
             
               12 
               Undersurface of unit(bottom edges of radiator heat exchange fins) 
             
             
               14 
               Lower horizontal support member of radiator 
             
             
               20 
               Snapable wheel holder(metal) 
             
             
               21 
               Main horizontal support member 
             
             
               22 
               Male protruding end 
             
             
               23 
               rectangle catch slot in protruding end 
             
             
               24 
               wedge shaped tip 
             
             
               25 
               pivot fastener 
             
             
               27 
               shield cover for wheel(s) 
             
             
               28 
               wheel(s)/caster(s) 
             
             
               29 
               axle 
             
             
               S1 
               direction protruding end slides into main bracket 
             
             
               30 
               Main bracket 
             
             
               31 
               horizontal planar portion 
             
             
               32 
               first socket end(formed from bent L-shapes facing one another) 
             
             
               33/35 
               through-holes for attachment to U-bar clamps 
             
             
               34/36 
               bent sides of bracket 
             
             
               38 
               second socket end(formed from bent L-shapes facing one another) 
             
             
               40 
               Retainer clip 
             
             
               41 
               narrow elongated portion 
             
             
               42 
               first sloping upward from narrow tip end/angled edge 
             
             
               42F 
               first flat apex portion 
             
             
               44 
               first vertical wall catch 
             
             
               43/45 
               cylinder portions with through-holes 
             
             
               48 
               second sloping upward from narrow tip end/angled edge 
             
             
               48F 
               second flat apex portion 
             
             
               46 
               second vertical wall catch 
             
             
               50 
               Wing Nut 
             
             
               60 
               U-Bar Clamp 
             
             
               62/64 
               threaded ends 
             
             
               70 
               Second embodiment snapable wheel holder(plastic) 
             
             
               71 
               main horizontal support member 
             
             
               72 
               male protruding end 
             
             
               73 
               rearwardly facing tab(triangular side shape) with sloping upward 
             
             
                 
               top surface 
             
             
               74 
               wedge shaped tip 
             
             
               76 
               vertical wall catch 
             
             
               75 
               pivot fastener 
             
             
               77 
               shield cover for wheel(s) 
             
             
               78 
               wheel(s)/caster(s) 
             
             
               79 
               axle 
             
             
               80 
               Second embodiment main bracket 
             
             
               81 
               horizontal planar portion 
             
             
               82 
               first socket end(formed from bent L-shapes facing one another) 
             
             
               83/85 
               through-holes for attachment to U-bar clamps 
             
             
               84/86 
               bent sides of bracket 
             
             
               88 
               second socket end(formed from bent L-shapes facing one another) 
             
