Patent Description:
The invention particularly, though in a non-exclusive manner, involves the field of bracket-like fixing devices for supporting the exchange groups for air-conditioning plants.

In this context, it is known that the heat exchanger groups, which are used in the air-conditioning plants and which supply the diffusors which are provided in the surrounding areas of the buildings to be air-conditioned, have to be arranged and supported outside the buildings or in any case relocated to such a position as to communicate with the exterior.

Furthermore, it is typical that the formation of the buildings requires that these exchangers, in addition to being positioned on terraces and/or roofs, be suspended on the external walls of the buildings or on walls near balconies and windows which are directed towards the exterior of a building so as to allow a suitable heat exchange.

In order to fix these exchangers to the walls, the widespread use of typically L-shaped brackets which have such dimensions as to have suitable robustness is well-known, a pair of these brackets normally being sufficient, which brackets are fixed both directly to the walls and to guides which in turn are fixed to the walls.

These brackets are further provided with openings which define the seats for inserting fixing screws with which the equipment can be secured to the brackets themselves.

A known type provides for the brackets to be made from metal material, wherein each of the bracket portions which form the L-shaped formation is configured with a U-shaped cross-section which is suitable for providing the member of the bracket with adequate resistance to the loads applied.

In brackets of this configuration, the bracket portion which is provided for supporting and fixing the equipment item on the bracket which under operating conditions is arranged horizontally is provided with slot-like through-holes, in which the fixing screws are inserted. Typically, these screws are inserted in the slot-like holes in an upward direction so as to engage with the anchoring extension pieces of the equipment and to allow the locking nut to be screwed from above on the threaded shank of the screw.

One of the limitations encountered in these solutions involves the fact that the locking screws have to be retained in position by the fitter until the locking nut is screwed on, otherwise there is the risk of the screw leaving and consequently falling out. Considering that the anchoring of the equipment items to the bracket is often brought about at significant heights above the ground and in disadvantageous positions for the fitter, the application of the locking screws often complicates the operations of fixing the equipment item to the support bracket. Patent document <CIT>-A describes a L-shaped support bracket comprising a protection member underneath the lower bracket portion.

The invention is directed towards these types of brackets and the main object is to provide a support bracket for equipment items, in particular air-conditioning plant units, which is structurally and functionally configured to overcome the limitations set out and so as to make the steps of anchoring the equipment items to the support brackets simple, rapid and convenient for the fitter.

This object and other objects which will be clearly appreciated below are achieved by the invention by means of a support bracket of the above-mentioned type, which has the features of the appended independent claim <NUM>. The dependent claims relate to features of preferred embodiments of the support bracket according to the present invention.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bracket comprises a first bracket portion and a second bracket portion which are arranged for anchoring the bracket to a wall and for supporting and fixing the equipment to the bracket, respectively, the first and second bracket portions being able to be secured to each other in an operating condition, in which they assume an L-shaped configuration suitable for supporting the equipment, there being defined on the second bracket portion a surface portion which is intended for supporting the equipment, the surface portion being provided with at least one through-opening which is in the form of an elongate slot, for engaging in a sliding manner with at least one respective screw type clamping member which is intended to anchor the equipment on the corresponding bracket, the bracket comprising, in the region of the at least one through-opening, a guide and abutment element which can be fixedly joined to the second bracket portion in a position below the surface portion and which is able to abut the screw type member when the screw type member is inserted in the opening so as to prevent the screw type member from falling out of the opening.

Preferably, the slot-like opening has an elongate formation in a main longitudinal direction and the guide and abutment element extends longitudinally in the direction at a predetermined distance from the slot-like opening.

Preferably, the through-opening is widened in the region of at least one of the opposite longitudinal ends thereof so as to allow the insertion of a head of the screw type clamping member at the side of the surface portion and the retention of the head in sliding engagement along the slotted portion of the opening. Preferably, the guide and abutment element is fixedly joined to the second bracket portion by means of co-moulding.

Preferably, the second bracket portion is made from a metal material and the guide and abutment element is constructed by co-moulding from plastics material on the second bracket portion.

