Patent ID: 12241642

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that a window air conditioning unit and/or retention bracket is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the exemplary drawings. The described embodiments are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to direct physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Turning now to the drawings and in particularFIGS.1-9, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views, one or more retention brackets30in accordance with various embodiments may be used for a window air conditioning unit18mounted in a window assembly10. The type, size, and shape of the window air conditioning unit18may be varied while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, as shown in theFIGS.1-9, the window air conditioning unit18may be U-shaped with a window slot20between an outdoor portion21, which is disposed outside of a room, and an indoor portion23, which is disposed inside of the room. The indoor portion23and the outdoor portion21may be spaced apart from each other to define a window slot20slidably receiving a window sash12. The window slot20may allow the window assembly10to be closed (e.g. one or more second positions) into the overall casing structure24of the window air conditioning unit18. The overall casing structure or housing24may be the outer casing perimeter adapted to enclose all the components of the window air conditioning unit18, including but not limited to, the evaporator coil, the condenser coil, the compressor, the fan, the motor, etc. In the embodiments shown, the casing/housing24may include two main components; a casing for the indoor portion23and a casing for the outdoor portion21. The indoor portion23and the outdoor portion21may define at least a portion of the window slot/groove20. The window slot20may receive (e.g. slidably) the window sash12and/or retention bracket30, or portions thereof. The window slot20may include a bottom wall or surface22and opposing side walls25of the indoor portion23and the outdoor portion21, respectively, extending upwardly towards the top of the housing24(e.g. outdoor portion, indoor portion) and/or top opening26. The opposing side walls25may face inwardly and away from the indoor portion23and outdoor portion21. The window slot20may be U shaped with a top opening26connecting opposing lateral openings27.

In some embodiments, as best shown inFIGS.1,2,8, and9the window assembly10may include a vertically operable window sash12, a horizontal windowsill14, and a pair of vertical side window tracks16for slidably receiving the vertical side faces12a,12bof the window sash12. Thus, the window sash12may be vertically slid up and down by a user within the window slot20. The window sash12may include an indoor side/face12cand an outdoor side/face12dinterconnecting the side faces12a,12band bottom side/face12e. Basically, any size window is acceptable, but ideally, the window assembly10may be a standard double hung window with a width of approximately 22 to 36 inches and a height of approximately 13.5 inches.

In some embodiments, the window air conditioning unit18may be installed upon the horizontal windowsill14of the window assembly10and the retention bracket30may help support the window air conditioning unit18within the window assembly10. In some embodiments, the retention bracket30may be engaged to or disengaged from the window sash12. The retention bracket30may engage/receive the bottom edge (e.g. one or more sides adjacent the bottom) of the window sash12. For example, the retention bracket30, or portion thereof, may engage the indoor side12c, the outdoor side12d, and/or bottom side12eof the window sash. As shown in the one embodiment, the retention bracket30may engage at least the indoor side12cand the bottom side12eof the window sash12. The retention bracket30may include one or more securement mechanisms or fasteners38. One or more fasteners38(e.g. screw, bolt, clips), if used, may affix the retention bracket30(e.g. one or more portions thereof) to the window sash12. For example, the fastener38may be affixed when the retention bracket30is in the first position engaging/receiving the window sash12. The fastener may be affixed to the indoor side12cas shown or to one or more portions of the window sash12.

In some embodiments, there may be also at least one sealing member to close off the remaining gap between the lowered window sash12, retention bracket30, lateral sides of the bottom wall22/housing24, and/or the horizontal windowsill14after installation. The sealing member, if used, may be, for example, in an elongated rectangular configuration and made from material suitable for sealing window gaps, for example, foam. In some embodiments, the sealing member may be installed on both sides of the window air conditioning unit18or window slot20.