             
               87 
               first catch opening in planar portion 
             
             
               89 
               second catch opening in planar portion 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   First Embodiment 
     FIG. 1  is a front end and right side perspective view of an environmental control unit  10  such as but not limited to a portable radiator, that uses the invention of a snapable wheel holder housing that can attach to a main bracket  30  that can be fastened beneath the unit.  FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of  FIG. 1  showing the wheel holder  20 , attached to main bracket  30  by retainer clip  40 , where a fastener such as but not limited to a wing nut  50  attaches the retainer clip  40  and main bracket  30  to undersurface  12  of unit  10  by a U-bar clamp  60 .  FIG. 3  is a side view of  FIG. 1  showing a side portion of the U-bar clamp  60  about a lower horizontal support member  14  of the radiator unit  10 .  FIG. 4  is a front end view of  FIG. 1 . 
     FIG. 5  is another view of  FIG. 1  with snapable wheel holder  20  removed from the environmental control unit  10 .  FIG. 5A  is an enlarged view of one snapable wheel holder  20  of  FIG. 5  separated from the radiator unit  10 . The wheel holder  20  includes a main horizontal support member  21  with a male end  22  protruding in a horizontal direction therefrom having a rectangular catch slot  23  that can slide in the direction of arrow S 1  to lock onto the retainer clip  40  which is shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 8A-8C ,  10 , and  13 - 16 . A pivotable fastener  25  such as but not limited to a bolt with plural nuts and washers, can attach the main horizontal support member  21  to the wheel/caster shield cover  27  so that the shield cover  27  can pivot relative to the support member  21 . The shield cover can rotatably support wheel(s)/caster(s)  28  inside that allow the unit  10  to roll over various floor surfaces. 
     FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the first embodiment with wheels  28  in their respective shield cover(s)  27  tilted relative to the unit  10 .  FIG. 7  is a top view of the first embodiment of  FIG. 6  showing how the attached snappable wheel holder(s)  20  whiled attached to main brackets  30  extend out perpendicular to both sides of unit  10 . In a preferred embodiment, two main brackets  30  can be attached beneath the unit  10 , and a total of four snapable wheel holders  20  can attach to the brackets  30  to rollably support the unit  10  over a floor surface. 
     FIG. 8A  is a partial cross-sectional view of a single snapable wheel holder  20  with protruding end  22  of  FIG. 7  spaced apart from the unit  10 , and to be moved in the direction of arrow S 1  into the slot end  32  of the main bracket  30 , the latter of which will be shown and described in greater detail in reference to  FIGS. 10-16  and  24 - 27 .  FIG. 8B  is another view of  FIG. 8A  showing the protruding end  22  of the wheel holder  20  starting to be inserted into a socket end  32  of the main bracket  30  underneath the unit  10 .  FIG. 8C  is another view of  FIG. 8A  showing the protruding end  22  of the wheel holder  20  snappably attached within the socket end  32  of the main bracket  30  on the unit  10 . 
     FIG. 9  is an enlarged side view of  FIG. 3  showing a single wheel holder  20  attached to main bracket  30  on the unit  10 , and another wheel holder  20  unattached from unit  10 . 
     FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1  of the snapable wheel holders  20  and brackets  30 , and retainer clips  40 , and U-bar clamps  60  (each with threaded ends  62 ,  64 ), wing nuts  50 . 
     FIG. 11  is an upper enlarged view of the main bracket  30  with attached U-bar clamp  60  attached to snapable wheel holders  20 .  FIG. 12  is another view of  FIG. 11  with snapable wheel holders separated from the main bracket  30 .  FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the components of  FIGS. 11-12  separated from one another. 
     FIG. 14  is a lower view of the main bracket  30  with attached attached U-bar clamp  60  attached to snapable wheel holders  20  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 15  is a lower view of the snapable wheel holders  20  separated from the main bracket  30  of  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 16  is a lower exploded view of the components of  FIG. 13 . 
     FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of a single snapable wheel holder  20  and wheel(s)  28 .  FIG. 18  is bottom perspective view of the snapable wheel holder  20  and wheel(s)  28  of  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 19  is a front view of the snapable wheel holder  20  and wheel(s)  28  of  FIGS. 17-18 .  FIG. 20  is a side view of the snapable wheel holder  20  and wheel(s) of  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 21  is rear view of the snapable wheel holder  20  and wheel(s)  28  of  FIGS. 19-20 .  FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the snapable wheel holder  20  and wheel(s)  28  of  FIGS. 19-21 .  FIG. 23  is a top view of the snapable wheel holder  20  and wheel(s)  28  of  FIGS. 19-22 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 17-23 , single wheel holder  20  can have a main horizontal support member  21  with a male end  22  protruding in a horizontal direction therefrom having a rectangular catch slot  23  that can slide in the direction of arrow S 1  to lock onto the retainer clip  40  which is shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 8A-8C ,  10 , and  13 - 16  and  28 - 32 . A pivotable fastener  25  such as but not limited to a bolt with plural nuts and washers, can attach the main horizontal support member  21  to the wheel/caster shield cover  27  so that the shield cover  27  can pivot relative to the support member  21 . 
   The shield cover  27  can rotatably support wheel(s)/caster(s)  28  inside that allow the unit  10  to roll over various floor surfaces. A preferred embodiment can have a pair of disc type wheels attached to one another by an axle  29 , that can snap into a standard clip (not shown) inside of the shield cover  27 . Alternatively, a caster type wheel such as a ball can be rotatably supported underneath the shield cover  27 . 
   The horizontal support member  21  with a male end  22  protruding therefrom can be formed from metal such as galvanized metal, aluminum, and the like, and the shield cover  27  and wheel(s)/caster(s)  28  can be formed from plastic. Alternatively, these pieces can all be formed from metal. Alternatively, all of these pieces can all be formed from plastic. Still furthermore, these pieces can be formed from any combination of plastic and metal, and the like. 
     FIG. 24  is a bottom perspective view of the main bracket  30  used for attaching the wheel holders  20  thereto of the preceding figures.  FIG. 25  is a top view of the main bracket  30  of  FIG. 24 .  FIG. 26  is an end view of the main bracket  30  of  FIGS. 24-25 .  FIG. 27  is a side view of the main bracket  30  of  FIGS. 24-26 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 24-27 , main bracket  30  can have a horizontal planar portion  31 , a first end  32  having a pair of bent L-shaped portions facing one another extending below one end of the bracket  30 . On an opposite second end  38  of the bracket  30  can be another pair of bent L-shaped portions facing one another extending below the bracket  30  as well. Each pair  32  and  38  of bent L-shaped portions forms a slot for receiving the protruding end  22  of the wheel holders  20  that were previously described. 
   Two through-holes  33 ,  35  pass through mid-portions of the horizontal planar portion  31  of the bracket  30  and can be used for attaching the bracket  30  to the U-bar clamp  60  and retainer clip  40 . The sides  34 ,  36  of the main bracket  30  can be bent so that the sockets  32 ,  38  formed by the pairs of bent L-shaped portions  32 ,  38  are located within channels below the depth formed by the sides  34 ,  36 . 
     FIG. 28  is a top perspective view of the retainer clip  40  for use with main bracket  30  of the preceding figures.  FIG. 29  is a side view of the retainer clip  40  of  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 30  is an end view of the retainer clip  40  of  FIG. 29 .  FIG. 31  is a bottom view of the retainer clip  40  of  FIGS. 28-29 .  FIG. 32  is a top view of the retainer clip  40  of  FIGS. 28-30 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 28-32 , retainer clip  40  can include a narrow elongated portion  41  having opposite ends that have generally narrow sharp tip ends. One end can include an angled edge  42  that rises from the narrow tip to a flat apex portion  42 F, and a vertical wall catch portion  44 , wherein the angled edge  42  and vertical wall portion  44  have a generally right angle appearance. The opposite end can include an angled edge  48  that rises from the narrow tip to a flat apex portion  48 F, and a vertical wall catch portion  46 , wherein the angled edge  48  and vertical wall portion  46  also have a generally right angle appearance. Cylinder portions  43 ,  45  (having through-holes therethrough) each can have a height greater than that of the vertical wall portions  44 ,  46 , and can be positioned generally along a midportion of the narrow elongated portion  41  of the clip  40 . 