Preferably, the guide and abutment element comprises a beam which extends parallel with the longitudinal development direction of the through-opening and which is configured to abut, with supporting contact, at least one surface portion of the head of the screw type clamping member.

Preferably, the guide and abutment element comprises a pair of opposing lateral walls which extend parallel with and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal development direction of the opening and which are capable of abutting corresponding opposite lateral surfaces of the head of the screw type member in order to retain the head in the opening with sliding engagement, preventing the head from rotating about its own axis.

Preferably, the guide and abutment element comprises a box-shaped member which has a base which is surrounded by a peripheral wall and a plurality of extension pieces which rise externally from the wall for connecting the guide and abutment element to the second bracket portion.

Preferably, the peripheral wall comprises two wall portions which are parallel with and spaced apart from each other and between which the head of the screw type member is slidingly guided, with limited connection play, without any substantial possibility of rotation about its own axis, the base of the box-shaped member abutting the head of the screw type member, preventing the screw type member from leaving once inserted in the slot-like opening.

Preferably, the extension pieces have respective free ends which are configured to engage in an interlocking manner with corresponding holes which are formed in the second bracket portion.

Preferably, the second bracket portion is made from metal material and the box-shaped member is made from a plastics material or metal material.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be better appreciated from the following detailed description of a number of preferred embodiments thereof which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:.

Initially with reference to <FIG>, there is generally designated <NUM> a first embodiment of a support bracket for equipment items, typically air-conditioning plant units (not illustrated), which is constructed according to the present invention.

Normally, there is provision for a pair of brackets <NUM> to be provided in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship with suitable relative spacing in order to define the support and fixing surfaces of the equipment, even if different configurations are alternatively possible.

The bracket <NUM> comprises a first and a second portion which are designated <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, and which are configured to be secured to each other at converging ends thereof in order to assume a square configuration which substantially extends in an L-like manner and which is suitable for performing the support function for the equipment.

The securing system between the bracket portions <NUM>, <NUM> may provide for using locking screws which are engaged in through-holes which are formed, in a corresponding position, on both bracket portions, for example, with the configuration shown in <FIG>. Other blocking systems of the bracket portions or articulation portions with blocking in the extended L-shaped position are possible in any case. The inventive concept forming the basis of the invention is further also applicable to support brackets in which the first portion and second portion <NUM>, <NUM> are integral with each other, in a one-piece formation of the support bracket.

The first bracket portion <NUM> therefore forms the vertical upright of the bracket which is provided for anchoring it, either directly to the wall or by means of coupling to a guiding cross-member (not illustrated) which is in turn fixed to the wall, while the second portion <NUM> forms the horizontal arm of the bracket which is provided for supporting and fixing the equipment on the bracket.

Each of the bracket portions <NUM> and <NUM> extends in a respective main longitudinal extent direction which is designated Y for the bracket portion <NUM> and X for the bracket portion <NUM>, the bracket portion <NUM> extending between opposite longitudinal ends 3a, 3b.

There is defined on the second bracket portion <NUM> a surface portion <NUM> which extends between the ends 3a, 3b and which is intended to support and anchor the equipment item on the bracket.

The bracket <NUM> is advantageously made from metal material and is U-shaped in cross-section, wherein the surface portion <NUM> forms the upper connection wall of the opposite lateral sides which are designated 4a, 4b.

In order to anchor the equipment item to the bracket, the surface portion <NUM> is further provided with at least one respective through-opening <NUM> which is in the form of an elongate slot parallel with the direction X for slidingly engaging with at least one screw type clamping member which is generally designated <NUM> and which is provided to lock the equipment item on the corresponding bracket.

In a preferred form, which is shown in the Figures of this embodiment, the surface portion <NUM> is provided with two openings <NUM> which are aligned with each other with predetermined spacing in the X direction, each opening being able to be engaged with a corresponding screw type member <NUM>. As a result of their structural identity, only one of the openings <NUM> will be described in detail below, it therefore being understood that this description may refer equally well to each of the openings provided.