As mentioned above, the retention bracket30may be used to minimize the risk of the window air conditioning unit18falling or tipping from the window assembly10during installation, after installation, and/or removal due to external forces acting on the unit.FIGS.3and4illustrates the retention bracket30comprising one or more members. As shown in the one embodiment, the retention bracket30may be elongated in the horizontal direction in a variety of sliding/vertical positions (e.g. first, second, etc.). Although the retention bracket30is shown as a single construction, the retention bracket may include a plurality of pieces or parts, each having one or more members moving together or separately between positions. The retention bracket30is configured to engage the window sash12(e.g. bottom edge, bottom side, indoor side, and/or outdoor side) thereby reducing tipping, lateral movement, and/or the impact of external forces on the unit. The window sash12may be positioned on top of, received, or slid into engagement with the retention bracket30, or portions thereof, at one or more elevations of the retention bracket30and/or window sash12. The retention bracket30may include at least a member/wall31(e.g. bottom) that may engage the bottom side12eof the window sash12. The retention bracket30or bottom wall31may include one or more members (e.g. first32a, second32b) projecting upwardly therefrom. The one or more members (e.g.32a,32b) upwardly projecting from the bottom wall31may engage one or more portions of the window sash12(e.g. bottom side, one or more faces interconnected to the bottom side). The first member32a, if used, may be adjacent the indoor side of the bottom wall31. The second member32b, if used, may be adjacent the outdoor side of the bottom wall31. The retention bracket or members may be elongated and define a channel32. Although the channel32and/or opposing ends of the bracket30are shown as open, in some embodiments the channel/end(s)s may be closed. The retention bracket30, or portions thereof, may be positioned within the window slot20in one or more positions (e.g. first, second, etc.) thereof. The retention bracket30may be fabricated of, but is not limited to, an essentially rigid material, for example, an extruded metal such as steel or aluminum. The retention bracket30, or portions thereof may include one or more sealing engagements/mechanisms to seal against the window sash. For example, as shown, the sealing engagement may be an elastic edge (e.g. curl, end) or gasket on one or more members (e.g.32a,32b), or portions thereof.

In some implementations, the retention bracket30, or portions thereof, and/or window sash12may move/travel between at least one first position and at least one second position. The retention bracket30may move vertically relative to the housing24and/or window slot20of the window air conditioning unit18. In the one embodiment shown, the retention bracket30slides or moves along the indoor portion23and/or window slot20/housing24. The first position, seeFIG.8, may be at a higher elevation than the second position, seeFIG.9. The retention bracket30may slide between the first position and the second position in a variety of positions/elevations therebetween or orientations. The retention bracket30may be orientated substantially horizontal when sliding/moving between different elevations/positions (e.g. first, second). Alternatively, other orientations may occur during movement or may be different in one or more positions. In the one embodiment shown, the first position of the retention bracket may be adjacent the top of the housing24, top opening26, and/or window slot20. The retention bracket30, or portions thereof, may project above the window slot20or opening26when in the first position. The retention bracket30may be positioned above at least one of the indoor portion23(e.g. housing) and/or the outdoor portion21(e.g. housing). In other embodiments, the retention bracket may be recessed (e.g. entirely, fully) vertically within the window slot20in one or more positions (e.g. first position, second position). In the second/closed position, the retention bracket30and the window sash12may be adjacent to or contact the bottom wall22or bottom of the window slot20. The retention bracket30at a variety of positions (e.g. at least one first position) may engage the window sash12when it is in a variety of vertical sliding positions (e.g. at least one first position) in the window assembly10. When engaged to each other, the retention bracket and the window sash may move (e.g. vertically, slidably) together between positions. For example, from the first position to the second position, and vice versa. The window sash12may drive the retention bracket30between positions or to a position in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the retention bracket30may drive the window sash12between positions or to a position. Although the retention bracket30is shown as flush or not extending outwardly from one or more lateral openings27of the window slot20in one or more positions (e.g. first position, second position), it should be understood that the bracket or one or more opposing ends may project outwardly from the one or more lateral openings27in one or more positions (e.g. first, second) in some embodiments.