   An assembly of the components will now be described. Initially an assembler can take two main brackets  30  and attach each underneath the radiator unit  10  by the U-bar clamps  60 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 A- 8 C,  9 ,  10 ,  13 ,  16 ,  24 - 27 , the U-bar clamps  60  can be hung from the lower horizontal support member  14  of the radiator in locations between the heat exchanger fins on the unit so that threaded ends  62 ,  64  of the clamps  60  hang downward below the lower surface  12  of the unit  10 . The main brackets  30  are positioned so that the threaded ends  62 ,  64  of the U-bar clamps pass into the through-holes  33 ,  35  of the brackets  30  so that the horizontal planar surface  31  of the brackets abuts against the bottom surface portions  12  of the unit. Next, the cylinder portions  43 ,  45  of the retainer clip  40  are slid over the threaded ends  62 ,  64  of the clamps  60  so that the triangle portions  42 ,  44 , and  48 ,  46  are oriented upward between the channel forming sides  34 ,  36  of the main brackets  30 . Finally, the wing nuts  50  rotated onto the threaded ends  62 ,  64  of the U-bar clamps  60  and tightened down until the retainer clip  40  and main bracket  30  are fixably attached to the undersurface  12  of the unit  10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  5 A,  8 A- 8 C,  9 ,  11 ,  12 ,  14 , and  15 ,  17 ,  18  the protruding ends  22  of the wheel holders  20  can be slid in the direction of arrow S 1  so that wedge shaped tip  24  on the protruding end  22  wedges against angled edge  42  on retainer clip  40  until the slot  23  on the protruding end  22  passes over the vertical wall portion  44  and catches the wheel holder  20  to the main bracket  30 . This action can slightly bend the triangle portion  42 ,  44  causing a snap action when the slot passes over the vertical wall portion  44 . The wheel holders  20  can equally attach to opposite triangle end portions  48 ,  46  in a similar manner. 
   To disassemble, a user can physically push upward on flat apex portion  42 F of each triangle portion  42 ,  44  on the retainer clip  40  and slide the wheel holders out in a direction opposite to that of arrow S 1 . Similarly, wheel holders  20  can be removed from opposite triangle end portions  48 ,  46  in a similar manner. The remaining components (main brackets  30 , retainer clips  40  and U-bar clamps  60  can be removed following directions opposite to the assembly directions previously described. 
   Second Embodiment 
     FIG. 33  is a front end and right side perspective view of an environmental control unit  10  such as a portable radiator, with snapable wheel holders  70  of a second embodiment that attaches to the second embodiment main bracket  80 .  FIG. 34  is a bottom perspective view of  FIG. 33  showing the second embodiment main bracket  80  and snapable wheel holders  70 .  FIG. 35  is a side view of  FIG. 33  showing the U-bar clamp  60  attached to main bracket  80  and wheel holder  70 .  FIG. 36  is a front end view of  FIG. 33 . 
     FIG. 37  is another view of  FIG. 33  with snapable wheel holder  70  removed from the unit  10 .  FIG. 37A  is an enlarged view of one snapable wheel holder  70  of  FIG. 37  separated from the unit  10 . The wheel holder  70  includes a main horizontal support member  71  with a male end  72  protruding in a horizontal direction therefrom having a rearwardly facing tab (triangular side shape) with sloping upward top surface  73  with an outer end forming a vertical wall type catch  76 . Similar to the first embodiment, male protruding end  72  can slide in the direction of arrow S 1  and in this embodiment can lock onto the second embodiment main bracket which is shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 40A-40C ,  42 ,  43 - 55 . A pivotable fastener  75  such as but not limited to a bolt with plural nuts and washers, can attach the main horizontal support member  71  to the wheel/caster shield cover  77  so that the shield cover  77  can pivot relative to the support member  71 . The shield cover can rotatably support wheel(s)/caster(s)  78  inside that allow the unit  10  to roll over various floor surfaces. 
     FIG. 38  is a bottom view of the second embodiment with wheels  78  tilted relative to the unit  10 .  FIG. 39  is a top view of the second embodiment of  FIG. 38  showing how the attached snappable wheel holder(s)  70  while attached to main brackets  80  extend out perpendicular to both sides of unit  10 . In a preferred embodiment, two main brackets  80  can be attached beneath the unit  10 , and a total of four snapable wheel holders  70  can attach to the brackets  80  to rollably support the unit  10  over a floor surface. 