In each opening <NUM>, the elongate slot which delimits the opening leads, at one of the opposite ends of the slot, into a widened portion 5a of the opening, the extent of which is such as to allow a head <NUM> of the screw type clamping member <NUM> to be inserted and to extend through the opening. In an additional embodiment, in accordance with specific requirements, there may be provision for a respective widened portion 5a to be present in each of the longitudinal ends of the opening <NUM>.

In greater detail, the screw type member <NUM> is provided with an externally threaded shank <NUM> which extends from the head <NUM> and which is provided to be engaged in a screwing manner, for example, by a locking nut (not illustrated) which is suitable for ensuring the locking of the equipment item against the support bracket.

According to a main feature of the invention, the bracket <NUM> comprises, in the region of the through-opening <NUM>, a guide and abutment element which is designated <NUM> and which can be fixedly joined to the second bracket portion <NUM>, being arranged mainly in a position under the surface portion <NUM> and being able to abut the screw type member <NUM> when the member is inserted in the opening <NUM> so as to prevent the screw type member from falling out of the opening itself. In one embodiment, the guide and abutment element <NUM> is fixedly joined to the second bracket portion <NUM> by means of co-moulding on the bracket portion <NUM> in the region of the slot-like opening <NUM>.

<FIG> shows one of the guide and abutment elements <NUM>, for reasons of clarity, in a position spaced apart from the bracket, but in reality it is fixedly joined to the bracket following the co-moulding process with plastics material on the metal portion <NUM> of the bracket. By means of the co-moulding, the plastics material injected in the region both of the upper side and of the lower side of the surface portion <NUM>, along the peripheral edge of the slot-like opening, forms the guide and abutment element in a single piece which is fixedly joined to the second bracket portion in a secure manner.

Alternatively, there may be provision for the guide and abutment element <NUM> to be constructed in two pieces which are different from each other and which are configured to be secured to each other, for example, with interlocking connection, in the region of the opening <NUM> so as to remain fixedly joined to the bracket.

The guide and abutment element <NUM> comprises a beam <NUM> which extends parallel with the longitudinal development direction X of the opening <NUM>, at a preselected distance from the opening, in a position under the opening, so as to abut, with supporting contact, at least one surface portion of the head <NUM> of the screw type member when the member is inserted in the opening at the upper side, as will be shown clearly below.

The beam <NUM> extends between the opposite longitudinal ends of the opening <NUM> and in the region of the widened portion 5a, it is extended into a base 11a under the widened portion and with substantially the same surface extent.

The guide and abutment element <NUM> further comprises a pair of opposite side walls 12a, 12b which extend parallel with and spaced apart from each other in the direction X in the zone under the surface portion <NUM> of the bracket, at the sides of the beam <NUM>.

The walls 12a, 12b are configured to abut corresponding opposite lateral surfaces 8a, 8b of the head <NUM> of the screw type member in such a manner that the head, once inserted in the slot-like opening <NUM>, is retained with sliding engagement without any possibility of substantial rotation about the main individual axis designated Z.

The head <NUM> of the screw type member is advantageously formed as a co-moulded member on the threaded shank <NUM>. In one embodiment, there may be provision for using a screw, the threaded shank <NUM> of which extends from a metal head, of conventional shape, for example, with a polygonal profile, and on which the head <NUM> made of plastics material is co-moulded.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the head <NUM> of the screw type member has a central core <NUM>, from which a pair of opposite wings 14a, 14b extend, each one carrying the corresponding lateral surface 8a, 8b. These lateral surfaces 8a, 8b have respective planar profiles and the distance between the surfaces is selected so that they are in abutment, in sliding contact with limited connection play, with the respective walls 12a, 12b of the guide and abutment element in order to ensure sliding engagement of the head inside the slot-like opening, preventing the rotation thereof about the individual axis Z.