In some implementations, the retention bracket30and/or window air condition unit18may include one or more sliding mechanisms40, or portions thereof. The sliding mechanism40may allow the retention bracket30to move/slide between positions relative to the window air condition unit18, or portions thereof. The sliding mechanism40may slide the retention bracket30and/or sash12along the indoor portion23or along/within the window slot20. The sliding mechanism40may slide (e.g. vertically) the retention bracket30between two or more positions (e.g. first position, second position) with or without the window sash12. The sliding mechanism40may be positioned between or interconnect the housing24/indoor portion23and the retention bracket30. In the one embodiment shown inFIGS.3-7, the sliding mechanism40may be one or more tracks/tabs42(e.g. T shaped projections extending away from the bracket30, or portions/members thereof) slidably engaging one or more slots44(e.g. vertical). In the one embodiment shown, the retention bracket30may include one or more tracks42and the housing24/indoor portion23/window slot20may include one or more slots44. The sliding mechanism structure may be reversed between the retention bracket30and window slot20/housing24/indoor portion23in some embodiments. It should be understood that the sliding mechanism may be a variety of quantities, shapes, sizes, and constructions and still be with the scope of the invention. For example, rollers, rails, and/or slides may be used in some embodiments. Further, the sliding mechanism and/or bracket may be interconnected or slide along the outdoor portion21and/or indoor portion23in some embodiments.

In some implementations, the retention bracket30, sliding mechanism40, and/or window air conditioning unit18may include one or more biasing mechanisms50. One or more biasing mechanisms50, if used, may urge at least a portion of the retention bracket30and/or sliding mechanism40(e.g. track42) towards (e.g. upwardly, vertically) the first position (SeeFIG.5), top opening26of the window slot20, top of the housing24/window assembly10, or portions thereof. The longer the window sash12and/or retention bracket30travels (e.g. downwardly, axially) towards the bottom of the window slot20or second position (SeeFIG.7), the more force is applied by the one or more biasing mechanisms50to return the retention bracket30and/or sash12towards the first position or higher elevation. Although the one or more biasing mechanisms50may be a torsion spring52(e.g. clock spring) as shown in the one embodiment inFIGS.5and7, it should be understood that the biasing mechanism may be a variety of shapes, sizes, quantities, and constructions and still be within the scope of the invention. For example, a compression spring may be used in some embodiments. Further, the force applied by the biasing mechanism could be a constant force as the window sash12and/or bracket30travels vertically. For example, the biasing mechanism may be a constant force spring in some embodiments.

In order to affix the retention bracket30to the window sash12, or portions thereof, various securement arrangements/mechanisms (e.g. apertures, fasteners) may be provided. In some embodiments, the retention bracket30, or portions thereof, may include one or more drilled or punched holes or slots/apertures36for anchoring one or more fasteners38through to affix the retention bracket30with one or more portions of the window sash12. Apertures36may not be used in some embodiments. For example, a fastener38may be driven through one or more portions of the retention bracket, without one or more apertures, to affix to the window sash. In the one embodiment shown, one or more fasteners38may be used to affix the retention bracket30(e.g. member) to or with the window sash (e.g. indoor side12c). The fasteners, if used, and/or apertures, if used, may be a variety of quantities, shapes, sizes, constructions, and positions within the retention bracket and still be within the scope of the invention. The fastener38may be a bolt or a screw of different sizes and types (e.g., slot, cross, hex, Philips, etc.). Various other fasteners are possible, including, for example, ball detents, movable pins, spring-loaded pins, posts, tongue-and-groove, and the like. In some embodiments, the fastener (e.g. bolt or the screw) may be factory pre-installed. It should be understood that the fastener38may be fastened tight to prevent inadvertent loosening of the retention bracket30, or portions thereof.