     FIG. 40A  is a partial cross-sectional view of a single snapable wheel holder  70  with protruding end  72  of  FIG. 39  spaced apart from the unit  10 , and to be moved in the direction of arrow S 1  into the slot end  82  of the main bracket  80 , the latter of which will be described in greater detail in reference to  FIGS. 42-48  and  56 - 59 .  FIG. 40B  is another view of  FIG. 40A  showing the protruding end of the wheel holder  70  starting to be inserted into a socket  82  of the main bracket  80  underneath the unit  10 . In  FIG. 40B , the upwardly sloping top surface of the tab  73  causes the tab to be pushed down as the protruding end  72  is being inserted into the slot  82  of the main bracket  80 .  FIG. 40C  is another view of  FIG. 40A  showing the protruding end  72  of the wheel holder  70  snappably attached within the socket end  82  of the main bracket  80  on the unit  10 , where the vertical wall portion  76  is caught to lock within an opening  89  in the horizontal planar portion  81  of the bracket  80 . As shown the retainer clip  40  used in the first embodiment is not needed here. 
     FIG. 41  is an enlarged side view of  FIG. 35  showing a single wheel holder  70  attached to the main bracket  80  on the unit  10  and another wheel holder  70  unattached from the unit  10 . 
     FIG. 42  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 33  of the snapable wheel holders  70  and brackets  80  and U-bar clamps  60  (each with threaded ends  62 ,  64 ), wing nuts  50 . 
     FIG. 43  is an upper enlarged view of the main bracket  80  with attached U-bar clamp  60  attached to snapable wheel holders  70 .  FIG. 44  is another view of  FIG. 43  with snapable wheel holders  70  separated from the main bracket  80 .  FIG. 45  is an exploded view of the components of  FIGS. 43-44  separated from one another. 
     FIG. 46  is a lower view of the main bracket  80  with attached attached U-bar clamp  60  attached to snapable wheel holders  70  of  FIG. 43 .  FIG. 47  is a lower view of the snapable wheel holders  70  separated from the main bracket  80  of  FIG. 44 .  FIG. 48  is a lower exploded view of the components of  FIG. 45 . 
     FIG. 49  is a top perspective view of a single snapable wheel holder  70  and wheel(s)  78 .  FIG. 50  is bottom perspective view of the snapable wheel holder  70  and wheel(s)  78  of  FIG. 49 .  FIG. 51  is a front view of the snapable wheel holder  70  and wheel(s)  78  of  FIGS. 49-50 .  FIG. 52  is a side view of the snapable wheel holder  70  and wheel(s)  78  of  FIG. 51 .  FIG. 53  is rear view of the snapable wheel holder  70  and wheel(s)  78  of  FIGS. 51-52 .  FIG. 54  is a bottom view of the snapable wheel holder  70  and wheel(s)  78  of  FIGS. 51-53 .  FIG. 55  is a top view of the snapable wheel holder  70  and wheel(s)  78  of  FIGS. 51-54 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 49-55 , a single wheel holder  70  can have a main horizontal support member  71  with a male end  72  protruding in a horizontal direction therefrom having a rearwardly facing tab (triangular side shape) with sloping upward top surface  73  with an outer end forming a vertical wall type catch  76 . Similar to the first embodiment, male protruding end  72  can slide in the direction of arrow S 1  and in this embodiment can lock onto the second embodiment main bracket which is shown and described in relation to  FIGS. 40A-40C ,  42 ,  43 - 55 . A pivotable fastener  75  such as but not limited to a bolt with plural nuts and washers, can attach the main horizontal support member  71  to the wheel/caster shield cover  77  so that the shield cover  77  can pivot relative to the support member  71 . 
   The shield cover can rotatably support wheel(s)/caster(s)  78  inside that allow the unit  10  to roll over various floor surfaces. A preferred embodiment can have a pair of disc type wheels  78  attached to one another by an axle  79 , that can snap into a standard clip (not shown) inside of the shield cover  77 . Alternatively, a caster type wheel such as a ball can be rotatably supported underneath the shield cover  77 . 
   The horizontal support member  71  with a male end  72  protruding therefrom and tab  73 ,  76  can be formed from premolded plastic, and the like, and the shield cover  77  and wheel(s)/caster(s)  78  can be formed from plastic. Alternatively, these pieces can all be formed from metal. Still furthermore, these pieces can be formed from any combination of plastic and metal, and the like. 