During operation, the screw type member is connected to the bracket by inserting the head <NUM> from above inside the widened portion 5a of the slot-like opening <NUM>. Once the head is inserted, it is retained in sliding engagement along the slot (abutted by the surface portion <NUM> and the walls 12a, 12b of the guide and abutment element) without leaving the opening <NUM> at the bottom as a result of the vertical fall prevention support applied by the beam <NUM> of the guide and abutment element. The head of the screw is in fact supported by the supporting abutment against the beam which extends in the lower region. In this manner, as long as the screw type member is not locked in a screwed manner with the locking nut, in order to lock the equipment item on the support bracket, the screw type member remains retained inside the slot-like opening with the shank projecting at the upper side and the head received and supported by the guide and abutment element in a freely slidable manner inside the slot-like opening. With reference to <FIG>, there is designated <NUM> a second embodiment of the support rod according to the invention, in which similar details to those of the preceding embodiment are denoted with the same reference numerals.

This embodiment differs from the preceding one mainly in that the guide and abutment element which is designated <NUM> comprises a box-shaped member 25a which has a base <NUM> which is surrounded by a peripheral wall <NUM>. The formation of the base reflects the form of the opening <NUM> and has an elongate zone which terminates in a widened end zone. There are designated <NUM> a plurality of extension pieces which rise externally from the wall <NUM>, projecting transversely in order to act as coupling elements for the box-shaped member with respect to the second bracket portion.

To this end, the lateral wings 4a, 4b of the second bracket portion <NUM> are provided with through-holes <NUM> which are able to be engaged in an interlocking manner with the respective free ends of the extension pieces <NUM>. With this coupling system, the box-shaped member 25a is fixedly joined to the second bracket portion <NUM> in the zone under the surface portion <NUM>, with the base <NUM> arranged in the region of the opening <NUM> at a predetermined distance therefrom.

There are designated 26a through-holes which are formed in the base <NUM> for the purpose of discharging any accumulations of water or stagnating water inside the box-shaped member.

There are defined in the wall <NUM> two wall portions which are parallel with and spaced apart from each other and between which the head <NUM> of the screw type member is slidingly guided, with limited connection play, without any substantial possibility of rotation about its own axis Z. With such a configuration, the base <NUM> of the box-shaped member 25a abuts the head <NUM> of the screw type member in a supporting manner, preventing the screw type member from leaving the slot-like opening <NUM> once inserted in the opening from above through the widened portion 5a of the opening itself.

Preferably, the bracket of this second embodiment of the invention is also made from metal material and the box-shaped member 25a is preferably made from plastics material.

The head <NUM> of the screw type member <NUM> is preferably obtained by co-moulding plastics material on the metal threaded shank <NUM>.

The head <NUM> of the screw type member is advantageously in the form of a co-moulded member on the threaded shank <NUM>. In one embodiment, there may be provision for using a screw, the threaded shank <NUM> of which extends from a metal head, of conventional shape, for example, with a polygonal profile, and on which the head <NUM> made of plastics material is co-moulded.

The head <NUM> of the screw type member has, behind the attachment of the threaded shank <NUM>, two opposing lowered surface portions 30a, 30b which are able to abut the respective and opposing edges of the slot-like opening <NUM> when the head <NUM> of the screw type member is received in the opening in a sliding manner.

There are defined in the head <NUM> of the screw type member a pair of opposing surfaces 31a, 31b with a planar profile, which are parallel with each other and the spacing of which is selected so that they are abutted, with limited connection play, by the respective walls <NUM> of the guide and abutment element in order to ensure sliding engagement of the head inside the box-shaped member, preventing the rotation thereof about the individual axis Z.

The operation is generally similar to the operation described in the preceding embodiment.

The screw type member <NUM> is connected to the bracket by inserting the head <NUM> from above inside the widened portion 5a of the slot-like opening <NUM>. Once the head is inserted, it is retained in sliding engagement along the slot without leaving the opening <NUM> at the bottom as a result of the vertical fall prevention support applied by the box-shaped member of the guide and abutment element. The head of the screw is in fact supported by the supporting abutment against the box-shaped member which is located in the lower region. In this manner, as long as the screw type member is not locked in a screwed manner with the locking nut, in order to lock the equipment item on the support bracket, the screw type member remains retained inside the slot-like opening with the shank projecting at the upper side and the head received and supported by the guide and abutment element in a freely slidable manner inside the slot-like opening. <FIG> illustrate another variant of the second bracket portion <NUM>, in which similar details to those of the preceding embodiments are denoted with the same reference numerals.