With the retention bracket30installed, the window air conditioning unit18may bear its weight on the window assembly10, or portions thereof, (e.g. against the window sash, windowsill, etc.). The retention bracket30thereof may provide a resistive support to the torque of the window air conditioning unit18biased thereagainst by the one or more retention brackets30affixed to or engaging one or more portions of the window assembly10or sash12when the window is in one or more positions (e.g. the open position, first position, closed position, and/or second position). With such a supportive arrangement, the window air conditioning unit18may still remain resting safely within the window assembly10when the window sash12and/or retention bracket30is lowered to “close the window”. In this way, the noise level caused by the outdoor portion21including the compressor and the fan may be reduced with the window sash12working as a sound barrier between the outdoor portion21and the inside of the room. Also, the window sash12and/or retention bracket30may be raised to “open the window” to allow fresh air into the room, installation, and/or maintenance, etc.FIG.1shows the window assembly10and/or retention bracket30in a first position (e.g. the window sash12and/or bracket30is raised outside the window slot20and above the overall casing structure22of the window air conditioning unit18, initially received within the window slot), andFIG.2shows the window assembly10and/or retention bracket30in a second position (e.g. the window sash12is lowered inside the window slot20with the retention bracket).

Having described the structural components of the retention bracket30, a method of installation/securing will now be described. In some implementations, the method may include providing the retention bracket30and/or the window air conditioning unit18. The method may include raising the window sash12to a first/open position to install the retention bracket30and/or window air conditioning unit18into or onto the window assembly10. The window sash12may be positioned/slid/inserted into contact or against the retention bracket30and/or with the window slot20. Alternatively, the bracket30may be positioned into contact or against the window sash12in a position (e.g. first). The retention bracket may engage the window sash12in a first position. The first position may be with the window sash entirely outside the window slot and/or retention bracket, or portions thereof, may be outside the window slot. In other embodiments, the window sash12or lower edge may be lowered in at least a portion of the window slot20. If fasteners or other securement mechanisms38are used, the retention bracket30may be affixed to the window sash12in some embodiments. The user may adjust the vertical position of the engaged window sash12and retention bracket30from at least one first position to a lower at least one second position. The user may slide the window sash12and the retention bracket30from the first position to the second position that is lower than the first position. The sliding mechanism40may adjust the elevation or combined sash and bracket between two positions. The sealing member, if used, may be installed to close off the remaining gap between the lowered window sash12, retention bracket30, the horizontal windowsill14, and/or remaining portion of the unit18. The biasing mechanism50, if used, may maintain the retention bracket in the first position or biased upwardly when engaging/affixing the window sash12with the retention bracket30. The user may also raise the combined sash and bracket from the lower second position to one or more first positions to provide, but is not limited to, fresh air, maintenance, and/or additional steps of installing/removing. The biasing mechanism50, is used, may assist the user in raising the window sash12and/or bracket upwardly towards the first or another position.

Upon the completion of the installation, the window air conditioning unit18is now secured within the window assembly10via the one or more retention brackets30. With the retention bracket30properly installed, the window assembly10or sash12may be adjusted between the first position and the second position without disturbing the window air conditioning unit18.

In some embodiments, the first position of the window assembly10may be when the window sash12and/or bracket is raised outside/adjacent the top opening26of the window slot20and/or above the overall casing structure of the window air conditioning unit18, as shown inFIG.1, and the second position of the window assembly10may be when the window sash12and/or bracket is lowered inside the window slot20and rests on the top or surface of the bottom wall or window slot, as shown inFIG.2.

In some embodiments, after placing the window air conditioning unit18on the top of the windowsill14, the window sash12may be pulled down into the window slot20and/or bracket30to help to align the window air conditioning unit18in the correct location. The window sash12inserted/engaged into the window slot20/bracket30and/or portions of the window slot20may also help to support or reduce tipping of the window air conditioning unit18during installation, removing, maintenance, etc. Further, the fastener, if used, may be affixed when the window sash12and/or retention bracket is pulled down into the window slot.

Although not shown, in some implementations the retention bracket30, or portions thereof, may not be integral with one or more portions of the window air conditioning unit18, or portions thereof.

While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein, unless characterized otherwise, are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures.

The foregoing description of methods and embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.