     FIG. 56  is a top perspective view of the main bracket  80  used for attaching the wheel holders  70  thereto of the preceding figures for the second embodiment.  FIG. 57  is a top view of the main bracket  80  of  FIG. 56 .  FIG. 58  is an end view of the main bracket  80  of  FIGS. 56-57 .  FIG. 59  is a side view of the main bracket  80  of  FIGS. 56-58 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 56-59 , main bracket  80  can have a horizontal planar portion  81 , a first end  82  having a pair of bent L-shaped portions facing one another extending below one end of the bracket  80 . On an opposite second end  88  of the bracket  80  can be another pair of bent L-shaped portions facing one another extending below the bracket  80  as well. Each pair  82  and  88  of bent L-shaped portions forms a slot for receiving the protruding end  72  of the wheel holders  20  that were previously described. The cut-out formed in the planar surface  81  by the bent L-shaped portions, form openings for catching the vertical wall  76  of the bendable tab  73 . 
   Two through-holes  83 ,  85  pass through mid-portions of the horizontal planar portion  81  of the bracket  80  and can be used for attaching the bracket  80  to the U-bar clamp  60 . The sides  84 ,  86  of the main bracket  80  can be bent so that the sockets  82 ,  88  formed by the pairs of bent L-shaped portions  82 ,  88  are located within channels below the depth formed by the sides  84 ,  86 . 
   An assembly of the components will now be described. Initially an assembler can take two main brackets  80  and attach each underneath the radiator unit  10  by the U-bar clamps  60 . Referring to  FIGS. 34 ,  35 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40 A- 40 C,  41 ,  42 ,  45 ,  48 ,  56 - 59  the U-bar clamps  60  can be hung from the lower horizontal support member  14  of the radiator in locations between the heat exchanger fins on the unit so that threaded ends  62 ,  64  of the clamps  60  hang downward below the lower surface  12  of the unit  10 . The main brackets  80  are positioned so that the threaded ends  62 ,  64  of the U-bar clamps pass into the through-holes  83 ,  85  of the brackets  30  so that the horizontal planar surface  31  of the brackets abuts against the bottom surface portions  12  of the unit. Finally, the wing nuts  50  rotated onto the threaded ends  62 ,  64  of the U-bar clamps  60  and tightened down until the main bracket  80  is fixably attached to the undersurface  12  of the unit  10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 37 ,  37 A,  40 A- 40 C,  41 ,  43 - 48 ,  49 - 55 , the protruding ends  72  of the wheel holders  70  can be slid in the direction of arrow S 1  so that wedge shaped tip  74  on the protruding end  72  wedges into slot  82 . As the protruding end  72  of the wheel holder  70  slides into slot  82  of the bracket  80 , the sloping upward top surface  73  of the tab causes the tab to bend down, and then snap upward into catch opening  89  in planar portion  81  of the bracket  80 . The wheel holders  80  can equally attach to opposite end slots  88  of the bracket  80  in a similar manner. 
   To disassemble, a user can physically push upward on the tab portion  73  on the wheel holder  70 , and then the wheel holder can be slid out in a direction opposite to that of arrow S 1 . The remaining components (main brackets  30 , retainer clips  40  and U-bar clamps  60  can be removed following directions opposite to the assembly directions previously described. 
   While some pieces of the invention have been described as being made of plastic, and metal, the invention can be used with all plastic, all metal and different combinations thereof, and different types of materials as well. 
   Although the invention describes a separate bracket attached beneath the environmental control unit, the bracket can be pre-formed or molded into the unit itself. For example, attachment portions can be pre-molded or preformed underneath the environmental control unit, or are built into lower side edges of the environmental control unit as needed. 
   While the invention describes having a protruding end on the wheel holders, the bracket can have protruding members which mateable and snapably attach to slots on the wheel holders. Thus, the invention can be practiced by having snapable members and slots on opposite components to those described in reference to the drawings. 
   Although the drawings show the invention for use with a radiator, the invention can be used under other types of heaters, and also under other types of fans, and the like. Additionally, the invention can be used under cabinets, boxes, and the like, that have similar needs to be mobile, turned, and have the wheels be small and removable, and easily attachable when needed. 
   While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8