In this variant, there is provision for each guide and abutment element to comprise a respective member <NUM> which is elongate in the direction X and which is fixedly joined to the surface bracket portion <NUM>, in which the main portion of the member projects in the upper region beyond the profile of the surface portion.

There is provided in each member <NUM> a longitudinal slot <NUM> which extends in the longitudinal direction X and inside which the head <NUM> of the screw type member <NUM> is received and retained in sliding engagement.

In this embodiment, the screw type member has a formation which substantially corresponds to the formation described in the preceding embodiment of <FIG>, to which reference may be made for any further details.

The slot <NUM> is provided with opposing longitudinal edges <NUM> which delimit the opening of the slot and which project towards the internal cavity of the slot itself and against which the corresponding surfaces which form the opposing lowered surface portions 30a, 30b of the head <NUM> are in abutment so that the head, once slidingly inserted in the slot, is guided in the longitudinal direction X without any possibility of leaving the slot transversely relative to this direction.

Furthermore, as a result of the connection between the lateral walls of the slot and the respective and opposing surfaces 31a,b of the head <NUM>, the screw type member is slidingly guided in the slot <NUM> without any substantial possibility of rotating about the individual axis Z.

At one of the opposing longitudinal ends thereof, the slot <NUM> is closed by a wall <NUM> which stops the sliding travel of the screw type member along the slot.

Advantageously, the member <NUM> of the guide and abutment element is constructed by means of co-moulding a plastics material on the surface portion <NUM> of the second bracket portion, the bracket portion preferably being made from metal material.

If the second bracket portion <NUM> is provided with the through-openings <NUM>, the co-moulding of the member <NUM> in the region of this opening allows the member <NUM> to be securely anchored to the surface portion <NUM>, both at the internal side and at the external side thereof, in the region of the opposing peripheral edges of the through-opening <NUM>, as clearly shown in the sectional views of <FIG>.

In the embodiment described, there is preferably provision for the bracket portion <NUM> to be provided with a pair of members <NUM> which are arranged in alignment with each other and with spacing in the longitudinal direction X, each of which is able to retain a respective screw type member in the corresponding slot with sliding engagement.

The invention thereby achieves the objectives set out, affording the advantages set out with respect to the known solutions.

A main advantage is that, according to the invention, the screw type clamping members can be retained in position in the slot-like through-openings of the brackets until the time when the respective locking nuts are screwed without requiring any intervention by the fitter, preventing the screws from falling out of the slot-like openings, thereby making the locking operations easier for the fitter.

Another advantage is that, in the brackets according to the invention, the screw type clamping members are slidingly retained in the slot-like openings, before the locking, without the screw being able to rotate freely about the individual axis, making the locking operations of the locking nuts against the brackets easier for the fitter.

Claim 1:
A support bracket for equipment, in particular units for air-conditioning plants, comprising a first bracket portion and a second bracket portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) which are arranged for anchoring the bracket to a wall and for supporting and fixing the equipment to the bracket, respectively, the first and second bracket portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) being able to be secured to each other in an operating condition, in which they assume an L-shaped configuration suitable for supporting the equipment, there being defined on the second bracket portion (<NUM>) a surface portion (<NUM>) which is intended for supporting the equipment, the surface portion (<NUM>) being provided with at least one through-opening (<NUM>) which is in the form of an elongate slot, for engaging in a sliding manner with at least one respective screw type clamping member (<NUM>) which is intended to anchor the equipment on the corresponding bracket, characterised in that it comprises, in the region of the at least one through-opening (<NUM>), an abutment element (<NUM>; <NUM>) which can be fixedly joined to the second bracket portion (<NUM>) in a position below the surface portion (<NUM>) and which is able to abut the screw type member (<NUM>) when the screw type member is inserted in the opening (<NUM>) so as to prevent the screw type member (<NUM>) from falling out of the opening (<NUM>).